cunard cruises wikipedia

• Queen Elizabeth
• Cunard Adventurer
• Cunard Ambassador
• Cunard Countess
• Cunard Crown Dynasty
• Cunard Crown Jewel
• Cunard Crown Monarch
• Cunard Princess
• Queen Elizabeth 2
• Queen Mary 2
• Queen Victoria
• Royal Viking Sun
• Sea Goddess I
• Sea Goddess II
• Vistafjord / Caronia
• Translantic Liner
• Cunard White Star Service

Explore the History of Cunard

Cunard Line’s heritage dates back to 1839 when Sir Samuel Cunard attained the first British Government contract to supply a regular mail service across the North Atlantic Ocean. Since that date, Cunard has operated hundreds of ocean liners and cruise ships.

Cunard’s heritage is built on safety, speed and luxury. During the early days of the 20th Century the line’s ocean-greyhounds, Lusitania and Mauretania , were the fastest ocean liners in the world. Their modern turbine engines allowed them to achieve over 24 knots, an impressive feat of engineering.

Cunard’s Golden Age occurred after World War II, when their Ocean Liners, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were the epitome of luxury ocean travel. With speeds of over 30 knots, these two Cunard Queens were the largest ocean liners in the world. In fact, Queen Elizabeth, at 83,673 gross registered tons, held this record until eclipsed in 1996 by the Carnival Destiny.

In the late 1950s, Cunard faced its most fierce competitor yet: the jet aircraft. With the introduction of the Boeing 707 on the transatlantic route, Cunard’s fleet quickly became obsolete. This saw the great decline of ocean liners, with ships such as Caronia , Media , Britannic as well as the famous Queens disappearing from the North Atlantic.

But in the midst of this transport revolution, Cunard gambled their future on a new ship. This liner, built at the same yard as her predecessors (John Brown & Co., Clydebank), was named Queen Elizabeth 2 . She maintained Cunard’s presence on the transatlantic service before retiring in 2008, passing the baton to Queen Mary 2.

In these pages you can explore the history of select Cunard and Cunard White-Star ships. These ships are a collection of vessels that have made a significant contribution to the Cunard story. Cunard has operated 249 ships, so this fleet list is always growing, so please come back regularly to find new additions.

Image courtesy: Henderson & Cremer Collection.

Chris Frame Official

10 Facts About Cunard's History

by The Cruise Web Team October 22, 2013

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• Between 1909 and 1929, Cunard’s Mauretania held the record for the fastest eastbound Atlantic crossing.
• When the Mauretania was built in 1907, the builders used carrier pigeons to communicate testing results to maintain secrecy in case the much-anticipated liner had a problem.
• The first Cunard liner, the Britannia, made her first voyage in 1840 from Liverpool to Boston. Onboard were 63 passengers, 93 crew and one cow to provide fresh milk.
• Cunard’s earlier ocean liners had sails, but not for propulsion. They were actually used to help stabilize the ship in rough weather.
• Charles Dickens described his 1842 journey to America on the Britannia in the second chapter of his book American Notes .
• Cunard’s vessels were used as hospitals during the Crimean War.
• The Lucania was the first ship to offer suites, consisting of two cabins with a sitting room in between.
• The Mauretania was praised by Franklin Roosevelt who said that the ship had a “soul that you could talk to.”
• It is believed that Cunard’s original Queen Mary was actually intended to be named the Queen Victoria. When they proposed the name to King George V, Cunard asked to name the ship after “England’s greatest queen” (which they understood to be King George V’s grandmother, Queen Victoria). However, King George V took this differently, declaring that his wife , Queen Mary, would be delighted to know the ship was to be named after her.
• The Queen Mary is now a floating hotel in Southern California. The attraction and restaurant venue offers tours and artifacts from her sailing days.

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CELEBRATING ‘QUEEN ANNE’, CUNARD’S 249th SHIP, WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The Cunard Line’s former New York Headquarters served as the setting for a stunning preview of the latest of its Queens.

Cunard Line, one of the world’s most renowned cruise lines, has a rich history in New York City. Founded by a Canadian, Sir Samuel Cunard, the company has an unparalleled role in transatlantic travel connecting Europe and North America. Cunard’s Atlantic Ocean service began in 1840 when RMS Britannia sailed from Liverpool to Halifax and later to Boston. Soon after, New York City became a prominent destination. Cunard sent its most advanced steamship, RMS Arcadia to New York in 1850.  70 Years later, Cunard built a spectacular monument to itself at 25 Broadway, now Cipriani 25 Broadway. And it was here that Cunard introduced its newest Queen, named for Anne, the British monarch most renowned for being a royal patron of the arts and innovation. A perfect match for the ship that Cunard says will be the finest ship of its era.

