Cunard Ships Comparison: Which is Best for you
Cunard is a UK based cruise line that serves British guests plus multiple international markets such as North America, Australia/New Zealand, Europe & Japan. With a fleet comprising of 4 ships, from medium-sized cruise ships to the worlds larger & only ocean liner Queen Mary 2.
When booking your Cunard voyage with us at Pure Holidays, we always recommend making sure you choose the right ship that suits your needs & we are here to assist you with. Although choosing the right ship is a factor, there will other elements including time of year, duration & the destinations that your cruise holiday will be visiting.
Our guide below is on hand to provide more information for each of ship with Cunard fleet to help with deciding which one is best for you based on your holiday requirements. You can also find more information by visiting dedicated cruise ship page via the links below
The four ships within Cunard fleet are as follows, all of which can be booked online via the website.
You can also view each Cunard ship in the following table from smallest to largest:
| Ship Name | Tonnage (GRT) | Guest Decks | Length (FT) | Capacity | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Mary 2 | 151,400 | 13 | 1,132 | 2,691 | 1,291 |
| Queen Anne | 113,000 | 14 | 1,058 | 2,996 | 1,225 |
| Queen Elizabeth | 90,900 | 12 | 964.5 | 2,081 | 1,005 |
| Queen Victoria | 90,000 | 12 | 964.5 | 2,061 | 981 |
What does Gross Registered Tonnage mean
All cruise ships worldwide are measures in size using the metric of Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), which refers to the internal volume of a ships listed as register tons’, each of which is equal to 100 cubic feet (2.83m3). The best way to compare the size of the Cunard ships is by using the GRT measurement.
How many decks do Cunard ships have
Depending on which of the Cunard ships you will be travelling on, will determine howhow many decks that they will have. On average each Cunard ship has approx. 13 passenger decks available, with Queen Mary 2 having the most at 14 whereas the smallest ships, Queen Elizabeth & Queen Victoria only have 12.
When referring to passenger decks, this means the ones that have guest facilities or rooms/cabins located on them, making them accessible to guests. All ships will have decks that are not accessible or visible to customers, due to being below the water line or are for crew members only as they contain areas such engine rooms, kitchens, crew quarters, laundry rooms etc.
All Cunard ships decks onboard are comprized of a deck number plus corresponding letter & number, which is there to assist guets with navigating your way around the ship, as per the below example from Queen Anne.
What is the maximum number of guests on a Cunard Ship
All cruise lines including Cunard will provide information on the number of guests a ship can carry based on number of lower beds per room i.e a double/twin room as two guests or single rooms as one guest. However, all Cunard ships do ahve the ability to can accommodate up to 4 guests in specific rooms either via upper pullman bunks or sofabeds depending on the room grades – for more information you can see our Understanding Cunard Cabins & Fares Guide.
It is more likely that the maximum operating guest capacity is to be reached during peak seasons such as Summer school holidays or Christmas & New Year periods. Travelling outside of these dates, will ensure less guests onboard.
What is the crew-to-guest ratio onboard Cunad
The guest capacity of the Cunard ship will determine the crew-to-guest ratio onboard. On average, the crew-to-guest ratio onboard Cunard ships work out to be one crew member for every 2.1 guests. Queen Anne has the has the highest ratio with one crew member with one crew member for every 2.4 guests.
Whereas Queen Mary 2 the ratio it's one crew member for every 2 guests, which given the size of the ship & the number of guests onboard means she is very spacious.
Cunard Ships listed by when they were last refurbished or entered service from newest to oldest:
| Ship Name | Year Refurbished or Built |
|---|---|
| Queen Anne | Launched in 2024 |
| Queen Elizabeth | Refurbished March 2025 |
| Queen Victoria | Refurbished May 2025 |
| Queen Mary 2 | Refurbished Late 2023 |
Cunard's current oldest ship in the fleet is Queen Mary 2, which was built in 2003 making approx. 22 years of age. Most cruise lines will try to keep their ships well-maintained to ensure it prolongs the lifespan to approx. 30 to 35 years. As the last true ocean liner in the world, she is a firm favourite with many guests & still have many years of service left.
It is a requirement that all cruise lines ensure that ships undergo a dry-dock refurbishment approx. every five years. This ensure that essential safety equipment, technical maintenance, hulling scraping etc. can be performed. Additionally, guest areas many also receive a refresh with decor, carpets, dining ware etc. Both Queen Elizabeth & Queen Victoria were the latest ships to recieve refits in 2025.
