RMS Queen Mary 2, often also referred to as QM2, is a transatlantic ocean liner and was the first major ocean-going vessel built since Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1969, the ship she succeeded as flagship of the Cunard line.
The new ship was named QM2 by the Queen in 2004 in Southampton after the first RMS Queen Mary, completed in 1936.
With the retirement of Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2008, QM2 is the only transatlantic ocean liner in line service between Southampton and New York, which operates for part of each year.
The ship is also used for cruising, including an annual world cruise.
The ship was designed by a team of British naval architects led by Stephen Payne, and was constructed in France by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in 2003.
At the time of her construction, QM2 was the longest passenger ship ever built, and with her gross tonnage of 148,528 also the largest.
QM2 was intended to routinely cross the Atlantic Ocean, and was therefore designed differently from many other passenger ships.
The Queen Mary 2 was named by Queen Elizabeth
Expenses for her construction were increased by the high quality of materials, and having been designed as an ocean liner, she required 40 per cent more steel than a standard cruise ship.
QM2 has a maximum speed of just over 30 knots (35mph) and a cruising speed of 26 knots (30mph), much faster than other contemporary vessels. Instead of the diesel-electric configuration found on many ships, QM2 uses integrated electric propulsion to achieve her top speed. This uses gas turbines to augment the power generated from the ship’s diesels.
QM2’s facilities include 15 restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, casino, ballroom, theatre, and the first planetarium at sea. There are also kennels and a nursery on board.
FACTFILE
On Board Queen Mary 2 are:
- 1,550miles (2,500 km) of electric cable
- 2,000 bathrooms
- 80,000 lighting points
- 280,000 square yards of fitted carpets
- 3,800 square yards of galleys
- 3,000 telephones
- 8,800 loudspeakers
- 5,000 stairs
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