| QUEEN MARY 2 |
| CUNARD |
QUEEN MARY 2
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
| QM2 2007. |
IN GENERAL: QM2 is a special ship and the feeling
of being part of something special permeates the
experience. It is not simply that she is a massive
physical object or that her design incorporates the
latest nautical technology, or that she is capable of
going across seas where most cruise ships fear to
tread, there is also something intangible. It is what
made hundreds of thousands of people come out and
line the River Elbe when she first came to Hamburg,
Germany, what made traffic on the streets and in
the harbor of Sydney, Australia come to a halt when
she first appeared there, and even made New
Yorkers take notice when she completed her first
transatlantic sailing.
of being part of something special permeates the
experience. It is not simply that she is a massive
physical object or that her design incorporates the
latest nautical technology, or that she is capable of
going across seas where most cruise ships fear to
tread, there is also something intangible. It is what
made hundreds of thousands of people come out and
line the River Elbe when she first came to Hamburg,
Germany, what made traffic on the streets and in
the harbor of Sydney, Australia come to a halt when
she first appeared there, and even made New
Yorkers take notice when she completed her first
transatlantic sailing.
ABOVE: The multi-story Grand Lobby is the central hub of the
ship. RIGHT: A string-quartet plays in QM2's lobby.
ship. RIGHT: A string-quartet plays in QM2's lobby.
SEAKEEPING: On QM2, it is easy to forget that one is on a ship. Unlike the first QUEEN MARY,
which was a notorious roller, QM2 has very good sea-keeping qualitiess. It takes quite a storm before
one feels any significant motion. This may seem surprising because the ship is so tall, one might
expect her to be top heavy. However, she has been designed so that the center of gravity is low in the
ship. Her four stabilizers also reduce the roll by some 90 per cent. In addition, largely because the
bulk of her propulsion system is located outside of the hull in pods, engine noise does not ring
throughout the ship.
which was a notorious roller, QM2 has very good sea-keeping qualitiess. It takes quite a storm before
one feels any significant motion. This may seem surprising because the ship is so tall, one might
expect her to be top heavy. However, she has been designed so that the center of gravity is low in the
ship. Her four stabilizers also reduce the roll by some 90 per cent. In addition, largely because the
bulk of her propulsion system is located outside of the hull in pods, engine noise does not ring
throughout the ship.
| CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEWS |
ATMOSPHERE: In keeping with the ship’s ocean liner heritage, the ship is more formal than most
cruise ships. During the day, people wear what people typically wear on vacation. However, in the
evening, there are several formal nights and nights where gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket and tie
in the main dining room. If you want to wear a tee-shirt and jeans, there is a choice of more informal
alternative dining rooms but be advised that you will be missing out on part of the experience.
Although QM2 can serve some 2,600 passengers, it does not feel crowded. Keep in mind that many of
today’s cruise ships pack more passengers into less physical space. Indeed, FREEDOM OF THE SEAS,
which is about the same size, carries nearly 2,000 more passengers. Thus, one has plenty of space.
Along the same lines, the cruise director does not chase passengers around the ship trying to prod them
into joining the belly-flop contest. Nor are there a string of announcements coming over the public
address system announcing various events onboard. There is no pressure; you decide what you are going
to do.
cruise ships. During the day, people wear what people typically wear on vacation. However, in the
evening, there are several formal nights and nights where gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket and tie
in the main dining room. If you want to wear a tee-shirt and jeans, there is a choice of more informal
alternative dining rooms but be advised that you will be missing out on part of the experience.
Although QM2 can serve some 2,600 passengers, it does not feel crowded. Keep in mind that many of
today’s cruise ships pack more passengers into less physical space. Indeed, FREEDOM OF THE SEAS,
which is about the same size, carries nearly 2,000 more passengers. Thus, one has plenty of space.
Along the same lines, the cruise director does not chase passengers around the ship trying to prod them
into joining the belly-flop contest. Nor are there a string of announcements coming over the public
address system announcing various events onboard. There is no pressure; you decide what you are going
to do.
They may look like modern sculptures but
these items arrayed in front of the
superstructure are actually spare propeller
blades.
these items arrayed in front of the
superstructure are actually spare propeller
blades.
- PASSENGERS: People who travel on QM2 tend to be sophisticated and intelligent. Most
passengers are Americans but there is also a high proportion of British travelers. The
ship is also very popular in Germany. QM2’s cruise staff includes hostesses who are
specifically assigned to taking care of the German and French passengers.
It also tends to be an older group. However, an increasing number of families with
children are traveling on the ship. There are facilities for children and teenagers, which
are supervised by members of the cruise staff who are dedicated to taking care of
younger passengers.
Looking aft along QM2's starboard side at
sunset as the ship begins a transatlantic
voyage from England to the U.S.A,
sunset as the ship begins a transatlantic
voyage from England to the U.S.A,
Passengers can get an up-close look at the waves from a
series of picture windows on Two Deck towards the bow of
the ship (above). A more detached view can be had from
the ship's library on Eight Deck (right).
series of picture windows on Two Deck towards the bow of
the ship (above). A more detached view can be had from
the ship's library on Eight Deck (right).
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Above: Running between the lobby and the entrance to the Britannia Restaurant on
Deck 2 is a wide corridor. On the walls are six giant metal panels each depicting a
different continent. Above left: Careful scrutiny of the North America panel will
reveal a small image of Homer Simpson rubbed smooth by the touch of numerous
hands. Below: The corridor on Deck 3.
Deck 2 is a wide corridor. On the walls are six giant metal panels each depicting a
different continent. Above left: Careful scrutiny of the North America panel will
reveal a small image of Homer Simpson rubbed smooth by the touch of numerous
hands. Below: The corridor on Deck 3.
More photos, more tour --
Dining is next
CLICK HERE
Dining is next
CLICK HERE
Overview, atmosphere, passengers,
seakeeping .......................... Page One
Dining ................................ Page Two
Bars and Lounges................ Page Three
Queens Grill Suites ............. Page Four
Princess and Britannia
Accommodations ................ Page Five
Pools, Spa, Gym, Play Zone.. Page Six
Ballroom, Planetarium,
Theater, Lectures, Shops...... Page Seven
Bridge, Working Areas ....... Page Eight
seakeeping .......................... Page One
Dining ................................ Page Two
Bars and Lounges................ Page Three
Queens Grill Suites ............. Page Four
Princess and Britannia
Accommodations ................ Page Five
Pools, Spa, Gym, Play Zone.. Page Six
Ballroom, Planetarium,
Theater, Lectures, Shops...... Page Seven
Bridge, Working Areas ....... Page Eight
At noon on each day at sea, a deck officer
rings the ship's bell located in the Grand
Lobby.
rings the ship's bell located in the Grand
Lobby.
