Cunard can boast having the most famous ocean liners in the world. They are truly floating palaces, an embodiment of luxury and sophistication. The Cunard ships have reined the seas for over century and a half and now are carrying this heritage to the 21st century, along with a cache of luxuries and innovations that are unequalled. Each ocean liner in Cunard's famous fleet has its own unique personality and distinctive onboard charm. Among the Cunard ships, two are the most popular - Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) and Queen Mary 2 (QM2). Which one will you fall in love with?
It is no surprise to most cruise-aholics that the world's most famous liner is not Titanic! It is Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2, which achieved a legend status in her own time. This grand ship evokes the era of classic ocean liner travel, where royalty, millionaires and film stars have been known to stroll on gleaming teak decks while savoring the earth's most dramatic panoramas. Since her inaugural voyage in 1969, the QE2 has sailed over five million nautical miles and has carried more than two million passengers on more than one thousand and two hundred voyages.
With a passenger capacity of 1500, the ship is best compared to a small resort city, divided into suburbs. Built as a two-class liner, the QE2 has been one class for several years; however, there are still subtle class distinctions. Big differences exist in the cabin location and size, although, all of the cabins have been refitted with new carpeting and other amenities. Accommodations and dining are accounted for a high number of single passengers. The level of the service is equally high independent on the cabin category and the restaurants are really beautiful with an elegantly presented cuisine.
Due to her size and configuration, the QE2 can allow to have the largest and most extensive library at the sea, a hospital staffed by two doctors and four nurses, a dental clinic supervised by a licensed dentist, a podiatrist in the spa, the largest dance floor and ballroom at the sea, one of the highest space ratios at the sea and entertainment choices that require additional twelve hours a day to get around to almost all of the venues. The Sports Center has facilities for shuffleboard, volleyball, basketball, paddle tennis and golf putting and driving. Entertainment includes an abundance of games, a casino, various shows and a movie theater. There are also educational programs for you to select according to your interest.
Cunard Queen Mary 2 is the world's largest passenger ship nowadays (the capacity is 2,620). In fact, she is the longest, tallest, heaviest, and the most expensive passenger ship in the world. Inspired by the legendary Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2, the QM2 has been designed to recreate the magic for the 21st century. Now she melds the classic grace of yester-year's ocean liners and the ultimate modern features.
Accommodations vary a lot. The sizes range from the largest Grand Duplexes (2,249 square feet) to balcony cabins (248 square feet) with a standard ocean view and inside cabins (194 square feet). Seventy three percent of the ship's accommodations have balconies, and thirty cabins are equipped for the physically challenged. All the cabins are stylish and set according to everything you may need during your voyage. Dining is the first-rate onboard the QM2, as seven galleys service ten restaurants.
Like all the Cunard ships, the QM2 offers a really impressive selection of entertainment and activities, both; in the daytime and at night. Sporty fun, a cinema, a theatre, shopping, concerts, dancing, shows, games, lectures and seminars, exhibitions, illuminations, even the world's first-ever planetarium on a cruise ship - the list is almost endless.
If you feel you deserve the best - choose the Cunard ships and be a part of the legend!