Cunard and Celebrity Cruises both sit in the premium tier, but they might as well be on different planets. Cunard, founded in 1840, is the grande dame of cruising, all tradition and formality and afternoon tea. Celebrity Cruises, born in 1989 under Royal Caribbean Group, is sleek and modern and has no interest in your white gloves. You’re not choosing between good and better here, you’re choosing between two entirely different philosophies of what a premium cruise should feel like.
This guide covers the core differences in atmosphere, design, service style, dining, typical passengers, and which line suits different types of cruisers, plus honest trade-offs for both.
The fundamental difference in what you’re actually buying
When you book Cunard, you’re buying into a specific ritual. The crossing is the point, not just the transport. You dress for dinner. You take tea at four. The Queen Mary 2 still does proper transatlantic crossings because that’s what ocean liners were built for. The whole experience leans into the romance of maritime history, and if that sounds stuffy to you, Cunard probably isn’t your line.
Celebrity is premium without the pomp. The ships are design statements, not floating museums. You get modern luxury without anyone caring if you turn up to dinner in jeans, though the main dining room does prefer you don’t. The focus is on contemporary style, innovative dining, and a more relaxed social atmosphere. It’s aspirational in a different way, less about tradition and more about being current.
Both lines deliver quality. The difference is whether you want that quality wrapped in heritage or in high-gloss modernity.
Ships and design: ballrooms vs sculpture
Cunard’s Queens are built to echo the great ocean liners. Think grand staircases, wood paneling, vast public rooms designed for formal gatherings. The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship experience is all about stately elegance. These aren’t ships designed for Instagram, they’re designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped back into an era when crossing the Atlantic was an event.
Celebrity’s newer ships, particularly the Edge class, are architectural statements. Cantilevered decks, sculptural atriums, bold use of glass and light. The public spaces are diverse and designed to impress. You get the Magic Carpet, an outdoor platform that moves between decks. You get the Rooftop Garden. These are ships that want you to notice them.
If you prefer classic elegance and a sense of occasion, Cunard’s interiors will feel right. If you want something that looks like it belongs in a design magazine, Celebrity delivers.
| Design element | Cunard | Celebrity |
|---|---|---|
| Overall aesthetic | Traditional ocean liner with grand public rooms | Contemporary, design-forward with bold architecture |
| Signature spaces | Queens Room ballroom, formal libraries, observation lounges | Magic Carpet, Rooftop Garden, multi-level atriums |
| Cabin style | Classic with rich woods and traditional fabrics | Sleek, modern with clean lines and neutral palettes |
| Formality level | High, particularly in key public spaces | Relaxed, with flexibility across venues |
Service style and the pace of your day
Cunard service is polished and attentive in a formal way. Your dining room has assigned seating and waiters who remember your preferences. The pace is leisurely. Multi-course dinners take time because that’s part of the experience. The staff are gracious and professional, and there’s a certain formality to interactions that some passengers adore and others find a bit much.
Celebrity service is warm and efficient without the ceremony. You still get excellent attention, but it’s more contemporary in style. Less bowing, more genuine friendliness. The dining rooms are flexible, you can usually choose between traditional or anytime dining. The pace feels quicker, more in tune with how people actually holiday now.
Neither approach is better, but they attract different people. If you like the idea of ritual and a slower rhythm, Cunard delivers. If you want premium service without the formality, Celebrity is built for that.
Dining: tradition vs innovation
Cunard’s dining leans heavily on classic menus and formal presentation. The main dining rooms serve traditional cruise fare executed well, with a British accent to some dishes. Afternoon tea is a genuine highlight and taken seriously. Specialty dining exists but it’s not the main event. The focus is on the main dining room experience, with assigned tables and a sense of occasion every evening.
Celebrity puts enormous emphasis on culinary variety. The main dining room is excellent, but the specialty restaurants are where the line really shines. You get innovative concepts, guest chef partnerships, and menus that change regularly to reflect current trends. Le Voyage on the Edge class ships, for example, is a six-course French experience that’s miles ahead of typical cruise dining. The line also offers more casual options without compromising quality.
If formal dining with classic dishes appeals, Cunard does it better than almost anyone. If you want choice and contemporary cuisine, Celebrity is significantly stronger.
