Cunard

Cunard Line (cunard.co.uk) is a British-American cruise company and travel brand operated by Carnival UK, and owned since 2005 by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Headquartered in Southampton (England, UK), Cunard is one of the world's oldest passenger shipping companies. In 2020, the company celebrated its 180th anniversary. Australia is Cunard's third-largest source market (after the UK and North America) and second (after the UK) for Around the World voyages.

Company history and changes

In 1839, Samuel Cunard (1787–1865), a shipping magnate from Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), was awarded the first British transatlantic steamship mail contract. In 1840, he partnered with Robert Napier (a Scottish steamship engine designer and builder) to form the "British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company." The "cruise line" operated four paddle steamers on the UK–Canada–USA transatlantic route Liverpool–Halifax–Boston.

Cunard Line's current President is Katie McAlister (formerly CMO/Chief Marketing Officer at TUI UK & Ireland, with TUI since 1998), who succeeded Simon Palethorpe in August 2023. Carnival UK's current President is Paul Ludlow, while Carnival UK's CEO is David Dingle, who manages both P&O UK and Cunard.

In the 1870s, the line fell behind competitors White Star and Inman Line. To remain competitive, Cunard was reorganized in 1879 as the Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd, to raise capital. In 1902, the British Government provided substantial loans and subsidies to build two superliners needed to maintain Cunard's competitive edge. In the late 1920s, Cunard faced new competition from large ocean liners built by Italian, French, and German companies.

Due to the Great Depression in the USA (1929–33), Cunard was forced to suspend construction on a new superliner. In 1934, the British Government offered loans to complete Queen Mary and to build a second ship, Queen Elizabeth. A condition of the loan was that Cunard merge with White Star Line to form Cunard-White Star Ltd. In 1947, Cunard purchased White Star's one-third stake. The company was renamed "Cunard Line" in 1950.

Cunard regained its position as the largest Atlantic passenger line following World War II. By the mid-1950s, the company operated 12 ships to Canada and the United States. After 1958, transatlantic liners became increasingly unprofitable due to the introduction of jet airliners. In 1968, Cunard withdrew from year-round service to focus on cruising and summer transatlantic sailings for vacationers. The Queens were replaced by QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2), which was designed for her special dual role.

In 1998, Carnival Corporation acquired Cunard. In 2003, RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was replaced on the Transatlantic service by QM2 (RMS Queen Mary 2). The company also operates MS Queen Elizabeth (QE) and Queen Victoria (QV). Cunard remains the only shipping company offering a scheduled passenger service between North America and Europe.

With the opening of Carnival House in Southampton in 2009, executive control of Cunard was transferred from Carnival Corp. in the US to Carnival UK, a primary operating company of Carnival plc. As the UK-listed holding company of the Carnival Group, Carnival plc has executive control of all UK-based brand activities, including Cunard Line, headquartered at Carnival House.

The 36-year-old Queen Elizabeth 2 was replaced on the North Atlantic route in 2004 by QM2 (Queen Mary 2). QE2 continued cruising until her retirement in 2008. In 2007, Cunard introduced the larger Queen Victoria (QV). Although not a sister ship to QM2, QV was originally ordered as a Vista-class ship for Holland America Line (HAL). To preserve Cunard's traditions, Queen Victoria features a small onboard museum. In 2010, Cunard commissioned a second Vista-class ship, Queen Elizabeth.

In 2011, Cunard changed the ship registry for its three vessels to Hamilton, Bermuda. For the first time in the company's 171-year history, it had no ships registered in the UK. Ships registered in Bermuda allow captains to officiate weddings at sea.

On May 25, 2015, Cunard's three ocean liners—RMS Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth—sailed down the Mersey into Liverpool to commemorate the company's 175th anniversary. As The Red Arrows performed a flypast, the trio executed dramatic maneuvers, including 180-degree turns.

In 2015, Cunard Line was honored in Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, winning in the categories "Transatlantic Itineraries" and "World Cruise Itineraries." Readers of the magazine participate in an annual contest that ranks the world's leading cruise lines across multiple categories.

Cunard Line inaugurated its first regularly scheduled Transatlantic Crossing in 1840 with RMS Britannia. The line launched its first World Cruise itinerary in 1922 with RMS Laconia.

