Cunard Line
(Est. 1840)


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The Cunard Line was founded in 1840 by Sir Samuel Cunard as the British & North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company to operate regular steamship sailings across the Atlantic for the carriage of passengers and the Royal Mails. The line was founded on the basis of a successful tender for the carriage of British royal mails made by Sir Samuel Cunard in 1838, and the first regular voyages between Liverpool and Boston were begun in the summer of 1840. Since then Cunard Line has become one of the most famous British shipping lines and its ships still sail its traditional transatlantic route today in the 21st century thus enabling passengers to continue to enjoy and relive the Golden Age of Ocean Travel.

The first ships of Cunard Line, of which the best known is the Britannia, were wooden paddle steamers which made the transatlantic crossing in an average time of 15 days. The first iron Cunarder was the Persia, commissioned in 1856. As the transatlantic trade developed, the Cunard ships increased in both size and numbers, the line always retaining its position as the foremost transatlantic passenger service against whatever opposition offered.

Many famous ships have sailed under its house flag, of which the best known in their day were the Umbria (1884), the Campania (1893), the Mauretania & Lusitania (1907) and the famous Cunard Queens - RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth. These two Cunard Queens are now generally considered to be the greatest ocean liners ever built. Its ships also have giving sterling service through both war and peace and the two Cunard Queens are often credited with taking two years off the length of the Second World War. The Aquitania had the remarkable distinction of serving in both the First and Second World Wars. The QE2 also has seen war service during the Falklands War.

In 1911 Cunard Line took over Brocklebank Line and Anchor Line. The two companies were merged to form Anchor-Brocklebank Limited. In 1916 Cunard Line took over Commonwealth & Dominion Line (Port Line). Port Line ships were given the Cunard funnel colours but otherwise the company continued to operate independently. In 1934 prior to the construction of the Cunard Queens, Cunard Line merged with its great rival , White Star Line, thus forming a single company to build and operate the magnificent Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. The ships of the merged companies continued to fly both house flags until 1957 when Cunard purchased the remaining shares in White Star Line. Cunard Line then disposed of the remaining former White Star Line ships and by 1958 the renowned White Star Line ceased to exist. In 1937 Commonwealth & Dominion Line officially became Port Line Ltd.

Following the Second World War, during which most Cunard liners served as troopships and armed merchant cruisers, after a brief heyday in the 1950s and early 1960s when the two Cunard Queens ruled supreme on the North Atlantic, the competition of air travel led to a marked and rapid reduction in sea passenger traffic. The ocean liners were diverted from their traditional line voyage trade and undertook cruising. In the end the two Cunard Queens were sold and by 1969, Cunard Line was a shadow of its former self with just one ship in the top division - the much smaller RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. After a tricky start to life she has now become legendary British icon and is renowned for her World Cruises and until 2004 single handedly continued the tradition of the transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York.

In 1968 Cunard (Port Line) became a partner in setting up Associated Container Transportation (ACT) with Blue Star Line, Ben Line, Harrison Lines and Ellerman Group.

In 1968 Cunard-Brocklebank Ltd was created to pool the cargo services of the two companies. In 1970 the activities of Cunard Line's subsidiary companies (Cunard-Brocklebank, Port Line, Moss Tankers and Offshore Marine) were coordinated by the formation of Cunard Cargo Shipping Services Ltd. At this time there was still a need for cargo shipping and this company focussed on this trade. By the early 1970s container shipping was taking over the cargo business and gradually Cunard Line's cargo subsidiares were discontinued. Port Line ceased to exist in 1978.

In recent years there have been many ownership changes to Cunard Line. In 1971 it was bought by Trafalgar House Investments Ltd, a company with interests in property, civil engineering, hotel ownership, house building and investments.

In 1987 the Ellerman Lines division of the Ellerman Group was taken over by Cunard (Trafalgar House) to become Cunard-Ellerman Ltd. Cunard later sold their Ellerman interests along with Cunard-Brocklebank Ltd to Andrew Weir (Bank Line) Ltd of Glasgow in 1991. However the Cunard-Ellerman containers interests was sold to P&O in 1991.

