For nearly 185 years, Cunard has epitomized the pinnacle of luxury ocean travel, setting the gold standard for sophisticated cruising that attracts discerning travelers from around the world.
With a fleet of four magnificent Queens: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and the newest Queen Anne, Cunard offers an unparalleled blend of traditional British elegance and modern luxury amenities.
Unlike contemporary cruise lines that focus on entertainment and activities, Cunard maintains the timeless traditions of classic ocean liner travel while incorporating cutting-edge amenities and services. The result is a cruise experience that appeals to luxury travelers who appreciate refined atmospheres, exceptional service, and cultural enrichment over flashy attractions and crowded venues.
The Grills Experience: Ultimate Luxury at Sea
The crown jewel of Cunard's luxury offerings is the exclusive Grills Experience, available to guests staying in Queens Grill or Princess Grill suites. This elevated level of service creates a ship-within-a-ship concept, providing access to exclusive areas, personalized service, and premium amenities that rival the world's finest luxury resorts.
Queens Grill guests enjoy the ultimate luxury experience with suites ranging from 484 to an impressive 2,249 square feet, each featuring dedicated butler service throughout the voyage. Princess Grill guests experience similar luxury with slightly smaller suites but equally attentive service from dedicated suite stewards. Both categories provide access to exclusive dining venues, private lounges, and personalized concierge services that ensure every need is anticipated and met.
The Grills experience extends beyond accommodation to encompass every aspect of the voyage, from priority embarkation and disembarkation to exclusive shore excursion access and private tender service in ports where required.
Grills Suite Amenities
Dedicated Butler Service: Queens Grill guests enjoy personal butlers who handle unpacking, arrange fresh flowers, organize private receptions, and provide evening turndown with pre-dinner canapés delivered daily
- Exclusive Restaurant Access: Reserved tables at Queens Grill or Princess Grill restaurants featuring bespoke menus designed by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux, with flexible dining times and personalized service.
- Private Club Areas: Exclusive access to Grills Lounge and Terrace on all ships, plus special Grills Courtyard on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth for intimate gatherings.
- Premium Inclusions: Complimentary mini-bar stocked with full-size spirits and wines of choice, champagne and chocolates on arrival, fresh fruit delivery, and daily fresh flowers.
- Concierge Services: Dedicated Grills concierge for restaurant reservations, shore excursions, and special requests, plus priority embarkation and tender service.
Spacious Accommodations Built for Comfort
Cunard staterooms are among the most spacious at sea, offering significantly more square footage than comparable cruise lines. Even the most basic Britannia Inside staterooms provide generous living space with thoughtful design elements that maximize comfort and functionality.
The attention to detail in Cunard accommodations reflects the line's commitment to luxury travel. From premium Penhaligon toiletries and pillow concierge menus to twice-daily steward service and evening turndown, every element is designed to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere that rivals five-star hotels.
Suite categories offer exceptional value for luxury travelers, with Queens Grill Suites providing some of the largest living spaces available at sea. The Grand Duplex Suites on Queen Mary 2 span two levels with separate living and sleeping areas, creating apartment-style accommodations that redefine luxury cruising.
Accommodation Highlights
Britannia Staterooms: Elegantly appointed interiors with king-size beds convertible to twins, marble bathrooms, premium amenities, and twice-daily steward service with evening chocolate placement
- Queens Grill Suites: Spacious suites up to 2,249 square feet featuring separate living areas, private balconies, walk-in wardrobes, and personalized stationery for the ultimate luxury experience.
- Grand Duplex Accommodations: Two-level suites exclusive to Queen Mary 2 with spiral staircases, separate bedrooms, and expansive living spaces creating the most exclusive accommodation at sea.
- Modern Technology: In-room entertainment systems, satellite television, complimentary Wi-Fi access, and climate control systems ensuring comfort throughout the voyage.
- Solo Traveler Options: Specially designed single staterooms with full amenities, eliminating single supplements while maintaining privacy and comfort for independent travelers.
