cunard cruise british isles

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Lines

History, Review, Itineraries, Ships, Deck Plans, News

•   Fleet
•   Review
•   Itinerary
•   News

Cunard fleet

Queen elizabeth, queen victoria, queen mary 2, review of cunard.

Cunard Line (cunard.co.uk) is a British-American cruise shipping company and travel brand operated by Carnival UK and since 2005 owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Cunard is headquartered in Southampton (England UK) and is among the world's oldest passenger shipping companies . In 2020 was celebrated company's 180th anniversary. Australia is Cunard's 3rd source market (following the UK and North America) and the company's 2nd (after the UK) for Around The World voyages .

Company history and changes

In 1839, Samuel Cunard (1787-1865, shipping magnate from Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada) was awarded the first British transatlantic steamship mail contract. In 1840, he and Robert Napier (Scottish steamship engine designer and builder) formed the "British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company". The "cruise line" operated four paddle steamers on the UK-Canada-USA Transatlantic route Liverpool - Halifax - Boston .

Cunard Line's current President is Katie McAlister (previously employed by TUI UK & Ireland as CMO/Chief Marketing Officer, with TUI since 1998), who in August 2023 succeeded Simon Palethorpe. Carnival UK's current President is Paul Ludlow, while Carnival UK's CEO is David Dingle (managing both P&O UK and Cunard).

In the 1870s the line fell behind its rivals, White Star and Inman Line. To meet the competition, in 1879 Cunard was reorganized into Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd in order to raise capital. In 1902 the British Government provided the line with substantial loans and subsidies to build a couple of superliners needed to retain Cunard's competitive position. In the late 1920s, Cunard faced another competition when the Italians, French and Germans built large ocean liners.

Because of the USA's Great Depression (1929-33), the company was forced to suspend the construction on its new superliner. In 1934, Cunard was offered loans by the British Government to finish Queen Mary and to build its second ship, Queen Elizabeth. The condition was for Cunard to merge with the White Star Line and form Cunard-White Star Ltd. Cunard purchased White Star's 1/3rd shares in 1947. The company's name was changed to "Cunard Line" in 1950.

Cunard regained its position as the biggest Atlantic passenger line upon the end of World War II. By the mid-1950s, the line operated 12 ships to Canada and the United States. After 1958, trans-Atlantic liners became increasingly unprofitable due to the introduction of jet airliners. In 1968 Cunard Line withdrew from year-round service to concentrate on cruising and summer transatlantic sailings for vacationers. The Queens were replaced by QE2 (Queen Elizabeth 2), which was designed for her special dual role.

In 1998, Carnival Corporation acquired Cunard. In 2003, RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was replaced on its Transatlantic service by QM2 (RMS Queen Mary 2). The company also operates MS Queen Elizabeth (QE) and Queen Victoria (QV). Currently, Cunard is the only shipping company operating a scheduled passenger service between North America and Europe.

With the opening of Carnival House in 2009 in Southampton, executive control of Cunard was subsequently transferred from Carnival Corp. in the US, to Carnival UK, a primary operating company of Carnival plc. Carnival plc, as the UK-listed holding company of Carnival Group, had executive control of all activities of the group in the UK, with headquarters of all UK-based brands, including Cunard Line, in offices at Carnival House.

The 36-year-old Queen Elizabeth 2 was replaced in 2004 on the North Atlantic by QM2 (Queen Mary 2). QE2 continued cruising until her retirement in 2008. Cunard added a big cruise ship, Queen Victoria (QV) in 2007. QV is not a sister for QM2, being ordered as a Vista-class cruise ship by Carnival for Holland America Line (HAL). To reinforce the traditions of Cunard, Queen Victoria has a small museum onboard. In 2010 Cunard Line commissioned a 2nd Vista-class cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth.

In 2011 the three Cunard vessels in service changed their ship registry to Hamilton, Bermuda. For the first time in the company's 171-year history, it had no ships registered in the UK. The captains of cruise ships registered in Bermuda can marry couples at sea.

On May 25, 2015, the three Cunard ocean liners - RMS Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth - sailed down the Mersey into Liverpool and commemorated the 175th anniversary of Cunard. As The Red Arrows performed a flypast, the trio performed exciting manoeuvers including 180-degree turns.

In 2015, Cunard Line was awarded best in the categories "Transatlantic Itineraries" and "World Cruise Itineraries" of Porthole Cruise Magazine's Readers' Choice Awards. The magazine's readers participate in an annual contest that evaluates the world's largest cruise shipping companies and determines the industry's leaders in several categories.

Cunard Line inaugurated the company's ever first regularly scheduled Transatlantic Crossing in 1840 with RMS Britannia. Cunard launched its first World Cruise itinerary in 1922 with RMS Laconia.

In 2020, Cunard Line celebrated its 180th Anniversary. The company planned a special sale on voyages between July 2020-May 2022 fleetwide. The "180th Anniversary Sale" was offered on cruises booked in 2020 (new bookings only, made between February 28-May 18). The promo applied to various itineraries, including Alaskan and Transatlantic Crossings. The promo offered 50% reduced deposit, US$180 pp in OBC (onboard credit with balcony cabin bookings), free drinks package, free gratuities (Grill Suite bookings).

In 2022, Cunard will mark its 100th World Voyage. The first was launched in 1922 when was chartered RMS Laconia (1921-1942) to sail the first continuous world circumnavigation cruise (130-day itinerary with 22 ports).

On March 9, 2023 (International DJ Day), Cunard introduced fleetwide "silent discos" (on selected evenings) which are hosted in the ships' nightclubs. To each of the venues was also added a live DJ and a party band. The "silent disco" is a customizable experience (first introduced on river cruise ships) based on wireless headphones for listening to the music played. It allows each person to switch between songs/music genres and also to control the volume.

In 2024 (effective June 10th) Cunard appointed David Jones (with Carnival UK since 2017) as VP of Global Marketing and UK/EMEA Sales.

New ship 2024

At the end of September 2017, Cunard Line officially announced the planned addition of a 4th vessel to its fleet. The investment is part of the shipowner Carnival Corporation 's fleet expansion program, adding newbuilds to the fleets of the brand companies AIDA , Costa , Princess , P&O .

Cunard's shipbuilding contract (MoA/memorandum of agreement) with Fincantieri was signed on Sept 25, 2017. The new Cunard liner MS Queen Anne (entering service in 2024-Q1) has GT-tonnage 113,000 tons (volume), max passenger capacity 3000, and is Cunard's 249th vessel since the company's establishment in 1839.

The liner was originally planned to enter service in 2022, but, due to the health crisis, was eventually postponed for 2024-Q1.

