Cunard Sea Views Photo Exhibition Captures 100 Years of Cruising

Venerable cruise line Cunard has launched Sea Views—an online photo exhibition celebrating a century of cruising history and memories.

On March 22, 2023, Cunard Line introduced a photography exhibition of 100 pictures curated by world-renowned photographer and filmmaker Mary McCartney.

Titled Sea Views, the new online exhibit includes photos from the past 100 years of Cunard sailings.

Sea Views marks two milestones in Cunard’s history—the fact that over 100 years ago Cunard was the first cruise line to introduce onboard photographers, and the centennial anniversary of the first ever round-the-world voyage on Cunard’s Laconia.

Laconia‘s historic 130-day voyage departed on November 21, 1922 and arrived back in New York City on March 30, 1923 after calling at 22 ports.

Cunard’s new Sea Views exhibition boasts never-before-seen images

Featuring images from Cunard’s photography archive along with a collection of photos submitted by past and present guests of its iconic cruise liners, the Sea Views exhibition is a culmination of the century’s rich history.

“It was not just about showcasing the history, but also celebrating the millions of travelers who have embarked on unforgettable voyages with Cunard,” said exhibit curator Mary McCartney.

A Cunard guest plays a deck game in a vintage photo (image courtesy of Cunard Line). Cunard didn’t provide a year—I’m guessing 1952. What year do you think this picture was taken? Let me know in the comments!

Exhibition leader McCartney said in a press release, “Curating the Sea Views exhibition for Cunard has been a fulfilling project for me as a photographer and filmmaker. It was a joy to dig deep into the archives and discover never-before-seen photographs that capture the essence of Cunard’s signature moments, showcasing the glamour, elegance, and adventures families and friends shared together.”

Including a selection of photos featuring everything from pics of Hollywood stars to the treasured moments of everyday guests, the snapshot collection covers the dynamic changes in style across fashion, food, and design since the 1920s.

Sea Views features a host of glamorous cruise guests aboard the line’s ships, including screen stars Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, and Bing Crosby. Cunard’s archival gems even include a pic of anti-apartheid leader and South Africa’s first president Nelson Mandela having a laugh aboard the famed QE2.

Sea Views includes photos from everyday cruisers

Leading up to the exhibition, Cunard asked past guests to submit pics that personified their own experiences aboard the company’s ships.

And did they deliver! Hundreds of Cunard passengers from around the world submitted over a thousand photos of their personal highlights aboard Cunard ships.

Cruiser-submitted images depict a series of fascinating moments—families immigrating to new continents, milestone anniversaries, and unexpected guest encounters—each telling a magical story from the 1920s to the present day.

Cruiser Barry Robins submitted a picture of himself and his sister Lynne Robins aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary in June of 1964. Barry and his family were immigrating to the US. The siblings had a wonderful time onboard the Cunard ship and shared a range of fond memories in the photo array.

How you can experience Cunard’s Sea Views for free

Although retrospective photo exhibitions usually entail a visit to a museum or gallery (and the requisite travel costs and parking fees), anyone can experience the Sea Views exhibition with just a basic computer or smartphone.

Cunard’s 1923 – 2023 Sea Views digital exhibition is available at the following link:

View Cunard Line’s Sea Views exhibition for free

More news about Cunard

Have you checked out Cunard’s free online Sea Views photo exhibition? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the historic photo collection!

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Carrie Ann Karstunen

Carrie Ann is the founder of Should Be Cruising and a lifelong travel fanatic. A former flight attendant, she now prefers cruise ships over airplanes and spends several months each year cruising and exploring cruise ports. Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

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