Cunard Line vs Explora Journeys

The core difference

Cunard Line and Explora Journeys represent the old world and the new world of luxury ocean cruising — and the tension between them encapsulates the central question facing the luxury segment today: does the future of premium ocean travel look like 1935 or 2035?

Cunard’s answer is 1935, perfected. Founded in 1840, the line carries the longest continuous heritage in ocean cruising into a fleet of four ships — Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Anne. The brand is British to its core: formal Gala Evenings, ballroom dancing, white-gloved afternoon tea, and a class-separated dining hierarchy that explicitly mirrors the golden age of transatlantic travel. QM2 is the only purpose-built ocean liner still in service, maintaining the only scheduled Transatlantic Crossing in the world. Ships carry 2,061 to 2,996 guests. The Grills experience creates a genuine ship-within-a-ship with butler service and bespoke menus.

Explora’s answer is 2035, arriving early. Launched in 2023 as the ultra-luxury brand of MSC Group, Explora is backed by a EUR 3.5 billion investment across six planned ships. EXPLORA I and II carry 922 guests each in 461 all-suite, all-balcony accommodations. Nine dining venues are included without surcharges. Four pools, premium drinks, gratuities, and Wi-Fi are all covered in the fare. The dress code is casual elegance. The design is contemporary European — clean lines, natural materials, spacious public areas flooded with light. The crew-to-guest ratio of 1.25 to 1 enables service levels that rival the established ultra-luxury players.

For Australian travellers, neither line homeports in Australia — both are fly-cruise propositions. This levels the practical playing field and makes the choice purely about onboard experience and personal style.

What is actually included

The inclusion gap between these two lines is substantial and favours Explora at every fare level except Cunard’s very top tier.

Explora includes in every fare: all-suite, all-balcony accommodation from approximately 375 square feet; nine dining venues without surcharges; premium spirits, wines, champagne, and cocktails; gratuities; Wi-Fi; espresso machines and Dyson amenities in every suite; 24-hour room service; fitness classes; and a 1.25-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio. Butler service is included from Penthouse level upward.

Cunard’s Britannia fare includes: accommodation in your assigned category; main restaurant dining at fixed sittings; buffet dining; afternoon tea; basic non-alcoholic beverages; entertainment; and gym access. It does not include alcoholic drinks, speciality dining surcharges, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa access, or gratuities.

Cunard’s Grills suites narrow the gap with exclusive restaurants, lounges, concierge service, and butler service at Queens Grill level. Current Grills promotions sometimes include a complimentary drinks package. But even at this level, Wi-Fi and excursions remain extra — and the fare for a Queens Grill suite is substantially higher than Explora’s top categories.

The practical implication is clear. Explora’s fare is closer to what you actually pay. Cunard’s Britannia fare is a starting point to which significant extras must be added.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines take dining seriously, but the philosophies could hardly be more different — one is hierarchical and tiered, the other egalitarian and all-inclusive.

Cunard’s dining is determined by your stateroom. Britannia guests dine in the main restaurant at assigned tables with fixed sittings. Princess Grill and Queens Grill guests have exclusive restaurants with enhanced menus and greater flexibility. Guests cannot cross tiers. Speciality restaurants carry surcharges — Queen Anne’s options range from approximately USD $18.50 for Tramonto to USD $65 for Sir Samuel’s Steakhouse. The afternoon tea in the Queens Room is exceptional and complimentary. The Queens Grill bespoke dining service — any dish, any time — is a level of personalisation that few cruise lines can match.

Explora’s dining is egalitarian. All nine venues are open to every guest regardless of suite category. Restaurants include Mediterranean, pan-Asian, and international options with flexible dining times and no assigned seating. The culinary programme has already earned recognition, with U.S. News ranking Explora number two for luxury dining. No surcharges exist on any venue. Wine, spirits, and cocktails are included at all meals.

The contrast is genuine. Cunard peaks higher — Queens Grill bespoke menus and the afternoon tea ceremony are outstanding. But the peak requires paying for the highest cabin tier. Explora delivers nine included restaurants to every guest on the ship, creating dining variety without financial gatekeeping.

Suites and accommodation

Both lines offer quality accommodation, but the entry points and philosophies diverge sharply.

Explora’s entry level is the Ocean Terrace Suite at approximately 375 square feet of interior space plus a 75-square-foot terrace — one of the largest starting cabins in ultra-luxury cruising. Every suite features a king bed, espresso machine, Dyson hairdryer, walk-in wardrobe, and marble bathroom with underfloor heating. The Owner’s Residence at the top spans approximately 3,000 square feet with a wraparound terrace, infinity whirlpool, and full dining room. Butler service is included from Penthouse level.

