New to cruising - our guide for first-time cruisers.

Cunard voyages include luxury accommodations, fine dining in the buffet or your stateroom restaurant, a myriad of activities and our famous White Star Service. For more information about inclusions, visit our What's included page.

Items and activities that are not covered by your cruise fare include spa, shore experiences, gratuities, selected dining venues, drinks packages, premium soft and alcoholic drinks, and selected onboard activities.

One of the real pleasures of our ships is the balance between being relaxed and free to dress as you please during the day, and the chance to sparkle in the evenings, whether dressing for dinner or the extra glamour of Gala Evenings.

From 6pm, the style goes up. Every night on board, we ask that you wear formal attire in most of our bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

On our much-loved Gala Evenings, which are the highlight of the voyage for many, we invite you to dress to impress as the celebratory atmosphere and sense of occasion is heightened across the ship. There will be at least one Gala Evening on your voyage. Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues are always available for your enjoyment.

For full details and inspiration, visit our packing guide.

Each member of the Cunard fleet is unique. Although each one offers the same freedom and choice in dining and activities, there are certain features on each that make them stand out in their own way.

Queen Elizabeth, for example, has a special games deck, where you can join in a casual game, sign up for some instruction from our team, or take part in a friendly tournament in bowls, deck tennis or croquet. For those who like to stay active and meet new people over some light competition, Queen Elizabeth would be a good choice.

Queen Mary 2 is our flagship and is larger than her sisters. She has a unique feature in Illuminations, her onboard planetarium. With numerous daily showings, you can sit back and watch the show above you, and learn about the magnificence of space as you sail. Queen Mary 2 is also the only remaining ocean liner at sea, and contains many fascinating displays on board describing periods of nautical history, making her a good choice for those thirsty to learn and discover.

Queen Victoria is a favorite among our guests: similar in size to Queen Elizabeth, her guests benefit from her expanded sun deck and stunning Winter Garden venue. With floor-to-ceiling ocean views and a glass roof, this casual lounge is a perfect place to relax alone or to meet others, by day or by night. If fresh air and casual surroundings are what you seek, consider Queen Victoria for your Cunard voyage.

Cunard is one of the best-known cruise lines around the world, due to its long history of over 180 years. Cunard began in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has since sailed the first Transatlantic Crossing in 1840, and the first World Voyage in 1923, cementing our reputation as pioneers of ocean travel.

Apart from our incredible history (which you can discover with our special article celebrating our 180th year) we at Cunard are proud of several other features that make us unique and a stand-out choice for your next ocean voyage.

Our flagship, Queen Mary 2, is the last remaining ocean liner in service in the world. Her pointed bow and reinforced hull are specially designed to cut through the waves of the open sea, unlike her sisters who have flatter hulls better suited to more sheltered waters. A Transatlantic Crossing on Queen Mary 2 is seen by people all over the world as one of the ultimate travel experiences.

Cunard also has a long-standing relationship with the British Royal Family. Not only are each of our current fleet named after British Queens, but a member of the Royal Family has also been involved in the naming ceremony of each one. Cunard has also welcomed members of the Royal Family on board for special events, and even sailings. You can find out more about these, and other celebrity guests over the years, with our Famous Faces article.

Our signature experiences are also features of a Cunard voyage that have long histories, but show no signs of going out of style. From our daily decadent Afternoon Teas to our glittering Gala Evenings, a Cunard voyage is unique and special in a way that surpasses expectations.

New dimensions are added to Cunard voyages in the form of knowledge and discovery, as our Insights guest speaker program offers glimpses into the worlds of literature, politics, theater and exploration, to name a few. Here we have gone even further to offer special Event Voyages, centered around themes such as fashion, food and music, with additional workshops and concerts for our guests to enjoy.

Overarching all of these is our White Star Service, a high standard which we set ourselves and for which we are famous all around the world.

On a Cunard voyage, guests can enjoy two main dining options: Main (stateroom) dining, and alternative dining.

Main dining.

Every stateroom grade on board has an associated restaurant, all of which offer menus that vary by the day and cater to all tastes. Breakfast, lunch and dinner in your assigned stateroom restaurant are included in your cruise fare.

• Britannia Restaurant - for Britannia Inside, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms. Guests can choose from our standard set early or late dining times, or dine whenever they wish with Open Dining. 
• Britannia Club Restaurant - for Britannia Club staterooms. Guests have an assigned table and can dine whenever they wish each evening.
• Princess Grill Restaurant - for Princess Grill suites.  Guests have an assigned table and can dine whenever they wish each evening.
• Queens Grill Restaurant - for Queens Grill suites.  Guests have an assigned table and can dine whenever they wish each evening.