In 2020, Cunard Line celebrated its 180th anniversary with a special promotional sale on voyages scheduled between July 2020 and May 2022 across the fleet. The "180th Anniversary Sale" applied to new bookings made between February 28 and May 18, 2020. The promotion featured various itineraries, including Alaska and Transatlantic Crossings, and included benefits such as a 50% reduced deposit, US$180 per person onboard credit (for balcony cabin bookings), a free drinks package, and free gratuities for Grill Suite bookings.

In 2022, Cunard marked its 100th World Voyage. The first was launched in 1922 when RMS Laconia (1921–1942) was chartered to sail the first continuous world circumnavigation cruise—a 130-day itinerary visiting 22 ports.

On March 9, 2023 (International DJ Day), Cunard introduced fleetwide "silent discos" (on select evenings), hosted in the ships' nightclubs. Each venue now features a live DJ and a party band. The "silent disco" is a customizable experience (first introduced on river cruise ships) using wireless headphones, allowing guests to switch between songs or music genres and control the volume individually.

In 2024 (effective June 10), Cunard appointed David Jones (with Carnival UK since 2017) as Vice President of Global Marketing and UK/EMEA Sales.

In December 2024, Cunard reported a 23% year-on-year increase in bookings, with 73,000 additional reservations following the introduction of Queen Anne. Compared to 2023, North American bookings rose by 29%, while UK bookings increased by 24%. Bookings by first-time Cunard cruisers grew by 49%.

New ship 2024

At the end of September 2017, Cunard Line officially announced the addition of a fourth vessel to its fleet. The investment was part of Carnival Corporation's fleet expansion program, which also added newbuilds to the fleets of AIDA, Costa, Princess, and P&O.

Cunard's shipbuilding contract (MoA/Memorandum of Agreement) with Fincantieri was signed on September 25, 2017. The new Cunard liner, MS Queen Anne (entered service in May 2024), has a volume of 113,000 GT and a maximum passenger capacity of 3,000. She is Cunard's 249th vessel since the company’s founding in 1839.

The liner was originally scheduled to enter service in 2022 but was postponed to Q1 2024 due to the global health crisis.

Cunard Line's cruising experience

Discerning, well-traveled British and American couples—ranging from their late 30s to retirees—are drawn to Cunard's traditional style and the notion of "a cruise aboard an ocean liner." Announcements are made in English, French, German, and occasionally Spanish. While passengers on crossings tend to be older, Cunard also attracts younger guests and families. The Kid Zone features a splash pool and a dedicated play area for children aged one to six. Separate programs are designed for ages 7–12 and teens up to 17, offering activities from games to educational computer classes. Children can also learn social graces during Afternoon Tea. English nannies supervise toddlers. Facilities operate until midnight and group babysitting is complimentary. Infants under 12 months are not permitted. Children aged 1–2 sail free (except for government fees).

The dress code on Cunard ships rotates equally among formal, informal, and casual. Glamorous evenings are typical. While resort casual attire is common during the day, Cunard's ships are dressier than most at night. Guests are expected to dress appropriately for dining in the fine restaurants onboard.

Dining on Cunard ships is class-based, with dining room assignments made according to accommodation category. Guests can choose their desired level of luxury. Passengers in Junior Suites dine in the single-seating Princess Grill, while those in duplex apartments and top-tier suites are served in the Queen’s Grill. All other guests dine in either the multideck Britannia Restaurant or the Britannia Club Restaurant aboard QE.

While Britannia's cuisine is traditionally styled and often exceptional, Grill guests can make off-menu requests. Menus also offer low-calorie and vegetarian options.

The most sought-after reservations are in the Todd English restaurants aboard Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2. These venues, created by the acclaimed American chef known for his rich desserts and Mediterranean cuisine, offer dinner for a $30 cover charge and lunch for $20 per person.

On QM2, Chef's Galley is a small venue where guests can watch their meals being prepared in an open kitchen. Wine is the only item charged here. King's Court buffet transforms nightly into three complimentary alternative dining spots: La Piazza (Italian), The Carvery (carved meats), and Lotus (Asian).

