Cunard Experience

Where does the Cunard experience begin? With the famous white star Service, of course from the moment you step on board, the constant priority is to make you feel welcome. In fact, matching your expectations instinctively is what Cunard do best. British officers uphold the highest standards.

As you arrive at your embarkation terminal, savour the delicious thrill of anticipation.
Along the quay and then on deck, excitement builds. After being shown to your stateroom, take a stroll to acquaint yourself with one of the world’s most famous liners. Now sound the horn and strike up the band! As the coastline falls away and you dress for your first dinner at sea, relax – your Cunard holiday has just began

Greet each new morning in the spirit of freedom. Will you venture ashore?, or broaden your inner horizons right here? From wine to gardening, Beaujolais to Busy Lizzies, there is a lively talk to fire every imagination. Chill out – the kids are being happily entertained! The most relaxing ambiance is yours to soak up throughout your perfect day.

Cunard Heritage

The Industrial Revolution had progressed far enough by the 1830's to make the idea of transatlantic communication by means of a fleet of steamships plausible. The desire for dependable delivery of the mails on which imperial communication and commerce depended prompted the government of Her Majesty Queen Victoria to invite interested parties to bid for a contract to provide this service. Samuel Cunard of Halifax, Nova Scotia, was the successful contender. His contract to deliver the mail across the Atlantic from Great Britain to North America was signed on May 4, 1839, and originally involved a commitment to provide three steamships of 800 tons and 300 horsepower. Samuel Cunard was a highly successful and enterprising Canadian businessman and one of a group of 12 individuals who directed the affairs of Nova Scotia. Cunard had the reputation for being not only a very astute businessman but also an individual with exceptional diplomatic ability.
In order to successfully carry out his contract, Cunard solicited the assistance of Robert Napier, an engineering genius who was responsible for creating the engines of some of the best new ships of his day. Cunard also need financial backing and received it from three accomplished businessmen: James Donaldson, George Burns and David Maclver. These five men founded the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, later known as "Cunard Line".
Sir Samuel died April 28th, 1865. In 1981, Sir Samuel Cunard was inducted in ASTA's Travel Hall of Fame in honour of his contribution to developing transatlantic travel.

Delightful Indulgences

The most fun you can have doing all the things you never have time for
Daytime heralds a world of delightful indulgences, from a delicious spa treatment to the finest shopping at sea. Everyone knows that a key factor in the richly seductive promise of a Cunard cruise is the opportunity to enjoy all those marvellous things you never have time for at home. So come on in – there really is something for everyone. Treat yourself, or expand your horizons. You might even try both at once!

Did you know Cunard's Maritime Quest and Heritage Trail are fascinating ways to explore our great seafaring tradition? Capture the flavour of the golden age of travel and see some rather famous past passengers. It’s all part of a wonderfully diverse programme of entertaining discovery designed to ensure you never experience a dull moment.

Catch a brilliant talk, attend a lively art auction, win our daily quiz and scoop the bingo jackpot- all in a perfect day. From yoga and aerobics to painting sessions and dance classes, you will be spoiled for choice. Fancy a rubber of bridge? The most social game in the world is the best method yet devised of meeting sociable people like you.

Famous Faces

Ever since Prince Charles became her first passenger more than 30 years ago, Queen Elizabeth 2 has hosted more famous faces than any other ship in service. It is a litany of names almost too long to list......
Members of Royal Families and the aristocracy who have travelled Politicians, Diplomats and
Churchmen who have travelled

HM The Queen
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
HRH The Prince of Wales
HRH The Prince Edward
Diana, Princess of Wales
King Hussein of Jordan
The Emperor of Japan
Princess Christine of the Netherlands
Prince Nikita Romanoff
The Sultan of Brunei
The Sultan of Selanghor
Earl Mountbatten
Earl of Snowdon
Earl of Lichfield
Lord Wedgwood
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu
Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare
George Bush Jnr
Edwina Currie
Sir Nicholas Fairbairn
H R Haldeman
Bob Hawke
Sir Rex Hunt
Dame Jill Knight
Mayor John Lindsay
Lee Kuan Yew
Graca Machel
President Nelson Mandela
Lord Mason of Barnsley
Shimon Peres

The Most Revd Lord Runcie of Cuddesdon

Sir Cyril Smith
Lord Taylor of Warwick


Eminent people who have visited but not travelled
HM Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Mother

