princess cruises and cunard line

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Princess Cruises vs Cunard

Friday, April 26th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Princess Cruises
• Best for retirees
• 16 ships in the fleet
• Sails to destinations worldwide
• Choose between Standard (cruise-only) and Princess Plus (includes drink package, Wi-Fi, and "Crew Appreciation" gratuities) fares

Princess Cruises tends to attract older guests on its sailings to destinations around the world. The 16 ships on this cruise line range from intimately-sized to large, from the petite Pacific Princess to the super-sized Royal Princess. The company offers Standard and Princess Plus fares, with the latter including a drink package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities. Princess Cruises is known for its excellent food and beverage offerings, with a variety of dining options to suit all tastes and preferences. While families with children are certainly welcome on Princess sailings, the onboard activities are definitely geared towards the more "seasoned" guests. However, this cruise line is still a reliable option with many desirable itineraries to choose from.

• Best for British-style luxury sailing worldwide
• Three ships in the fleet (with another debuting in 2024)
• Guests of all ages permitted (not an 18+ cruise line)
• Most dining is included (The Golden Lion gastro-pub is extra)
• Recommended gratuities ($14.50 or $16.50 per person, per night) not included in fare

Cunard is a British luxury cruise line with a rich history dating back to 1840. The company operates three ocean liners (soon to be four), including the flagship Queen Mary 2, which is the only ship in the world to regularly make transatlantic crossings. One of the unique features of Cunard is its formal evenings, where guests are expected to dress up in their finest attire. Although not all-inclusive, Cunard offers a wide range of itineraries for vacationers looking to cruise in exotic locations around the world, including World Voyages lasting up to 100+ nights. Neither ultra-luxury nor on-a-budget cruisers will find Cunard to be a good match, but it's a trustworthy cruise line overall.

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• Disney Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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• Princess Cruises

Cunard vs. Princess comparison

By JF - retired RRT , May 23, 2015 in Princess Cruises

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JF - retired RRT

Let me say first...we have not sailed on Cunard yet. We are booked for January. I thought I would share the differences that I have noticed before I even step foot on the ship;)

We are booked on Pacific Princess full Panama transit east bound in December and Queen Victoria full Panama transit west bound in January.

1) Pricing - comparing the "cheapest" inside - Cunard:$2799 for 14 days = $199/day. Pacific Princess: $2799 for 17 days = $164/day. I also did a comparison for prices on the larger Princess ships. Coral/Island: $1769 for 15 days = $119/day. Princess is a little less $$.

2) Cunard is more formal for dress code. After 6PM you are required to wear the "dress of the day" in all venues except for the buffet. Princess wins on this one.:D

3) When searching for cabins on the Cunard website you can't see the available cabins. You can only see the categories. If you keep clicking until you get to the booking section, you are offered 3 or 4 cabins in your chosen category. Princess wins this one.

4) Cruise Critic board for Cunard is moribund. M&Gs are nowhere to be found in the roll calls I have read. Princess wins this one:D:D

5) Our military OBC carried over to Cunard. Thank you Carnival. No new paperwork to do. It is a tie.

6) Shareholder credit is available and from what I have read is combinable. This one is a tie.

7) Coffee card: Cunard costs $38 and is good for 10 coffees. Period. From what I have read, no "free" brewed. Princess: $33 for 15 coffees plus free brewed. Princess wins here.

8) Specialty restaurants - all I can talk about is pricing, since I haven't sampled Cunard's yet, but interestingly most of them only charge $10. That's nice.:)

I haven't checked prices for alcohol because we don't drink, but from what I have read Cunard stocks higher end booze, so it probably costs more.

Once we sail, I will try to do a review with differences for an actual cruise.:eek:

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It would be refreshing if Princess enforced the dress code. I vote for Cunard on this one. I heard the good was not very good on Cunard [emoji20]

cruisequeen4ever

Both are good cruise lines imo. We actually prefer Princess's food to Cunard's. Cunard had good food, but I think we expected it to be better than what it was.

Cunard Line, for the most part, is all about the 'experience' of ocean liner travel, the history of this legendary company, and the formalities and traditions of an era that really no longer exists in the mass-market cruise industry.

Princess Cruises is mass market, so it's much less concerned about the tradition and formalities of ocean travel and more interested in offering a really nice, upscale 'cruise' experience. But it's still mass-market.

