Cunard Cruise Line Guide
Fleet, flagship, dress code, US homeports, and who Cunard fits best for 2026. Facts are cited to the line's own website, with unverified fields flagged rather than guessed.
Quick answer
- Category: Luxury
- Fleet size: 4 ships
- Flagship: Queen Mary 2 (149,215 GT)
- Ship classes: Queen
- Parent company: Carnival Corporation & plc
- Formal nights: Yes
- Baggage limit: 50 lb per bag
Cunard fleet and ship classes
Cunard operates a fleet of 4 ships across 1 class: Queen. The current flagship is Queen Mary 2. We track 4 ships below, 1 of them with cabin dimensions we could confirm.
| Ship | Class | Year | Gross tons | Length | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Mary 2 | Queen | 2004 | 149,215 | 1,132 ft | 2,691 |
| Queen Anne | Queen | 2024 | 113,000 | 1,058 ft | 2,956 |
| Queen Elizabeth | Queen | 2010 | 90,400 | 964 ft | 2,081 |
| Queen Victoria | Queen | 2007 | 90,000 | 964 ft | 2,079 |
Cunard cabin sizes by category
Interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite square footage across Cunard ships we track. Ranges reflect the smallest and largest stateroom in each category across the fleet.
| Ship | Interior | Oceanview | Balcony | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Mary 2 | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Queen Anne | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Queen Elizabeth | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Queen Victoria | Not published | Not published | Not published | up to 1,555 sq ft |
For a full breakdown by subcategory with balcony square footage and max occupancy, see the Cunard cabin size checker.
Cunard dress code
Most evenings call for smart attire, such as a cocktail dress, a dress shirt with trousers, or a stylish skirt and top. Formalwear is not required every night. On Gala Evenings guests are invited to dress up in tuxedos, evening gowns, or whatever makes them feel their best. Swimwear is not permitted in indoor dining areas.
Formal night frequency
On voyages of three nights or more, at least one Gala Evening has an elevated dress code and is entirely optional. Gala Evenings are often themed, including Black and White, Red and Gold, Roaring 20s, and Masquerade Ball. Themes are posted in advance in the calendar on My Cunard.
Full Cunard dress code guide with packing tips →
Confirm current policy at https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack.
Cunard alcohol policy
Cunard allows one bottle of wine or champagne per person, no larger than 750 ml. A corkage fee applies if you drink it in a restaurant or bar.
- Corkage fee
- $25 per bottle
- Drink package
- Offered
- Drinking age
- 21
Full Cunard alcohol policy: corkage, packages, drinking age →
Cunard gratuities
Cunard adds a daily Hotel Charge to each guest's onboard account, set by accommodation grade: $18 per person per day for Britannia and Britannia Club, and $19 for Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites. A separate 18% service charge is added to each bar or restaurant beverage purchase and to spa and salon purchases.
- Daily gratuity
- $18 per guest per day
- Bar service charge
- 18%
Full Cunard gratuities: daily rates, prepaid, and how to adjust →
Cunard smoking policy
Smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor areas, which are clearly posted, plus Churchill's Cigar Lounge, which is reserved for cigar and pipe smokers. Churchill's is the only indoor exception; all other indoor areas are non-smoking.
- Cabins & balconies
- No smoking
- Casino
- Non-smoking
- Cabin fine
- $250
Full Cunard smoking policy: where you can smoke, casino, and fines →
Cunard baggage allowance
Cunard does not restrict the amount of luggage guests bring, beyond asking that each case stay below 23 kg (about 50 lb) for health and safety reasons. Individual items over 23 kg are not permitted on board and guests may be asked to repack. All luggage is scanned at the cruise terminal before it is loaded onto the ship. Guests attach a Cunard-issued luggage label, printed from My Cunard, to each piece they want to check in.