HRH The Princess Royal
Lady Thatcher
Lord Attenborough
Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Mrs. Cherie Blair Mrs Elizabeth Dole
Sir David Frost
Charles Haughey
Albert Reynolds
Earl and Countess Spencer
Richard Baker
Chris de Burgh

Musicians who have travelled
Moira Anderson
Applejacks
Larry Adler
Charles Aznavour
Count Basie
Dave Berry
David Bowie
John Briggs
Joe Brown
The Cure
Vic Damone
Gracie Fields
Wayne Fontana
Gerry and the Pacemakers
Marvin Hamlisch
George Harrison
Herman's Hermits
Edmund Hockridge
Mick Jagger
Elton John
Jack Jones
Frankie Laine
Joe Loss
Patti Lupone
Dame Vera Lynn
Maureen McGovern
Neil Sedaka
Ringo Starr
Rod Stewart
Russell Watson
Tommy Tune
Frankie Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan
Robin Gibb

World Explorers who have travelled
Buzz Aldrin
Dr. Kathryn L. Sullivan
John Harrison
Sir John Blashford-Snell

Titanic survivors who have travelled
Millvina Dean

Culinary Icons
Julia Child Eminent Journalists and authors
who have travelled
Fiona Armstrong
Beryl Bainbridge
Lynne Barber
Alan Bleasdale
Carol Barnes
Jennie Bond
Craig Brown
Michael Brunson
Michael Buerk
Bill Bryson
Tom Clancy
Matthew Collins
Clive Cussler
Frank Delaney
Colin Dexter
Dick Francis
Sandy Gall
Tim Heald
Hannah Hauxwell
Richard Hendrick
Brian Hitchen
Sir Bernard Ingham
Virginia Ironside
Paul Johnson
P D James
Sir Ludovic Kennedy
Roddy Llewellyn
Jackie and Sunny Mann
Brian Masters
Angus McGill
Sheridan Morley
Flt Lt John Nichol
Sir David Nicholas
Pat O'Brien
Marje Proops
Claire Rayner
Celia Sandys
Selina Scott
Michael Shea
Mary Ann Sieghart
John Simpson
Peter Sissons
Sir Roy Strong
Carol Thatcher
Leslie Thomas
Jack Tinker
Hugo Vickers
Jill Dando

Stars of Stage and Screen who have travelled
Karen Allen
John Altman
Eamonn Andrews
Julie Andrews
Patrick Anthony
Debbie Arnold
Michael Aspel

Peter Baldwin
Roy Barraclough
Thelma Barlow
Jeremy Beadle
Victor Borge
Jim Bowen
Tracy Brabin
Johnny Briggs
George Burns
Richard Burton

Beverly Callard
Cy Chadwick
Judith Chalmers
Petula Clark
Rosemary Conley
Bill Cosby
Judy Cornwell
Michael Crawford
Jimmy Cricket
Tony Curtis

Paul Daniels
Nigel Davenport
Liz Dawn
Les Dawson
Neil Diamond
Dame Judi Dench

Sue Eden

Douglas Fairbanks Jnr
Eddie Fisher
Bryan Forbes
Fiona Fullerton

Susan George
Hermoine Gingold
Lillian Gish
Jilly Goolden
Peter Gordeno
Russell Grant
Hughie Green

Tom O'Connor
Sid Owen

Patsy Palmer
Dr Mark Porter
Vincent Price
Charley Pride
Juliet Prowse

Esther Rantzen
Bertice Reading
Lyn Redgrave
Christopher Reeve
Debbie Reynolds
Gary Rhodes
Wendy Richards
Angela Rippon
Ginger Rogers
Patricia Routledge
Jane Russell
Dr Ruth

Sir Sydney Samuelson
Telly Savalas
Sir Jimmy Savile
Prunella Scales
George C Scott
Sir Harry Secombe Larry Hagman
Stuart Hall
Mona Hammond
Rolf Harris
Lawrence Harvey
Dickie Henderson
Sherrie Hewson
Geoff Hinsliff
Thora Hird
Bob Holness
Bob Hope
Frankie Howerd
Rock Hudson
Geoffrey Hughes

Lorraine Kelly
Kevin Kennedy
Eric Knowles
Barbara Knox
Robert Kilroy Silk
Kris Kristofferson

Sara Lancashire
Burt Lancaster
Roy Lancaster
Danny LaRue
Christopher Lee
Maureen Lipman
Moira Lister
Emily Lloyd
Deborah Lyttle

