Queen Mary 2
Queen Mary 2 (QM2) was built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique St. Nazaire for Cunard to relieve Queen Elizabeth 2 from frequently undertaking Atlantic crossings. When finished in 2004 QM2 was the largest passenger ship ever built. Sadly her inauguration was overshadowed by a fatal accident where fifteen people were killed during a visit of the nearly finished ship. (see this BBC article)
QM2 is presently the only passenger ship undertaking Atlantic crossings on a more frequent basis. Although built as a fast ship for frequent Atlantic crossings Queen Mary 2 offers accommodation and amenities comparable to other contemporary passenger ships. During the past years, a narrative emerged that distinguishes QM2 from other passenger ships as a 'Liner': Having been designed for the niche of re-enacting fast transatlantic crossings and having no sister ships indeed makes her a unique. However, a denomination pretending that she therefore belongs to a entirely different category of ships than other worldwide operating ocean going passenger ships is simply going too far and rooted in the realm of exaggerated marketing - her distinguishing features are comparable to what differentiates other passenger ships built for different purposes.
Photos from her inaugural transatlantic crossing: Albums @ Ships, Ships 'n More Ships
For a brief technical description of QM2 visit ship-technology.com.
