Cunard Cruise Line

Cunard Line conjures up rich images of culture and tradition, dating from 1840 when this company launched transatlantic sailings on its stately ocean liners. Now, for the first time, the company has three ships offering a range of Cunard cruise holidays. The QE2, probably the world’s most famous passenger ship, is to leave the fleet in November, sailing to Dubai where it will become a floating hotel. The other ships are the Queen Mary 2 and the newest ship, Queen Victoria. To take a Cunard cruise isn’t just a holiday, it’s an experience. The transatlantic crossings on QM2 offer a wealth of tradition, style and service which recapture the golden age of shipping – and give Cunard holidays a unique dimension.

The lines’ three ships may embody Cunard’s reputation for tradition and style, but they are all quite different. The QE2 is the smallest and oldest ship, carrying 1,770 passengers. But it has a strong following among cruisers who are drawn by its iconic status and experience as a troop carrier, royal hostess and historical icon. The 2,620-passenger Queen Mary 2 is the biggest and combines traditional elegance and modern facilities. These include a luxury spa, one of the largest libraries at sea and the first, and only, planetarium afloat. Queen Victoria, which carries 2,014 passengers, is the newest and most luxurious of the three with sumptuous public rooms and facilities with elaborate chandeliers, marbles and woods. But it still exudes a gracious elegance that is enough to turn each Cunard cruise into a trip to remember for anyone who likes a sense of occasion.

Cunard may be famous for its voyages to New York, but Cunard cruises sail across the globe. The QE2 is spending its last season cruising through the Mediterranean, to Scandinavia and across the Atlantic to America while the QM2 continues its programme of transatlantic sailings to and from Southampton to the Big Apple. Queen Victoria’s inaugural summer season takes it around Europe and the Nordic countries before embarking on a world cruise. For anyone thinking of taking a Cunard cruises be prepared to be spoilt. On these ships, dining becomes a grand occasion with a choice of formal and informal restaurants along with tempting treats such as afternoon tea served by white-gloved waiters. And don’t think that Cunard holidays are limited to adults! Children are welcome too with a nursery and teen club on the QE2 and Queen Victoria, while the QM2 has a babies’ nursery, kids’ clubs and a family pool.