Cunard's entertainment carries a distinct English flair, with cabaret shows, plays, and nightly productions. An authentic pub adds to the British ambiance. Live music is available for listening and dancing in various lounges and bars. Aboard Queen Mary 2, the first-ever shipboard planetarium offers virtual-reality shows and advanced space presentations.

Cunard's enrichment programs include expert-led lectures by designers, artists, and chefs. Courses in navigation and seamanship are also offered for aspiring mariners.

Recreational facilities include jogging tracks, pools, table tennis, paddle tennis, golf ranges, and shuffleboard. Fitness centers feature modern workout equipment, a separate gym/weight room, and classes from aerobics to wellness workshops.

The Canyon Ranch Spa Club on Queen Mary 2 is a unique venue offering salon services and signature land-based treatments like the 80-minute Canyon Stone Massage. The large 30x15-foot thalassotherapy pool features a deluge waterfall, neck fountains, air tub, recliner lounges, and massage-jet benches. The thermal suite includes an aromatic steam room, Finnish and herbal saunas, and reflexology basins. These amenities are complimentary with any body or massage treatment; otherwise, a daily fee applies.

Shipboard policies

Pregnant women must present a doctor’s or midwife’s letter and are not permitted to travel after the 24th week of pregnancy. Children under 12 months are not allowed. Children aged 12–24 months travel free as a third or fourth person in the stateroom. A child sharing a cabin with one adult is charged an adult fare. Children over 2 sharing a stateroom with two adults are charged as a third or fourth person, typically around half the regular fare.

A dedicated nursery staffed by professional nannies is available for children aged 1–3 years.

The "Play Zone" is for kids aged 4–6, while "The Zone" is for children up to 17. Children aged 1–7 may access the Play Zone (free of charge) during open hours: 9 am–12 noon, 2–5 pm, and 6 pm–12 midnight. They must be accompanied by an adult outside these areas. Children aged 8–17 may sign themselves in and out of the Play Zone and can explore the ship independently.

All purchases onboard—bar drinks, Internet access, shopping, spa and beauty treatments—are billed to the adult's onboard account. The total is charged to your credit card at the voyage’s end. Bar purchases include a 15% automatically added gratuity.

Mobile phone calls and Internet access are available onboard. Internet coverage is strong and accessible in all public areas and staterooms.

Pay-per-item laundry service is offered onboard, with items collected from staterooms by stewards. Free self-service laundrettes are also available on all cabin decks.

There is no baggage limit in terms of number of bags, but individual bags must not exceed 23 kg (51 lbs). Upon boarding, bags are collected at the cruise terminal and delivered to staterooms. They are similarly handled during disembarkation.

Wine cruises

Since January 2017, Cunard has offered shipboard wine-themed education courses through a partnership with WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust), the world's largest provider of wine and spirits qualifications. These courses were initially offered only on QM2's westbound Transatlantic crossings and world cruises but have since expanded fleetwide to all voyages.

The 5-day course leads to WSET Level 1 in Wines and covers basics such as wine types, styles, tasting techniques, storage, service, and food pairing. The 12-day course leads to WSET Level 2 in Wines and Spirits, exploring grape varieties, wine styles and regions, production, classifications, labeling, and spirit categories.

Courses are taught by professional sommeliers and educators from the Cunard Wine Academy. Each concludes with an exam. In addition to globally recognized WSET certificates, participants receive lapel pins.

The first wine cruise was a Southampton–New York Atlantic crossing on December 15, 2016. The first world cruise offering WSET courses was aboard QM2 on January 10, 2017.

WSET qualifications are open to both wine enthusiasts and professionals, ranging from Level 1 Awards (Wines, Spirits, and Sake) to Level 4 Diplomas (Wines and Spirits).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020–2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cunard Line canceled all cruises scheduled between March 14, 2020, and August 2021.

Following a 17-month hiatus, passenger services resumed in 2021 with QUEEN ELIZABETH (August 13/UK from Southampton, and from October 13 - Canary Islands and Iberia), QUEEN MARY 2 (December 10/Southampton, followed by Caribbean sailings January–April 2022), and QUEEN VICTORIA (June 5, 2022/Europe-Mediterranean).