I've only ever sailed in Cunard once - on the Queen Mary 2 - and the experience was wonderful. The ambiance of the ship, the mind-set when walking through the public spaces and up on deck, lent an atmosphere that made me feel like I was in a different world. It didn't 'feel' like a cruise ship. If that makes any sense.

The closest I've felt being with Cunard Line on a Princess Cruises sailing was on Royal Princess, and that's because the same design team that did the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth also did the interiors for Royal Princess (and Regal Princess).

But Princess Cruises will never really be 'Cunard', with all of the staunchness the latter almost 'requires' in its adherence to tradition. And I, for one, am glad of it.

Colo Cruiser

Yes 2 totally different cruise lines. I would say do both you already have them booked. ;)

We have sailed Cunard three times. First on QE2 in her last season, because she was a classic we didn't want to miss. Every day we left port by 6pm was formal. 8 formal nights on a 12 night cruise. Food then was much like Princess, Celebrity. Next cruise was QM2 and she was beautiful, and we really enjoyed the cruise. Two years ago we did a short cruise on QE, and then we felt the food was not very inspiring...But we were one of the few cabins not from the UK. The menu did not have as much variety/choice as previous. We were treated by companions to a meal in the Verandah restaurant, which is ala carte, and will end up costing a lot more then $10pp. It was very French inspired, and we would not have chosen to go there on our own.

An interesting point: Our Cunard World Club member numbers are identical to our Princess Captain's Circle numbers.

On your #2 I give it to Cunard, why have a dress requirement or dress of the day and then ignore it.:confused::confused::confused:

I still give it to Princess. Princess' dress code only applies to the main dining rooms. As mentioned above, Cunard's applies to all venues except the buffet. Not everyone likes to go to the shows in the theater or to dance venues dressed for formal night most of the cruise.

Let me say first...we have not sailed on Cunard yet. We are booked for January. I thought I would share the differences that I have noticed before I even step foot on the ship;) We are booked on Pacific Princess full Panama transit east bound in December and Queen Victoria full Panama transit west bound in January. 1) Pricing - comparing the "cheapest" inside - Cunard:$2799 for 14 days = $199/day. Pacific Princess: $2799 for 17 days = $164/day. I also did a comparison for prices on the larger Princess ships. Coral/Island: $1769 for 15 days = $119/day. Princess is a little less $$. 2) Cunard is more formal for dress code. After 6PM you are required to wear the "dress of the day" in all venues except for the buffet. Princess wins on this one.:D 3) When searching for cabins on the Cunard website you can't see the available cabins. You can only see the categories. If you keep clicking until you get to the booking section, you are offered 3 or 4 cabins in your chosen category. Princess wins this one. 4) Cruise Critic board for Cunard is moribund. M&Gs are nowhere to be found in the roll calls I have read. Princess wins this one:D:D 5) Our military OBC carried over to Cunard. Thank you Carnival. No new paperwork to do. It is a tie. 6) Shareholder credit is available and from what I have read is combinable. This one is a tie. 7) Coffee card: Cunard costs $38 and is good for 10 coffees. Period. From what I have read, no "free" brewed. Princess: $33 for 15 coffees plus free brewed. Princess wins here. 8) Specialty restaurants - all I can talk about is pricing, since I haven't sampled Cunard's yet, but interestingly most of them only charge $10. That's nice.:) I haven't checked prices for alcohol because we don't drink, but from what I have read Cunard stocks higher end booze, so it probably costs more. Once we sail, I will try to do a review with differences for an actual cruise.:eek:

You're comparing apples with oranges, and theorizing, not even worth commenting further.

Have the experience then come back here if you must. I somehow don't think you'll be as comfortable on Cunard from what you have already posted.

Deleting points from a cruiseline because the Cruisecritic page devoted to that line is "moribund" has to be a first.

Cunard is intentionally trying to give its passengers a: "We take you back to a bygone era that no other cruise line even attempt to create anymore" experience. One either buys into that concept or not. And a lot of that comes through in the evening attire. If they didn't adhere to their dress code, then Cunard would not be Cunard. To downgrade the cruise line because the dress code is not a free-for-all is rather silly. It's fine if one chooses not to book on that line because they want a casual cruise. But to give a cruise line a demerit because it fulfills its own promised experience makes little sense. Sort of like downgrading Seabourn because it doesn't have any 952 foot ships.