Dress codes and what’s actually expected
This is where the lines diverge most obviously. Cunard still enforces gala evenings, which means black tie or dark suits for men and cocktail dresses or gowns for women in the main dining rooms. You can skip it by eating at the buffet, but the expectation is clear. Even on non-gala nights, smart attire is required. Some passengers love this, others find it restrictive. What makes Cunard different from other cruise lines is partly this commitment to formality.
Celebrity has dress codes, but they’re softer. Evening chic nights suggest cocktail attire, but enforcement is gentle. Smart casual is fine for most dining venues most nights. You’ll see more variety in what people wear, and the atmosphere is generally more relaxed about it. No one’s policing your hemline.
Be honest with yourself about whether you enjoy dressing up or find it a chore. It will colour your entire experience on either line.
Entertainment and onboard activities
- Cunard entertainment tilts toward cultural enrichment. Guest lecturers, often academics or authors, present talks on history, politics, literature. The entertainment is more traditional, ballroom dancing in the Queens Room, theatre productions that lean classic. It’s all very refined and appeals to passengers who prefer substance over spectacle. Transatlantic crossings, especially, are designed for passengers who want time to read, think, and converse.
- Celebrity offers high-energy production shows, often with partnerships like performances in the theatre. Activities are varied and frequent, from cooking demonstrations to fitness classes to interactive experiences. The pace is busier, with more happening simultaneously. It’s designed for passengers who want options and variety, not quiet contemplation.
- Neither is wrong, but if you get antsy without stimulation, Cunard’s slower pace may bore you. If you find constant activity exhausting, Celebrity might feel overwhelming.
Who actually sails on each line
- Cunard passengers skew older, often British or Anglophile, and tend to be well-travelled. Many are repeat cruisers who specifically want the Cunard experience. You’ll meet couples who’ve sailed the Queen Mary 2 across the Atlantic a dozen times. The demographic appreciates tradition and doesn’t mind paying for it. Families are rare outside school holidays.
- Celebrity attracts a broader age range. You’ll see younger couples, multigenerational families, groups of friends. The passenger base is international and generally wants a premium cruise without heavy formality. The atmosphere is more social and less reserved. Celebrity Cruises typically appeals to passengers who want modern amenities and aren’t particularly interested in maritime nostalgia.
- The passenger mix genuinely affects your experience. If you prefer a quieter, more reserved social atmosphere, Cunard delivers. If you like a broader mix and more energy, Celebrity fits better.
Itineraries and how they differ
- Cunard built its reputation on transatlantic crossings, and the Queen Mary 2 still does regular runs between Southampton and New York. These are proper voyages, not repositioning cruises disguised as crossings. The line also offers long voyages, world cruises, and cruises departing from UK ports focused on northern Europe. The itineraries lean cultural and often historical.
- Celebrity covers the globe with a huge variety of itineraries. Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Asia, South Pacific. The line does shorter cruises as well as longer voyages, so there’s more flexibility in trip length. The focus is on destination immersion with curated shore excursions designed to feel contemporary, not coach-tour stale.
- If a transatlantic crossing or a grand voyage appeals, Cunard is purpose-built for that. For destination variety and shorter trips, Celebrity has far more options.
Comparing Cunard to other premium lines
Understanding where Cunard sits within premium cruising helps clarify the choice. Cunard vs Princess Cruises shows a more traditional line against one that’s premium but far more relaxed in formality. Cunard vs Holland America compares two heritage-focused lines, though Holland America skews American traditional while Cunard is distinctly British. Cunard vs Oceania pits British formality against country-club elegance, both premium but with very different social atmospheres.
Celebrity, by contrast, is firmly in the modern premium camp. Less emphasis on tradition, more on contemporary style and culinary variety.
The honest trade-offs for each line
Cunard gives you a genuine sense of occasion and an experience rooted in maritime history. You get impeccable service and a refined atmosphere. The trade-off is that the pace is slower, the formality can feel restrictive, and the ships, while elegant, don’t have the innovation of newer vessels. If you’re not interested in dressing for dinner or attending lectures, much of what makes Cunard special will feel wasted on you.
