As Cunard Line celebrates its 175th anniversary the cruise line has shared rare archived photos showing the glamours life on board the British/American ships.
The photo tour of the golden age of cruising shows a glamorous world of ocean liners crossing the transatlantic.
Since being launched by Samuel Cunard in 1840, the fleet has welcomed the most illustrious members of society on board, and has a guest book, which includes everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Liz Taylor to Beyonce.
The iconic cruise line has a long an eventful history and famously had one of its ships coming to rescue when the Titanic was sinking and even transported warhorses and Charles Dickens was notably referring to one of their cabins as a ‘profoundly preposterous box’.
Today Cunard is the only cruise line that currently provides a regular transatlantic crossing and their ships were the first with email, a library and a gymnasium on board.
Evening dancing was a common activity during and after dinner
In the lap of luxury: Passengers being served on board a Cunard ship with the deck steward in summer whites
A couple enjoys a meal during their cruise; The first Cunard liner, the Britannia, made her first voyage in 1840 from Liverpool to Boston
Academy Award-winning actress Elizabeth Taylor was a frequent guest on Cunard’s transatlantic and Mediterranean cruises
Prime Minister Winston Churchill (pictured during an official visit) enjoyed the lavish surroundings of the Cunard cruise liners
A man and woman enjoying a game of shuffleboard on the top deck of RMS Mauretania, which made its final voyage in 1965
Cunard attracted many famous stars of the day, including American actresses Ginger Rogers (left), and Rita Hayworth, (right)
Passengers ride exercise bikes whilst wearing day clothes in a gymnasium on board the RMS Franconia on February 21, 1911
Staff on board the Carpathia, famous for its role in the rescue of survivors from the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912
South African Prime Minister Nelson Mandela and wife Graca Machel on Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1998; and comedians Laurel and Hardy (right)
A passenger enjoying breakfast in bed on the new Mauretania in the West Indies on July, 21, 1955
The birthday boy blows on the candles on his cake as children attend a part on board a Cunard cruise ship
The balloon dance was held on every voyage on Cunard ships from the 1920s to the early 1960s
A game of hoopla is enjoyed by guests on deck, with the ship’s funnel partially visible in the background
A female passengers smiles as a Cunard ship arrives in New York on May 9, 1967, following a transatlantic voyage
Passengers at a table wait to be served tea and coffee
Queen Elizabeth II attended a ceremony when RMS Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s flagship, entered into service in 2004
Couples seated at a bar thought to be on the RMS Caronia, which sailed from 1947 to 1967 and was nicknamed the Green Goddess
Fine dining in the 1950s; Cunard’s earlier ocean liners had sails, used to help stabilise the ship in rough weather
Walt Disney poses for a group photo while celebrating an occasion on a transatlantic voyage with Cunard
A pool on a Cunard ship; Many of Hollywood’s greatest celebrities travelled on Cunard liners during the 1950s and 60s
Passengers in formal dress relax on one of Cunard’s liners as they listen to a piano performance while at sea
Cunard has had many royal visits, and their prized ships are named after monarchs: Mary of Teck, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth
