Cunard Line

Overview

One of the world's most distinguished names in ocean travel since 1840, Cunard Line's history of deluxe transatlantic crossings and worldwide cruising is legendary for comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine, and personal service. After a series of owners tried with little success to revive the company's flagging passenger shipping business after the advent of the jet age, Carnival Corporation saved the day in 1998 with an infusion of ready cash and the know-how to turn the cruise line around. The result is the heralded Queen Mary 2 and newly launched Queen Victoria.

Entertainment has a decidedly English flavor with nightly production shows or cabaret-style performances and even plays starring Great Britain's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni. An authentic pub gives the liner an even more British air, while a wide variety of musical styles can be found for dancing and listening in other bars and lounges. In the first-ever shipboard planetarium, high-tech presentations and virtual-reality shows dramatize the origins of the universe and the history of the galaxies on a virtual ride through space.

Cunard's fine enrichment programs include lectures by experts in their fields. Classes vary by cruise and include a wide assortment of topics taught by top designers, master chefs, and artists. Even seamanship and navigation courses are offered to novice mariners. Passengers can plan their activities prior to departure by consulting the syllabus of courses available online at Cunard Line's Web site.

Delightful daily events are afternoon tea and the maritime tradition of sounding the ship's bell at noon. Queen Elizabeth 2 continues the tradition of North Atlantic crossings and sails on lengthy worldwide cruises, but she no longer does regularly scheduled cruises in the Caribbean; Queen Mary 2 also offers North Atlantic crossings and seasonal shorter cruises, including Caribbean itineraries.

24303 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA, 91355. 661/753-1000 or 800/728-6273. www.cunard.com. Cruise Style: Luxury.