Full Cunard baggage rules: bag limits, weight in lb and kg, and carry-on tips →
Official policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cunard-stories/luggage-guide
Cunard Wi-Fi
Cunard offers an Essential Internet plan and a Premium Internet plan, available by the day or for the entire voyage. A plan can be shared across several devices, but only one device can be connected at a time. Guests who want multiple devices online at once need to buy additional plans.
- Essential Internet plan
- Not published
- Premium Internet plan
- Not published
- Free Wi-Fi
- Limited free access
- Starlink
- Onboard
- Devices per plan
- 1 device
Cunard's My Voyage onboard planner is free to use on any compatible smart device by joining the ship's Wi-Fi, with no internet plan required.
Cunard's Wi-Fi is powered by Starlink, and speeds depend on satellite reception. A plan for the entire voyage can be bought in My Cunard up to four days before sailing and saves 10% compared with on board prices.
Official policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/staying-connected
Cunard homeports
The main US ports where Cunard sails from come first, then the other ports our port guide lists for the line. Click through for terminal overviews, nearest airports, and typical itineraries.
Main US homeports
Also in our port guide
Who Cunard is best for
Travelers who value heritage, tradition, and a more formal onboard atmosphere than any other major cruise line offers. Cunard's four Queens attract Anglophiles, transatlantic devotees, and world-cruise travelers who appreciate White Star service, afternoon tea in the Queens Room, and Gala Evenings with themed dress. Queen Mary 2 is the only purpose-built ocean liner still in regular transatlantic service between Southampton and New York.
Standout features
- Queen Mary 2 is the world's only purpose-built ocean liner operating a regular transatlantic schedule between Southampton and New York
- Cunard's Gala Evenings are themed (Black and White, Red and Gold, Masquerade, Roaring 20s) with full ballroom dancing in the Queens Room
- Founded in 1840, Cunard is the oldest major cruise line still in operation with an unbroken 185-year history
- Cunard operates one of the most extensive world cruise programs, with full circumnavigations of 100+ nights departing each January from Southampton
Pack for your Cunard sailing
Build a cruise-specific packing list with formal-night guidance, port-day gear, and the magnetic hooks veterans swear by.
Cunard head-to-head comparisons
- Cunard vs Carnival 2026Compare →
- Cunard vs Celebrity 2026Compare →
- Cunard vs Disney Cruise Line 2026Compare →
- Cunard vs MSC Cruises 2026Compare →
- Cunard vs Norwegian 2026: Black Tie Gala or No Dress Code at All?Compare →
- Cunard vs Princess 2026Compare →
- Cunard vs Royal Caribbean 2026Compare →
- Holland America vs Cunard 2026Compare →
- Viking vs Cunard 2026: All-Inclusive Calm or Formal Grandeur?Compare →
- Virgin Voyages vs Cunard 2026Compare →
Frequently asked questions
How many ships does Cunard have?
What is Cunard's biggest ship?
What ship classes does Cunard operate?
How big are Cunard cabins?
Does Cunard have formal nights?
What is Cunard baggage allowance?
Who owns Cunard?
What US ports does Cunard sail from?
What kind of traveler is Cunard best for?
Does Cunard have Wi-Fi?
How much is Wi-Fi on Cunard?
Can you stream on Cunard Wi-Fi?
Does Cunard use Starlink?
Compare other cruise lines
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/about-cunard/company-information
- Fleet: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cruise-ships
- Luggage guide: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cunard-stories/luggage-guide
- Dress code: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack
- Alcohol policy: https://my.cunard.com/en-us/mycruise/articles/useful-information
- Gratuities policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/service-charges
- Smoking policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/advice-and-policies/passage-contract
- Embarkation ports: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/us-departures/cruises-from-miami
- Baggage policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cunard-stories/luggage-guide
- Wifi policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/staying-connected
Verified Oct 2026. Cruise lines change fleets, dress codes, homeports, and baggage policies without notice. Always confirm directly with Cunard before booking or sailing.
If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.