Cunard

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Cunard
795
Cruises availables

Cunard was founded in 1840 by Samuel Cunard of Nova Scotia, and it is the only brand in our catalogue born in Canada. It operates Queen Mary 2, the last ocean liner in service, which crosses the North Atlantic in every season: strengthened hull, high freeboard, high service speed, nothing like a cruise ship. The rest of the fleet runs conventional cruises, with an evening dress code stricter than anywhere else.

Ships of Cunard

Cunard: the last scheduled line between Europe and America

Cunard is today the only shipping company operating a scheduled passenger service between Europe and North America. That is not brochure language: the crossing comes back on fixed dates, in both directions, and Queen Mary 2 is the ship that makes it. She is not a cruise ship. She is a transatlantic ocean liner: strengthened hull, high freeboard, high service speed, because she crosses the North Atlantic in every season. A cruise ship goes around bad weather; this one goes through it.

What a crossing changes

There are no ports. Seven days at sea, one hour of time change a day, and the ship as the whole programme. Those who love it talk about it for the rest of their lives. Those who wanted ports are bored by the third day. It is worth knowing which of the two you are before paying, and it is the kind of thing an advisor will ask you.

What we carry, measured

The fleet is four ships, only one of them an ocean liner. The number of Cunard cruises currently on sale is shown at the top of this page. Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Anne and Queen Victoria share the calendar. Cunard makes long voyages also sold in segments, so one departure counts several tracks.

The fleet, and the only liner

Queen Mary 2, from 2004; Queen Victoria, from 2007; Queen Elizabeth, from 2010; Queen Anne, from 2024. Three are conventional cruise ships. Only one runs the line, and it is the first.

A house born in Canada

Cunard was founded in 1840 by Samuel Cunard, a Nova Scotian, after winning the first British transatlantic mail contract in 1839. It is the oldest brand in our whole catalogue, and the only one born in Canada. Carnival Corporation acquired 62 % in 1998 and the rest in 1999. We will not say what the fare covers: the formula changes from one departure to the next, and we have not measured it. Ask for the written list of the exact departure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ships does Cunard operate?

The fleet is four ships: Queen Mary 2, from 2004, the only ocean liner in service anywhere, then Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne, which are conventional cruise ships. The number of cruises currently on sale is shown at the top of this page.

Is Queen Mary 2 a cruise ship?

No, and that is the thing to understand before booking. She is a transatlantic ocean liner: strengthened hull, high freeboard, high service speed, because she crosses the North Atlantic in every season. She was delivered in 2003 and entered service in 2004. A cruise ship avoids bad weather; this one goes through it.

What does a transatlantic crossing change compared with a cruise?

There are no ports. Seven days at sea, one hour of time change a day, and the ship as the whole programme. Those who love it talk about it for the rest of their lives; those who wanted ports are bored by the third day. It is worth knowing which of the two you are before paying.

Does Cunard still run the scheduled line?

Yes, and it is now the only shipping company operating a scheduled passenger service between Europe and North America. That is not a selling point, it is a fact of the timetable: the crossing comes back on fixed dates, in both directions.

Where does this line come from?

From 1840, and from a Nova Scotian. Samuel Cunard founded the house after winning the first British transatlantic mail contract in 1839. Carnival Corporation acquired 62 % in 1998 and the rest in 1999. It is the oldest brand in this catalogue, and the only one born in Canada.

What are the four ships?

Queen Mary 2, from 2004; Queen Victoria, from 2007; Queen Elizabeth, from 2010; and Queen Anne, from 2024. Three are conventional cruise ships; only Queen Mary 2 is a liner.

Does Cunard repeat the same itineraries?

Little. The line schedules long voyages that it also sells in segments, so a single departure can appear under several itinerary splits. Read the route before you trust the ship's name.

What does the fare cover?

We will not say it in the line's place. What the fare covers changes here from one departure, market and cabin grade to the next, and we have not measured it departure by departure. Ask your advisor for the written list of the exact departure before booking, not after.

Can I book a Cunard cruise that is not shown on this page?

Yes. This page shows the departures we carry online, and our inventory does not always cover the line's full catalogue. Call us with the date and itinerary you found: in most cases we can book it for you.

Is service available in French?

It depends on the departure and the market, not on the line. If French matters to you, say so before booking: it is checked departure by departure.

Should I book far ahead?

On these fleets, yes: few ships, few cabins, and the best go early. Booking far ahead fixes a choice but commits money in advance. Talk cancellation terms through with your advisor before you decide.

Who protects me if my cruise is cancelled?

Your agency, and it alone. Voyages AquaTerra operates under a licence from Quebec's Office de la protection du consommateur, your payments pass through a trust account, and the compensation fund for travel agency clients covers your departure. That holds whichever line you choose.