Cunard ships guide: Which ship is right for you?

Last updated: 07/09/2026

Choosing between four ships might not sound particularly complicated. But when those four ships range from the world’s only ocean liner to Cunard’s newest Queen, there’s more to consider than you might expect.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to sail into New York on a transatlantic crossing. Maybe you’re looking for a smaller ship with a more traditional feel, or you like the sound of contemporary surroundings and having plenty of choice onboard. Then there’s the itinerary itself. With Cunard sailing to more than 180 destinations around the world, where you want to go could be just as important as the ship that takes you there.

If you’re new to Cunard, knowing where to start can feel a little daunting. Even if you’ve cruised before, choosing between Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria means understanding what each does differently. 

That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll introduce you to the four Cunard Queens, look at where they sail and what you can expect onboard, before helping you decide which ship could be the right fit for your next cruise. 

Cunard has four ships in its fleet: Queen Anne, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. 

While each is unmistakably Cunard, they all have their own personality. Some are more contemporary, while others lean into the cruise line’s traditional style. You’ll also find differences in size, onboard experiences and the destinations they visit.

That means choosing between them isn’t as simple as picking the newest or largest ship. The right Cunard ship for you will depend on where you want to go and what you want your time onboard to look like. 

Cunard currently has four ships in its fleet, each offering its own take on the Cunard cruise experience. 

Here’s a quick look at the ships: 

• Queen Anne
• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria 

While every Cunard ship shares the same unmistakable feel, differences in size, atmosphere and onboard experience mean some may suit you better than others. 

Here’s a comparison of the four ships: 

These categories aren’t hard-and-fast rules. Families, couples, groups and solo travellers can enjoy any of Cunard’s four ships. The table is a useful starting point if you’re trying to narrow down your options. 

The best match will depend on more than who you’re travelling with. The atmosphere you enjoy, how much choice you want onboard and the type of itinerary you have in mind can be just as important. We’ll explore those differences in more detail below. 

When choosing a Cunard ship, it helps to look beyond size and guest capacity. Knowing the names of Cunard’s four Queens is one thing; understanding what it might actually feel like to sail aboard each of them is much more useful when choosing your holiday. 

As the newest ship in the fleet, Queen Anne offers the most contemporary interpretation of Cunard.

There’s a greater choice onboard, from places to eat and drink to spaces designed for wellness, entertainment and relaxing during the day. Her interiors also feel noticeably more modern, but Cunard hasn’t left its traditions behind. Familiar experiences such as the Queens Room, afternoon tea and Gala Evenings remain very much part of life onboard. 

That balance makes Queen Anne an interesting option if you’re new to Cunard. You can experience the traditions the cruise line is famous for without necessarily feeling as though you’ve stepped onto a traditional ocean-going ship. 

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are sister ships, and there’s a more traditional feel to both. 

They’re smaller than Queen Anne, with many of Cunard’s best-known spaces and experiences at the heart of life onboard. There’s an intimacy to them, too. Over the course of a voyage, it doesn’t take long to learn your way around, find a favourite lounge or discover a quiet corner. 

Calling them the classic Queens shouldn’t be mistaken for saying they’re old-fashioned. Rather, they offer the Cunard cruising style many guests have known and loved for years. One where elegant surroundings, attentive service and time-honoured traditions take centre stage. 

Although the two ships share plenty of similarities, they aren’t interchangeable. Their itineraries give each a different rhythm throughout the year. So, where you want to travel may ultimately play a bigger role in choosing between them than the onboard experience. 

Queen Mary 2 is the outlier in the fleet - and for good reason. She’s the world’s only ocean liner, purpose-built to undertake regular crossings of the North Atlantic. An ocean liner is designed differently from a conventional cruise ship. Queen Mary 2 has the strength, stability and power required for long-distance ocean travel. 

Her most well-known journey is her transatlantic crossing between Southampton and New York. Several consecutive days at sea make the ship itself an important part of the experience. But she isn’t limited to crossing the Atlantic. Queen Mary 2 also sails a variety of cruise itineraries throughout the year. 

For anyone fascinated by the romance and history of ocean travel, however, she offers something that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.

