Cunard winter & summer season 2028–2030

Where does Cunard sail in 2028–2030?

Cunard’s programme from late 2028 through to the end of 2030 covers some of the most rewarding sea routes in the world — Transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York, voyages through the Mediterranean, fjord sailing along the Norwegian coast, island-hopping through the Canaries, and much more besides. Sailings range from short two-night departures up to 31-night voyages, with a median length of 14 nights, so there is a pace to suit most tastes. Just under half the departures are one-way voyages, which is worth knowing before you book — our team can connect the two ends of a one-way trip with flights and hotels so nothing is left unsorted.

Which regions feature most in this season?

The single biggest draw in this programme is the Transatlantic — the classic crossing between Southampton and New York that Cunard has operated longer than any other line. More departures are devoted to this route than any other. For those drawn to history, architecture and food, the Mediterranean Sea and the western Mediterranean come close behind, with sailings visiting ports including Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Trieste. The British Isles represent the third largest group, ideal if you want to see the coastline of the United Kingdom and Ireland without ever needing a flight from Australia at the far end. Norway rounds out the main choices for those who prefer dramatic scenery, while the Canary Islands offer a gentler alternative — warm, unhurried, and easy to pair with a European stopover. The Caribbean and Africa appear in smaller numbers and give the programme a genuine sense of reach.

Transatlantic crossings

The Transatlantic route is Cunard’s heartland. Sailing between Southampton and New York on a purpose-built ocean liner is a fundamentally different experience from any other kind of cruise — days at sea with no port stop in sight, a rhythm that is all your own, and a sense of occasion that has barely changed in over a century. Queen Mary 2 operates the large majority of these crossings. If you are flying from Australia, we book the flights either side and the hotel the night before departure, so the whole trip runs as one booking. Explore the full range of Cunard world cruise season options if a Transatlantic crossing is part of a longer journey around the globe.

Mediterranean and Canary Islands

Cunard’s Mediterranean itineraries in this period visit ports across the region, with embarkations from Barcelona, Civitavecchia and Trieste — all well connected by international flights from Australia. The Mediterranean in 2028 offers warm seas and a rich mix of history and coastline, whether your preference is for the western basin or the wider Mediterranean Sea. The Canary Islands sailings sit alongside these as a slower, sunnier option — ideal for those who want warmth without the bustle of peak-season European ports.

British Isles and Norway

For a voyage that keeps the ship close to its home waters, the British Isles programme sails from Southampton around the coastlines of the United Kingdom and Ireland. These sailings tend to appeal to travellers who want a genuine ocean liner experience paired with some of the most varied scenery in the North Atlantic. Norway sits alongside as the more dramatic alternative — fjords, open water and long summer light. If the British Isles is a region you want to explore further, see what’s available across all British Isles cruises.

Which ports do these sailings leave from?

The primary embarkation ports across this programme are:

• Southampton, England — the largest departure point by far, and Cunard’s home port. Guests based near the port can board without any flight at all; from Australia it is a short domestic hop to a connecting international service, with no long-haul connection at the far end of the cruise.
• New York, USA — the eastern terminus of many Transatlantic crossings. One-way sailings from New York finish in Southampton, with a return flight easily added to your booking.
• Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy — the gateway port for Rome, used for Mediterranean departures.
• Trieste, Italy — an elegant Adriatic city and the starting point for several eastern Mediterranean voyages.
• Québec City, Canada — used for Canadian Maritimes itineraries, typically in the autumn season.
• Barcelona, Spain — one of the best-connected cities in Europe for international arrivals, used for western Mediterranean sailings.

Every one of these ports is overseas, which means a flight from Australia is part of every booking. CruiseAway can arrange that flight along with any pre-cruise or post-cruise hotels, transfers and tours — all on one booking, one itinerary, one point of contact. See also cruises from Southampton in 2028 and cruises from Barcelona in 2028 for the broader range of lines sailing from those ports.

The ships sailing in 2028–2030

All 4 ships in the Cunard fleet appear in this programme. Each one carries Cunard’s White Star Service as standard, but they differ considerably in size, character and onboard life. Here is what distinguishes them.

Queen Anne

Queen Anne entered service in 2024, making her the newest ship in the Cunard fleet — and the only one that brings Art Deco elegance together with the sensibility of a ship built for today’s traveller. The Carinthia Lounge draws guests in for cocktails and live music before the evening properly begins; the grand Queens Room ballroom is the place for dancing later. The Golden Lion pub serves a menu developed with Michelin-starred chef Michael Roux — proper British pub food, done properly, on the open ocean. If the newest ship matters to you, Queen Anne is the choice. Check Queen Anne cabins and deck plans to see which grade suits you best.

• Britannia Inside cabin IA — 13.7 m², sleeps 2. A personal cabin steward is available 24/7, including daily turndown service.
• Britannia Deluxe Ocean-view cabin EA — 21.9 m², sleeps 2. Significantly more spacious than the standard ocean-view option, with a separate seating area.
• Britannia Club Balcony cabin A1 — 21.9 m², sleeps 2. Includes exclusive access to the Britannia Club Restaurant with a reserved table for a more intimate dining experience.
• Queens Grill Grand Suite Q1 — 133.8 m², sleeps 2. The largest suite category on board — more than twice the size of the Master Suite.