Cunard’s New York Celebration took place in the elaborately decorated Great Hall

Soaring to a height of 65 feet, the 185-foot long Great Hall was a fitting background for the night’s grand introductions. Headlining the event was acclaimed actor/entertainer Alan Cumming. His cabaret-style performance was the perfect introduction to an entirely new entertainment concept debuting on Queen Anne: Bright Lights Society. With all due respect to its past, the name, Bright Lights Society, is a salute to Cunard’s legacy—the pioneering use of electric lights on their first ocean liner. Beyond the bountiful buffet tables and bars serving plenty of bubbly and Queen Anne’s eponymous Gin was a breathtaking contemporary art exhibit. Queen Anne will boast a 4300-piece collection—far larger than any other cruise ship afloat. Featuring works by both emerging artists and established talents, Cunard’s New York Guests were treated to works by photographer Michael James O’Brien, Canadian artist Eric Louie, Brooklyn textile artist Shradhar and London-based artist Tommy Camerno.

Queen Anne will feature 14 decks, 15 dining venues and accommodate up to 3000 guests served by 1,225 crew members.

Yes, Queen Anne will be the largest ship of the fleet of Cunard’s Queens—flagship Queen Mary 2 and the two almost identical Queens, Elizabeth and Victoria.  As one of my fellow journalists reminded me, when Queen Mary2 was introduced 20 years ago, we gasped at her size. This writer’s first ship voyage was when I was 6 years old and sailed to England aboard the first Queen Mary.  To a very small boy, she appeared gigantic.  Yet it’s hard to believe my first Queen was smaller than Queen Anne will be. But then, the first Queen Mary didn’t boast a three-story Grand Lobby. Or an 835 seat Royal Court Theater. And there was nothing compared to Queen Anne’s Spa which will offer the widest selection of fitness, beauty and spa facilities on any Cunard vessel ever before.

Queen Anne will up the number of Britannia Club Balcony staterooms by 200%.

In addition to Britannia Inside, Britannia Oceanview, Britannia Balcony, the extremely popular Britannia Club Balcony staterooms will meet the demand for these privileged accommodations. Guests staying in Brittania Club dine at their own dedicated table in the dedicated Britannia Club Restaurant. Right in the heart of the ship and right next to the Grand Lobby, breakfast, lunch and dinner can be enjoyed by Brittania Club guests whatever time they choose.  Not to be outdone, the ultimate Cunard experience belongs to passengers of the Princess and Queen’s Grill suites serviced by Butlers. These plush accommodations boast their own lounge and restaurants and even a private Grill’s Terrace.

Still 6 months to go before Queen Anne takes to the seas.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, introduced Queen Anne to the assembled press, VIP guests. Ms. McAlister noted another first for Cunard. The Captain of the ship will be a woman. Inger Klein Thorhauge has been guiding the progress of the ship since her appointment in March 2022. Captain Thorhauge celebrates 25 years with Cunard this year. She began her career in 1997 as Second Officer aboard Cunard’s Vistafjord. In May of next year, she will sail Queen Anne on her inaugural season sailing through Europe with itineraries featuring the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords and the Mediterranean. All in preparation for Queen Anne’s 111-day World Cruise departing January 7, 2025.

For more information on Cunard and Queen Anne, go to:

Cunard Line Cruises Queen Anne Queen Elizabeth Queen Mary 2 Queen Victoria

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Sneak peek: Inside Queen Anne, Cunard's 1st new cruise ship in 13 years

It's been 13 years since Cunard Line last unveiled a new ship — an eternity in the cruise world.

But after a sneak peek Thursday at the three-ship brand's soon-to-debut fourth vessel, Queen Anne , I can confidently say it was worth the wait.

As a top executive at Cunard walked me through the still-very-much-under-construction, 3,000-passenger ship at a shipyard in Italy, I quickly grasped that it was a vessel that would usher in a new era for the line.

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Queen Anne is a ship that holds true to the core of what Cunard vessels are all about — a nod to tradition and an elegance that harks back to the grand old days of ocean liner travel. But it also embraces the latest trends of travel and cruising in a way that Cunard ships haven't done before, including a new focus on choice in dining and entertainment, wellness and onboard celebrations.

In short, it's a Cunard ship unlike any Cunard ship you've ever seen, and as my guide, Cunard Brand Manager Francis Fred, explained, it's a ship that will serve as a model for changes that will soon take place across the Cunard fleet.

"What we're doing on board Queen Anne not only is going to put Queen Anne out into the future, but during refits [of other Cunard ships], a lot of the work we're doing here ... will all filter back" to the other vessels, Fred explained.

With seven months of construction to go before Queen Anne is ready to sail, there is much still unfinished on the vessel. As is typical at this stage of construction, the exterior of the ship and the framing for its interior spaces is mostly complete. But lots of finishing work remains. Many spaces were empty shells with just roughed-in wires and plumbing.