Cunard introduced an expanded cancellation policy, allowing guests to cancel bookings up to 48 hours before departure without penalties.

All affected bookings received a 125% refund in FCC (Future Cruise Credit), which had to be applied to a new booking made before December 31, 2021.

NEWS: In Q1 of 2024, Cunard's fleet welcomed the newbuild Queen Anne. Itineraries and bookings for the new liner opened in May 2022.

Transatlantic crossings aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2 attract a balanced mix of British and American passengers from all age groups. Cunard ships sail to nearly all of the world’s most popular cruise destinations, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America, Alaska, Africa, Europe (Mediterranean, Baltic, Scandinavia, and Russia), the East Coast of North America (New England and Canada), Asia, and Australia/New Zealand.

Queen Mary 2 voyages often combine destinations in the Caribbean, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, and Canada. The Queen Victoria typically operates from her homeport Southampton to the Canary Islands, Mediterranean, and Baltic. All Cunard liners offer around-the-world cruises.

Winter 2025 itineraries

In March 2023, Cunard announced its winter 2025 program featuring over 133 voyages to 159 destinations across 57 countries, involving all four ships in the fleet. The season includes six maiden calls for Cunard in Alaska, Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu, as well as Queen Anne’s full World Voyage in 2025.

Also announced was Queen Elizabeth’s 2024 Alaska summer program, consisting of 10 roundtrip sailings from Vancouver BC, Canada, with itineraries ranging from 9 to 11 nights. Featured ports include Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point/Hoonah, and two maiden calls at Wrangell and Misty Fjords.

Queen Anne’s World Voyage departs on January 9, 2025. The 107-night roundtrip itinerary from Southampton visits over 30 ports across 5 continents, including 9 overnight stays and 3 late-evening departures. Two shorter segments are also available: a 17-night voyage from New York to San Francisco (January 18, 2025) and a 13-night journey from Singapore to Dubai (March 25, 2025).

RMS Queen Mary 2's program traditionally includes Caribbean cruises and regularly scheduled Transatlantic Crossings (Europe–USA–Europe), along with select Mediterranean voyages. Itineraries range from 7 to 35 nights and depart from homeports in New York City, Southampton, and Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy). Highlights include four overnight stays (Curaçao, Funchal, Lisbon, and NYC) and three late-evening departures (Bridgetown Barbados, and Spain’s Vigo and Malaga). Signature sailings include the 8-night Westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton (March 8, 2025) and the 13-night Eastern Caribbean roundtrip from New York City (March 16, 2025).

Queen Victoria's 2025 South America schedule includes 8 voyages that can be combined into the 85-night "South America Discovery" (B2B from Hamburg), circling Cape Horn. The itinerary features 5 overnight calls (Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Callao-Lima) and 5 late-evening departures. Queen Victoria also offers two ex-UK/Southampton roundtrips: the 11-night Atlantic Coast Adventure (December 5, 2024) and the 7-night Amsterdam, Bruges, and Hamburg voyage (January 2, 2025).

Cunard offers B2B/Back-to-Back cruises, including two unique opportunities to experience all four Cunard liners in a single journey. The experience begins aboard Queen Victoria in June 2024 with a Mediterranean cruise visiting ports in Malta, Croatia, and Italy. After a few days in Rome, guests board Queen Anne to explore Spain and the islands of Sardinia and Majorca, disembarking in Southampton. There, passengers embark on Queen Mary 2 for a westbound Transatlantic Crossing, followed by a flight from NYC to Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth completes the B2B with an Alaskan cruise. The reverse version starts in Alaska, sails eastbound across the Atlantic, through the Norwegian Fjords, and concludes in the Mediterranean.

2025-2026-2027 itineraries

Cunard’s 2025 program (April 2025 through January 2026) opened for bookings in October 2023.

The schedule features 180 voyages visiting 91 ports in 24 countries.

Queen Anne is deployed in Europe, covering the Western Mediterranean, Western Europe, and the Baltic/Norwegian Fjords, with 19 maiden calls for Cunard.

Queen Mary 2 continues with her traditional Transatlantic Crossings.

Queen Victoria remains deployed in the Mediterranean.

