Cunard vs Viking Cruises: Which Premium Line Is Worth Your Money?

These two lines sit in the same “premium” tier on paper, but they could not be more different in practice. Cunard is formal grandeur with a transatlantic pedigree, built for those who want a proper ocean liner experience with ceremony and tradition. Viking Ocean Cruises is modern Scandinavian restraint with everything included, designed for travellers who want immersive itineraries without nickel-and-diming at every turn. Which one wins depends entirely on whether you want white gloves or walking tours.

This guide covers what sets Cunard Line and Viking Ocean Cruises apart, what’s included in each fare, how the ships and atmospheres differ, and which line delivers better value depending on what you want from a cruise.

What Makes These Two Lines So Different

Cunard and Viking both occupy the premium segment, but they solve completely different problems. Cunard is about the ship as destination. Viking is about the ship as a floating hotel that gets you to interesting places. The core philosophies are miles apart.

Cunard’s approach: You’re here for the experience of being aboard a grand ocean liner. The Queen Mary 2 still does proper transatlantic crossings, the kind where you dress for dinner and attend ballroom dances. The ship itself is the star. Itineraries tend to be longer, often involving repositioning voyages or world cruises. The pace is stately. If you’ve ever wanted to live inside a period drama for a week, Cunard delivers.

Viking’s approach: The ship is a means to an end, and that end is getting you into ports with minimal fuss and maximum included experiences. Viking builds uniformly modern mid-sized ships, each carrying around 930 guests. The design is sleek, Nordic, and understated. The focus is on shore excursions, enrichment lectures tied to the destination, and a straightforward all-inclusive model that means fewer surprises when the bill arrives.

If you care more about what happens onboard than what happens ashore, Cunard wins. If you care more about what you see in port than what you wear to dinner, Viking wins.

Ships and Onboard Atmosphere

The ships themselves set the tone for everything else.

Cunard: Big Ships, Big Occasion

• Queen Mary 2 is the flagship and the only ship still purpose-built for transatlantic crossings. It has a planetarium, a full theatre, multiple dining rooms, and a ballroom. The QM2 feels like a proper liner, not a floating resort.
• Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are smaller but still sizeable, with a similar focus on formality and traditional cruise rituals. Both have the classic Cunard dining rooms and the afternoon tea service that people book Cunard specifically to experience.
• Formal nights are non-negotiable. On longer voyages, you’ll have multiple black-tie evenings. If you don’t own a dinner jacket, you’ll feel it. The dress code is part of the appeal for some and a dealbreaker for others.
• Public spaces lean traditional. Wood panelling, grand staircases, and a library that looks like it belongs in a country estate. The design is deliberately nostalgic, evoking the golden age of ocean travel.

Viking Ocean: Modern, Mid-Sized, Minimal

• All Viking Ocean ships are near-identical. If you’ve sailed one, you know what to expect on the next. That’s by design. The cabins are Scandinavian-minimal with light wood, clean lines, and no clutter.
• Size matters. At 930 guests, Viking ships are small enough to dock in ports that larger ships can’t reach but large enough to offer proper amenities. You won’t feel cramped, but you also won’t feel anonymous.
• Casual throughout. There are no formal nights. Smart casual is as dressed-up as it gets. If you hate packing a suit, Viking removes that stress entirely.
• Infinity pool at the back. It’s become a signature Viking feature. Small, but the views are excellent when you’re sailing through fjords or along coastlines.

What’s Included in the Fare

This is where the two lines diverge sharply, and where Viking often looks better on paper.

Cunard Inclusions

Cunard fares cover the basics, but you’ll pay extra for most things that make the experience luxurious.

• Included: Main dining room meals, buffet, afternoon tea, coffee and tea throughout the day, most entertainment, access to pools and fitness centre, enrichment lectures.
• Not included: Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks outside meals, speciality dining venues, gratuities, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, shore excursions. These add up quickly, especially on longer voyages.
• Grill Class changes the equation. If you book a suite in Queens Grill or Princess Grill, you get far more included: priority boarding, exclusive dining rooms, concierge service, and a much higher level of attention. The base fare for Grill Class is significantly higher, but it narrows the gap with Viking’s inclusions.

