Queen Elizabeth
Vista class · refurbished 2019 · Alaska, Caribbean & Bahamas, Mediterranean
A mid-sized ship launched in 2010 as Queen Victoria's sister ship. Art Deco interiors, two-deck restaurants, and a games deck modeled on a lawn convey traditional British ocean-liner pastimes. Once known for Japan departures and Australian itineraries, it recently focused on summer Alaska seasons from Seattle, running from May to September in 2026, and winter Caribbean seasons from Miami, running from October 2026 to March 2027. From May 2027, it will return to Europe with about 65 Mediterranean sailings. Japan and Asia itineraries are planned for the 2028 World Voyage, including calls at Yokohama and Nagasaki.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9477438)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Japanese-speaking staff and menus
Smoking in designated areas only
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
Under Cunard's unique tiered system, cabin grade equals dining and benefit level. Suites in Queens Grill and Princess Grill come standard with a free minibar.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$7.10 (pint; own-brand beer such as Cunard Gold)
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3.50 (cola and similar drinks, 200 ml)
- Extra chargeDrink package$49.50-$94.50/night (Beverage Collection; varies by advance purchase and cruise length)
- Extra chargeWi‑FiEssential $22 (advance purchase)/$28 (onboard); Premium $30 (advance purchase)/$44 (onboard)
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$17/day (Britannia/Britannia Club), $19/day (Princess Grill/Queens Grill)
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)$179 (50 minutes) to $209 (75 minutes)
- Extra chargeLaundrySelf-service laundry, including washers, dryers, irons, and detergent, is free to use. Paid valet laundry is also available.
- Shore excursionsShore excursions cost extra depending on the content and port. Book in advance or purchase additionally at the onboard desk.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Southampton (United Kingdom)
- Departure ports: Southampton, New York (segment embarkation), Sydney (segment embarkation), Hong Kong (segment embarkation)
- All ages
- A Vista-class ship in Cunard specification that entered service in November 2010. The Garden Lounge is a design unique to Queen Elizabeth, characterized by a natural atmosphere with many houseplants and much woodwork. It shares its basic design with Queen Victoria, but the interiors differ. It blends Art Deco with a classic British style. On Gala Evenings (formerly formal nights), the basic dress code is a tuxedo/dark suit for men and an evening dress for women. The pace is more relaxed than on casual ships, and the traditional style of 'enjoying the voyage itself,' with ballroom dancing, the library, afternoon tea and more, remains strong.
- Guests are mainly from the United Kingdom and North America, with an average age around 60, higher than the cruise industry average. Many are regular Cunard fans who value dress codes and manners, and couples and seniors make up a larger share than families.
Uses diesel-electric propulsion with two pod-propulsion units (Azipod). Support for alternative fuels such as LNG could not be confirmed; the ship is based on conventional fuel.
Ship character
- • Travelers seeking a calm, adult Alaska cruise
- • Travelers seeking an upscale winter Caribbean cruise
- • Longer Mediterranean itineraries
- • Dance and music lovers
- • Travelers seeking large family facilities
- • Casual-minded travelers
- • Travelers wanting Japan departures currently
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- ArticleJapanesecroissant-online.jp
croissant-online.jp · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogJapaneseangel-torazou.com
angel-torazou.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- ArticleJapanesecolocal.jp
colocal.jp · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishCunard's Queen Elizabeth - FULL Cruise Ship Tour
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishBoarding Cunard's Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship | Ship tour and daily vlog
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
English text in preparation.
Sources
- Officialcunard.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Secondary sourcelatteluxurynews.com
- Secondary sourcesouthamptoncruisecentre.com
- Officialcunard.com (2)
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org (2)
Source: Wikipedia “MS Queen Elizabeth”, “RMS Queen Elizabeth” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Inside Stateroom A total of 154 rooms combining standard inside categories such as IA, ID, IE, IF, and LC (about 152 sq ft) with the slightly larger Deluxe Inside category (about 200 sq ft). The configuration is the same as on Queen Victoria. 154 cabins | 14.1–18.6 m² (152–200 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twins). | Cunard official Queen Elizabeth | |
Britannia Oceanview A fixed-window category of about 180 sq ft with no balcony, comprising 147 rooms. It has the same specifications as on Queen Victoria. 147 cabins | 16.7 m² (180 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twins). | Window | Cunard official Queen Elizabeth |
Britannia Balcony / Britannia Club Balcony The main category, accounting for about 70% of all cabins, at about 190 sq ft plus a balcony of about 54 sq ft. Britannia Club-class rooms are the same size and add a private lounge, priority boarding and disembarkation, and other benefits. The configuration is the same as on Queen Victoria. 609 cabins | 17.7–20.3 m² (191–219 ft²) | 2-4 people Queen bed (convertible to twins). | Balcony | Cunard official Queen Elizabeth |
Princess Suite Princess Grill-class suites in categories P1 and P2, at about 291 sq ft plus a balcony. There are 61 rooms, with the same specifications as on Queen Victoria. 61 cabins | 35.4 m² (381 ft²) | 2-3 people Queen bed (convertible to twins). | BalconyConcierge | Cunard official Queen Elizabeth |
Queens Suite / Penthouse / Master Suite / Grand Suite The highest category, comprising four tiers: Queens Suite, Penthouse, Master Suite, and Grand Suite (66 rooms total). Every room includes a dedicated butler. Same specifications as Queen Victoria. 66 cabins | 45–178.2 m² (484–1,918 ft²) | 2–4 guests (grand suites are higher-tier and have multiple separate bedrooms) King bed. Higher-level suites have a separate bedroom and a living area. | BalconyConcierge | Cunard official Queen Elizabeth |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • The Zone — Free children's programs organized into three groups: ages 2-7, 8-12, and 13-17.
- • Casino — A non-smoking casino with slot machines and table games, open only while at sea.
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- From boarding, the "Hotel & Dining Service Charge" is added automatically to your onboard account one day at a time. You can ask the Purser's Office (Guest Services) to adjust or remove the amount. A separate 15% service charge is automatically added to bar, wine and spa purchases, and this is effectively mandatory.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- 220V/110V, 60Hz. Note that this differs from standard households on mainland Britain (240V/50Hz).
- Formal nights
- Cunard's policy is to hold at least 2 Gala Evenings on a 7-night cruise (at least 1 is guaranteed on voyages of 3 nights or more). The number rises with longer cruises, and the line is known for a higher frequency of formal nights than other lines.
- Medical facilities
- There is a medical center on board, and all examinations and treatment are charged (about $110 for an initial consultation, with additional charges depending on the treatment). Travel insurance is recommended.
- Bringing items onboard
- Each adult may bring up to 1 bottle of wine or champagne (750 ml or less); spirits and beer are not allowed. A corkage fee of $25 applies if opened in a restaurant or bar (free if drunk in your cabin). Alcohol purchased at ports of call can generally be brought on board without being confiscated, but this practice may be reviewed.
- Mobile and connectivity
- At sea, service goes through the carrier's maritime network (Cellular at Sea and the like) and tends to cost more than regular roaming. It is recommended to switch to airplane mode, connect to the onboard Wi-Fi and, if your carrier supports it, use Wi-Fi calling.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
Main dining for inside, ocean-view, and balcony stateroom guests. Included in the cruise fare.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (large two-level dining room with an atrium; dinner has two sittings)
Dining exclusively for Britannia and Club-level guests. A dedicated menu served with white-glove service.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Small dining venue exclusively for Princess Suite guests. Cunard-style reserved seating.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; fixed tables
Premier dining venue available only to guests in Queens Suites and above. Works with dedicated butler service.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; open seating; 24-hour in-suite service
Self-service buffet venue offering a wide selection from British cuisine to sushi.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch, and late-night buffet; afternoon tea is also served
British pub cuisine. Most dishes are included in the fare, but some limited menus cost extra.
Hours: Lunch and dinner
A Cunard signature. White-glove service staff create a special presentation while serving scones and sandwiches on large trays. Included in the cruise fare.
Hours: 15:30-16:30 (daily)
Paid steakhouse centered on aged meat and seafood. Advance reservations are discounted. Same pricing structure as Queen Victoria.
- Seafood platter (oyster, lobster, crab)
- Aged Black Angus and Wagyu steak
Facilities and activities
Cunard signature social space with a spiral staircase and ballroom function. It hosts afternoon tea during the day and live-performance dance parties at night.
Main theater with interiors inspired by the style of Frank Matcham, presenting full-scale production shows.
Queen Elizabeth-specific design. The cafe and lounge use woodwork and ornamental plants to create a distinctive atmosphere, corresponding to Queen Victoria's Winter Garden.
Library with an extensive collection. A lending service is also available.
A wide variety of treatments including hair care, massage, and nail care. The thermal suite (sauna, steam room, and heated lounge) costs extra.
A non-smoking casino with slot machines and table games, open only while at sea.
Two outdoor pools and one indoor pool.
A gym equipped with cardio and weight-training equipment.
Free children's programs organized into three groups: ages 2-7, 8-12, and 13-17.
An ocean-view lounge bar known for signature cocktails and afternoon canapé service.
After 21:30, it transforms into a disco and nightclub.
A traditional promenade circling Deck 3, suitable for walking and jogging.
Enjoy English-style deck games free of charge in the deck sports area.
Classic cocktail bar.
Sells clothing, accessories, duty-free goods, and more.