Cunard

elevated onboard experience | destinations | iconic crossings | elegant staterooms & suites

Cunard

O ver its 180 years at sea, Cunard has brought a host of innovations to the travel industry—it infused cruising with amenities once reserved for luxury hotels and it built the ship that pioneered the first-ever around-the-world cruise. Its glamorous ships and top-tier service are known for attracting A-list clientele that spans the generations—Charles Dickens, Judy Garland, David Bowie and Ed Sheeran, to name a few. While the line has continually evolved, it’s also stayed true to its core elements. Today, Cunard alone offers regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2, the world’s only ocean liner, in addition to itineraries visiting the Americas, Europe and beyond. The line's famed luxury and service—delivered with distinctive British style—remain defining elements, even as it’s brought cutting-edge tech (like Starlink satellite internet) aboard. And Cunard’s epic story keeps getting better; the line recently launched a brand-new ship to join its elegant, star-studded fleet. Read on for more reasons to get on board.

Alaska Cunard's voyages to the Great Land (sailing from Vancouver in 2024 and from Seattle in 2025) allow travelers to see Alaska's most majestic geography—the jutting, snow-dusted mountains, ice-studded rock face and wildlife-rich fjords of the Inside Passage; the blue-tinged frozen giants that give 3.3-million-acre Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve its name; the rushing waterfalls, granite cliffs and emerald waters of Tracy Arm Fjord and the surreal beauty of Hubbard Glacier. The ships' more moderate size allows them to sail closer to Alaska's most stunning points of interest than larger ships can. On top of the chance to watch breaching whales, soaring bald eagles and wading brown bears, Cunard's Alaska cruises bring guests to authentic fishing villages, gold rush towns and the intriguing capital, Juneau—and feature fascinating onboard guest speakers, from mountaineers to photographers to explorers.

Caribbean Cunard's Caribbean voyages depart from New York, whisking guests away for 12 to 13 nights to the likes of St. Kitts, Barbados, Saint Lucia, St. Maarten and Martinique. Starting in 2025, travelers will have even more options, with departures from Miami, too. On shore, guests can explore UNESCO-listed historic sites, colorful markets, flavorful local dishes and, of course, the Caribbean's famously brilliant beaches. The cultural experience continues on board, where guests will be greeted with locally inspired cocktails and cuisine. Tip: You can find Cunard's limited-time special offers here—for example, reduced fares and additional onboard credit for select voyages, including some Caribbean sailings.

Sail the world Wherever your travel dreams take you—the South Pacific, Northern Europe, South America, Canada, Africa—Cunard has a voyage that will allow you to explore the vibrance of each destination, returning to the decks of the luxurious ship after each new day of adventure. And for those who want to see it all, Cunard also offers sweeping full-world voyages, sailing for up to 116 nights and visiting ports as varied as Honolulu, Hawaii; Hamburg, Germany; Oranjestad, Aruba; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Tauranga, New Zealand; Hong Kong, China; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and dozens more. Cunard's early 2025 world cruises will be extra exciting, as they'll double as the maiden voyages for Queen Anne. The brand-new ship boasts exciting new features: 4,300 pieces of contemporary artwork, an intimate new entertainment venue called Bright Lights Society and interiors that blend the line's timeless style with a new aesthetic, crafted by a dream team of distinguished designers.

elegance at sea

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BACK TO THE TOP

Two classic options

Whether you choose to make the classic crossing from New York to Southampton, or the reverse, sailing the transatlantic route with Cunard is a must-try experience. The adventure is absolutely not a way to get from A to B (though of course, a vibrant cosmopolitan city awaits on the other side). Guests savor the time at sea, using the days to focus on wellness, introspection, personal writing or making a dent in Cunard's fabulous 10,000-book onboard library. Gazing at the stars—whether from the ship's decks or inside Queen Mary 2's onboard planetarium—travelers can enjoy a sense of wonder that is uniquely unhurried, knowing there's nowhere else they need to be and no to-do lists to check off. Meanwhile, Cunard's lively onboard events lineup—galas, Afternoon Tea service and curated entertainment—provide a world of options for enjoying the day.

The world's first

Cunard found its way into the pages of history when it became the first cruise company to operate a transatlantic liner service between England and the U.S. in 1840, but that's far from the line's only historic contribution. During the 1880s' mass immigration to the Americas, Cunard ships brought more than a million immigrants across the seas to settle in the United States. Cunard pioneered luxury cruising in the late 1800s, and its Carpathia ship arrived on the scene to rescue survivors of the Titanic in 1912. In the 1950s, transatlantic crossings with Cunard became a fashionable activity with Hollywood elite—Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor and even Walt Disney all made the voyage. Just as Cunard continues to attract celebrities to its decks (John Cleese, Jane Seymour and Meryl Streep are recent guests), the company continues its wave-making in other ways, too. It's the only line to regularly sail the storied transatlantic route today—and its Queen Mary 2 ship is the only true ocean liner currently at sea.

Between its famous tea service and top-notch entertainment lineup, days—and nights—at sea are something to be excited about with Cunard. Each ship is equipped with a Royal Court Theatre, complete with regal theater boxes reminiscent of a grand European opera house or cabaret-style seating, depending on the ship. You'll find a wide range of performances: Shakespearean plays, new-wave Australian circus acts, cabaret revues and productions incorporating ground-breaking virtual reality, as a few examples. And there's ample opportunity to be part of the show, with theater workshops, dance classes and ballroom dances set to live orchestra performances. Of course, few events are as eagerly anticipated as Cunard's gala evenings, where guests are encouraged to don finery in keeping with the night's theme: Black and White, Masquerade, Roaring 20s, Red and Gold or, exclusively on Alaska sailings, Ice White.

