Cunard has announced details of its first ever gardening voyage, with a host of top gardening experts giving guests a chance to indulge their green thumbs while cruising the blue seas of southern Australia on the stylish Queen Elizabeth.
Sailing from Sydney on March 1, 2021, “Australia’s Gardening Journey” will feature some of the nation’s leading gardening personalities including Graham Ross, Angus Stewart and Indira Naidoo, as well as a range of activities with a horticultural twist.
Also on board for the seven-night voyage will be leading editors from the popular Better Homes and Gardens magazine, who will be sharing their gardening knowledge as well as their cooking and crafts skills.
With presentations, workshops, panel discussions, audience Q&A sessions and special events like a dinner with Graham Ross on offer, guests will be able to learn the latest in gardening trends from indoor plants and balcony gardening through to organic pest control, lawn maintenance, composting, rose gardening, bee-keeping and growing native plants.
The gardening theme will also be extended to Queen Elizabeth’s entertainment program, with guests able to take part in gardening trivia, special craft classes and lessons in cooking from their garden during their cruise.
Fares start from AUD $1,399* per person twin share for the gardening cruise, which will feature an overnight call to the Tasmanian capital of Hobart as well as a day in Melbourne, with bespoke gardening themed shore tours offered in both ports in addition to other sightseeing activities.
The cruise will be part of Queen Elizabeth’s record 118-day season cruising Australian waters from November 2020 to March 2021.
Cunard Commercial Director Katrina McAlpine said the cruise line was excited to be able to offer such a wide range of experienced and passionate experts on board its inaugural gardening cruise.
“Whether you have a huge country garden or a small city balcony, Cunard’s gardening cruise will be packed with great talks, interesting events and fantastic advice, offering something for everyone on board,” Ms McAlpine said.
Gardening expert Graham Ross said he was thrilled to be joining Cunard’s first gardening cruise.
“I’m looking forward to giving some themed gardening presentations and answering guests’ personal questions in special Garden Clinic sessions, all in the luxurious surroundings of one of the world’s finest ships,” Mr Ross said.
Speakers on board the gardening cruise include:
Graham Ross – Perhaps Australia’s best known gardener, Graham’s career as a horticulturalist, radio broadcaster, television gardening presenter and author has spanned more than 50 years.
Angus Stewart – An award winning horticulturist, Angus is renowned for his work in breeding new varieties of Australian native plants and is a regular presenter on a range of popular radio and television gardening shows.
Indira Naidoo – One of Australia’s most popular broadcasters and authors, Indira has written two books on gardening: “The Edible Balcony” and “The Edible City”.
Sarah Hamilton – Sarah is a horticulturalist who has specialised in native stingless bee keeping for more than six years.
Steve Falcioni – A qualified horticulturalist, Steve is well known as a writer, public speaker and radio guest on gardening issues and is an advocate for organic gardening.
Julia Zaetta – Currently editor-in-chief of Australia’s number one home magazine Better Homes and Gardens, Julia is regarded as one of the most successful and the longest-serving editor in Australian publishing history.
Dora Papas – The editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Dora has been in the publishing industry for more than 25 years and loves to share her passion for renovating, making and decorating with like-minded people..
Jenny Dillon – An experienced journalist who has trained in horticulture and landscape design, Jenny brings all her skills together as garden editor of Better Homes and Gardens.
Elle Vernon – A keen foodie, Elle is food editor at Better Homes and Gardens magazine and has more than 16 years’ experience creating beautiful food.
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