Huge, Historic, Iconic: Cunard Reveals Brand New 2028/2029 Voyages

Posted on 21st Oct, 2026


  • Historic Transatlantic Milestones: Be part of maritime history as Queen Mary 2 embarks on her landmark 500th Transatlantic Crossing, featuring special embarkations in Hamburg, Southampton, and Liverpool.

  • Rio Carnival & South American Wonders: Set sail on Queen Anne's epic 86-night South America Discovery voyage departing in January 2029, complete with an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro for the world-famous Carnival.

  • No-Fly Northern Lights & Majestic Fjords: Chase the Aurora Borealis aboard Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, or escape for Easter on Queen Victoria's no-fly Norwegian Fjords cruise directly from Southampton.


If your idea of the ultimate escape involves the timeless romance of cruising, world-class onboard service and waking up to spectacular new horizons, get ready to be inspired!

Cunard has officially unveiled its magnificent programme of new voyages sailing from October 2028 through to May 2029. Spanning 93 brand-new itineraries, 104 unique destinations across 49 countries, and 7 maiden port calls, this spectacular collection across the cruise line's iconic four Queens delivers everything from quintessential transatlantic heritage to once-in-a-lifetime grand circumnavigations.

Cunard fleet

Here is your inside look at the top cruises included as part of this expansive collection, and learn why booking early with Cruise.co.uk is the smartest way to secure your stateroom on these wildly sought-after 2028 and 2029 cruises.

1. Queen Mary 2: Historic 500th Transatlantic Crossing & Arctic Wonders

The world’s only true ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, continues to redefine legendary ocean travel with a set of cruises that blends iconic transatlantic crossings, sun-soaked Caribbean escapes, and winter wonderland adventures.

Queen Mary 2 exterior (front view)

The Landmark 500th Transatlantic Crossing (4th May 2029)

The undisputed crown jewel of Queen Mary 2’s season departs on 4th May 2029, marking her momentous 500th Transatlantic Crossing. Celebrating nearly two centuries of transatlantic heritage, this historic voyage will offer embarkation options in Hamburg, Southampton, and a rare call in Cunard's spiritual home of Liverpool.

Expect an electric atmosphere on board, enriched with special Cunard Insights speakers, gala evenings, fine dining, and champagne toasts as she crosses the Atlantic in supreme style.

Chasing the Northern Lights into the Arctic Circle (16th February 2029)

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For those dreaming of seeing the Aurora Borealis, Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on 16th February 2029 for 14 nights on an enchanting winter voyage to Tromso, Trondheim, Alesund, Bergen, Stavanger, and Kristiansand.

This sailing features an extended overnight stay in Tromsø, allowing guests to explore snow-draped fjords, experience dog-sledging, and witness the Arctic skies illuminated by one of Earth's most spectacular celestial events.

In addition to her northern explorations, Queen Mary 2 will also offer:

  • Caribbean Island-Hopping: Long, leisurely winter sun itineraries sailing round-trip from both Southampton and New York, featuring overnights in Barbados and St Maarten.

  • Easter Western Mediterranean: A 14-night springtime cruise from Southampton to Spain and Italy, tailored for the UK Easter school holidays.

The Terrace Pool looking out to sea on board Queen Mary 2

2. Queen Anne: Rio Carnival & South American Discovery

Cunard's newest ship, Queen Anne, is setting her sights on shimmering coasts and rhythmic culture of South America with a flagship grand voyage that is already turning heads.

The South America Discovery Voyage (Departs 9th January 2029)

Queen Anne at sea

Departing Southampton on 9th January 2029, Queen Anne embarks on an 86-night South America Discovery voyage (also available as a 90-night round-trip from Hamburg).

The standout highlight of this voyage arrives when Queen Anne docks in Rio de Janeiro for an overnight stay during the world-famous Rio Carnival. Guests will have front-row access to the dazzling parades, energetic samba beats, and the electric street parties that make Carnival a true bucket-list spectacle.

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Queen Anne’s South American odyssey also includes:

  • Overnight Port Stays: Experience inspiring destinations like Montevideo (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Valparaíso for Santiago (Chile), and Callao for Lima (Peru) during overnight port stays.

  • Glacier Cruising: Breathtaking scenic passages along the sparkling Amalia Glacier.

