A Caribbean Cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth After 45 Years as a Shipboard Lecturer

When William “Bill” H. Miller stepped ashore in Miami after a Caribbean cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth, he marked a rare milestone. The voyage represented his 45th year sailing with Cunard as an enrichment lecturer.

Miller is widely known in maritime circles as “Mr. Ocean Liner.” A leading American maritime historian and author, he has written more than 125 books and 1,000 articles on ocean liners and cruise ships. His work spans historical research, industry commentary, and public education. He has lectured aboard more than 75 cruise ships. He also shares those observations as longtime author of the Heard Along The Promenade Deck column on CruiseNews.

Cunard History and the Evolution of Cruising

Cunard sits at the center of that career. For decades, Miller has sailed with the line as an enrichment lecturer, delivering talks rooted in Cunard history, ocean liner heritage, and the evolution of cruising.

Speaking shortly after disembarking Queen Elizabeth, Miller described the sailing as a standout.

“This was one of my most successful cruises ever,” he said.

When asked why, Miller pointed to passenger engagement. During the voyage, he delivered four lectures to full houses in Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Court Theatre.

“They were friendly. They were interested,” he said. “That chemistry makes all the difference.”

Miller said his lectures covered several core subjects. He spoke about the great ocean liners and Cunard’s history, drawing on examples of specific ships. He also discussed what he described as the individual personalities of certain liners, as well as how the industry has changed over time, adding that more ships are cruising today than ever, and even more people traveling aboard them.

From the lens of maritime history and ocean liner heritage, the subjects echoed the atmosphere aboard Queen Elizabeth, which he described as reminiscent of an earlier liner era.

The Enduring Feel of an Ocean Liner

Although the ship entered service in 2010, Miller said Queen Elizabeth retains a traditional tone during his Caribbean cruise.

“She still has that yesteryear feel,” Miller said. “It feels more like an old ocean liner.”

He noted the ship recently underwent a refit in Singapore. The work refreshed carpets and furnishings while preserving the ship’s familiar layout.

“It felt like coming back to a ship where you know where everything is,” he said. “The changes were mostly cosmetic.”

Miller observed that his nine-day itinerary departed full. Ports included Cozumel, Belize City, Montego Bay, and Grand Turk, though he said he increasingly chooses to remain on board during these days.

“I enjoy the ship when it’s empty and calm,” he said.

He also noted a subtle shift in onboard tone. Miller said Cunard appears to be taking a more flexible approach to dress standards on Queen Elizabeth’s Miami-based itineraries.

“I think Cunard has kept its essence,” he said. “It’s just modifying certain elements.”

Dining and Service Aboard Queen Elizabeth

On dining, Miller highlighted an evening in the Queen’s Grill as a standout. He described sea bass prepared “beautifully,” accompanied by caviar, shrimp cocktail, a refined soup, and an “exquisite” dessert. He said the service that evening was “beyond compare.”

More broadly, Miller described service aboard Queen Elizabeth as friendly, pleasant, and very efficient. He said staff were attentive across venues and consistently professional in their approach. Meals, whether at lunch or dinner, were served smoothly and presented with care.

A Shared History at Sea

Reflecting on his long relationship with Cunard, Miller returned to a familiar theme.

“The ships evolve,” he said. “But the spirit remains.”

For me, the conversation carried personal meaning. Long before I worked in the cruise industry, Mr. Miller was my sixth-grade teacher in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was the person who first introduced me to the world of ships, regaling our class with stories of his summer travels to fantastical shores. For inner-city kids in the 80’s, Mr. Miller gave us a peek of a world far beyond the fences.

Decades later, the world has changed. Hoboken, of course, has changed. But it is the warmest privilege to work alongside Mr. Miller again.