Entertainment

Afternoon Tea

Also extremely high on the list of Cunard's singular features is its time-honored Traditional Afternoon Tea service. At 3:30 p.m. each day, the grand ballroom-style Queens Room welcomes guests to a tea service fit for royalty—fresh-baked scones topped with clotted cream and fresh fruit; a variety of finger sandwiches; elegant pastries; and a selection of teas—though the exact menu changes daily. These treats are served on fine bone china and with a melodic backdrop of harp or piano music played by a resident musician. Then again, if you'd like to put a bubbly spin on your tea service, you can upgrade to the Champagne Afternoon Tea. This service includes all of the above, plus elevated desserts, savory bites and a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, served in the intimate Champagne Bar or Verandah restaurant, depending on the ship.

White Star Service

If you ask any number of loyal Cunard guests what keeps them coming back for more, odds are one word would consistently be at the tips of their tongues: service. The line prides itself on its White Star Service—unwavering, warm and attentive, with a hint of formality that gives a nod to Cunard's roots. This special treatment starts at embarkation when the ship's officers and crew don white gloves and broad smiles as they greet guests. The attentiveness continues with the line's personalized concierge service—should you need, say, a recommendation for a shore excursion, onboard activity or transport company—and in the ship's dining venues and lounges. And this easy-access assistance begins even before departure. My Cunard, the cruise line's multi-use digital portal, lets booked guests reserve shore excursions, check in and otherwise manage their vacation prior to setting sail.

Cunard offers two upgraded suite levels, with dining experiences to match each level of luxury. Spacious Princess Grill Suites come with private balconies, separate living areas and a reserved table in the airy Princess Grill restaurant, with more refined menus, attentive tableside service and open seating times, no reservations needed. Queens Grill Suites are Cunard's most indulgent accommodations, with dining areas, ocean-view living rooms, expansive balconies, soaking tubs, complimentary mini bars and even multiple stories, depending on the suite. Each comes with private butler service, as well. Queens Grill dining is truly next-level, including pre-dinner canapes served in your suite, an exclusive, upgraded Afternoon Tea service and an elevated dinner menu, with dishes like beef wellington and rack of lamb that are finished and served tableside.

Luxurious suites

Affordable staterooms

Cunard's Britannia staterooms provide ample elegance for a budget-friendly price. Expect tasteful interiors with king-size beds, with options that include ocean-view windows or balconies. Guests are greeted with a half bottle of wine upon arrival. Britannia restaurant is a grand space, with high ceilings, a sweeping staircase, linen-dressed tables and ample natural light. Evening menus include five courses, from traditional British fare to an array of world cuisines—Indonesian, Thai, French and many more. Lunch can be casual or an elaborate four-course affair, depending on your mood, while breakfast features an array of choices, from fresh juices and pastries to locally sourced meats and cooked-to-order omelets. Guests can choose early, late or open seating times (reservations required). Upgrade to a Britannia Club Balcony stateroom for access to the intimate Britannia Club restaurant in addition to the main restaurant.

Over-the-top inclusions

Guests who sail with Cunard will be treated to premium inclusions, whichever stateroom or suite they choose. Ample storage space—ideal for longer journeys—plus 24-hour room service, satellite TV and nightly turndown service (with chocolate) are always part of the pampering experience. One of Cunard's distinctive features is that the stateroom you choose comes with a reserved table for dinner in that stateroom category's restaurant—though you can always opt to "dine out" at one of the ship's alternative dining restaurants (additional costs apply).

Queen Elizabeth at Hubbard Glacier

London

Destinations

Iconic crossings

Elevated onboard experience

Elegant staterooms & suites

Cunard guests in the 1940s and the 2020s

The Statue of Liberty

Plan your trip

Cunard ship in the waters off Alaska

Queen Elizabeth II launching her namesake ship in 1967

Couple on deck enjoying the view

Queen Elizabeth's grand lobby

Afternoon Tea

Queen Victoria Royal Court Theatre

24-hour room service

Rendering of Britannia inside stateroom on Queen Anne

Queens Grill Suite on Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria in the Norwegian fjords

New York City, NY

Commodore Club

Mauretania Suite on Queen Victoria

Durban, South Africa Thanda Safari Lodge Overland (left); Queen Victoria in the Norwegian Fjords (right)

Queen Mary 2's onboard library

Drinks on deck in Alaska (left); Afternoon tea service (right)

Champagne Afternoon Tea

Ice White Ball

PLAN YOUR TRIP

elevated onboard experience | destinations | iconic crossings | elegant staterooms & suites

Caribbean Cunard's Caribbean voyages depart from New York, whisking guests away for 12 to 13 nights to the likes of St. Kitts, Barbados, Saint Lucia, St. Maarten and Martinique. Starting in 2025, travelers will have even more options, with departures from Miami, too. On shore, guests can explore UNESCO-listed historic sites, colorful markets, flavorful local dishes and, of course, the Caribbean's famously brilliant beaches. The cultural experience continues on board, where guests will be greeted with locally inspired cocktails and cuisine. Tip: Cunard is currently running the "Treat yourself, on us" offer, which adds in onboard credit, plus more perks, for select Caribbean cruises.