Cunard has launched its new ‘Crew Behind the Voyage’ series with a spotlight on one of its rising stars: Barnaly, whose remarkable journey from ballroom dance instructor to onboard leadership is inspiring colleagues across the fleet.

The feature, introduced on the Cunard Careers social media, is part of a broader initiative to recognize the diverse talents and stories of crew members who bring Cunard voyages to life behind the scenes.

Barnaly first stepped aboard Queen Mary 2 in 2021 as a Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor. But it didn’t take long for her curiosity and passion for learning to push her beyond the dance floor. What began as a side interest in writing quizzes soon evolved into supporting the wider entertainment team and exploring other shipboard roles.

Her dedication paid off. In 2024, she took on the role of Activities Manager aboard Queen Victoria and has since advanced to become the Onboard Learning and Development Officer (L&DO)—a role she says aligns perfectly with her passion.

“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.”

In addition to supporting crew training and development, Barnaly is a strong advocate for crew welfare. She currently leads the Women Working At Sea group on Queen Mary 2, which focuses on improving life and work for female seafarers—a topic she feels deeply about.

“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.

For more stories like Barnaly’s, follow @CunardCareers on social media.