Will Cunard’s Newest Ship Keep Tradition Alive?

Prior to Cunard’s recent reveal that it would build a fourth ship to launch in 2022, it was the only line in the Carnival Corporation that did not have a new-build on order.

For now, we know very little about what that ship will be exactly, but we can speculate on its specifications in the meantime.

All that is known is that it will be sized at 113,000 GRT with a capacity of 3,000 guests. Compared to current Cunarders, that puts its tonnage between the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2, though its passenger count is above any ship in the existing fleet.

That means its passenger space ratio will be reduced from the roomy QM2 ocean liner.

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Unlike Cunard’s flagship, the new vessel takes another page from corporate cousin Holland America Line. Exterior renderings are reminiscent of that brand’s latest Koningsdam, albeit even larger than the 99,500-ton prototype. The Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria are Vista-class ships like those in service at Holland America, but also elsewhere in the corporate family at Costa Cruises and P&O Cruises.

Accounting for the additional tons is what appears to be a filled out forward deck above the observation lounge as well as a larger outdoor deck terrace perched behind the smokestack.

Upon closer inspection of the full resolution image, the former displays roof trusses that might come to support open-air cloth coverings or some form of magrodome. Perhaps it will be a new winter garden or an outdoor courtyard for the ship’s Princess and Queens Grills.

As this would displace a mostly al fresco deck area found on the Koningsdam, the terrace behind the stack might then serve as an alternative location for sunbathers.

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Otherwise, the Cunard ship rendering sports the same lifeboat count as the Holland America vessel, so the bulk of the ship is still the same size. What then could account for the remainder of the 13,500-ton difference?

As gross registered tonnage by definition refers to its permanently enclosed internal volume, it’s possible that the ship will have a deeper draft in addition to its minor superstructure modifications. This is part of what makes the Queen Mary 2 so unique from other cruise ships and different even from its sisters.

Its substantially deeper keel height below the water line makes it more stable while crossing turbulent open oceans like the Atlantic.

While the Queen Mary 2 was distinctly designed as an ocean liner, the fourth Cunarder may be a hybrid between it and the other Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. It may be based on a purely cruise ship design while tacking on some of the cherished properties of a genuine ocean liner.

This would actually make perfect sense because Cunard's brand intent is to become more globally recognized and relevant. A super stable world cruise-capable ship is just what the doctor ordered. The Queen Mary 2 could continue its signature crossings, and the Elizabeth and Victoria could focus on regional specialties, while the new-build becomes the international brand ambassador.

I would further expect all of Cunard’s elegance and grace aboard the next ship as well as its historical commitment to excellent live music and ballroom dancing among so much else. However, I do wonder if it will need to consider loosening up its dress code a bit to appeal more broadly.

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As it is, the only time its Informal (Jacket Optional) assignment is in place is for Queen Victoria’s summer embarkation days in Athens, Barcelona, Rome and Venice. Otherwise, it’s Informal (Jacket Required) or full-on Formal for the duration of the cruise in the evening.

Surely this is a Cunard hallmark that should be upheld at proper times, but casual is more the name of the game in modern travel as a whole. The traditional line may need to take reality into account with this transitive ship.

In either case, it is exciting to see a new Cunarder on its way for both loyalists and newcomers to soon embark.

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