The newest ship in the fleet is Queen Anne, which is also the largest by guests capacity having launched in 2024 following delays due to the COVID pandemic. She predominately spends her time sailing round trip voyages from the UK including a world or grand voyage between Jan to May each year.
Unlike many other cruise lines, the oldest ship in the fleet is Queen Mary 2. Given she was designed to be an ocean liner, she spends the majoirty of her voyages operating the iconic Trans-Atlantic crossing between New York & Southampton.
What Dining Times do Cunard Offer
Across all Cunard ships there are 6 different dining times & experiences available depending on your room grade booked
- Britannia Dining 1st Sitting – Eat at 6.30pm at the same table every night
- Britannia Dining 2nd Sitting – Eat at 8.30pm at the same table every night
- Britannia Open Dining – Arrive any time between 6pm and 9.30pm
- Britannia Club Dining (Club Balcony Rooms Only) - Open anytime between 6pm to 9:30pm, dine at same table
- Princess Grills Suite Dining - Open any time between 6pm to 9:30p, dine at the same table
- Queen Grills Suite Dining - Open any time between 6pm to 9:30p, dine at the same table
All guests that book a standard Britannia room grade will have a available a choice of Britannia 1st, 2nd or Open dining times. Guests can still pre-book dining times using the Cunard App once onboard the ship, should you wish.
Britannia Club Balcony room have their own designated 'Club Dining' venue just for them. This is the same for Princess & Queens Grill Suites, would also have their own designed dining venues just for them. It is worth noting that guests aren't allowed to dine upwards & only downwards i.e. if you are travelling with friends or family in a Queens Grill & your in a Britannia inside room, you can't join them in their restuarant. To eat together, you will need to eat in a Britannia resturant
When making your Cunard booking with us over the phone or online you can request any of the applicable dining times on Cunard Fares only. Should you opt to book the Early Saver or Saver Fares, dining time is assigned to you once onboard by the restaurant team, except for Club Balcony, Queens & Princess Grills Suites as these are on an open dining time.
Can I change my Cunard dining time once booked
Dining time preferences can be change on Select Price Fares either via contacting us or by using your Cunard online up to five days before departure (subject to availability & the room grade booked). This also covers table size or additional requests such as large tables, near entrances, by the window etc., however these are on a request basis only & not guaranteed.
What Cabins/Rooms do Cunard Offer
There are different cabin types available across each of the Cunard ships you decide to book, which will likely include the following. There is also more detailed cabin information in our Understanding Cunard Cabin & Fares Guide.
- Inside Cabins – All Cunard ships. Some have larger inside or designated solo inside rooms.
- Oceanview Cabins – All Cunard Ships. Some have obstructed views or designated solo oceanview rooms
- Britannia Balcony Cabins – Available on all Cunard ships. Some do have obsructed views or in the case of Queen Mary 2, her sheltered balconies have steel fronts.
- Club Britannia – Available on all ships with a slightly enhanced decor & designated evening dining venue
- Princess Grill Suites – The first in the class of Grills Suites with butler service & designated venues
- Queens Grill Suites – The top suites onboard covering all your needs including designated dining/lounge venues plus outside deck space.
Where can I view all Cunard cabins
The website has all the information you need to for available cabins/rooms across each Cunard ships via their dedicated cabin pages. Additionally, room/cabin information is also available when you are booking your Cunard online via the website
- Find out about Queen Anne cabins & rooms
- Find out about Queen Mary 2 cabins & rooms
- Find out about Queen Victoria cabins & rooms
- Find out about Queen Elizabeth cabins & rooms
Do Cunard Offer Drinks or All-Inclusive Packages
For those that do enjoy a more inclusive holiday, you can decide to include a drinks package or Cunard's recently introduced all-inclusive packages comprizing of drinks, Wifi & speciality dining credit. These can be either purchased at a discounted rate via your Cunard personaliser, onboard at any of the bars within the first 48 hrs or you can choose to include the ones of these within your holiday cost at the time of booking.
Sumarizing which Cunard ships is for you.
I am sure you can agree that each of the Cunard ships has something that suits everyone from size to elegant style. Whether you’re travelling to new destinations, experience that traditional elegant cruising holiday or simply looking to enjoy the historical Cunard Queen's experience - there is is something for everyone!
Hopefully you are all prepared & chosen your Cunard ship to book your next holiday with Pure Holidays, your independent award-winning cruise experts. Why not check out our dedicated Cunard cruise deals to find that next adventure made over the phone or online via our user-friendly website.