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Cunard’s transatlantic cruises: everything you need to know

Iglu Cruise

20 Feb 2026 • 14 min read

Cunard’s exceptional transatlantic voyages and why they stand out

Following in the footsteps of countless explorers and innovators, transatlantic cruises from Southampton to New York offer a fascinating cruise adventure unlike any other. Cunard, an iconic cruise line known for its elegant onboard experience and White Star service, is an expert in these voyages, with an illustrious history of sailing this renowned route.

But what actually is a transatlantic cruise, and what can you expect when you embark on one with Cunard?

Kyle Wilson Content Executive

Kyle has over a year's experience creating and improving content for Iglu Cruise, and over five years of experience creating digital content in both travel and entertainment elsewhere. When he's not learning about new cruise destinations and planning his next getaway, he's improving the cruise-related content you see and creating content that helps you plan your next dream holiday.

Well, aside from an unforgettable adventure where you’ll enjoy incredible cuisine, first-rate entertainment, and comfortable accommodation, Cunard’s transatlantic cruises are an unmissable experience that every type of cruiser can enjoy. To learn more about these incredible escapes across the Atlantic Ocean, keep reading.

Contents:

What is a transatlantic cruise?
How long does a transatlantic cruise take?
Cunard’s remarkable history with transatlantic cruises
Which Cunard ships offer transatlantic cruises?
What to expect on Cunard’s transatlantic voyages?
Why should you book a transatlantic voyage with Cunard?
Latest Cunard transatlantic cruise deals
When is the best time of year for a transatlantic cruise?

What is a transatlantic cruise?

Transatlantic cruises are incredible sailings that cross the Atlantic Ocean, visiting destinations in both Europe and North America. Cruises from Southampton to New York are considered the most iconic iteration of this voyage, with Cunard often offering this voyage or vice versa.

However, on occasion, transatlantic cruises can also include cruises from Southampton to Miami, from Barcelona to the Caribbean, and more. The reverse of these transatlantic voyages is also often available, with cruises from New York and Miami crossing the Atlantic Ocean for European shores.

How long does a transatlantic cruise take?

The duration of a transatlantic cruise depends on several factors, mainly how many destinations you visit in Europe or North America before and after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. While some cruise lines offer voyages that visit the Norwegian Fjords and Northern Europe before crossing the Atlantic, and some sail to the Canary Islands before heading towards North America, Cunard’s exceptional transatlantic voyages involve seven nights of sailing from Southampton to New York.

With Iglu Cruise, you’ll have the option of extending your cruise with a hotel stay in New York, or you can keep sailing with Cunard and enjoy the return trip from New York to Southampton. This would double the length of your cruise, giving you even more time to enjoy Cunard’s elevated cruising experience.

Examples of these incredible extended transatlantic cruise experiences include:

If you’re looking forward to a transatlantic crossing, but you’re not sure what to bring with you, check out our helpful packing guide for transatlantic cruises right here.

Cunard’s remarkable history with transatlantic cruises

Cunard, a cruise line synonymous with unforgettable transatlantic crossings, has been offering sailings from Europe to North America and back again for well over 100 years. The first Cunard ship to sail across the Atlantic Ocean was the steam-powered RMS Britannia in 1840. This resounding success saw Cunard accept a British government contract to deliver mail to North America fortnightly. This contract lasted until 1858, but that was far from the end of Cunard’s transatlantic voyages – for business and pleasure.

From that first crossing from Liverpool to Boston in the mid-1800s, Cunard’s expanding fleet of ships was involved in everything from transporting millions of immigrants to the New World and rescuing Titanic survivors to helping in both World Wars and beyond. During all of this, pleasure cruises became a popular option for holidaymakers around the world, with some of the first purpose-built pleasure cruise ships setting sail in the early 1900s.

While increasing in popularity throughout the first half of the century, cruise holidays as we know them today exploded in popularity throughout the 1950s. Thus, the golden age of cruising began, and Cunard quickly cemented itself as one of the best cruise lines in the world, offering transatlantic crossings as holidays.

Over the years, Cunard offered transatlantic voyages on several sensational ocean liners, though Queen Mary 2 is now considered the only ocean liner still in active service. Regularly embarking on transatlantic voyages, this ship was built with a reinforced hull capable of withstanding the roughest Atlantic waves, ensuring every crossing is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Cunard’s voyages throughout the 1950s weren’t just simple holidays; they were unmissable events at sea. In 1950, Cunard hosted an All-American Star Voyage featuring entertainment and guest appearances by Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Walt Disney, and more!

Which Cunard ships offer transatlantic cruises?

Today, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne are the two Cunard ships offering transatlantic voyages in some variety.

