It’s been a long time coming, but iconic cruise line Cunard is adding a fourth ship to its fleet.

The luxury line has been enormously successful at building a unique global brand, and Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard’s owner and the world’s biggest operator, is promising more growth for the brand.

Australians, in particular, have embraced Cunard – challenging far bigger nations for its second biggest market. The number of Australians who have sailed with Cunard this year is already nearly 60% higher than the number who sailed during the whole of 2012.

The as-yet unnamed vessel – expect something regal and royal – will be built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, The ship is scheduled to join the fleet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – in 2022.

She will be the line’s largest, with room for 3,000 passengers.

Cunard has invested over £120 million refurbishing the flagship Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

Alongside an array of exciting new itineraries featuring new destinations and special event voyages for 2018 and 2019, Cunard has also continued to evolve the guest experience to meet the needs of the luxury consumer by introducing new bar and dining signatures, entertainment offerings and brand partners across the fleet.

Simon Palethorpe, Senior Vice President, Cunard said: “We have only recently marked the 50th anniversary of one of Cunard’s much loved ocean liners, the legendary QE2. What better way to celebrate her important role in Cunard’s past than by announcing our commitment to Cunard’s future with the commissioning of a new ship.

Cunard will be revealing details about the new ship during the course of 2018 and through to the ship’s launch.

But the biggest guessing game, as with all “royal” births,  will be the name.  The only British Queen left without a Cunard liner named after her is Anne.

Statistics:

  • The new 113,000 tonne ship will carry 3,000 guests and be launched in 2022
  • This will be 249th ship to fly the Cunard flag
  • Cunard’s first new ship in 12 years, since the launch of Queen Elizabeth in 2010
  • The first time since 1998 that the luxury cruise brand will have four ships in simultaneous service