A Guide to Cunard

Celebrated for its refined atmosphere, impeccable White Star Service and legendary cruise ships, Cunard consistently delivers an unforgettable cruising experience. In this guide to Cunard, we explore everything you need to know about this historic cruise line, from its remarkable heritage and distinguished fleet to what life is like on board and who Cunard cruises are best suited to. 

For more than 180 years, Cunard has been synonymous with ocean travel. Known for its iconic ocean liners, legendary transatlantic crossings, and timeless sense of elegance, the line has played a defining role in shaping the cruise industry as we know it today. From pioneering steamships in the 19th century to modern luxury vessels, Cunard continues to blend maritime heritage with contemporary cruising. 

Below is a brief timeline highlighting key moments in Cunard’s history:
1839 - British businessman Samuel Cunard secured the first British government contract to deliver transatlantic mail by steamship, laying the foundations for what would become the Cunard Line. 

1840 - The British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company was formally established, and Cunard’s first ship, Britannia, began regular transatlantic sailings between Liverpool, Halifax, and Boston. 

1879 - The company was reorganised as the Cunard Steamship Company Ltd, enabling the line to raise additional capital and compete with emerging rivals in the transatlantic passenger market.

1907 - Cunard launched two legendary ocean liners, Lusitania and Mauretania, which set new standards for speed and luxury on the Atlantic crossing. Mauretania held the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic voyage for two decades.

1919 - Cunard moved its British homeport from Liverpool to Southampton, which would remain the company’s primary base for transatlantic travel.

1934 - Cunard merged with White Star Line to form Cunard-White Star Line, allowing the company to complete the construction of new superliners, including Queen Mary. 

1936 - 1938 - The iconic ocean liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were launched, becoming two of the most famous passenger ships of the Golden Age of transatlantic travel.

1969 - Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) entered service, becoming one of the most celebrated ocean liners of the modern era and maintaining Cunard’s transatlantic tradition for nearly four decades.  

1998 - Cunard became part of Carnival Corporation & plc, providing the resources for significant fleet investment and modernisation. 

2004 - Queen Mary 2 entered service as the world’s largest ocean liner and became Cunard’s flagship, continuing the famous scheduled transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York. 

2007 - Queen Victoria joined the fleet, introducing a new generation of Cunard ships inspired by the elegance of classic ocean liners.

2010 - Queen Elizabeth entered service, honouring the legacy of the previous Cunard ships bearing the same name while bringing modern luxury to the fleet.

2024 - Cunard welcomed Queen Anne, the first new ship in the line in over a decade and the 249th vessel in Cunard’s long maritime history. 

The Cunard fleet consists of four distinctive ships: Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria. 

• Queen Mary 2 - 2004 - A remarkable journey awaits aboard Cunard’s iconic flagship, Queen Mary 2. Renowned for her transatlantic crossings, she offers an exceptional range of amenities, elegant staterooms and stylish suites, along with a wide selection of incredible restaurants. You’ll also discover exclusive venues that make time on board even more memorable, including G32 and Illuminations. Queen Mary 2 promises guests both freedom and sophistication at sea. 
• Queen Victoria - 2007 - Combining traditional Cunard elegance with modern comfort, Queen Victoria delivers a classic cruise experience while sailing to destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond. Her intimate atmosphere, grand public spaces, beautiful Winter Garden, and stylish Royal Court Theatre make her a firm favourite among travellers.
• Queen Elizabeth - 2010 - Inspired by the golden age of ocean travel, Queen Elizabeth captures the glamour of classic cruising. Guests can enjoy elegant dining rooms, inviting lounges, and a popular Games Deck, a nostalgic nod to traditional voyages. She frequently sails to captivating destinations such as Alaska, Japan, and the Mediterranean. 
• Queen Anne - 2024 - The newest addition to the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne launched in 2024, marking an exciting new chapter for the cruise line. Blending Cunard’s rich heritage with contemporary design, she features beautifully reimagined public spaces, elevated dining venues, and vibrant entertainment experiences. While modern in style, she still captures the elegance that Cunard is best known for. 

A Cunard voyage unlocks a world of unforgettable experiences, from sailing the legendary Transatlantic Crossing between Southampton and New York to embarking on signature World Voyages that explore the most beautiful corners of the globe, and discovering sailings closer to home, including the breathtaking coastal wonders of Norway. Carefully curated shore excursions help guests to fully immerse themselves in the destinations they visit. 