Viking Ocean Inclusions

Viking builds far more into the base fare, which is part of its appeal and part of why the upfront cost often looks higher than Cunard.

• Included: All meals in multiple venues, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, soft drinks throughout the day, Wi-Fi, one shore excursion in most ports, enrichment lectures, access to thermal suite in the spa, room service with no surcharge, gratuities.
• Not included: Premium spirits, speciality dining on some ships, spa treatments, additional excursions beyond the included one. But the list of extras is far shorter than on Cunard.
• Shore excursions are a major differentiator. Viking includes at least one in every port, and they’re designed around cultural immersion rather than generic coach tours. If you sail a two-week Viking itinerary, you could easily save more than what the fare premium costs just by not paying separately for excursions.

Dining and Cuisine

Both lines take food seriously, but the approach and the value proposition differ.

Cunard Dining

• Main dining rooms operate on traditional two-sitting service. You’re assigned a table and time. Early or late. Some people love the routine and the chance to dine with the same tablemates each night. Others find it rigid.
• Grill restaurants are exceptional. If you’re in a Grill-class suite, you get access to Queens Grill or Princess Grill, which offer a la carte menus, wine pairings, and service that matches high-end shoreside restaurants. This is where Cunard earns its reputation for fine dining.
• Speciality dining costs extra. The Verandah (French), Steakhouse, and other venues carry surcharges. The quality is good, but it’s frustrating when you’ve already paid for a premium cruise and still need to budget for dinner variety.
• Afternoon tea is the highlight for many. Proper tiered service with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. It’s one of the few things Cunard does better than anyone else at sea.

Viking Ocean Dining

• The Restaurant is the main dining room, with open seating and a menu that changes daily. The food is well-executed but not groundbreaking. Think upscale hotel restaurant rather than Michelin-star.
• World Cafe is the buffet alternative, and it’s better than most cruise buffets. The layout is clear, the food is fresh, and it doesn’t feel like a feeding trough.
• Speciality venues are included. Manfredi’s Italian and The Chef’s Table are part of the fare on most ships. No surcharge, no stress. You book ahead, you show up, you eat well.
• Wine and beer with meals is a big deal. It’s included throughout lunch and dinner, and the selection is decent. You’re not getting premier cru Bordeaux, but you’re not getting plonk either. If you drink moderately, this saves a fortune compared with Cunard’s pay-per-glass model.

Enrichment and Shore Experiences

Both lines offer enrichment programming, but Viking leans harder into it and ties it directly to the itinerary.

Cunard Enrichment

• Guest lecturers are a mainstay, especially on longer voyages and transatlantic crossings. Topics range from history to astronomy to literature. The planetarium on Queen Mary 2 is a proper facility, not a gimmick.
• Enrichment is more general. It’s designed to entertain and educate during sea days rather than to prepare you for specific ports. That works well on a transatlantic crossing where the journey is the point. It works less well on a Mediterranean itinerary where you’re in port every day.
• Shore excursions are sold separately, and they’re typically the same coach-tour-style options you’ll find on most cruise lines. Cunard doesn’t include them, and they don’t offer much that’s unique compared with booking independently or through third-party operators.

Viking Ocean Enrichment

• Destination-focused programming is the core of Viking’s enrichment. Before you arrive in a port, there’s often a lecture or presentation about the history, culture, or significance of where you’re going. It’s genuinely useful if you care about context.
• Included excursions are better than most. Viking doesn’t just throw you on a bus and drive you past landmarks. The excursions are smaller groups, often with local guides, and they’re designed around immersion rather than photo stops. If you sail Viking and never book an extra excursion, you’ll still see and learn more than on most other lines.
• Cultural performances and demonstrations happen onboard, often tied to the region you’re sailing through. Folk music in Scandinavia, cooking demos in the Mediterranean. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s thoughtful.

Itineraries and Destinations

This is another area where the two lines operate in parallel universes.