I personally think it wonderful that there is a Cunard line & they offer a type of cruise for those that want that sort of old time atmosphere. Princess gives what appeals to most typical cruises in that class of cruising which is fine by us from the food to the dress code to the entertainment.

We cruise to relax in our own way & Cunard doesn't sound like the line for us from what we read here, elsewhere and word of mouth.

The great thing about apples and oranges is that sometimes I want one, and other times the other. I loved the QEII and the QM2 for the experience of sailing on a traditional passenger ship, as opposed to a cruise ship which has a completely different ambiance.

I don't watch Downton Abbey, but I felt a little of that lifestyle sailing on those two ships. Formal at night, but not necessarily tuxes. Just nicely dressed people, which is a lovely thing to see.

On our recent Royal Princess cruise, I didn't see any men in the dining room that wasn't at least dressed in a collared shirt with their jeans or slacks. The ladies I could see also dressed in outfits that were appropriate. Princess doesn't enforce dress codes the way Cunard absolutely does, but on our cruise, those I saw adhered to them.

Cunard's food is a little less adventurous, but so is Princesses. On QM2, we ate all our meals in the Queens Grill. That was a never to be repeated most excellent experience. On QEII, it was the middle level of the three classes of restaurants, assigned table, but with a fairly large dining window. A little strange, as one couple could be starting their entree as another would be on their salads.

I think variety is the spice of cruising, and enjoy a mix of cruise lines and ship sizes.

We have been on both the Pacific Princess (12 day Black Sea) and the Queen Victoria (14 day Iceland/Norway). Very different experiences. The Pacific Princess is much smaller, attracts a congenial mix of international folks who love to travel, and formal nights might not be as fancy as in Cunard but people make an effort. Our favorite line is Azamara and one of the things that i noticed last time is that passengers are dressing more casual each year on Azamara, while Princess passengars still have to throw several smart outfits in their luggage for formal nights. We will be on the December Panama Canal cruise you chose -- no roll call yet, which is a surprise.

Regarding the Queen Victoria, it is a gorgeous ship. The theater with its boxes is awesome. Very large cabins -- if you pick a deluxe interior, you'll have a huge squared shaped cabin where you can certainly host a party! Most of the folks in our cruise were from the UK and I don't recall ever feeling so American, such an outsider. Joining the knitting circle helped bridge the social gap, but I had to make an effort. As time has passed, I have come to appreciate the Cunard experience more than I did on board. Btw, the service is tops. Re formal nights, everyone followed the rules, and we did not mind dressing up.

The ten dollar supplement dinners you mention are not at the Veranda, the restaurant where you pay a $25 or more extra to dine. It is in a cordonned off section of the buffet (which I found poor compared to Princess) and you need to make reservations. It is Indian for a couple of nights, then Asian, Brazilian, etc. We went twice and loved it as the food was fresh, more adventurous than in the main dining room, and the personal service superb. The other Cunard thing we loved was the pub. Pub menu at lunch and there is also a pub night.

In sum, these two ships are different in terms of facilities, fellow passengers, and food, but both will be fantastic ways of going through the Canal. Cunard has excellent lecturers, but I expect the Princess will offer a couple of good lectures about the Canal and commentary on the day we cross. See you in December!

I appreciate the additional information (and sans flames;)).

I started a roll call a couple of days ago...come on over.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2211767

DrivesLikeMario

Cunard doesn't enforce their dress policy either. I was shocked at how many people wore really strange looking things to the first formal night. :eek: I was prepared for a really formal cruise and Cunard really let me down in this respect.

I will say that the QM2 is one gorgeous ship though. The cabins are fantastic with a great use of space IMO. The ship is very impressive.

Another disappointment I had with Cunard was the lecturers. I was really looking forward to this part of the TA voyage. I love to learn new things but the lecturers were the talk to the ship - everyone I heard and spoke to was disappointed with their lack of knowledge and some were quite angry with their blatant misinformation on subjects they were supposed to be specializing in. Some of them were quite boring and monotonous. Most of the passengers used this time for nap time. The loud snoring made it difficult to hear the lecturers at times. :cool:

I also didn't like the way they do their buffet. It just seemed disjointed.

