Cunard ยท Queen Class
Queen Mary 2
Queen Mary 2 is the world's only purpose-built ocean liner still in regular transatlantic service, operating a scheduled crossing between Southampton and New York. At 149,215 GT and 1,132 ft, she was the largest passenger ship ever built when she launched in 2004.
Ship specs
- Cruise line: Cunard
- Ship class: Queen
- Year launched: 2004
- Gross tonnage: 149,215 GT
- Length: 1,132 ft
- Passengers (double occupancy): 2,691
- Passengers (max): 3,090
About Queen Mary 2
Queen Mary 2 is the world's only purpose-built ocean liner still in regular transatlantic service, operating a scheduled crossing between Southampton and New York. At 149,215 GT and 1,132 ft, she was the largest passenger ship ever built when she launched in 2004. QM2 is designed for open-ocean crossings with a deeper draft, strengthened hull, and more powerful engines than any cruise ship.
Best for: Transatlantic travelers who want the crossing experience: seven nights at sea between Southampton and New York with no ports of call, daily lectures, formal Gala Evenings, and the feeling of traveling by ocean liner rather than flying. QM2 also operates world cruises and seasonal voyages to Northern Europe and the Caribbean.
Key features and highlights
- ▸ The only ship operating a regular transatlantic schedule, crossing between Southampton and New York approximately 25 times per year.
- ▸ QM2 is an ocean liner, not a cruise ship: she has a deeper draft (10 m vs ~8 m), a stronger hull for mid-Atlantic conditions, and more powerful engines for maintaining speed through swells.
- ▸ The Queens Room ballroom hosts formal dancing on Gala Evenings, with a sprung dance floor and live orchestra.
- ▸ The onboard Planetarium at Sea is a full-dome digital theater showing astronomy programs and feature films.
- ▸ The Canyon Ranch SpaClub occupies two decks and includes a full-size pool, whirlpool, thermal suite, and 24 treatment rooms.
- ▸ A two-story library is the largest at sea, with 8,000 volumes.
What to know before you book
Cabin tips
The Britannia Club Balcony category is the best value upgrade: it gets you single-seating dining in the Britannia Club restaurant and a slightly larger cabin, for significantly less than a Princess Grill Suite. If the top-tier Grill experience matters, the Queens Grill Suite is a different world: dedicated restaurant, private lounge, concierge, and priority everything.
Dining
Cunard's three-tier dining system is anchored by QM2: Britannia Restaurant (two seatings), Britannia Club (single seating for Club Balcony guests), Princess Grill (for Princess Grill suites), and Queens Grill (for Queens Grill suites). Additional venues include the Golden Lion pub, King's Court buffet, and specialty options like the Verandah.
Entertainment
Royal Court Theatre hosts West End and Broadway-caliber production shows. Illuminations is the first Planetarium at Sea. The Queens Room hosts Gala Evening ballroom dancing with a live orchestra. Commodore Club is the forward-facing cocktail bar with panoramic views.
Cabin sizes by category
Interior
| Subcategory | Cabin size | Balcony | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Britannia Inside | 162-194 sq ft | Not published | 3 |
Oceanview
| Subcategory | Cabin size | Balcony | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Britannia Oceanview, Britannia Sheltered Balcony | 162-249 sq ft | up to 42 sq ft | 3 |
Balcony
| Subcategory | Cabin size | Balcony | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Britannia Balcony, Britannia Club Balcony | 228-472 sq ft | 42-60 sq ft | 4 |
Suite
| Subcategory | Cabin size | Balcony | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Grill Suite, Queens Grill Suite, Grand Suite, Balmoral Suite, Holyrood Duplex, Royal Suite | 335-2249 sq ft | 42-580 sq ft | 4 |
Cabin sizes are sourced from deck plan databases and may vary by specific stateroom number. Always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Frequently asked questions
- Queen Mary 2 is approximately 149,215 gross tons, 1,132 feet long, and carries approximately 2,691 passengers at double occupancy (up to 3,090 at full capacity).
- Queen Mary 2 offers 4 cabin subcategories across 4 main types. Interior: 162-194 sq ft. Oceanview: 162-249 sq ft. Balcony: 228-472 sq ft. Suite: 335-2249 sq ft.
- Queen Mary 2 is a Queen class ship operated by Cunard. It launched in 2004.
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Caden Sorenson is a senior staff engineer with 15+ years of experience building iOS apps, web platforms, and developer tools. He holds a Computer Science degree from Utah State University and runs Vientapps, an indie studio based in Logan, Utah, where he ships small, focused tools and writes about every build in public.
Sources & verification
- ship-specs: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2/0
- cabin-dimensions: https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/ships/Queen-Mary-2/staterooms
Verified 2026-05-03. Ship specs and cabin sizes can change with refurbishments and reconfiguration. Confirm with the cruise line before booking.