Cunard Itineraries

• Transatlantic crossings are Cunard’s signature. Queen Mary 2 sails between Southampton and New York regularly. These are seven-night voyages with six sea days. If you want to cross the Atlantic on a ship rather than a plane, Cunard is the only mainstream option left.
• World cruises and long voyages dominate the schedule. Cunard does shorter cruises, but the line is built for 14-night-plus itineraries. The pace suits the onboard experience. You’re not rushing from port to port.
• Traditional routes remain the focus: Transatlantic, Caribbean in winter, Mediterranean and Northern Europe in summer. UK departure options from Southampton are common, which is a major selling point for British cruisers who want to avoid flights.

Viking Ocean Itineraries

• Destination density is high. Viking itineraries pack in ports. You’re rarely at sea for more than one day in a row. The schedules are built around immersion, not relaxation.
• Smaller ports are accessible because of the ship size. Viking can dock in places that Cunard’s larger ships can’t reach. That means you’re often walking off the ship into town rather than tendering or bussing in from an industrial port miles away.
• Regional focus is strong. Viking does Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and Northern Europe particularly well. The line also offers longer Asia-Pacific and South America itineraries, but the European routes are where Viking built its reputation.
• Overnight stays are rare but not unheard of. Some Viking itineraries include late-night departures or overnights in key cities, which gives you time to see a destination properly rather than just ticking it off a list.

Who Each Line Suits Best

Neither line is better. They’re just solving different problems. Here’s how to know which one fits.

Choose Cunard If

• You want the ship to be the main event. If you’re booking a cruise because you want to experience life aboard a grand ocean liner, Cunard is unmatched. The Queen Mary 2 is the only ship left that still does proper transatlantic service, and that’s worth something.
• Formality appeals to you. If you enjoy dressing for dinner, ballroom dancing, and the rituals of traditional cruising, Cunard delivers that experience without irony or compromise.
• You’re sailing from the UK. Southampton departures are frequent, and avoiding the flight-and-transfer logistics makes Cunard far easier for British travellers than most premium lines.
• You’re booking Grill Class. The base Britannia fare leaves a lot to be desired in terms of inclusions, but Grill Class transforms the experience. If you can afford it, Cunard’s top tier is genuinely luxurious.

Choose Viking Ocean If

• You want predictable, transparent pricing. Viking’s all-inclusive model means fewer surprises. You know what you’re paying upfront, and you’re not constantly deciding whether to spend more onboard.
• Ports matter more than sea days. If you’re cruising to see places rather than to relax on a ship, Viking’s itineraries and included excursions deliver better value. Packing comfortable walking shoes designed for all-day sightseeing makes a noticeable difference when you’re exploring multiple ports back-to-back.
• You prefer modern design and casual dress codes. If the idea of packing a dinner jacket makes you reconsider cruising entirely, Viking removes that barrier. The ships are contemporary, the dress code is relaxed, and the atmosphere is low-pressure.
• You want smaller ships. At 930 guests, Viking ships feel intimate without feeling cramped. You’ll recognise faces after a few days, and the ship won’t feel like a floating mall.

Value Comparison: Which Line Delivers More for Your Money

This is the question that matters most, and the answer is complicated.

Upfront Fare

Viking’s base fares are typically higher than Cunard’s. On a like-for-like seven-night Mediterranean cruise, Viking will often cost more per night. But that’s not the full picture.

Onboard Spend

Cunard’s base fare is lower, but onboard spend adds up fast. Drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi, and excursions can easily double your final bill. If you’re a light drinker who skips speciality restaurants and books excursions independently, Cunard can be cheaper. If you’re not that disciplined, Viking wins on total cost.

Excursion Value

Viking’s included excursions are a major value driver. If you take the included tour in every port, you’re getting significant value that Cunard doesn’t match. For a two-week Viking cruise, those excursions could represent several hundred pounds of value.

Grill Class vs Viking Base Fare

If you compare Cunard Grill Class to Viking’s base fare, the gap narrows considerably. Both include premium dining, drinks, and higher service levels. At that point, it’s about preference rather than value.

Common Questions

Which line has better food?

Cunard’s Grill restaurants are exceptional, but only available if you book a suite. Viking’s included dining is more consistent across all cabin categories, and the lack of surcharges for speciality venues gives you more variety without extra cost. If you’re comparing base fares, Viking wins. If you’re comparing Grill Class, Cunard wins.

