If you've never been on Cunard Line, you may be wondering what its claim to fame is. Here are five areas where the premium company is particularly unique compared to other cruise lines.
Heritage
Just last year Cunard impressively celebrated its 175th anniversary of operations, dating back to the days of vintage ocean liners like the famed Mauretania and original Queen Mary, now permanently moored in Long Beach, California. Unlike any other, the company has a fascinating history that even includes the White Star Line and model for its White Star service to this day. Its transatlantic nature gives it a very unique blend of American and English character as well.
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Formality
Following such storied heritage is an admiration for the past that embraces a formal dress code, usually never allowing for anything less than dresses or separates for ladies and a jacket for gentlemen in the evenings. The overall effect is that of traveling back in time and imagining oneself aboard Cunard's historic liners with everyone dressed in their best. Of course, should you desire to be more casual, there are a few alternative venues onboard that permit it.
Enrichment
A hallmark feature of the line is its Cunard Insights program wherein high profile writers, actors, filmmakers, politicians, explorers, scientists, historians and more take to the stage to share their disciplines and perspectives with guests during interesting lecture series. The program occasionally extends to musicians and live performances by the likes of Herbie Hancock, Gregory Porter and Dee Dee Bridgewater as well. Even the line's core entertainment includes dramatic Shakespearean theater for additional shades of culture.
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Pets
Most cruise lines are very restrictive about bringing animals onboard, but Cunard Line welcomes pets - that is cats and dogs - in its kennels aboard the Queen Mary 2. For an additional fare, four-legged passengers are catered to by a full-time master in newly expanded kennels on transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton. Facilities even include a spacious outdoor walking deck complete with a Liverpool lamp post and New York fire hydrant.
Queen Mary 2
Cunard Line deploys a fleet of three ships that include the beautiful Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, but the Queen Mary 2 (its elegant Queens Room pictured above) is not only the flagship of the company that defines it but arguably the entire Carnival Corporation. It is a special ship designed as a robust ocean liner capable of regularly crossing the open ocean across varied sea states. In fact, for the ship's 10th anniversary, its naval architect, Stephen Payne, was one of the sailing's featured lecturers, and now that she is 12, the ship has received a $132 million refurbishment to restore her sparkle.
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