Cunard Line's cruising experience

Discerning, well-traveled British and American couples from their late 30s to retirees are drawn to the traditional style of Cunard and the notion of "a cruise aboard an ocean liner". Announcements are made in English, French, German, and, on occasion, Spanish. Travelers are older than those on crossings. However, there is enough buzz about Cunard Line as to attract a number of young passengers and families. The Kid Zone features a splash pool and a dedicated play area for kids ages one to six. Separate programs are reserved for older ages (7 to 12) and teens up to 17. Activities range from games to educational computer classes. Kids can practice social graces when served their Afternoon Teatime goodies. English nannies supervise the toddlers. Facilities are operated until midnight and group babysitting is complimentary. Infants under 12 months are not permitted. Kids ages 1 to 2 sail free (except for government fees).

The dress code on Cunard ships rotates among formal, informal and casual in about equal proportion. Typical for Cunard cruises are the glamorous evenings. Resort casual clothing prevails during the day, but Cunard's liners are dressier than most cruise vessels at night. To maintain high standards, the company requests its customers to dress for dining in fine restaurants.

Dining aboard Cunard ships is by class and dining-room assignments are made in accordance with the booked accommodation category. You can get as much luxury as you wish to pay for on Cunard liners. Passengers in ships' Junior suites are assigned to single-seating Princess Grill. Queen's Grill serves those booked in duplex apartments and the most lavish suites. The rest of the passengers are assigned to seating in the multideck Britannia Restaurant or Britannia Club Restaurant on QE.

Although Britannia's fare is reasonably traditional and frequently outstanding, off-menu requests by Grill guests are commonly granted. Menus also include low-calorie and vegetarian selections.

The most coveted reservations are those on Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 in the restaurants named for Todd English, celebrity American chef noted for his sumptuous desserts and innovative Mediterranean cuisine. Both dinner ($30 cover charge per person) and lunch ($20) are offered in this intimate restaurant.

Aboard QM2, Chef's Galley is a small restaurant, where guests can look on as their food is prepared in an open kitchen setting. Wine is the only item to be charged here. King's Court buffet is transformed into 3 no-charge alternative dining spots each evening: La Piazza is dedicated to Italian dishes (pizza, pasta). The Carvery is for carved meats, Lotus is for Asian food.

Cunard entertainment has English flavor, with cabaret-style performances, plays and nightly production shows. An authentic pub gives cruisers even more British air. Music for listening and dancing is played in other lounges and bars. In the first-ever shipboard planetarium aboard Queen Mary 2, virtual-reality shows and high-tech presentations offer a virtual ride through space.

Cunard's enrichment programs include expert lectures by top designers, artists, and master chefs. Even navigation and seamanship courses are offered to inspire novice mariners.

Jogging tracks, swimming pools, table tennis, paddle tennis court, golf driving ranges and shuffleboard barely scratch the surface of facilities dedicated to recreation. Cunard fitness centers are top-quality and boast high-tech workout equipment, a separate gym/weight room and classes ranging from healthy living workshops to aerobics.

The Canyon Ranch Spa Club aboard Queen Mary 2 is a one-of-a-kind facility offering salon services, including such famous land-based spa signatures like the 80-minute Canyon Stone Massage. A large 30- by 15-foot thalassotherapy pool has a deluge waterfall, neck fountains, air tub, recliner lounges and massage-jet benches located in the pool. The thermal suite features an aromatic steam room, Finnish sauna, herbal sauna, and reflexology basins. All of these special features are complimentary with a body or massage treatment; otherwise, a per-day charge is applied.

Shipboard policies

Pregnant women must have a letter from their doctor or midwife. They can't travel with Cunard Line after the 24th week of pregnancy. Kids under 12 months old are also not permitted. Kids between 12 and 24 months old travel free as 3rd or 4th person in the stateroom. A child sharing a cabin with 1 adult is charged an adult fare. Children (over 2 years of age) sharing a stateroom with 2 adults are charged as 3rd or 4th person (around half the normal fare).

A toddler-dedicated nursery is staffed by professional young nannies, and available for kids between 1 and 3 yo.

The dedicated "Play Zone" is for kids ages between 4 and 6. "The Zone" is for children up to 17 yo. Kids between 1 and 7 years old are allowed in Play Zone (free of charge) during its opening hours - 9 am-12noon, 2-5 pm, 6 pm-12midnight. Children 1 to 7 yo must be accompanied by an adult outside the Play Zone. Children 8 to 17-year-old can sign themselves in and out Play Zone and are free to wander solo throughout the ship.

Billed to the adult's onboard account is everything available for purchase on the boat - bar drinks, Internet access, shopping, spa and beauty treatments. The cabin card's total is deducted from your credit card at the end of the voyage. Bar prices have 15% gratuity (added automatically).

Mobile phone calls and Internet access are available onboard. The Internet has good download speed and is available in all public areas (including bars) and all staterooms.

Pay-per-item laundry service is available on the ship. Laundry items are collected from staterooms by cabin stewards. On all cabin decks are available small self-service (free-of-charge) laundrettes.

Cunard ships don't have baggage limits (as a number of bags). However, there is a weight limit per bag. Individual bags must not exceed 23 kg (51 pounds). Upon boarding, bags are taken at the cruise terminal and delivered to staterooms. Upon debarkation, they are transferred ashore.

Wine cruises

Since January 2017, Cunard offers shipboard wine-themed education courses via a partnership with the world's largest provider of wine and spirits qualifications WSET ("Wine and Spirit Education Trust"). WSET courses were initially available only on QM2's westbound Transatlantic crossings and world cruises, but were later offered fleetwide and on all voyages.

The 5-day course gives WSET Level 1 in wines and covers the basics (wine types, styles, sight, smell, taste, storing, serving, food pairing). The 12-day course gives WSET Level 2 in wines and spirits and explores grape varieties, styles of wines, produce, wine regions, classifications, labeling terminology, categories of spirits and liqueurs.

Classes are led by professional sommeliers and educators from Cunard Wine Academy. Each course finishes with an exam. In addition to the globally recognized WSET qualification certificates, passengers also receive lapel pins.

The first wine cruise was the Atlantic crossing Southampton-NYC (December 15, 2016). The first world cruise with WSET courses was on QM2 (January 10, 2017).

WSET's qualification program is offered to enthusiasts and wine professionals. It ranges from Level 1 Award (Wines, Spirits, and Sake) to Level 4 Diploma (Wines and Spirits).

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Cunard Line canceled all cruises with pre-scheduled departures between March 14, 2020, and August 2021.

Following a 17-month break, passenger shipping operations resumed in 2021 with the liners QUEEN ELIZABETH (August 13/UK from Southampton/since October 13 - Canary Islands and Iberia), QUEEN MARY 2 (Dec 10/Southampton/follows Caribbean January thru April 2022), QUEEN VICTORIA ( June 5, 2022 /Europe-Mediterranean).

Cunard introduced an expanded cancellation policy. All bookings were given the option to cancel up to 48 hours (prior departure) without penalties.

All affected bookings received a 125% refund in FCC (future cruise credit) transferred to a booking made before December 31, 2021.

Itinerary of Cunard

NEWS: In 2024-Q1, the Cunard fleet enters the newbuild Queen Anne . Itineraries and bookings on the new liner's voyages are currently planned to open in May 2022.

