| QUEEN MARY 2 |
| CUNARD |
QUEEN MARY 2
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
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.
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.
Above: The multi-story Grand Lobby is the central hub
of the ship. Below: A string-quartet plays in QM2's lobby.
of the ship. Below: 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 qualities. 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.
forget that one is on a ship. Unlike the
first QUEEN MARY, which was a
notorious roller, QM2 has very good
sea-keeping qualities. 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.
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.
They may look like modern sculptures
but these items arrayed in front of the
superstructure are actually spare
propeller blades.
but 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.
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 and below). A
more detached view can be had from the ship's
library on Eight Deck (above right).
from a series of picture windows on Two Deck
towards the bow of the ship (above and below). A
more detached view can be had from the ship's
library on Eight Deck (above right).
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.
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.
More photos, more tour --
Dining is next
CLICK HERE
Dining is next
CLICK HERE
Overview.................................... 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
Activities and Entertainment........ Page Seven
Bridge, Working Areas ............... Page Eight
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
Activities and Entertainment........ 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.
officer rings the ship's bell located in
the Grand Lobby.
Cruise ship photo tour - - Cunard - - Queen Mary 2 - page 1
BEYONDSHIPS HOME
CRUISE SHIP CENTRAL
CRUISE SHIP PROFILES
CRUISE LINKS
CRUISE INTERVIEWS
CRUISE ARTICLES
CUNARD PAGE
QUEEN VICTORIA PROFILE
QUEEN MARY 2 PROFILE
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 PROFILE
CRUISE SHIP CENTRAL
CRUISE SHIP PROFILES
CRUISE LINKS
CRUISE INTERVIEWS
CRUISE ARTICLES
CUNARD PAGE
QUEEN VICTORIA PROFILE
QUEEN MARY 2 PROFILE
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 PROFILE
Above: The Britannia Cup presented
to Cunard by the citizens of Boston
after the company began
regularly-scheduled transatlantic
service in 1840.
Below: Continuing the tradition,
QM2 has received many interesting
gifts from well-wishers.
to Cunard by the citizens of Boston
after the company began
regularly-scheduled transatlantic
service in 1840.
Below: Continuing the tradition,
QM2 has received many interesting
gifts from well-wishers.
At the forward end of the
corridor on Deck 3 is a
large portrait of the line's
founder Sir Samuel
Cunard. Upon close
inspection, one finds that
the image is comprised of
tiny pictures of Cunard
ships.
corridor on Deck 3 is a
large portrait of the line's
founder Sir Samuel
Cunard. Upon close
inspection, one finds that
the image is comprised of
tiny pictures of Cunard
ships.
QM2 has a diverse collection of
contemporary and marine art
including works by Giancarlo
Impiglia (read interview with the
artist) and by Captain Stephen Card
(read interview with the artist).
contemporary and marine art
including works by Giancarlo
Impiglia (read interview with the
artist) and by Captain Stephen Card
(read interview with the artist).
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 1
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 2
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 3
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 4
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 5
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 6
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 7
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 8
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 2
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 3
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 4
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 5
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 6
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 7
QUEEN MARY 2 TOUR 8
The Future Voyage Office is also the
onboard headquarters for the Cunard
World Club, the line's repeat
passenger program.
onboard headquarters for the Cunard
World Club, the line's repeat
passenger program.