Cunard

Cunard is one of two cruise lines older than P&O (the line was founded in 1839 by Samuel Cunard to ferry mail across the Atlantic). It also operates the only true ocean liner still in service — Queen Mary 2 — which crosses the Atlantic between Southampton and New York on a schedule that has run, with wartime interruptions, since the 19th century.

The onboard experience is unapologetically traditional: white-jacketed officers, three-class dining (Britannia, Princess Grill, Queens Grill — the latter two are de-facto luxury tiers), afternoon tea daily, big-band orchestras, and three formal Gala nights per week. The clientele skews 65+ and the dress code is the strictest in mainstream cruising.