Queen Mary 2
Product brand
UnclaimedA British ocean liner operated by Cunard, offering scheduled transatlantic crossings as well as cruise voyages.
Last updated August 21, 2026
Overview
Queen Mary 2, also known as QM2, is a British ocean liner operated by Cunard Line and owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. She entered service in 2004 as the successor to Queen Elizabeth 2 and became Cunard's flagship. Unlike most contemporary large passenger ships, which are designed primarily as cruise vessels, Queen Mary 2 was conceived specifically for regular ocean crossings. Her principal scheduled route links Southampton and New York, although her itinerary also includes shorter cruises, seasonal voyages from New York to the Caribbean, and annual world-voyage programs. The ship was developed during the late 1990s as Cunard sought a vessel that could preserve the company's historic transatlantic identity after the retirement of Queen Elizabeth 2. The design was led by British naval architect Stephen Payne, working with Carnival's in-house design resources, and construction was awarded to Chantiers de l'Atlantique at Saint-Nazaire, France. Her engineering reflects the demands of the North Atlantic: a fine-lined hull, reinforced structure, substantial seakeeping capability, and a top speed of slightly more than 30 knots. Her normal cruising speed is approximately 26 knots, faster than that of many large cruise ships. Queen Mary 2 uses an integrated electric propulsion system. Four diesel engines generate most of the ship's electricity, while two gas turbines provide additional power when required. The electricity drives four podded propulsion units and supplies the ship's hotel services. The machinery and control systems were arranged with redundancy so that a single failure would not disable the vessel. Her ocean-liner configuration required more steel than a comparable cruise ship and contributed to a high construction cost per passenger berth. At 345.03 metres in length and approximately 148,528 gross tons, Queen Mary 2 was the largest passenger ship ever built when completed. Later cruise ships surpassed her in gross tonnage, but she remains the largest ocean liner constructed. Her post-Panamax beam also meant that she could not use the Panama Canal before its expansion; historic routing decisions therefore favored capacity and ocean-going performance over canal compatibility. Her funnel was designed to provide clearance beneath New York's Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The onboard experience combines traditional Cunard formality with modern cruise amenities. Facilities include multiple restaurants and bars, five pools at launch, a casino, theatre, cinema, planetarium, library, gym, art gallery, golf simulator, ballroom, spa, and children's and family facilities. Public areas draw on the visual language of earlier Cunard liners through Art Deco references, a wrap-around promenade, a large Britannia dining room, and formal Grill accommodation for higher-fare passengers. The ship also maintains kennels for dogs and cats on transatlantic crossings, reflecting a distinctive feature of Cunard's passenger service. Queen Mary 2 carries the Royal Mail Ship prefix, a ceremonial designation granted when she entered service in recognition of Cunard's historic relationship with the British mail system. Although liners no longer carry general mail as a primary function, the ship retains a traditional red postbox and accepts passenger mail. As of the cited reference material, she remains in active service and is the only ship purpose-built and still operating as an ocean liner on regular service.
History
Queen Mary 2 was developed to preserve Cunard's transatlantic service after the era of large scheduled liners had largely ended. In June 1998, Cunard completed an initial concept for an approximately 84,000-gross-ton ship carrying about 2,000 passengers. The concept was subsequently enlarged and revised after comparison with the much larger cruise ships then being introduced by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International. Cunard announced Project Queen Mary in December 1998 and invited several major European shipyards to bid. The construction contract was signed with Chantiers de l'Atlantique on 6 November 2000. The French yard had previously built notable ocean liners, including SS Normandie and France, making it a historically appropriate builder for a new Cunard flagship. Stephen Payne served as the principal naval architect. His design drew on recognizable elements of earlier Cunard ships, including a continuous promenade deck, formal public rooms, Art Deco influences, and visual details recalling Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. At the same time, the vessel was engineered for higher speed and heavier North Atlantic conditions than a conventional cruise ship. The keel was laid on 4 July 2002 at Saint-Nazaire under hull number G32. Construction involved approximately 3,000 craftsmen, about eight million working hours, and the assembly of roughly 300,000 steel pieces into 94 major blocks. The ship floated out on 21 March 2003 and was then fitted out in the yard's large fitting-out basin. Sea trials took place in two stages, from 25 to 29 September and from 7 to 11 November 2003, in waters near the French Atlantic coast. The construction period was marked by a fatal accident on 15 November 2003. A gangway gave way while shipyard workers and visiting relatives were aboard, resulting in a fall of approximately 15 metres into the dry dock. Sixteen people died and 32 were injured. Despite the tragedy, construction was completed on schedule. Queen Mary 2 departed Saint-Nazaire on 22 December 2003 and reached Southampton on 26 December. Queen Elizabeth II officially named the ship on 8 January 2004. The Royal Mail Ship prefix was granted as a gesture toward Cunard's postal history. Queen Mary 2 subsequently assumed the flagship role from Queen Elizabeth 2 and began regular service between Southampton and New York. Her role has since broadened to include short cruises, Caribbean sailings, and annual world voyages, while the transatlantic crossing remains the core of her identity. The ship's design reflects a compromise between ocean-liner performance and modern passenger expectations. Her hull is relatively fine-lined, improving speed and seakeeping, while the power plant uses diesel generators, supplementary gas turbines, and electric pod propulsion. The vessel's width made her post-Panamax before the Panama Canal expansion, so itineraries requiring passage between the Atlantic and Pacific historically involved routes around South America. Her accommodation is divided into Britannia, Princess Grill, and Queens' Grill categories, with corresponding dining and lounge privileges. Queen Mary 2's public spaces are a major part of the product. The ship includes a two-deck Britannia Restaurant, the Royal Court Theatre, Illuminations cinema and planetarium, the Queen's Room ballroom, a casino, multiple bars, a library, spa, pools, and outdoor promenades. More than 5,000 commissioned artworks are displayed throughout the vessel. The ship also preserves unusual liner traditions, including passenger mail facilities and dedicated kennels for dogs and cats on transatlantic crossings. As described in the cited reference material, Queen Mary 2 remains active as Cunard's flagship and as the largest ocean liner ever built.