  • Four Maiden Port Calls: Maiden fleet visits to San Juan (Puerto Rico), St Thomas (US Virgin Islands), Castries (St Lucia), and Colón (Panama).

Queen Anne's will return to Southampton on 9th April 2029 before undergoing a refit and joining sister brand P&O Cruises' fleet in May 2029.

3. Queen Victoria: Effortless No-Fly Escapes from Southampton

For holidaymakers who prefer to skip airport queues and start their holiday the moment they arrive at Southampton, Queen Victoria is dedicated to delivering premium no-fly convenience across Europe and Scandinavia.

Cunard Queen Victoria Exterior

Norwegian Fjords Easter School Holiday Escape (8th April 2029)

Setting sail directly from Southampton on 8th April 2029, Queen Victoria’s 7-night Norwegian Fjords voyage is tailored to fit the Easter holiday break. Guests can visit incredible destinations, including Alesund, Skjolden, and enjoy scenic cruising through Lustrafjorden and Sognefjord.

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Other highlights of Queen Victoria’s no-fly programme include:

  • Winter Scandinavia with Overnights: Brand-new 7- and 14-night winter departures visiting the historic capitals of Oslo and Copenhagen, featuring overnight port stays to discover cosy cafes, Nordic architecture, and evening culture.

  • Atlantic Islands & Canary Island Sun: Canary Islands escapes across Madeira, Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria, complete with late-evening port stays.

4. Queen Elizabeth: Caribbean Escapes & a 118-Night World Voyage

Fresh from a scheduled dry dock in October 2028, Queen Elizabeth begins her season with warm-weather Caribbean cruises before setting sail on an epic grand circumnavigation.

Queen Elizabeth at sea

Festive Caribbean Fly-Cruises from Miami

Queen Elizabeth will sail a series of 14-night Caribbean voyages round-trip from Miami, including festive holiday departures celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas in the sun, and a New Year’s Eve voyage featuring midnight fireworks over St Thomas.

The 115-Night Eastern Circumnavigation World Voyage

On 23rd January 2029, Queen Elizabeth departs Southampton on an epic 115-night Eastern Circumnavigation World Voyage.

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Key features of this global cruise journey include:

  • Australasia Immersion: Extended exploration across Australia and New Zealand, with calls in Fremantle, Melbourne, and Sydney (featuring an overnight stay), alongside Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton.

  • Exotic Maiden Calls: Visits to Praia in Cape Verde (a brand-new maiden call for the entire Cunard fleet), Fort-de-France in Martinique, and Nawiliwili in Hawaii.

  • Iconic Global Stops: Overnight stays in world capitals including Cape Town, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

5. Early Booking Perks & Privileges

A couple standing by the railing on a Cunard cruise ship

With milestone crossings and once-in-a-lifetime voyages due to be in high demand, securing your preferred cabin on these extraordinary voyages early is essential. Here is why booking early through Cruise.co.uk makes all the difference:

  • Up To 16% Early Booking Savings: Enjoy early booking savings of 10%, plus up to 6% off from us on select departures when you book by 30th December 2026.

  • First Choice of Suites & Staterooms: Prestigious Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites, as well as prime midship balconies, frequently sell out within hours of launch. Our dedicated cruise consultants will pre-register your preferences so you don’t miss out.

  • Award-Winning Expertise: Our cruise experts know the Cunard fleet inside and out, ensuring you choose the best deck, preferred dining sitting, and shore excursions for your personal travel style.

Key On-Sale Dates to Mark in Your Diary

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To make sure you secure your preferred voyage and stateroom the moment doors open, keep these launch dates handy:

  • Tuesday 3rd November 2026 (from 2pm): Priority booking opens exclusively for Cunard World Club members.

  • Wednesday 4th November 2026 (from 2pm): Bookings open on General Sale to all guests.

Whether you want to witness Queen Mary 2's historic 500th crossing, dance the night away at the Rio Carnival aboard Queen Anne, or wake up to the quiet grandeur of the Norwegian Fjords, this new 2028/29 collection promises to be one of Cunard’s most celebrated releases to date.

Author: Jessica Brookes

Role: Website content editor

Ready to set sail? Pre-book your 2028/2028 Cunard cruise here...