High seas glamour: what it’s like to cruise the world with Cunard
From chic suites to West End-worthy shows and ritual Afternoon Teas, here’s a taste of what awaits on a Cunard cruise.
By Staff Writers, October 31 2023
Looking up at the distinctive black and red funnel of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, which has navigated Alaska’s Inside Passage and the sapphire Mediterranean, as well as Australia’s own dramatic coastline in 2023, it’s hard not to experience a sense of awe.
That feeling is one that’ll soon be increasingly common down under again, as the luxurious vessel bases herself out of Sydney and Melbourne for her annual summer residency between November 2023 and March 2024.
Queen Elizabeth returns to Australia for her annual summer residency in November. © Cunard
Christened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, the 294-metre-long ship is a part of a proud sailing legacy spanning over 180 years, back to the days when founder Samuel Cunard operated his first transatlantic mail service between Liverpool and Boston via Halifax.
Red and black funnels are a staple across all Cunard Queens. © Cunard
A common thread since that time is the black and red funnel adorning every ship, from those early wooden steamers originally crossing the frigid North Atlantic to the three Queens of glass and steel currently in service: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and, of course, Queen Elizabeth.
Though each ship offers a distinct experience and its own highlights – Queen Elizabeth has a two-storey library beneath a beautiful glass ceiling, for example – all three share the same sense of timeless glamour and design, with contemporary touches.
The two-storey library on board Queen Elizabeth. © Cunard
Soon, they’ll be joined by a fourth monarch, when the hugely-anticipated Queen Anne – hailed as Cunard’s most luxurious ship yet – enters service in May 2024.
Queen Anne will welcome up to 3,000 guests when she sets sail in May 2024. © Cunard
By all accounts, Queen Anne is set to take Cunard in a bold and exciting direction, one where the golden age of cruising has been reinvented (some may say perfected) for the modern era.
But what sets Cunard’s grand dames of the sea apart from rivals? How do the ships differ from one another and what kind of experience awaits curious travellers embarking on a high seas adventure?
Introducing: the height of luxury
Four words sum up the Cunard experience perfectly: the height of luxury. It’s about opulence and refinement from bow to aft, while still remaining accessible and affordable with destinations and itineraries for diverse tastes and budgets.
Queen Victoria’s Grand Lobby is a picture of elegance from top to bottom. © Cunard
Naturally, given the ship’s royal connections, regal splendour runs deep. Picture soaring lobbies and chandeliers dripping in crystal, complimentary daily Afternoon Tea served on delicate plates, not to mention genuinely stunning staterooms and suites.
Varying in size across the fleet, Cunard’s ‘Queens Grill Suites’ are the pinnacle of accommodation options. Each comes with a bottle of Champagne on arrival, pre-dinner canapés and attentive butler service, plus entry to an exclusive Queens Grill restaurant and Grills Terrace enhanced by Cunard’s signature White Star Service (more on this soon).
This Grand Suite is just one of the lavish accommodation options on board Queen Anne. © Cunard
It’s not purely about heritage charm though, there are plenty of 21st century refinements on every Cunard ship, including that all-important WiFi to share your discoveries on the go (though it’s a welcome opportunity for a digital detox!).
With more spaciousness and impeccable service, Cunard’s Queens are designed for those seeking only the very best – with plenty to see, do and discover too.
The Cunard experience
Memorable service is an essential ingredient of every Cunard voyage, whether dining in the Britannia Restaurant, having a pint at the Golden Lion pub or treating your mind and body at Mareel Wellness & Beauty. Simply chatting with the crew leaves an impression.
Cunard dubs this White Star Service, and it’s about thoughtful and refined service, making you feel entirely looked after and completely at ease. You’ll encounter it the moment you cross the gangway, when white-gloved officers and crew welcome and invite you to explore your new floating abode.
Every crew member is trained at Cunard’s own White Star Academy, ensuring consistency across the fleet, so you know exactly what to expect no matter which ship you sail on.
White Star Service puts you at ease the moment you cross the gangway. © Cunard
That opulence continues in the exclusive Queens Grill Restaurant on board Queen Anne. © Cunard
The globe-spanning ports visited are incredibly diverse as well. From local voyages in Australia to the iconic Transatlantic Crossings, to a life-changing World Voyage, there’s something for both new and long-time cruisers, with itineraries from three days to three months.
