Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria cruiseline is preparing to mark ‘World Gin Day’ (10th June) by offering its cruise passengers gin on tap during its first Mediterranean voyage, following the completion of its £34m ($43m) refit.

 

The Queen Victoria departs on its first voyage around the Mediterranean today (9 June) having had its very first ‘draft gin tap’ installed by courtesy of Pickering’s Gin.

 

‘UNIQUE COLLECTION OF GINS’

For its part, the gin company has launched ‘a unique collection of gins’ exclusively for Cunard’s three luxury liners – namely the Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth [Harding Retail works separately with all three ships on the onboard retail side-Ed].

 

According to Pickering’s Gin, which is made at the company’s distillery in Edinburgh, the company has ‘a shared history with Cunard’, since its co-founder Marcus Pickering’s great-uncle George Gibbons CBE RD RNR, sailed as a captain onboard Cunard White Star liners between 1909-1944.

 

According to the present generation Marcus Pickering, the company has now created three new unique London dry gins, with one to complement each of the three aforementioned ships (Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Elizabeth).

 

He said: “Working with Cunard is a dream of mine and the ability for small companies like ours to work with a globally recognised cruising brand has been a revelation.

 

‘DAVID AND GOLIATH’

“It is proof that it is possible for David to play nicely with Goliath in such uncertain times, and deals like this really help to secure the future of our business. Being a small part of Cunard has delighted my family.

 

“I might not be steering the ship, but at least I can lubricate its passengers.”