I’ve taken over 40 cruises but I’d never really fancied Cunard.
With over 300 cruise ships at sea and striking differences between them, I always say that there’s a cruise line for everyone. And honestly, I didn’t think Cunard was for me.
When I think of Cunard I think of butlers wearing white gloves, afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches and time spent doing not much more than crossword puzzles and starting at the ocean.
And while it’s true that you can do all of those things on a Cunard cruise, there’s more to it than that, as I would discover.
Is Cunard stuffy?
As a working-class mum with two young kids, I thought that I was far from the typical Cunard cruiser. I expected to stand out like a sore thumb amidst a sea of grey-haired couples who reside in the Home Counties and speak using the Queen’s English.
Cunard is synonymous with Royalty, with the ships named after famous British Queens. The logo features a crown, a lion and a laurel wreath, signifying the connections to the British Royal Family.
And while yes, there are quite a few guests on board that wouldn’t look out of place at a Buckingham Palace garden party, on this cruise, the clientele were mixed.
As I took a short sailing from Southampton and Hamburg and back (which was a segment of the longer transatlantic voyages that Queen Mary 2 is famous for) there were plenty of Germans and Americans on board too.
While some of the Brits like to don a bow tie for breakfast, the international guests were a little more relaxed. And yes, some were even wearing jeans!
I booked this cruise because I spotted it on sale for £198pp for four nights – a price that was less than half of the going rate. I shared the deal on my Facebook page and with my email list and the remaining places were sold that day.
If you’d like to hear about the best cruise deals I find each week, you can leave your email address here and I’ll send them to you.
You get what you pay for
Cunard and P&O Cruises are both part of the Carnival group and there are many similarities between the two brands.
I love P&O Cruises but, like many, I’ve noticed that what’s included in the fare has become gradually less over the years, with the little extras like a nightly turn-down with chocolates on the pillows no longer part of the service.
Read more: 20 Things That P&O Cruises Used To Offer That They No Longer Do
On Cunard, all the little extras are there for you. Each cabin has a bottle of sparkling wine in the fridge, there’s 24-hour room service at no charge and the crew members seem to be extra friendly and helpful.
Yes, there are some niggles, and there will always be those who like to focus on the things that aren’t perfect rather than those that are. But on the whole, Cunard offers a level of luxury that matches the price point.
Queen Mary 2 is an older ship
The last of the world’s great ocean liners, Queen Mary 2 is iconic. She’s one of the fastest passenger ships in operation, with a maximum speed of 30 knots.
Of course, she’s been fully refurbished many times since her launch in 2024 and some areas of the ship look brand new. However, she is an incredibly quirky ship by design.
I’ve never known a cruise ship that was so difficult to find my way around. The lower decks, in particular, are like a maze, with certain areas only accessible by taking unusual routes that you wouldn’t expect. Without the paper deck plan that Cunard gives to every guest on embarkation, you will most definitely get lost.
The Planetarium and the G32 nightclub are two areas that some cruisers never manage to discover, even on a week-long crossing.
Some unusual features
One of most fascinating things about Queen Mary 2 is that she is the only cruise ship in the world that allows guests to bring their pet dogs and cats onboard. Indeed, the ship has its own kennels where pets can stay for transatlantic crossings.
The prices aren’t cheap, at $800 to $2000 for a dog (depending on the size) and $1600 for a cat. But for anyone relocating across the pond with their pets, it provides a handy way to travel.
Queen Mary 2 is also the only cruise ship to feature a planetarium. With its domed ceiling and fully reclining seats, it’s an attractive feature designed to make you feel as though you’re in space. Unfortunately, the planetarium wasn’t open during my four-night cruise, which was disappointing.
Those with an interest in maritime history will be sure to enjoy the Maritime Quest exhibit which chronicles the history of Cunard with rare artifacts, photos and interactive displays. There’s also an extensive library, one of the largest at sea, with over 8,000 books.
Cunard cruisers are a loyal bunch
Upon arriving at the main dining room, I was offered the option to share a table or sit alone. I always opted to share, as I love to meet new people and learn about their lives. One thing that struck me was that almost every person I dined with had cruised on Queen Mary 2 many, many times already.
Some of these had tried other cruise lines too, but described these as ‘just not Cunard’. It’s clear to me that for many people, Cunard ticks every box, prompting them to return every year.
So, is Cunard for me?
I love all kinds of cruise ships, from 6,000-passenger mega-ships, to yachts and river boats that accommodate just a couple of hundred. I also enjoy all ends of the luxury scale, with an appreciation for £30-per-night bargain breaks to ultra-luxury boutique yacht-style vessels.
My trip on Queen Mary 2 offered just what I needed for my solo trip – a quiet space to work, delicious food that met my dietary needs, an extensive gym and promenade deck for exercise and a super-comfortable bed. And, luckily, lots and lots of warm sunshine!
But, if I were to take a week-long cruise with my family or friends, with an absence of sunshine, I’m sure that we would quickly become bored.
While many people delight in spending days with their head buried in a book and evenings listening to the sounds of a tinkling piano with a glass of the finest whiskey and a cigar, that’s not for me.
I prefer a jam-packed schedule, acrobatic performances, water slides and rock climbing walls.
So, while Queen Mary 2 is a beautiful ship that’s just perfect for many people. She’s not my favourite. And that’s okay.
I made a vlog of my Cunard cruise. You can see that below if you’re interested and subscribe to my YouTube channel to see future videos.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
