Cunard Ship Photos

From http://www.thecunarders.co.uk/
The Queen Mary 2 passing Liberty Island on her way out of New York Harbour

Cunard's ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, is the largest, longest, tallest and widest passenger ship ever conceived. It is fitting that this should be so, because Cunard Line has a long tradition of creating ships which command the superlative in comparison to all others. Standing beside this majestic ship at quayside, visitors behold a structure as tall as a 21-story building. She is over a hundred feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall, and over four city blocks in length. If she were afloat in the pool at the foot of Niagara Falls, her funnel would rise over twenty feet above the rim.

Length: 345 meters / 1132 feet
Beam: 40 meters / 135 feet
Beam at Bridge Wings: 45 meters / 147.5 feet
Draft: 10 meters / 32 feet 10 inches
Height (Keel to Funnel): 72 meters / 236.2 feet
Gross Registered Tonnage: Approximately 150,000 gross tons
Passengers: 2620
Crew: 1253
Top Speed: Approximately 30 knots (34.5 mph)
Power: 157,000 horsepower, Environmentally friendly, gas turbine/diesel electric plant
Propulsion: Four pods of 20 MW each. 2 fixed and 2 azimuthing.
Strength: Extra thick steel hull for strength and stability for Transatlantic Crossings.
Stabilisers: Two sets
Cost: Estimated $800 million dollars




    Some comparisons:
  • QM2 is five times longer than Cunard's first ship, Britannia (230 ft.)
  • QM2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall (550 ft.)
  • QM2 is 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall ( 984 ft.)
  • QM2 is more than 3 ? times as long as Westminster Tower (Big Ben) is high (310 ft.)
  • QM2 is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall (1248 ft.)
  • QM2 is more than three times as long as St. Paul's Cathedral is tall (366 ft.)
  • QM2 is as long as 36 double-decker London buses (31 ? ft. each)
  • QM2's whistle is audible for 10 miles.
    Accommodation:
  • Standard cabins measuring a comfortable 194 square feet, some with spacious eight-foot-deep balconies.
  • Deluxe cabins featuring balconies and measuring 291 square feet.
  • Seventy-eight suites including balconies which measure 388 square feet.
  • Six penthouses at 570 square feet featuring butler and concierge service and private balconies.
  • Four deluxe penthouses overlooking the bow measure between 861 and 1,076 square feet can be combined together and connected with two of the suites to create a single luxurious living area totalling more than 5,000 square feet with balcony and concierge service.
  • Five duplex apartments which are two stories high and measure more than 1,650 square feet. Overlooking the stern, breathtaking sea views are provided via a two-story glass wall. Each apartment features its own gymnasium and balcony and butler and concierge service. For the ultimate in luxury, duplex apartments can be connected to a penthouse to create a stunning 2,220-square-foot living space, an accommodation choice simply unrivalled on any other passenger ship.

For over 60 years, there has been a Cunard "Queen" sailing the oceans. Queen Mary 2 will be the first such liner built in a generation, and the worthy heir to the company's 160-year heritage. As envisioned in the artist's rendering above, she will embody all the thoroughbred characteristics of her forebears: the generous thrust of her raked prow, the stepped superstructure both fore and aft, the lean dimensions that allow for greyhound speed whilst traversing the North Atlantic. Seen from the outside, she will look like what she is, a purpose built craft for sailing rapidly between points on the globe.

Within her hull, however, QM2 will hide a multitude of delights as spectacular and pleasurable as they are innovative and ingenious. Stepping aboard, guests will enter a realm of sweeping spaces and grand designs the likes of which have not been seen for decades. They will enjoy a generosity of spaciousness that rivals or surpasses that of ultra-luxury small ships. Just 2620 guests will sail on this 150,000 gross ton vessel. They will stroll the broad, 1/3 mile-long teak promenade deck that encircles the entire ship, stopping to talk with friends relaxing on traditional steamer chairs. They will be entranced by a Lobby that towers over three decks high, graced with a sweeping grand staircase and monumental works of art. They will travel in accommodation that varies from the merely commodious to the shamelessly extravagant. The standard cabins will measure 194 square feet, and most include an eight-foot balcony. In all of the ship's cabins have balconies, and 77% are sea view cabins. All the way aft, there are five Duplex Apartments overlooking the sea from two-story glass walls. At over 1600 square feet, these include two levels, private gym and balcony and butler service. As on QE2, the accommodation selected by the guest will be matched with a seaview dining venue. Higher categories will dine in grill rooms and lower categories will share a truly opulent dining room, again towering over three decks high, with its own grand stair and tiered seating to create both open and intimate dining spaces.

To fill the pleasant days at sea, onboard activities will be staged in a number of innovative and inviting venues. Seven multi-purpose classroom facilities which can be sized to accommodate differently-sized classes will comprise a College At Sea, with expert instruction in a wide variety of subject such as computer skills, languages, art and wine appreciation, cooking and more. An auditorium will feature a section which will adapt to become a full-scale planetarium, where star shows, courses on celestial navigation and other visual spectacles can be presented. QM2 will have a large library, a bookshop and a coffee shop. Like her sister QE2, QM2 will boast a true ballroom, with an orchestra for dancing. A magnificent Spa will include one of the ship's five swimming pools, and together with the adjacent Winter Garden, will provide a health, fitness and relaxation area of over 25,000 square feet. Numerous smaller lounges, alternative dining venues and specialized rooms will also welcome travelers during the crossings.

QM2 was built in the Alstom Chantiers de L'Atlantique shipyard in Sainte-Nazaire, France. This is the same yard that built the France, Normandie, Ile de France and some of the other great liners of the past. At a total estimated cost of $780 million USD, she will also be the most expensive ship ever built.

Queen Marys - old and new
On February 23rd, 2004 the QUEEN MARY 2 sailed into Long Beach for her first ever meeting with her predecessor and namesake, the QUEEN MARY