A photograph with the captain is the usual cruise holiday souvenir, but passengers travelling from Southampton to New York next month will be able to take home something different.
Guests on board the liner Queen Mary 2 will have the opportunity to snap up an original oil painting of the ship at sea, which will be produced during the crossing by Cunard’s artist in residence, Robert Lloyd.
Robert will spend time each morning in the Cunard flagship’s grand lobby working on the painting, and passengers will be free to ask questions as it takes shape over the course of the seven-night crossing.
The painting will be executed in oils and will depict QM2 cutting through the waves on the iconic transatlantic route for which she is best known.
On the last afternoon at sea the painting will be auctioned to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to The Prince’s Trust charity. Since 2007, Cunard has raised more than £1m for the charity.
Cunard director Angus Struthers said: “We have commissioned Robert a number of times to create stunning works of art and his paintings adorn all three of the ships in the current Cunard fleet.
“His paintings have also been presented to distinguished guests such as Baroness Thatcher when she visited to commemorate Cunard’s role in the Falklands campaign.
“To have Robert on board creating such an impressive painting for auction with the proceeds going to the Prince’s Trust is something very special indeed.
“The finished picture will make a lasting, beautiful and very personal holiday souvenir.”
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