Transatlantic crossings with RMS Queen Mary 2 attract British and American passengers (in equal proportions) and from all age groups. Cunard ships cruise to almost all most-popular ship travel destinations in the world, including Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal , South America, Alaska, Africa, Europe (Mediterranean and Baltic / Scandinavia and Russia), North America east coast (New England and Canada), Asia, Australia New Zealand.

Queen Mary 2 cruises are often mixed with destinations in the Caribbean, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, Canada. Queen Victoria usually operates from homeport Southampton to Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Baltic. All Cunard liners operate around the world cruises .

Cruise itinerary changes (2024-2025)

Itinerary highlights for each liner during Cunard's 2024 season featured:

Queen Anne is scheduled to embark on her 7-night maiden voyage on January 4, 2024, from Southampton (England UK). The sailing includes an overnight in Lisbon (Portugal). On her return back to Southampton UK, the line’s newest vessel is to be joined by Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. Fares start at US$1900 per person. Guests can also take in all that Cunard’s newbuild has to offer on a 35-night Eastern Caribbean & Transatlantic journey, which includes calls in St. Lucia and Barbados. The ship is scheduled to depart Southampton on January 27, 2024. Fares start at US$7800 per person. Queen Anne is also scheduled to operate a 16-night Western Mediterranean voyage with calls in Lisbon (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), and Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy), departing March 29 from Southampton UK. Fares start at US$3300 per person.

Queen Elizabeth is scheduled to operate a 10-night voyage from Sydney NSW Australia, sailing to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. The voyage is due to set sail on January 22, 2024. Fares start at US$2000 per person. A 10-night Southern Islands roundtrip cruise from Tokyo is due to take passengers to historic shrines, castles, and natural habitats (departing May 14, 2024). Fares start at US$2300 per person.

Queen Mary 2 is scheduled to depart on a 47-night voyage including 3 overnight calls, with time ashore in South Africa, Australia, and Portugal. The vessel will set sail on January 11, 2024, out of Southampton UK. Fares start at US$7,999 per person.

On January 11th, Queen Victoria is scheduled to depart Southampton UK on a 107-night world cruise. Destinations include San Francisco and Fiji, as well as overnights in South Africa and Hong Kong. Fares start at US$18500 per person.

In November 2022, Cunard announced itineraries from April 2024 through to January 2025 (190+ voyages), with scheduled visits to 133 ports/destinations (45 countries), including a maiden call in Nordfjordeid Norway . Queen Anne's maiden season features the Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia, the UK/British Isles, and the Mediterranean, with itineraries 2 to 19 nights. Queen Anne makes a total of 62 maiden calls (including Dubrovnik, Gibraltar, Malaga, Oslo, Reykjavik, Rotterdam) and offers 6 overnights and 14 late-evening departures.

Queen Mary 2 offers 22 Transatlantic Crossings (2 to 30 nights) departing from Hamburg, Le Havre France, NYC New York, Quebec City Canada, and Southampton England. QM2 also sails in Northwestern Europe and to Norway's Fjords and celebrates Christmas/New Year's Eve in the Caribbean.

Queen Victoria has scheduled an extended Mediterranean season (May through October 2024), with voyages ranging from a short 5-night sailing (to Rotterdam and Bruges) to a 29-night Mediterranean Highlights (with an overnight in Istanbul Turkey).

For guests who prefer longer sea vacations, Cunard has a 29-night itinerary allowing them to sample all three queens. It begins with an eastbound Transatlantic Crossing (Queen Mary 2), from Southampton (Queen Anne) continues with a 14-night segment around the UK and Iceland, follows a flight to Italy and embarkation (Queen Victoria) to visit the Adriatic and Central Med.

Cunard's 2025 schedule (April 2025 through January 2026) was opened for booking in October 2023.

The program groups 180 voyages visiting 91 ports/destinations (24 countries).

Queen Anne's deployment is in Europe (Western Mediterranean, Western Europe, Baltic/Norwegian Fjords) with planned 19 maiden for Cunard ports.

Queen Mary 2 has planned Transatlantic Crossings.

Queen Victoria is deployed in the Mediterranean.

Queen Anne's ex-UK itineraries (Southampton roundtrips) range between 2 and 19 nights. A 12-night Norwegian Fjords itinerary starts in June, followed in July by a 16-night Mediterranean itinerary.

Queen Victoria's Mediterranean season (May through October) offers 7-14-21-night itineraries leaving from Spain (Barcelona) and Italy (Civitavecchia-Rome, Trieste).

Winter 2025 itineraries

In March 2023 Cunard announced 2025 winter program grouping 133+ voyages, 159 destinations (ports/islands in 57 countries) and all four vessels. The season features 6 maiden for Cunard destinations (in Alaska, Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Vanuatu) as well as Queen Anne's full World Voyage  in 2025.

Also was announced Queen Elizabeth's 2024 Alaskan summer program (10 roundtrips from Vancouver BC Canada ) ranging from 9- to 11-night itineraries. Queen Elizabeth's call ports/destinations include Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay NP, Juneau, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point/Hoonah, plus two maiden calls - at Wrangell  and Misty Fjords.

Queen Anne's World Voyage departs on January 9, 2025. The 107-night itinerary is roundtrip from Southampton and visits 30+ ports on 5 continents) including 9 overnight ports and 3 late-evening departures. There are also two shorter itinerary segments - 17-night New York to San Francisco (January 18th, 2025) and 13-night Singapore to Dubai (March 25th, 2025).

RMS Queen Mary 2's program is traditionally divided between the Caribbean and the regularly scheduled Transatlantic Crossings (Europe-USA-Europe), plus some Mediterranean voyages. Itineraries range between 7-35 nights and depart from homeports NYC New York, Southampton UK, and Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy). The liner offers 4 overnights at Curacao, Funchal, Lisbon, and NYC, with 3 late-evening departures in Bridgetown Barbados, and Spain's Vigo and Malaga. Signature voyages are the 8-night Westbound Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton UK (March 8, 2025) and the 13-night Eastern Caribbean roundtrip from New York City (March 16, 2025).

Queen Victoria's 8x South America 2025 voyages can be combined into the 85-night "South America Discovery" (B2B out of Hamburg) sailing around Cape Horn . There are 5 overnight calls in Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Callao-Lima and 5 late-evening departures. Queen Victoria's 2025 program features two ex-UK/Southampton roundtrips - the 11-night Atlantic Coast Adventure (December 5, 2024) and the 7-night Amsterdam, Bruges and Hamburg ((January 2, 2025).

Queen Elizabeth's Alaska 2024 program (June-September) is based on roundtrips from Vancouver Canada. Following a stop in San Francisco CA, the ship relocated to Australia and New Zealand (throughout the fall) with itineraries ranging from 2 to 38 nights. In February 2025, Queen Elizabeth sails to Singapore and stays in East Asia through May, visiting ports in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. The season features 7 overnight ports (including Hong Kong, Hobart Tasmania, Osaka), 25 late-evening departures, and two signature sailings - the 11-night Alaskan roundtrip from Vancouver (July 11, 2024) and the 25-night Transpacific crossing San Francisco to Sydney NSW ( September 22, 2024/RepositionCruises.com).

