Guide Note: Sir Samuel Cunard founded Cunard in 1838, he began the first regularly scheduled passenger transatlantic sailings in 1840. The world's most famous cruise ships, the QE2 and the Queen Mary 2 sail under the Cunard name.
Fast Facts:
- Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) (LSE: CCL) & plc (NYSE: CUK) took ownership of Cunard in 1998
- In January 2005, the Cunard name ceased to exist as a business entity and Carnival Corporation & plc took over all assets and debts, ships still sail under the Cunard name but are controlled by Princess Cruises of California
- Founded: 1838
- Headquarters: Valencia, California
- President and Managing Director: Carol Marlow
- Fleet: 2 ships in service and 2 under construction
- Queen Elizabeth II maiden voyage 1969 - 2008 leaving service to become floating hotel in Dubai
- Queen Mary II went into service 2004
- Queen Victoria to go into service December 2007
- Queen Elizabeth to go into service autumn 2010
