At the time of building, the Queen Mary II weighed in at 151,400 gross tons and it held the record for the largest passenger liner ever built, although that distinction subsequently was overtaken by the Royal Caribbean International's Freedom of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. It is 1,132 feet long, 131 feet wide and 236.2 feet tall (measured from the bottom of the hull to the top of the funnel). The ship's dimensions were restricted, especially in height, as it is required to pass under New York's Verazona Narrows Bridge. The designers did opt for size over convenience whenever possible. As a result, the ship is too wide to transit certain popular water passageways, such as the Panama Canal.
The liner is designed to carry 2,620 passengers in 1,310 staterooms, all designed with sumptuous luxury in mind. There are 12 bars and lounges offering food and beverage services, and three restaurants. Passengers can enjoy a range of entertainment and leisure facilities, including The Royal Court Theatre, ballroom dancing in the Queen's Room, a 570 seat cinema, a planetarium, a spa, and sports facilities, including five swimming pools, four of which are outside. In all, 1,253 crew members are involved in operating every aspect of the ship's functions.
The ship is primarily designed as an ocean liner, completing the crossing between Southampton, U.K. and New York in 9 days, year-round. The designers therefore had to ensure the ship had enough power to speed through the possible rough waters and treacherous conditions that accompany winter in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 30 knots (34.5 miles per hour) with a typical cruising speed of 26 knots (30 miles an hour). The ship is powered by four diesel engines and two gas turbines, in all producing 157,000 horsepower. An average car, by comparison, generates between 110 and 150 horsepower.
Safety on cruise ships is strictly controlled by government bodies such as the US Coast Guard. Due to the conditions the Queen Mary II could encounter on its journey across the Atlantic, its 37 lifeboats hang 88 feet above the water line, as opposed to the standard 49 feet set for other ships. A bridge screen protects passengers on the numerous decks from the high winds that are encountered when the ship is at full speed crossing the open ocean.