Culinary Excellence and Traditional Afternoon Tea
Cunard's culinary program reflects the line's commitment to excellence, featuring multiple included dining venues that rival the finest land-based restaurants. The signature afternoon tea service, served daily at 3:30 PM in the elegant Queens Room, represents one of cruising's most refined traditions with white-gloved waiters presenting tiered stands of finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
The main dining experience varies by accommodation category, with Britannia guests enjoying grand dining rooms featuring set-time seating and formal service, while Grills guests dine in intimate restaurants with reserved tables and flexible timing. All dining venues feature menus that change regularly, incorporating fresh ingredients and regional specialties from ports of call.
Specialty dining options complement the included venues, with restaurants like The Verandah steakhouse and Queen Anne's Aji Wa offering unique culinary experiences that showcase international cuisines prepared by expert chefs.
Dining Experiences
Traditional Afternoon Tea: Daily service in the Queens Room with white-gloved waiters presenting classic three-tiered stands featuring finger sandwiches, fresh scones with clotted cream, and delicate pastries.
- Multiple Main Dining Rooms: Four distinct venues per ship offering different atmospheres and signature dishes, all featuring sommelier service and destination-inspired seasonal menus.
- Exclusive Grills Dining: Queens and Princess Grill restaurants provide intimate settings with reserved tables, flexible dining times, and menus designed by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.
- Specialty Restaurant Options: The Verandah steakhouse across multiple ships and unique venues like Queen Anne's Japanese-inspired Aji Wa restaurant offering elevated alternative dining experiences.
- Comprehensive Room Service: 24-hour menu including complimentary breakfast in bed service, allowing guests to dine privately in their accommodations with full restaurant-quality meals.
Enrichment and Entertainment for Discerning Travelers
Cunard's entertainment philosophy emphasizes cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation alongside traditional cruise entertainment. The renowned Cunard Insights program brings distinguished speakers aboard each voyage, including historians, politicians, authors, scientists, and industry leaders who present lectures and participate in discussions with guests.
Queen Mary 2's unique Illuminations theater serves as both planetarium and lecture hall, offering educational programs about astronomy, space exploration, and celestial navigation. The 30-minute planetarium shows like "Stars Over the Atlantic" provide fascinating insights into navigation and space science while guests relax in comfortable seating beneath the dome-shaped screen.
Evening entertainment maintains the sophisticated atmosphere with productions in grand theaters, ballroom dancing in the largest ballroom at sea, and live music in elegant lounges. The entertainment program appeals to guests who appreciate quality over quantity, with performances and activities designed to complement rather than overwhelm the refined cruise experience.
Cultural Programming
- Cunard Insights Program: Daily lectures by renowned experts including historians, political figures, acclaimed authors, scientists, and industry leaders covering diverse topics from current events to specialized subjects.
- Planetarium Experience: Exclusive to Queen Mary 2, featuring educational shows like "Stars Over the Atlantic" and "Tour of the Night Sky" with professional narration and stunning visual presentations.
- Event Voyages: Special themed cruises featuring literature festivals, wine expertise programs, culinary workshops, and performances by distinguished guests from entertainment and academic fields.
- Royal Court Theatre: Traditional theatrical productions including musicals, comedy shows, opera performances, and West End-style entertainment in elegant venues with excellent sightlines.
- Educational Partnerships: Oxford Discovery Program on transatlantic crossings offering university-level courses on topics including British and American culture, music, and history.
Dress Code and Traditional Elegance
Cunard maintains the most traditional dress code in the cruise industry, reflecting the line's commitment to elegance and the golden age of ocean travel. The dress standards enhance the sophisticated atmosphere while allowing guests to experience the glamour of formal sea travel that has largely disappeared from modern cruising.
Daytime attire follows smart casual guidelines, with shorts and casual wear appropriate for deck activities and informal dining venues. After 6 PM, the atmosphere transforms as guests don elegant attire for dinner and evening entertainment, creating an ambiance reminiscent of luxury hotels and fine restaurants.
Gala Evenings represent the pinnacle of Cunard's formal tradition, with themed celebrations that encourage guests to embrace the full glamour of luxury travel. These special nights often feature themes like "Roaring Twenties" or "Black & White Ball," adding excitement and creativity to the formal dress experience.