Related: The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2023

Still, the outlines of what Cunard executives hope will be a transformative vessel for the brand are already starting to take shape.

Here are the most notable new things I saw in the works after I stepped aboard Queen Anne at the Fincantieri shipyard near Venice, Italy.

Superbly designed top decks

As I saw during the sneak peek, the open-air top decks of Queen Anne are shaping up to be more spectacular than anything we've ever seen in the Cunard fleet.

For starters, the vessel's main pool area, The Pavilion, is topped with a retractable glass roof designed to be as much a showpiece as a functional structure to keep poolgoers dry on rainy days.

It was created, notably, by Martin Francis, the United Kingdom-based design wizard who figured out how to make the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum stay up, and it soars higher and feels airier than what you usually see on ships with such roofs.

"He really helped us lift the dome up another deck in height to give it a sense of scale ... [and] increase the amount of glass we're using and reduce the amount of steel," Fred noted.

Underneath the dome, in addition to a pool, there will be three whirlpools, lounge chairs, a bar, a grill for food by the pool, a gelateria and a stage for entertainment — all of which I saw coming together.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Cunard ship

Also, one deck up overlooking the pool (and still under the dome), there will be a juice bar and a cafe serving healthy dishes — part of a bigger wellness focus at Cunard.

It's a "something for everyone" approach that is part of Cunard's wanting to offer more options and more "activations" on its top decks.

Among other standout areas of Queen Anne's top decks will be a forward observation deck with more lounge chairs, a paddle tennis court, a putting green and table tennis, and an open-air bar with soaring views to be called the Sky Bar.

The observation deck will be more of a destination for passengers than the much smaller games decks that have occupied the top fronts of Cunard's last two ships — in part because of the inclusion of the outdoor bar, which is something Cunard traditionally hasn't built into forward deck-top areas.

Fred said the bar would serve cocktails from sunrise to sunset.

He also said the paddle tennis court in the area would double as a pickleball court, something no Cunard ship has ever had. As Fred noted, "Pickleball is taking the world by storm."

Both The Pavilion pool area and observation deck will be open to all passengers, as will a second pool area — the Panorama Pool Club — at the back of the ship. There will also be an open-air deck area toward the middle back of the ship that will be exclusive to passengers staying in top Queens Grill and Princess Grill cabins (more on that in a moment).

An observation lounge that wows

If you're already a Cunard fan, you know that the ship's forward-facing observation lounge — the Commodore Club — is a hot spot on all its ships. So you'll surely be excited to know that Cunard is really blowing things out for the Commodore Club on Queen Anne.

As I saw during the tour, it'll be by far the biggest Commodore Club on any Cunard ship, including Queen Mary 2 (which is a much bigger ship than Queen Anne).

Notable features of the Commodore Club on Queen Anne will include a curvy "bar in the round" at its back that is designed to be a place to meet new friends; a stage for live entertainment that will include band music, string instrument performers and pianists; and a seemingly endless, 270-degree wall of glass offering views of the sea.

"We're working right now on developing a martini trolley that will work the room and bring those perfect serves to you as you sit and observe the scenery," Fred noted, as he described a Commodore Club that would be like nothing you've seen before on a Cunard ship.

In addition, Queen Anne's Commodore Club will be part of a larger complex of adult venues at the top of the ship that also include the ship's cigar lounge, known as Churchill's; its library; and an expanded area for onboard weddings and other shipboard celebrations (see more on this below).

An enlarged celebrations area

The arrival of Queen Anne comes as Cunard makes a bigger push into the celebrations market — travelers looking to celebrate weddings, vow renewals and other milestones — and the ship will have a much bigger and more sophisticated celebrations area than we've seen before at the line.

During the tour, Fred took us into the still-heavily-under-construction shell of a new Admiral's Lounge that will serve as the ship's central celebration space for events like weddings.

Cunard has had Admiral's Lounges on ships before, but never one quite like this that was specifically designed for weddings. Fred showed off walls of glass that would flood it with natural light, and he said the venue would have a secret entrance at its rear for the captain of the ship to enter to officiate over weddings and vow renewals.

Related: Don't miss these loyalty perks when sailing on a Cunard ship

At the back of the room, double doors will open up onto the Boardroom, which can be booked for receptions. Just beyond that, the spaces lead to a private rooftop terrace overlooking the sea that will be the ultimate wedding and vow renewal reception venue. It's something Cunard has never had before on a ship.

"We can do up to three weddings a day, so this space will be very busy bringing people's dreams to reality," Fred said as he stood on one end of the open-air area.

Any passenger can book the private terrace for events, Fred added.

"You can have your family up here for cocktails," he said.

New wellness spaces

Cunard is leaning into the wellness trend with a new-for-the-line, glass-enclosed Wellness Studio that is just past The Pavilion Pool (it sits under the same soaring glass dome that covers that venue).

