QM2’s Whistle
Queen Mary 2 is famous for having one of the most powerful and recognisable “voices” at sea. Although modern ships typically carry only one or two horns, QM2 is equipped with five whistles in total: two mounted on her funnel, one positioned atop the bridge near the mast, and two smaller units on her bow for manoeuvring and close‑quarters signalling. The star of the set is her heritage whistle, an original 1936 steam horn taken from RMS Queen Mary herself. Restored and converted to operate on compressed air, it produces the same deep, resonant tone that echoed across the North Atlantic in the 1930s and 40s.
When entering service, as QM2 sounded her whistle, you could actually identify the historic Queen Mary horn: it was the one on the funnel that visibly expels a plume of vapour when activated, mimicking the look of a steam‑powered blast.
Sadly, this function has not worked for some time now.
Her primary whistles are tuned to an A note, two octaves below middle A, giving them an extraordinarily low frequency that can carry up to 10 miles in ideal conditions.
The result is a sound that is not only heard but physically felt, and a direct acoustic link between the golden age of ocean liners and Cunard’s current flagship.
QM2 Custom Print
This new range of Custom Print from The Cruise Maps is created in partnership with Cunard and marine illustrator Marc-Antoine Bombail. It is a complete collection of seven scale portraits spans 90 years of Cunard history, from Queen Mary (1936) to Queen Anne (2024).
We’ve known Marc-Antoine for decades and have always admired his wonderful artworks. We are excited to offer a 10% discount code in affiliation with The Cruise Maps.
Simply use the code “ChrisFrameOfficial” at check out. Browse the collection here.
Note: This is an affiliate code, meaning if you buy these prints you get a 10% discount and we get a small commission at no cost to you.
