Project Overview
Operator | Cunard Line |
Vessel | Queen Elizabeth — Cunard luxury cruise liner, launched 2010 |
Sector | Marine — luxury passenger cruising |
Product installed | SOLASOLV® anti-glare roller screens on the navigation bridge windows |
Installation type | In active service — observed during Alaska cruise from Vancouver, August 2023 |
Manufacturer | Solar Solve Marine, South Shields, UK |
SOLASOLV® anti-glare screens manufactured by Solar Solve Marine are installed and in active use on the navigation bridge of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. In August 2023, Julie Lightfoot MBE, consultant at Solar Solve Marine, was invited to visit the navigation bridge during a Cunard Alaska cruise from Vancouver and observed the SOLASOLV® screens operating in the demanding high-latitude sunlight conditions of the North Pacific. The screens were performing exactly as intended, providing effective solar protection while maintaining a completely clear outward view for the bridge team.
About Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth is one of Cunard Line’s luxury ocean liners, having debuted in 2010 from Southampton. Built in Italy and christened by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, she sails as part of the Cunard fleet alongside Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, offering voyages across the world’s major cruise routes.
The vessel holds a particular distinction in the North Pacific, being one of a small number of ships permitted to navigate the UNESCO-listed Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska — one of the most environmentally protected and visually remarkable cruising environments in the world. During Glacier Bay transits, US National Park Service rangers provide passengers with presentations on the park’s wildlife and glaciers.
Queen Elizabeth is also recognised by NOAA for participating in the Whale Alert programme, reporting whale sightings in Alaskan waters to contribute to cetacean conservation efforts.
SOLASOLV® Screens Observed in Active Use
During the August 2023 Alaska cruise from Vancouver, Julie Lightfoot MBE was invited to visit the navigation bridge of Queen Elizabeth. It was during this visit that she observed SOLASOLV® anti-glare screens installed at the bridge windows and in active operational use.
The Alaska cruise season presents some of the most demanding solar conditions for any cruise ship navigation bridge. High-latitude summer conditions produce extended daylight periods with low sun angles that create intense, persistent glare across the bridge windows. Effective solar protection is not a comfort measure in this environment. It is a direct operational necessity for maintaining safe navigation.
The SOLASOLV® screens on Queen Elizabeth were performing exactly their intended function: reducing the solar glare entering the bridge to a manageable level while allowing the bridge team to maintain a completely clear, undistorted view of the sea, other vessels, and the Alaskan coastline and glacial environment ahead.
Julie Lightfoot MBE commented:
“Being on Queen Elizabeth in Glacier Bay National Park was incredible. The SOLASOLV® screens made the bridge experience much safer, and the park rangers’ presentations enhanced our understanding of the region’s wildlife and glaciers.”
Julie Lightfoot MBE, Consultant, Solar Solve Marine
SOLASOLV® Performance on Cruise Ship Navigation Bridges
Cruise ship navigation bridges present some of the most demanding solar protection requirements of any commercial vessel type. Large panoramic bridge windows, extended operational periods in high-sun cruise regions, and the dual need to maintain both crew safety and the very best navigational visibility make Type Approved, see-through anti-glare screens essential rather than optional.
Performance Measure | Rating | Cruise Ship Bridge Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Solar glare reduction | Up to 93% | Eliminates glare impairing forward visibility and instrument readability during daylight navigation |
Solar heat rejection | Up to 87% | Reduces bridge temperature during extended daylight cruising, lowering crew fatigue on long voyages |
UV light rejection | Up to 99% | Protects bridge officers from cumulative UV exposure during extended cruise itineraries in high-sun regions |
Outward visibility | Fully maintained | Completely clear, undistorted view through the screen at all times — essential for safe navigation |
SOLASOLV® screens are the only marine anti-glare screen in the world to hold simultaneous Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA. Every screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied at Solar Solve’s South Shields factory. Full technical specifications are available on the Solar Solve technical information page.
Key Results
- SOLASOLV® anti-glare screens confirmed in active use on the navigation bridge of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth during Alaska cruise operations
- Screens performing effectively in demanding high-latitude North Pacific summer conditions, where extended daylight periods and low sun angles create intense glare on bridge windows
- Full outward visibility maintained through the screens, allowing the bridge team to navigate the environmentally sensitive waters of Glacier Bay National Park with unimpaired visibility
- First-hand observation by Solar Solve consultant Julie Lightfoot MBE confirms product performance in a demanding real-world operational environment
- Installation on a Cunard luxury cruise liner demonstrates the suitability of SOLASOLV® for the most prestigious passenger vessel operators worldwide
To explore Solar Solve’s full range of marine solutions for cruise ships and passenger vessels, visit the marine sector page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are SOLASOLV® screens installed on Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth?
Yes. SOLASOLV® anti-glare screens are installed on the navigation bridge windows of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. They were observed in active use in August 2023 by Julie Lightfoot MBE, consultant at Solar Solve Marine, during a Cunard Alaska cruise from Vancouver. The screens provide effective solar glare and heat protection while maintaining a completely clear outward view for the bridge team.
What do SOLASOLV® screens do on a cruise ship navigation bridge?
SOLASOLV® screens reduce solar glare by up to 93% and solar heat by up to 87% at the navigation bridge windows while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view at all times. This improves forward visibility during bright daylight conditions, reduces eye strain and fatigue for bridge officers during long watches, and improves the readability of electronic navigation displays and chart plotters.
Are SOLASOLV® screens Type Approved for cruise ships?
Yes. SOLASOLV® screens hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA, making them the only marine anti-glare screen in the world to hold simultaneous certification from all four leading classification societies. This makes them the appropriate and fully compliant specification for navigation bridge windows on cruise ships, passenger ferries, and all other commercial vessel types.
Can SOLASOLV® screens be retrofitted to cruise ships already in service?
Yes. SOLASOLV® screens are suitable for both newbuild specification and retrofit installation on vessels already in service. Every screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied and can be installed during scheduled port calls or maintenance periods without major structural changes to the vessel.
Where are SOLASOLV® screens manufactured?
All SOLASOLV® screens are designed and manufactured in South Shields, UK, by Solar Solve Marine Ltd. Solar Solve has been manufacturing specialist marine anti-glare screens since 1987 and has supplied over 200,000 screens to more than 20,000 vessels and specialist locations across 108 countries worldwide. Contact Solar Solve at sales@solasolv.com or call +44 191 454 8595, or visit the ordering and quote page for further information.
