Sea days, grand cities and no airports

The concept: Sea days, grand cities and no airports

This itinerary seamlessly links:

A Southampton to Hamburg sailing on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, First-class rail journeys connecting Hamburg, Munich and Berlin.

Stays in stylish, well-located city hotels

A return Hamburg to Southampton short break cruise on Queen Mary 2

You can and will enjoy the timeless pleasure of days at sea, private transfers, relaxed rail travel and carefully chosen hotels, all without setting foot in an airport!

Day 1: Sail from Southampton on Queen Mary 2

26 May 2027    You begin their adventure in classic style, boarding Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, in Southampton. With departure scheduled for 17:00, there is time to settle into your Balcony Stateroom, explore the sweeping decks and perhaps enjoy a pre-dinner drink as the ship eases down the Solent.

Once on board, everything feels reassuringly refined: white-gloved afternoon tea, elegant lounges, fine dining, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a true ocean liner. As the UK coastline recedes, the holiday has truly begun, with no airport queues and no luggage restrictions beyond what fits comfortably in their cabin.

Day 2: A day at sea en route to Hamburg

27 May 2027 The first full day on board is all about slowing down. You can:

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with sea views, browse the library, attend an enrichment talk or simply relax with a book,

Take in the fresh air with a stroll along the teak promenade

Savour a formal dinner with that quintessential Cunard sense of occasion

With gratuities and extras clearly defined in advance, the day is theirs to enjoy without logistical worries, arriving into Germany rested and relaxed.

Day 3:  Arrive in Hamburg and first-class rail to Munich

28 May 2027 Queen Mary 2 sails into Hamburg early morning, docking at Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder. After disembarkation, a private SUV transfer at 09:45 whisks your clients directly from the cruise terminal to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof.

There is no wrestling with luggage on public transport: a seamless, door-to-door service that keeps the tone of the trip luxurious.

From Hamburg Hbf you can board a first-class rail service to Munich, arriving München Hbf Arnulfstraße at 16:49.

First class offers more space, quieter carriages and a more relaxed journey, with ever-changing views of northern Germany gradually giving way to Bavaria.

Check in: 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, Munich

28–31 May 2027 | 3 nights | Extra Large Room | Bed & Breakfast

In Munich, you will be based at the playful yet stylish 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian, perfectly positioned for exploring the city.

The Extra Large room category and breakfast included lend a sense of indulgence, ideal after a travel day.

Munich highlights to suggest:

An afternoon or evening wander through the Altstadt with stops in traditional beer halls

Strolling through the English Garden, perhaps pausing by the famous Eisbach surfers

Visiting the Residenz or the world-class art museums

This is Munich as a base for culture, food and a relaxed Bavarian atmosphere, all easily accessible on foot or by short tram or U‑Bahn hops.

Days 4 & 5: Discovering Munich

29–30 May 2027

Over two full days in Munich, you can really settle into the rhythm of the city. With breakfast taken care of at the hotel, they are free to spend their days however they wish:

Join a guided walking tour of the Old Town to understand Munich’s layered history

Sample Bavarian specialities in traditional beer halls or chic modern restaurants

Browse designer boutiques along Maximilianstrasse

Take a half-day excursion to the nearby lakes or foothills of the Alps for a change of scenery

The city’s excellent public transport system makes independent exploration straightforward, and the central location of the hotel means they are never far away from “home”.

Day 6: First-class rail from Munich to Berlin

31 May 2027 Leaving Munich after breakfast, you can board a first-class train from München Hbf (tief) to Berlin Hbf (Europaplatz), arriving at 14:22.

These high-speed services are smooth, quiet and spacious, making this a comfortable way to cross the country while watching the landscapes of Bavaria and Saxony glide by.

Check in: Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt, Berlin

31 May–3 June 2027 | 3 nights | Grand Deluxe Room | Bed & Breakfast

On arrival in Berlin, it is just a short walk or transfer to the Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt in Mitte. Overlooking the government quarter and within easy reach of the River Spree, the hotel’s Grand Deluxe rooms and included breakfast keep the experience firmly in the premium bracket.

Berlin highlights to suggest:

An introductory city tour taking in the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden

Exploring Museumsinsel, from classical antiquities to world-renowned art collections

Reflective stops at the Berlin Wall memorials and Checkpoint Charlie

Evenings along the Spree, with riverside bars and restaurants bringing the city to life

Berlin offers a compelling mix of history, culture and contemporary edge, and three nights here allows your clients to experience all sides of the city.

Days 7 & 8: Immersed in Berlin

1–2 June 2027 Two full days give time for a deeper connection with Berlin:

Delve into Berlin’s creative neighbourhoods such as Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg

Explore independent galleries, street art and vibrant food scenes

Book a concert or performance for one of the evenings for an extra special touch

The central base and generous room category at the Steigenberger ensure that, however busy the day, your clients return to calm surroundings and a good night’s sleep.

Day 9: Rail back to Hamburg and an elegant overnight

3 June 2027 It is time to return north, as you will board a first-class train from Berlin Hbf (Europaplatz) to Hamburg Hbf, arriving at 13:24.

This shorter journey is another chance to enjoy the comfort of first class and the convenience of travelling directly from city centre to city centre.

Check in: Conrad Hamburg

3–4 June 2027 | 1 night | Double Executive | Bed & Breakfast

For the final night ashore, you will stay at the Conrad Hamburg.

The Double Executive room category and breakfast included make this a refined pause before rejoining Queen Mary 2.

There is time for:

A late afternoon stroll around the Alster lakes or the warehouse district (Speicherstadt)

Dinner at one of Hamburg’s excellent restaurants, from fine dining to waterside bistros

It is a relaxed and stylish way to reconnect with Hamburg before the return sailing.<br/><br/>Day 10: Private transfer back to the port and embarkation

4 June 2027

After breakfast, a private SUV transfer at 11:00 collects you from the Conrad Hamburg and whisk you back to Hamburg Cruise Center Steinwerder.

The return to Queen Mary 2 feels wonderfully familiar: the same classic ship, new cruise.

With departure at 18:00, there is ample time to re-board, unpack, and perhaps enjoy a light lunch or afternoon tea on deck, looking forward to the voyage back to the UK in an upgrade Club Balcony Stateroom

Days 11 & 12: Short Break to Cherbourg on Queen Mary 2

4–7 June 2027 You now enjoy a Short Break to Cherbourg on Queen Mary 2, with an upgraded Club Balcony Stateroom grade (A1). This second sailing can be as relaxed or as sociable as they choose:

Spend time on board making the most of the ship’s facilities

Perhaps join a shore visit in Cherbourg for a taste of Normandy’s coastal charm

Enjoy evenings of fine dining, cocktails, live music and that unmistakable Cunard ambience

After the richer discovery of Hamburg, Munich and Berlin, this final cruise segment is all about unwinding and relishing the pleasures of life at sea.

Day 13: Return to Southampton

7 June 2027 Queen Mary 2 docks in Southampton at 06:30, bringing the journey full circle. Your clients step off the ship with no jet lag and a head full of memories: a classic ocean crossing, three of Germany’s most compelling cities and the pleasure of travelling entirely by sea and rail.

Why this itinerary works so well for no-fly travellers

This itinerary is ideal for:

No-fly clients who prefer to avoid airports but still want to see more of Europe

Rail enthusiasts who appreciate first-class comfort and iconic routes between major cities

Lovers of classic cruising drawn to Queen Mary 2 and Cunard’s elegant style

Culture seekers who want time in world-class cities, not just fleeting port calls