While it was far from done when we toured it, Fred described a space that will have a wood-finished wall with green plantings on one end "coming down like a cascade," sun sails crossing the air above under the glass dome and — depending on the time of day — yoga mats laid out across the floor.

The space will be used for yoga classes, Pilates, Zumba classes and line dancing classes during the day, among other things. Plus, there are plans to offer ballroom dancing classes at sunset, Fred said.

The Wellness Studio is part of an expansion of wellness areas that also includes the healthy-eats cafe and juice bar in The Pavilion area mentioned above.

The idea, in part, is to get all of the fitness classes that the line normally offers in its fitness area out of the inside of the ship and up to the top deck, where they can take place under the natural light of the outdoors and with views of the sea all around.

That said, the ship still has a good-sized fitness center and a spa with a thermal pool complex that includes eight heated loungers, four experiential showers, a reflexology footpath with textured stones flowing with hot water, a cold room (a first for Cunard), a large steam room, a Himalayan salt sauna and a traditional sauna. There's also a relaxation room and a wellness suite.

"We're offering a lot more choice. There are more experiences in the space," Fred shared.

The ultimate grills zones

If you're a Cunard regular, you know about the grills. They're the two exclusive restaurants on every Cunard ship for passengers staying in the very best suites.

On Queen Anne, the grills — the Queens Grill and Princess Grill — will come with access to what is the ultimate exclusive retreat area ever conceived for a Cunard ship. Known as the Grills Terrace, it'll be a sprawling private outdoor lounge area that stretches the width of the ship and has lots of plush lounge chairs, two stunning infinity whirlpools overlooking the sides of the vessel and waiter service for your every need.

The Grills Terrace sits just above the Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants, which — as was explained during the tour — will be loaded with tables for two, in a response to customer demand. That's a big change from the designs of earlier Grills on Cunard ships that often had lots of bigger tables where passengers sometimes were assigned seating with strangers.

"Across all our dining rooms [on the ship], we've increased our tables for two to cater to the increased demand," Fred explained.

An explosion of dining

Cunard has never been known for ships that offered oodles of dining options. But that's changing with Queen Anne — and in a big way.

Queen Anne will boast 15 different places where you can grab a bite, more than double the number on the line's other ships.

The options include Aji Wa, a new restaurant concept for Cunard that will serve Japanese cuisine influenced by the seasons of the year. Also new for Cunard will be Aranya, an Indian eatery.

Both are extra-charge specialty restaurants, as will be Queen Anne's high-end steakhouse, Sir Samuel's — another new concept. A fourth specialty eatery that is new for Cunard, Tramonto, will serve Mediterranean dishes.

These four specialty restaurants, which we saw under construction at the shipyard, will complement the traditional Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia and Britannia Club restaurants that are the main eateries for passengers (assigned based on cabin category).

Other places to dine will include the Golden Lion pub, a mainstay of Cunard ships. On Queen Anne, it will feature a new pub menu designed by renowned chef Michel Roux. The menu eventually will be rolled out to Golden Lion pubs across the Cunard fleet.

The Golden Lion pub on Queen Anne also will be notably bigger than sister venues on other Cunard ships.

Roux is also creating an exclusive gala menu for the Queens Grill restaurant.

In addition, Queen Anne passengers will be able to eat in casual comfort at the Artisan's Food Hall, a new take on the traditional buffet eatery on Cunard ships. As Fred showed off during the tour, it'll feature active food stations instead of traditional self-serve buffet lines.

"As you move through the space, every station will be manned by a chef who on one side will have pre-portioned dishes for you to grab and go, and the other side will have all the ingredients to make a dish just for you," Fred said.

Walking through the space, Fred pointed out the foundations for a curved cooking-and-serving area that would feature an oven for making and serving fresh pizzas and bread for guests.

The Artisan's Food Hall will also be the first casual buffet eatery on a Cunard ship with its own bar, located right in the middle of the room.

And plenty that is familiar

As is typical for Cunard ships, Queen Anne will feature a soaring Grand Lobby with a cascading staircase that will make you feel like royalty as you descend into the ship's interior areas for the evening.

It'll also have a grand ballroom, a staple of Cunard ships. Called the Queens Room — as they all are — the ballroom will be a spacious venue for big-band music and ballroom dancing that evokes the golden age of ocean liner travel. Which is to say, it'll be everything Cunard fans love.

"The message to us as a brand [from customers] was, 'Do not ruin the Queens Room,'" quipped Fred.

The Queens Room may not change much. But other interior areas of the ship have been notably tweaked. Passengers will notice a lot more curves in walls and fewer straight lines, with bars often built in a circular motif, for instance. It was a deliberate change, Fred said.

"We don't want a bunch of people sitting in a straight line [at a bar] with their drink looking at a bartender and a mirror," he said. "We want people to start conversations and connect."

Bottom line

Queen Anne will usher in a new era for Cunard with a broader array of dining choices than earlier Cunard ships, more wellness offerings and a greater focus on onboard celebrations. It will also offer reimagined top-deck spaces, and interior lounging and entertainment spaces that take the brand to a new level. If you're a longtime Cunard fan — or someone eyeing your first cruise with the brand — this is a vessel you'll want to try.

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Cunard Ships by Size, Age and Class (2022)

Cunard Line has an active fleet of 3 ships currently. They plan to launch a further ship in 2024. ( Queen Anne ) which will bring them to 4 ships, one of the smallest cruise line fleets in the world.

Whilst they might be one of the smallest fleets in the world, they are certainly one of the most well-known cruise lines with over 180 years of history and an infamous link with a rival company that owned the ill-fated ship, Titanic .

Introduction to Cunard Line

Cunard Line is a brand of the Carnival Corporation. Originally, Cunard Line started as the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company over 180 years ago (1840).

Cunard Line is probably best well-known for their formal nights, extremely decadent and classy ships and also having the only active ocean liner in the world – Queen Mary 2 .

Cunard’s fleet is fairly small but modern and with the addition of the upcoming ship Queen Anne , will continue the tradition of transatlantic and world cruises that they are known for.

Cunard Ships Frequently Asked Questions

Which cunard ship is the biggest.

This can be answered in several ways!  Queen Mary 2  is the longest ship in the fleet and currently,  Queen Elizabeth  is the biggest in terms of GRT.  Queen Anne  will carry the most passengers when she launches in 2024.

Which Cunard ship is the newest?

The newest Cunard ship is  Queen Elizabeth . She took her maiden voyage in 2011 from Southampton.

Which Cunard ship is the oldest?

The oldest active Cunard Line ship is  Queen Mary 2 . She took her maiden voyage back in 2004 from Southampton. She was originally constructed in Saint-Nazaire in France.

How many classes of ship does Cunard have?

Cunard has two classes of cruise ships and  Queen Mary 2  is a class of her own, as the only unique ocean liner at sea.

Which Cunard ship is larger Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria?

Queen Elizabeth  is the larger of the two sisters. She was designed with a straight-back stern compared to  Queen Victoria’s  sloping stern (later modified) which allowed more staterooms to be added and extra passengers.

Which Cunard ship is the best?

This depends on the type of voyage you wish to take. For a transatlantic crossing, there is no other ship in the world that would beat or be as more comfortable to sail on as  Queen Mary 2 . Whereas for itineraries such as the Norwegian Fjords or Canary Islands, people prefer  Queen Victoria  or  Queen Elizabeth .

Is Queen Victoria an ocean liner?

No. Whilst  Queen Victoria  does have a strengthened bow to allow her to sail across the Atlantic Ocean easier, she has a flat-bottomed hull and her bow isn’t as pointed as  Queen Mary 2  – which is the only ocean liner at sea.

What are the Cunard Queens?

The Cunard Queens are the common name affectionately given to the current three Cunard ships. The Cunard Queens sometimes sail together from one port each year, drawing many visitors to the port to watch them sail out. This has been done numerous times and is usually done to mark special occasions, such as the Queen’s Birthday or a milestone in Cunard history.

Cunard Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

What does ‘tonnage (grt)’ mean.

GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is a term used to calculate the volume inside a ship. It is a measure of cubic capacity and is calculated by the total volume from inside the hull and decks of the ship. 1 GRT = 100 cubic feet of space. In essence, the bigger the GRT – the more ‘space’ the ship has for passengers, cargo, etc.

How are ‘Passengers (Max)’ calculated?

You’ll see multiple numbers for passengers on ships – this is because many ships include extra beds in cabins (such as the sofa/couch can convert to a pull-out bed) – but the majority of cabins or staterooms (as called by Cunard) usually have 2 people in them. the ‘Max’ number is if every cabin used their additional pull-out bed, etc. This number is unlikely to be reached very frequently.

Cunard Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Are all cunard ships new builds.

Yes. All of the ships in the Cunard fleet are new builds. However, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth use the same ship class as other Carnival ships. The Vista-class has been used for other brands in the Carnival fleet such as P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises and Holland America Line.

Queen Mary 2 is the only totally unique build for Cunard Line. This ship was designed specifically for Cunard and is a one-off.

Cunard Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

What class is queen mary 2.

Queen Mary 2 is her own class as she is a purpose-built Ocean Liner. The only ocean that is sailing today.

Queen Mary 2 is different by having a v-shaped hull and a more pointed and strengthened bow. This allows her to sail ‘point-to-point’ via Southampton and New York across the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the rough weather, she may endure her pointed bow allows her to cut through the ocean easier, allowing a much more comfortable and faster voyage for her passengers.

What is the Pinnacle-class?

The Pinnacle-class design of a cruise ship was first used by sister brand Holland America Line and their MS Koningsdam ship. The future Queen Anne cruise ship for Cunard will be based on the Pinnacle-class build but with her own unique distinct Cunard style.

What other ships are Vista-class?

Both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are Vista-class ships, which have been used for other Carnival brands in the past.

These include:

• Arcadia for P&O Cruises
• MS Noordam for Holland America Line
• Costa Luminosa for Costa Cruises

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing a Cunard Line ship for your cruise then a lot of people either pick Queen Mary 2 if it is a transatlantic or world cruise or Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth if sailing elsewhere.

Whilst Queen Mary 2 can be enjoyed for any cruise, she excels on transatlantic voyages due to her unique ocean liner design.

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are very popular ships for sailing in Norway – as their promenade deck is much lower than Queen Mary 2 it brings the feeling of being closer to the water for many.

Queen Anne , when she launches in 2024 will likely homeport at different places around the world throughout the year, giving passengers a chance to try out the unique style of cruising that Cunard Line offers.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our other guides on MSC Cruises , Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean .

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Cunard Ships By Age — Newest to Oldest

Doug Parker

• January 2, 2024

Cunard Line’s heritage dates back to 1840 when the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company began its service.

Now under the umbrella of Carnival Corporation, which also owns entities like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line, Cunard Line has embraced modernity while retaining its tradition. 

Cunard Line Ships Listed by Age

The table below shows the ship’s name, class, age, gross registered tonnage, and how many guests it carries at double occupancy.

Cunard Line is renowned for its ocean liners, offering traditional transatlantic crossings, as well as exclusive voyages across the globe. Whether you prefer the latest technology of Queen Anne or the timeless elegance of Queen Mary 2, each Cunard ship has a unique personality of its own.

Key Features : Admiral’s Lounge, Churchill’s, Commodore Club and Bar, Empire Casino Bar, Midship’s Lounge, Queen’s Room, Royal Court Theatre, The Zone, Grand Lobby, Grills Terrace, Hydro Pool, Royal Arcade, and The Pavillion Wellness Studio

Queen Elizabeth

Key Features : Commodore Club, The Grills Lounge, Empire Casino, Britannia Club, Grand Lobby, Queen’s Room, Royal Court Theatre, The Play Zone, Admiral’s Lounge, Cunarders’ Gallery, Hydropool, Queen’s Arcade, and Royal Spa and Fitness Centre

Queen Victoria

Key Features : Commodore Club, Hemispheres, The Grills Lounge, Cunardia, Grand Lobby, Queen’s Room, Royal Court Theatre, Winter Garden, Yacht Club, Teen Zone, The Play Zone, Grills Terrace, Pavillion Pool, Royal Fitness Centre, and Royal Arcade

Queen Mary 2

Key Features : Champagne Bar, Chart Room, Commodore Club, Terrace Bar, Empire Casino, Queens Room, Atlantic Room, Deck Games, G32, Grand Lobby, Illuminations, Royal Court Theatre, The Play Zone, Winter Garden, Minnows Pool, Splash Pool, and Therapy Pool

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Cunard Ships by Age, Size, and Class (2024)

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: August 25, 2023  - Last updated: March 4, 2024

The venerable Cunard Line operates a small fleet of three ships, with a fourth due to join the brand this year. Here’s where they rank by age, size, and class of ship.

An introduction to Cunard Line

When it comes to ocean travel, few names evoke the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era like Cunard Line . For over 180 years, Cunard has had a storied history of connecting continents and providing passengers with unforgettable voyages.

Cunard’s fleet has evolved over its long history, having operated a total of 248 ships of various sizes and classes. But currently, the cruise line sails a fleet of just three: RMS Queen Mary 2 , MS Queen Victoria , and MS Queen Elizabeth .

A fourth Cunard ship, MS Queen Anne , is currently under construction in Italy and will sail her maiden voyage in May 2024.

Now owned by Carnival Corporation, Cunard began as the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company in 1840. The firm became the Cunard Steamship Company in 1879, and Cunard Line in 1950.

Today, Cunard Line is an iconic brand, known for its sophisticated atmosphere, elegant formal nights, and regular transatlantic crossings aboard the world’s only active ocean liner Queen Mary 2 .

Related: Cunard Sea Views Photo Exhibition Captures 100 Years of Cruising

Cunard Ships by Age (from newest to oldest)

Cunard’s small fleet of three ships ranges in age from 2011’s Queen Elizabeth to the 2003-built Queen Mary 2 . The fleet will add a new Cunard Queen—the first new Cunard ship in over a decade—when Queen Anne comes online this year.

1. Queen Elizabeth

Cunard’s newest ship is Queen Elizabeth , built in 2011. The upcoming ship Queen Anne will take the newest ship honors when she arrives in May.

