Behind the scenes on the Queens

Cunard was not the first cruise line to introduce behind-the-scenes tours to allow passengers a glimpse of life behind the doors marked “Crew Only.”
Princess were possibly the first to seize upon the idea as a money-making opportunity, and it was soon followed up by others. I joined an enthusiastic group on Allure of the Seas just over a year ago to be taken on an exhausting trail from the coldest food stores to the hottest crew bar.
Although various cruise news websites and bloggers have picked up on Cunard’s offering in the past few days, I found it difficult to get excited because I had read about it in November on the company’s own We Are Cunard blog.
Maybe they have tweaked it a little since then. November’s article shows an “ALL AREA ACCESS PASS,” while the press release issued this week is only headed “Access MOST Areas.” I wonder what’s missing.
Those who are prepared to stump up $120 to join a tour will discover that the main crew corridor running the length of a Cunard ship is referred to as Burma Road – on American ships the equivalent is almost always I-95 (that’s the one on Allure below).
There’s lots of numbers to assimilate: guests can inspect 3,000 costumes backstage at the Royal Court Theatre, and discover how 15,000 litres of used cooking oil is recycled. They will hope the tour is the only time they get to inspect the medical centre, and can be smug in the knowledge that in these days of heightened security, they are among a privileged few allowed on the bridge.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth will each offer just one three-and-a-half-hour tour per cruise, and a maximum of 16 passengers can take part. Book early!