In 1996 Cunard was acquired by the Norwegian company, Knaevner. Finally in 1998 it was bought by Carnival Corporation, the American cruise giant set up by Ted Arison. In 2003 Carnival Corporation merged with the British cruise giant, P&O Princess Cruises PLC, to form a dual listed company as Carnival Corporation and PLC headquartered in both London and Miami. This merger created the largest cruise company in the world. Since becoming part of the Carnival Corporation & PLC cruise empire Cunard Line has been enjoying something of a revival and rebirth. In 2004 a new Cunard Queen was built the huge RMS Queen Mary 2 which has taken over the transatlantic service from the legendary QE2. Now Cunard has two legendary Queens once more. Remarkably that is not the end of the story another Queen is being built and is to be named the Queen Victoria. She will debut in 2007 and give Cunard Line a fleet of three Cunard Queens for the very first time. Today the success and stablity of Cunard Line looks more secure than it has been for decades as it heads into a new Golden Age in the 21st century. Long may this British institution continue to endure.

Timeline:

1839:

Samuel Cunard establishes the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company - known as the Cunard Line - principally to carry the Royal Mail to Canada and the USA.

1840:

The 1,154-ton paddle steamer Britannia, and three near sisterships, Acadia, Caledonia and Columbia, enter service. These vessels make the Atlantic voyage in 14 days at 8.5 knots and maintain weekly departures from Liverpool.

1852:

Cunard’s first iron-hulled, screw-driven vessel, the Andes, introduced, but not used in the transatlantic service.

1854:

Eleven Cunard ships are requisitioned for the Crimean War.

1856:

The famous Persia built as the company’s first iron-hulled transatlantic vessel.

1859:

Samuel Cunard created a Baronet in recognition of the Company’s service in the Crimean War.

1862:

The China enters service - the company’s first propeller-driven ship. Admiralty permission required to use the ship to carry the Royal Mail as the Mail Contract stipulates ‘paddle steamers’.

1865:

Sir Samuel Cunard dies on 28 April at the age of 78.

1881:

The Servia enters service; Cunard’s first steel vessel, the first ship in the world to be lighted with electricity, and the first vessel Cunard intended to rely solely on passenger revenue.

1906 / 1907:

The liners Lusitania and Mauretania launched. The latter holds the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing for 22 years.

1912:

On 15 April the Carpathia rescues all the survivors from White Star’s Titanic.

1913:

The Aquitania launched; the first Cunarder with an indoor swimming pool.

1914:

The First World War interrupts Cunard’s fleet development as Cunard called into active service. Cunard carries over one million troops and ten million tons of cargo for the war cause. 22 ships - including the Lusitania - lost.

1917:

The Cunard Building in Liverpool, the company’s Head Office until the 1960s, completed.

1919:

Cunard awarded the German liner, Imperator, by the British Government to compensate for the loss of Lusitania. The vessel renamed Berengaria.

1920s / 1930s:

The heyday of transatlantic shipping, when Cunard’s slogan “Getting there is half the fun!” becomes a household phrase.

1922:

The Laconia undertook the first-ever world cruise.

1934:

The 80,744-ton Queen Mary launched and after entering service in 1936 soon gains the Blue Riband. The Queen Mary is the first merchant vessel to be launched by a member of the Royal family (Her Majesty Queen Mary).

1938:

The Queen Elizabeth - the largest liner ever built - launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, now the Queen Mother.

1939:

Mauretania (II) enters service.

Cunard ships requisitioned once more for war. The Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth carry between them over 1.5 million troops; Churchill remarks that the two ships helped shorten the war in Europe by at least a year.

Late 1940s:

The Queens begin their transatlantic shuttle, carrying tens of thousands of guests, from film stars and diplomats to businessmen and tourists.

1949:

Cunard’s first cruise ship, the Caronia, enters service. She is known as the ‘Green Goddess’ because of the colour of her hull.

1950s:

12 liners in service, carrying one third of all passengers crossing the Atlantic.

1959:

The first jet airliner crosses the Atlantic. Air crossings continue to gain passengers at the expense of the great liners. It is in this year when, for the first time, more people cross the Atlantic by air than by sea.

1967:

The Queen Elizabeth 2 launched by Her Majesty the Queen.

1969:

Maiden voyage of Queen Elizabeth 2, now the only ship offering a scheduled transatlantic service.

1971:

Cunard Steamship Company taken over by Trafalgar House PLC after an independent existence of 131 years.

