Somewhere in the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ocean
We left the U.S. for France aboard the Queen Mary 2—the floating time machine where jet lag politely stays on shore, ballroom shoes get a second life, and you suddenly meet half the dance floor from Australia. One friend (Australian by birth, Florida by sunshine, excellent gala partner by twirl) kept saying she was “doing the Four Queens.”
Wait—what are the “Four Queens”?
Cunard’s fleet currently has four ships: Queen Mary 2 (QM2), Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and the newest, Queen Anne. “Doing the Four Queens” simply means sailing on all four at least once—some do it over years; a few string them together in one epic season. (Cunard)
Why Australians are so into it
Cunard has a long, affectionate history with Australia—QM2’s early visits turned a lot of Aussies into lifelong “Cunarders,” and the line marks 100+ years Down Under with pride. Add those Sydney and world-voyage itineraries, and the goal becomes irresistible. (Cruise Industry News | Cruise News)
Why now feels extra special
Queen Anne joined the fleet in 2024, rounding out the modern quartet—so the “Four Queens” quest finally includes a brand-new ship. Her arrival and first season sold like hotcakes. (Cunard)
How to plan your own “Four Queens” (what we learned)
Here’s the curated, no-nonsense version we wish someone had handed us at Afternoon Tea (right between the scones and clotted cream):
-
Start with QM2 if you can. The transatlantic crossing is unique—an ocean liner doing what she was built to do. Then slot Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth around the Med, Alaska, Asia, or the Caribbean, and finish with Queen Anne wherever she’s home-porting. (Cunard)
-
Book early—like a year (or more) early. Early booking windows often mean better cabin choice and launch promotions; Cunard has run seasonal “early booking savings” on new voyage releases. Loyalty members also get first dibs when new seasons open. (Cunard)
-
Know your loyalty bump. Once you’ve sailed, the Cunard World Club tiers add benefits (think savings and little onboard niceties) that compound as you keep cruising—handy if you’re chasing all four ships. (Cunard)
-
Consider onboard re-booking. Many cruisers report extra onboard credit and lower deposits for voyages booked while you’re still at sea (anecdotal, but common chatter). (Cruise Critic Community)
-
Mind the calendars. Australia itineraries (and port capacity pinch points like Sydney) can make certain dates hot commodities—yet another reason to plan ahead. (The Australian)
-
Reality check: new-ship fever. Queen Anne created a rush; some maiden or “first” sailings sell out fast. If that matters to you, aim your deposit accordingly. (Cunard)
The best part? The people.
Yes, the ships are gorgeous. But the standout memories are human: tuxedos with sneakers, strangers becoming trivia teammates, Aussies comparing favourite sea days, and one fabulous partner dancer who made our gala nights glide.
Your turn 👇
Thinking about “doing the Four Queens”? Have a question about routes, timing, or how to pair crossings with European train trips? Drop your comment and we’ll workshop a plan together.
Quick learner tips:
-
A1: Learn ship basics: le navire, l’équipage, la traversée, le pont, la cabine.
-
A2: Practice asking onboard: « À quelle heure est le thé de l’après-midi ? » / « Où se trouve la salle de bal ? »
-
B1: Small talk at dinner: « C’est votre première traversée ? Quelles escales préférez-vous ? »
-
B2: Compare ships: « J’ai trouvé l’atmosphère de la Queen Victoria plus intime que celle du QM2. Et vous ? »
-
Advanced: Debate planning: « Réserver un an à l’avance maximise le choix de cabine et les offres de lancement, mais limite la spontanéité. Où placez-vous le curseur ? »
P.S. If you’ve already ticked off a Queen, say which one and why—bonus points for gala photos!