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Cunard's next ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, will be the largest,
longest, tallest and widest passenger ship ever constructed. It is fitting that
this should be so, because Cunard Line has a long tradition of creating ships
which command the superlative in comparison to all others.
Standing beside this
majestic ship at quayside, visitors will behold a structure as tall as a
21-story building. She will be over a 100 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is
tall, over four city blocks in length. If she were afloat in the pool at the
foot of Niagara Falls, her stack would rise over 20 feet above the rim.
For over 60 years, there has been a Cunard "Queen" sailing the oceans. Queen
Mary 2 will be the first such liner built in a generation and the worthy heir to
the company's 160-year heritage. As envisioned in the artist's rendering above,
she will embody all the thoroughbred characteristics of her forebears: the
generous thrust of her raked prow, the stepped superstructure both fore and aft,
the lean dimensions that allow for greyhound speed whilst traversing the North
Atlantic. Seen from the outside, she will look like what she is, a purpose built
craft for sailing rapidly between points on the globe.
Within her hull, however, QM2 will hide a multitude of delights as
spectacular and pleasurable as they are innovative and ingenious.
Stepping aboard, guests will enter a realm of sweeping spaces and grand
designs, the likes of which have not been seen for decades. They will
enjoy a generosity of spaciousness that rivals or surpasses that of
ultra-luxury small ships. Just 2620 guests will sail on this 150,000
gross ton vessel. They will stroll the broad, 1/3 mile-long teak
promenade deck that encircles the entire ship, stopping to talk with
friends relaxing on traditional steamer chairs. They will be entranced
by a Lobby that towers over three decks high, graced with a sweeping
grand staircase and monumental works of art. They will travel in
accommodation that varies from the merely commodious to the shamelessly
extravagant. The standard cabins will measure 194 square feet, and most
include an eight-foot balcony. |
In all 3/4 of the ship's cabins have balconies, and 77
percent are sea view cabins. All the way aft, there are five Duplex Apartments
overlooking the sea from two-story glass walls. At over 1600 square feet, these
include two levels, private gym and balcony and butler service. As on QE2, the
accommodation selected by the guest will be matched with a seaview dining venue.
Higher categories will dine in Grill rooms and lower categories will share a
truly opulent dining room, again towering over three decks high, with its own
grand staircase and tiered seating to create both open and intimate dining
spaces. To fill the pleasant days at sea, onboard activities will be staged in a number
of innovative and inviting venues. Seven multi-purpose classroom facilities
which can be sized to accommodate differently sized classes will comprise
connexions a "College" At Sea, with expert instruction in a wide variety of
subject such as computer skills, languages, art and wine appreciation, cooking
and more. An auditorium will feature a section which will adapt to become a
full-scale planetarium, where star shows, courses on celestial navigation and
other visual spectacles can be presented. QM2 will have a large library, a
bookshop and a coffee shop. Like QE2, QM2 will boast a true ballroom with an
orchestra for dancing. A magnificent Spa will include one of the ship's five
swimming pools, and together with the adjacent Winter Garden, will provide a
health, fitness and relaxation area of over 25,000 square feet. Numerous smaller
lounges, alternative dining venues and specialized rooms will also welcome
travelers during the crossings.
QM2 will be built in the Alstom Chantiers de L'Atlantique shipyard in Sainte-Nazaire,
France. This is the same yard that built the France, Normandie, Ile de France
and some of the other great liners of the past. At a total estimated cost of US
$780 million, she will also be the most expensive ship ever built. She is
expected to enter service in late 2003. We will present more details as the
building proceeds.
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