1975:

First world cruise of QE2.

1976:

Cunard Countess launched.

1977:

Cunard Princess launched.

1982:

Queen Elizabeth 2 requisitioned by the British Government for the Falkland Islands campaign. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother welcomes the ship home. Cunard Countess also chartered for use in the conflict.

1983:

Cunard purchases top-rated Sagafjord and Vistafjord, from Norwegian America Cruises, to bring the fleet to five vessels.

Cunard charters Concorde for the first time, thus making use of the company’s greatest competitor on the Atlantic, the jet aircraft. Cunard becomes the biggest charterer of Concorde in the world.

1986:

Cunard acquires luxury Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II vessels, bringing the fleet back to seven ships - the largest number for 25 years.

A six-month £110 million re-engining and refurbishment programme on the QE2, the largest such refit in the history of the merchant marine, undertaken and successfully completed in 1987. HRH the Princess of Wales boards on the ship’s return to Southampton.

In May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother boards QE2 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Queen Mary’s maiden voyage.

1988:

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother boards QE2 for the third time - celebrating the launch of the Queen Elizabeth 50 years earlier.

1990:

Cunard celebrates its 150th anniversary. QE2 sent on special Round Britain voyage including her first call at Liverpool and her first return to the Clyde since her launch and which culminates in a rare Spithead Review with Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, going on board.

1991:

Cunard Princess chartered to the US Government for use in the Gulf War as a ‘rest and recuperation centre.’

1992:

Margaret Thatcher boards QE2 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Falklands War.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH Prince Edward attend an overnight ‘Royal Ball’ on QE2 to raise money for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

1993:

Cunard enters into a joint venture agreement with Crown Cruise Line involving Crown Dynasty, Crown Jewel and Crown Monarch.

QE2 becomes the first ever ship to be awarded Five Stars by the RAC.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, HRH Prince Edward lunches on board QE2 as she sails out of Southampton.

1994:

QE2 celebrates her 25th year of service.

QE2 and Vistafjord take part in the ‘D’ Day Flotilla.

Crown Monarch leaves the Cunard Fleet.

Cunard purchases the world’s highest rated cruise ship, the Royal Viking Sun, for $170 million.

Vistafjord undergoes a £10 million refit and refurbishment.

QE2 completes her £30 million refit which saw dramatic changes to the interior and launches the ship into the next century.

1995:

QE2 commences her 20th World Cruise.

Cunard Princess and Crown Jewel leave the Cunard fleet.

Crown Dynasty taken by Cunard on a long-term charter.

Royal Viking Sun, Sea Goddess I, Sea Goddess II and Cunard Countess undergo a comprehensive programme of refitting and refurbishment.

QE2 completes one thousand voyages.

1996:

During her 20th World Cruise QE2 achieves her four millionth mile - the equivalent of 185 times round the world.

The Norwegian conglomerate Kvaerner acquires Trafalgar House for £904 million and assumes control of Cunard - this is the second major ownership change for Cunard in its 156 year history.

Royal Viking Sun is ‘relaunched’ in Dover after significant repairs following her grounding.

Sagafjord withdrawn from Cunard service and chartered to Transocean Cruises of Germany; subsequently sold to Saga Cruises.

Cunard Countess sold to Awani Cruises of Indonesia.

QE2 completes a £12 million refit in Southampton, the first time a UK yard had been used for 13 years.

Cunard become the first cruise line to reveal their Millennium itineraries.

1997:

QE2 commences six (instead of five) day Atlantic crossings allowing the ship to take the more leisurely route between Europe and America.

The management / charter contract of Cunard Dynasty is ended and the vessel transfers to Norwegian Cruise Line. This complete Cunard’s strategy of offering minimum five-star ships and positions the company as the top cruise line in the world.

A fund-raising event for the Red Cross, which was to have been attended by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, held on board QE2 in Southampton. Guests include Cherie Blair, Elizabeth Dole and Lord Attenborough.

Vistafjord and Sea Goddess I complete refurbishment programme.

Cunard relocates its global headquarters to Miami after being based in New York for 30 years.

Cunard’s five-ship fleet receives the highest ratings by Berlitz ‘Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships’. Four ships are ranked number one in their respective categories.

QE2 celebrates the 30th Anniversary of her launch by HM The Queen on 20 September 1967.