Cunard’s entry level is the Britannia Inside at approximately 152 square feet — less than half the size of Explora’s starting suite. Cunard’s range extends through oceanview, balcony, Britannia Club, Princess Grill Suite, and Queens Grill, culminating in QM2’s Grand Duplex at 2,249 square feet with full butler service. The Grills ship-within-a-ship is a genuine luxury enclave.

The key difference: Explora guarantees a spacious all-suite, all-balcony experience for every guest. Cunard offers a wider range from modest inside cabins to palatial suites, with the quality of your accommodation experience varying dramatically by how much you spend.

Pricing and value

Comparing these lines on price requires careful attention to what the fare actually buys.

Cunard’s directional pricing for a 7-night Mediterranean Britannia Balcony starts from approximately USD $196 per night. A Transatlantic Crossing starts from approximately USD $170 per night for an inside cabin. Queens Grill suites command substantially higher fares.

Explora’s directional pricing for a 7-night Mediterranean voyage in an Ocean Terrace Suite starts from approximately USD $500 to $700 per night, depending on season and itinerary.

The headline gap is significant — but the real-cost comparison narrows dramatically. Add Cunard’s extras for a Britannia Balcony voyage — drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities — and the total per-diem approaches USD $350 to $450. Explora’s fare includes all of these items plus four pools, nine dining venues, premium spirits, and a larger suite with a balcony. When comparing equivalent accommodation — a Cunard Britannia Club Balcony with extras against an Explora Ocean Terrace Suite — the total cost is often comparable, with Explora delivering more inclusions and a larger cabin.

At the top end, the equation shifts. Cunard’s Queens Grill delivers a butler service and bespoke dining experience that Explora’s highest suites approach but do not quite match in tradition and ceremony.

Spa and wellness

Both lines offer quality spa facilities, with Cunard’s newer ships slightly ahead on range and Explora strong on overall wellness design.

Cunard’s Mareel Wellness and Beauty spa varies by ship. Queen Anne has the most comprehensive facilities — infrared sauna, Himalayan salt sauna, cryo-therapy, and a hydrotherapy pool. Thermal suite access is charged at approximately USD $49 to $59 per session. All treatments carry surcharges.

Explora’s spa features treatment rooms, a thermal area, and wellness programming. The four swimming pools — including one with a retractable roof — create an outdoor wellness environment that Cunard cannot match at this scale. The fitness centre and group classes are included.

The spa comparison is not decisive for either line. Both deliver quality facilities appropriate to their price positioning.

Entertainment and enrichment

Both lines prioritise intellectual enrichment over production spectacle, but the tone differs meaningfully.

Cunard’s programme is the broader of the two. Over 430 speakers delivered more than 2,000 talks fleet-wide in 2024. The RADA partnership brings theatrical performances. The Queens Room ballroom hosts live-orchestra dancing nightly. West End-style shows play in the Royal Court Theatre. QM2 has the only planetarium at sea. A casino operates on every ship. The evening atmosphere is grand and socially performative — dressing for dinner is the event.

Explora’s programme is contemporary and destination-focused. Guest speakers, cultural performances, and wellness workshops fill the day. The evening atmosphere is relaxed — cocktails by the pool, conversation in the lounge, dinner at any of nine restaurants. No casino. No formal evenings. No production shows. The design philosophy trusts the guest to find their own rhythm rather than programming every hour.

Cunard covers more entertainment territory. Explora offers a calmer, more self-directed experience. The preference depends on whether you want a structured evening programme or the freedom to create your own.

Fleet and destination coverage

The fleet comparison reveals two lines at very different stages of development.

Cunard operates four ships with decades of operational history. QM2 is a 2004 build, the oldest in the fleet. Queen Anne, the newest, arrived in 2024. Each ship has a distinct character. No fifth ship is confirmed as of early 2026. Cunard’s destination coverage is global — Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, Caribbean, Transatlantic, and world voyages.

Explora operates two ships with four more on order. EXPLORA I debuted in 2023, EXPLORA II in 2024. EXPLORA III arrives mid-2026 as a larger, LNG-powered evolution. Three more ships follow through 2028. The fleet is expanding rapidly. Current itineraries cover the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Northern Europe, with Alaska planned from 2027.

Cunard’s operational maturity gives it the edge in destination breadth and consistency. Explora’s growth trajectory is aggressive and well-funded — but the fleet is young and itinerary coverage remains narrower.

Where each line excels

Cunard excels in:

• The Transatlantic Crossing. QM2 Southampton to New York — the only scheduled ocean liner service in the world. Irreplaceable.
• British heritage and formality. Gala evenings, ballroom dancing, afternoon tea, and 185 years of authentic maritime tradition.
• The Grills ship-within-a-ship. Butler service, bespoke dining, and exclusive venues at a level of personal attention Explora does not match.
• Enrichment breadth. The RADA partnership, the QM2 planetarium, and over 2,000 expert talks per year.

