Cunard Showcases Crew Talent With Barnaly’s Inspiring Path

Cunard has introduced its new ‘Crew Behind the Voyage’ series by shining a light on Barnaly, a standout team member whose inspiring career growth is resonating with crew across the fleet.

Unveiled through Cunard Careers’ social media platforms, the series aims to highlight the diverse skills and personal journeys of the individuals who work behind the scenes to make Cunard sailings memorable.

Barnaly began her Cunard journey in 2021 aboard Queen Mary 2, joining as a Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor. However, her curiosity and drive to grow quickly led her beyond the dance studio. What began as a casual interest in creating quizzes soon expanded into broader contributions to the ship’s entertainment offerings and other operational areas.

Her hard work and initiative led to a major career step. In 2024, Barnaly became Activities Manager on Queen Victoria, and she has since taken on the position of Onboard Learning and Development Officer (L&DO)—a role she feels is a natural fit.

“My passion has always been to bring out the best in others, which naturally drew me to the idea of L&DO,” she shared. “This is my first contract in the role, and I love what I do, particularly having the chance to help crewmembers with their personal development goals.”

Beyond professional development, Barnaly is a vocal supporter of crew wellbeing. She heads the Women Working At Sea group aboard Queen Mary 2, an initiative focused on enhancing the experience of female seafarers—something she cares about deeply.

“Life at sea is all about balance, and as a dancer, I do know quite a lot about that! While it is hard being away from everything you know, it’s easy to make new friends and new memories, and it is, without a doubt, a unique and amazing life,” she said.

Barnaly’s story exemplifies the dedication and personal evolution that Cunard’s new series aims to celebrate—highlighting the people who help create the onboard magic guests enjoy every voyage.