Cunard in 2027: The Transatlantic Crossing, Europe and the Northern Lights

The short answer

Choose Cunard for the transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2, the only ocean liner in regular service, and for a traditional style of voyage: afternoon tea, a library, ballroom dancing and Gala Evenings. In 2027 the line also sails the Mediterranean and takes an autumn voyage to Norway's North Cape for the northern lights. For the most space and the most private experience, book a Queens Grill or Princess Grill Suite.

The transatlantic crossing on Queen Mary 2

Southampton to New York takes seven nights, an eight-day voyage with no ports between; a published 2027 departure is July 16. The pleasure is the sea itself: days with no schedule beyond the lectures, the planetarium, the spa and the largest library afloat, and an arrival in New York harbor at dawn. Queen Mary 2 was built as a liner, with a deeper hull and more power than a cruise ship, which is why she handles the North Atlantic so steadily.

The best months are May to September, when the ocean is calmest. A crossing pairs naturally with time in England before sailing; see our United Kingdom guide.

The Mediterranean in summer

• Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia). Eight days from June 11, 2027, through Italy, France and Spain, with Ajaccio in Corsica and Palma de Mallorca.
• Rome (Civitavecchia) to Trieste. Eight days from July 9, 2027, through Malta, Croatia and Montenegro, with Valletta and Diocletian's Palace in Split.

The two can be linked with a few days in Rome between them. See our guides to Spain, Italy and Croatia and Montenegro.

Norway and the northern lights

A 13-day round trip from Southampton departs October 12, 2027, for Norway's North Cape. The itinerary is planned for the aurora: a late evening call in Tromsø and an overnight in Narvik give two long windows of darkness well above the Arctic Circle. No one can promise the lights, but October brings long nights and sea still open for cruising. See our Norway guide and Iceland or Norway for the northern lights.

The Grill Suites

Cunard is a ship within a ship. Guests in Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites have their own restaurants, with a table for the whole voyage, the private Grills Terrace and Grills Lounge, and priority embarkation and disembarkation. Queens Grill adds butler service and the largest suites on board. It is the way to combine the scale and entertainment of a large liner with the service of a small one.

Life on board and the dress code

Days are relaxed: jeans and casual clothes are fine around the ship. After 6 p.m. the main restaurants ask for smart attire, a jacket for men or the equivalent, and on Gala Evenings, usually two or three in a week, black tie or a dark suit and evening dress. Guests who prefer to stay casual have venues set aside for it. Afternoon tea is served daily by white-gloved waiters.

How Cunard compares

Cunard's ships are larger than those of the ultra-luxury lines and its standard fares include less, with drinks and gratuities generally additional; the Grill Suites close much of that gap in space and service. For the all-inclusive small ships, see our comparison of the best luxury cruise lines, and for the seasons, where luxury cruising is best in 2026 and 2027.

What it costs

Cunard fares vary widely between a balcony stateroom and a Queens Grill Suite, so we do not publish a figure: your advisor confirms the fare for your voyage and the Virtuoso privileges that apply to it. Those differ by sailing, so they are confirmed for each booking, not assumed. Forest Travel's planning fee is US$250 per itinerary.

Start the conversation

Tell a Forest Travel advisor whether it is the crossing, the Mediterranean or the aurora that draws you, and they will match the voyage, the suite and the days on land. Request your private consultation →