CUNARD FOUNDED 1839 • 185 YEARS AT SEA
Cunard: Ships, Suites & Expert Guide (2026)
Cunard: The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World
No name in cruising carries more weight, more history, or more understated glamour. From the original transatlantic mail ships to today's fleet of Queens, Cunard remains the benchmark by which all luxury ocean travel is measured.
*****
Editor's Rating 4.6/5
Reviewed by AboutLuxuryCruising.com 2026
CRUISE LINE SPOTLINE
186 Years of Ocean Liner History
Cunard is more than a cruise line — it is a living institution, one that has been moving people across oceans since 1839 and has never once lost sight of what ocean travel should feel like: dignified, elegant, and genuinely memorable.
Samuel Cunard launched his first steamship service from Liverpool to Halifax in 1840, carrying the Royal Mail — and a handful of paying passengers who could scarcely have imagined what his little company would become. Nearly two centuries later, Cunard's fleet of four Queens sails to every corner of the world, yet the spirit of that original enterprise — reliability, quality, and a certain British steadiness — runs through every gala evening, every afternoon tea, every crossing of the North Atlantic. If you are considering a Cunard voyage, you are in the right hands. Below, we lay out everything you need to know: the fleet, the dining grades and our honest verdict on who Cunard suits best.
IN THIS GUIDE
01
CUNARD OVERVIEW
02
CUNARD FLEET
03
DINING ONBOARD
04
ACCOMMODATION
05
DESTINATIONS
06
WHAT'S INCLUDED
07
VERDICT
08
FAQ'S
THE FLEET AT A GLANCE
Four Queens. One Extraordinary Legacy.
186
YEARS OF OCEAN HISTORY
4
QUEENS - EACH A CHAPTER IN THE STORY
184
UNIQUE DESTINATIONS - 70 COUNTRIES
108
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES VISITED
1
TRUE OCEAN LINER STILL SAILING
249th
SHIP IN CUNARD HISTORY - QUEEN ANNE (2024)
THE FOUR QUEENS
Meet the Most Famous Ships Afloat
Each of Cunard's four Queens has her own personality, era and devotees. Together they represent the widest range of ocean travel heritage in any fleet — from the pioneer of transatlantic crossings to the freshest face in British luxury cruising.
Queen Mary 2
In service 2004 · 148,528 GT · 2,691 guests · The Flagship
Flagship - TRANSATLANTIC LINER
Queen Anne
In service 2024 · 113,000 GT · 3,000 guests
NEWEST SHIP
Queen Elizabeth
In service 2010 · 90,900 GT · 2,092 guests
WORLD VOYAGER
Queen Victoria
In service 2007 · 90,049 GT · 2,061 guests
CLASSIC LADY
To sail aboard Queen Mary 2 on the transatlantic crossing is to understand what travel was always meant to feel like — purposeful, unhurried and grand in the truest sense of the word.
— About Luxury Cruising, westbound crossing Southampton to New York
The Last Ocean Liner
QM2 is not a cruise ship — she is an ocean liner, built specifically for sustained high-speed transatlantic service in the North Atlantic's fierce weather. Her hull is reinforced, her bow raked for wave-cutting, her stabilisers and power reserves engineered for conditions that would confine lesser ships to port. She is the last of a lineage stretching back to RMS Britannia in 1840.
At 148,528cgross tonnes, she is also the largest Cunard ship — yet carries only 2,691 guests, giving her a spaciousness that most ships double her size cannot match. The Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea, the Royal Court Theatre, Illuminations planetarium, the famous kennel (the only ship afloat where you may travel with your dogs and cats) — QM2 is utterly singular.
The Transatlantic Crossing
Nothing in ocean travel compares to the QM2 crossing. Six nights on the open Atlantic, New York to Southampton or reverse, in a ship designed for exactly this purpose. No port days. No excursion schedules. Just the ocean, the horizon, and days structured around lectures, dining, the library, the spa and long walks on the Promenade Deck with only sea birds for company.
