The world's only ocean liner – 2,759-passenger QM2 – will operate a 21-night round-trip voyage from New York in 2029 with guests also able to embark in Hamburg, Southampton and Liverpool. It will be Cunard's first direct transatlantic cruise from Liverpool since 1967.
Cunard previously operated transatlantic sailings from Liverpool but via Bermuda in 1968 and then via Halifax/ Boston in 2015.
Iain Baillie, Associate Vice President of EMEA Sales, revealed around 58% of passengers on Cunard's transatlantic cruises were new to Cunard – 14 percentage points higher than on the luxury line's cruises elsewhere in the world.
He said: "The story of our winter launch is the breadth of opportunity that is available for our travel agent partners. There is something for every type of traveller with every type of budget.
"We have a cruise from Southampton to Hamburg, costing £189 per person. That is a really good way for people to experience Cunard for the first time.
"The four to seven-night Mediterranean voyages generally appeal to that new-to-brand market as do the Caribbean and Norwegian sailings, but the big newcomer piece is transatlantic.
"This year, 58% of passengers on our transatlantic cruises were new to Cunard. Normally around 44% of our passengers are new to Cunard. Our most iconic ship is QM2 and it really does have the power to excite."
The new programme spans 104 destinations across 49 countries, with opportunities to visit 64 Unesco World Heritage Sites. Guests will spend an average of 12 hours in port and can enjoy 18 overnight port calls and 18 late-evening departures.
Queen Anne, which will leave the Cunard fleet after this programme, will return to South America in 2029 on an 86-night South America Discovery cruise from Southampton, with guests also able to embark in Hamburg on an extended 90-night sailing.
Paul Ludlow, President of Cunard, said: "Some journeys become stories you'll tell for years to come, and this new programme brings together some of the most memorable experiences we have ever offered.
"Queen Mary 2's landmark 500th Transatlantic Crossing will be one of the most significant moments in Cunard's modern history, reconnecting Liverpool with our iconic transatlantic service.
"Whether guests are looking for a short European escape, an iconic ocean crossing or the adventure of a lifetime, there is a voyage designed to inspire."
Cunard said this programme would give guests more time to immerse themselves in "some of the world's most captivating destinations".
Booking trends
Baillie confirmed Cunard is currently seeing two "key" booking trends. "Guests want deeper destination immersion," he said.
"We've built on longer durations in port. During this programme, we will spend 12 hours in port on average. Guests are wanting to spend more meaningful time ashore. They want dinner in the city, and a slower pace of life."
The other trend is guests wanting premium and luxury are booking earlier. Baillie noted how 2027 voyages are "outperforming" 2026 in terms of how early they are booked.
"We're going to promote the programme through a series of travel agent webinars either live or they will be recorded so people can catch up," he added. "We're going to do a sales blitz around wave season. We know agents are probably too busy around now."
Cunard World Club members will have exclusive early access to bookings from 2pm on 3 November 2026, with general sale opening from 2pm on 4 November 2026.
