QM2 Facts

Since entering service in 2004, Queen Mary 2 has become a firm favourite among Cunard travellers. When the ship joined the Cunard fleet she was the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive passenger ship ever built. Today she remains the largest Ocean Liner to ever set sail. Here you can learn more about Queen Mary 2’s design specifications, and learn some fun facts.

General Information

Name: Queen Mary 2 (QM2).
Gross Tonnage: 149,215 gt.
Length: 1132 feet / 345.03 metres.
Beam: 135 feet / 41.14 metres.
Beam at Bridge Wings: 147.5 feet / 44.95 metres.
Draft: 32 feet, 10 inches / 9.75 metres.
Height (Keel to Funnel): 237 feet / 72.23 metres.
Passenger Capacity: 2,695 people.
Standard Crew Capacity: 1,253 people.
Top Speed: Approximately 30 knots (34.5 mph / 55.56km/h).
Power: 157,000 hp / 117074.88 kW.
Propulsion: Four Rolls Royce Alstom pods of 20 MW each; 2 fixed pods and 2 rotating azipods (360 degrees).
Stabilisers: Two sets of Denny Brown stabilisers.
Port of Registry: Hamilton (2011 – ) Southampton (2003 – 2011).
Callsign: ZCEF6 (2011 – ) GBQM (2003 – 2011).
Fleet Status: Flagship of Cunard since April 25, 2004.
Cost: US$800 million.

Some fun QM2 Facts

QM2 is five times longer than the first ship built for Cunard – Britannia – in fact Britannia could fit into QM2’s Britannia Restaurant!
QM2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall.
QM2 is 147 feet / 44.80 metres longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall.
QM2 is more than 3 ½ times as long as Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) is high.
QM2 is only 117 feet / 35.66 metres shorter than the Empire State Building is tall.
QM2 is more than three times as long as St. Paul’s Cathedral is tall.
QM2 is as long as 36 London double decker buses.
QM2 was made flagship of Cunard in April 2004 after a tandem crossing with QE2, the previous holder of the record.
QM2’s whistles are audible for up to ten miles.
One of QM2’s whistles was taken from her namesake, Queen Mary, on permanent loan. It was first installed on Queen Mary in 1936.
Upon QE2’s retirement, QM2 became the fastest Ocean Liner in active service.

Is Queen Mary 2 bigger than Titanic?

Yes – Queen Mary 2 is much larger than Titanic. At 1,132ft long, she is 250ft longer than Titanic. In metric terms QM2 is 76.2 metres longer than Titanic. Queen Mary 2 is also wider, taller and faster than Titanic with a cruising speed some 7 knots faster than Titanic. While QM2 is much larger than Titanic, she only carries slightly more passengers than Titanic, with QM2 able to transport a maximum of 2,695 guests and Titanic 2,435.

What’s the difference between QM2 and QE2?

By the time QM2 entered service in 2004 the QE2 had been at sea for over 30 years. So how did the two ships differ?

In 2008 when she retired, QE2 had a gross tonnage of 70,327, while QM2 has an internal volume of 149,215 gross tons.
The QE2 is 963 feet long and 105 feet, 2 inches wide, while the QM2 is 1,132 feet long and 135 feet wide (147.5 feet at the bridge wings).
QE2 carried 1,777 passengers while the QM2 carries 2,695.
QE2 has 10 passenger decks and two crew decks with select areas accessible to passengers, while QM2 has 13 passenger accessible decks.
QM2 is far taller than QE2, owing to her having double height decks on Deck 2 and Deck 3.

Love Maritime History? Join our Substack

Queen Mary 2 Print

This 1:480 scale portrait of Queen Mary 2 by The Cruise Maps is a true celebration of the last great ocean liner. This drawing originated from the painstaking work of the world renowned ship artist, Julien Garnier, whose signature appears on every print. Complete with delightful fine details of this famous ship, this scale portrait is the ultimate collector’s item and is also signed by Stephen Payne OBE, the lead designer of Queen Mary 2. This print will capture the imagination of art lovers and the most erudite of naval modellers alike.

And if you use my promo code chrisframeofficial you can access a 10% saving. Click here.

Note: These pages contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you purchase through it.