Both cruise lines attract a loyal, mature demographic who appreciate a slower pace and elegant surroundings. Yet Cunard Cruise Line and Holland America cruises couldn’t feel more different once you step aboard. Cunard feels like stepping into a 1930s ocean liner, brass and teakwood intact. Holland America feels like a modern premium cruise with classical touches. Your choice depends on whether you want theatre or comfort.
This guide covers the key differences in atmosphere, ship design, dining, itineraries, formality, and value between Cunard and Holland America, with honest recommendations on which line suits different priorities.
What Each Line Is Actually Known For
- Cunard built its reputation on transatlantic crossings. The Queen Elizabeth cruise ship and her sisters still run scheduled Southampton to New York sailings, just as they did a century ago. There’s a ritualistic quality to life onboard. Formal nights mean black tie, not dark trousers. Afternoon tea is served with white gloves. The whole experience leans heavily on British maritime heritage, and that’s precisely why people book it.
- Holland America started as a Dutch shipping company and now operates as part of the same corporate family as Cunard, but the two couldn’t be more distinct in tone. HAL focuses on comfortable, modern ships with a more international crew and passenger mix. The emphasis is on culinary variety, enrichment programmes, and itineraries that span every continent. It’s less about recreating history and more about exploring the world in polished surroundings.
Atmosphere and Dress Codes: Formal vs Relaxed
This is where the two lines diverge most sharply. Cunard maintains a three-tier dress code across the ship. On formal nights, you’ll see ball gowns in the main dining room. The Queens Grill suites come with their own exclusive restaurants where jackets are expected every evening. Even on informal nights, the atmosphere skews smart. If you’re the sort who packs a dinner jacket without being asked, you’ll feel at home. If you consider cruise formal nights a mild irritation, Cunard will feel oppressive.
Holland America has toned down formality considerably in recent years. Most evenings are smart casual. Gala nights, the HAL equivalent of formal, still happen but the enforcement is gentle. You’ll see suits and cocktail dresses, but also plenty of chinos and blouses. The vibe is grown-up but not stuffy. No one will glare at you in the buffet for wearing shorts at lunch, which absolutely would happen on Cunard if you wandered into the wrong venue.
What This Means in Practice
- Cunard: Pack more, dress smarter, embrace ritual. If that sounds exhausting, it’s not your line.
- Holland America: One jacket and a couple of dressier outfits will see you through. Far less wardrobe anxiety.
- Public spaces: Cunard’s lounges feel like private clubs. HAL’s feel like hotel lobbies, comfortable but less exclusive in atmosphere.
Ship Design and Onboard Feel
Cunard operates three ships: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. All retain the tiered class structure, with Grill suite passengers enjoying separate restaurants, lounges, and deck space. The ships feel intimate despite their size, with wood panelling, maritime art, and layout that encourages you to linger in public rooms rather than your cabin. There are few gimmicks. No waterslides, no surf simulators, no laser tag. The focus is on the planetarium, the ballroom, the library with 8,000 books, and the knowledge that you’re sailing on something closer to a classic ocean liner than a floating resort.
Holland America’s fleet skews newer and larger, with ships like Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam offering more contemporary interiors. There’s still plenty of artwork and attention to finish, but it’s sleeker. You’ll find more dining venues, a BBC Earth-branded theatre experience, and spaces designed around activities rather than just sitting. The ships feel less hierarchical too. Suite guests get perks, but there’s no separate class system cutting through the entire vessel. It’s a more egalitarian experience.
| Aspect | Cunard | Holland America |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet age | Mixed, oldest ship launched 2003 | Newer overall, recent newbuilds |
| Class structure | Grill, Princess, Britannia clear tiers | No separate classes, suite perks only |
| Public room style | Traditional, wood, brass, formal lounges | Modern, lighter, more varied venues |
| Cabin size | Generally smaller, classic proportions | Slightly larger, more storage |
| Activities focus | Enrichment, talks, ballroom dancing | Culinary demos, BBC Earth, wider variety |
Itineraries and Where They Actually Sail
Cunard concentrates on prestige routes. The transatlantic crossing is the flagship product, running regularly between Southampton and New York. Beyond that, you’ll find Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and occasional world cruises. The itineraries tend to be curated around cultural weight rather than just ticking off ports. You’re more likely to dock in Le Havre for Paris than in a beach resort. Many Cunard passengers book cruises from UK ports specifically to avoid flights.
