The entry in to service of two new Cunarders, the Campania and Lucania, in 1893 really started the great international race for supremacy of the North Atlantic. At around this time Germany began to try to build up its mercantile and naval fleets to equal those of the British. Germany was becoming more influential in European politics, and although the two new vessels held the North Atlantic speed records for four years, from 1897 onwards German liners swept all opposition from the seas for the next ten years.

The first Cunarders fitted with twin screws the Campania, and her sister ship Lucania, had a service speed of 22 knots, two knots faster than the Teutonic which was a considerable increase in power. She was fitted with only two masts, which were not intended to hold sail, and she was an extremely low, streamlined ship.

She held the Blue Riband from 1895 before losing it to her sister ship, Lucania.