Icon through the years Solar eclipse guide 😎 Previous US disasters Play to win 🏀
CRUISE LOG

Two Cunard ships to circumnavigate globe in 2016

Gene Sloan
USA TODAY
Cunard is the only line where you can bring your own pet – though only on transatlantic sailings on the Queen Mary 2 between New York and Southampton.

Cunard is planning two more epic, around-the-world cruises for 2016.

For the first time since 2009, the line's 2,620-passenger Queen Mary 2 will make a full circumnavigation of the globe with a 120-night westbound voyage from Southampton, England that includes calls at 38 ports in 26 countries.

Also sailing westbound around-the-world out of Southampton on a 120-night voyage will be the 2,014-passenger Queen Victoria. The ship will visit 37 ports in 22 countries.

Cunard's third vessel, the 2,092-passenger Queen Elizabeth, also will make an epic, world-crossing journey out of Southampton in 2016 although it won't completely circumnavigate the globe. The ship will sail a 121-night voyage to Africa, Australia and Asia that includes calls in 42 ports in 25 countries.

All three cruises will begin in Southampton on the same day, Jan. 10, 2016. The three ships also will return simultaneously on May 10, 2016.

The Queen Mary 2 initially will sail across the Atlantic to South America, cruising around Cape Horn to the Pacific before heading to New Zealand, Australia and Asia. It returns to Europe via the Suez Canal.

The Queen Victoria will sail across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, passing through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica and California before crossing the Pacific to Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Asia. It returns to Europe via a southerly trip around Africa.

The cruises will be available for booking starting Sept. 10 (Sept. 9 for past Cunard passengers). Fares for all three sailings start at $19,999 per person. Cunard also is selling shorter segments of the trips starting at a lower cost.

Customers who book the full sailings and longer segments by Feb. 28, 2015 will receive an on-board credit of up to $3,000 per cabin as well as free gratuities. Members of Cunard's World Club frequent cruiser program can get additional savings when booking by Feb. 28, 2015.

Cunard initiated the world cruise concept in 1922 and traditionally offers at least one full circumnavigation of the globe every year.

For a deck-by-deck look at Cunard's Queen Victoria, click through the carousel below.

Featured Weekly Ad