Holland America covers the globe more comprehensively. Caribbean in winter, Alaska in summer, plus regular departures to Asia, South America, Australia, and the South Pacific. The line stays in regions longer, offering more variety within a season. If you want to explore somewhere less obvious, HAL probably goes there. The downside is fewer departures from UK ports. Most itineraries require positioning flights, which Cunard passengers often avoid entirely.
Itinerary Strengths by Line
- Cunard wins if: You want a true transatlantic crossing, you prefer Northern European culture-heavy itineraries, or you’re based in the UK and want to avoid flights.
- Holland America wins if: You want longer exotic voyages, you’re flexible on departure ports, or you’ve exhausted the usual European routes and want something different.
- Port selection: Cunard favours iconic cities. HAL mixes major ports with smaller, less-visited stops, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.
Dining and Culinary Standards
Both lines serve good food, but the experience differs considerably. Cunard’s main dining rooms operate on a two-sitting, assigned-table system. You’ll have the same table and waiters every evening. It’s a very traditional setup that some adore and others find restrictive. The Grill restaurants, exclusive to suite passengers, are genuinely excellent and feel like a high-end hotel. Specialty dining is limited. There’s a steakhouse and a small Italian venue, but Cunard doesn’t push alternative dining the way mass-market lines do.
Holland America has leaned hard into its culinary programme in recent years. The main dining room still offers traditional multi-course dinners, but you’ll also find Rudi’s Sel de Mer for French seafood, Tamarind for pan-Asian, Pinnacle Grill for premium steaks, and Canaletto for Italian. There’s more choice and less formality. The Lido buffet is expansive, and room service is complimentary. HAL also runs cooking demonstrations and a test kitchen concept on newer ships, which adds an interactive element Cunard doesn’t offer.
What Matters at Mealtimes
- Cunard: Traditional service, excellent in the Grill, perfectly competent elsewhere. If you like routine and the same table companions each night, it works beautifully.
- Holland America: More flexibility, broader menu variety, better for dietary restrictions and anyone who wants a different experience each evening.
- Afternoon tea: Cunard’s is an event, with finger sandwiches and a harpist. HAL does it, but it’s less of a focal point.
Inclusions, Value, and What You Actually Pay
This is where Holland America often edges ahead. Both lines charge separately for drinks, wifi, and excursions in the base fare, but HAL runs aggressive promotions that bundle these in. The “Have It All” premium fare frequently includes drinks, specialty dining, excursions, and wifi for less than Cunard’s base fare alone. Even without promotions, HAL’s pricing structure feels more transparent and easier to navigate.
Cunard’s value proposition is less about inclusions and more about the product itself. You’re paying for the experience of sailing on a Queens-class liner. Gratuities are higher, drinks packages are expensive, and the Grill-class fares, while including a lot, are priced accordingly. If you’re comparing base-to-base, Cunard will almost always cost more. Whether it’s worth it depends entirely on how much you value that specific atmosphere.
| Inclusion | Cunard (Base Fare) | Holland America (Base Fare) |
|---|---|---|
| Main dining | Included | Included |
| Specialty dining | Extra charge, limited options | Extra charge, but frequent promotions |
| Wifi | Pay per day or package | Pay per day or included in premium fares |
| Drinks package | Available to purchase, costly | Often included in mid-tier promotions |
| Gratuities | Higher rate, Grill passengers prepaid | Standard rate, prepay option available |
Enrichment, Entertainment, and Daytime Activities
Cunard built its reputation on intellectual enrichment. Guest lecturers are a mainstay, often academics or authors speaking on history, literature, or current affairs. The Royal Court Theatre hosts West End-style productions, and the Queens Room ballroom is one of the largest at sea. If you enjoy ballroom dancing, Cunard employs hosts and runs lessons daily. The library is vast and genuinely used. It’s all very civilised and appeals to passengers who want substance over spectacle.
Holland America offers enrichment too, but with a broader brush. Culinary demonstrations are popular, as are BBC Earth films shown in the main theatre. There’s still ballroom dancing and guest speakers, but you’ll also find digital workshops, fitness classes, and more varied daytime programming. Entertainment skews towards production shows, live music, and B.B. King’s Blues Club on most ships. It’s less highbrow, more accessible, and designed to appeal to a wider range of interests.
