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Cunard Line is proud to announce a new partnership with The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) onboard its trio of famed luxury ocean liners, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and QE2. Poised to become a highlight of Cunard Insights, the Line's award-winning enrichment programme, the RAS partnership begins this summer with RAS Fellows joining 15 voyages on such popular itineraries as Queen Mary 2's Transatlantic Crossings and Caribbean voyages and Queen Victoria's Mediterranean sailings. RAS will offer custom night sky displays of constellations and star navigation instruction, and highlight astronomical points of interest using the Sky-Scan software in the only planetarium at sea onboard Queen Mary 2. Nighttime "Star Parties" on deck, informal discussion groups and formal lectures with leading astronomers, will also be distinguishing features of this first-at-sea programme.

"At Cunard, we are committed to offering our guests a dynamic and diverse range of enrichment opportunities," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "Our new partnership with The Royal Astronomical Society brings another new and innovative learning experience to our guests, allowing unprecedented access to one of the U.K.'s most renowned and historic scientific institutions."

"The RAS is delighted to be working with Cunard as part of our ongoing programme to promote astronomy and geophysics to the wider public," said RAS spokesman Dr. Robert Massey. He added, "Our Fellows include leading scientists, educators, writers and journalists, many of whom are experts at communicating cutting-edge science to a lay audience.

Cunard has long been synonymous with providing engaging onboard enrichment programmes. Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics, Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and accomplished visionaries who reflect the line's heritage of adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A's, debates, social gatherings, and workshops, guests connect with personalities who have achieved notable distinction in areas including history, world affairs, science, politics, arts and literature. The Insights programmes underscore Cunard's longstanding view that onboard entertainment should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral experience.