RMS Queen Mary 2 (also referred to as the QM2) is a British transatlantic ocean liner. She has served as the flagship of Cunard Line since succeeding Queen Elizabeth 2 in 2004.[9][10] As of 2022, Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner (as opposed to a cruise ship) still in service.
RMS Queen Mary 2 is a truly astonishing liner and you’ll find an incredible sense of freedom from the space she offers. Whether you’re in the mood for complete relaxation or something more active, you can find it. Immerse yourself in enthralling entertainment, be indulged in the onboard spa, or simply relax with a book in her vast library. You’ll discover remarkable craftsmanship in the elegant staterooms and suites and savoring her many sumptuous restaurants and bars is always a pleasure.
The Grand Lobby OF RMS RMS Queen Mary 2 has also lost its two glass elevators, and thanks to its new starburst carpet, the space feels like it has come to life and finally found its purpose. QM2’s 15 new single cabins — a first for the line — are impressive, too. Designed to offer solo travelers or those cruising with friends their own cabin space, this new addition to the ship is one we love. Although they’re the smallest cabins on board, the new singles feel spacious and light and, best of all, everything from furnishings to the bathroom fit-out is shiny and new.
With four elevators removed and 50 new cabins added, the ship could have become overcrowded around the other elevators, but this doesn’t seem to be a problem. Our transatlantic crossing sailed at capacity, yet the ship felt as spacious as ever. Remarkably, in fact, some areas often seemed quiet. One evening in the brand-new Carinthia Lounge, for example, we were among only a handful of passengers in the room. A favorite area during the day, Carinthia Lounge felt lacking in character in the evenings, although the sophisticated tones and seating are a step up from the aged space it replaced.
Some things never change, though. There’s still just the one daily captain’s announcement at noon, which provides an update on the ship’s progress. In some ways — from the row of wooden sun loungers bearing the ship’s royal motif on the Promenade Deck to the Art Deco-style Britannia Restaurant and abysmally slow and expensive internet — RMS Queen Mary 2 does a decent job of allowing its passengers to feel that they’ve stepped back in time. In other ways, however, it’s difficult to tell whether you’re sailing with Cunard or some other mass-market cruise line. Apart from the ship’s Art Deco ambiance, stellar enrichment, afternoon tea offerings and sometimes confusing layout, the often over-romanticized vessel offers only a surface-level taste of what a passenger would have experienced during the golden age of ocean liner travel.
RMS RMS Queen Mary 2 cruise ship deck plan shows a total of 1363 staterooms for 2726 passengers (max capacity is 3271), served by 1250 crew-staff. The boat has 18 decks (13 passenger-accessible, 11 with cabins), 6 restaurants and food bars, 14 lounges and bars, 8 shops-boutiques, 4 swimming pools (1 hydrotherapy, 1 covered with a retractable roof), 8 outdoor Jacuzzis (whirlpool hot tubs), 20 elevators, laundrettes (passenger-use laundry rooms).
RMS Queen Mary 2 deck plan changes 2016 refurbishment review
The ship’s last drydock was in 2021 (August-September) at Damen Shiprepair Brest (Brest France), during which were conducted mainly general maintenance works, as well as hull cleaning and painting.
During the Cunard Line’s 175th anniversary celebrations was announced that the QM2 ship enters a 25-day long drydock in 2016 (May 27 to June 21). During the vessel’s 25-day stay at Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg, Germany) the following deck plan changes took place:
The Winter Garden lounge on Lido Deck 7 was redesigned and transformed into the new Carinthia Lounge. The lounge is named after the Cunard Line’s two Carinthia ships – RMS Carinthia (1925-1940) and RMS Carinthia (1956-2006).
On deck 8, the RMS Queen Mary 2’s signature restaurant Todd English was replaced by “The Verandah Restaurant”. The new restaurant (available on board both QM2 fleet mates) offers gourmet French regional cuisine (with seasonal influences) plus a fine French wines list. The new specialty dinner is at a surcharge and opens for lunch and dinner only. The Verandah Grill has its own bar selling pre/post meal drinks.
172 suites (all Princess and Queen Grill suite accommodations on the QM2 ship’s upper decks) were comprehensively redesigned to maximize space. Their decoration was also changed, reflecting the Cunard Line’s history. The changes include new luxury textures in soothing colors and new carpeting (with a rugs-design inspired by the old RMS Queen Mary liner).
