Joanna Turns 40 at Sea

Our friend Joanna turns 40 on January 7, 2028.

She's going to spend that birthday in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, on Queen Mary 2, somewhere between New York City and London.

January 3rd, 2028

New York City. Joanna boards Queen Mary 2 for eight nights at sea, no ports of call. Her 40th falls on the 7th, somewhere over open water. On the 11th, she arrives in London.

A few nights in New York to begin, a few in London to land. The crossing is the event.

M802 • Eastbound Transatlantic • Queen Mary 2

A large cruise ship sailing on a wide body of water with a city skyline in the background, featuring tall skyscrapers and a clear blue sky.

The Ship

Queen Mary 2 is the world's only true ocean liner — not a cruise ship, an ocean liner, built specifically to cross the North Atlantic and make it feel like the occasion it is. A library with 8,000 volumes. The only planetarium at sea. A ballroom with live orchestra. White Star Service. Eight days with nowhere to be.

Since last summer, Joanna has been cooking for an entire wilderness community in the North Cascades — one ferry in and out, no cell service, 12 people depending on her for every meal. For eight nights on Queen Mary 2, somebody else is running the kitchen.

Cleaner arranging a blue decorative pillow embroidered with a crest on a hotel bed.
Elegant dining table set with white tablecloth, plates, glasses, napkins, and flowers in the foreground, with blue chairs and a framed painting on the wooden-paneled wall in the background, illuminated by natural light from large windows with curtains.
A woman lying on a bed wearing a white bathrobe with an embroidered crest and the word "GUNAR" on it, smiling and resting with her hand near her head.
Elegant dinner table setting with white and red patterned plates, silver forks, knives, and wine glasses on a white tablecloth.
A large cruise ship named Queen Mary 2 docked on a body of water with a city skyline in the background.

The Birthday

Joanna has taken care of me — the way real friends do, quietly, over years. This is my turn. She's the kind of person who drinks her experiences in deeply, notices what everyone else misses, remembers it later. An anglophile by nature, which is half the reason this crossing makes sense for her. The other half: the mountains. Queen Mary 2 is the counterweight — dressed for dinner, the orchestra playing somewhere overhead, the Atlantic outside the window, eight days that ask nothing of her except presence.

If she sent you here, you're invited.

A person in a white glove placing a white door hanger with handwritten text on a hotel door handle. The door hanger reads, "Why do ants run in front of me?" and has the Cunard logo at the bottom. A mirror shows the reflection of the hanger and the door handle.

The Particulars

  • Ship: Queen Mary 2

  • Voyage: M802 · Eastbound Transatlantic

  • Route: New York City → Southampton (Train to London)

  • Dates: January 3–11, 2028 · 8 nights

  • Group: Small. Curated. Joanna's people.

  • Cabins: Britannia · Britannia Club · Princess Grill · Queens Grill — full range; pricing on inquiry

A person dressed in formal attire holding a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne.

For Joanna's 40th — January 2028

Are You a
Cunard Traveler?

Joanna is turning 40 at sea — eight nights on Queen Mary 2, January 3–11, 2028, New York to London. Queen Mary 2 is the world's last working ocean liner: built for the Atlantic, not adapted to it.

Ten questions, five minutes. Find out what kind of Cunard traveler you'd be on her crossing.

10 questions · 5 archetypes · Queen Mary 2

Crafted by Travel With Erik · Independent Luxury Travel Advisor

Question 1 of 10

Your result

Aboard with Joanna, you'd be:

What you'll love on Queen Mary 2

    January 2028

    Will you be aboard?

    Eight nights at sea for Joanna's 40th — January 3–11, 2028, New York to London on Queen Mary 2. The kind of crossing your archetype was made for. Pencil yourself in or just tell me you want to hear more — I'll be in touch within a day.

    Thanks — I'll be in touch shortly.
    Watch for a note from erik@redsuitcasejourneys.com.

    Two ways to come aboard

    Pencil yourself in.

    Pick the one that fits. I'll be in touch within a day.

    Thanks — I'll be in touch shortly.
    Watch for a note from erik@redsuitcasejourneys.com.

    Can't join?

    You can still be in the room. Every contribution goes directly to Joanna's cabin on Queen Mary 2 — straight to the booking, nothing in between.

    3% Cover the Fee
    Professional headshot of a man smiling, wearing a white shirt, tan sweater, and black blazer.

    Hi, I’m Erik

    I know this route. I've done the crossing — eight nights on Queen Mary 2, dressed for dinner, the Atlantic outside the window. I know her library and her planetarium, her quietest deck after midnight, which cabins reward the upgrade and which don't. And I'm in New York or London every chance I get.

    Joanna has the trip. You have me.

    No commitment right now. Pick the path that fits below. I'll be in touch within a day.

