The age of elegance lives on aboard Cunard’s three ships, with white-gloved afternoon teas, grand staircases, and formal nights in fine restaurants. Flagship Queen Mary 2 offers talks, lectures, a planetarium, and even kennels for passengers’ cats and dogs as it crosses the Atlantic between Southampton and New York. The fleet is due to be joined by the fourth ship – Queen Anne – in 2024.

Cunard offers a charming blend of old-world elegance and contemporary touches.

While you are not going to find any water parks or roller coasters on board Cunard’s fleet, there is still plenty to keep you entertained at sea, from classic games such as paddle tennis, shuffleboard and croquet, to dance lessons, movie screenings, cooking demos and lectures.

Discovery is the cornerstone of every Cunard Cruise and many rewarding experiences happen right onboard. All Cunard cruises feature a broad range of enrichment programs designed to broaden guests horizons and gain new insights. Some of the programs include Cunard Insights, the Cunard Book Club, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Royal Astronomical Society, Julliard School Jazz Series, and the Special Relationship focusing on diplomatic, political, historical, and cultural ties between the United States and the United Kingdom.

The traditional restaurants on Cunard allow guest to benefit from the personal service gained from having the same wait staff each evening. The three main restaurants are assigned according to the stateroom category that is booked. Cunard also offers specialty restaurants on each ship. Todd English on Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 features innovative Mediterranean cuisine from the world famous celebrity Chef Todd English. The Veranda on the Queen Elizabeth provides a formal dining experience with contemporary French cuisine. Casual dining venues are also offered on all Cunard ships.

From the moment you get on board you are warmly greeted by a white gloved staff. Cunard’s renowned White Star Service exemplifies the attentive and refined hospitality that has been delivering elegant and memorable service since Cunard first set. This outstanding service will exceed your every expectation and defines the Cunard experience.

The Queen Elizabeth – Cunard’s 148th ship – is a model of 21st century cruise ship design which flaunts her aristocratic pedigree with pride. Launched by Her Majesty The Queen in a stirring ceremony in Southampton in 2010, it wasn’t long before this 2,081-passenger ship was stealing the hearts of cruisers who like a more traditional take on cruising. Aboard Queen Elizabeth, glamour is enjoying a renaissance.

Guests get their first appreciation of the vessel’s timeless Art Deco design as they enter the Grand Lobby which rises through three decks. This majestic focal hub is dominated by an 18 foot 6 inch-high marquetry panel created by Viscount David Linley which depicts the original R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth.

True to her Cunard lineage, Queen Elizabeth offers a range of accommodation from the ample to the opulent. In 2015 Queen Elizabeth underwent an extreme makeover which saw more than 3,000 mattresses replaced and the installation of 1,200 flat-screen televisions, not to mention new carpets and soft furnishings giving all accommodation a smarter, more harmonious look. What differentiates them are the draperies, bolsters, accent pillows and upholstery.

Possibly the most iconic space on-board is the Queens Room. Inspired by the Royal Gardens at Hampton Court Palace as well as Balmoral Castle, this two-deck high room is akin to a grand ballroom in a large country house. This room comes into its own during Captain’s receptions: grand black-tie evenings when the Big Band sounds prove popular with the ballroom brigade – a scene that is fast disappearing from many mass-market ships.

When it comes to West End-style revues, the Royal Cunard Singers & Dancers can be enjoyed from the privileged vantage point of one of 16 private boxes in the Royal Court Theatre where tiered seating ensures great views. The 

Commodore Club has a perspective over the ship’s bow, while the nautical atmosphere is enhanced by large murals of former Cunarders. Another watering hole of choice is the Golden Lion Pub which buzzes from morning ‘til night with trivia and music quizzes, karaoke and live sports on the plasma screens. 

If you are wanting pure relaxation, the Royal Spa offers all the usual therapies and treatments to enhance a more relaxed time on-board. In the Royal Bath House, there is a Hydrotherapy Pool and Thermal Suite with therapeutic sauna and steam grotto. As well as a comprehensive gym, there are fitness sessions including yoga and pilates, as well as more energetic ‘Funk Aerobics’ and spinning classes. On deck there is the Lido pool and Pavilion pool as well as whirlpools.

Written by Dan Essex, Century Travel