Queen Mary 2 vs. Other Cruise Ships: What Makes Her Unique?

Queen Mary 2 is so much more than just another cruise ship – she is the last Ocean Liner at sea.

She has a distinct Ocean Liner legacy and is known for her luxury and elegance. She offers a perfect blend of modern luxury and amenities with the classic ocean liner style. 

If you think all large passenger ships are the same, sailing on the Queen Mary 2 will probably change your mind…

Ocean Liner vs. Cruise Ship: What’s the Difference?

Ocean Liners are designed for line crossings – sailing from point A to point B – from New York to Southampton, for example.

Ocean Liners of times gone by could cross vast oceans and sail the world at speeds not obtainable by modern cruise ships.

Their shape and design is different. They have a reinforced hull and are more streamlined to sail at faster speeds, even in rough weather.

The SS United States obtained a record-breaking speed of 35.59 knots when crossing the Atlantic!

Cunard designed Queen Mary 2 to take over from the very famous Ocean Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) when she retired in 2004.

Queen Mary 2 took over the role as the flagship of Cunard’s fleet.

Design and Architecture

Queen Mary 2 has an iconic design. She has a sleek, streamlined hull for better stability and speed.

The public spaces onboard, like the Queen’s Room ballroom or the Britannia Restaurant, are huge. They have luxurious fittings and fixtures and are quite breathtaking.

Cruise ships prioritise space for cabins, as this is where they make the most money.

Unique Onboard Features

There are so many unique features onboard Queen Mary 2 that you won’t find on other ships.

Illuminations Planetarium

The Illuminations venue has a unique planetarium, where the seats recline and you can learn about the stars and planets above you.

When the planetarium isn’t in use, the venue is used for other purposes. When I was onboard, the enrichment lectures took place here. I learnt about the myths of the Titanic, about the wives of Henry the 8th, debunked the conspiracy theories over the death of Princess Diana, and the evolution of the Ocean Liner.

You know you’re on a special ship indeed when you can settle into your comfortable seat in our illuminations theatre at sea on Queen Mary 2. More than this, Illuminations is a luxury cinema and a classical music venue. The illumination dome can send you on an epic voyage across the solar system, teach you to navigate by the stars, or show other science and natural history films, with up to four screenings on each sea day. With the dome retracted, Illuminations hosts 3D documentaries and stunning concerts and recitals.

Cunard

The Largest Ballroom At Sea

Queen Mary 2 has the largest Ballroom at sea, The Queens Room.

The Queens Room is a vast space. We enjoyed a big band concert here, with familiar songs from the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Duke Ellington, etc. They were fantastic.

The Queens Room is also the place where afternoon tea is held. You can have finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and a range of teas or coffee, all served to you by waiters wearing white gloves!

I also took part in a “fun” morning exercise class – which my Mum described as anything but fun…!

I have to say, I found the lower deck layout of the Queen Mary 2 rather confusing. The Queens Room is one place we often struggled to find, despite it being so large.

You have to find your way around the Britannia Restaurant, and you can only do this by finding your way down the right stairway and walking along the Art Gallery on one side of the ship. (Extra cabins have been fitted in on the other side, so walking that way isn’t an option.)

Sometimes, we ended up actually walking right through the Britannia restaurant to reach the Queens Room on the other side.

A Library With Over 10,000 Books

Queen Mary has a proper, large library. It can be found at the front of deck 8 and has a view out over the front of the ship.

There are all sorts of books to choose from, including an interesting section on Maritime History, Ship and Ocean Liner history and a vast travel section.

Kennels For Cats And Dogs

Those taking Transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 can take their dogs or cats with them.

Animals have to stay in kennels at the back of deck 12, they can’t stay in guest cabins.

Find out more about that here:

I Took A Cruise That Allows Dogs (And Cats) Onboard!

Top Deck Space

There are large wooden deck areas on the top of Queen Mary 2.

On cruise ships, you can find waterparks, waterslides, rock climbing courses and zip lines.

Having crossed the Atlantic in rough weather, I can see why they wouldn’t want so much “stuff” on the top of the ship. I am sure they wouldn’t survive the stormy winter weather in the Atlantic. Things would fly off and be damaged!

There isn’t that feeling that the Cunard has stuffed money-making activities and attractions into every available space – which is how I sometimes feel on the newer cruise ships.

Atmosphere and Experience

Sailing on Queen Mary 2 gives you a very traditional cruise experience. Cunard really is the most formal cruise line I have ever sailed with, so pack your Ballgown or your Tuxedo!

They have regular formal or “Gala” nights. Even on the least formal nights, there is still a dress code in place, and men must wear collared shirts in the dining rooms.

Meals in the dining rooms are mostly at set sittings and you may be expected to table share with others.

