In fact, images of Britain's reigning monarch conjure mostly boxy hats and dainty pocketbooks. But on the QE2, the sovereign's namesake ship, it's a different story. For the third year, the venerable Cunard vessel will be host of the popular Newport Jazz Festival at Sea from Aug. 9 to Aug. 16. Rhode Island Aug. 13-15, are included in the cruise fare, as are tickets to a Friday night concert. Performers for the shoreside concert will be announced this month.
Air transportation is available.
QE2 also will be the site of other jazz cruises. The cruise arrives in the Big Apple just in time for the JVC New York Jazz Festival, held in jazz clubs throughout the city. On Nov. 2, QE2 will set sail on the Floating Jazz Festival cruise, trans-Atlantic from Miami to Southampton. Among guest musicians on the 10-day cruise will be pianist Oscar Peterson and trumpeter Clark Terry. The cruise includes workshops, passenger jam sessions and autograph signings with the artists.