Have only Only 2 cruises under the belt. 1 crossing QM2 and Coral Princess repositioning- paid about the same price- QM2 was far and away a better experience for us. Princess not bad by any stretch- but as the voyage WAS the vacation, Cunard wins ( for us, anyway). For example, Noticed smartly uniformed officers always about on QM2- rare on Princess. Many more onboard activities on QM2 . Yes, I know both lines have different business models, so this is not an attack - we found food better- especially Canyon Ranch offerings on QM2

• 1 year later...

Sorry to bump an old topic. How does the spa compare to Princess? Specifically the Thermal Suite?

We have cruised on Cunard 3 times recently... 2 times on the Queen Victoria (a TA and a Mediterranean); Queen Mary 2 a 14 day round trip New York to Quebec City. Of the two Cunard ships, we loved the Queen Victoria...we found the QM2 disappointing ...lay out traffic flow not great, getting on and off took for ever; would go on the Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth sister ship again, but never again the QM2.

My DH orders off menu on both Princess and Cunard so we were satisfied with the food.. Now days, we eat in the Crown Grill most nights on Princess... it is what we prefer in terms of menu choices. We have 24 cruises with Princess.

Cabins on Cunard and Princess similar... we usually book a mini suite.

Entertainment on the Cunard I would give a bit of a plus over Princess..

Service over all I would say is about the same.

Love the lounge on the Queen Victoria over the bow... wish Princess ships had a similar room, they don't.

We like the formal - informal wear attire on Cunard, they have relaxed it a bit based on last experience... did not require a tie every night but men do need to wear a jacket... first trip they only allowed no tie the first and last night.

We dress the same on Princess that we dressed on Cunard... we enjoy dressing for dinner every night and do so.

Do not use spa so can't comment on it. Bingo on Cunard was not worth it no jackpot really.

Princess is the hillbilly cousin from the old colony.

2. I give to Cunard, if you've got a rule/code/suggestion, enforce the darn thing.

4. M&Gs call a tie. In all honesty who cares.

I give Princess a slight nod on cabins.

I'd also give Princess the nod on staff friendliness I'm not sure Cunard crew are allowed to smile.

Host Jazzbeau

Cunard lost me at #2 Dress Code. I'm glad there is a cruise line for people who like formal dress. I'm even more glad there are so many cruise lines that don't expect me to buy a tux or bring my suit.

floridalover5623

Dress Code= a set of rules, usually written and posted, specifying the required manner of dress at a school, office, club, restaurant, etc.

Princess does enforce their "dress code" in every way. If people would take the time to read it you'll find that they give people quite a bit of leeway in their code although there are some that would prefer Princess to change their code to be more strict, this is not the actual case. U nlike Canard t here is no where that it says that formal dress is a strict requirement for formal night anywhere on the ships

As you can see it would have been best to start a new thread as all subsequent posts--including the snark from one of our "hosts"--have been responses to the two year old original question.

With the caveat that I have not seen The Enclave on Royal and Regal Princess, there is no question that the Canyon Ranch Spa in Queen Mary 2 has one of the best Thermal Suites at sea: largest T-pool I have ever seen, multiple saunas and steam rooms, even reflexology basins for your feet. For no more than a spa pass on Princess you get luxurious robes and towels, juices and drinks, and a private attended locker room (no access for those just using the gym).

The Royal Spa on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth have a bit smaller thermal suites, but do have the one item QM2 lacks, that being the heated tile loungers. But the showers and changing rooms are insufficient for the number of users, especially as they open to the corridor and anyone who has been evicted from their cabin bath by their spouse is free to use them.

