Scott Kidder

On the final six-day crossing of the Queen Elizabeth 2, Cunard said, the ship is sailing full, with 1,877 passengers paying fares ranging from $25,445 for a duplex grand suite with verandah, to $2,992 for a plain inside single room. They consume daily — or commonly did, according to company figures, before the financial crisis hit — more than 6 pounds of caviar, 116 pounds of lobster, 200 bottles of champagne and 41 boxes of cigars.