Cunard — ship health record
Updated 29 July 2026 · 4 ships tracked
Cancer Immunology Researcher
Cunard operates the only true ocean liner in service — Queen Mary 2's transatlantic crossings — plus three Queens cruising Europe. Crossings have a specific health profile: seven sea days, no ports, everything depends on the ship's own medical centre, and QM2's three noro outbreaks in the 2024–25 winters show the closed-loop risk. Cunard's formality also masks its passengers' age profile, among cruising's oldest. For crossings especially: bring double medication supplies and complete any clearance paperwork early.
Sailing healthy with Cunard
A transatlantic crossing is the purest closed-loop health environment in travel: seven sea days, no ports, everything dependent on the ship. Queen Mary 2 is built for the North Atlantic but the North Atlantic still moves — take seasickness seriously even if the Mediterranean never bothered you. Double medication supplies are non-negotiable with no pharmacy stop for a week, and the formal evening culture should not talk anyone out of comfortable shoes on a moving ship.
Fleet inspection record
| Ship | Line | CDC score | Inspected | EU grade | Outbreaks since 2025 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Victoria | Cunard | 96 | 2025-03-14 | A 2025-12-11 | 0 | Excellent |
| Queen Anne | Cunard | 94 | 2025-01-21 | A 2025-05-29 | 0 | Good |
| Queen Mary 2 | Cunard | 90 | 2026-01-19 | A 2025-09-12 | 1 | Good |
| Queen Elizabeth | Cunard | 89 | 2025-07-12 | — | 0 | Good |
Swipe sideways for more columns →
Outbreak log, 2024–2026
| Year | Ship | Dates | Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Queen Mary 2 | Mar 8 – Apr 6 | Norovirus |
| 2024 | Queen Mary 2 | Dec 21 – Jan 3 | Norovirus |
| 2024 | Queen Mary 2 | Dec 14 – 21 | Norovirus |
| 2024 | Queen Victoria | Jan 22 – Feb 6 | Norovirus |
Before you sail with Cunard
Two things are worth doing in the fortnight before boarding: check the pre-cruise health guidance — especially if you are pregnant, manage a chronic condition, or the line's terms ask for a fit-to-travel confirmation — and check the live conditions in your ports. Talk to a doctor before you sail →
Frequently asked questions
Which Cunard ship has the best health inspection score?
Queen Victoria currently holds the fleet's best CDC score in this index: 96/100, inspected 2025-03-14. 3 Cunard ships hold a current EU SHIPSAN grade A.
Has Cunard had norovirus outbreaks recently?
The CDC log shows 4 gastrointestinal outbreaks on Cunard ships in 2024–2026: Queen Mary 2 (2025, Norovirus), Queen Mary 2 (2024, Norovirus), Queen Mary 2 (2024, Norovirus), Queen Victoria (2024, Norovirus). Outbreak counts reflect itinerary length and passenger profile as much as ship standards — see the full log for context.
Do I need medical clearance to sail with Cunard?
Like most major lines, Cunard requires a doctor's confirmation for defined situations — typically pregnancy (not carried when entering the 24th week by voyage end), oxygen or dialysis use, and recent major surgery or cardiac events; exact rules are in the line's terms. A Mobi Doctor physician can assess you online and provide documentation where clinically appropriate.