Let me say first...we have not sailed on Cunard yet. We are booked for January. I thought I would share the differences that I have noticed before I even step foot on the ship;) We are booked on Pacific Princess full Panama transit east bound in December and Queen Victoria full Panama transit west bound in January. 1) Pricing - comparing the "cheapest" inside - Cunard:$2799 for 14 days = $199/day. Pacific Princess: $2799 for 17 days = $164/day. I also did a comparison for prices on the larger Princess ships. Coral/Island: $1769 for 15 days = $119/day. Princess is a little less $$. That sounds logical & accurate. 2) Cunard is more formal for dress code. After 6PM you are required to wear the "dress of the day" in all venues except for the buffet. Princess wins on this one.:D Well, don't expect too much! Yes, there will be more people dressed up, but what some people consider "formal" is up for debate. I was pretty disappointed with the lack of formalness (is that a word?) since I bothered to dress very formally the 4 nights out of my 8 day cruise. 3) When searching for cabins on the Cunard website you can't see the available cabins. You can only see the categories. If you keep clicking until you get to the booking section, you are offered 3 or 4 cabins in your chosen category. Princess wins this one. 4) Cruise Critic board for Cunard is moribund. M&Gs are nowhere to be found in the roll calls I have read. Princess wins this one:D:D This must be new. We had one. 5) Our military OBC carried over to Cunard. Thank you Carnival. No new paperwork to do. It is a tie. 6) Shareholder credit is available and from what I have read is combinable. This one is a tie. 7) Coffee card: Cunard costs $38 and is good for 10 coffees. Period. From what I have read, no "free" brewed. Princess: $33 for 15 coffees plus free brewed. Princess wins here. 8) Specialty restaurants - all I can talk about is pricing, since I haven't sampled Cunard's yet, but interestingly most of them only charge $10. That's nice. Again, don't expect too much. I haven't checked prices for alcohol because we don't drink, but from what I have read Cunard stocks higher end booze, so it probably costs more. Once we sail, I will try to do a review with differences for an actual cruise.

A few notes above in purple. Overall, it's a cheap option to get across the pond or do the itinerary you want. Their ships are incredibly gorgeous! They feel very, very luxurious and are very beautifully appointed. I hope you have better lecturers than I did. Just about everyone I talked with was disappointed with them and some were ever quite angry with the erroneous information they had. Most used the lecture time as nap time, with some snoring so loudly I couldn't hear the lecture! :ship:

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Sun Princess

• Launched February 2024

Princess Cruise just launched its biggest ship, the Sun Princess, with a 4300-passenger capacity. This new ship is designed to be more family-friendly, with the aim of attracting younger cruise-goers. On the top deck, they’ve introduced a hang-gliding ride, the first of its kind on a cruise ship. Additionally, there’s a ropes course, a splash zone, a wider range of restaurants, a high-tech theater, and a glass-covered dome entertainment venue.

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• Launching June 2024

Cunard’s latest addition to its fleet is the Queen Anne, the company’s first new ship in over a decade. This 2794-passenger cruise liner will embark on its maiden voyage in Europe, with sailings in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. The ship’s design is a modern take on the classic “golden age” of cruising, featuring new restaurants and a two-deck Royal Court theater. Check the prices for Cunard cruises .

Utopia of the Seas

• Launching in July 2024

Royal Caribbean is introducing another massive cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, which will soon become the second largest cruise ship worldwide, surpassed only by Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas is an impressive ship, with a passenger capacity of 6,700, a total weight of 237,000 tons, and 2,830 cabins. 

It is part of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships featuring an impressive array of amenities, such as an indoor ice skating rink, a zip line, a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, a water park, a 259 ft Ultimate Abyss waterslide, an aqua theater, and neighborhoods filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. Cruise passengers will be entertained with Broadway-caliber shows.

Utopia of the Seas will sail on short getaway itineraries from Port Canaveral (Orland), offering 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday itineraries to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Check the prices for Royal Caribbean cruises .

Disney Treasure

• Launching December 2024

Disney Treasure, the latest addition to the Disney Cruise Line, will launch in December this year, marking a significant milestone after a decade since the launch of the last Disney cruise ship. The ship has 1256 cabins and suites, each designed with a theme inspired by Disney movies like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Pocahontas. 

Passengers on the cruise are in for a treat, with exciting Broadway-style musicals and the Aqua Mouse, a thrilling Disney water ride. The themed restaurants on board are another highlight, featuring a Marvel-themed restaurant and a Mexican restaurant inspired by the movie Coco. And if that wasn’t enough, the ship also features a new Haunted Mansion-themed bar, resembling a classic ocean liner’s haunted drawing room, serving ghostly cocktails.

• Launching August 2024

Silversea Cruises is preparing to launch its newest ship, the Silver Ray, in the summer of 2024. The Silver Ray is the second Nova Class ship in the Silversea fleet, and it promises to bring ultra-luxury cruising to a new level. With a capacity of 728 passengers, the Silver Ray is a small ship that offers an all-balcony cabin experience, complete with walk-in closets and butler service. 

