Cunard has launched a sweepstakes campaign linked to the forthcoming 450th Transatlantic Crossing of Queen Mary 2, offering travellers the opportunity to join the landmark voyage scheduled to sail from Southampton to New York between 10th and 17th November 2026.
The initiative coincides with a period of heightened visibility for the cruise line as Queen Mary 2 prepares to participate in Sail4th 250 celebrations in New York Harbor this July, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The prize includes passage for two guests on the anniversary crossing, together with flights, hotel accommodation in Southampton, and transfers to and from the embarkation port.
The announcement also aligns with another notable date in Cunard’s history. On July 4th, 1840, the company’s first vessel, RMS Britannia, departed Liverpool for Boston, inaugurating what became the world’s first regularly scheduled transatlantic steamship service. That voyage established a transport link that significantly influenced international travel, commerce and communications across the Atlantic.
Today, Queen Mary 2 remains the only active ocean liner operating regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York. Cunard noted that these voyages continue to represent a defining element of the brand’s heritage and remain among the most recognisable experiences in luxury ocean travel. The company further indicated that the upcoming 450th crossing reflects nearly two centuries of maritime service connecting Europe and North America.
The promotional campaign also highlights Cunard’s participation in the Sail4th 250 celebrations. On July 4th, 2026, New York Harbor is expected to host one of the largest gatherings of international tall ships and naval vessels ever assembled in the United States. Guests aboard Queen Mary 2 will have a prominent vantage point for the event, which also underscores the cruise line’s historical association with transatlantic migration. Historical records indicate that a significant proportion of immigrants travelling to the United States between 1840 and 1923 crossed the Atlantic aboard Cunard vessels.
Cunard currently operates a 4-ship fleet comprising Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and the recently introduced Queen Anne, continuing a tradition of ocean travel that has remained closely linked to the North Atlantic route since the nineteenth century.
The sweepstakes remains open until July 31st, 2026, with participants able to submit entries online and earn additional entries through selected promotional activities related to previous or prospective Cunard voyages.