If you asked anyone in the late 1990's if a new transatlantic liner would be built, they would have most likely said no. By the late 1990's, the famed yet ageing QE2 was the most famous ship in the world, and the last of the great transatlantic liners. The jet aircraft had well and truly taken over as the main form of transport across the Atlantic and as popular as QE2 was, it was unlikely that anyone would have the will or the funds to build a new transatlantic ocean liner to replace her.
This situation changed dramatically in April 1998 when Cunard Line was sold to the giant and wealthy Carnival Corporation. Based in Miami, Carnival went about recreating Cunard with refits for QE2 and Caronia, as well as announcing a very exciting new project. Code named 'Project Queen Mary' during her construction, the new ship entered service in 2004 as the worlds longest, largest, widest, tallest and most expensive ocean liner ever built. Named Queen Mary 2 (QM2 for short) by HM. The Queen, the ship became an instant hit. She completed her first direct transatlantic crossing in April 2004; and took the honour of flagship of the Cunard Line.
On 9 May, 2014 the ship officially celebrated her tenth birthday with a grand celebration in Southampton. Here she was met by Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth for a dramatic 'three Queens' event. The unique occasion to see the three Cunard ships together attracted thousands of onlookers.
Over the past ten years, QM2 has become a household name. Every bit as famous as her illustrious predecessors, today she is one of the worlds most loved ships.
Early in her career she attracted media attention, when she was used as a hotel ship during the Athens Olympic Games. Here she played host to former president George H, W. Bush; as well as then Prime Minister Tony Blair!
The following year, the ship became the centre of attention when she was used to transport the first US. copy of 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' to New York. The book was carried aboard the ship in a steamer trunk and was kept under lock and key for the whole journey.
In 2007, QM2 went world cruising. This involved a number of maiden calls including an epic arrival in Sydney, Australia. Here she met QE2 in an event arranged to commemorate the original 'Queens' - which first met in Sydney during WWII.
No one could have expected the turn out - millions of people descended on Sydney Harbour to see the ships. The event brought the city to a standstill and to this day 'Sydneysiders' still talk about it.
More recently, QM2 has pioneered a number of unique itineraries including a circumnavigation of New Zealand and Australia; cruises which sold out within minutes of going on sale. Such is the popularity of QM2.
In her tenth year she is celebrated as one of the greatest ocean liners ever built. The ship, which was recently refurbished, attracts repeat guests, dignitaries, celebrities, royalty as well as first time cruisers.
With an expected service life of at least forty years, QM2 has a long future ahead of her. We would encourage everyone who loves ships and the sea to experience this grand liner - the 'new' last transatlantic liner in service.
In QM2: A Photographic Journey, the authors, Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross, enthusiastically record the modern features and timeless elegance that makes the QM2 a true successor to the Cunard legacy. With a foreword by Commodore R.W. Warwick (QM2’s first master), insights from Commodore Bernard Warner into the running of the ship, and an afterword by Commodore Rynd, this book provides the reader with a perfect souvenir of the Cunard Line flagship.