Last-minute Cunard cruises

Last-minute Cunard sailings — what’s on offer

These are genuine last-minute departures: every sailing leaves within 60 days, with fares starting from A$1,039 pp*. Most voyages are round trips, though 5 sailings are one-way — so check the itinerary shape before you book, and if your voyage ends in a different port from where it began, our team can sort the flight connecting the two. Durations run from short breaks of 4 nights to longer voyages of up to 30 nights, with a median of 12 nights, giving a wide choice depending on how much time you have.

Where do last-minute Cunard cruises go?

The Cunard programme at this time of year spans several distinct regions, each worth a closer look.

Transatlantic and the Caribbean

The biggest draw in this window is the Transatlantic run — the classic crossing that Queen Mary 2 was built to make. Sailing between Southampton and New York, these voyages are the reason Queen Mary 2 exists: purpose-built with a reinforced hull for the open North Atlantic, she is the world’s only true ocean liner rather than an adapted cruise ship. For Australians, New York sailings are a natural fit for a longer US trip — fly in, cross the Atlantic in style, and we handle the hotels and transfers at both ends.

The Caribbean is well represented too, with sailings departing from Miami. Miami and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) are about half an hour apart, so a Florida trip can sail from either — worth checking both for dates and prices. Caribbean itineraries suit anyone pairing the cruise with time in Florida, and as cruise specialists we can bundle the flights, pre-cruise hotel and transfers into one booking.

Canary Islands, Portugal and North Africa

Several sailings head south from Southampton toward the Canary Islands, with some also calling along the coast of Portugal and North Africa. These are longer, more leisurely voyages — the kind where you settle into shipboard life and let the miles pass beneath you. Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria both operate in this region, their Art Deco and classically styled interiors well suited to the pace of a southern Atlantic voyage.

England sailings and short breaks

A solid group of sailings are classified under England — shorter voyages operating from Southampton that suit anyone already in the UK or combining the cruise with a European trip. If you’re flying into the UK, a domestic connection to Southampton is far simpler than a long-haul repositioning. There is also a departure from Hamburg for those travelling through northern Europe, and a Norway sailing rounding out the programme.

Which ships are sailing?

Four ships from the Cunard fleet carry these last-minute sailings. Each has a distinct character worth knowing before you choose.

Queen Mary 2

Queen Mary 2 is the flagship — and genuinely different from every other ship afloat. Built specifically for the North Atlantic crossing, she carries more hull plating than a cruise ship would need, giving her a stability and solidity you notice at sea. On board, the only planetarium at sea (Illuminations) projects star shows as you cross the ocean; the Royal Court Theatre puts on productions nightly; the Queens Room hosts ballroom dancing; and six speciality restaurants mean you’ll rarely eat in the same place twice. Solo travellers will find a dedicated outside cabin (KB, 16.5 m²) with no single supplement — a rarity on any ship.

For cabins on Queen Mary 2, the range runs from a compact Britannia Inside cabin with atrium view (14.8 m²) through to the Queens Grill Grand Duplex Suite (208.9 m²) — a two-floor maisonette that is the largest suite on board by some margin. There is also a covered loggia balcony cabin (BU, 25 m²) that gives fresh air and sea views even in rougher Atlantic weather.

Queen Anne

Queen Anne joined the Cunard fleet in 2024, making her the newest ship in the programme. The Bright Lights Society show bar brings a cabaret atmosphere with state-of-the-art technology and live performers; the Mareel Wellness & Beauty Spa includes a Himalayan salt sauna, cold therapy room and hydrotherapy pool; and the five speciality restaurants — among them Aji Wa for Japanese cuisine, Tramonto for Italian, and Sir Samuel’s steakhouse — mean dining is a genuine choice each evening rather than a routine.

Queen Anne’s cabin grades run from Britannia Inside (IA, 13.7 m²) with a 24-hour personal cabin steward, through the Britannia Deluxe Ocean-view cabin (EA, 21.9 m²) with a separate seating area, the Britannia Club Balcony cabin (A1, 21.9 m²) with exclusive access to the Britannia Club Restaurant, up to the Queens Grill Grand Suite (Q1, 133.8 m²) — more than twice the size of the Master Suite.

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth is the classic choice for those who want Cunard’s Art Deco character in full — chandeliers, a grand lobby and fittings that belong in a different era. Three separate restaurants align with your cabin grade: Britannia, Princess Grill and Queens Grill each come with dedicated White Star Service, so the dining experience shifts as you move up the grades. Deck croquet and nightly ballroom dancing in the Queens Room are part of every sailing.

See Queen Elizabeth’s cabins and deck plans for the full grade breakdown — from the Britannia Deluxe Inside (GB, 19.2 m²) through to the Queens Grill Grand Suite (Q1, 127.7 m²) with a private balcony of approximately 90 m².

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is home to the first private-box theatre at sea — the Royal Court Theatre, which runs West End-style productions nightly from its tiered seating. The Winter Garden lounge, with its retractable glass roof and indoor water sculpture, is one of the signature spaces on board. Like her sisters, Queen Victoria operates the three-tiered Grills dining system: Queens Grill, Princess Grill and Britannia Club each tied to your stateroom category.

For a full look at grades and layouts, the Queen Victoria cabins and deck plans page has everything you need.

How do Australians get to these sailings?

Every embarkation port on these sailings — Southampton, Miami, New York and Hamburg — is outside Australia, so a flight is part of the trip for everyone. That is not a complication if you plan it as a complete holiday: Cruise1st can book your international flights, pre-cruise hotel, transfers to and from the port, and travel insurance alongside the cruise fare, bundled as a Cruise1st Package. One call, one booking, one less thing to worry about.

What does it cost to book a last-minute Cunard cruise?

Fares on these sailings start from A$1,039 pp*. There are no discounted sailings in the current selection — fares reflect current market pricing without markdowns — but last-minute availability can still represent good value simply because the cabins need to fill. Our Australian cruise experts can help you compare cabin grades and fare inclusions across the sailings, so you are choosing the right option rather than just the cheapest one. Call us seven days a week, or search and book online.

Make it a holiday

We’re cruise specialists — every offer is a cruise or a cruise-inclusive package. Our team can add flights, hotels, tours, transfers and insurance around your cruise, as a bundle or a fully custom holiday. Whether you want a couple of nights in New York before your crossing or a few days in Florida after your Caribbean voyage, we put it all on one booking. Browse all last-minute cruises if you’re open to other lines, or explore our full range of cruises on sale for longer planning horizons.

Looking for other last-minute lines? Last-minute Princess Cruises and last-minute Celebrity Cruises are also available, or see our last-minute cruise packages for full holiday bundles. If you’re after value closer to home, cheap cruises from Sydney, cheap cruises from Melbourne and cruises under A$1,039 pp* are all worth a look. For Caribbean sailings around the holiday season, Royal Caribbean Christmas cruises in 2026 offer another option, and fans of the region can also explore Royal Caribbean sailings from Brisbane in 2027.

*Prices are per person based on 2 people sharing, and are subject to change. This price is not kept up to date and therefore does not reflect live pricing and availability. Prices and any discounts shown were checked on 14 October 2026.