The Queen Mary 2 will celebrate its second decade at sea this year. Having begun sailing in early 2004, the 151,400-ton vessel was the result of “Project Queen Mary.”
Announced by Cunard Line in 1998, the project envisioned the construction of the "largest and most luxurious ocean liner in history."
After being built by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyards in France, the Queen Mary 2 was christened by Queen Elizabeth II in Southampton on January 8, 2004.
A few days after the ceremony, which celebrated Cunard's British heritage with performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Marines band, the Queen Mary 2 set sail on its maiden voyage: a transatlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale.
Before beginning its transatlantic service, the Queen Mary 2 offered a pre-cruise to the media, as well as an 11-night Caribbean cruise.
As the world's last transatlantic liner, the ship traditionally spends most of the year offering one-way transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, UK. Guests can also embark or disembark at the German port of Hamburg on some voyages.
Most trips, lasting between six and eight nights, only include sea days and sail at a higher speed than regular cruises.
In 2024, after returning from its 108-night world cruise, the Queen Mary 2 will offer cruises of two to 13 nights around Western Europe, the Norwegian Fjords, the British Isles, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and other destinations.
The company describes the Queen Mary 2 as its “legendary flagship”, a “true icon” and an “amazing ocean liner”.
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