Cunard also offers B2Bs/Back-to-Back cruises . There are two B2B opportunities to sample all four Cunard liners in one voyage. The experience commences on Queen Victoria in June 2024 when passengers sail the Mediterranean visiting ports in Malta, Croatia, and Italy. After a few days in Rome , they join Queen Anne to visit Spain and the islands of Sardinia and Majorca before disembarking in Southampton. There, guests join Queen Mary 2 on a westbound Transatlantic Crossing and then fly from NYC to Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth hosts the B2B's final leg in Alaska. A similar experience can be taken in the reverse beginning in Alaska, with an eastbound Crossing, sailing the Norway Fjords, and ending in the Mediterranean.

2025-2027 itineraries

In February 2024 were opened for sales sailings spanning from September 2025 to January 2027, inclusive of new Caribbean itineraries (leaving from  Miami Florida USA ) and two simultaneous  world voyages (starting January 2026) planned for the ships  Queen Anne  and  RMS Queen Mary 2 . Queen Anne's 109-night World Voyage departs from Southampton on January 11, 2026. Queen Mary 2's 51-night itinerary (Southampton to Sydney NSW via Panama Canal) also departs on Jan 11th.

The forthcoming program encompasses 300+ sailings across the 4-ship fleet, with visits to 184 destinations in 70 countries and encompassing 108 Unesco World Heritage sites. Additionally, the itineraries feature 37 overnight port stays and 66 late-evening port departures.

The new program entails 5 maiden port calls -  Kona Hawaii ,  Roatan Island Honduras ,  Dakar Senegal ,  Miami , and  Molde Norway .

Queen Elizabeth has a new Caribbean schedule comprising 33 departures from PortMiami to Caribbean island destinations like San Juan Puerto Rico, Montego Bay Jamaica, Georgetown Grand Cayman, Roatan Honduras, Tortola BVI, Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia.

Queen Victoria is based in the Mediterranean, Atlantic islands (Azores, Madeira) and the Baltic/Norway.

Cunard Alaskan shore excursions

Cunard Line offers 140+ shore excursions in Alaska.

These tours are optional and themed as:

• "Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest"
• "Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest"
• "Taku Lodge Feast and Five-Glacier Seaplane Discovery"
• "Dogsled Adventure by Helicopter"
• "Wilderness Sea Kayaking Adventure"
• "Cooking in Alaska's Wildest Kitchen"
• "Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour"
• "Scenic Mountain Ascent and World's Largest ZipRider"
• ATV Expedition
• Wilderness Cruise and Silverking Lodge Seafood Feast
• White Pass Scenic Railway (Luxury Class)
• Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and Crab Feast
• Misty Fjords Seaplane Exploration
• Ghosts and Goodtime Girls Walking Tour
• Exclusive Burro Creek Waterfall Lodge and Crab Feast

Cunard also offers pre- and post-cruise train tours inclusive of a 3- or 5-day hotel plus 2 full days of train travel on the Rocky Mountaineer. The tour is an extension to the Alaskan cruise. The 3-night "Rocky Mountaineer Tour" (post-cruise package) departs from Vancouver and ends in Calgary, while the 4-night train tour (pre-cruise package) is the reverse route (Calgary to Vancouver) and includes an additional day in Banff.

In 2023, the 3-night tour was priced from US$2850 per person (with double occupancy), while the 4-night tour's prices started from US$3250 pp.

The Rocky Mountaineer is currently the only passenger rail service on this historic route. The land journey offers 180-degree panoramic views of lakes, canyons and snow-capped mountains. The train itself features luxurious coaches and expansive glass-dome windows.

Cunard related cruise news

Cunard's ship RMS Queen Mary 2 celebrates 20 years of Transatlantic cruises in Hamburg

On August 14th, RMS Queen Mary 2, the world's only operational Transatlantic ocean liner, marked 20 years of service. The vessel arrived this...

Virtuoso expands cruise ship tours for Canadian advisors throughout 2024

Virtuoso, the leading global network of travel agencies specializing in luxury and experiential vacations, recently organized four Cruise Ship Tour...

Port of Seattle and Carnival Corporation seal 10-year preferential berthing agreement

The Port of Seattle Commission has approved a 10-year preferential berthing agreement with Carnival Corporation, encompassing CCL/Carnival Cruise...

Cunard announces record-breaking bookings with the new ship Queen Anne

Cunard Line has reported unprecedented booking levels following the launch of its new ship - Queen Anne. The 3000-passenger vessel embarked on her...

Cunard unveils 2025 Event Voyages Program

Cunard has announced its 2025 Event Voyages, featuring unique experiences across its fleet: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria. These...

Cunard's Queen Anne makes historic maiden call at Port of Cork (Ireland)

The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) welcomed Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, on her maiden voyage to Ireland on Wednesday, June 5. This arrival...

VIDEO: Queen Anne christening draws crowds to Liverpool waterfront

Cunard Line christened its newest vessel, the GBP 470 million Queen Anne, at a ceremony in Liverpool on Monday, June 3. This marked the second major...

Cunard's Queen Anne to be officially named in grand Liverpool ceremony

Cunard is preparing for the official naming ceremony of the Queen Anne today, as the new ship makes her maiden call to Liverpool UK, Cunard's...

Andrea Bocelli headlines Cunard's Queen Anne naming ceremony at Liverpool waterfront

The Liverpool Waterfront will host a grand celebration on June 3rd, as the renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performs to mark Queen Anne ship's...

Carnival Corporation's fleet achieves 100% Starlink satellite connectivity

Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company, has announced that its entire fleet is now equipped with Starlink's high-speed...

•   show more news

• Cruise Offers
• Destinations
• Cruise Lines
• Cruise Ships
• World Cruises

• Explore the World in Style with Cunard.