2. Queen Victoria

Middle sister Queen Victoria , built in 2007, is currently Cunard’s second-newest as well as second-oldest ship in the active fleet.

3. Queen Mary 2

The oldest ship in Cunard’s fleet, Queen Mary 2 was completed in December 2003 and sailed on her maiden voyage in January 2004.

Cunard Ships by Size (from largest to smallest)

Cruise ship size is generally measured by Gross Tonnage (GT), not by length, number of decks, or passenger capacity.

To determine GT, a ship’s volume is calculated by measuring from keel to funnel to the outside of the hull framing. That number (in cubic meters) is then run through several mathematical formulas. (I won’t go into all of that here, but if you’re interested the US Coast Guard has a simplified  guide to measuring gross tonnage ).

Cunard’s ships range in size from Queen Mary 2 at 149,215 GT to Queen Victoria at 90,049 GT. To put those numbers into perspective, the largest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas , is 248,663 GT.

1. Queen Mary 2

Cunard’s oldest ship in the current fleet , Queen Mary 2 , is also the largest at 149,215 GT. QM2 is 345 meters long (1132 ft) and has 18 total decks, with 14 decks accessible to guests. She can carry 2695 passengers at maximum capacity.

Fun fact: At the time of her construction, Queen Mary 2 was both the largest and longest passenger ship ever built!

2. Queen Elizabeth

At 90,901 GT, Queen Elizabeth is Cunard’s second-largest ship . However, the new Queen Anne will overtake her with a GT of 113,000.

Queen Elizabeth is 294 meters long (964 ft 7 in) and has 16 total decks, with 12 decks accessible to guests. She can carry 2547 passengers at maximum capacity.

3. Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is Cunard’s smallest ship today, with a GT of 90,049. Queen Victoria is 294 meters long (964 ft 6 in) and has 16 total decks, with 12 decks accessible to guests. She can carry 2081 passengers at maximum capacity.

Related: Meet The 20 Biggest Cruise Ships in the World

Cunard Ships by Class (from newest to oldest)

Cruise ships are often categorized by class, which refers to the design and layout of the ship. Cruise ships that share the same class are usually very close in size, built around the same time, and share many (if not all) of the same features.

If you’ve sailed on another cruise ship of the same class—even on another cruise line—you’ll notice that the layout will be very similar.

Pinnacle Class: Queen Anne

Cunard’s upcoming ship Queen Anne will be the first Pinnacle Class ship for the brand. Pinnacle Class was first used by Cunard’s sister brand Holland America with the ship Konigsdam . The new ship’s design will be very similar to other Pinnacle Class ships, but incorporating Cunard’s unique style.

Other Pinnacle Class ships include:

• MS Rotterdam – Holland America Line
• MS Nieuw Statendam – Holland America Line
• MS Konigsdam – Holland America Line

Vista Class: Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria

Both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are Vista Class ships, a class that was originally designed for Holland America and has been used for other Carnival Corporation brands including Costa and P&O.

Vista Class ships are Panamax-type cruise ships, built in Italy by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard. The Vista name comes from the extensive use of glass in the ships’ superstructure: 85% of the staterooms offer an ocean view and 67% feature a balcony.

Other Vista Class ships include:

• Carnival Horizon – Carnival Cruise Line
• Carnival Luminosa – Carnival Cruise Line (formerly Costa Luminosa )
• MS Noordam – Holland America Line
• MS Westerdam – Holland America Line
• MS Oosterdam – Holland America Line
• MS Zuiderdam – Holland America Line
• MS Arcadia – P&O Cruises

Ocean liner: Queen Mary 2

Queen Mary 2 is in a class of her own, as she’s an ocean liner—the only one in the world still sailing—and not a cruise ship.

Ocean liners generally sail point-to-point, as QM2 does between New York and Southampton, without stopping at other ports of call. However, with today’s demand for cruising (and more convenient air travel options for transatlantic travel) Queen Mary 2 also sails cruise itineraries with various port stops.

The ship’s pointed and strengthened bow, along with her v-shaped hull, let Queen Mary 2 cut through the ocean faster and easier (especially in rough seas) compared to a cruise ship.

Which Cunard ship should you choose?

If you’re unsure which Cunard ship to pick for your voyage, many guests choose Queen Mary 2 for transatlantic or world cruises, and either Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria for a classic cruise experience.

Although QM2 does sail a number of classic cruise itineraries, the ship was purpose-built for transatlantic crossings as an ocean liner.

When the new Queen Anne debuts in May, she will sail a variety of European cruises from her homeport in Southampton. But with her 111-night maiden World Voyage in 2025 from Hamburg, the ship will give passengers the chance to cruise on shorter segments leaving from various ports around the world.

FAQ about Cunard ships

Which cunard ship is the biggest.

