Background
Prior to the construction of Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s flagship ocean liner was Queen Elizabeth 2. Queen Elizabeth 2(QE2) was operated by Cunard in both capacities which are a transatlantic liner and a cruise ship. QE2 was serving as Cunard’s flagship from 1969 to 2008. Due to her ageing hull and high maintenance cost, Cunard had decided to built a new ocean liner which is the Queen Mary 2(QM2).
QE2- Queen Mary 2’s Predecessor
The current Queen.
The Queen Mary 2: A Ship for a New Era
Queen Mary 2(QM2) is definitely a symbol of the continuation of the North Atlantic passenger ocean liner. QM2’s responsibilities are to carry passengers on rough weather, without slowing down or divert its voyage course. QM2 will ship her passengers from Southhampton to New York on a 6 days voyage.
This requires a team of naval architects and engineers to design and built a strong ship. At the same time to provide the necessary amenities and facilities on QM2 to fulfil the demands of the rich and famous who are sailing on board.
The bulbous bow of the QM2 enables the ship to sail on rough seas
QM2 under construction in Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The hull of QM2 is an inch thicker than regular cruise ship to withstand the rough seas across the North Atlantic.
How to board the QM2
The QM2 routinely sails from Southampton, England and arriving in New York at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Once you had boarded on the QM2, you are official a ‘Cunarder’, travelling on the grandest ship in the world and experience the nostalgic Transatlantic voyage ever since the Edwardian Era.
Things to do on the QE2
QM2 is well known for her elegance and legend as she inherited the characteristics from her three predecessors namely Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2.
If you are seeking excitement and modern facilities on board during a cruise holiday such as the ships on Royal Caribbean ships, QM2 might not be your cup of tea. The entire experience is cultured, socialising and relaxing. The notable experience on QM2 is the dining experience in the Britannia restaurant. You are able to observe which guest has the utmost privilege to dine with the captain on that evening, reading in the library, try your luck in the casino and more to explore.
QM2’s library has a collection of more than 3,000 books doe its passengers.
The main dining area- The Britannia Restaurant
Submerged yourself in the deck pool
Conclusion
Travelling on a transatlantic cruise is always a memorable experience. On 20 October 1986, QE2 left New York for her last ever crossing as a steamship. QE2’s last and Cunard’s last. Cunard has been the first company to offer a frequent timetabled steamship service across the Atlantic. Having survived two world wars, the Great Depression (1929-1939), foreign competitors and becoming the last surviving ocean liner operator. But QE2 reemerged the following years to carry on the company’s tradition with a new propulsion system and a renewed life expectancy. The public thought that the QE2 was the last transatlantic liner until when Carnival Corporation bought over Cunard in 1998 and the subsequent year, Carnival announced that it will construct a new ocean liner which is the QM2 to replace QE2 to inherit the long established transatlantic route. QM2 brought hope to many hodophiles and QM2 has proven its triumph of a great tradition in the maritime history.
The Previous Queens
Queen Mary- the first British ship to be named by Queen Mary, consort of Edward VII. Launched in 1934
RMS Queen Elizabeth launched in 1938. It was name in honour of HM the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth.
QE2 launched in 1969. This photo was taken in 2008, a farewell on the River Clyde where she was built and launched by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
