Cunard Cruise Line Guide 2026: Fleet, Dress Code, Ports, and Who It's For, Vientapps

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 with verified cabin dimensions below.

Ship	Class	Year	Gross tons	Length	Passengers
Queen Mary 2	Queen	2004	149,215	1,132 ft	2,691 / 3,090 max
Queen Anne	Queen	2024	113,000	968 ft	2,996 / 3,353 max
Queen Elizabeth	Queen	2010	90,400	964 ft	2,092 / 2,508 max
Queen Victoria	Queen	2007	90,000	964 ft	2,014 / 2,408 max

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	162-194 sq ft	162-249 sq ft	228-472 sq ft	335-2249 sq ft
Queen Anne	149-186 sq ft	149-186 sq ft	228-463 sq ft	335-1493 sq ft
Queen Elizabeth	152-243 sq ft	152-243 sq ft	222-472 sq ft	335-1493 sq ft
Queen Victoria	152-243 sq ft	152-180 sq ft	222-470 sq ft	335-1100 sq ft

For a full breakdown by subcategory with balcony square footage and max occupancy, see the Cunard cabin size checker.

Cunard dress code

Cunard uses Smart Attire as the baseline for most evenings: smart trousers or chinos with a collared shirt for men, and equivalent for women. Gala Evenings call for black tie, dinner jacket, or dark lounge suit for men, and evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or dressy separates for women. The King's Court buffet remains open for guests who prefer a casual option on Gala Evenings.

Formal night frequency

Cunard designates Gala Evenings by sailing length: voyages of 3 nights or more include at least one Gala Evening; 7-night sailings typically include one; 14-night sailings include two or three. Gala Evenings follow themed formats including Black and White, Red and Gold, Masquerade, and Roaring 20s. Exact dates are published in the My Cunard calendar before sailing.

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 baggage allowance

Cunard does not impose a total weight limit or piece count, but each individual item of luggage must not exceed 23 kg (approximately 50 lb). There is no limit on the number of bags as long as each stays under 23 kg. All luggage is scanned at the cruise terminal before loading, and overweight items will require repacking at check-in. Cunard-issued luggage labels must be attached to each checked bag before arriving at the terminal.

Official policy: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cunard-stories/luggage-guide

Cunard US homeports

Major US ports where Cunard sails from. Click through for terminal overviews, nearest airports, and typical itineraries.

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.

Cruise packing list Cunard cabin sizes Compare to another line

Cunard head-to-head comparisons

Frequently asked questions

How many ships does Cunard have?

Cunard operates a fleet of 4 ships across 1 class: Queen. We track 4 of these ships with verified cabin dimensions in our database.

What is Cunard's biggest ship?

Queen Mary 2 is Cunard's largest ship at 149,215 gross tons, carrying up to 3,090 passengers. It is a Queen-class ship launched in 2004.

What ship classes does Cunard operate?

Cunard operates ships across the following classes: Queen. Flagship: Queen Mary 2.

How big are Cunard cabins?

On Cunard, interior cabins start at 149 sq ft and the largest suites reach 2,249 sq ft. Exact dimensions vary by ship class and stateroom subcategory. Use our cabin size checker for a ship-by-ship breakdown.

Does Cunard have formal nights?

Yes. Cunard designates Gala Evenings by sailing length: voyages of 3 nights or more include at least one Gala Evening; 7-night sailings typically include one; 14-night sailings include two or three. Gala Evenings follow themed formats including Black and White, Red and Gold, Masquerade, and Roaring 20s. Exact dates are published in the My Cunard calendar before sailing.

What is Cunard baggage allowance?

Cunard does not impose a total weight limit or piece count, but each individual item of luggage must not exceed 23 kg (approximately 50 lb). There is no limit on the number of bags as long as each stays under 23 kg. All luggage is scanned at the cruise terminal before loading, and overweight items will require repacking at check-in. Cunard-issued luggage labels must be attached to each checked bag before arriving at the terminal.

Who owns Cunard?

Cunard is part of Carnival Corporation & plc, headquartered in Southampton, United Kingdom.

What US ports does Cunard sail from?

Cunard sails from US homeports including PortMiami, San Francisco Cruise Terminal. Each port page on this site links back to the cruise lines that operate from it.

What kind of traveler is Cunard best for?