Dress Code Guidelines
- Daytime Smart Casual: Comfortable clothing appropriate for deck activities and informal dining, with restrictions on shorts and sleeveless tops in main dining venues after 6 PM.
- Evening Smart Attire: Cocktail dresses, elegant separates, dress shirts with trousers, and jacket combinations creating sophisticated yet comfortable evening wear for most nights.
- Gala Evening Formality: Tuxedos, dinner jackets, evening gowns, and formal national dress encouraged for special celebration nights featuring themed decorations and enhanced service.
- Themed Celebrations: Creative dress themes including Roaring Twenties, Red and Gold, and seasonal celebrations allowing guests to participate in elegant costume elements.
- Afternoon Tea Tradition: Optional dress-up opportunity for the quintessential British experience, with many guests choosing tea dresses and smart casual attire to enhance the occasion.
Exclusive Destinations and Itineraries
Cunard's itinerary portfolio reflects the line's position as the luxury choice for discerning travelers, featuring exclusive destinations, extended port stays, and unique routing unavailable on mainstream cruise lines. The regular transatlantic cruises aboard Queen Mary 2 represent the only scheduled ocean liner service remaining in the world, offering seven-night voyages between Southampton and New York.
World voyages on all four Queens provide comprehensive global exploration with extended stays in exotic destinations, overnight visits to major cities, and unique cultural immersion opportunities. These extended voyages often feature maiden calls at new ports and exclusive access to destinations that larger ships cannot reach.
The line's commitment to destination immersion includes overnight stays in over 25 cities, allowing guests to experience local nightlife, dine at renowned restaurants, and explore cultural attractions after day visitors have departed. This approach appeals to luxury travelers who prefer depth over breadth in their destination experiences.
White Star Service: Legendary Hospitality
Cunard's White Star Service represents the pinnacle of maritime hospitality, with crew members trained to anticipate guest needs and provide personalized attention throughout the voyage. The service philosophy emphasizes discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail that creates a seamless luxury experience.
High crew-to-guest ratios ensure that service remains personal and responsive, with dedicated staff members assigned to specific areas and guest categories. Grills guests enjoy even more personalized service with butlers and concierges who learn individual preferences and provide customized experiences throughout the voyage.
The British hospitality tradition permeates every aspect of service, from the formal afternoon tea service to the evening turndown ritual. Crew members take pride in maintaining Cunard's reputation for excellence, creating an atmosphere where guests feel valued and pampered throughout their journey.
What Sets Cunard Apart from Other Luxury Lines
Cunard's unique position in the luxury cruise market stems from its authentic heritage as the world's only remaining ocean liner service combined with genuine British traditions and modern luxury amenities. Unlike newer luxury lines that create artificial elegance, Cunard's sophistication emerges from nearly two centuries of refinement and tradition.
The Grills class system creates true luxury hierarchy rarely found in modern cruising, providing exclusive experiences that justify premium pricing through tangible benefits and personalized service. This approach appeals to luxury travelers who appreciate exclusivity and are willing to pay for genuinely elevated experiences.
Queen Mary 2's status as the world's only true ocean liner adds historical significance and engineering marvel to the luxury experience. The ship's design for ocean crossing rather than coastal cruising creates stability, speed, and grandeur that cannot be replicated by conventional cruise ships.
The line's commitment to cultural enrichment and intellectual stimulation attracts educated, well-traveled guests who seek more than entertainment and relaxation from their cruise experience. This guest demographic creates a sophisticated social atmosphere that enhances the overall luxury experience.
Ready to Experience True Maritime Luxury?
Cunard Cruises represent the ultimate choice for luxury travelers who appreciate authentic elegance, exceptional service, and cultural sophistication. From the exclusive Grills Experience with butler service and private dining to the world-renowned entertainment and enrichment programs, every aspect of a Cunard voyage is designed to exceed the expectations of the most discerning travelers. Whether seeking the adventure of a transatlantic crossing aboard the legendary Queen Mary 2 or the cultural immersion of a world voyage, Cunard delivers an unparalleled level of luxury that has attracted royalty, celebrities, and sophisticated travelers for nearly two centuries.
