Cunard’s advertising boasts of having ‘The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World’. It is no idle claim since the company has given us some of the best-known and best-loved ships that ever sailed, their distinctive livery making them instantly recognisable and admired all over the world.

As Cunard reaches the milestone of its 175th anniversary, the popularity of this most iconic of brands has not waned, indeed it has increased – quite an achievement in today’s global economy. Much of this is the result of building what is the only modern ocean liner – the magnificent Queen Mary 2 – and continuing to operate the only scheduled transatlantic ocean crossing in the world. The three ships of the current fleet draw crowds wherever they are across the globe and the Cunard Lion looks set to roar well into the future.

With contributions from passengers, officers and masters, both past and present, together with stunning photographs never before published, Sharon Poole and Andrew Sassoli-Walker provide a glimpse into the work that goes into a year in the life of the Cunard Fleet.