QUEEN ELIZABETH
A tribute to the 1930s. Smaller and more intimate than the QM2, she pairs Art Deco glamour with modern exploration in Alaska and the Caribbean.
- Guests
- 2,081
- Tonnage
- 90,900
- Launch
- 2010
- Crew
- 980
The Prodigy Verdict
Refined Adventure.
Queen Elizabeth is distinct from the Queen Mary 2; she is a cruise ship, not an ocean liner, sharing a hull design with Holland America's Signature Class (e.g., Eurodam). This makes her more maneuverable and port-friendly. Following a major March 2025 refit, she has been optimized for her new year-round North American deployment, featuring a reimagined Queens Room and a new Wellness Café.
- Alaska cruisers wanting formal nights & afternoon tea
- Couples seeking a quiet, child-free vibe (though kids are allowed)
- Social dancers (the ballroom is a focal point)
- No planetarium (unlike QM2).
- The vibe is more country club than resort (no rock climbing walls).
- Fixed dining times in Britannia (unless you choose Open Dining).
The Zones
Queen Elizabeth's interiors are an Art Deco homage to the 1930s, featuring warm woods and intricate marquetry.
Garden Lounge
A unique glass-roofed conservatory inspired by Kew Gardens. It's the perfect spot for a morning coffee or an evening cocktail under the stars.
The Games Deck
A proper English lawn at sea. Located under a shaded canopy, it features paddle tennis, croquet, and bowls. A civilized way to spend a sea day.
Queens Room
Refreshed in 2025. This grand ballroom hosts Royal Balls, fencing lessons, and the daily Afternoon Tea ritual.
Golden Lion Pub
The quintessential British pub. It serves Cunard's own ales and hosts lively trivia sessions and Premier League screenings.
The Library
A two-story spiral of polished wood and 6,000+ books. It features a leaded glass ceiling and comfortable leather armchairs.
Gin & Fizz
A specialist bar serving over 40 varieties of gin, including Cunard's own onboard-distilled 3 Queens Gin. A must for connoisseurs.
Commodore Club
The forward-facing observation lounge. It offers sweeping views over the bow—ideal for watching the ship navigate Alaskan glaciers.
Mareel Wellness
Cunard's spa concept. It features an Aqua Therapy Centre with thermal suites—perfect for warming up after a day on a glacier.
Dining & Provisions
Queen Elizabeth offers a tiered dining system, but the included options are excellent and varied.
Britannia Restaurant
Main Dining
A soaring, two-tier Art Deco room. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner is either fixed seating (6pm/8:30pm) or Open Dining.
Golden Lion Pub
Pub Lunch
Food is complimentary. The fish and chips, ploughman's lunch, and steak & ale pie are legendary guest favorites.
Afternoon Tea
Queens Room
A white-gloved event served daily at 3:00 PM. Fresh scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches accompanied by a string quartet or harpist.
Wellness Café
Healthy Bites
Added in 2025. Located near the pool, offering plant-based meals, smoothies, and sustainably sourced fish for breakfast and lunch.
The Verandah
Steakhouse
A premium steakhouse featuring USDA prime cuts and seafood. Perfect for a special occasion dinner or a refined lunch.
Princess Grill
Suite Dining
For Princess Grill guests. An intimate restaurant with no fixed seating times and an expanded à la carte menu.
Café Carinthia
Grand Cafe
A stylish spot for light bites (pastries, sandwiches) which are free. Specialty coffees and tea blends incur a small charge.
The Lido
Buffet
Open for all meals and late-night snacks. It transforms into themed dining corners in the evening (some may have a cover charge).
Where It Sails
New for 2025/2026: Queen Elizabeth is now dedicated to North America year-round.
- Alaska (Seattle Roundtrip) - Summer
- Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) - Winter
Cunard is bringing its "White Star Service" to the Alaska market, offering a more formal, refined alternative to standard big-ship cruising.
Check Availability
See itineraries for the inaugural Miami and Seattle seasons.
Check DatesAffiliate disclosure: outbound booking links may earn CruiseProdigy a commission.
Cost Reality
Cunard fares often include more than you think, especially with their generous room service policy.
- Britannia Dining (All meals)
- Afternoon Tea & Room Service Breakfast
- Enrichment Lectures
- Golden Lion Pub Lunches
- Specialty Dining (Verandah)
- Alcohol & Specialty Coffees
- Spa Thermal Suite Passes
- Gratuities
Room service breakfast is free and excellent. Hang the card on your door the night before to enjoy coffee and toast on your balcony while watching the glaciers.
The Vibe Check
Sophisticated, calm, and unmistakably British. It’s "Downton Abbey at Sea" but with modern amenities.
Formal nights are taken seriously (tuxedos are common). Daytime is relaxed country-club casual. It is quieter than other Alaska ships—no pool DJs here.
Often 50+, but Alaska sailings attract a slightly younger, more active demographic interested in nature and hiking.
Ready to sail? Check pricing below.
Cabin Recon
Cunard's class system links your cabin to your dining room. Britannia Club offers the best "middle ground" value.
Britannia Balcony
Comfortable and elegant, with Penhaligon's toiletries. You dine in the main Britannia Restaurant at a fixed time (or Open Dining).
Britannia Club
The sweet spot. You get a dedicated, intimate dining room with no fixed seating times, plus a pillow menu and priority embarkation.
Princess Grill Suite
A significant jump in luxury. Includes access to the private Grills Lounge and Terrace, plus dining in the exclusive Princess Grill restaurant.