Cunard Line

Cunard was founded in 1840 to carry mail and passengers across the Atlantic, and it is still the only line running a scheduled passenger service between Europe and North America. Owned by Carnival Corporation & plc since 1998 and based in Southampton, England, it operates four Queens: Queen Mary 2, a true ocean liner built for the North Atlantic, plus Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne, which joined in 2024.

Life onboard leans traditional and British: afternoon tea, ballroom dancing in the Queens Room, a large library on Queen Mary 2, a pub, and Gala Evenings when guests dress up. Your restaurant depends on your accommodation level. Most guests dine in the Britannia Restaurant, Britannia Club guests have their own smaller dining room, and suite guests in the Grills (Princess Grill and Queens Grill) enjoy private restaurants and lounges.

Cunard suits travelers who love tradition, dressing up and sea days, along with anyone who wants to cross the Atlantic by ship rather than plane. It is a good fit for couples and older travelers, and families can sail as well. Travelers who want casual vacations, big-ship attractions or a lot of nightlife will find it too formal.

The vibe: Elegant and classic, with a British accent; afternoon tea, ballroom dancing and black-tie evenings at sea.

What Cunard does best

Transatlantic crossings

Queen Mary 2 sails roughly week-long crossings between New York (Brooklyn) and Southampton, the last scheduled liner service of its kind.

Grills experience

Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites come with private restaurants, lounges and terraces, a ship-within-a-ship feel.

Queens Room ballroom

Ballroom dancing with live music, afternoon tea and Gala Evening balls in the ship's grand ballroom.

Queen Anne

The newest Queen, which entered service in 2024, blends Cunard tradition with more modern dining and spa spaces.

Kennels on Queen Mary 2

Dogs and cats can cross the Atlantic in onboard kennels on select crossings, a rare option at sea.

Dining

Dining is tied to your accommodation grade. Britannia Restaurant serves most guests with set or flexible seating; Britannia Club cabins have their own open-seating restaurant; and Grills suites dine in the Princess Grill or Queens Grill. Casual options include a buffet and a British-style pub. Extra-cost specialty dining varies by ship, and afternoon tea in the Queens Room is included.

Entertainment and activities

The Royal Court Theatre hosts production shows and guest performers, the Queens Room has ballroom dancing and live orchestras, and lecturers and enrichment talks are a staple. Queen Mary 2 has a planetarium, Illuminations, and a large library. Expect a casino, piano bars and jazz.

Families and kids

Cunard welcomes families, with supervised children's programs and play areas on each ship, especially busy during school holidays. The overall atmosphere is still adult and traditional.

Dress code

Cunard is one of the dressier lines. Evenings alternate between smart attire and Gala Evenings, when many men wear tuxedos or dark suits and women wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses. Daytime is casual.

Gratuities and drinks

Cunard adds $18 per person per day in most accommodation and $19 per person per day in Grills suites. An 18% gratuity is added to bar, wine and salon bills. (Published rates as of 2026-10-13; source. Lines change these, so we confirm the current amount in every quote.)

Water, tea and coffee at meals and afternoon tea are included. Cunard sells drink packages covering wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks at different levels; package names and rules vary by market, so check what is offered for your sailing.

Loyalty program: Cunard World Club. Tell us your number when you request a quote so past-guest offers and status perks are applied.

Specialist tips for booking Cunard

• Pack for Gala Evenings: there are usually several on a seven-night crossing, so bring more than one evening outfit or plan to mix and match.
• On a transatlantic crossing, the ship sets clocks back or forward an hour on most nights. Westbound (to New York) gives you extra hours to sleep.
• If you want the full Cunard experience, a Britannia Club cabin is a meaningful step up in dining flexibility without paying full Grills prices.
• Book Queen Mary 2's kennel spaces as early as possible if you are traveling with a pet; they are very limited.
• Check whether your crossing departs from Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook, not Manhattan, before booking hotels and transfers.