Cunard unveils new itineraries

Cunard has launched a raft of new itineraries across its fleet, including voyages to the Iberian coast, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean.

The line is resuming operations from July 19, 2021, with Queen Elizabeth welcoming guests on board for a series of UK voyages from Southampton.

International sailings will resume on Queen Elizabeth on October 13, 2021, with new voyages to the Iberian coast and the Canary Islands.

The ship will then leave the UK in mid-February to resume its previously scheduled season in Japan from April 13, 2022.

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 will begin sailing with a transatlantic crossing on November 14, 2021, before embarking on a series of new voyages around the Caribbean between January and April, 2022, to “appeal to those looking for some much-needed winter sun”.

The Caribbean voyages will depart from Southampton, New York and Hamburg, before Queen Mary 2 resumes its existing schedule on April 24, 2022.

Queen Victoria is embarking on three new voyages from Southampton to Western Europe, the Baltics and the Iberian Coast, with departures from April 22, 2022. The ship will continue its existing schedule on May 20, 2022.

All new voyages are on sale from July.

More: Read our cruise line restarts list

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “On July 19, Queen Elizabeth’s crew and I will be welcoming guests on board as at long last we start our return to sailing. This will be a momentous day for Cunard as after a long pause we finally get back to doing what we love doing, hosting guests for fantastic holidays. To say we cannot wait would be an understatement!”

He added: “Sadly, the path for a return to sailing across international waters is less clear and we are extremely sorry for the huge disappointment cancellations will cause for all guests who have been affected. Unfortunately, there are simply too many international ports of call affected by the ongoing complexities of Covid-19, which has sadly led to this decision.

“We’re really excited about the new itineraries mentioned, such as Queen Mary 2’s sailings around the Caribbean, and hopefully these will appeal to those looking for some much-needed winter sun and those looking for adventure later this year and in 2022.”

Due to the ongoing complexities of navigating global travel, Cunard is cancelling a number of voyages, including Queen Elizabeth’s sailings from the UK to Australia and her homeport season in Australia between October 18, 2021 and March 9, 2022.

World Voyages on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in 2022 have also been scrapped.

Queen Victoria’s sailings between September 10, 2021 and April 29, 2022 have also been pulled. However, five of Queen Victoria’s sailings will transfer onto identical voyages on sister ship Queen Elizabeth. These voyages are V126, V128, V129, V130 and V201.

All affected passengers will automatically receive a future cruise credit worth 125% of the standard deposit terms, and 100% of any additional money paid. Alternatively, guests can take a full refund.