Queen Mary 2 is the only ocean liner still operating regular transatlantic crossings.
Built for Cunard by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, Queen Mary 2 entered service in 2004. Her scheduled route between Southampton and New York continues the tradition of the classic North Atlantic liner services.
Queen Mary 2 is designed differently from a conventional cruise ship. Her strengthened hull, deep draft, powerful engines, and enclosed promenades reflect the rougher conditions of the North Atlantic. She also makes leisure voyages, but her defining role remains scheduled ocean-liner service.
A common mix-up is calling every large passenger vessel an ocean liner. Cruise ships generally make circular holiday itineraries, while an ocean liner is built primarily for transportation between ports. Queen Mary 2 can cruise, but she remains an ocean liner by design and operation.