Cunard Cruises

Cunard is the closest thing left to the old ocean-liner experience, and Queen Mary 2's transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York are the reason many people book it at all. A westbound crossing is seven nights with no ports in between, and the days fill with white-glove afternoon tea, the Insights guest-speaker program and ballroom dancing in the Queens Room - and QM2 is the only ship that carries dogs and cats on the crossing, in 24 kennels with their own walking deck. The other three Queens sail more conventional port itineraries.

The ships keep a class structure through dining. Most guests eat in the Britannia restaurant; Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites come with their own restaurants and lounges, and the price climbs steeply with each step. On top of the fare, a daily hotel and dining service charge is added per guest - higher in the Grill suites - along with a percentage on bar, wine and spa bills. Published figures for the daily charge disagreed across sources checked for this page in 2026, so confirm it when you book.

Most evenings call for smart attire, and every voyage has one or two Gala Evenings, often themed (Black and White, Red and Gold, Roaring 20s, Masquerade), when tuxedos and evening gowns are the norm rather than the exception. Children are welcome: the Play Zone takes ages 2 to 7, the Kids' Zone 8 to 12, and a Night Nursery covers babies and toddlers up to 2 in the evenings.

Against Holland America and Princess, Cunard is more formal and more British in tone. Travelers who would rather skip the dress-up nights entirely will be happier elsewhere; those who enjoy them, or want to arrive in New York or Southampton by sea, have no real alternative.

Sources: cunard.com, cunard.com, cunard.com, cunard.com, cruisemummy.co.uk