A Southampton-based Cunard ship has completed a historic first after it made its first-ever transit through the Panama Canal.
The Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s flagship ocean liner, transited through the iconic canal on Saturday, January 24, marking a major milestone in the ship’s 2026 world voyage.
The vessel, currently on a 108-night global journey, travelled through the canal’s new set of locks before passing under the Bridge of Americas the following day.
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Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: "As the world’s only ocean liner, Queen Mary 2’s maiden transit through the Panama Canal marks another extraordinary milestone for Cunard.
"Our world-famous voyages truly deliver enriching, meaningful, and unique experiences for our guests, and the transit through the Panama Canal forms an iconic element of this magnificent Queen’s 108-night World Voyage, where guests will also visit memorable destinations like Los Angeles, Sydney, Cape Town, Hong Kong, and Singapore, before returning to Southampton."
After the canal transit, Queen Mary 2 will continue on to Fuerte Amador in Panama for an overnight stay and will next call at Manzanillo in Mexico.
She is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on February 2, marking her first visit to Southern California in 17 years.
The return is particularly significant as the ship will reunite with her namesake, The Queen Mary, for the first time in 20 years.
The world voyage will conclude in Southampton on April 30, 2026.
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Other Cunard vessels will also transit the Panama Canal in the coming years.
Queen Elizabeth will pass through the canal on September 24, 2026, during a 21-night journey from Seattle to Miami following her second Alaskan season.
Queen Anne will make the transit on January 22, 2027, as part of a 56-night South America Discovery voyage visiting more than 20 destinations in the region.
Queen Victoria will include a Panama Canal crossing in her 2027 world voyage, which departs Southampton on January 10 and covers more than 30 ports of call, including New York and Aruba.
Cunard continues to expand its offering of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, giving travellers more opportunities to explore the world in comfort and style aboard its fleet of Queens.
All itineraries are available for booking through Cunard’s website.