Celebrity delivers modern luxury with excellent dining and striking design. You get variety, flexibility, and a more relaxed social scene. The trade-off is that you lose the sense of heritage and ritual. There’s less emphasis on the voyage itself and more on destinations and onboard activities. If you value tradition and the romance of ocean travel, Celebrity may feel a bit soulless.
Neither line is objectively better. They serve different purposes for different passengers.
Which line suits you
- Choose Cunard if: You actively enjoy formal dining and dressing up. The idea of afternoon tea and ballroom dancing appeals. You want a slower pace and cultural enrichment. You’re drawn to maritime history and the romance of the crossing itself. You prefer a quieter, more reserved social atmosphere.
- Choose Celebrity if: You want premium quality without formality. Modern design and innovative dining matter to you. You prefer variety in activities and restaurants. You like a more energetic, social onboard atmosphere. You value flexibility in how you spend your time.
- Choose Cunard for: Transatlantic crossings, northern Europe itineraries, world voyages, or any trip where the voyage is as important as the destinations.
- Choose Celebrity for: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, or any destination-focused cruise where you want modern amenities and dining variety.
Common questions about choosing between Cunard and Celebrity
Is Cunard more expensive than Celebrity? Generally yes, particularly for premium cabin categories and longer voyages. Cunard’s pricing reflects its positioning as a heritage brand, though Celebrity’s specialty dining costs can add up. Both are premium priced, but Cunard typically sits higher, especially on signature itineraries like transatlantic crossings.
Can you dress casually on Cunard? During the day, absolutely. Evenings in the main dining rooms require smart attire, with gala nights demanding formal wear. You can always eat at the buffet if you want to skip the dress code, but you’re missing a core part of the Cunard experience if you do.
Does Celebrity feel like a big ship experience? The Edge class ships are large but don’t feel chaotic. The design creates distinct zones, so crowding is rarely an issue. It’s noticeably busier and more energetic than Cunard, but Celebrity manages passenger flow well. If you hate large ships, though, neither line’s newest vessels will suit you.
Is Cunard suitable for families? Outside school holidays, you’ll see very few children. The line doesn’t actively discourage families, but the formal atmosphere and slower pace don’t appeal to most kids. Celebrity is far more family-friendly, with better kids’ clubs and a more flexible dining approach that works better with children.
Which line has better food? Celebrity wins on variety and innovation. Cunard does traditional dining very well, and afternoon tea is excellent, but Celebrity’s specialty restaurants and culinary focus give it a clear edge for passengers who prioritise food. If you prefer classic menus and formal service, Cunard satisfies, but Celebrity offers more choice.
Do you get assigned dining on both lines? Cunard uses traditional assigned seating in the main dining rooms, with fixed tables and times. Celebrity offers both traditional assigned dining and anytime flexible dining, depending on your preference. If you value dining with the same companions each night, Cunard’s system works well. If you want flexibility, Celebrity accommodates that better.
Are gratuities included on either line? Neither line includes gratuities in the base fare, though some promotions may include them. Cunard’s suggested gratuity rates are slightly higher, reflecting the more formal service style. Both lines allow you to adjust gratuities, though pre-paying is standard and expected.
Which line is better for solo travellers? Celebrity has more solo cabins on newer ships and a generally more social atmosphere, making it easier to meet other passengers. Cunard is more formal and reserved, which can feel isolating if you’re travelling alone. Solo supplement fees exist on both lines, but Celebrity makes more effort to accommodate solo cruisers.
Can you do a transatlantic crossing on Celebrity? Yes, but these are repositioning cruises rather than purpose-built crossings. The Queen Mary 2 is the only ship currently designed and scheduled for regular transatlantic service. If the crossing itself is your goal, Cunard is the only real option. If you just need to get across and want to do it by ship, Celebrity repositioning sailings work fine.
Why trust About2Cruise
- I’m Jo, and I’ve sailed both Cunard and Celebrity multiple times across different ship classes to write this comparison from firsthand experience.
- We update this guide when either line launches new ships, changes dining policies, or adjusts dress codes that affect passenger experience.
- We don’t take advertising from cruise lines, so our editorial stance stays independent and focused on what actually matters to you.