Queen Anne’s ex-UK itineraries (roundtrips from Southampton) range from 2 to 19 nights. A 12-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departs in June, followed by a 16-night Mediterranean voyage in July.

Queen Victoria’s Mediterranean season (May through October) features 7-, 14-, and 21-night sailings departing from Spain (Barcelona) and Italy (Civitavecchia-Rome and Trieste).

In February 2024, Cunard opened bookings for voyages spanning September 2025 to January 2027, including new Caribbean itineraries (departing from Miami, Florida USA) and two simultaneous world voyages scheduled to begin in January 2026 aboard the Queen Anne and RMS Queen Mary 2. Queen Anne’s 109-night World Voyage departs from Southampton on January 11, 2026. Queen Mary 2’s 51-night itinerary (Southampton to Sydney via the Panama Canal) also departs on January 11.

The comprehensive program includes over 300 sailings across Cunard’s four-ship fleet, visiting 184 destinations in 70 countries and featuring 108 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It also includes 37 overnight port stays and 66 late-evening departures.

The new schedule introduces five maiden calls: Kona, Hawaii, Roatan Island, Honduras, Dakar, Senegal, Miami, and Molde, Norway.

Queen Elizabeth features a new Caribbean schedule with 33 departures from PortMiami to destinations including San Juan (Puerto Rico), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Grand Cayman), Roatan (Honduras), Tortola (BVI), Antigua, Barbados, and St. Lucia.

Queen Victoria is currently based in the Mediterranean, Atlantic islands (Azores, Madeira), and the Baltic/Norway regions.

In October 2024, Cunard announced its upcoming voyage program for the 2026-2027 season, offering a wide array of destinations and itineraries from October 2026 through April 2027. The new schedule includes 101 destinations across 57 countries, featuring 62 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 22 overnight port stays, and 26 late-evening departures, giving guests more time to explore ashore.

A highlight of the program is the debut of Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, which will embark on her maiden voyage to South America as part of a 78-night South America Discovery itinerary. This includes an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro. The GBP 479 million vessel will also make inaugural calls at Casablanca (Morocco) and Bridgetown (Barbados).

In January 2027, Queen Victoria sets sail on a 109-night world cruise, visiting iconic cities such as Hong Kong, Sydney, and Cape Town, along with first-time stops in Dakar (Senegal) and Durban (South Africa).

Meanwhile, Queen Mary 2, the line’s flagship, will offer voyages with stops in El Ferrol (Spain) and Mindelo (Sao Vicente). She will also operate Caribbean itineraries in December and continue her transatlantic crossings throughout the year.

Queen Elizabeth will run a Caribbean program from PortMiami, Florida, offering 7-, 9-, and 14-night voyages between late 2026 and 2027.

Cunard Alaskan shore excursions

Cunard Line offers over 140 shore excursions in Alaska.

These optional tours are themed as follows:

• "Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest"
• "Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest"
• "Taku Lodge Feast and Five-Glacier Seaplane Discovery"
• "Dogsled Adventure by Helicopter"
• "Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure"
• "Cooking in Alaska's Wildest Kitchen"
• "Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour"
• "Scenic Mountain Ascent and World's Largest ZipRider"
• ATV Expedition
• Wilderness Cruise and Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast
• White Pass Scenic Railway (Luxury Class)
• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and Crab Feast
• Misty Fjords Seaplane Exploration
• Ghosts and Goodtime Girls Walking Tour
• Exclusive Burro Creek Waterfall Lodge and Crab Feast

Cunard also offers pre- and post-cruise train tours that include a 3- or 5-day hotel stay and two full days of travel aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. These tours serve as extensions to Alaskan cruises. The 3-night "Rocky Mountaineer Tour" (post-cruise package) departs from Vancouver and ends in Calgary, while the 4-night pre-cruise package runs the reverse route—from Calgary to Vancouver—and includes an extra day in Banff.

In 2023, pricing for the 3-night tour started at US$2850 per person (based on double occupancy), while the 4-night tour began at US$3250 pp.

The Rocky Mountaineer is currently the only passenger rail service along this historic route. The land journey features 180-degree panoramic views of lakes, canyons, and snow-capped mountains. The train offers luxurious coaches and expansive glass-dome windows.