Cunard began offering regular transatlantic crossings way back in 1840. Although its modern fleet numbers just four ships (three plus the new Queen Anne launching in May 2024), far fewer than in the glory days of sea travel, this celebrated line remains the right choice for anyone looking for a traditional cruise experience.
Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, is the largest ocean liner ever built to ply the Atlantic and she sails regular crossings between New York (out of Brooklyn's Red Hook terminal) and either Southampton, England (a couple hours outside of London) or Hamburg, Germany.
So what makes QM2 as she is affectionately known, an ocean liner rather than a regular cruise ship? Extra strengthening and a sleek hull design allow the vessel to handle rough seas more nimbly than any other ship at sea right now, which is not a small thing — especially during blustery winter months.
The cruise line’s two smaller Vista-class ships, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, offer wide-ranging global itineraries with more frequent port calls in destinations ranging from Alaska to South Africa.