Who Enjoys What
- Cunard suits: Readers, history enthusiasts, ballroom dancers, and anyone who finds a lecture on Victorian literature more appealing than a poolside game.
- Holland America suits: Passengers who want variety, foodies interested in cooking demos, and those who prefer live music to formal theatre.
- Evening entertainment: Cunard is more formal and structured. HAL is more relaxed and varied, with fewer expectations about where you should be and when.
Passenger Demographics and Onboard Atmosphere
Both lines attract an older, predominantly British and North American demographic. You’ll see very few children on either, particularly outside school holidays. Where they differ is in attitude. Cunard passengers tend to be traditionalists who actively seek out formality and ritual. Many are repeat cruisers who’ve sailed the Queens for decades. There’s a clubby, insider quality to the crowd, and new passengers can feel slightly on the outside until they learn the ropes.
Holland America passengers are typically well-travelled, but less wedded to tradition. You’ll meet more couples exploring new regions, retirees on extended voyages, and passengers who’ve moved to HAL after outgrowing mainstream lines but aren’t ready for Cunard’s formality. The onboard atmosphere is friendly without being intrusive. People are more likely to strike up a conversation in a public lounge on HAL than on Cunard, where personal space is more carefully guarded.
Service Standards and Crew Interaction
Cunard’s service is formal and precise. Stewards in the Grill restaurants are career professionals, often with decades of experience. The service style is attentive without being chatty. You’re looked after impeccably, but there’s a professional distance. In Britannia class, service is still good but less personalised simply because the crew-to-passenger ratio is lower. Cunard runs on routine, and the crew know their roles inside out.
Holland America’s crew are warm and approachable, with a strong Filipino and Indonesian presence. Service feels more personal and less scripted. You’re more likely to have a genuine conversation with your cabin steward or dining room waiter. The trade-off is that HAL’s service, while friendly, is less formal and occasionally less polished than Cunard at its best. If you value warmth over precision, HAL delivers. If you prefer discreet, invisible efficiency, Cunard edges ahead.
Which Line Wins for Different Priorities
There’s no universal winner here. The right choice depends entirely on what you want from a cruise.
| Your Priority | Choose This Line | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Transatlantic crossing | Cunard | The only line still operating scheduled crossings with proper ocean liner heritage |
| Modern ship design | Holland America | Newer vessels, lighter interiors, more varied public spaces |
| Formal atmosphere | Cunard | If you want dress codes, ritual, and traditional cruise elegance, nothing compares |
| Relaxed onboard vibe | Holland America | Smart but not stuffy, with far less pressure to dress up or conform |
| Value and inclusions | Holland America | More aggressive promotions and more transparent pricing structure |
| Global itineraries | Holland America | Wider range of regions and longer season in each destination |
| UK departures | Cunard | Far more frequent Southampton sailings, avoiding the need for flights |
| Dining variety | Holland America | More specialty venues and a stronger culinary programme overall |
| Ballroom dancing | Cunard | The Queens Room and dance hosts make this a centrepiece activity |
| Suite experience | Cunard | The Grill class structure offers a genuinely exclusive experience with separate spaces |
Practical Considerations Before You Book
Beyond the atmosphere and style, there are practical differences that affect the booking experience. Cunard’s fare structure is more complex, with Grill, Princess, and Britannia grades offering vastly different experiences at vastly different prices. If you’re considering Cunard, it’s worth stretching to Princess Grill at minimum to access the better dining and service. Booking Britannia on Cunard then comparing it to a mid-tier HAL fare isn’t a fair fight.
Holland America’s promotions can be genuinely compelling, but they change frequently and are often region-specific. If you’re flexible on dates and cabins, you can find excellent value. Cunard rarely discounts as heavily, so you’re more likely to pay closer to brochure rates. Both lines are bookable through traditional agents and benefit from the expertise of someone who knows the quirks of each.
Booking Tips Worth Knowing
- Cunard: Book Grill class if your budget allows. The gap between Britannia and Grill is substantial, and you’re paying for Cunard’s best product.
- Holland America: Watch for “Have It All” promotions that bundle drinks, wifi, and excursions. These turn HAL into a near-inclusive experience.