Here’s a teaser of what else awaits on board each Cunard ship:
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth (not to be mistaken for her predecessor the QE2) is the jewel in the Australian summer cruise season. Her interiors take design cues from the symmetry and style of the Art Deco era, with all the contemporary features guests seek.
A soaring triple-storey Grand Lobby sets the tone for the splendour flowing throughout, and the glamour and indulgence only ramp up across each of the ship’s 12 passenger decks.
Queen Elizabeth’s triple-height lobby harks back to the golden age of cruising. © Cunard
Britannia Restaurant and Steakhouse at The Verandah are two of the 10 dining venues ready to satisfy guests’ taste buds, whether in the mood for fine dining or casual al fresco bites. And with complimentary Afternoon Tea served daily in the Queens Room – why not?
Complimentary daily Afternoon Tea is an experience worth relishing. © Cunard
Settle into a good book from the two-storey library – set under a beautiful glass ceiling; see a show at the 800-seat Royal Court Theatre, an impressive venue spanning three decks of the ship; or embrace the transformational power of the ocean at Mareel Wellness & Beauty equipped with a sauna with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the sea.
Queen Mary 2
As the only true ocean liner in the world regularly crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Queen Mary 2 is much more than your average ship. She’s also Cunard’s flagship and has some rather special features on board.
For starters, there are 24 kennels allowing dogs and cats to cross the Atlantic Ocean in style (on Transatlantic Crossings only). This unique space even features a dedicated owner’s lounge, not to mention ample room for pets to stretch their sea legs.
Four-legged friends also get to travel in style on board Transatlantic Crossings. © Cunard
In addition to the largest library at sea, with some 8,000 hardbacks and no less than 500 paperbacks within its storied walls, Queen Mary 2 also boasts a 3D cinema and planetarium – known as Illuminations. Here you can lose yourself among the stars and rousing classical soundtracks, or enjoy some inspiring films, stunning concerts and recitals.
Illuminations takes guests on an immersive journey through the stars and closer to home. © Cunard
Queen Victoria
London’s West End is known for its spectacular shows and grandiose theatres. That same spirit is alive on Queen Victoria, which was the first Cunard ship to debut West End-style theatre boxes within its Royal Court Theatre. Naturally, the views are rather impressive.
Queen Victoria was the first Cunard ship to debut West End-style theatre boxes. © Cunard
A love and passion for the arts is a theme echoing right throughout the ship, where some 500 displayed art pieces make walking down the hall akin to exploring an art gallery.
Outside, guests can breathe in an ever-changing view from the decks, get active or slow things down in one of two pools, or embrace cruising classics such as croquet, lawn bowls and shuffleboard.
Croquet, lawn bowls and shuffleboard are essential cruise classics. © Cunard
Queen Anne
The debut of a ship is always worthy of celebration. For Cunard, the arrival of Queen Anne is bigger news still, not only as the first new vessel since 2010 but the 249th ship to enter the fleet. That’s a staggering figure, one leaving many cruise lines in its wake.
As you can imagine, a new ship is also a perfect opportunity to elevate the experience, giving long-time cruisers and those dipping their toes into the world ample reasons to step on board.
With this in mind, Queen Anne will host the largest array of dining options on any Cunard ship, including debuts of Japanese restaurant Aji Wa, and the high-end steakhouse Sir Samuels, which is primed to showcase the very best of British and Australian beef and seafood.
The iconic Queens Grill restaurant is also taking things up a notch, with an exclusive menu curated in partnership with two Michelin-star chef Michel Roux, in addition to a refined stable of British pub classics for the Golden Lion.
There will also be a Wellness Studio where you can salute the sun as it slips behind the horizon, the Panorama Pool Club to soak up some rays as you sail from port to port, and an exhilarating new bar and entertainment space known as Bright Lights Society.
Queen Anne’s Panorama Pool Club is destined to be a popular hangout. © Cunard
Australians will get a chance to experience Queen Anne when she makes her way down under in early 2025. Until then, Queen Elizabeth is the finest way to embrace the Cunard way of life close to home with residency every Australian summer, or, if you fancy sailing further afield, you’ll want to check out Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2.
For those looking for truly unique experiences, Cunard runs local event voyages like the Sporting Greats & Wellness Voyage, Great Australian Culinary Voyage and Australian Literature Festival at Sea.
All you need to do is find a cruise that speaks to you and book. The rest – from the food and wine to show-stopping live entertainment – is all curated by the expert Cunard team.
To explore the world with Cunard, visit cunard.com
This article was produced in collaboration with Cunard.