Queen Mary 2

Queen Mary 2 is the world’s last true ocean liner, built specifically for the North Atlantic crossing rather than warm-water cruising. She is the only ship sailing the world’s oceans with a Planetarium on board — lie back under the dome and take in a sky show somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. The Queens Room remains one of the most formally beautiful ballrooms at sea, and White Star Service means that from your first evening on board the standard of attention is immediately clear. For Transatlantic devotees, there is simply no equivalent. See the full range of Queen Mary 2 sailings in 2028, and explore Queen Mary 2 cabins and deck plans before you choose.

• Britannia Inside cabin HB — 14.8 m², sleeps 2. The only inside cabin with a view of QM2’s impressive atrium — brighter and more open than a standard inside cabin.
• Britannia Solo cabin KB — 16.5 m², sleeps 1. Designed exclusively for solo travellers with full Britannia comfort and no single supplement.
• Britannia Balcony cabin BU — 25.0 m², sleeps 2. A sheltered covered loggia rather than an open balcony, so you can sit outside in any weather.
• Queens Grill Grand Duplex Suite Q1 — 208.9 m², sleeps 2. A two-level maisonette suite offering more than 200 m² of private living space — more than twice any other Queens Grill suite on board.

Queen Elizabeth

Step aboard Queen Elizabeth and the Art Deco detailing makes itself known immediately — from the chandeliers overhead to the teak promenade deck underfoot. Cunard’s White Star Service is the thread that runs through every dining room: whether your table is in the Britannia, the Princess Grill or the Queens Grill, the attention to detail is the same. The Royal Court Theatre puts on productions each evening, the Queens Room ballroom fills for dancing, and on a sunny afternoon deck croquet is there if you want it. Review Queen Elizabeth cabins and deck plans to match your grade to your budget.

• Britannia Inside Deluxe cabin GB — 19.2 m², sleeps 2. Around 5 m² larger than the standard inside cabin on the same ship.
• Britannia Ocean-view cabin EB — 18.3 m², sleeps 2. A cabin window brings in natural daylight and sea views that inside cabins cannot offer.
• Britannia Club Balcony cabin A1 — 24.0 m², sleeps 2. A private balcony with sea views, plus access to the more intimate Britannia Club dining experience.
• Queens Grill Grand Suite Q1 — 127.7 m², sleeps 2. An exceptionally large private balcony of approximately 90 m² — significantly more outdoor space than any other Queens Grill suite on the ship.

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is Cunard’s most intimate ship — spacious enough to deliver the full Cunard experience, yet compact enough that the ship never feels overwhelming. Gala evenings here carry real occasion: dress for dinner, take your seat in the Queens Room and the white-gloved Afternoon Tea ritual does the rest. The Royal Court Theatre delivers West End-calibre productions — vocalists, illusionists and aerial performers fill the programme. Browse Queen Victoria cabins and deck plans for the full range of grades.

How do I get to the ship from Australia?

Every sailing in this programme departs from an overseas port, so a flight is always the first step. The good news is that none of these ports require anything more than a straightforward international connection — Southampton, New York, Barcelona, Civitavecchia and the rest are all well served by flights from Australia’s major cities. For a one-way voyage, the ship delivers you to a different city from the one you embarked in, and a domestic or international flight connects the two ends. CruiseAway can book the whole journey — flights, pre-cruise hotel, transfers to the pier, and insurance — as a single DreamAway Package. You arrive, board, and we have handled everything in between.

Prices and how to book

Cunard sailings in this programme start from A$669 pp*. That figure covers the cruise fare; our team can build in flights, hotels and transfers on top through a DreamAway Package, giving you one price, one booking and one number to call if anything needs adjusting. Our cruise experts know these ships well — the cabin grades, the fare inclusions, the dining arrangements — so if you are unsure whether to book a Britannia inside or step up to a balcony, that is exactly the conversation worth having before you pay. All bookings come with CruiseAway’s Best Price Guarantee.

Browse the full range of cruises available or go straight to all Cunard sailings if you want to see the complete programme beyond this date window.

Could earlier or later Cunard sailings suit you better?

If the 2028–2030 window does not quite line up with when you want to travel, Cunard’s schedule extends in both directions. The Cunard winter and summer season 2025–2027 covers earlier departures on many of the same routes, while the Cunard winter and summer season 2027–2029 overlaps with this programme and may give you additional date flexibility. For a broader look at what is sailing in 2028 across all cruise lines, the 2028 cruises page is the best starting point.

If a specific region is what you are planning around, the Mediterranean cruises 2028 page and the Caribbean cruises 2028 page both show what else is on sale in those waters. Fans of the Princess 2027–2028 season may also find routes worth comparing. For summer sailing in general, see summer cruises and winter cruises for the opposite season.

Australian travellers departing from the west coast may also want to look at cruises from Perth and Fremantle as a domestic starting point, and the Princess Cruises Australia 2026–2027 season launch offers an alternative programme for those who prefer to start closer to home. If 2027 dates are more convenient for the Mediterranean, see Mediterranean cruises 2027 as well.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.