For over 60 years, there has
been a Cunard "Queen" sailing the oceans. Queen Mary 2 will be the first
such liner built in a generation, and the worthy heir to the company's
160-year heritage. As envisioned in the artist's rendering above, she will
embody all the thoroughbred characteristics of her forebears: the generous
thrust of her raked prow, the stepped superstructure both fore and aft, the
lean dimensions that allow for greyhound speed whilst traversing the North
Atlantic. Seen from the outside, she will look like what she is: a
purpose-built craft for sailing rapidly between points on the globe.
Within her hull, however, QM2 will hide a multitude
of delights as spectacular and pleasurable as they are innovative and
ingenious. Stepping aboard, guests will enter a realm of sweeping spaces and
grand designs the likes of which have not been seen for decades. Passengers
will enjoy a generosity of spaciousness that rivals or surpasses that of
ultra-Deluxe small ships. Just 2,620 guests will sail on this
150,000-gross-ton vessel. They will stroll the broad, one-third-mile-long
teak promenade deck that encircles the entire ship, stopping to talk with
friends relaxing on traditional steamer chairs. They will enter a lobby that
towers over three decks high, graced with a sweeping grand staircase and
monumental works of art. They will travel in accommodations that vary from
the merely commodious to the shamelessly extravagant. The standard cabins
will measure 194 square feet, and most include an eight-foot balcony. In
all, three fourths of the ship's cabins have balconies, and 77% are sea-view
cabins. All the way aft, there are five Duplex Apartments overlooking the
sea from two-story glass walls. At over 1,600 square feet, these include two
levels, a private gym, a generous private balcony, and butler service. As on
QEthe accommodation selected by the guest will be matched with a sea-view
dining venue. Higher categories will dine in grill rooms, and lower
categories will share a truly opulent dining room, again towering over three
decks high, with its own grand staircase and tiered seating to create both
open and intimate dining spaces.
To fill the pleasant days at sea, onboard
activities will be staged in a number of innovative and inviting venues.
Seven multi-purpose classroom facilities that can be sized to accommodate
differently sized classes will comprise a College At Sea, with expert
instruction in a wide variety of subjects, such as computer skills,
languages, art and wine appreciation, cooking, and more. An auditorium will
feature a section that will adapt to become a full-scale planetarium, where
star shows, courses on celestial navigation, and other visual spectacles can
be presented. QM2 will have a large library, a bookshop, and a coffee shop.
Like her sister QEQM2 will boast a true ballroom, with an orchestra for
dancing. A magnificent Spa will include one of the ship's five swimming
pools, and together with the adjacent Winter Garden, will provide a health,
fitness, and relaxation area of over 25,000 square feet. Numerous smaller
lounges, alternative dining venues, and specialized rooms will also welcome
travelers during oceanic crossings and other fascinating voyages.
QM2 is being built in the Alstom Chantiers de
L'Atlantique shipyard in Sainte-Nazaire, France. This is the same yard that
built the
France
(now the Norway),
Normandie,
Ile de France and some of the other great
liners of the past. At a total estimated cost of $780 million USD, she will
also be the most expensive ship ever built. She is expected to enter service
in January 2004.