Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will mark its 500th transatlantic crossing with a Liverpool departure in 2029, as Cunard unveils 93 new voyages for 2028-29. Bookings open Nov. 4.
The world’s only ocean liner is about to hit a big milestone.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will make its 500th transatlantic crossing at the end of its 2028-29 season, Cunard announced Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The landmark sailing will include a stop in Liverpool, the city where Cunard got its start.
What is the Queen Mary 2 500th crossing?
A 21-night roundtrip voyage from New York. Guests can also board in Hamburg, Southampton or Liverpool, according to Cunard.
The crossing is the finale of a season that runs from October 2028 to May 2029. Cunard hasn’t announced the exact sailing dates yet.
Why is the Liverpool stop a big deal?
It’s a homecoming. This will be the first time since 2015 that guests can start a Cunard transatlantic crossing in Liverpool.
Cunard’s first ship, Britannia, sailed from Liverpool to North America in 1840. Liverpool was the line’s home port for decades.
Paul Ludlow, president of Cunard, called it “one of the most significant moments in Cunard’s modern history.”
How many new Cunard voyages are there?
93. The new voyages visit 104 destinations in 49 countries, including 64 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, according to Cunard.
Ships spend about 12 hours in each port on average, with 18 overnight stays and 18 late-evening departures.
What new cruises is Queen Mary 2 offering?
Besides the 500th crossing, Queen Mary 2 will sail to the Caribbean from Southampton and New York, with an overnight in Bridgetown, Barbados.
It will also offer a 14-night Norway and Northern Lights cruise and a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise during the UK Easter school holidays.
What Caribbean cruises is Cunard adding from Miami?
Queen Elizabeth will sail four 14-night Caribbean cruises from Miami, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve trips. The New Year’s Eve cruise includes fireworks in St. Thomas.
Queen Elizabeth will also make maiden calls at Fort-de-France, Martinique, and Nawiliwili, Hawaii.
Is Cunard doing a world cruise in 2029?
Yes. Queen Elizabeth’s 115-night World Voyage sails roundtrip from Southampton and Miami and visits five continents.
It returns to New Zealand for the first time in four years, with stops in Auckland and Wellington, plus overnights in Cape Town, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney.
What other new Cunard voyages are there?
Queen Anne will sail an 86-night South America Discovery from Southampton, including an overnight in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. Its maiden calls include San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Castries, St. Lucia, and Colon, Panama.
Queen Victoria will sail from Southampton to Scandinavia, the Norwegian fjords, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands. Cunard will also make its first-ever stop in Praia, Cape Verde.
When can you book the new Cunard voyages?
General sale opens Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. GMT, or 9 a.m. ET. Cunard World Club members get early access a day earlier, on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Guests who book by Dec. 30 can save 10 percent on a Cunard Fare or get an Early Saver Fare where offered. Cunard hasn’t released prices.
What makes Queen Mary 2 different from a cruise ship?
Queen Mary 2 is built as an ocean liner, designed to cross the rough North Atlantic on a regular schedule. It entered service in 2004 and is the only ship of its kind still sailing.
Cunard has carried passengers across the Atlantic since 1840. Today its fleet has four ships: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne, which joined in 2024.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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Hat Tips:
Cunard via PR Newswire (Oct. 21, 2026), the 500th crossing, 93 new voyages, maiden calls, booking dates and Paul Ludlow’s quote
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