Extensive development work involving Cunard guests and the onboard Queen Mary 2 galley teams has been undertaken over the last eighteen months in the redesign of this very popular area of the flagship. Enhancements are planned to both the service and culinary offerings in Kings Court with the refreshed venue featuring new menus, the convenience of pre-set tables and waiter-served drinks.
The King’s Court (self-service buffet restaurant on lido deck 7 midship) was majorly redesigned. Both central-location elevators were removed to create a vast open space. This way, the central buffet stations area became more open, allowing an easygoing flow. The restaurant’s seating was also reconfigured for a less crowded experience, adding the convenience of pre-set tables and waiter-served drinks.
New menus were introduced (including a smokehouse alternative), plus pre-set tables and waiter-served beverages. Among the new menu choices are hot/cold meals, light snacks, afternoon treats, alternative cuisine specialties (including Asian, Indian, Italian, Tex Mex. At the center stage, ship’s chefs entertain guests through cooking demonstrations in the evenings.
(King’s Court) The Chef’s Galley area (that offers for lunch pasta and pizzas) on select evenings additionally offers Chef’s Table menu. This is a fine wine pairing and food tasting VIP dining event hosted by the ship’s Executive Chef. The buffet’s new design features modern chandeliers, new artworks (circus-themed), areas with timber flooring, lots of mirrors.
Both Grill restaurants (on Lido deck 7) were redesigned and renovated with a new color scheme, furnishings, and flooring. After the 2016 refurbishment, they both have new menus, more 2-seat tables and were reconfigured for more privacy (by increasing the space between tables).
15 new single-occupancy staterooms were added on deck 2 portside (taking space from the Casino) and deck 3L portside (in the place of the Images Photo Gallery).
The Britannia Restaurant (dining room on deck 2) was redesigned too. It was renovated with new decor and upgraded with new dining menus and the Cunard’s “White Star Service” standards.
Updated menus were introduced also at Golden Lion (pub) and Veuve Clicquot (wine / Champagne bar).
30 new balcony staterooms category “Britannia Club Balcony” plus 5 Inside staterooms were added on deck 13 (in the deck’s forward part)
10 new kennels (for cats and dogs) were added to the existing 12 kennels on deck 12. This is the best amenity for passengers traveling with pets. Cruise ship kennels were the Cunard’s signature feature on the line’s former flagship RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. On the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary, they were first introduced at the Duke of Windsor’s suggestion.
On RMS Queen Mary 2, the kennel area was expanded, an owners lounge and a new pet playground were added. The extended outdoor area is intended for dog walking and features a lamppost (from Liverpool) and a fire hydrant (from NYC). In 2016, Cunard partnered with Barbour (British sportswear brand) to offer smart pet accessories on the QM2 ship (including jackets, collars, leashes).
On deck 2, two of the Grand Lobby’s elevators were removed. This made more space for the lobby lounge, which was also redesigned and re-furnished with high-back chairs and a new Baby Grand piano.
Around 55,200 m2 (594,200 ft2) of new carpets have been laid throughout the ship. All new cruise cabins increased the QM2’s capacity from 2620 passengers (max 3151) to 2726 passengers (max 3271).
2016 refurbishment’s fun facts: man-hours (over 1 million), new carpets (55,200 m2 / 594,200 ft2), new framed pictures number (4,000), hull paint quantity (over 15,000 litres / 3,962 US gallons). QM2’s 25-day drydock refurbishment cost Cunard around GBP 90 million.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
| Name | RMS Queen Mary 2 |
| Namesake | RMS Queen Mary |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc[3] |
| Operator | Cunard Line |
| Port of registry |
|
| Ordered | 6 November 2000 |
| Builder | STX Europe Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, France |
| Yard number | G32[4] |
| Laid down | 4 July 2002[2] |
| Launched | 21 March 2003[2] |
| Christened | 8 January 2004[2] by Elizabeth II |
| Completed | 22 December 2003[1] |
| Maiden voyage | 12 January 2004[2] |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In Service |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Type | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage | 149,215 GT[3] |
| Displacement | 79,287 tonnes[5] |
| Length | 1,132 ft (345.03 m)[3] |
| Beam | |
| Height | 236.2 ft (72.0 m) keel to (top of) funnel |
| Draught | 33.8 ft (10.3 m)[3] |
| Decks | 14 passenger, 18 total decks[6][7] |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | Integrated electric propulsion; diesel generators & gas turbines used to generate electricity to drive four Rolls-Royce/Alstom Mermaid propulsion units (4 × 21.5 MW) |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)[8] |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 1,253 officers and crew |
