CUNARD CRUISE LINE
Cunard Line’s illustrious history began in 1839 when Sir Samuel Cunard secured the first British Government contract to provide a regular mail service across the North Atlantic Ocean. This milestone marked the start of a legacy that has seen Cunard operate hundreds of iconic ocean liners and cruise ships.
Cunard’s reputation is founded on three pillars: safety, speed, and luxury. In the early 20th century, their renowned “ocean greyhounds,” the Lusitania and Mauretania, set new standards for speed with their advanced turbine engines, achieving over 24 knots. These vessels were marvels of their time, representing the pinnacle of maritime engineering.
The Golden Age of Cunard blossomed after World War II, epitomized by the legendary Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. These majestic ocean liners, boasting speeds of over 30 knots, were the largest and most luxurious in the world. Queen Elizabeth, with her impressive 83,673 gross registered tons, held the title of the largest ocean liner until 1996, when she was surpassed by the Carnival Destiny.
However, the late 1950s brought a new challenge: the advent of jet air travel. The introduction of the Boeing 707 on transatlantic routes rendered many ocean liners, including the famous Queens, obsolete. This era saw the decline of ships like the Caronia, Media, and Britannic from the North Atlantic.
Amidst this transportation revolution, Cunard made a bold move by investing in a new ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2. Built at the same John Brown & Co. shipyard as her illustrious predecessors, the QE2 upheld Cunard’s legacy on the transatlantic route until her retirement in 2008, when she passed the torch to the Queen Mary 2.
Dive into the rich history of select Cunard and Cunard White-Star ships within these pages. This curated collection highlights vessels that have made significant contributions to Cunard’s storied past. With a fleet of 249 ships and counting, this historical archive is ever-evolving. Be sure to return often to discover new additions and insights into Cunard’s maritime heritage.
★★ Mike’s Top Tip
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FLEET AND CLASS OVERVIEW – The Four Queens
Cunard currently operates four majestic “Queens”: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Anne — each with its own personality, design roots, and passenger experience.
Understanding the Classes
Here’s how Cunard’s current lineup fits into broader ship design classes:
| Ship | Class Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Mary 2 | Ocean Liner (unique design) | Built for transatlantic service — rugged & fast. |
| Queen Anne | Pinnacle Class | Based on Carnival’s Holland America Pinnacle design, customised for Cunard. |
| Queen Elizabeth | Vista Class | Shared architecture with other Vista-class vessels but Cunard-styled. |
| Queen Victoria | Vista Class | Slightly older Vista-class sister to Queen Elizabeth. |
Vista Class
The current Cunard Vista Class includes Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.
Cunard’s smallest ship, the Queen Victoria, measures in at 90,049 GRT and can welcome 2,061 passengers aboard. This vessel reflects a storied history reminiscent of classic transatlantic voyages and continues to serve as an upscale option for Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises.
Pinnacle Class
The Pinnacle Class is a modern ship platform developed by Carnival Corporation, originally introduced for Holland America Line. Cunard’s Queen Anne is the first — and currently only — ship from this class to sail under the Cunard flag, marking a clear evolution in the line’s design philosophy.
At around 113,000 gross tonnes, Pinnacle-class ships are significantly larger than Cunard’s Vista-class vessels (Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria), but still smaller and more refined than today’s mega-ships. This places Queen Anne in a sweet spot: big enough to offer expansive public spaces and a wide range of venues, yet small enough to retain Cunard’s traditionally elegant atmosphere.
SHIP FACTS & FIGURES
Cunard currently operates four majestic “Queens”: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Anne — each with its own personality, design roots, and passenger experience.
RMS Queen Mary 2 — Flagship & Ocean Liner
- Entered Service: 2004
- Class: Bespoke Ocean Liner (no cruise-ship class)
- Gross Tonnage: ~149,215–151,400 GT
- Length: 345.03 m (1,132 ft)
- Beam: ~41 m (135 ft)
- Draft: ~9.75–10.3 m
- Speed: ~26–30 knots service/top speed
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Passenger Capacity: ~2,695
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Crew: ~1,250
Why she’s iconic: Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner in regular service today. Specifically engineered for transatlantic crossings with a hull built to handle rough seas and maintain impressive speeds between Southampton and New York.