1998:

Nelson Mandela sails on QE2 from Durban to Cape Town - the first time a Head of State has travelled on board since HM The Queen in 1990.

In May, a Carnival Corporation-led consortium purchases Cunard from Kvaerner for $500 million and merges the company with Seabourn Cruise Line to form Cunard Line Limited.

In June the new company announces ‘Project Queen Mary’ – a proposal to build the biggest passenger liner ever.

In September Royal Viking Sun completes her refurbishment programme, followed by Sea Goddess II in October.

Also in October the company announces the reorganisation of the two fleets and the renaming of Vistafjord. The reorganisation, effective from December 1999, includes:

  • The renaming of Royal Viking Sun, Sea Goddess I and Sea Goddess II as Seabourn Sun, Seabourn Goddess I and Seabourn Goddess II and their transfer to the Seabourn fleet.
  • The renaming of Vistafjord as Caronia. Together with QE2, Caronia forms the basis of the ‘new’ Cunard Line fleet.

Cunard Line Limited sweeps the board in the 1999 Berlitz ’Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships’ with the top seven places being taken by either a Cunard or Seabourn ship. QE2 Grill accommodation receives the highest ratings.

1999:

On 14 April a lunch is held on board QE2 in Southampton to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the ship’s maiden transatlantic crossing (2 – 7 May 1969).

Carnival Corporation acquires the 32% of Cunard it did not already own, thus taking control of 100% of the company.

Cunard Line Limited once again triumphs in the 2000 Berlitz ’Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships’ with the top six places being taken by either a Cunard or Seabourn ship.

The fleet re-organisation takes place with major refurbishments being completed on QE2, Caronia and Seabourn Sun.

On 26 November, the Seabourn Sun arrives in Southampton.

On 10 December, the Caronia is renamed at a ceremony in Liverpool

On 16 December, the Seabourn Sun is renamed at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale.

QE2 completes her £19.5 million refit.

2000:

On 9 March, Cunard signs letter of intent with Chantiers de l’Atlantique (France) for Queen Mary 2.

On 6 November, Cunard signs final contract for Queen Mary 2 and unveils key design details. QM2 will be the largest, longest, widest and tallest passenger ship in history and will enter service in 2004.

By the end of 2000, the $27 million programme of refurbishment of Seabourn Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend is complete. All three ships received unique ‘French Balconies’.

2001:

In February Pamela Conover becomes the first woman at the helm of Cunard when she is appointed President and chief Operating Officer.

On 26 March, Seabourn announces the transfer of Seabourn Sun to Holland America Line in April 2002. Seabourn Sun to be renamed Prinsendam.

Separate management structures established for Cunard Line and Seabourn Cruise Line in the Miami Head Office.

On 13 July, Seabourn announces the sale of both Seabourn Goddess I and Seabourn Goddess II to a group of Norwegian investors.

In October Cunard announces the redeployment of Caronia to the British cruise market effective May 2002. The on board product to become British and the currency to be sterling.

QE2 undergoes further refurbishment in November / December.

On 17 December Cunard announces the construction of a 90,000-ton vessel. ‘The New Cunarder’ will enter service in January 2005 and be dedicated to the British cruise market.

2002:

On 16 January the first steel is cut to mark the formal start of construction of Queen Mary 2.

On 13 May Cunard confirms that QE2 will be removed from transatlantic service in April 2004 and will be deployed on cruise service out of Southampton. QM2 will assume the role of Cunard’s transatlantic carrier at this time.

Lady Thatcher lunches on board QE2 on 14 June to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Falklands War.

On 4 July the keel is laid for Queen Mary 2.

2003:

On 21 March Queen Mary 2 is floated out of the building dock.

On 31 March Cunard announces that ‘The New Cunarder’ will be named Queen Victoria.

On 12 July the keel is laid for Queen Victoria.

In December, Queen Mary 2 is handed over to Cunard and arrives in Southampton.

2004:

On 8 January Queen Mary 2 is named by Her Majesty the Queen.

On 12 January RMS Queen Mary 2 sails on her Maiden Voyage.

On the 5 April Cunard announce that the ship intended to be the Queen Victoria was to be instead handed to P&O Cruises to become the Arcadia. Instead a new Queen Victoria is to be ordered and enter service in 2007.