You’ll find most of these are available on Queen Mary 2, with crossings from Southampton to New York and vice versa the most popular route. Queen Mary 2 also offers transatlantic voyages departing from other ports in Europe and North America, such as Le Havre and Quebec City. Several transatlantic Queen Mary 2 voyages extend the adventure on offer with visits to ports in Northern Europe, New England, Canada, and more.

Adding to these, Queen Anne offers a smaller selection of transatlantic cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton and vice versa, as well as cruises from Hamburg to Fort Lauderdale.

What to expect on Cunard’s transatlantic voyages?

When you embark on a transatlantic voyage with Cunard, you’re embarking on an ocean-bound journey unlike any other, where your comfort and freedom are paramount to the experience. You’re escaping from reality on an adventure that invites you to indulge in life’s greatest pleasures, embarking on a voyage that whisks you away across the ocean to some of the world’s most iconic destinations. It’s a cruise escape you won’t forget, with one of the most experienced cruise lines operating today.

In terms of accommodation, you’ll have the opportunity to unwind in elegant, well-appointed staterooms and suites when cruising with Cunard. Even the Britannia Inside staterooms boast plush furnishings, premium amenities, and ample room to spread out and relax after an exciting day onboard. Despite being the most affordable staterooms onboard, you’ll still enjoy things like tea and coffee-making facilities, a nightly turndown service, and half a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival in these stylish staterooms.

*Britannia Club Balcony, Britannia Club Oceanview, Britannia Club Sheltered Balcony*

Cunard’s Britannia Oceanview and Britannia Balcony staterooms take this one step further, offering even more room to unwind and appreciate the vast Atlantic Ocean around you, alongside premium amenities and plush furnishings similar to those available in Britannia Inside staterooms. Britannia Club Balcony staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 feature a larger bed and private balcony space, with a variety of perks exclusively available to Britannia Club members.

This includes access to the intimate Britannia Club Restaurant onboard, a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, and complimentary spring water replenished throughout your voyage.

*Penthouse Suite Bedroom, Penthouse Suite Lounge Area, Suite Bathroom*

Cunard’s Grill Suites continue to elevate your experience onboard, presenting you with even more room to relax in refined interiors, with sweeping private balconies boasting breathtaking ocean views and exclusive suite-level perks you won’t want to miss; these include concierge services, access to private areas like the Grill Suites Lounge and Grill Suites Terrace, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and exclusive dining experiences with a reserved table for the duration of your voyage.

You’ll also enjoy even more enhanced in-suite amenities, such as a selection of fresh fruit delivered daily upon request, an elevated Afternoon Tea experience, and a pillow menu to choose from. Those in the expansive Queens Grill Suites also enjoy luxurious amenities like fresh in-suite flowers, daily pre-dinner canapes, a complimentary mini-bar stocked with drinks of your choosing, and so much more.

*Duplex Suite Living Area, Royal Suite Bedroom, Royal Suite Lounge Area*

With such an impressive variety of accommodation options to choose from, Cunard’s transatlantic voyages offer something for every type of traveller and budget; no matter which stateroom or suite you’re staying in onboard, even one of the Britannia Single staterooms available, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy an unforgettable Atlantic Ocean crossing.

Adding to this, the culinary landscape you’ll encounter on Cunard’s transatlantic voyages is exquisite. In the Britannia Restaurant, the main dining room aboard Queen Mary 2, you’ll be invited to indulge in menus combining classic flavours with international cuisines in an elegant dining space. Beyond this, you’ll find elevated evening meals and lunchtime service in Steakhouse on The Verandah, a dining destination serving the finest prime cuts of meat and sensational seafood, alongside Cunard’s exceptional take on British pub classics in The Golden Lion.

*Britannia Restaurant, Queens Grill Restaurant, Britannia Club Restaurant*

Queen Mary 2 also features King's Court, a relaxed dining venue that delivers an impressive variety of international dishes and delights from early morning until late evening. Britannia Club and Grill Suite guests will also have the chance to enjoy a more intimate dining experience in exclusive restaurants onboard, with room service and in-suite dining also available for those looking for a leisurely alternative to dining in one of the restaurants.

Queen Anne, which offers several transatlantic voyages, features a similarly excellent selection of restaurants. Alongside exclusive Britannia Club and Grill Suite venues, you’ll also be able to indulge in a wide range of cuisines in Artisan’s Foodhall, sample sensational sushi in Aji Wa, Indian cuisine in Aranja, and savour sun-soaked Mediterranean flavours in Tramonto.

The entertainment you’ll have the chance to enjoy on Cunard’s transatlantic voyages is, much like the dining experiences available, second-to-none. In the Royal Court Theatre, you’ll find a complete programme of dazzling theatrical performances to enjoy, with three showtimes every evening ensuring everyone has a chance to experience the excellent productions here.