Some other venues on board serve menus that are also included in the cruise fare, offering a change of scenery at mealtimes. The Golden Lion serves traditional pub fare, whereas Kings Court and the Lido buffets serve a wide variety of ever-changing dishes from the early hours until late at night, often including menus inspired by ports on the current itinerary. If a quiet night in is what you desire, take advantage of our complimentary room service and eat when it suits you in the privacy of your stateroom.

Also included in your fare is Cunard's signature Afternoon Tea: a must-try experience, served in the Queens Room while live music is played in the background.

Alternative dining.

Whether it's for a special occasion or simply just because, our alternative dining venues are available to tempt you. These include Dinner at the Lido or Kings Court - separate from the buffet, these are elevated dining experiences with meals prepared at the table, exquisite presentation and delicious wine pairings from our expert sommelier. Each of our ships also features Steakhouse at the Verandah, a unique dining experience with the finest cuts of beef, seafood and a variety of other delectable options for you to savour - and a unique cocktail menu to accompany it. All of these dining venues are available at additional cost, payable on booking.

For a surcharge, you can elevate your afternoon tea with champagne or, on Queen Mary 2, you can try a special Godiva afternoon tea, featuring mouth-watering delights for true fans of chocolate.

From your waiters and stateroom stewards to the many more people supporting behind the scenes, every Cunard crew member puts their heart and skill into ensuring you experience Cunard's legendary White Star Service.

To ensure crew in these areas are rewarded for the service they provide to you, and to eliminate the need for tipping, a hotel and dining service charge is added to your on board account and every dollar collected goes directly to the crew members. There is no administrative fee. Of course, should you wish to individually reward any other crew member who has made your time on board particularly memorable, please feel free to do so.

Hotel and dining service charge.

Amounts vary by stateroom category as follows:

• Queens and Princess Grill Suites $13.50 per person per night
• Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms $11.50 per person per night

For bar, wine and salon services. 

A 15% charge is automatically added to your on board account for each purchase.

Much like at an airport, luggage goes through several security checks at the cruise terminal before boarding. Pre-printed luggage labels (available on My Cunard 3 weeks before departure, if a stateroom number has been allocated) can be attached to your luggage, so that it is sent to your stateroom ahead of you, saving you the effort of carrying it on board.

On the last night of your voyage, luggage can be left outside your stateroom for collection by the porters. Your luggage will be waiting for you to collect it at the terminal carousel after you disembark the ship.

For voyages that require flights, your luggage will not automatically be transferred between plane and ship. Please collect your luggage as per the usual process and speak to the Cunard representatives on hand if you need assistance.

Unlike flying, cruises have no luggage limitations; if you are close to one of ports and sailing roundtrip you can bring as much as you like (note, each separate bag must weigh under 50lb for health and safety reasons). If you are flying to meet your ship, or flying home after disembarkation, you will have to abide by the luggage restrictions of your chosen airline.

Many people worry that they might get seasick when traveling on a cruise for the first time, however there are several ways to help if this does become a problem once on board.

Pre-booking tips.

If you want to reduce the likelihood of seasickness, choosing a large, modern ship is a good option. Ships with larger tonnage are generally more stable on the water and this makes motion less noticeable once on board. With a gross tonnage of 90,000 for Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, and 150,000 for Queen Mary 2, the Cunard fleet is a good choice.

Where you are on the ship influences seasickness as well. Choose a cabin near the lower and central parts of the ship to have less movement when you sleep. During the day, try to spend lots of time out on deck in the fresh air; this, and the view of the horizon, will help your body to find balance, combatting symptoms.

Another tip is to pick itineraries carefully. Routes that avoid open water, such as the Norwegian fjords or Alaska, or within a sheltered sea, such as the Caribbean or Mediterranean, are likely to be calmer for large sections of your voyage. In the same way, time of year should be considered to avoid annual periods of stormy weather in particular regions.

Preventative treatment.

If you are very concerned about seasickness, we recommend you visit your doctor prior to travel for advice. There are some over-the-counter medications you can take 1-2 days before you set sail that may help, but we strongly advise speaking with your doctor first. Seasickness bands are also available; these bands are worn on the wrists and press into acupressure points to alleviate symptoms.

Onboard treatment.

The medical center and spa on board can help combat the effects of seasickness. Avomine or dramamine tablets are available for purchase on board from the medical center and reception.  Seasickness wristbands are available for purchase from the onboard shop.  However if you require further treatment you can contact the medical center for a consultation to obtain an anti-sickness injection.

Costs for services from the medical center can vary and visits may include a consultation fee.