- 2026
Reference identifies Queen Mary 2 as the only active ocean liner
[1]The cited reference describes her as the only ship built and used as an ocean liner still in active service.
- 2016
Pool area modified during refurbishment
[1]The shallow Splash Pool on Deck 13 was removed during refurbishment to create space for additional staterooms.
- 2004
Named by Queen Elizabeth II
[1]Queen Elizabeth II officially named Queen Mary 2 on 8 January 2004.
- 2004
Became Cunard flagship
[1]Queen Mary 2 entered service as Cunard's flagship, replacing Queen Elizabeth 2 in that role.
- 2003
Hull floated out
[1]Queen Mary 2 was floated out on 21 March 2003 for final fitting-out and completion.
- 2003
Fatal construction accident
[1]A collapsed gangway at the shipyard killed 16 people and injured 32 others.
- 2003
Ship delivered to Southampton
[1]The completed vessel left Saint-Nazaire on 22 December and arrived in Southampton on 26 December.
- 2002
Keel laid at Saint-Nazaire
[1]The keel was laid on 4 July 2002 under hull number G32.
- 2000
Construction contract signed with Chantiers de l'Atlantique
[1]Cunard selected the Saint-Nazaire shipyard for construction of the new ocean liner.
- 1998
Initial new-liner concept completed
[1]Cunard completed an initial design for a new approximately 84,000-gross-ton liner intended to carry around 2,000 passengers.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
Luxury ocean liner combining scheduled North Atlantic crossings, traditional Cunard service, and contemporary cruise amenities.
Scheduled ocean-liner service · 2004
Transatlantic crossings
Queen Mary 2's defining offering is the scheduled crossing between Southampton and New York. The service emphasizes the traditions of ocean travel, including formal dining, spacious public rooms, a wrap-around promenade, and the ability to carry pets in dedicated kennels. Her speed and hull design are intended for dependable North Atlantic operation rather than merely leisurely coastal cruising.
Cruise voyages · 2004
Short cruises
Outside the core transatlantic route, Queen Mary 2 operates shorter cruise itineraries. These voyages use the ship's restaurants, theatre, planetarium, pools, spa, library, casino, and other hotel facilities while retaining the formal service style and visual identity associated with Cunard's ocean-liner heritage.
Long-distance cruise itinerary · 2004
World voyages
Cunard uses Queen Mary 2 for annual world-voyage programs. These itineraries extend the ship's operating range beyond the North Atlantic and combine long-distance passage with port visits across multiple regions. Her width and post-Panamax design have historically affected routing choices on voyages between the Atlantic and Pacific.
Premium onboard accommodation · 2004
Grill-class accommodation
Princess Grill and Queens' Grill accommodation provide higher-fare passengers with differentiated dining, lounges, and private areas. Princess Grill guests dine in the Princess Grill restaurant, while Queens' Grill guests receive access to the Queens' Grill restaurant and lounge. The arrangement is central to Cunard's tiered, formal service model aboard Queen Mary 2.
Special passenger service · 2004
Onboard kennels
Dedicated kennels on Deck 12 accommodate dogs and cats during transatlantic crossings. The kennels can hold up to 22 animals in small and large cages, giving Queen Mary 2 a distinctive service for passengers traveling with pets.
Brand decisions
2016
Convert Splash Pool space into additional stateroomsGeneration changeBackground
A refurbishment created an opportunity to revise the use of the shallow Splash Pool area on Deck 13.
Action taken
The pool was removed and the space was converted for additional staterooms.
Aftermath
Queen Mary 2 continued operating with four remaining pools and updated passenger accommodation.
2004
Launch Queen Mary 2 as Cunard flagshipProduct launchBackground
Queen Elizabeth 2 had served as Cunard's flagship since 1969 and was approaching retirement from that role.
Action taken
Cunard introduced Queen Mary 2 with regular transatlantic crossings alongside cruise and seasonal itineraries.
Aftermath
The ship became the central expression of Cunard's modern ocean-liner positioning and remains in active service.
2000
Select Chantiers de l'Atlantique as builderOtherBackground
Several European shipyards were invited to bid on the new liner project.
Action taken
Cunard signed the construction contract with Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.
Aftermath
The ship was built and fitted out at Saint-Nazaire, a yard with a history of constructing major ocean liners.
1998
Develop a purpose-built ocean linerStrategyBackground
Cunard sought a successor and complement to Queen Elizabeth 2 while the passenger market was shifting toward larger cruise ships.
Action taken
The company initiated Project Queen Mary and developed a vessel optimized for scheduled Atlantic crossings rather than a conventional cruise-ship profile.
Aftermath
The project produced Queen Mary 2, which became Cunard's flagship and preserved a regular ocean-liner service.
Recent events
- 2026
Queen Mary 2 remains Cunard's flagship and active ocean liner[1]
Other
The cited reference describes Queen Mary 2 as remaining in active service and as the only ship built and used as an ocean liner still operating in that role.
- 2004
Queen Mary 2 officially enters Cunard service[1]
Product launch · Leadership change
The completed liner was named by Queen Elizabeth II and became Cunard's flagship, replacing Queen Elizabeth 2 in that role.
- 2003
Queen Mary 2 construction accident kills 16 at Saint-Nazaire[1]
Other
A gangway collapsed during a visit to the ship at the French shipyard, causing a fall into the dry dock. Sixteen people died and 32 were injured.
Sources2 sources
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