Surprise Me

• Select as many options as you wish
• No further refinement available
• Africa (153)
• Alaska & Japan Repositioning Cruises (172)
• Antarctica & Patagonia (135)
• Arctic (55)
• Australia & New Zealand (295)
• Baltic (25)
• British Isles (159)
• Canada & New England (139)
• Canaries (436)
• Dubai & Arabian Repositioning Cruises (77)
• Europe (3,280)
• Expedition Cruises (334)
• Galapagos Islands (57)
• Hawaii (67)
• Indian Ocean (166)
• Japan (170)
• Mediterranean (1,999)
• Mexico (203)
• Norwegian Fjords & Iceland (482)
• Panama Canal (97)
• River Cruises (203)
• South America (153)
• South Pacific (157)
• Tahiti (146)
• The Caribbean (1,001)
• The United States (349)
• Transatlantic Crossings (292)
• World Cruises & World Cruise Sectors (121)
• Clear selection
• Less Than 7 Days (200)
• 7 to 14 Days (4,099)
• 15 to 21 Days (851)
• 22 to 30 Days (289)
• 31 to 45 Days (142)
• 46 to 60 Days (42)
• Over 60 Days (61)
• Azamara (191)
• Celebrity Cruises (394)
• Crystal Cruises (127)
• Cunard Cruises (602)
• Emerald Cruises (124)
• Explora Journeys (130)
• Holland America Line (63)
• Hurtigruten (87)
• Oceania Cruises (513)
• P&O Cruises (789)
• Princess Cruises (377)
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises (469)
• Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (116)
• Saga Ocean Cruises (58)
• Saga River Cruises (142)
• Scenic Eclipse Cruises (36)
• Scenic River Cruises (29)
• SeaDream Yacht Club (228)
• Seabourn (399)
• Seabourn Expedition Cruises (108)
• Silversea Cruises (432)
• Silversea Expeditions (156)
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruises (105)
• Arcadia (69)
• Arvia (119)
• Aurora (51)
• Azamara Journey (46)
• Azamara Onward (50)
• Azamara Pursuit (45)
• Azamara Quest (50)
• Azura (302)
• Britannia (87)
• Caribbean Princess (3)
• Celebrity Apex (66)
• Celebrity Ascent (59)
• Celebrity Beyond (64)
• Celebrity Constellation (67)
• Celebrity Eclipse (35)
• Celebrity Edge (2)
• Celebrity Equinox (35)
• Celebrity Infinity (53)
• Celebrity Silhouette (13)
• Crystal Serenity (60)
• Crystal Symphony (67)
• Emerald Azzurra (50)
• Emerald Kaia (33)
• Emerald Princess (11)
• Emerald Sakara (41)
• Enchanted Princess (55)
• Evrima (40)
• Explora I (58)
• Explora II (72)
• Ganges Voyager II (23)
• Island Princess (8)
• Le Bellot (3)
• Le Boréal (1)
• Le Bougainville (2)
• Le Commandant Charcot (1)
• Le Lyrial (1)
• Le Soleal (1)
• Luminara (17)
• MS Trollfjord (87)
• Majestic Princess (38)
• Mekong Jewel (6)
• Oceania Allura (33)
• Oceania Insignia (65)
• Oceania Marina (75)
• Oceania Nautica (61)
• Oceania Regatta (56)
• Oceania Riviera (61)
• Oceania Sirena (78)
• Oceania Vista (84)
• Queen Anne (124)
• Queen Elizabeth (97)
• Queen Mary 2 (175)
• Queen Victoria (206)
• Regal Princess (20)
• Regent Explorer (92)
• Regent Grandeur (81)
• Regent Mariner (71)
• Regent Navigator (71)
• Regent Splendor (84)
• Regent Voyager (70)
• River Princess (4)
• S.S. Bon Voyage (9)
• S.S. Catherine (10)
• S.S. Joie de Vivre (9)
• S.S. La Venezia (6)
• S.S. Maria Theresa (10)
• S.S. Sao Gabriel (13)
• S.S. Sphinx (15)
• Sapphire Princess (24)
• Scenic Amber (6)
• Scenic Azure (6)
• Scenic Crystal (1)
• Scenic Eclipse (15)
• Scenic Eclipse II (21)
• Scenic Jade (5)
• Scenic Jasper (2)
• Scenic Jewel (5)
• Scenic Opal (1)
• Scenic Ruby (2)
• Scenic Sapphire (1)
• SeaDream I (116)
• SeaDream II (112)
• Seabourn Encore (115)
• Seabourn Odyssey (1)
• Seabourn Ovation (127)
• Seabourn Pursuit (50)
• Seabourn Quest (80)
• Seabourn Sojourn (76)
• Seabourn Venture (58)
• Silver Cloud Expedition (32)
• Silver Dawn (59)
• Silver Endeavour (29)
• Silver Moon (58)
• Silver Muse (47)
• Silver Nova (49)
• Silver Origin (57)
• Silver Ray (53)
• Silver Shadow (50)
• Silver Spirit (55)
• Silver Whisper (61)
• Silver Wind (38)
• Sky Princess (61)
• Spirit of Adventure (29)
• Spirit of Discovery (29)
• Spirit of the Danube (46)
• Spirit of the Douro (34)
• Spirit of the Moselle (21)
• Spirit of the Rhine (41)
• Star Princess (13)
• Sun Princess (144)
• Ventura (73)
• ms Nieuw Statendam (23)
• ms Oosterdam (34)
• ms Rotterdam (6)
• Intimate (1,479) Up to 500 guests
• Mid Size (1,727) 501 to 1,000 guests
• Large (838) 1,001 to 2,500 guests
• Resort (1,640) 2,501 to 5,500 guests
• Luxury Ocean Cruises (5,004)
• Luxury Expedition Cruises (404)
• Luxury River Cruises (276)
• Fly Cruise (5,014)
• Round Trip UK (670)
• Up to £500 (1,256)
• £501 to £1,000 (653)
• £1,001 to £1,500 (624)
• £1,501 to £5,000 (1,672)
• £5,001 to £10,000 (1,096)
• £10,001 to £20,000 (327)
• £20,001 to £30,000 (31)
• £30,000 plus (25)

The British Isles - M427

Date: 30/08/2024 - 11/09/2024 Duration: 12 Nights Destination: British Isles | Europe Line: Cunard Cruises Ship: Queen Mary 2 Type:

33 people recently viewed this offer

• Cruise Overview
• Accommodation

30-Aug Southampton, United Kingdom 31-Aug At Sea 1-Sep South Queensferry (Edinburgh), United Kingdom 2-Sep Invergordon, United Kingdom 3-Sep At Sea 4-Sep At Sea 5-Sep Glasgow, (Greenock), United Kingdom 6-Sep Liverpool, United Kingdom 7-Sep Liverpool, United Kingdom 8-Sep At Sea 9-Sep Cork, (Cobh), Ireland 10-Sep At Sea 11-Sep Southampton, United Kingdom

Cunard Select Fares include: On board spending money of up to $470 per stateroom, based on twin occupancy. (Please note that this on board spend is not applicable on Early Saver or Saver fares).