- Year-round transatlantic service — the only scheduled ocean liner crossing
- Canyon Ranch Spa at Sea — most comprehensive spa at sea
- Illuminations planetarium — unique to QM2
- Pet kennels — travel with dogs and cats in dedicated on-deck kennels
- Largest ballroom at sea — the Queens Room
- Four swimming pools including a sheltered indoor pool
The Intimate Queen
Queen Victoria is consistently rated the most atmospheric of the Cunard fleet by loyal Cunarders. Her Victorian-inspired interiors — rich wood panelling, deep leather, the sweeping Grand Lobby staircase — create an onboard world that feels deliberately removed from the 21st century. This is part of her charm.
She carries fewer guests than her fleetmates and the result is a noticeably quieter, more personal experience. The world's largest sea-going library (two floors, curated collection) is alone worth the voyage.
Highlights
- Victorian-inspired interiors — the most traditional Cunard experience
- Two-deck library — largest book collection aboard any cruise ship
- Guest choir programme — unique to Queen Victoria
- Classical concert series and regular dance lessons
- Highest guest satisfaction scores in the current Cunard fleet
- Intimate outdoor games deck — bowls, quoits, deck tennis
Art Deco Elegance
Queen Elizabeth echoes the first Cunarder to bear the name — the legendary RMS Queen Elizabeth of 1940 — with art deco design flourishes, gilded details, and a colour palette drawn from the golden age of ocean travel. She feels simultaneously historic and supremely comfortable.
Her Midships Bar — a recreation of a classic ocean liner lounge — is one of the finest public spaces afloat, a room where cocktails and conversation have been elevated to something approaching an art form.
Highlights
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- Art Deco interiors — homage to the original Queen Elizabeth
- Midships Bar — one of the most celebrated ship lounges at sea
- Dedicated Alaska summer programme from Vancouver
- Extensive Caribbean programme now departing from Miami
- The Garden Lounge — conservatory-inspired afternoon tea venue
- Especially refined atmosphere and relaxed pace at sea
A New Chapter
Queen Anne is Cunard's first new ship in 14 years — the 249th vessel to fly the Cunard flag — and she represents a deliberate evolution. Her Contemporary Deco design bridges the line's heritage aesthetic with modern luxury sensibilities, attracting a younger generation of cruisers without alienating loyal Cunarders.
She was commanded at launch by Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge — the first female captain of a large cruise ship anywhere in the world. Liverpool, Cunard's spiritual home, was named the ship's godparent in a June 2024 ceremony.
Highlights
- 15 restaurants — most diverse dining of any Cunard ship
- Bright Lights Society — immersive entertainment venue unique to Queen Anne
- Mareel Wellness & Beauty Spa — largest spa in the Cunard fleet
- Two-deck Royal Court Theatre — holds 825 guests
- Retractable glass dome pool deck — sun regardless of weather
- Garrard fine jewellery boutique — first at sea
- Six Grand Suites named after famous Cunard waterways
CUISINE & DINING
The Art of Dining Well at Sea
Dining aboard Cunard is inseparable from the experience of being on board. The Grills restaurants are among the finest at sea; the Britannia Restaurant is one of the most visually magnificent dining rooms anywhere in the world; and the tradition of afternoon tea has been elevated to a ceremony.
👑
QUEENS GRILL
The pinnacle of Cunard dining. Suite guests dine at their own reserved table, any time they choose, from a personalised menu — with wines, in-suite dining and pre-dinner canapés all included. Arguably the finest restaurant experience at sea.
🍽️
PRINCESS GRILL
A superb à la carte restaurant for Princess Grill suite guests. More intimate than the Britannia, with a menu that changes regularly and attentive service.
🌹
Britannia Restaurant
The magnificent main restaurant — a grand two-deck dining room where the famous White Star Service is delivered at scale. Fixed or flexible dining available.