RMS Queen Mary 2 departs Southampton on 16 April on her first transatlantic crossing to New York.

On 25 April both RMS Queen Mary 2 and QE2 meet in New York – the first time that two Cunard Queens have been berthed in the port since March 1940.

On 1 May both Queens arrive in Southampton – the first time two Cunard Queens have been in the company’s home port since 1967. QE2 relinquishes the title of flagship to RMS Queen Mary 2. QE2 is the longest serving Cunard flagship.

On 5 November QE2 becomes Cunard’s longest serving express liner having completed 35 years, six months and three days of service – taking the record from Aquitania.

2005:

On 28 June the QE2 participates in the International Fleet Review in the Solent as part of the SeaBritain2005 celebrations for Trafalgar 200 and the Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson. This event marked the largest gathering of merchant and naval ships in British waters since the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review in 1977. HM Queen Elizabeth II and the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh reviewed the vast fleet from on board HMS Endurance.

On 4 September yet another remarkable milestone is passed in the history of the legendary QE2 as she becomes Cunard Line’s longest serving ship after surpassing the previous record of 36 years 4 months and 2 days. Thus smashing the record set by the Scythia which served from 1921 to 1957.

2006:

On the 23 February the RMS Queen Mary 2 met up with the original Queen Mary at Long Beach for the first time as she called at Long Beach in the "Royal Rendezvous" during her South America cruise from New York.

On the 6th May the keel is laid for the Queen Victoria.

2007:

On 2 January the QE2 departs Southampton on her Silver Jubilee World Cruise marking her 25th circumnavigation of the world. This World Cruise is also special because 2007 is the 85th Anniversary of the first World Cruise made by the Laconia back in 1922/1923.

On the 10 January the QE2 and RMS Queen Mary 2 depart Fort Lauderdale together on their simultaneous World Cruises after a spectacular Royal Rendezvous. This being the QE2’s Silver Jubilee World Cruise and the QM2’s Maiden World Cruise. The was the first time two Cunard Queens had ever been seen in Fort Lauderdale together.

On the 15 January the Queen Victoria is floated out of dry dock.

On the 20 February a spectacular Royal Rendezvous takes place in Sydney when the RMS Queen Mary 2 and the QE2 meet again during their epic simultaneous World Cruises. This was the first time two Cunard Queens have been in Sydney since the wartime visits of the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in 1941 and 1942 during their troopship duties in the Second World War.

On the 15 September the QE2 sails from Southampton on a special “40th Birthday Cruise” around the British Isles to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her launch in 1967. This voyage includes a special call at Liverpool where the QE2 had a special birthday party and opened the new Pier Head cruise facility.

On the 10 December the Queen Victoria is named by Her Majesty the Queen.

On the 11 December the Queen Victoria sails on her maiden voyage. For the first time ever Cunard has three Cunard Queens in service.

2008:

On 6 January the Queen Victoria will sail on her Maiden World Cruise from Southampton in tandem with the legendary QE2 in scenes reminiscent of the QE2's role in inducting the RMS Queen Mary 2 into the transatlantic service (2004) and World Cruises (2007). Both ships sailed to New York in what was the historic first ever westbound tandem transatlantic crossing to New York. 

On the 13 January all three Cunard Queens were in New York together – this was the first time three Cunard Queens had been in New York. From here the Queen Victoria and the QE2 sailed in tandem to Fort Lauderdale where they arrived on the 15 January before setting off on their simultaneous World Cruises.

On the 24 February the Queen Victoria and QE2 meet again in Sydney while both on their simultaneous World Cruises in a spectacular “Meeting of the Queens” reminiscent of the Royal Rendezvous of the RMS Queen Mary 2 and the QE2 in 2007.

Related Websites:
Carnival Corporation & PLC
Cunard Line (UK website)
Cunard Line (USA website)
The Cunard Steamship Society
http://cunardsteamshipsociety.com

QE2 website

www.qe2.org.uk

 

Queen Mary 2 website

www.qm2.org.uk

 

Chris’ Cunard Page

www.chriscunard.info

 

The Cunard Queens

www.cunardqueens.com


        (c) Cruise Ship History Collection 2018 including www.thecunarders.co.uk                                                                                                                                                                              A Edward Elliott