The biggest Cunard ship is the ocean liner Queen Mary 2 , at 149,215 gross tons (GT). QM2 is 345 meters long (1132 ft) has 18 total decks, and can carry 2695 passengers.

Which Cunard ship is the newest?

The newest Cunard ship is Queen Elizabeth , built in 2011. The upcoming ship Queen Anne will become Cunard’s newest ship when she arrives in May 2024.

Which Cunard ship is the oldest?

The oldest Cunard ship sailing today is Queen Mary 2 , completed in December 2003. QM2 sailed on her maiden voyage in January 2004.

How many classes of ship does Cunard have?

Cunard currently has two classes of ship: Vista Class and Ocean Liner . In May 2024 the brand will begin sailing its first Pinnacle Class ship with the launch of MS Queen Anne .

What are the Cunard Queens?

Cunard Line’s fleet of three ships, Queen Victoria , Queen Elizabeth , and Queen Mary 2 , are collectively known as the “ Cunard Queens ” or the “Three Queens”.

Is Queen Victoria an ocean liner?

Cunard’s Queen Victoria is not an ocean liner, it’s a Vista Class cruise ship. The only ocean liner sailing today is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 .

Is Queen Elizabeth an ocean liner?

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth is not an ocean liner, it’s a Vista Class cruise ship. The only ocean liner sailing today is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 .

More posts about Cunard Line

Have you sailed on Cunard Line before? Which Cunard ship is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Fincantieri delivers Queen Anne ship to Cunard in Venice

In a ceremonial affair held today (April 19), the Queen Anne officially joined Cunard 's esteemed fleet, continuing the lineage of distinguished vessels that have graced the luxury cruise line's service.

The handover event took place at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy , where skilled craftsmen have meticulously crafted this splendid 3,000-guest ship. Attending the ceremony were dignitaries including Adolfo Urso, the Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and Luca Ciriani, the Italian Minister for Relations with Parliament.

Key figures from Cunard, including President Katie McAlister, and Carnival UK President Paul Ludlow, joined executives from Fincantieri, including CEO Pierroberto Folgiero and General Manager Luigi Matarazzo, to mark this significant occasion.

Sailing as the 249th vessel under the Cunard flag and the third constructed by Fincantieri, Queen Anne will commence her journey to Southampton , preparing for her inaugural 7-night voyage to Lisbon (Portugal) on May 3.

Characterized by a fusion of heritage, craftsmanship, style, storytelling, and innovation, Queen Anne embodies design concepts that promise travelers a plethora of captivating experiences. Spanning 14 decks and weighing 114,000 tons, the ship offers an expanded array of entertainment, dining, and bar options, elevating the onboard experience to new heights.

Cunard has previously unveiled partnerships for Queen Anne, including exclusive Le Gavroche at Sea residencies featuring two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, bespoke wellness packages curated by beauty experts from Harper's Bazaar UK, and special screenings by the British Film Institute in The Pavilion.

Additionally, Queen Anne boasts an extensive selection of fitness, beauty, thermal, and spa facilities, setting a new standard for well-being at sea with its reimagined Mareel Wellness & Beauty offerings.

Cunard Officially Welcomes Queen Anne with Ceremony at Fincantieri Shipyard

• April 19, 2024

The Queen Anne has officially joined Cunard’s fleet during a handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, according to a press release.

The event was attended by Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, and Italian Minister for Relations with Parliament, Luca Ciriani.

Also present were Katie McAlister, president of Cunard; Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division; and Marco Lunardi, director of Fincantieri Shipyard.

McAlister said: “We are so excited to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet as she completes a remarkable quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria – marking the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service. We are now fully focused on readying her to welcome guests for her maiden voyage on May 3 before she embarks on an historic British Isles Festival Voyage, including a momentous Naming Ceremony in Cunard’s spiritual home of Liverpool on June 3.”

The 3,000-passenger ship will now set sail for Southampton ahead of its seven-night maiden voyage to Lisbon on May 3.

Folgiero added: “We are very pleased and eager to deliver Queen Anne to Cunard, a pioneering figure in luxury sea travel, renowned for setting new standards in oceanic voyages for over 180 years. This beautiful and iconic ship testifies the longstanding partnership between our two companies, underscoring our shared commitment to excellence and tradition in the maritime industry. Queen Anne, as Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, the other two ships we built for Cunard, proudly bear Fincantieri’s signature, embodying our enduring expertise, reliability, and craftsmanship in shipbuilding.

“Constructing a liner for such a distinguished shipowner not only reconnects us to our origins but propels us towards the future with a determination to blend tradition and innovation. Fincantieri thus confirms its leadership in the cruise shipbuilding sector, a fundamental pillar of the company’s business project, as both the Group’s Business Plan and the vitality of the post-pandemic cruise sector clearly show.”

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