Barry Manilow
Dean Martin
Raymond Massey
Nichola McAuliffe
Leo McKern
Hayley Mills
Sir John Mills
Matthew Modine
Bob Monkhouse
Ken Morley
Bryan Mosley

David Neilson
Bob Newhart
Nannette Newman
Paul Newman
Barry Norman

Peter Sellers
Jack Smethurst
Jon Snow
Robert Stack
Terence Stamp
Tommy Steele
Sharon Stone
Meryl Streep

Jimmy Tarbuck
Bill Tarmey
Gillian Taylforth
Elizabeth Taylor
Shaw Taylor
Christopher Timothy
Anthony Worral Thompson
John Travolta
Twiggy

Liv Ullman
Sir Peter Ustinov

Bill Waddington
Robert Wagner
Barbara Windsor
Alan Whicker
Desmond Wilcox
Simon Williams
Ernie Wise
Natalie Wood
Helen Worth
Timothy West

Michael York

Famous For A Reason

Having long ago set the standard, Cunard continue to exceed it.

Over 160 years ago, Samuel Cunard set out to deliver mail across the Atlantic, not realising he was taking the first step towards setting a new standard in luxury travel. Since then, Cunard has become a byword for comfort, style, and the ultimate travel experience as defined by successive eras. Today, Cunard continue to celebrate a golden heritage while creating new standards daily. Quintessentially British, they explore the world in all its rich diversity with people of the world – people like you.

Impeccable service defines and differentiates the Cunard experience most eloquently. It always has. From award-winning grill dining to a tasty snack or a chocolate on the pillow, there attention to detail will make you feel special. Put simply, nothing is too much trouble.

In fact, the experience of higher grade staterooms is not unlike belonging to the most privileged club. Let the discreet concierges meet your every need, ship side and ashore, from a quick round of golf to the best seats in the house, from postage stamps to private car hire. Naturally, embarkation and disembarkation are on a priority basis.

Champagne, complimentary bar, fresh flowers and fruit, soft terry robes in your suite – nothing rivals the unashamed luxury of Cunard's famous ‘Grills Experience’. Why wait to enjoy the cream of cruising today? Why wait to delight someone special?

Your fare includes transfer between airports, hotels (if applicable) and ship at the overseas port of embarkation/disembarkation.

The Finest Dining

At Cunard they understand instinctively the contribution made by the finest dining to the ultimate cruise experience. In every culinary context, the famous White Star Service” sets the tone beautifully. Not only have Cunard gone out of there way to make each restaurant a venue to remember, they have also engaged some of the world’s top chefs and experts.

From grill to cafe, Cunard leave nothing to chance in matching an ambiance to your every mood. Naturally, you will find a tempting range of informal settings in which to enjoy a tempting snack. Room service, of course, is at you beck and call, 24 hours a day at no extra charge

Would you not love to enjoy the very best of Cunard as epitomized by the celebrated ‘Grills Experience? Besides the most spacious and lavishly appointed suites anywhere at sea, it means the intimate atmosphere of the award-winning Grilling Restaurants and exclusive access to the Queens Grill bars, plus your own private butler service and lift access in higher category suites.

Various Activities

Staying fit and going home looking your radiant best are part and parcel of a Cunard cruise holiday. But hold on a minute-there is no need to get carried away completely on a tide of fresh – air enthusiasm! It is nice to know you can do as much or as little as you choose here on deck? That is the style. You set the pace, today and tomorrow.

From shuffleboard to tennis and jogging, you can warm up gently or work out to your heart’s content. Naturally, on deck is an ideal place to relax with the latest blockbuster novel. Anyone for golf this afternoon? Being at sea is no handicap when it comes to exercise. Our outdoor putting and driving ranges allow you to get into the swing of things without getting mud on your shoes.

Whatever your mood, there is something to engage you every hour of each day. Relax while the kids get to grips with our tried and trusted programmes – you know it makes sense! Doing your own thing like this instills a freedom you could get used to.

For over a century and a half, the iconic ships of Cunard have been defining sophisticated ocean travel. They have always been The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World.

From fabled vessels of the past to her present royal court — Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth — Cunard has carried guests across the great oceans and to the far points of the globe in unparalleled style. The most glamorous names of yesterday and today have made champagne toasts in her salons, waltzed the night away in her grand ballrooms, savoured grand feasts of the finest flavours in her dining rooms, and whiled away hours immersed in fascinating conversation on her decks.

Cunard invites you to take your place in the rich heritage of ocean travel, and write your own classic adventure tale. Join Cunard for a journey on the legendary luxury ocean liner.