Cunard Line
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Cunard Line

Company nameThe Cunard Line
Company typeSubsidiariesiary
Foundation1840, as the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
LocationSouthampton, United Kingdom, and Santa Clarita, California, United States
Key peoplePeter Shanks (President)
Area servedTransatlantic, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and World Cruises.
Products revenue =
ParentCarnival Corporation & PLC
Homepagehttp://www.cunard.co.uk/

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Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company, which is based in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century. In 1839, Canadian-born Samuel Cunard was awarded the first British transatlantic steamship mail contract, and the next year formed the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-Packet Company to operate the line's four pioneer paddle steamers on the Liverpool-Halifax-Boston route. For most of the next 30 years, Cunard held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic voyage. However, in the 1870s Cunard fell behind its rivals, the White Star Line and the Inman Line. To meet this competition, in 1879 the firm was reorganized as Cunard Steamship Company, Ltd to raise capital.
White Star joined the American owned International Mercantile Marine Co. in 1902. The British Government provided Cunard with substantial loans and a subsidy to build the two superliners needed to retain its competitive position. Mauretania held the Blue Riband from 1909 to 1929. The sinking of her sister ship Lusitania in 1915 was one of the causes of the United States' entering the First World War. In the late 1920s, Cunard faced new competition when the Germans, Italians and French built large prestige liners. Cunard was forced to suspend construction on its own new superliner because of the Great Depression. In 1934 the British Government offered Cunard loans to finish the Queen Mary and to build a second ship, the Queen Elizabeth, on the condition that Cunard merged with the then ailing White Star line to form Cunard White-Star Ltd. Cunard owned two-thirds of the new company. Cunard purchased White Star's share in 1947; the name reverted to the Cunard Line in 1950.
Winston Churchill estimated that the two Queens helped to shorten the Second World War by at least a year. Upon the end of the war, Cunard regained its position as the largest Atlantic passenger line. By the mid 1950s, it operated twelve ships to the United States and Canada. After 1958, transatlantic passenger ships became increasingly unprofitable because of the introduction of jet airliners. Cunard withdrew from its year round service in 1968 to concentrate on cruising and summer transatlantic voyages for vacationers. The Queens were replaced by the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), which was designed for the dual role. In 1998 Cunard was acquired by the Carnival Corporation and five years later QE2 was replaced on the Transatlantic runs by the Queen Mary 2 (QM2). The line also operates the Queen Victoria (QV) and the forthcoming Queen Elizabeth (QE), due for entry into service in 2010.