From Broadway-style shows and musical marvels to stand-up comedians and more, there’s something for everyone in the Royal Court Theatre, and more than enough variety to keep a transatlantic voyage exciting throughout.

*Royal Court Theatre, Queens Room, Grills Lounge*

That’s not all, though; several of the bars and lounges onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne also host live music performances each evening, giving you even more options when it comes to the entertainment available during a transatlantic voyage. With everything from string quartets and intimate performances from pianists to fully-fledged jazz bands and more, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to settle in for socialising and sipping delicious drinks.

Discover Cunard’s world of drinks packages here, and learn more about how you can enhance your onboard experience with Cunard’s signature packages, which combine drinks with Wi-Fi and speciality dining credit for one incredible price.

Elsewhere onboard, for those times when you’re not enjoying the entertainment onboard or indulging in some incredible cuisine, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne are home to impressive wellness facilities, bright shopping boutiques for browsing while at sea, and sophisticated social spaces to unwind in – the libraries are, in particular, excellent places to spend some time during the day.

In Mareel Wellness & Beauty, you’ll find a variety of sumptuous spa treatments and therapies inspired by the ocean around you, with everything from soothing massages and rejuvenating facials to refreshing salon sessions and more to enjoy. Both Cunard ships are also home to a meticulously curated Aqua Therapy Centre; here, you can soak in a soothing hydrotherapy pool, relax with a sauna’s dry heat, and so much more. For working up a sweat while at sea, state-of-the-art fitness equipment awaits in the Fitness Centre, with a variety of group fitness classes, yoga sessions, and personal trainer services available throughout your voyage.

*Mareel Wellness & Beauty, Fitness Centre, Pavillion Pool*

On transatlantic voyages, you’ll also find an interesting schedule of daily group activities, engaging classes, and a variety of fascinating talks, lectures, and presentations from Cunard’s signature Insights programme. Considering all of this, on top of the fact that both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne boast multiple swimming pools, each surrounded by sun loungers and ideal for soaking up the sunshine while sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, there really is something for every type of traveller to enjoy during these incredible voyages.

Why should you book a transatlantic voyage with Cunard?

Aside from the fact that Cunard’s transatlantic voyages give you the chance to sail aboard the world’s only active ocean liner, Cunard’s voyages across the Atlantic Ocean boast a luxurious onboard experience at an affordable price, with elevated dining experiences, engaging entertainment, and excellent White Star service from an experienced crew.

Cunard also stands out among cruise lines offering transatlantic crossings due to its rich programme of interactive onboard activities and engaging experiences, as well as its selection of carefully curated Event Voyages. These bring together celebrity guests and exclusive onboard experiences to create truly unforgettable themed voyages.

Cunard’s upcoming Event Voyages include:

Whether you’re looking for a voyage featuring remarkable performances from the likes of Anthony Inglis and the National Symphony Orchestra, or to attend a Literature Festival at Sea curated by the programming team of The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, there’s a lot to look forward to if you want to make your upcoming transatlantic crossing an exceptional, memorable experience.

Did you know that Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only ship in the world with dedicated kennels at sea during transatlantic crossings? With 24 kennels onboard, as well as a dedicated walking route and play area, even your canine companions can enjoy Cunard’s exceptional White Star service.

Latest Cunard transatlantic cruise deals

If you’re ready to embark on your own transatlantic adventure with Cunard, you’ll find the latest transatlantic cruise deals below.

With plenty of dates to choose from and itineraries that couple Cunard’s transatlantic cruises with hotel stays in New York, visits to Niagara Falls, and more, the perfect voyage for you awaits.

When is the best time of year for a transatlantic cruise?

Cunard’s transatlantic voyages can be enjoyed any time of the year; however, you may want to consider the potential weather conditions when booking your upcoming Atlantic Ocean crossing.

Stormy weather is more likely between June and November, with it typically peaking between mid-August and mid-October. So, you’ll want to think about travelling between December and April if you’re worried about this. April and May tend to be the most popular months for transatlantic voyages, as they fall between the colder winter months and the stormy season. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is built to handle a bit of bad weather, though, so you shouldn’t let this put you off embarking on the voyage of a lifetime.

For more on the best time to go on a cruise, if you’re thinking about travelling elsewhere, check out our blog here.

Book your next exceptional transatlantic adventure with Iglu Cruise and Cunard

Transatlantic cruises with Cunard are exceptional experiences, and you’ll find plenty of deals on upcoming sailings with Iglu Cruise. You’ll also find the latest luxury cruise deals, all-inclusive packages, and last-minute offers here if you’re looking for something a little different.