From keel to funnel, Queen Mary 2 measures 237 feet compared to the original Queen Mary being 181 feet. Queen Mary 2 sits 200 feet above the waterline; her design was restricted to that height so she can pass under New York's Staten Island - Brooklyn Bridge. Her propulsion system uses azipods; these are like large outboard motors driven by the ships electrical supply. The two outside azipods can rotate 360 degrees, giving greater maneuverability. With Queen Mary 2 being fitted with two stabilizers and having a modern hull design, rolling in heavy seas is expected to be half that of the QE2.

Cunard is one of the worlds most recognized shipping companies with a classic British heritage. This line and their two remaining ships, the 65,863-ton QE2 and the 24,492-ton Caronia, were taken over by the Carnival Cruise Line in 1998. They are now operated by the Miami based Cunard Line Limited along with the Seabourn Cruise Line. Caronia joined the Saga cruise line in 2005 as their Saga Ruby and QE2 has been berthed at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai since 2009 to serve as a hotel and tourist attraction.These ships were replaced by two 90,000 ton Vista class ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in 2007 & 2010.

QM2 set out on her maiden voyage from Southampton - Fort Lauderdale January 12th 2004. On that six-day crossing, she called at Madeira, Tenerife, Las Palmas/Canary Islands, Barbados and St Thomas. QM2 then began a series of cruises from Fort Lauderdale and New York - Caribbean and the Rio de Janeiro carnival in Brazil. She is now operated on regular transatlantic voyages between England and America. Other regular routes are from Southampton - Europe and New York - Caribbean & Canada. Her latest 103-Night World Voyage departed New York Jan 13th 2011.

Queen Mary 2 Reviews . Itinerary .