A sweepstakes has been launched giving travelers a chance to sail on the Queen Mary 2 during its 450th transatlantic crossing this fall, coinciding with the ship’s upcoming participation in the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The promotion, organized by British luxury cruise brand Cunard, runs through July 31 and offers a trip from Southampton, England, to New York from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17.
According to a company press release, the winner and a guest will receive flights, hotel accommodations in Southampton and port transportation to experience what the company calls the rebirth of the golden age of ocean travel.
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The timing of the sweepstakes aligns with a major maritime celebration in New York. On July 4, the Queen Mary 2 will join Sail4th 250, an event featuring what organizers describe as the largest international flotilla of tall ships and naval vessels ever assembled. Ship passengers will have a front-row view of the festivities celebrating the American milestone, officials said.
Cunard has long history with U.S.
Company officials noted that the cruise line has a deep historical connection to the United States. Between 1840 and 1923, an estimated one in five immigrants who traveled to the country arrived aboard the company’s steamships, according to the press release.
Liz Fettes, senior vice president of commercial for North America and Australasia at Cunard, emphasized the historical significance of the upcoming voyage.
“Transatlantic travel is the foundation of Cunard’s rich heritage and remains one of the most iconic experiences in luxury travel today,” Fettes said. “As we prepare to participate in America’s 250th anniversary celebration, it feels especially meaningful to also celebrate Queen Mary 2’s upcoming 450th crossing. This milestone is a testament to the 186 years of history, connection and unforgettable voyages across the Atlantic.”
The cruise line traces its transatlantic roots back to July 4, 1840, when the steamship Britannia left Liverpool for Boston. That journey established the first regularly scheduled transatlantic steamship service, forever transforming global travel, trade and communication, according to company statements.
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Today, the brand remains the only operator offering regularly scheduled crossings on a vessel designated specifically as an ocean liner rather than a standard cruise ship.
What is the Queen Mary 2?
The Queen Mary 2 is part of a modern fleet of four ships that includes the Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Victoria and a newer vessel named the Queen Anne, which began service in May 2024. The brand operates out of Southampton and is a subsidiary of Carnival Corp., a massive global cruise company that operates in more than 800 ports worldwide.
The modern vessel shares its lineage with the original Queen Mary, a historic British ocean liner that operated primarily across the North Atlantic from 1936 until 1967.
After carrying more than 2 million passengers on more than 1,000 voyages, the retired ship arrived in Long Beach, California, in 1967.
Today, the original ship is owned by the city of Long Beach and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It serves as a floating hotel, museum and convention space. The Southern California city has engaged in a multiyear, multimillion-dollar renovation project to preserve the landmark.
To enter the sweepstakes for the November voyage on the newer ocean liner, participants must complete a registration form on the official contest website. Company officials said contestants can also earn a single bonus entry by uploading a photo from a previous voyage or by completing a poll about what they look forward to experiencing on the ship.
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