There’s no right or wrong choice - it simply depends on the kind of holiday you’re looking for.

Think about what matters most to you. Whether that’s contemporary surroundings, a more traditional atmosphere, the destinations you’ll visit or the chance to experience life aboard the world’s only ocean liner.

Ultimately, the best Cunard ship is the one that fits the way you want to travel.

Across its current programme of voyages, Cunard visits more than 180 destinations across 70 countries and six continents. Where you can travel will depend partly on which Queen you choose. 

Queen Anne sails extensively from Southampton, with voyages across Europe and the Canary Islands. She also travels much further afield, with itineraries taking her to destinations across Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Americas. 

Queen Victoria also spends plenty of time in European waters. The Mediterranean plays a particularly important role in her programme, alongside voyages to Northern Europe, Norway, Iceland and the Canary Islands. Longer itineraries take her further afield, including world cruises that span several continents. 

Queen Mary 2 is best known for her transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York. But her itineraries extend well beyond the North Atlantic. Depending on the season, you could find her sailing to destinations across Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Canada and New England. She also embarks on longer voyages around the world. 

Queen Elizabeth is particularly well travelled, with itineraries taking her to destinations across Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, as well as further afield on longer voyages. Her programme makes her an interesting choice if you’re looking to combine the more traditional Cunard experience with destination-rich itineraries in some very different parts of the world. 

It’s worth remembering that these aren’t fixed routes. Cunard’s ships move between regions as their programmes change. Sometimes, you’ll find more than one Queen visiting the same part of the world at different times of year.  If the destination matters more to you than the ship, it’s worth looking at the itineraries available for your preferred travel dates before deciding which Queen to choose. 

Choosing the right Cunard ship comes down to what you want from your holiday. You might be looking for plenty to do on board, a more traditional style of cruising, or a particular journey or destination.

Here’s a simple way to narrow down your options: 

There isn’t one ship that every first-time Cunard guest should choose. Instead, think about what attracted you to the cruise line in the first place.

• Choose Queen Anne if you like contemporary surroundings and plenty of choice onboard
• Consider Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria if a more traditional Cunard experience appeals to you
• Look to Queen Mary 2 if a transatlantic crossing or the experience of travelling aboard an ocean liner is what sparked your interest 

Your first Cunard cruise doesn’t need to be aboard the newest ship. Start with the experience that excites you most.

Queen Anne is likely to be your best fit. As the newest and largest ship in the fleet, she gives you more choice when deciding how to spend your time. 

She’s worth considering if you:

• Like having different restaurants, bars and lounges to discover
• Prefer contemporary interiors 
• Enjoy having plenty of options throughout the day 
• Want a modern interpretation of the Cunard experience 

Take a closer look at Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. Their smaller scale and classic interiors lend themselves particularly well to the style of cruising Cunard has long been associated with.

They may suit you if you:

• Prefer a smaller ship that doesn’t take long to get to know
• Enjoy elegant, traditional surroundings
• Like returning to favourite bars and lounges throughout your holiday
• Prefer a more intimate atmosphere onboard 

There’s a very simple answer to this one: Queen Mary 2.

She was purpose-built to cross the North Atlantic and remains the only ship on which you can experience Cunard’s signature transatlantic crossing between Southampton and New York. 

Choose Queen Mary 2 if you:

•  Have always wanted to arrive in New York by sea
• Are intrigued by the history and romance of ocean travel
• Want the experience of travelling aboard the world’s only ocean liner
• Like the idea of the journey being every bit as important as the destination  

Queen Mary 2 deserves particular consideration if days at sea are something you actively look forward to. 

Her transatlantic crossings provide several consecutive days without a port call, giving you time to properly settle into life onboard rather than planning each day around going ashore.

She’s a strong choice if you:

• Enjoy enrichment talks, reading, live music and leisurely dining
• Like having time to explore a ship at your own pace
• Would happily spend several days watching the ocean rather than visiting a new port every morning
• Want your time onboard to form a significant part of the holiday

If you like sea days but also want a broader choice of contemporary venues to explore, Queen Anne is another option worth considering. 