Latest News : Cunard Line : Tweet this RSS

Storm in an afternoon teacup? - Mirror.co.uk (blog) Tweet this news
Mirror.co.uk (blog)--I have seen passengers queuing for the best tables in the Queens Room on -Cunard's- Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. The Discovery Lounge on Saga Pearl II was ... - Date : Mon, 24 May 2010 10:23:57 GMT+00:00
PSA cruise review: UK to ride a new wave of growth - TTG live Tweet this news
TTG live---...- the arrival of four ships dedicated primarily to the UK market - P&O Cruises' Azura, Celebrity Eclipse, -Cunard Line's- Queen Elizabeth and Thomson Dream. ... - Date : Thu, 20 May 2010 09:39:49 GMT+00:00
Cunard Line Unveils David Linley Artwork for the New Queen Elizabeth - PR-CANADA.net (press release) Tweet this news
PR-CANADA.net (press release)--Yesterday, in Chelsea near London, -Cunard Line- unveiled the stunning centerpiece for the Grand Lobby of the Line's newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, ... - Date : Sat, 22 May 2010 15:29:57 GMT+00:00
PSA cruise review: UK to ride a new wave of growth - TTG live Tweet this news
TTG live---...- the arrival of four ships dedicated primarily to the UK market - P&O Cruises' Azura, Celebrity Eclipse, -Cunard Line's- Queen Elizabeth and Thomson Dream. ... - Date : Thu, 20 May 2010 09:39:49 GMT+00:00
Cunard Line Unveils David Linley Artwork for the New Queen Elizabeth - PR Newswire (press release) Tweet this news
PR Newswire (press release)--SOUTHAMPTON, England, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, in Chelsea near London, -Cunard Line- unveiled the stunning centerpiece for the Grand Lobby of the ... - Date : Thu, 20 May 2010 18:39:02 GMT+00:00
Cruise lines bringing out the big names for ship launches - Regina Leader-Post Tweet this news
Regina Leader-Post--According to the builders, the new liner is positioned to recreate the golden era of cruising and pay tribute to past -Cunard- Queens and their royal links. ... - Date : Fri, 21 May 2010 07:31:06 GMT+00:00
PSA cruise review: UK to ride a new wave of growth - TTG live Tweet this news
TTG live---...- the arrival of four ships dedicated primarily to the UK market - P&O Cruises' Azura, Celebrity Eclipse, -Cunard Line's- Queen Elizabeth and Thomson Dream. ... - Date : Thu, 20 May 2010 09:39:49 GMT+00:00
Cunard to Welcome 2009 Tribeca Film Festival 'Best Documentary' Winner ... - PR Newswire (press release) Tweet this news
PR Newswire (press release)--During the Crossing, Curry will participate in -Cunard- Insights, the -Line's- award-winning onboard enrichment programme, and will screen his acclaimed 2009 ... - Date : Tue, 18 May 2010 19:36:34 GMT+00:00
Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal Joins Asia Cruise Association - ASIATravelTips.com Tweet this news
ASIATravelTips.com--This latest addition to ACA, which is led by cruise -lines- Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, -Cunard-, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean ... - Date : Wed, 19 May 2010 03:09:01 GMT+00:00
See the world on the great railroad journeys - Deseret News Tweet this news
Deseret News--I've crossed the Atlantic on an ocean liner, but missed the era when your choice of -line- went beyond -Cunard-. ... - Date : Sat, 15 May 2010 23:13:34 GMT+00:00

In service for Cunard
Ship Built In service for Cunard Type Tonnage Notes
Unicorn 1836 1840-1846 wood-paddler 650 GRT coastal steamer purchased for Montreal service, sold 1846
Britannia 1840 1840-1849 wood-paddler 1,150 GRT Eastbound record holder, sold to North German Navy 1849
Acadia 1840 1840-1849 wood-paddler 1,150 GRT sold to North German Navy 1849
Caledonia 1840 1840-1850 wood-paddler 1,150 GRT sold to Spanish Navy 1850
Columbia 1841 1841-1843 wood-paddler 1,150 GRT Blue Riband, wrecked 1843 without loss of life
Hibernia 1843 1843-1850 wood-paddler 1,400 GRT Eastbound record holder, sold to Spanish Navy 1850
Cambria 1845 1845-1860 wood-paddler 1,400 GRT Blue Riband, sold to Italian owners 1860
America 1848 1848-1863 wood-paddler 1,850 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1863 and converted to sail
Niagara 1848 1848-1866 wood-paddler 1,850 GRT sold 1866 and converted to sail
Europa 1848 1848-1867 wood-paddler 1,850 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1867
Canada 1848 1848-1866 wood-paddler 1,850 GRT Eastbound record holder, sold 1866 and converted to sail
Asia 1850 1850-1868 wood-paddler 2,250 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1868
Africa 1850 1850-1868 wood-paddler 2,250 GRT sold 1868
Arabia 1852 1852-1864 wood-paddler 2,400 GRT sold 1864 and converted to sail
Andes 1852 1852-1859 iron-screw 1,400 GRT sold to Spanish Government 1859
Alps 1853 1853-1859 iron-screw 1,400 GRT sold to Spanish Government 1859
Jura 1854 1854-1860 iron-screw 2,200 GRT sold to Allan Line 1860
Etna 1855 1855-1860 iron-screw 2,200 GRT sold to Inman Line 1860
Persia 1856 1856-1869 iron-paddler 3,300 GRT Blue Riband, taken out of service 1868 and scrapped 1872
Australian 1857 1860-1876 iron-screw 2,700 GRT built for other owners, sold 1876
China 1862 1862-1880 iron-screw 2,550 GRT sold to Spanish owners 1880
Scotia 1862 1864-1878 iron-paddler 3,850 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1878 and converted to cable layer
Cuba 1864 1865-1876 iron-screw 2,700 GRT sold 1876 and converted to sail
Java 1865 1865-1879 iron-screw 2,700 GRT sold 1879 and converted to sail