Is Viking more inclusive than Cunard?

Yes. Viking includes drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and shore excursions in the base fare. Cunard includes none of these unless you book Grill Class. Viking’s model is designed to minimise onboard spend. Cunard’s model is designed around traditional cruise pricing, where extras are sold separately. For transparency and predictability, Viking is better.

Which line is better for solo travellers?

Neither line is particularly solo-friendly. Both charge single supplements, often at full fare. Cunard’s larger ships and formal atmosphere can make solo travel feel more isolating. Viking’s smaller ships and enrichment focus make it easier to meet people, but you’re still paying a premium for one person in a cabin designed for two.

Can you sail Cunard without dressing up?

Not comfortably. Cunard has formal nights, and the dress code is enforced in the main dining rooms. You’ll need at least a jacket, and preferably a dinner jacket or tuxedo for Gala evenings. If you refuse to dress up, you can eat in the buffet, but you’ll miss the core Cunard experience. Viking has no formal nights at all.

Which line has better service?

Cunard’s Grill Class service is white-glove and highly attentive. Britannia cabin service is competent but not exceptional. Viking’s service is efficient, friendly, and professional across all cabin categories. Both lines train staff well, but Cunard’s service is more traditional and formal, while Viking’s is more understated and Scandinavian in style. Neither is objectively better, just different.

Is Viking Ocean Cruises adults-only?

Officially no, but in practice yes. Viking’s itineraries, pacing, and enrichment focus skew heavily towards mature adults. Families with children do book Viking, but the line does not cater to kids with clubs, activities, or child-friendly facilities. Cunard is similarly adult-focused, though families do sail more often during school holidays.

Which line is better for a transatlantic crossing?

Cunard, no contest. Queen Mary 2 is the only ship still purpose-built for transatlantic service. The entire experience is designed around the crossing as the destination. Viking does not offer regular transatlantic crossings, and when repositioning sailings do cross, they’re not marketed or experienced as traditional crossings. If that’s what you want, Cunard is the only option.

Do Cunard and Viking visit the same ports?

There’s overlap, particularly in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, but Viking’s smaller ships access ports that Cunard cannot. Viking also spends more time in port and includes excursions, which changes how you experience each destination. Cunard’s itineraries are slower-paced with more sea days, which suits the onboard focus. Viking’s itineraries are port-intensive, which suits the destination focus.

Can you get similar value from Cunard if you book early?

Sometimes. Cunard runs promotions that include drinks packages, onboard credit, or reduced deposits. If you book far in advance and take advantage of these offers, the total cost can come closer to Viking’s upfront fare. But Viking also discounts early bookings, so the gap rarely closes entirely. If you’re comparing last-minute fares, Cunard is often cheaper. If you’re comparing fully-loaded costs, Viking often wins.

Why Trust About2Cruise

• I’m Jo. I’ve sailed both Cunard and Viking Ocean multiple times, across different cabin categories and itineraries, to compare what’s included and what costs extra in practice.
• This guide is updated whenever either line changes its inclusions policy, pricing model, or fleet composition. Major updates are flagged at the top.
• We don’t take commission from either Cunard or Viking, and we’re not pushing you towards whichever line pays us more. Read more about how we work.

Both lines are excellent at what they do. The question is not which is better, but which solves the problem you’re trying to solve. If you want a classic ocean liner experience with ceremony and grandeur, what makes Cunard different is that it’s the only line left that still delivers that. If you want a modern, destination-focused cruise with fewer surprises on the bill, Viking’s all-inclusive model is hard to beat. Keeping your cabin organised with compression packing cubes that maximise limited storage space helps on either line, and bringing a high-capacity portable charger to keep devices powered during long excursion days is essential on Viking’s port-intensive itineraries. If you’re still weighing other premium options, how Cunard compares to Oceania, the differences between Cunard and Holland America, and where Cunard and Celebrity diverge are all worth reading. And if you’re specifically looking at Queen Elizabeth or considering other premium lines, the right answer depends entirely on what you value most.