Luxury cruise brand Cunard has unveiled some of the retail products that will be available on its new Queen Elizabeth liner, due to set sail in October.

On August 19, the firm unveiled a partnership with high-end English brand Fortnum & Mason, which will sell teas, preserves, biscuits and gifts.

Although the iconic Piccadilly-based shop is on the schedule of most London-bound tourists, this will be the first time Fortnum & Mason’s products have ever been available to purchase at sea.

Other stores, continuing Cunard’s British theme, include men’s designers Hackett of London, Scottish brand Harris Tweed and English fashion accessories designer Anya Hindmarch, as well as fragrances from Penhaligons.

Several brands have also announced special items produced exclusively for the ship, including a limited edition pendant from royal jeweller Clogau, a Queen Elizabeth watch from Rotary and a pill box from Halcyon Days.

As Cunard acknowledged in its announcement, on-board shopping is important to guests, with cruise lines constantly innovating to provide new outlets to help guests pass the time between port calls.

In February, US cruise line Celebrity Cruises announced the “iLounge” onboard Celebrity Eclipse, a computer school that also doubles as an Apple authorized reseller selling iPods and MacBook computers.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise liner ever built, contains 13 stores and an open air shopping area of over 10,000 square feet, including outlets selling the Breitling and Pianegonda brands for the first time ever at sea.

Queen Elizabeth is due to depart Southampton on her sold-out maiden voyage on October 12.

Source: AFPrelaxnews