Cunard Line Review
History Of Cunard
Along with Holland America, Cunard Cruise Line is the most classic and historic cruise line afloat. The company origins go back to 1840 when Sir Samuel Cunard ran the first regular steamship service between Europe and North America – this company was the first to take passengers across the Atlantic Ocean. The tradition has continued in honor of this accomplishment; today there are regularly scheduled trips from New York to Europe on the only true ocean liner: Queen Mary 2. Today, Cunard continues to be a top cruise company – operating successfully under the Carnival Corporation since 1998. This fueling partnership generates a culture of expansion, with three new vessels since 2004 – a fourth scheduled to debut in 2022.
Onboard Cunard
The Cunard Trio: Featuring Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are feats of modern technology while at the same time, their décor and vibe are infused with a classical ambiance. The liners feature everything from art and antiques to deco ballrooms. Each of the ships features old-fashioned multi-class segregation of passengers according to their cabin category. Passengers are assigned to one of the four reserved-seating restaurants according to the cabin category they’ve booked: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill or Queens Grill. All dining options serve tasty continental fare, from fowl and steaks to seafood, pasta and lighter fare, and always the option to customize your meal.
Each of the ships include other diner venues onboard. The intimate Todd English restaurant aboard the QM2 and Queen Victoria, offering delicious and rich meals, while there’s also a sprawling casual buffet restaurant aboard all three offering everything from carved meats to pizza and Asian dishes. Cunard Crusie Line definitely values tradition, one of the most monumental being the complimentary afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters and a string quartet each day – optional add-ons include the champagne afternoon tea or the Godiva chocolate afternoon tea.
Activities Aboard Cunard
The Cunard ships are vast enough to offer a full range of activities for guests. There are several swimming pools, shuffleboard, quoits and paddle tennis. On the ships, upgrades are available at an additional cost. The Cunard Insights offer extensive workshops where guests can indulge in something new or sharpen an old skill. Lectures from professors, authors and celebrities speak about various topics. There are a range of plays featuring graduates of Britain’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (on QM2) to standard song-and-dance revues, various types of live music and ballroom dancing, as well.
The ships’ large and super-stocked libraries are the best at sea and each ship’s collection of museum-quality memorabilia is impressive and truly fascinating. Onboard the Queen Mary 2, you will find a new exhibit released in July 2019; this exhibit honors the history of the company, highlighting the relationship with Queen Mary and the original visionary, Samuel Cunard.
Cunard And Kids
Surprisingly to many, Cunard’s three ships offer quite impressive kids facilities, particularly QM2. While the typical crowd is a well-traveled international mix of 50-somethings on up (heavy on the British and American clientele), summer and holiday cruises and crossings see lots of families too. The bright, cheery and well-stocked playroom and its supervised drop-off programming cater to kids from age two through age twelve, with teens offered plenty of activities around the ships too. A mix of certified British nannies as well as other qualified activity counselors run the fun and games, and better yet, everything is complimentary until midnight. The ships also have an outdoor play area just outside the playroom, along with a wading pool and a regular pool.
These People Will Love Cunard Line
- Ocean Liner Enthusiasts. Cunard Line’s ocean liners reflect the Golden Age of Ocean Travel and provide opportunities for modern-day travelers to relive a by-gone era at sea.
- Transatlantic Voyagers. Cunard is the only cruise company that offers regular transatlantic crossings. Sailing six days between New York and Southampton, Cunard liners offer travelers opportunities to experience the legacy that began nearly two centuries ago.
- Anglophiles. With British officers, a largely British staff and such British icons at the Golden Lion Pub onboard its ships, a Cunard cruise evokes a British atmosphere.
- World cruisers. Cunard Line continues the tradition of around-the-world cruises, which it pioneered in 1922 with the first-ever world cruise aboard the Laconia.
What’s Included On Cunard Line
- All meals, except for dining in the optional reservations-only Todd English restaurant. Round-the-clock room service is complimentary.
- Daily Activities, such as dance classes, fencing, bridge, competitions and crafting.
- Fitness Center, fantastic pools and gym offerings are included. Instructor-led classes such as Spin, Yoga and Pilates are available for an additional cost.
- Entertainment, including Broadway-style shows and ballroom dancing in the elegant Queens Room.
- Library, with over 8,000 books, magazines and periodicals.
- Complimentary Shuttle Service, available to assist transportation at the ports.
- A Nanny. Certified British nannies will change diapers, bottle feed and interact with kids.
Destinations Served By Cunard Line
- Africa and the Indian Ocean
- Alaska
- Asia
- Australia and New Zealand
- Canary & Atlantic Islands
- Caribbean
- Mediterranean
- Northern Europe
- Panama Canal and Central America
- South America
- South Pacific
- Transatlantic
- USA and Canada
- Western Europe
- World Voyage
Cunard Line Reviews
To read a review of a particular ship, click the link under "Read the Review." If applicable, our Live Voyage Reports offer a day-by-day overview of an actual cruise onboard. In some cases, there may be more than one report, to be sure to see if your favorite destination is represented.| Ship Review | Live Voyage Report |
|---|---|
| Queen Mary 2 Review | • Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing |
| Queen Victoria Review | |
| Queen Elizabeth Review |
Articles About Cunard Line
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One Comment
My husband and I are retired now and don’t have to fly anymore. Cunard is perfect for people like us who have lots of time and no job to go to anymore. We did Cunard last year for the first time from NY to Southampton and had a wonderful cruise on this Ocean Liner. There was so many things to do every day on the Queen Mary 2 that you couldn’t get bored if you tried. The food was very good in the main dining room which has two seatings at 6:30 and 8:30. When you book your ticket you tell them what seating you prefer in the evening either in a 2, 4, 6,or 8 person table. You eat with the same people every evening as you do on most river boat cruises. In this way you will get to make some good friends on board. During lunch, we ate in the Pub most of the time which was English style pub food –again very good. They have the most magnificant library of any ship we have ever been on –unbelievable all the reading material to sign out if you prefer to read in your room or some other quiet place on the liner. We never did try the buffet restaurant, but those who don’t want to dress up for dinner will go there to eat or in the Pub. Between the shows, movies, lectures, pub trivia, tea time, and visiting with new found friends the day seems to pass by very quickly. I highly recommend a trip on the Queen Mary 2 at least once in your life. We will be going over in September of 2020 and also in September 2021 on the Queen Mary 2 and so looking forward to another great and relaxing week.