Cunard Line Fares Include: Accommodation, all Onboard Meals* and Entertainment Drinks: Tea, Coffee, Water and Fruit Juice are available 24 hours a day in the Lido Restaurant Specified Hotel Accommodation International Flights subject to availability. Coach Transfers between Airport, Hotel (if applicable) and the Ship at the International Port of Embarkation/Disembarkation when your International Flight is purchased through Cunard Port and Handling Fees and UK and US taxes (*Cover charge applies to the Verandah Restaurants & and the Lido Restaurant) Half Bottle of Bon Voyage Wine 24 Hour Room Service Satellite TV with Multi Language Film and Music, Direct Dial Telephone & Date Port Outlet Refrigerator, Safe, Hair Dryer Fruit Basket (on request) Daily Shipboard Newspaper Bathrobes and Slippers, Nightly Turndown Service with Chocolate 220V British 3-Pin and 110V 2-Pin Sockets In addition to the above Club Balconies Include: Bon Voyage Bottle of Wine Pillow Concierge Menu

In addition to the above Princess Grill Suites Include: Concierge Service Bon Voyage Bottle of Wine and Fresh Strawberries In-suite dining from Princess Grill menu Exclusive access to Princess Grill Lounge Daily Fresh Fruit Personalised Stationery Atlas, Daily Shipboard Newspaper Full Bathroom with Bath and Shower Soft Terry Robes and Slippers Priority Embarkation

In addition to the above Queens Grill Suites include: Butler and Concierge Service Bon Voyage Bottle of Champagne and Fresh Strawberries Bar Stocked with Spirits or Wines and Soft Drinks Pre-Dinner Canapes

In-Suite Dining from the Queens Grill Menu Exclusive access to the Queens Grill Lounge Special Sweet Dreams Turndown Surprise on Formal Nights Priority Embarkation, Disembarkation & Tender Services

Q1-Q3 guests also receive: Priority Luggage Delivery

Cunard's Terms and Conditions apply.

Other Luxury Cruises You Might Like

The Mediterranean

Date: 30 Aug 2024

Duration: 11 Nights

From £5,609pp

Anglo Saxon Byways

Date: 29 Aug 2024

Duration: 12 Nights

From £5,669pp

Scandinavian Islands

Date: 28 Aug 2024

From £5,115pp

Request a Quote

Ship/Voyage

Departure date, please complete the details below and we will call you back with your personalised quotation..

Hello, would you like to receive the very latest luxury cruise offers at the guaranteed best prices?

We'd love to send you our latest offers by email. Please fill in your details below to receive our newsletters.

This Classic Cruise Ship Has Everything From Black-tie Galas to Fjord Kayaking Excursions – Read Our Review

Cunard's new Queen Anne is based out of Southampton, with plans to sail much of Europe — including the fjords of Norway.

From the damp seat of my sea kayak, the specks falling from the edge of the fjord were nearly imperceptible. There goes one, then another, then another. Suddenly, their parachutes opened. What I thought were leaves or maybe stones knocked loose by a hiker turned out to be wingsuit flyers careening down the rock face at nearly 100 miles an hour. As I paddled back to the beach, more jumpers flew over the edge before gracefully gliding to a safe landing.

I’d come to one of Norway’s adventure capitals thinking that a couple of hours paddling through a fjord would be quite the adventure. It turns out that adrenaline can always go higher.

Of course, that’s why people head to Norway’s fjordlands in the middle of summer, to soak up the sun and get the blood pumping. I’d only just arrived in Flåm aboard the Queen Anne, the newest cruise ship from the storied line Cunard, a favorite of Travel + Leisure readers.

Flåm is the sort of place where you might see, like I did, a hitchhiker carrying a sign that reads “next town” or two dozen souped-up #vanlife rigs parked along the edge of the fjord. It’s filled with kayak outfitters and bike-tour operators and serves as an adventure hub. While it’s possible to road trip yourself — the drive from Oslo takes around five hours — it’s almost certainly more comfortable and convenient to get here by ship. And, if you come by ship, you’re guaranteed a hot shower, a nice meal, and a bit of evening entertainment after a hard day of paddling.

The Queen Anne has 1,498 cabins that accommodate nearly 3,000 guests — bigger than the kinds of ships I tend to enjoy, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the space available on board during my week-long trip.

I’d met the ship in Southampton, England, and after a day crossing the North Sea, we landed in Bergen for a bit of sightseeing around Norway’s second-biggest city. Then, the drama really picked up as Captain David Hudson and their team charted a course through the fjords to Flåm. The dizzying cliffs that hemmed in our course were like nothing I’d ever seen — and, indeed, were all the more stunning from the sundeck.

“Norway is a very popular cruise destination,” said Captain Hudson as we departed. “But sailing along a World Heritage fjord on a sunny, clear evening very close to the summer solstice is an experience few people get to have.”

In these far-northern reaches, the sun would shine for 18 or 19 hours a day, and as the ship sailed away from Flåm, several dozen passengers and I enjoyed the twinkle of the piano in the Commodore Club, with a view of the rocky islets of the Sognefjord. By breakfast the next day, we’d reached the village of Olden, where e-biking, paddling, and hiking were among the adventure activities on offer.

Another scheduled stop, Haugesund, was skipped due to heavy winds. Our resourceful crew instead charted a course into the Hardangerfjord, where we spent the day slowly cruising past salmon farms, waterfalls, and villages that, from the ship, appeared to be delightfully charming bases for glacier hikes.

All the while, back on board, my fellow passengers and I could count on the sort of big-ship amenities many cruise passengers expect. The pool deck, spa, fitness center, and Golden Lion pub seemed to hum at all hours, and a series of variety shows (including a popular murder mystery called Noir ) were well attended by many. The bars and lounges were often full but not overly so, and a general sense of stately calm seemed to permeate the ship, as you might expect from a line that channels British heritage — and had a sizable number of U.K. guests on board.

Like all Cunard ships, Queen Anne retains one maritime tradition in the form of a class system. There are four main categories of travel, in ascending order of opulence: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill. Each class of service has a corresponding dining room; the top two tiers also have their own lounges and outdoor terrace spaces. While all passengers are welcome in most areas of the ship — including its alternative restaurants, many of which come at extra cost — guests in lower-category classes can’t access the high-end amenities. The “ship within a ship” setup is roughly equivalent to what’s available in premium areas on other lines — the Yacht Club of MSC, the Haven on Norwegian — though, on Cunard, the premium passengers have fewer just-for-us amenities than top-class guests on those competing lines.

I was traveling as an entry-level Britannia guest, but I still felt plenty pampered on several occasions, particularly at Sir Samuel’s, an at-extra-cost steakhouse. Yet there were other moments where I must admit, I felt a bit like guest number 2,756 on board, whether trying to flag somebody down for a cappuccino at Carinthia Lounge or when the Wellness Café, which makes a point of having cold-pressed juice, was out of several menu options.

Still, the thrills off the ship made up for many of these minor flubs, some of which might have to do with how new the Queen Anne still is. After all, Cunard carries the weight of 180 years of seagoing tradition, and its ships still host black-tie gala evenings twice a week. Being the crew aboard the newest vessel in that line must be as intimidating as, well, wingsuit flying.

Here’s a closer look at the new Cunard cruise ship Queen Anne 's amenities, restaurants, staterooms, and services.

• Queen Anne is a well-appointed, 1,498-cabin ship with endless options for things to do, plentiful dining choices, and comfortable public spaces.
• Interesting itineraries travel to places like the fjords of Norway or sailing the coast of Spain — and would be hard to replicate any other way.
• There are some high-end dining choices, including Sir Samuel’s, and a stacked wine cellar with many impressive a la carte bottles.

The Staterooms

With 1,498 cabins, Queen Anne has a wide variety of choices. The entry-level rooms inside cabins without so much as a window are hyper-efficient and aggressively priced. By contrast, high-end Princess and Queens Grill suites come with butler service, balconies, and all sorts of extras. (A half-dozen Queens Grill Grand and Master suites are among the finest in Cunard’s fleet.)