In service for Cunard
Ship Built In service for Cunard Type Tonnage Notes
Russia 1867 1867-1880 express 2,950 GRT sold to Red Star Line 1880
Siberia 1867 1867-1880 intermediate 2,550 GRT sold to Spanish owners 1880
Samaria 1868 1868-1892 intermediate 2,550 GRT sold 1892
Batavia 1870 1870-1884 intermediate 2,550 GRT traded in for Oregon 1884
Abyssinia 1870 1870-1880 express 3,250 GRT sold to Guion Line 1880
Algeria 1870 1870-1881 express 3,250 GRT sold to Red Star Line 1881
Parthia 1870 1870-1884 intermediate 3,150 GRT traded in for Oregon 1884, scrapped 1955
Bothnia 1874 1874-1898 express 4,550 GRT sold 1898
Scythia 1875 1875-1899 express 4,550 GRT sold 1899
Gallia 1879 1879-1897 express 4,800 GRT sold to Beaver Line 1899
Cathalonia 1881 1881-1901 intermediate 4,850 GRT sold 1901
Cephalonia 1882 1882-1900 intermediate 5,500 GRT sold to Russian Navy 1900, sunk Port Authur
Pavonia 1882 1882-1900 intermediate 5,500 GRT sold 1900
Servia 1881 1881-1902 express 7,400 GRT first steel liner to New York, scrapped 1902
Aurania 1883 1883-1905 express 7,250 GRT sold 1905
Oregon 1883 1884-1886 express 7,400 GRT Blue Riband, built for Guion Line, purchased by Cunard 1884, sank 1886 without loss of life
Umbria 1884 1884-1910 express 7,700 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1910
Etruria 1884 1884-1910 express 7,700 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1910
Campania 1893 1893-1914 express 12,900 GRT Blue Riband, sold to Royal Navy 1914 and converted to aircraft carrier
Lucania 1893 1893-1909 express 12,900 GRT Blue Riband, scrapped after fire 1909