☕
Afternoon Tea
The Queens Room, daily at 3:30pm. Finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, pastries, cakes — served by white-gloved stewards to the accompaniment of a live string quartet. Non-negotiable Cunard.
🍜
Speciality Restaurants
Queen Anne offers 15 dining venues including Aranya (Indian), Tramonto (Mediterranean), Aji Wa (Japanese), Sir Samuel's (British fine dining) and the iconic Golden Lion pub.
A Word on the Dress Code
Cunard maintains an evening dress code that sets it apart from almost every other cruise line. Formal nights — for which black tie is encouraged — occur regularly on voyages of seven nights or more. Semi-formal and smart casual complete the rotation. Far from being a burden, most guests find that dressing for dinner transforms the atmosphere aboard. If you have ever wanted a genuine excuse to wear your best — this is it.
STATEROOMS AND SUITES
From Inside Staterooms to the Queens Grill Suite - Choose Your Cunard
Cunard's accommodation is organised around a class system that echoes the golden age of ocean travel — not in an exclusionary way, but in the sense that each grade comes with a distinct set of privileges and a dedicated restaurant. Upgrade, and the entire experience transforms.
The entry to Cunard — and a genuinely excellent one. Penhaligon's toiletries, Sealy Cunarder beds, a dedicated steward and the full White Star Service experience. Balcony staterooms offer superb value.
- Penhaligon's toiletries
- Sealy Cunarder bed (king or twin)
- Welcome sparkling wine
- Complimentary room service menu
- Dedicated cabin steward
Always a balcony — and the corresponding Club Restaurant offers exclusive open seating at any time during dining hours, with your table reserved throughout the entire voyage.
- Always includes a private balcony
- Open seating — dine when you choose
- Reserved table for the full voyage
- Enhanced in-cabin amenities
- Priority boarding in most ports
Entry to the exclusive Grills experience. A dedicated concierge, in-suite dining from the Princess Grill menu, and access to the private Grills Lounge and Terrace — a meaningful step up.
- Exclusive Princess Grill restaurant
- Access to Grills Lounge & Terrace
- Concierge for all onboard reservations
- In-suite dining from the Princess Grill menu
- Daily fresh fruit & complimentary spring water
- Welcome sparkling wine
Cunard without compromise. A personalised menu — anything you wish. Butler service. Champagne on arrival. Canapés before dinner. The most celebrated dining experience afloat, reserved for you throughout the voyage.
- Queens Grill — personalised menu, any time
- Butler service throughout the voyage
- Complimentary minibar — beer, wine, spirits
- Welcome bottle of Champagne
- Pre-dinner canapés daily
- Fresh flowers, world atlas & binoculars
- In-suite dining from the Queens Grill menu
ITINERARIES
Where Cunard Sails in 2026
Cunard's itinerary programme spans from the signature transatlantic crossing to grand world voyages, from Alaskan glaciers to Mediterranean harbours. Here are the key sailing regions.
Southampton to New York (or eastbound). The only regular ocean liner service across the North Atlantic. An unmissable voyage.
Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens, Lisbon, Dubrovnik, Valletta and the Adriatic coast.
Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, St Kitts, Bridgetown, New England foliage and Canada.
Norwegian fjords, Iceland, the British Isles, Greenland and the Midnight Sun voyages.
India, South-East Asia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South America and beyond.
CUNARD BOOKING TIP
World Voyage berths — particularly Queens Grill suites — sell out within hours of release, often 18–24 months in advance. The transatlantic crossings in summer fill quickly with first-time QM2 guests. Book early for peak sailings; late deals can appear for shoulder-season voyages and Caribbean itineraries. Cunard's Voyage Sale promotions offer meaningful savings on select sailings throughout the year.