Life on board is just as exciting, thanks to the abundance of incredible amenities and stunning spaces to enjoy aboard each ship. For those who enjoy long, leisurely mornings, your ideal day might begin with a cup of coffee on the balcony and breakfast delivered directly to your door. Early risers might prefer to watch the sunrise or head to the gym to make use of the fantastic facilities. Next, you might choose to visit the spa for a rejuvenating treatment, learn new moves at a dance class, or strike up a little friendly competition with your travel companions as you try your hand at classic deck games. In the afternoon, you might find yourself sunbathing by the pool, joining a guided gin tasting, getting creative at an art class, or indulging in a little retail therapy. Throughout the day, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to dine. As the evening unfolds, the excitement builds as you explore the range of entertainment options. From impeccable productions at the theatre to sipping your tipple of choice at bustling bars and socialising in stylish lounges, there is so much to enjoy. 

Popular amenities and facilities include:

• G32 - Exclusively found on Queen Mary 2, G32 is a vibrant dual-level nightclub that serves as the perfect place to let your hair down and dance the night away. Or, you might prefer to sit back, relax and sip a cocktail as the resident band and DJ play the soundtrack to your evening. 
• Steakhouse at the Verandah - You’ll find this exquisite steakhouse on Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, and Queen Victoria. Enjoy succulent steak and sumptuous seafood dishes, along with special touches that make the experience even more memorable. 
• Mareel® Wellness & Beauty - A sanctuary of serenity awaits with a range of soothing treatments designed to help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. 
• The Library - Find solace amongst stories in the impressive onboard Library. From gripping thrillers and bestselling romance novels to historical texts and destination guides, there is something for everyone to get stuck into. Queen Mary 2 boasts the largest library in the Cunard fleet and is renowned for the largest collection of books at sea.
• The Golden Lion - This relaxed yet vibrant venue can be found on all four ships in the Cunard fleet and is a firm favourite amongst guests. Expect a friendly home-from-home atmosphere, comfortable seating, dart boards, and occasionally even live sports. You’ll also sometimes find pub quizzes and live music here, too. Feeling peckish? Indulge in delicious classic pub cuisine, washed down with your drink of choice from the extensive drinks menu. 
• Traditional Afternoon Tea - A daily ritual held between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm in the stunning Queens Room across all Cunard ships. The menu changes every day, featuring delectable finger sandwiches, elegant sweet treats, and the infamous Signature Cunard scones. It’s a truly unmissable event. 
• Royal Court Theatre - Enjoy memorable West-End style productions, impressive music productions, talks from guest speakers, comedy shows, and more at the iconic Royal Court Theatre. 
• Aji Wa - Exclusively on Queen Anne, Aji Wa offers delicious, contemporary Japanese dishes bursting with flavour. You might choose to take a seat at the sit-up sushi bar, where you can savour freshly pressed sushi rolls and finely sliced sashimi. In the evenings, you might like to let the chefs surprise you with the Omakase tasting menu. 

Cunard appeals to travellers who appreciate timeless elegance, enriching experiences, and a refined atmosphere at sea. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a romantic getaway, travelling solo, or exploring the world with family, Cunard offers something for everyone. Cunard’s ships provide an experience that feels both elegant and welcoming. 

• Couples and friends looking for memorable escapes together can bond over exquisite dining, enjoy spectacular shows, and share unforgettable moments at sea.
• Families ready for fun and discovery can make the most of Cunard’s dedicated children’s and teen zones, as well as activities designed to entertain all ages. 
• Solo travellers embracing the joy of independent travel will appreciate vibrant bars perfect for meeting new friends, peaceful libraries, and plenty of inviting spaces.
• Those seeking rest, relaxation, and a slower pace may find the spa and wellness areas the perfect retreat, while unwinding by the pool offers another wonderfully relaxing way to spend the day.
• Explorers eager to see the world can set sail on incredible itineraries and embark on exciting shore excursions that reveal the beauty and culture of each destination. 

Sailing to more than 120 destinations worldwide, Cunard offers guests the opportunity to explore iconic regions such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Cunard voyages provide the chance to experience diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and historic landmarks across multiple continents. 

In the Mediterranean, guests can discover sun-drenched coastlines and ancient civilisations. These voyages often combine vibrant cities with picturesque islands, allowing travellers to explore everything from classical ruins to charming seaside towns. 

The Caribbean offers a more relaxed pace, where turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and tropical islands create the perfect setting for a warm-weather escape. 

Cunard’s Northern Europe voyages showcase dramatic fjords, historic capitals, and scenic coastal towns.