But that’s not all. The Silver Ray is also an eco-friendly cruise ship, making it the first hybrid, luxury cruise ship to be completely emission-free while in port. It does this by using fuel cells and batteries to power the ship. 

The Silver Ray will begin its maiden voyage season sailing in the Mediterranean, before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, where it will offer South America cruise itineraries. Check the prices for Silversea cruises .

Brilliant Lady

• Launching TBA 2024 

Virgin Voyages, the popular adults-only cruise line, is launching its newest ship, the “Brilliant Lady,” sometime in 2024. The brand new ship will have a capacity of over 2700 passengers and will be an adults-only cruise—perfect for anyone seeking an indulgent cruising experience. 

Explora II is the latest ship of Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s newest addition to its luxury brand. With a capacity of slightly over 900 passengers, it’s a smaller cruise ship that promises a more personalized experience for its guests. 

Passengers on board the ship will be treated to a range of luxurious amenities that include oversized suites, welcome champagne bottles, an exclusive whiskey and cigar bar with rare whiskeys, an expansive spa, and plenty of bespoke experiences. The ship will sail in the Mediterranean, perfect for passengers looking for a luxurious and intimate cruising experience.

Mein Schiff 7

• Launching Summer 2024

Mein Schiff 7 is the latest addition to TUI Cruises’ fleet and is expected to launch in the summer of 2024. TUI Cruises, a German-based cruise line co-owned by Royal Caribbean, has designed Mein Schiff 7 as a mid-size ship with a passenger capacity of 2896. 

The brand new cruise ship has 12 restaurants and bistros, 17 bars and lounges, and cabins for solo travelers. The ship also features a reinvented casino concept that combines a lounge and casino. The ship will sail in the Baltic and British Isles.

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The post 8 New Cruise Ships Launching in 2024 That You Need to Know About appeared first on Suburbs 101 .

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6 top transatlantic cruises for 2024.

Journey across the Atlantic while enjoying all the amenities at sea.

The Top Transatlantic Cruises

Courtesy of Cunard Line

Sailing from New York to England on Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 is just one of many transatlantic offerings in 2024.

Transatlantic cruises are unique when you compare them to traditional cruises most people book for family trips and romantic getaways. These voyages tend to be longer in general, and they have more built-in days at sea and offer a lot more time on board as a result. Repositioning cruises that include a transatlantic crossing tend to attract more retirees and travelers who just want to relax and enjoy their ships' amenities, especially since fewer days in port means fewer excursions and more time doing nothing at all.

That said, the fact that transatlantic cruises can last as few as seven nights means they may fit in your plans more easily than you may think. There are also some benefits to transatlantic crossings that may not be obvious, including lower nightly rates, more onboard credit, and more time to kick back and relax at a floating luxury resort in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

If you're curious which transatlantic cruises are best for 2024, here are six top picks with different cruise lengths, itineraries and unique destinations to explore.

Explore cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Cunard Line

Date: Departs May 5, 2024

Departure port: Brooklyn, New York

Starting price: $2,449 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 7 to 18 nights

In May of 2024, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 vessel will offer three different transatlantic crossings of various lengths. Choose from a seven-night sailing from Brooklyn, New York , to Southampton, England; a nine-night sailing to Hamburg, Germany ; and an 18-night round-trip sailing that departs from Brooklyn and crosses the Atlantic twice on the way back to its starting point. This unique combination of itineraries lets you cross the sea and tailor your trip to how long you want to be away from home.

The 18-night itinerary is especially interesting, since it lets you depart from the United States and arrive back in Brooklyn in the end with stops in both England and Germany, as well as plenty of sea days in between. Luxury cruise line Cunard is known for its elegant design, lush amenities and upscale feel, and the Queen Mary 2 is one of the line's most luxurious ships. Highlights on this exclusive vessel include the Royal Court Theatre, a casino, gala evenings, an onboard spa and a vast library. The Queen Mary 2 holds up to 2,691 guests with 1,173 crew to cater to your every need.

Seabourn Cruise Line

Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line

Date: Departs March 24, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Starting price: $5,949 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 21 nights

Seabourn is offering a 21-night transatlantic cruise from Miami on Seabourn Quest in March 2024 that offers a diverse range of ports of call before ending its voyage in Las Palmas in Spain's Canary Islands . Departure from Miami is followed by nine days at sea. Then, you'll enjoy multiple stops in the Canary Islands – including Santa Cruz de La Palma and San Sebastián de La Gomera – as well as stops in Praia and Mindelo the Cape Verde archipelago.