INCLUSIONS
What's Included — and What Costs Extra
Cunard is not fully all-inclusive in the manner of Explora Journeys or Regent — but the Queens Grill experience comes close at the top, and the inclusions at every level are meaningful. Here is an honest breakdown.
✅ Always Included (All Grades)
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✓
Accommodation in your stateroom or suite
-
✓
All main-restaurant dining: breakfast, lunch and dinner in your designated restaurant
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✓
Daily afternoon tea — a Cunard ritual, never charged
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✓
Entertainment: theatre, ballroom, lectures and enrichment programme
-
✓
Use of all pools, fitness centre and whirlpools
-
✓
Penhaligon's toiletries in every cabin
-
✓
White Star Service throughout
-
✓
Complimentary room service from the standard menu (charges apply late night)
💳 At Additional Cost
-
+
All alcoholic beverages (except Queens Grill Suite minibar)
-
+
Speciality restaurant dining (supplement varies)
-
+
Gratuities (recommended daily amount charged to your account)
-
+
Wi-Fi packages (varies by voyage length)
-
+
Spa treatments and beauty services
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+
Shore excursions
-
+
Casino gaming
-
+
Late-night room service orders
QUEENS GRILL SUITE - THE EXCEPTION
Queens Grill Suites include a fully stocked complimentary minibar (beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks replenished daily), pre-dinner canapés, and in-suite dining from the Queens Grill menu at any time — making the overall all-inclusive feeling genuinely comparable to dedicated luxury lines at this level.
EXPERT VERDICT
Our Honest Cunard Review
Cunard exists in a category of its own. It is not trying to be all-inclusive (it isn't), it is not trying to be the newest or most technologically advanced (it doesn't care), and it is emphatically not trying to be casual (it is not). What it is trying to be — and succeeds at being — is the most distinguished, historically significant and genuinely elegant cruise experience on the market.
The Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing should be on every serious traveller's list. Seven nights at sea, with nothing but ocean from horizon to horizon, a formal dinner in the evening and a lecture in the afternoon. When the QM2 steams up New York Harbour and the Statue of Liberty appears through the dawn mist, the effect is one of the most moving experiences in travel. Nothing else comes close.
The Grills experience — particularly the Queens Grill — deserves its legendary reputation. A small restaurant, a skilled kitchen, no menu constraints and a team who regard each guest's contentment as a personal matter: this is what the best restaurants on land aspire to, and Cunard achieves it 30,000 tonnes above the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The caveats are real, however. Cunard is not all-inclusive, and drink bills can accumulate quickly without a package. The Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are beginning to show their age, though both have been refurbished. And the formal dress code will genuinely not suit every guest — those seeking a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere should look elsewhere.
Our Expert Scores
PROS AND CONS
The Honest Balance Sheet
✅ WHAT CUNARD DOES BRILLIANTLY
- World Voyage itineraries that cover the globe properlyThe Queens Grill — the finest restaurant at sea, genuinely bespoke
- The QM2 transatlantic crossing — a once-in-a-lifetime experience
- Service standards, particularly in the Grills grades
- Enrichment programming — lecturers, music, ballroom dancing
- Afternoon tea — the best daily ritual in cruising
- World Voyage itineraries that cover the globe properly
- The prestige, history and sheer occasion of the brand
⚠️ AREAS TO CONSIDER
- Not all-inclusive — drinks bills add up without a package
- Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth showing age in some areas
- Dress code — a joy for some, a barrier for others
- Formal atmosphere not suited to very casual travellers
- Grills experience commands a significant premium over Britannia
- Shore excursions are priced at a premium versus independent options
HOW CUNARD COMPARES
Cunard vs. The Competition
How does Cunard stack up against the other premium and luxury cruise lines? Here's our honest comparison across the criteria that matter most to discerning travellers.
