Cunard Cruises

Cunard’s accommodation is divided by grade, and each grade comes with its own restaurant and service level. This isn’t just about cabin size – it shapes the entire voyage. Britannia guests dine in the Britannia Restaurant; Grills guests have their own exclusive restaurants, lounges, and outdoor terraces. All categories share the same public spaces, entertainment, and itineraries. What differs is the level of personal service and privacy.

The chosen accommodation of most guests who sail on a Cunard cruise. Britannia staterooms range from inside cabins to balcony options, all with Cunard’s signature bedding, 24-hour room service, and daily housekeeping. Dining is in the Britannia Restaurant – a grand two-deck space with open seating for breakfast and lunch, and assigned tables at dinner. A comfortable, well-designed base for exploring the ship.

A step up from standard Britannia, with a dedicated single-seating restaurant offering more flexibility and a quieter atmosphere. Britannia Club balcony staterooms are typically better positioned on the ship. The cabin itself is similar to Britannia Balcony, but the dining upgrade makes a noticeable difference – particularly on longer voyages.

Princess Grill marks the start of Cunard’s Grills experience. Suites are more spacious, with separate seating areas, and guests dine in the Princess Grill restaurant – an intimate venue with à la carte service and no fixed times. Access to the Grills Lounge and Terrace is included. Concierge service, priority embarkation, and sparkling wine on arrival come as standard.

The top tier. Queens Grill suites range from generous one-bedroom layouts to the Grand Duplexes on Queen Mary 2. Butler service is included, along with dining in the Queens Grill restaurant, the most exclusive onboard. Expect in-suite dining from the Queens Grill menu, a complimentary bar setup, and access to the private Grills Terrace. For guests who want the full Cunard experience at its most refined, this is it.

All staterooms and suites include pillow menus, nightly turndown, and 24-hour room service. Britannia and Britannia Club guests can upgrade to Grills dining as a one-off experience on most voyages – worth considering if you’d like a taste without booking a suite. If you’re unsure which grade suits your needs, we can talk through the options.

Dining on Cunard is tied to your accommodation grade. Britannia guests eat in the Britannia Restaurant, Britannia Club in their own dedicated restaurant, and Grills guests in Princess Grill or Queens Grill. Beyond these, there’s a range of speciality restaurants and casual options open to all. Main dining and room service are included; speciality venues carry a supplement.

The main dining room for Britannia and Britannia Club guests – a sweeping two-deck space that sets the tone for the Cunard experience. Breakfast and lunch are open seating; dinner is assigned. Menus rotate nightly, with a mix of British classics and international dishes. On Gala Evenings, the room comes alive – this is where the dress code, the service, and the occasion all come together.

Princess Grill and Queens Grill are exclusive to suite guests. Both offer single-seating dining with flexible times, à la carte menus, and a more intimate atmosphere than the main restaurant. Queens Grill is the more refined of the two, with a wider menu and dedicated butler service extending to in-suite dining. If you’ve booked a Grills suite, this is where you’ll eat every evening.

For guests wanting variety, Cunard offers several speciality restaurants at an additional charge. The Verandah serves steakhouse and seafood dishes in an elegant setting. Other options vary by ship but include Aztec (Mexican), Bamboo (Asian), and La Piazza (Italian). Worth booking for a change of scene, particularly on longer voyages.

The Golden Lion is Cunard’s onboard pub – real ales, pub quizzes, and comfort food including fish and chips. It’s included in the fare and a favourite for guests wanting something relaxed. The Lido buffet (or King’s Court on older ships) covers breakfast, lunch, and casual dinner. The Carinthia Lounge serves lighter bites and excellent coffee throughout the day.

Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room is served daily – finger sandwiches, scones, and white-gloved service in a grand ballroom setting. It’s included and one of Cunard’s signature experiences. Room service is available 24 hours, with an expanded menu for Grills guests. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Cunard’s ships are designed around grand public spaces – the kind you want to spend time in, not just pass through. Art deco styling, double-height ceilings, and ocean views define the experience. Each ship has a slightly different layout, but all share the same DNA: elegant bars, a proper library, a ballroom, and spaces that reward dressing up and making an evening of it.

The Commodore Club is the flagship bar on each ship – panoramic views, classic cocktails, and the best spot for sunset. The Golden Lion serves as the pub. Chart Room offers a quieter pre-dinner drink. Carinthia Lounge works for daytime coffee and light bites. Churchill’s Cigar Lounge is available for those who enjoy a post-dinner cigar and whisky. Each has its own character; regulars develop favourites.

The social heart of the ship. The Queens Room is Cunard’s grand ballroom – home to Afternoon Tea, dance classes, and the Gala Balls that define the line’s formal evenings. Live orchestra music, proper dancing, and an atmosphere you won’t find on other cruise lines. Even if you’re not a dancer, it’s worth visiting for a drink just to take in the scale and elegance of the space.

Cunard takes its libraries seriously – thousands of books, proper armchairs, and a quiet atmosphere. Guest speakers, lecturers, and experts join voyages to deliver talks on everything from history to astronomy. Queen Mary 2 has a full planetarium. Enrichment is woven into the experience rather than bolted on – one of the things that sets Cunard apart from mainstream lines.

Other amenities include art galleries, boutiques with high-end brands, card rooms, and a casino. Pools and whirlpools are found on the open decks, with Queens Grill guests having access to a private terrace area. Each ship also has a full theatre staging West End-style productions nightly. If you’re wondering which ship suits you best, we can talk through the differences.

Cunard’s onboard spa, found on all four ships. Treatments include massage, facials, body wraps, and salon services. The thermal suite offers sauna, steam room, and heated loungers – available as a day pass or voyage-long access. It’s a calm space away from the busier public areas, and worth booking early on sea days when appointments fill quickly.

Each ship has a well-equipped gym with ocean views, plus a programme of fitness classes including yoga, Pilates, and spinning. Outdoor sports courts and deck games add variety. For guests watching their diet, lighter wellness options are available in the main restaurants. The pace is flexible – as active or relaxed as you want it to be.

Daytime entertainment leans toward enrichment. Guest speakers and lecturers join most voyages, covering topics from history and politics to science and the arts. Queen Mary 2 has a planetarium with daily shows. Dance classes in the Queens Room teach everything from waltz to quickstep – useful preparation for the Gala Balls. Deck games, quizzes, and wine tastings fill the rest of the programme. The pace is relaxed; nothing is compulsory.

Evenings on Cunard have a sense of occasion. The Royal Court Theatre stages West End-style productions nightly. Live music runs across multiple venues – jazz in the Chart Room, bands in the Garden Lounge, pianists in the Commodore Club. Gala Evenings are the highlight: black tie, ballroom dancing in the Queens Room, and an atmosphere that rewards making an effort. The Golden Lion offers a more relaxed alternative for guests who prefer a pint and a quiz.

Cunard welcomes families, though the atmosphere is more refined than on mainstream lines. The Play Zone caters for ages 2-7, The Zone for 8-12s, and a dedicated teen lounge keeps older children entertained. Supervised activities run throughout the day on sea days. Family staterooms and connecting cabins are available across the fleet. Multigenerational groups often suit Cunard well – grandparents enjoy the formality while children have their own spaces. Just note: the Gala Evenings and dress code apply to everyone, so pack accordingly.