MS Queen Anne — Pinnacle-Class Cruise Ship
- Entered Service: 2024
- Class: Pinnacle Class (based on Holland America design)
- Gross Tonnage: ~113,000 GT
- Length: ~322.5 m (1,058 ft)
- Beam: ~35.6 m
- Draft: ~8.12 m
- Speed: ~22 knots
- Passenger Capacity: ~2,996 (standard) up to ~3,353 maximum
- Crew: ~1,225
- Cabins: ~1,397
What sets her apart: Queen Anne is Cunard’s newest ship, blending the classic Cunard atmosphere with expansive modern design and amenities. She’s the second-largest vessel in the fleet by volume, with one of the highest passenger capacities.
Related: Watch our Queen Anne Ship Highlights Video on YouTube
MS Queen Elizabeth — Vista-Class Elegance
- Entered Service: 2010
- Class: Vista Class
- Gross Tonnage: ~90,901 GT
- Length: ~294 m (965 ft)
- Beam: ~32.3 m
- Speed: ~23.7 knots
- Passenger Capacity: ~2,547 max
- Crew: ~911
Notes: Queen Elizabeth offers a refined experience rooted in Art Deco styling and classic luxury. Her design is closely related to other Vista-class ships in the Carnival family but tailored to a distinctly Cunard ambience.
MS Queen Victoria — Vista-Class Classic
- Entered Service: 2007
- Class: Vista Class
- Gross Tonnage: ~90,049 GT
- Length: ~294 m (964.5 ft)
- Beam: ~32 m
- Speed: ~23.7 knots max
- Passenger Capacity: ~2,074–2,081
- Crew: ~981
Style and soul: Launched just before Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria embodies traditional Cunard elegance with modern comforts and is often deployed on European and world cruises.
Final Thoughts
Cunard’s fleet stands out not just for its stately names and luxurious interiors but for the breadth of experiences it offers; from Queen Mary 2’s storied Atlantic crossings to Queen Anne’s modern cruising versatility. Whether you’re planning a bucket-list world cruise or an elegant getaway, each ship brings its own blend of heritage and contemporary comfort to the high seas. 💙
Cunard Fleet Comparison Table (2026)
| Ship | Class | Entered Service | Gross Tonnage | Length | Speed | Passengers (Max) | Crew | What Makes Her Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Mary 2 | Ocean Liner (unique) | 2004 | ~149,000 GT | 345 m / 1,132 ft | Up to 30 knots | ~2,695 | ~1,250 | The world’s only active ocean liner, built specifically for Transatlantic crossings |
| Queen Anne | Pinnacle Class | 2024 | ~113,000 GT | 322.5 m / 1,058 ft | ~22 knots | ~3,353 | ~1,225 | Cunard’s newest ship, most modern design, largest passenger capacity |
| Queen Elizabeth | Vista Class | 2010 | ~90,900 GT | 294 m / 965 ft | ~23.7 knots | ~2,547 | ~911 | Elegant Art Deco styling, popular for longer and world cruises |
| Queen Victoria | Vista Class | 2007 | ~90,000 GT | 294 m / 964 ft | ~23.7 knots | ~2,080 | ~981 | Traditional Cunard feel, slightly smaller and more intimate |
CUNARD ARTICLES
A First Look at the Princess Grill Suite on Cunard Queen Anne
We’ve just returned from the mainden voyage of the new Cunard Queen Anne Cruise Ship. This is our review of our Princess Grill suite
Cunard Queen Victoria Review
We take a look at the Cunard Queen Victoria as we took a short 4 day cruise to Hamburg. What we liked and what wasnt so good!
10 Reasons To Love Cruising with Cunard
Cruising with Cunard is a Luxury cruise experience oozing Elegance, Style and Britishness. It is very traditional in the way it operates, and this is something we love.
Cunard Queen Victoria Review
We were lucky enough to sail on the magnificent Cunard Queen Victoria cruise ship for the first time in May/June 2015 having previously only experienced a short ship visit in Southampton.