| Category | Cunard | Silversea | Seabourn | Oceania | Viking Ocean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Premium–Luxury | Ultra-Luxury | Ultra-Luxury | Upper-Premium | Upper-Premium |
| All-Inclusive | Partial | ✔ Full | ✔ Full | Partial | Partial |
| Ship Size | Large (iconic liner) | Small–Medium | Small | Medium | Medium |
| Transatlantic Crossings | ✔ Regular (QM2 only) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dress Code | Formal evenings | Smart casual | Resort casual | Resort elegant | Smart casual |
| Heritage & Prestige | ✔ Unmatched (1840) | Moderate | Strong | Moderate | Newer brand |
| Dining Quality | Excellent (Grills) | Excellent | Excellent | Exceptional | Very good |
| World Voyages | ✔ Yes, annually | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Best For | Heritage, tradition, the Atlantic | Ultra-luxury, expedition | Understated luxury | Food lovers | Curious explorers |
← Scroll to see all columns
OUR TAKE
Cunard is the only cruise line in the world that operates a regular transatlantic liner service. If that experience is on your bucket list - and it should be - there is simply no alternative. Explora Journeys, Silversea and Seabourn offer a more fully all-inclusive and arguably more contemporary luxury experience. Oceania wins on food. Viking wins on destination immersion. But for prestige, occasion and the specific magic of the Grills experience, Cunard stands entirely alone.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Cunard FAQs
Our readers' most-asked questions about Cunard — answered honestly, based on first-hand experience and extensive research.
Is Cunard a Luxury Cruise Line?
Cunard occupies a unique position in the market. At the Britannia level it is a premium cruise line — excellent by any standard, but not ultra-luxury in the all-inclusive sense. At the Queens Grill level it absolutely competes with Silversea and Seabourn: personalised menus, butler service, complimentary Champagne and a level of attentiveness that is simply outstanding. Choosing Cunard is, to a significant degree, choosing which tier to book.
What makes the Cunard Transatlantic crossing special?
Queen Mary 2 is the only ship in the world purpose-built for the transatlantic crossing, and the only vessel running it on a regular year-round schedule. She sails from Southampton to New York (or reverse) in approximately six nights, with no port calls — just open ocean. Days are spent reading, attending lectures and enrichment talks, dining, dancing in the Queens Room, walking the Promenade Deck, watching films in Illuminations, or simply staring at the sea. It is one of the great travel experiences remaining in the world, and it is unique to Cunard.
Does Cunard still have formal nights?
Yes — and this is one of the defining features of the experience. Cunard retains formal Gala Evenings (typically 2–3 per voyage), black-tie optional dress codes, and a smart dress code for dinner every evening. Many guests find this one of the most appealing aspects of sailing Cunard — the ritual of dressing for dinner, the social dimension of a Grand Lobby full of guests in evening wear, the ballroom dancing that follows. It is unlike anything else in modern cruising.
What is the difference between Queens Grill and Princess Grill?
Both Grills offer exclusive restaurant access and open seating — but the Queens Grill is significantly more exclusive. In the Queens Grill, you may order anything you wish from a personalised menu (not just what is on the printed menu), dine at any time, and receive butler service, complimentary minibar, pre-dinner canapés and priority everything. The Princess Grill offers a set menu with excellent flexibility, concierge service, and access to the shared Grills Lounge and Terrace — a meaningful upgrade on Britannia, but a tier below the Queens Grill experience.
What is the "Four Queens" event in 2028?
On 16 May 2028, all four Cunard Queens — Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne — will assemble simultaneously on the River Mersey in Liverpool for the first time in history. This coincides with Cunard's connection to Liverpool (where the company was founded in 1840), Liverpool's Euro 2028 hosting duties and the 20th anniversary of Liverpool's time as European Capital of Culture. Special "Four Queens Celebration" voyages are available across the fleet — including QM2's first-ever crossing from New York to Liverpool.
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We know and understand the Cunard fleet intimately. From the right Grills grade for your budget to securing a midship stateroom on the perfect crossing — let us help you get every detail right.
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