About half of the rooms on board, though, were like mine, a Britannia Balcony cabin with a touch of art deco in the design. Besides the balcony, my favorite feature of room 8156 was the bathroom, which had a spacious-for-a-ship shower stall and plenty of storage and light. The rest of the room, including hanging storage and a small desk that also housed a petite minibar, was functional and clean, if not exactly breathtaking in terms of the overall vibe. One additional note: I found the onboard Wi-Fi to be pretty fast and reliable, even in the middle of the North Sea, though I did have to reload a sign-in splash page every morning.

Bars and Restaurants

Bring an appetite because Queen Anne is filled with fantastic dining venues and several excellent bars. Each category of travel — Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill — has its own main dining room with a corresponding name, with either set dining times or open seating, depending on guest preference. While the menus in each are ever-changing — and, at the high end, are stuffed with decadent dishes such as lobster thermidor — the overall tenor of the cuisine is continental, with heavy British influence. On my trip, meals in Britannia were multi-course affairs, served with an old-school flourish by a capable, pleasant team. An extensive buffet called Artisans’ Foodhall seemed to have almost anything you could want at virtually any hour.

Elsewhere on board, several specialty restaurants were available at an extra charge. Among my standouts were Golden Lion, a traditionally styled pub open for lunch and pints, and Sir Samuel’s, an elevated steakhouse with extraordinary raw-bar platters. Other options include Aranya, an Indian restaurant; Tramonto, a pan-Mediterannean spot; and Aji Wa, for sushi and other Japanese fare. While I loved the concept of the Wellness Café, which overlooks the pool and has a long menu of pressed juices, smoothies, and bowls, I found the execution of dishes a bit lackluster over several visits.

The cocktail bars and lounges, however, were consistently on point, with a variety of themes, whether the classic Chart Room, with Champagne and martinis; the casino bar, which specializes in Negronis; or Cabana, a rum joint with dozens of selections but, to my disappointment, limited hours. Throughout the ship, non-alcoholic options were also widely available, with NA cocktails listed on many menus.

Where Queen Anne Sails

For the time being, Southampton, England, is Queen Anne 's home port. Weeklong trips to places such as Norway, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Canary Islands are among the routes available. A couple of particularly compelling itineraries for 2025 include a two-week sail from Southampton that travels around the British Isles and a 12-day itinerary that explores the fjords of Norway, which will be pretty similar to the route I traveled.

The ship is scheduled to sail a 111-day world cruise in the upcoming winter months, departing Hamburg, Germany, in January 2025. It will cross the Atlantic Ocean, transit the Panama Canal, sail the Pacific, and visit ports in Asia and the Middle East before traveling through the Suez Canal and back to Hamburg.

Shore Excursions

For all the amenities on board, Queen Anne is also a compelling way to explore interesting destinations: On my sail to Norway, Cunard had arranged numerous activities in every port, ranging from simple city-center walks to full-day active adventures to splurge-worthy excursions like a helicopter flight over a glacier. While shore excursions on Cunard come at extra cost, I found the process of choosing and booking them online very easy; compared to other cruise lines, Cunard did an excellent job of describing the tours, the activity level, and the value prop of every activity.

During my trip, I was particularly thrilled with the experience of e-biking in Olden with a local guide who took our group of 12 to his own family’s lakeside farm, where we ate wild strawberries and heard stories about rural life. Then, there was the excellent morning of kayaking alongside several paddling guides, who steered a group of about 20 passengers to a secluded beach before we turned back and saw those wingsuit fliers. Truly high-end adventures, such as an overflight of the Briksdal Glacier, are, predictably, expensive, but most of my tours were priced competitively compared to third-party options.

Amenities and Entertainment

Cunard excels at keeping guests entertained. At any hour, there are countless things to do, whether card games, trivia competitions, archery lessons (seriously), dancing, live music, shopping, high tea, lectures, fitness classes, pickleball, minigolf, and so on. One daily program from my trip listed at least 69 different activities during a sea day when we had no stop in port scheduled. Among the highlights for me were the competitive rounds of trivia held in the Golden Lion and the sounds of live piano that filled the ship’s many bars and lounges every evening. Of course, this being a Cunard ship, there were also big band–style tunes at the Queens Room, particularly on the black-tie Gala Nights, of which there are two on week-long itineraries. Live performances in the Royal Court Theater included several musical reviews and stage shows that, as is common on ships, had brief runtimes.

The ship’s spa and fitness area were very popular on my sailing, and most passengers I spoke with were satisfied with the treatments and amenities. The wellness areas, most of which are on a lower deck, forward, didn’t have much in the way of views — but that didn’t make them any less popular. One exception is a Wellness Studio, located under a pergola near the pool, that hosted yoga and other movement classes in the fresh air. Nice.

Queen Anne has a fantastic main pool deck called the Pavilion, with tons of loungers, an excellent array of food and drinks, and a glass roof that allows for all-weather enjoyment. The outdoor Panorama Pool Club is an alternate swimming pool with views over the stern of the ship. (Princess and Queens Grill guests have their own terrace, with twin whirlpools, which I was sadly unable to visit.) As is becoming standard on new vessels, there’s also a pickleball court, along with other more traditional sun-deck sports, including minigolf, shuffleboard, and table tennis.

Family-friendly Offerings

Cunard may have a buttoned-up, black-tie reputation, but I saw many families and groups traveling on my sailing. It makes sense: This ship offers so much that anybody can dial in what they’re looking for. (And despite the formality sometimes required in the restaurants and entertainment venues in the evenings, several spots on board are casual around the clock.)

A few kid-specific, age-appropriate hangouts are on board: the Play Zone is for those 2 to 7; the Kids’ Zone is meant for tweens; and the Teen Zone welcomes older children. Depending on the day, they’re staffed for several hours, with activities and games. Cunard also offers a Night Nursery service for very young ones, 6 months up to 2 years of age, so that parents can have an evening “out.” The main pool also welcomes all ages. Suites, in particular, have plenty of room to accommodate families, and there are 100 connecting staterooms on board.

Accessibility

Cunard is well-suited to individuals with limited mobility, and I noticed that many guests on my sailing used mobility aids. The line keeps a detailed guide to its many accessibility policies and procedures online. On Queen Anne, there are 33 cabins and suites designated as accessible.

On my sailing, many announcements were made over a public address system, and it wasn’t immediately apparent what alternative accommodations may have been available.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure .

• Bremerhaven
• Le Havre (Paris)
• London Greenwich
• London Portsmouth
• London Tilbury
• Southampton
• Warnemunde (Rostock)
• Zeebrugge (Bruges)
• Arctic Circle

British Isles

• Midnight Sun
• Northern Europe
• Northern Lights
• Norwegian Fjords
• Scandinavia
• Transatlantic
• Western Europe
• AIDA Cruises
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Crystal Cruises

Cunard Cruise Line

• Disney Cruise Line
• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
• Holland America Line
• MSC Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Saga Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Ports Of Call

Cunard Cruise Line - British Isles Cruise

During one of Cunard Cruise Line' British Isles itineraries, you'll have the opportunity to take in some of Europe's most spectacular natural beauties. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a plethora of adventure and exploration opportunities in the British Isles. Take an invigorating hike through the Lake District, explore the Scottish Highlands on a guided tour, or kayak along the serene Irish coastline. Off-board activities might include biking through quaint countryside trails, exploring the picturesque Isle of Skye, or even indulging in a round of golf at one of the many world-class golf courses the region boasts.

Aboard Cunard's grand Queen-class ships, a wealth of amenities and services await passengers. A plethora of fine dining options, from casual bistros to Michelin-quality restaurants, satiate every palate. Those looking for relaxation can head to the expansive spa, which offers a range of rejuvenating treatments. For the more active cruisers, there are numerous leisure options, including swimming pools, fitness centers, and even a planetarium. Evening entertainment takes on a glamorous note with Broadway-style shows, live music, and captivating lectures by renowned speakers. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that comes along with traveling with Cunard Cruise Line as you make your way through British Isles region , where you'll get to see a wide range of different cultures, magnificent palaces, historical sites, and breathtaking natural beauty.

The British Isles are a tapestry of cultures and history, each with its unique charm. Delve into the rich Celtic traditions of Ireland and Scotland, discover the influence of Viking and Roman invasions on the region's culture, and learn about the profound impact of the Industrial Revolution on these isles. Each port of call offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, whether it's enjoying a traditional music session in an Irish pub or exploring the works of the literary giants who found inspiration in these lands.

Cunard Cruise Line British Isles Cruise Schedule

British Isles cruises are the ideal way to see the world and you can see a selection of these cruises from Cunard Cruise Line. Cunard Cruise Line have an exciting range of cruises from the British Isles to incredible Northern Lights and the magnificent Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia, via the Baltic States and Russia, all of which can be enjoyed without having to travel too far to join your cruise ship.

12-day British Isles cruise from Southampton

Queen mary 2, cunard cruise line.

Date: August 30, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Isle of Skye, Greenock, Liverpool, Liverpool, Cork, Southampton; View Itinerary

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Cunard Cruise Line website.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

British Isles

The British Isles, also referred to as the British and Irish Isles, is a collection of islands off the mainland of Europe consisting of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Ireland, and a number of adjacent smaller islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Cruises to the British Isles allow travelers a wonderful opportunity to explore in depth the region's beautiful countryside while visiting notable European cities and famous historic sites along the way.

Tour famous cities like London, Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow, featuring extraordinary castles, unique architecture and world-class museums that showcase some of the world's most amazing art and historical artifacts. Dock in Invergordon, the gateway to Inverness and legendary Loch Ness, or become acquainted with the lesser-known islands like the Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly, and Shetland and Channel Islands.

• British Isles cruises sail from April through October.
• British Isles cruises are typically 5 to 14 nights in length, but longer cruises are offered.
• London is the most common departure port for a British Isles cruise, but you may also sail from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, and other European cities. If you must fly a very long distance to reach your port of departure, we suggest that you arrive at the port city at least one or two days in advance of your British Isles cruise. This will give you time to rest and get oriented before boarding the ship. Most cruise lines offer pre-cruise hotel packages.

Cunard takes you back to the golden age of sea travel without sacrificing any modern-day comforts. With opulent interiors reminiscent of ships from a century ago, Cunard's ocean liners satisfy even the most sophisticated tastes with world-class cuisine and Cunard's renowned White Star Service.

Sail with Cunard on a traditional Transatlantic voyage, or cruise to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Australia or New Zealand. Whichever destination you choose, Cunard will entertain you with sports facilities, casinos, spas, live music, disco dancing and black-tie soirees.

Take advantage of one of our Cunard discounts to experience the refined elegance and attentive service for yourself.

Officers: British/International Crew: International

• Ships & Ratings
• Payments & Refunds
• Kids Program
• Smoking Policy

• Cunard Line

starboard or Portside on British Isles?

By oatbagg1 , April 20, 2021 in Cunard Line

Recommended Posts

We're (hopefully sailing in May 2022 around the British Isles. The cruise goes counter clockwise. I assume the best side balcony would be Port side.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Windsurfboy

won't make any real difference , 

Starboard  morning sun on way north , afternoon sun on way south. .

Port afternoon sun on way north,  morning sun on way south

I wouldnt worry too much about which side the sun is in May after all you are in the UK you might not even see it.

Host Hattie

I assume you were asking for the chance of views of land rather than sun ?

Having done the first circumnavigation on Queen Mary 2, back in the day. For the most part you are not able to see the coast unless you are entering or leaving a port. It was QM2's first circumnavigation and there were large crowds at some ports like Greenoch for Glasgow and Liverpool. 

When the Queen entered the River Mersey, she did a 180 degree pirouette in mid-river and backed to her mini dock in front of the Cunard Building which was flying Cunard flags for the occasion. A might roar went up from the spectators on the banks of the river and there was honking of car horns as well. Later after a concert by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, there were fireworks as we departed. It was quite spectacular.

yes Hattie. I am talking about sailing round land. Especially the "cruise by" days

2 hours ago, Host Hattie said: I assume you were asking for the chance of views of land rather than sun ?

Silly me answered the wrong question , going anti-clockwise port will be landside .

navybankerteacher

6 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:   Silly me answered the wrong question , going anti-clockwise port will be landside .

You should bear in mind that the land you will see from the ship, except when entering or leaving port, will be nothing more than a blur on the horizon -- not much different from the cloud bank you would likely be seeing on the seaward side.  You are just not close enough to shore for it to make any real difference. 

it depends when you cruise by some of the isles in Scotland you could have a better view from Starboard than Port.

Presumably,  they will take a different approach for these cruises and sail as close to land as they are safely allowed too. 

1 hour ago, Windsurfboy said: Presumably,  they will take a different approach for these cruises and sail as close to land as they are safely allowed too. 

Can’t comment whether they will but it is certainly possible, here’s Whitby Abbey from Queen Mary 2 on 16th October 2009.

THANK YOU ALL. I'm finding the Cunard site very temperamental.

On 4/20/2021 at 12:27 PM, oatbagg1 said: We're (hopefully sailing in May 2022 around the British Isles. The cruise goes counter clockwise. I assume the best side balcony would be Port side.

Curious to know if you've seen a roll call for this voyage. because I think we are booked on it as well.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com Summer 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Ask Me Anything About

Victory Cruise Lines!

Ask Your Questions Today;

See answers beginning August 12th

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this photo by member XFrancophileX to share your review w/ photos too!

Parliament, Budapest

Features & News

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 02:31 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 11:32 AM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 07:31 AM

LauraS · Started August 15

LauraS · Started August 14

Cruise Planning

Find a cruise, popular ports, member reviews.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...