Solo travellers can feel at home across the Cunard fleet, so you don’t necessarily need to choose your ship based on travelling alone.

Instead, think about the wider experience you want. Cunard’s programme of talks, classes, entertainment and social activities gives you plenty of opportunities to meet other guests when you want to. Meanwhile, its lounges, libraries and open decks make spending time independently feel equally natural. 

When comparing ships, consider:

• The itineraries available for your preferred dates
• The type of single accommodation available
• Whether you prefer contemporary or more traditional surroundings 
• How much time you’d like to spend at sea

Couples have plenty of flexibility because all four Queens can work well for a holiday together.

Your decision is more likely to come down to how you like to travel: 

• Queen Anne for contemporary surroundings and greater choice onboard
• Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria for a smaller-scale, more traditional experience
• Queen Mary 2 for an iconic journey, particularly if a transatlantic crossing is something you’d like to experience together 

Sometimes, choosing your Cunard ship is much simpler: start with where you want to go. 

Cunard’s ships move between different parts of the world, so the Queen sailing your dream itinerary may make the decision for you. If several ships visit the region you’re interested in, you can then compare the dates, itineraries, and onboard experience.

Start by considering:

• Where you most want to travel
• The ports you’d like to visit 
• When you want to go 
• How long you’d like to be away

Once you’ve narrowed those down, choosing between the available ships becomes much easier.

Still undecided? Here’s the Cunard fleet in its simplest terms:

• Contemporary surroundings and the widest choice onboard ➡️ Queen Anne
• A smaller ship with classic Cunard character ➡️ Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria
• A transatlantic crossing ➡️ Queen Mary 2 
• A particular part of the world ➡️ Start with the itinerary and see which Queen can take you there

There’s no wrong Queen to choose. The important thing is finding the combination of ship, itinerary and onboard experience that’s right for you. 

Whichever Cunard Queen you choose, a wide range of dining, entertainment and onboard experiences are already included in your cruise fare.

This includes:

• Accommodation in your chosen stateroom or suite
• Dining in your allocated main restaurant, determined by your accommodation grade 
• Buffet dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner 
• Traditional afternoon tea, one of Cunard’s best-loved onboard traditions
• Selected drinks, including tea, coffee, water and fruit juices from designated areas 
• Live entertainment, including theatre productions and live music
• Cunard Insights, with talks and presentations from guest speakers and experts
• Swimming pools and fitness facilities 
• A programme of daily activities, with plenty to choose from on sea days and while sailing between destinations 
• Children’s clubs, with age-appropriate spaces and activities for younger guests 

There are additional experiences you can choose to pay for, such as speciality dining, spa treatments, selected activities, and most alcoholic drinks. But you don’t need to add these to enjoy your time onboard. 

Read next: Is Cunard all-inclusive? What's included and what's extra

Yes, all four Cunard ships offer balcony accommodation, although the exact choice of staterooms and suites varies between ships. You’ll also find Inside and Oceanview accommodation, alongside Cunard’s Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites. It’s worth comparing the accommodation available on your chosen ship before booking. 

Yes, Cunard offers accommodation designed for solo travellers. However, the number and type of single staterooms vary across the fleet. As these cabins are limited, it’s worth looking at availability early on. 

Cunard offers accessible accommodation and facilities across its fleet for guests with mobility or accessibility requirements. Accessible staterooms are limited, however, and the facilities available can vary by ship and accommodation type. If you have specific requirements, let us know at the time of booking. 

Yes, children are welcome across the Cunard fleet, with dedicated children’s clubs and activities available onboard.

The experience is quite different from cruise lines built around large-scale family attractions, though. You won’t find waterparks or rollercoasters dominating the top decks. Cunard offers a more traditional style of family cruising. There are dedicated spaces for younger guests alongside experiences families can enjoy together. 

No. Across the fleet, there are familiar dining experiences. However, the complete restaurant line-up differs from ship to ship. You’ll have an included main dining restaurant linked to your accommodation grade, alongside more casual dining options. And don’t forget the speciality restaurants! If trying a particular restaurant is important to you, check that it’s available aboard your chosen Queen before booking.