Cunard adds Liverpool boarding to Queen Mary 2’s 500th crossing

A milestone Atlantic crossing is heading back to Liverpool. Cunard’s newly announced program of 93 voyages includes Queen Mary 2’s 500th transatlantic crossing, with passengers able to board in the city for the first time since 2015, according to Seatrade Cruise News.

Announced Oct. 21, the program runs from October 2028 through May 2029 and covers 104 destinations across 49 countries. Beyond the anniversary sailing, Seatrade Cruise News reports a Queen Elizabeth world voyage, a Queen Anne visit to Rio de Janeiro during Carnival and shorter European itineraries aboard Queen Victoria.

The first date to put on the calendar, though, is much closer. Cunard World Club members get exclusive booking access on Nov. 3, 2026; general sales follow Nov. 4, 2026, according to Cunard’s announcement published by Stock Titan.

Cunard booking dates and early savings

Cunard’s announcement sets both booking openings at 9 a.m. EST. Seatrade Cruise News gives the corresponding time as 2 p.m. GMT. The exclusive early window is for Cunard World Club members; other travelers can book when general sales begin the following day.

The savings offer needs a closer look because the supplied announcements give different terms. Cunard’s release offers 10% introductory savings for guests booking a Cunard Fare by Dec. 16, 2026. Seatrade Cruise News instead reports a 10% early booking saving for bookings made before midnight on Dec. 30, 2026, covering a Cunard Fare on applicable voyages or an Early Saver Fare where available.

Those aren’t interchangeable deadlines or fare conditions. Before committing, have Cunard or your travel advisor confirm which offer applies to the reservation. The company’s announcement lists travel advisors and its reservations number, 1-800-728-6273, as booking options.

Queen Mary 2’s 500th crossing brings Liverpool back

The anniversary voyage is available as a 21-night roundtrip from New York, with embarkation also offered in Hamburg, Southampton and Liverpool, Seatrade Cruise News reports. That gives travelers several ways to join the milestone sailing; the 21-night roundtrip description specifically applies to the New York option.

Liverpool is more than another boarding point here. According to Seatrade Cruise News, this will be the first opportunity since 2015 to depart the city on a Cunard transatlantic crossing. For travelers drawn to the line’s Atlantic heritage, that departure option is a substantial part of the appeal.

Queen Mary 2’s wider season includes Caribbean voyages from Southampton and New York, a 14-night Norway and Northern Lights itinerary, and a 14-night Western Mediterranean voyage timed for the U.K. Easter school holidays, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Caribbean highlights include overnight calls in Bridgetown, Barbados, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

Cunard’s announcement adds another useful option for New York passengers: the Western Mediterranean itinerary can be booked as a 29-night roundtrip journey from New York. That’s a separate choice from the milestone crossing, and worth distinguishing when browsing the new sailings.

Queen Elizabeth pairs Miami holidays with a world voyage

Queen Elizabeth will sail from Barcelona to Miami before operating four 14-night Caribbean voyages from Miami, according to Seatrade Cruise News. These include Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve sailings; the New Year’s Eve voyage features fireworks in St. Thomas.

The ship then moves into considerably longer territory with a 115-night World Voyage. Seatrade Cruise News identifies the duration and reports roundtrip options from Southampton and Miami, with destinations across New Zealand, Australia, Asia and South Africa.

For travelers considering that itinerary, the overnight calls are important details rather than decorative extras. Seatrade Cruise News lists Cape Town, Singapore, Hong Kong and Sydney among the overnight stays. The voyage also marks Queen Elizabeth’s return to New Zealand for the first time in four years, with calls in Auckland and Wellington.

Queen Anne heads to Rio during Carnival

Queen Anne’s South America Discovery voyage returns in 2029 with an 86-night sailing from Southampton or an extended 90-night option from Hamburg, Seatrade Cruise News reports. Cunard’s announcement also offers a 60-night roundtrip voyage from Miami, giving U.S. travelers another embarkation choice.

The itinerary combines Caribbean ports with calls in Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. Its headline stop is an overnight stay in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Overnight calls in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Valparaiso and Callao add further extended stays along the route.

The distinction matters when choosing between Cunard’s longer journeys. Queen Elizabeth’s itinerary is a World Voyage; Queen Anne’s focuses on South America alongside Caribbean calls. These are different trips, not simply different lengths of the same itinerary.

Queen Victoria offers shorter European sailings

Not everyone has months to spare. Queen Victoria’s Southampton departures include new seven-, 14- and 16-night voyages across a program covering Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Norwegian fjords, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Canary Islands, according to Seatrade Cruise News.

A February half-term sailing includes an overnight stay in Oslo, while a longer Scandinavian itinerary features overnights in both Copenhagen and Oslo. Seatrade Cruise News also reports two seven-night Easter school holiday voyages: one visiting Spain and France, the other exploring the Norwegian fjords.

More time ashore, plus seven maiden calls

Across the full program, Cunard is offering opportunities to visit 64 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with an average of 12 hours in port, 18 overnight port calls and 18 late-evening departures, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Those are program-wide figures, not promises for every individual sailing.

The publication also reports seven maiden port calls. Praia, Cape Verde, is a first for Cunard itself. Queen Elizabeth’s ship-specific firsts are Fort-de-France, Martinique, and Nawiliwili, Hawaii; Queen Anne’s are San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Castries, St. Lucia; and Colón, Panama.

The anniversary crossing may grab the attention, but the boarding choices deserve equal billing. New York for Queen Mary 2’s milestone roundtrip, Miami for Queen Elizabeth’s world voyage or Queen Anne’s South America itinerary, Southampton for Queen Victoria’s shorter escapes: choosing the journey comes first. Then check the applicable fare offer before the booking window opens.