The world’s most iconic cruise line is about to get bigger. Cunard Line, founded in 1839 by Samuel Cunard, is adding a fourth cruise ship to their fleet.
The history of Cunard is fascinating in itself with its ships as famous as some of those who traveled on them. From humble beginnings carrying mail across the Atlantic to building passenger liners that carried passengers on that same route, Cunard’s ships have long been a part of maritime history.
When one thinks of transatlantic cruising, the first thing that comes to mind is the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), the world’s most famous ocean liner and member of the Cunard fleet from 1969 until her retirement in 2008. The beloved lady is the longest serving Cunarder in the company’s history.
In 2004, Carnival Corporation, the line’s current owner, breathed new life into the line by launching the largest ocean liner ever built since the QE2 – the Queen Mary 2. When launched, the massive QM2 was the longest and largest passenger ship ever built. Today she hangs on to the title of “largest ocean liner ever built.”
At a cost of $900M, the new flagship of Cunard Line brought back the glitz and glamour of travel by reigniting transatlantic passenger service between Southampton and New York City along with other voyages including around-the-world-cruises.
Queen Victoria joined the fleet in 2007, right before the QE2 was sold to a Dubai entity where she remains moored in port to this day. In 2010, Cunard reused the Queen Elizabeth name by launching their third ship. The three Queens have been sailing the waters with their distinctive black hull and red and black funnel that has been a symbol of the company from the beginning.
Today, Carnival Corporation announced that they signed an order for a fourth ship, yet to be named, that will be built by Fincantieri in Italy. This fourth ship will be a cruise ship like the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. QM2 remains the only ocean liner in the fleet.
Image courtesy of Cunard (PRNewsfoto/Carnival Corporation & plc)
While specific details haven’t been announced, Carnival has said the new ship will weigh in at 113,000 GT and will hold 3,000 passengers – the largest by passenger capacity in the fleet. When the new ship touches water, it will be the first time the line had four ships in service at the same time since 1998. It will also be the 249th ship to fly the Cunard flag since the company’s founding in 1839.
Bonus Content: See photos of the Queen Mary 2 from the several cruises I’ve taken on her.