Whether exploring ancient cities, tropical islands, or remote natural landscapes, Cunard’s global itineraries are designed to offer enriching travel experiences both ashore and at sea. There’s a duration for everyone, too. From shorter voyages that sail to destinations closer to home to extensive world voyages that take you to far-flung locations, the range of itineraries and durations ensures that you can easily plan your dream trip. 

Cunard’s loyalty programme, the Cunard World Club, rewards guests for returning to sail with the cruise line. The tiered system offers privileges that grow with every voyage. 

Membership in the Cunard World Club begins automatically after your first voyage. Rather than earning points per night, Cunard awards Voyage Credits, which are typically based on the number of cruises you take and the length of each sailing. Longer voyages, such as Grand Voyages or World Voyages, allow guests to earn credits more quickly. Every sailing counts, and as your voyage history grows, so do the privileges that come with it. 

Here’s what you unlock as you continue to sail with Cunard: 

• Silver (1 cruise): Your first Cunard voyage places you in the Silver tier, where you’ll receive access to the Cunard World Club newsletter, exclusive onboard savings on select voyages, and invitations to members-only events during your cruise.
• Gold (2 - 6 cruises): Gold members enjoy additional onboard recognition, including invitations to special receptions, priority information about future voyages, and small onboard perks such as savings on select services.
• Platinum (7 - 14 cruises or 70 - 149 nights): At this tier, guests receive enhanced benefits including priority embarkation, dedicated onboard events with senior officers, and special recognition gifts to celebrate their loyalty.
• Diamond (15+ cruises or 150+ nights): The highest Cunard World Club tier offers the most exclusive privileges. Diamond members enjoy priority disembarkation, complimentary internet minutes, laundry services on longer voyages, and invitations to exclusive cocktail parties hosted by the ship’s officers.

The Cunard World Club is designed to recognise and reward loyal guests while maintaining the line’s timeless sense of tradition. The programme places emphasis on recognition, exclusive experiences, and personal service. 

• Book early for the best selection: Cunard voyages, particularly popular sailings such as Transatlantic Crossings and world cruises, can sell out quickly. Booking early gives you the best choice of staterooms, preferred dining times, and availability for Britannia Club or Grill Suite.
• Look out for exclusive ROL Cruise benefits: When booking with ROL Cruise, you may find added extras such as complimentary flights, overseas transfers, onboard credit or reduced deposits, helping you get even more from your holiday.
• Join the Cunard World Club: If you’ve sailed with Cunard before, ensure your membership number is added to your booking. Loyalty members enjoy benefits such as onboard discounts, priority services and exclusive events as they progress through the tiers.
• Download the Cunard app before you travel: The Cunard app helps streamline your voyage. You can complete online check-in, explore the ship’s daily programme, review your onboard account and make plans for your time at sea.
• Pre-book speciality dining and experiences: Venues such as Steakhouse at The Verandah or alternative dining restaurants are very popular, so reserving in advance ensures you secure your preferred dates and times.
• Plan your onboard spending: While many elements of a Cunard voyage are included, drinks, speciality dining, spa treatments and shore excursions are extra. Planning ahead or purchasing packages in advance can help manage your onboard budget.
• Arrive at your departure port with time to spare: If your voyage begins overseas, travelling the day before embarkation can offer peace of mind and a more relaxed start to your cruise.
• Pack with Cunard’s dress codes in mind: Evenings onboard Cunard retain a sense of occasion. Expect a mix of elegant casual nights and formal evenings, where many guests enjoy dressing for the occasion in cocktail dresses, dinner jackets or suits.

With its long history, Cunard has long been recognised as one of the most prestigious names in ocean travel. Its iconic ships, exceptional White Star Service, and timeless style have earned the line numerous industry awards and accolades across the world.

Here’s a snapshot of their most prestigious honours: 

• Wave Awards: Cunard has been recognised multiple times at the UK’s Wave Awards, which celebrate excellence across the cruise industry. The line has received awards for Best Premium Cruise Line, reflecting its distinctive blend of classic ocean travel traditions with modern luxury and service.
• Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards: Cunard’s ships frequently appear in Cruise Critic’s Editors’ Picks Awards, particularly for Best for Traditional Cruising. The line is widely praised for preserving classic cruise experiences such as formal gala evenings, ballroom dancing, and refined afternoon tea.
• Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards: Cunard ships consistently feature in reader-voted rankings thanks to their elegant design, exceptional service, and iconic transatlantic voyages. Ships such as Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth are frequently recognised among the world’s best large cruise ships.