- Loyalty programmes: Both lines run them, but Cunard’s tiers unlock Grill perks even in lower cabins, which is powerful on longer sailings.
- Solo travellers: HAL has dedicated solo cabins on newer ships. Cunard charges full single supplements, which makes it prohibitively expensive for one.
How They Compare to Other Premium Lines
Both Cunard and Holland America sit in the premium category, but they’re at opposite ends of it. If you’re also considering Cunard vs Princess Cruises, Princess is far closer to Holland America in style, relaxed and accessible, though without HAL’s culinary focus. Cunard vs Celebrity Cruises is another common comparison, with Celebrity offering modern luxury and a younger demographic, making it quite different from Cunard’s traditional approach. Cunard vs Oceania puts two upscale lines head-to-head, but Oceania is more about destination immersion and included dining, while Cunard is about the voyage itself.
Understanding what makes Cunard different from other lines is essential before booking. It’s not just another premium cruise. It’s a specific, deliberate recreation of ocean liner travel that won’t suit everyone, even those who enjoy upscale cruising elsewhere.
The Honest Verdict
If you’ve ever fantasised about crossing the Atlantic on a proper ocean liner, or you genuinely enjoy formal evenings and the rituals of traditional cruising, Cunard is the clear winner. It offers something no other line replicates, and for the right passenger, it’s worth every penny. The experience is immersive, refined, and utterly distinct.
If you want a premium cruise with modern comforts, global itineraries, and better value for money, Holland America is the smarter choice. It’s grown-up without being stuffy, and it delivers a high-quality experience with fewer barriers to entry. You won’t feel underdressed, you’ll have more dining options, and you’ll visit a wider range of destinations. Using packing cubes that compress your clothing makes it easier to fit both smart casual and gala night outfits into limited cabin storage on either line.
Most passengers will prefer Holland America. It’s simply more accessible and more aligned with what modern cruising has become. But for those who want the full ocean liner experience, complete with white gloves and ballroom gowns, Cunard remains unmatched.
Common Questions
Is Cunard more expensive than Holland America?
Yes, typically. Cunard’s base fares are higher, and once you add drinks, wifi, and gratuities, the gap widens. Holland America runs frequent promotions that include these items, making it better value for most passengers.
Can I wear jeans on Cunard?
Not in the evening dining rooms or public lounges after 6pm. Jeans are fine during the day in casual venues, but Cunard enforces its dress code more strictly than most premium lines.
Does Holland America have formal nights?
Yes, called Gala Nights, but they’re less formal than Cunard’s. A suit or cocktail dress is standard. Black tie is rare and not expected. The atmosphere is smart rather than strict.
Which line is better for solo travellers?
Holland America, by a distance. It has dedicated solo cabins on newer ships with reduced supplements. Cunard charges full double occupancy rates, which makes solo travel prohibitively expensive.
Do both lines allow children onboard?
Yes, but neither caters to families. Cunard has no kids’ club. Holland America has limited facilities, mainly used during school holidays. Both attract an almost exclusively adult demographic.
Which has better food?
Holland America offers more variety and a stronger culinary programme. Cunard’s Grill restaurants are excellent, but Britannia dining is less impressive. Overall, HAL has the edge for most passengers.
Are the crew British on Cunard?
Senior officers are often British, but the wider crew is international, predominantly Filipino and European. The atmosphere is British, but the crew nationality is mixed like most cruise lines.
Can I cross the Atlantic on Holland America?
Occasionally, as repositioning cruises between seasons. But these are one-off sailings, not the scheduled, purpose-built crossings that Cunard operates regularly between Southampton and New York.
Which line has better enrichment programmes?
Cunard, if you prefer academic lectures and cultural talks. Holland America, if you want broader variety including culinary demonstrations and interactive programming. Both take enrichment seriously, just with different focuses. Bringing a memory foam travel pillow makes those longer lecture sessions more comfortable.
Why Trust About2Cruise
- I’m Jo, and I’ve sailed both Cunard and Holland America multiple times across different ship classes and itineraries to compare them properly.
- This guide is updated whenever either line changes its dining structure, fare inclusions, or ship deployments that affect the comparison.
- We’re not affiliated with any cruise line or booking agency. If a ship has issues, we’ll tell you. Read more about our editorial approach.