In service for Cunard
Ship Built In service for Cunard Type Tonnage Notes
Ultonia 1899 1899-1917 intermediate 10,400 GRT sunk by submarine 1917
Ivernia 1900 1900-1917 intermediate 14,250 GRT sunk by submarine 1917
Saxonia 1900 1900-1925 intermediate 14,250 GRT sold 1925
1903 1903-1918 intermediate 13,600 GRT rescued survivors from Titanic, sunk by submarine 1918
1905 1905-1932 intermediate 19,650 GRT scrapped 1932
1905 1905-1932 intermediate 19,650 GRT scrapped 1932
1907 1907-1915 express 31,550 GRT Blue Riband, sunk by submarine 1915
1907 1907-1934 express 31,950 GRT Blue Riband, scrapped 1934
Franconia 1911 1911-1916 intermediate 18,100 GRT sunk by submarine 1916
1900 1911-1912 intermediate 7,650 GRT built for Thompson Line, purchased by Cunard 1911, sold 1912
Ascania 1911 1911-1918 intermediate 9,100 GRT wrecked 1918
1912 1912-1917 intermediate 18,100 GRT sunk by submarine 1917
1913 1913-1918 intermediate 13,400 GRT sunk by submarine 1918
1913 1913-1916 intermediate 13,400 GRT sunk by mine 1916
1914 1914-1950 express 45,650 GRT scrapped 1950
1914 1914-1921 intermediate 15,700 GRT built for other owners, acquired by Cunard 1914, sold 1921
Aurania 1916 1916-1918 intermediate 13,400 GRT sunk by submarine 1918
Albania 1920 1920-1930 intermediate 12,750 GRT sold to Libera Triestina 1930
1913 1921-1938 express 51,950 GRT built by Hapag as Imperator, purchased by Cunard 1921, sold for scrap 1938
1921 1921-1958 intermediate 19,700 GRT scrapped 1958
Samaria 1922 1922-1955 intermediate 19,700 GRT scrapped 1955
1922 1922-1942 intermediate 19,700 GRT sunk by submarine 1942
1922 1922-1942 intermediate 13,900 GRT sold to Admiralty 1942
Austonia 1922 1922-1942 intermediate 13,900 GRT sold to Admiralty 1942
1922 1922-1940 intermediate 16,250 GRT sunk by bombing 1940
Franconia 1923 1923-1956 intermediate 20,200 GRT scrapped 1956
1924 1924-1942 intermediate 14,000 GRT sold to Admiralty 1942
1925 1925-1940 cruise 20,200 GRT sunk by submarine 1940
Ascania 1925 1925-1956 intermediate 14,000 GRT scrapped 1956
Alaunia 1925 1925-1942 intermediate 14,000 GRT sold to Admiralty 1942

In service for Cunard
Ship Built In service for Cunard Type Tonnage Notes
1936 1936-1967 express 80,750 GRT Blue Riband, sold 1967, now a docked hotel ship
1939 1939-1965 express 37,750 GRT scrapped 1965
1940 1940-1968 express 83,650 GRT sold 1968, destroyed by fire 1972
Media 1947 1947-1961 cargo liner 13,350 GRT sold to Cogedar Line 1961
Parthia 1947 1947-1961 cargo liner 13,350 GRT sold to P&O 1961
1949 1949-1968 cruise 34,200 GRT sold 1968, wrecked 1974
&
 1954 1954-1962&
1962-1973		 intermediate&
cruise		 21,637 GRT&
21,370 GRT		 Sold to the Black Sea Shipping Company, Soviet Union 1973
&
 1955 1955-1963&
1963-1973		 intermediate&
cruise		 21,800 GRT Sold to the Far Eastern Shipping Company, Soviet Union 1973
1956 1956-1968 intermediate 21,800 GRT sold to Sitmar Line 1968
1957 1957-1968 intermediate 21,800 GRT sold to Sitmar Line 1968
1969 1969-2008 express 70,300 GRT sold 2008, laid up in Port Rashid
Cunard Adventurer 1971 1971-1977 cruise 14,150 GRT sold to Norwegian Cruise Line 1977
Cunard Ambassador 1972 1972-1974 cruise 14,150 GRT sold after fire 1974 to C. Clausen and converted to a cattle carrier
Cunard Countess 1975 1976-1996 cruise 17,500 GRT sold to Awani Cruise Line 1996
Cunard Princess 1975 1977-1995 cruise 17,500 GRT sold to MSC Cruises 1995
1965 1983-1997 cruise 24,500 GRT built for Norwegian America Line, sold to Saga Cruises 1997
&
 1973 1983-1999&
1999-2004		 cruise 24,300 GRT built for Norwegian America Line, sold to Saga Cruises 2004
Sea Goddess I 1984 1986-1998 cruise 4,333 GRT Built for Sea Goddess Cruises, transferred to Seabourn Cruise Line 1998
Sea Goddess II 1985 1986-1998 cruise 4,333 GRT Built for Sea Goddess Cruises, transferred to Seabourn Cruise Line 1998
1988 1994-1999 cruise 37,850 GRT built for Royal Viking Line, transferred to Seabourn Cruise Line 1999
2004 2004-present express 150,000 GT in service
2007 2007-present cruise 90,000 GT in service
building building cruise 92,000 GT expected in service 2010



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