The Queen Mary 2 is expected to be launched in the last quarter of 2003. Once launched, Queen Mary 2 is intended to fly the British flag, with her homeport being Southampton, England.

The QM2 is expected to carry 2800 guests.
QM2 will measure over 1130 feet in length, just 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall. She'll tower nearly 21 stories in height from keel to masthead, with a gross registered tonnage of nearly 150,000 tons. She will have a 32ft & 10in draft

"A long slender hull that will slice and not pound its way across the Atlantic".

Power plant: Four pods hanging from the hull. Two of them fixed, pulling the ship, two of them able to rotate 360 degrees, negating the need for rudders or stern thrusters. Speed up to 30 Knots.

Combination of gas turbine and diesel electric propulsion - the most powerful engine room of any merchant ship.

Cost $700 million. ('Voyager of the Seas' cost $500). Much of the additional cost is because QM2 must be built stronger to withstand 50ft seas. Thicker steel for the hull, and distance between her transverse frames and veritable ribs will be shortened to create greater strength. A long bow will protect the house from the breaking waves.

The ship will offer a limited number of apartments for long term purchases. There will also be an onboard museum of liner memorabilia, a Kennel and possibly a garage.
Unlike the QE2, the QM2 will feature a wide wrap around promenade. Additionally there will be a forward observation lounge providing views of the bow.

(Information from Cunard Homepage and an Article by Ben Lyons, Ships Monthly)

Just think, the same yards that created some
of the best, and best known ships to ever
cross the atlantic. Quite a legacy wouldn't
you say?. As soon as the QM 2 is ready for
it's maiden voyage, I'm booking !

An interesting thought: the QE2 and Canberra were commandeered by the British Government and used for troop transport during the ‘Falkland Island’ crisis of 1982. I wonder is the British Government would have any jurisdiction over the QM2 in times of war? We are short of good troop ships!

Malcolm, London

Example:
Gas turbo electric or diesel-electric? I for one would be uncomfortable on a ship with fuel tanks full of jet fuel!!

(I remember the "gee-whiz" jet-fuel-powered turbotrains of the 1970s. An accident in (I believe) Canada created an aircraft-crash type fireball!)

Another technical query. Are the flexible propulsion pods capable of contributing to forward speed, or do they just await their roles as thrusters and steering components?

Unfortunately, we British are particularly good a maintaining class barriers. The QE2 has three grades of Restaurant, assigned to the various cabin grades. In other words, on the QE2, the more you pay, the better the food and service.

On QE2, the Mauretania grade has great food and service, I have cruised both Mauretania and Britannia Grill Class and, apart from the more ' unique foods ' served in the Britannia Grill, I really don't see there to be an awful huge difference in the Standard of food, QE2's food is good in all grades. Service in the Mauretania is beyond reproach, I can not find one fault with it.

Of cause the Britannia Grill suite 1022, was much bigger then the Mauretania 5149

The Berlitz Guide to Cruising confuses me though, because it rates the "Ship" section for Grill Class higher then it rates the "Ship" section for Caronia or Mauretania. It's the same ship, how can it be rated differently? I really don't get that!

Mauretania Class should be 4+ star, Caronia 5 and Grill 5+. The Ships new interiors are absolutely magnificent (I have photo's, any one interested?) and I think the 2001 Berlitz guide will show a large boost in the QE2's Caronia and Mauretania Grade Scores. The new Caronia Restaurant is worth 5 stars on its own, It is just beautiful, and the changes made to the Mauretania Restaurant and Cabins are worth at least 4+. QE2 really looks her best today.

As far as defending YOUR cruise line and not liking transatlantic voyages, remember, they have as many cruise lines and ships as Baskin-Robbins has flavors of ice cream (maybe more), there is something for everyone, so an RCCL cruise in 85 degree weather is not necessarily going to appeal to everyone. Ummm, I think that's WHY they have transatlantic cruises, cruises to Alaska and the Scandinavian countries...I could be wrong though....

[This message has been edited by Rex (edited 06-08-2000).]