Explora excels in:

• All-inclusive value. Nine dining venues, premium drinks, gratuities, and Wi-Fi included in every fare without class separation.
• Contemporary design. Modern European interiors, four pools, and spacious suites that feel more boutique hotel than ocean liner.
• Casual elegance. No formal nights, no dress codes, no class-separated dining — every guest accesses everything.
• Suite size. The entry-level suite at approximately 375 square feet plus terrace is one of the largest in ultra-luxury cruising.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Cunard

QM2 Transatlantic Crossing (7 nights, Southampton to New York). The quintessential Cunard voyage. Pair with a London stopover and fly from Australian gateways to Heathrow.

QM2 World Voyage segments through Sydney. The annual world voyage typically passes through Sydney with an overnight stay. Join in Sydney for Asian, African, or European legs.

Queen Anne Northern Europe (14 nights, various roundtrip Southampton). The newest Cunard ship with 15 dining venues exploring Scandinavia and the Baltic.

Explora

EXPLORA I Mediterranean (7-10 nights, various European ports). The original Explora ship sailing port-intensive itineraries with overnight stays in select cities. Nine included dining venues and four pools.

EXPLORA III Alaska debut (2027). The newest and largest Explora ship inaugurating Alaska — worth watching for introductory pricing.

EXPLORA II Caribbean (7-14 nights, Miami or Fort Lauderdale). Winter Caribbean itineraries accessible via Qantas or American Airlines from Australian gateways with one connection.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Cunard

Queen Mary 2 — The ship for the Transatlantic Crossing and world voyages. Nothing else like her in the world. Book for the experience, not the hardware.

Queen Anne — The newest Cunard ship with the broadest dining and the most comprehensive spa. First-time Cunard travellers should start here.

Explora

EXPLORA I — The inaugural ship. Already refined through multiple seasons. The purest expression of the brand’s vision.

EXPLORA III — Arriving mid-2026 with a larger footprint, LNG power, and expanded public spaces. The most ambitious Explora ship yet. Worth waiting for if your dates allow.

For Australian travellers specifically

Neither line holds a strong Australian accessibility advantage, which makes this comparison purely about experience preference.

Cunard ended Australian homeporting in 2025. Queen Elizabeth’s final Australian season concluded in February 2025. Future access is limited to world voyage segments through Sydney — typically once per year per ship.

Explora has not yet deployed to Australian waters. All sailings require international flights. The Mediterranean and Caribbean programmes are accessible from Australian capitals via one-stop connections through Singapore, Dubai, or Los Angeles.

Both lines are fly-cruise propositions for Australians. Neither offers AUD pricing natively, though Cunard has historically had stronger Australian travel agency representation. Explora’s brand awareness in Australia is growing but remains behind Cunard’s established recognition.

The onboard atmosphere

The atmosphere divide is the clearest differentiator — and the most reliable predictor of which line suits a given traveller.

Cunard’s atmosphere is formal, grand, and ritualistic. Rich wood panelling, Art Deco flourishes, crystal chandeliers, and the double-height Queens Room ballroom create an environment steeped in heritage. Gala evenings transform the ship — dinner jackets, evening gowns, champagne, live orchestra. The passenger demographic is predominantly British and Commonwealth, averaging 60 to 65 on standard voyages.

Explora’s atmosphere is contemporary, relaxed, and cosmopolitan. Clean European design, natural materials, spacious pool decks, and an international passenger base create a modern resort feeling. No formal nights, no class divisions, no ceremony beyond what guests create themselves. The demographic skews younger than Cunard — predominantly 40s to 60s — with a cosmopolitan European and international mix.

The question is simple: do you want to dress for dinner in a ballroom with a live orchestra, or dine in casual elegance at any of nine restaurants? Neither answer is wrong.

The bottom line

Cunard and Explora represent two legitimate but incompatible visions of luxury ocean cruising. One looks backward to the golden age and finds its power in tradition, ceremony, and the irreplaceable heritage of the Transatlantic Crossing. The other looks forward and finds its power in inclusivity, design, and the proposition that luxury means having everything available without barriers.

Choose Cunard if British maritime heritage, gala evenings, and ballroom dancing enhance your holiday. Choose it for the Grills ship-within-a-ship and the QM2 Transatlantic Crossing. Accept that the base fare excludes most extras and formal wear is required.

Choose Explora if contemporary design, casual elegance, and comprehensive inclusions define your ideal. Choose it for nine included restaurants, four pools, and an all-suite product where every guest accesses everything. Accept that the brand is young, the fleet is small, and the heritage cannot match nearly two centuries of Cunard tradition. For Australian travellers, neither line offers a domestic advantage — the choice comes down to whether you want your luxury steeped in history or designed for the future.