They have Ballroom dancing accompanied by a live orchestra and afternoon tea with a string quartet.

There is even a dress code in the theatre and across most of the ship after 6 pm.

Cruise ships tend to have a far more relaxed approach to dining and dress codes.

Many have “Freestyle dining” where you can wear what you want and eat when you are hungry. There is no enforced table sharing and very few ( if any) dress codes.

Cruise ships place more emphasis on non-stop activities and entertainment.

Although there was plenty going on in Queen Mary 2’s daily schedule, you aren’t going to find belly-flop competitions or Scavenger hunts.

You might find ballroom dancing lessons, fascinating enrichment lectures, or the opportunity to join an onboard choir.

The Golden Lion pub was popular for trivia quizzes and live music. I don’t think you would find such well-dressed pub-goers in your typical English Pub!

Transatlantic Heritage

Cunard has a long and illustrious Transatlantic heritage.

In 1840, Samuel Cunard, a timber merchant and war veteran from Halifax, Nova Scotia, established the Cunard Line. 

Cunard’s first transatlantic crossing took place in July 1840, when the Britannia sailed from Liverpool to Boston and Halifax. 

Many other sailings followed.

The Golden Age of Ocean Liners was between the 1890’s and the 1960’s. In the 1960s, the popularity of air travel made Ocean Liners increasingly unprofitable, hence only one Ocean Liner at sea today.

Cunard’s original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were the world’s largest ocean liners, the epitome of luxury ocean travel, and could reach speeds of over 30 knots.

The Queen Mary 2 now holds the record as the largest Ocean Liner at sea. She has a maximum speed of 30 knots. Cruise ships travel far slower. Find out more about that here:

Cruise Ships Can Travel at 30 MPH, Here’s Why They Rarely Do

I have always wanted to take a transatlantic crossing – but only on the Queen Mary 2

I wanted to follow in the footsteps of all the passengers from bygone eras, many of whom were sailing to begin an exciting new life in a new country.

I know that I do get seasick when the seas are rough, so making the sailing on the last Ocean Liner was the obvious choice.

Passenger Demographics Onboard

Queen Mary 2 appeals to passengers who value tradition and luxury and have the time to make slow crossings over the seas.

Those like me who are interested in history will enjoy following in the footsteps of generations of people who have travelled before.

Artwork on the walls is of Ocean Liners from previous eras. There are also photos of famous people who have sailed on Cunard liners, such as Walt Disney, Judy Garland, and Fred Astaire.

Modern celebrities have also sailed onboard the Queen Mary 2, such as David Bowie, John Cleese and Ed Sheeran.

Cruise ships often cater to families and people of all ages. Queen Mary 2 appeals to an older passenger demographic and those who have plenty of free time to take longer journeys.

The sailing we took had many passengers onboard who were taking a 28-night itinerary.

This itinerary had two transatlantic crossings and visited many Caribbean islands. Not many people of working age could take such a long sailing.

Dining and Service

Queen Mary’s main Britannia dining room is a very grand space. It is over three different levels and has a huge piece of artwork of an Ocean Liner at one end.

Most diners have a set dining time, although there are some “open dining” options available.

The service is usually excellent, with three-course meals, coffee and sweet treats such as chocolates or shortbread afterwards.

If you don’t want a sit-down dinner, you can always go to the buffet instead.

Cruise ship dining options are often more casual, with newer ships having multiple included restaurants, rather than the traditional, one main dining room option.

Dinner is more of an occasion on Cunard ships, with guests enjoying the opportunity to “dress to impress.”

Pricing And Value

As with all ships, there are a range of different options available. If you are staying in a suite you will eat in the exclusive “Queens Grill” restaurant.

This offers a high-end dining experience with personalised service and a refined menu included in the fare.

It’s a top-tier dining option for the most premium cabin category on the ship.  I have never stayed in the Queens Grill area of the ship, so I can’t personally comment on whether the extra cost is worth it.

My Transatlantic eight-day crossing in an Atrium view cabin cost only £709/$880. Gratuities are charged on top, at the time of writing, $16 a day (around £13)

I think that was very good value for money and comparable or cheaper than many cruise ships.

Have a look at my bargain cabin here:

Considering the unique experience Cunard offers and the amenities onboard that can’t be found elsewhere, I think that it is a good option for those seeking an experience different to the mainstream.

If you’re ready to experience the romance and history of ocean travel, there’s no better choice than the Queen Mary 2.

Before You Go

Find out more about Cunard’s dress codes here:

Cunard Dress Code (Mens, Womens, Childrens – Real Examples)

Find out why my parent’s cabin “upgrade” on Queen Mary 2 wasn’t all they had wished here:

Why This Cruise Cabin “Upgrade” Was Worse (Don’t Let This Happen to You)!