Skip to main content

Worthy of her grandeur, this is how you take a photo of a luxury cruise ship

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner, Cunard commissioned a photo shoot that harks back to the posters of luxury transatlantic ships of the early 20th century, which involved the ship’s captain playing a daredevil role.

QM2-10th-anniversary-1Once the largest cruise ship in the world, the QM2 was launched in January 2004, with Queen Elizabeth II smashing a ceremonial bottle of champagne on the bow. That bow, once again, is featured prominently in the new commemorative photos, with the ship’s captain, Kevin Oprey, standing on it.

Recommended Videos

The photo shoot, according to The Daily Mail, wasn’t exactly easy. The ship was anchored a mile off the coast of Bali in Indonesia. When photographer James Morgan suggested the shot of the captain standing on the bulb, “they all looked at me like I was a tiny bit mad, but the fact it hadn’t been done was why we had to do it,” Morgan told the The Daily Mail. Weather conditions had to be perfect, and although it didn’t seem ideal when Morgan arrived in Bali, the weather calmed enough for Morgan to set up the shoot safely.

Cunard created a behind-the-scenes video (below) of how they achieved the spectacular photo, with Oprey and Morgan discussing the experience, and what it was like to stand on the ship’s bow and surrounded by water.

(Via Jaunted; images via James Morgan/REX/Cunard)

This article was originally posted on Digital Trends

Les Shu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Les’ work.
This luxury all-inclusive resort in Florida feels like the Caribbean—no passport needed
A little taste of paradise nestled in the Florida Keys
Bungalows Key Largo

Over the past few years, I've stayed at various all-inclusive resorts in popular tropical destinations, such as Punta Cana and St. Lucia. No matter which resort you go to and which destination you pick, relaxation is a universal theme across all-inclusive resorts. All-inclusive resorts are a popular choice for travelers who don't want to be bothered to take out their credit card all day long and who want to lie poolside or beachside for the majority of the day.

There's something to be said about the luxury and convenience of an all-inclusive resort, but they're tough to find domestically. I set out on a trip to the Bungalows Key Largo to try my first-ever U.S. all-inclusive resort experience, delivering a similar atmosphere to Caribbean and Mexico all-inclusive resorts -- yet no passport required. Here's what my stay was like and why I'd do it again.

Read more
This Philly hotel offers wellness stays based on your personality type
Are you Type Anna or Type Bel?
Hotel Anna & Bel

To mark International Wellness Month this August, Fishtown’s boutique Hotel Anna & Bel is introducing a new stay experience that lets guests tailor their getaway based on personality type. Inspired by both the hotel’s namesake and the viral social media craze around personality quizzes, the program offers two curated add-ons, Type Anna and Type Bel, designed to help travelers embrace self-care their way.

Type Anna caters to the planners who love structure and thoughtful details, while Type Bel is made for those who prefer spontaneity and movement. Guests can select which experience best reflects them when booking, making each stay feel personal.

Read more
Travelers to Thailand could score free flights starting this September
Now might be the time to travel to Thailand
temple in Thailand

Thailand is gearing up to give international tourism a major lift this fall by offering 200,000 free domestic flights to visitors arriving between September and November. The initiative, led by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, is designed to encourage travelers to explore beyond Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai during the country’s traditionally slower season.

The details

Read more