Cunard
Traditional British ocean travel with timeless elegance and iconic transatlantic heritage.
4 Ships
Fleet
185+ Years
Founded / Heritage
~2,000–3,000
Guest Capacity
Premium / Luxury
Tier
1 : 2
Crew Ratio
White Star Service
Best Known For
At a Glance
| Category | Traditional Luxury — British ocean-liner heritage |
|---|---|
| Best For | Experienced, internationally minded travelers who love history, culture, and a true sense of occasion |
| Atmosphere | Elegant, refined, celebratory — spacious and uncrowded, with ships slightly larger than others in this class |
| Ship Size | Large (2,061–2,996 guests) |
| Guest Demographic | Broad, skewing 55+, with a strong contingent in their 40s–50s and families on shorter sailings |
| Dress Code | Casual by day; smart to full formal (Gala Evenings) in the evening, 2–3 times per week |
| Dining Style | Accommodation-linked assigned dining (Britannia through Queens Grill); The Verandah and other specialty venues for an extra charge; buffet venues convert to rotating specialty dining most evenings |
| Service Style | White Star Service — polished, anticipatory, distinctly British (≈1:2 staff-to-guest ratio) |
| Included | Main dining, buffet venues, room service, traditional Afternoon Tea; drinks and specialty dining cost extra |
| World Voyages | ✓ Across all four Queens — Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Anne |
| Grand Voyages | ✓ Extended, immersive itineraries across the fleet |
Overview
What’s it like to travel with Cunard?
01 Philosophy & Personality
Cunard is built on three pillars — legacy, elegance, and inspiration. It’s gracious, confident, and distinctly British: formal enough to feel special, warm enough to never feel stiff. Every detail, from the White Star Service standard to the grand public rooms, is designed around a genuine “sense of occasion” rather than a generic resort-at-sea experience.
02Life Onboard
Days unfold at whatever pace guests choose. Long, unhurried sea days are a hallmark of the brand — especially on the Transatlantic Crossing — filled with options that range from deck games and dance classes to quiet time in some of the largest libraries at sea (Queen Mary 2 alone carries over 8,000 volumes). Evenings shift the mood toward Gala Evenings, ballroom dancing, and classic ocean-liner glamour.
03 Dining
Dining is tied to accommodation grade, with a dedicated restaurant for each tier — Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill — each offering its own seating style and level of service. Casual buffet venues, pub-style fare at the Golden Lion, and Cunard’s signature Afternoon Tea round out the experience, while specialty venues like The Verandah offer a fine-dining option for an additional charge. Most evenings, a section of the buffet also transforms into a rotating specialty venue — a different themed cuisine through the week — for an additional cover charge.
04 Entertainment & Enrichment
Enrichment is where Cunard sets itself apart: West End-caliber theatre, guest lecturers, hands-on masterclasses, and themed Event Voyages (Fashion Week, Space Week, a Literature Festival) built around culture, history, and craft. It’s entertainment for guests who want to learn something as much as be entertained.
05 Service
White Star Service is Cunard’s defining promise — a formal, twelve-statement service credo taught at a dedicated White Star Academy and reinforced through ongoing crew training and recognition. With roughly one crew member for every two guests, service throughout the fleet is attentive without feeling intrusive.
06 Accommodation
Staterooms span four tiers — Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill — each escalating in space, location, and included amenities, up to full butler service in Queens Grill suites. Because Grill-tier suites make up only about 12.5% of guests, the ships never feel class-segregated despite the tiered structure. Dedicated single-occupancy staterooms and accessible cabins are available fleet-wide.
Best For
Choose Cunard if you…
- Want an iconic voyage — especially a Transatlantic Crossing — rather than a standard cruise
- Value history, heritage, and a genuine sense of occasion over a resort-at-sea vibe
- Enjoy cultural enrichment: lectures, masterclasses, and time to slow down
- Appreciate polished, traditional service and the option to dress for the evening
- Are a sophisticated solo traveler, couple celebrating an occasion, or experienced traveler
Things to Consider
Maybe avoid Cunard if you…
- Dislike dress codes or the idea of Gala Evenings (2–3 times per week)
- Expect drinks, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining to be included in the base fare
- Prefer a small-ship, expedition-style itinerary with few sea days
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cunard world voyage cost?
Fares vary widely by stateroom grade and itinerary length. Britannia Inside staterooms start at strong value pricing, while Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites command a premium for added space, service, and private dining. Ask us for current World Voyage pricing by category. “Read our guide to budgeting for a world voyage here.”
What's included in a Cunard world voyage fare?
Included: assigned main-restaurant dining, buffet venues, room service, and traditional Afternoon Tea. Not included: alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities (unless part of a promotion), and shore excursions. Read our guide to budgeting for a world voyage here.”
Who is Cunard best suited for?
Experienced, internationally minded travelers who value heritage, culture, refinement, and a genuine sense of occasion — while still wanting the freedom to set their own pace onboard.
Can I book a segment instead of the full world voyage?
Yes. Cunard’s World Voyages can typically be booked as the full itinerary or as individual segments, making it possible to experience part of a voyage without committing to the entire journey.
Is Cunard formal — do I need to pack for black-tie nights?
Cunard is casual by day. In the evening, dress ranges from smart casual up to full formal on Gala Evenings, which occur roughly two to three times a week. Casual dining remains available in the buffet venues every night for guests who’d prefer a more relaxed evening.