Cunard Line
Since 1840, the most storied name on the North Atlantic. Gala nights, white-glove service, and the only true ocean liner left on Earth — this is travel as an occasion.
The Last True Ocean Liner
Cunard isn’t nostalgic about the golden age of ocean travel — it simply never stopped. Queen Mary 2 is the only true ocean liner in service, purpose-built with a deep hull and reinforced bow to take the North Atlantic head-on during the signature seven-night Transatlantic Crossing between Southampton and New York: sea days filled with Royal Astronomical Society stargazing, fencing lessons, the largest library afloat, and — famously — the only kennels at sea, so even the dog crosses in style. Evenings mean gala nights, ballroom orchestras, and White Star Service polished over 185 years. The fleet’s newest queen, Queen Anne, joined in 2024, carrying the tradition into a modern art-deco idiom that would make our website jealous.
The Vibe
Formal in the best sense — afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters, ballroom dancing to a live orchestra, and conversation as an art form.
Signature Stuff
The Transatlantic Crossing, gala evenings, Queens Grill suites, the planetarium and library on QM2, and yes — kennels with a lamppost from Liverpool.
Who Will Love It
Romantics, Anglophiles, dancers, writers on deadline, and anyone who thinks the journey — not the port count — is the point. The crossing belongs on every travel bucket list.
Destinations They Do Best
Ships in the Fleet
Guides to 4 Cunard Line ships across 3 classes, with the tonnage, guest capacity, service date and — where recorded — the most recent refurbishment for each hull, grouped by class.
Ocean liner
Pinnacle Class
Vista Class
Getting there isn't half the fun.
On a crossing, it's all of it.
Cunard FAQs
What's the difference between a crossing and a cruise?
A crossing is seven consecutive days at sea between Southampton and New York — no ports at all. The ship, the ocean, and the rhythm of sea days are the whole point. Cunard also sails conventional port-to-port cruises worldwide, but the crossing is the bucket-list signature.
How formal is Cunard really?
Real, but joyful: evenings run ‘smart attire,’ and two or three gala nights per voyage bring out jackets, gowns, and the odd kilt. Daytimes are relaxed. Guests overwhelmingly report the dressing up is part of the magic — when else do you get to sweep into a ballroom at sea?
Can I bring my dog on the Queen Mary 2?
On transatlantic crossings, yes — QM2 carries the only kennels at sea, complete with a kennel master, a Liverpool lamppost, and a New York fire hydrant for equal-opportunity relief. Spaces are few and book out a year or more ahead; if this is the dream, tell us early.
Does my cabin grade decide which restaurant I eat in?
Yes, and this is the single most important thing to understand about booking Cunard. Each main dining room corresponds to an accommodation grade — book a Britannia stateroom and you dine in the Britannia restaurant, book a Grills suite and you dine in the Princess or Queens Grill. It also means guests in different grades cannot dine together in the main restaurants. If you are travelling with friends or family, book the same grade or you will be separated at dinner.
Are Gala Evenings compulsory?
No — Cunard describes them as entirely optional. There is at least one Gala Evening on any voyage of three nights or more, black tie, with themes like Black and White, Masquerade or Roaring Twenties, and a good many guests throw themselves into it. If it is not for you, the alternative venues stay open and nobody makes an issue of it. Most other evenings are simply smart attire; formalwear is not expected every night.
Is the service charge included in a Cunard fare?
No. Cunard adds a daily hotel and service charge per guest to your onboard account, at a slightly higher rate for Grills suites than for Britannia and Britannia Club. A separate percentage is added to bar purchases and to spa and salon treatments. It is worth factoring into the total when you compare a Cunard fare against a line that bundles gratuities, because the headline prices are not measuring the same thing.
How does dining work in Britannia versus the Grills?
Britannia guests choose between fixed early or late seating and an open dining arrangement managed by a virtual queue. Britannia Club and both Grills work differently: you have a reserved table for the whole voyage and simply arrive when you like within the evening service hours, which is a quietly significant upgrade. The Grills also come with their own lounges and terrace. It is the main practical reason people move up a grade on Cunard.
What facilities are there for children on Cunard?
More than most people expect on a line with this reputation. The Play Zone takes children aged two to seven, the Kids’ Zone covers eight to twelve, and the Teen Zone handles thirteen to seventeen. There is also a Night Nursery for infants from six months to just under two years, offered complimentary in the evening. It is a genuinely well-run operation, though the overall atmosphere aboard remains adult in character — something to weigh if your children want a lively ship.
Let's Plan Your Cunard Cruise
Tell us who’s sailing and when — your specialist knows Cunard’s fleet, fare sales, and cabin sweet spots, and the service is free.
Our planning costs you nothing — the cruise lines pay our commission, so your fare is the same as booking direct. A quote is yours to keep.
Weekend Bahamas run or 30-night grand voyage — same care.
Family reunions, weddings at sea, milestone birthdays — we love a full table.
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