This journey with Seabourn makes it possible for travelers to see some of the most beautiful and remote tropical islands in the world. The Canary Islands are known for their white sand beaches , volcanoes and lush greenery; similar landscapes can also be found in Cape Verde's coastal towns and villages. Seabourn Quest, a smaller ocean vessel, accommodates just 229 guests.

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Date: Departs Nov. 8, 2024

Departure port: Southampton, England

Starting price: $769 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 16 nights

The MSC Virtuosa from MSC Cruises is repositioning from Europe to the Caribbean in November 2024, which gives travelers the chance to enjoy a lengthy transatlantic crossing with plenty of unique ports. This sailing departs from England with eight sea days plus stops in France, the Azores of Portugal, St. Maarten , Antigua and Barbuda, and Martinique . The ship ends its journey in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

The MSC Virtuosa is a larger cruise vessel that boasts an impressive grand promenade with a LED dome ceiling, dedicated clubs for children and teens, an onboard spa, a lavish casino and the luxurious MSC Yacht Club section of the ship. This vessel holds a maximum of 6,334 passengers at once.

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Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Date: Departs July 5, 2024

Departure port: New York City (Manhattan or Brooklyn)

Starting price: $4,098 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 31 nights

Princess Cruises also offers its share of transatlantic sailings on various vessels. Its 31-night crossing from New York to Barcelona, Spain , on Island Princess in July 2024 is jam-packed with exciting destinations to explore. This lengthy transatlantic voyage has only 13 sea days with planned stops in Canada's Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, England, Spain, Portugal and Morocco before the journey ends in Barcelona.

This intriguing sailing experience with Princess takes passengers to eight different countries in the span of a month. Island Princess is a nice ship for a long sailing because of its smaller size, with just 2,200 passengers and 900 crew. But the ship is also large enough to have a huge selection of included and specialty dining options, a Vegas-style casino, a sports court, a large central atrium for gathering, and several pools and hot tubs to enjoy.

Celebrity Cruises

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Date: Departs April 11, 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Starting price: $760 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 12 nights

Celebrity Cruises is offering a 12-night sailing on Celebrity Equinox in April 2024 that starts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and ends in Lisbon, Portugal – making it possible for travelers to enjoy eight relaxing days at sea. What's interesting about this sailing is its stops along the way, which include the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda; Porta Delgada in Portugal's Azores archipelago; and Porto in mainland Portugal.

The Celebrity Equinox accommodates a maximum of just 2,852 passengers at once, so this Celebrity vessel is a solid choice for travelers who want just the right size ship instead of a smaller vessel or a megaship. There are also plenty of onboard features to keep you happy and entertained as you float across the Atlantic Ocean, including The Casino, The Lawn Club with outdoor games like bocce ball and croquet, The Martini Bar, the adults-only Solarium and more.

Royal Caribbean International

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Dates: Departs Oct. 24, 2024

Departure port: Barcelona, Spain

Starting price: $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees)

Cruise length: 14 nights

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is hosting a transatlantic voyage in October 2024 that departs from Barcelona, Spain, and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This vessel will make stops in Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, Cartagena and Málaga in Spain, then spend eight days at sea. After that, enjoy a day in Nassau in the Bahamas before the cruise drops passengers off in sunny Florida.

Interior staterooms on this Royal Caribbean sailing start at just $876 per person (plus port taxes and fees), which works out to around $60 per night, per person. The Oasis of the Seas megaship can hold a total of 6,771 guests and 2,109 crew, so it's an enormous vessel – to put it mildly. This size may not be ideal for travelers who want a more intimate cruising experience, but it's perfect for cruisers who want plenty of space to spread out and endless activities to take part in. Oasis of the Seas boasts 20 different restaurants and cafes, 11 bars and lounges, a variety of pools and whirlpools, a rock climbing wall, the AquaTheater diving and entertainment venue, mini-golf, a casino and plenty more.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Solo Cruises (With No Supplement Fare)
• Sustainable Cruises: The Top Lines Making Progress
• Bucket List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
• The Best Cruise Insurance Plans
• Cruise Packing List: Essentials Chosen by Experts

Tags: Travel , Cruises

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