    Questions? Email Me →
    View of Manhattan skyline at sunset with water in the foreground and partly cloudy sky.
    A cityscape view of Manhattan in New York City showing tall buildings, busy streets filled with cars, and a cloudy sky.
    Upscale lounge area with large windows overlooking a city skyline, featuring modern red sofas, a unique yellow neon light fixture on the ceiling, and balloons in the background.
    View of New York City skyline with Empire State Building and tall skyscrapers under cloudy sky
    Hotel room with a large bed, artwork on the wall, a window with city view, and a wooden desk with a lamp and personal items.
    Aerial view of a cityscape with a historic triumphal arch and a busy street.
    A man in a tan coat standing on a bridge looking out over the river and city skyline in the distance.
    Underpass decorated with colorful string lights, benches along sides, and a bright neon sign reading 'DUMBO' at night.
    Nighttime view of New York City skyline with illuminated buildings, including the Empire State Building lit in red and blue, and other skyscrapers under cloudy sky.
    Close-up view of a suspension bridge's towers and cables against a blue sky.
    Two men smiling at a theater or concert event, holding a Gypsy Broadway Playbill. The background has other people in a decorated venue.
    Person walking with rolling suitcase on colorful painted sidewalk near cruise ship
    View from a boat showing the ocean and a cloudy sky with a boat wake trailing behind.
    A glass of orange cocktail with ice and a straw and a short glass with ice and an orange drink on a table, with a dark blue sky and city lights in the background.
    Person playing trumpet on stage with microphone and music stand, stage lighting and fog effects.
    View of ocean water with waves from a boat or ship at sea.
    Deck of a cruise ship with wooden lounge chairs, safety equipment including a life ring and fire extinguisher, and an ocean view at night.
    View of a cloudy sky over the ocean with blue and white clouds.
    A plated gourmet meal featuring a beef or meatloaf with gravy, a slice of layered potato gratin, sautéed mushrooms, and green beans with cherry tomatoes garnished with herbs, on a white plate at a restaurant.
    A plated gourmet meal consisting of two pieces of seared meat topped with a sprig of parsley, served with roasted carrots, dollops of mashed potatoes or a similar creamy side, and a green vegetable, all drizzled in a rich sauce on a white plate in a
    Cheese, grapes, and a biscotti on a white plate.
    Ceiling with wooden panels, multiple chandeliers, and recessed lighting.
    Ocean water with waves and foam
    Group of people sitting and chatting in a dimly lit lounge with large 3D letters on the wall behind them and drinks on the table in front.
    Musicians performing live on stage, with one man singing into a microphone and another playing drums, in a dimly lit venue with brick walls.
    A live band performing on stage at an indoor event with a logo that reads 'M 2' projected on the wall behind them, with people dancing or talking in front of the stage and colorful lighting on the floor.
    Two men taking a selfie on the deck of a boat out at sea during sunset.
    Close-up of a brown, reflective surface with a greenish background and some minor scratches or blemishes.
    A round table set for two in a restaurant with white and gold china, glasses, and silverware, with a decorated paper napkin holder in the center and a larger glass of water or wine. In the background, other tables and chairs are visible, with patrons
    Table setting with plates, cups, glasses with pink and white beverages, cutlery, and condiments in a restaurant with people in the background.
    View of the open ocean with a clear horizon, blue water, and a partly cloudy sky from a boat deck.
    Interior view of a luxurious restaurant with wooden furnishings, white tablecloths, and wall art.
    Ocean water with waves at sunset or sunrise.
    A glass of beer, a bowl of potato chips, and a bottle of Maharaja IPA on a wooden table in a restaurant or pub with people in the background.
    A person sitting at a table in an airport lounge, seen through a window, with a curtain and reflection visible in the window.
    View of the ocean with a cloudy sky above, seen from a boat at sea.
    Three young girls in sequined dresses playing violins in a living room or lounge area, with a group of adults in the background, some of whom are seated and engaging in conversation.
    Interior of a cozy restaurant with a red tufted bench, wooden tables, black chairs with red cushions, a teal bar counter, and a well-stocked bar in the background. Decor includes framed pictures on the wall and small decorative items on the tables.
    View of residential buildings with pink and brick facades under a partly cloudy sky during sunset.
    Seagull perched on a chimney top against a cloudy sky.
    Two white plates with fried fish filets, French fries, and lemon wedges on a restaurant table.
    Empty restaurant table set with two glasses, a bottle of oil, a bottle of vinegar, and a laminated menu, next to a large window with a view of an outdoor dining area.
    Historic building with clock tower and a Ferris wheel in the background, cloudy sky.
    A man in a brown coat and jeans standing next to a lamp post sculpture in a park. The sculpture depicts a person reaching out with one arm, holding a book, and the other arm stretched downward. Trees without leaves and city buildings are visible in t
    A person with a bald head and beige trench coat looking at a large painting of a jumping horse in an art gallery with ornate gold frames on the wall.
    Two men smiling and taking a selfie at a bar or restaurant, each holding a drink, with dark background and warm lighting.
    British guard in uniform standing outside a beige stone building with an archway, near a blue guardhouse and a lamp post.
    A large Ferris wheel by a river in a cityscape with buildings and a cloudy sky in the background.
    A young child standing outside near a large stone building with a window, holding a small object in their right hand.
    A man in a tan coat walking in a colorful outdoor city square with café seating, a large Christmas tree, and buildings decorated with string lights and street art.
    A man standing on a sidewalk in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in London, with a garden and statues nearby, under a partly cloudy sky.
    A sign with an eye and lines, reflecting a building's exterior at night, with the website kitkat.club below.
    Two men taking a selfie on a city street at night, with a building lit up in blue lights in the background.
    Poster for the musical 'Cabaret' at Kit Kat Club, featuring Adam Gillen and Katherine.
    People viewing large classical paintings in an art museum with high arched ceilings and ornate architectural details.
    Close-up of a Ferris wheel with glass-enclosed cabins against a cloudy sky.
    A tall monument with intricate carvings and statues, topped with a gold statue of a winged figure, set against a cloudy sky.
    Colorful butterfly-shaped lanterns hanging outside a building, with a clear evening sky in the background.
    Smiling man with a beard holding a green shopping bag from Fortnum & Mason on a city street.
    A man in a khaki trench coat shopping for gift boxes on a wooden display shelf in a store decorated with colorful packaging and ornaments. Another person is in the background.
    Large glass candy jar filled with mixed nuts on a tall stand at a candy shop. Background shows jars of sweets and shoppers.