Is time running out for QM2? Will another Ocean Liner replace her?

Is time running out for the last true ocean liner, Queen Mary 2? This week in The Big Cruise Podcast listener Brad asked that exact question. Chris answers this listener question on QM2's 20th anniversary and looks at whether or not Cunard will ever build a replacement.
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Fact references:
180 Years of Cunard:
QM2: A Photographic Journey:
Interview with Stephen Payne:
Personal conversations.
Image Reference:
Images of QM2 under construction and Dr Stephen Payne are courtesy of Stephen Payne
Tag References:
#Cunard #QM2 #QE2 #cruisenews #oceanliner #oceanlinerdesigns #queenmary2 #Cunardline #queenanne #queenvictoria #queenelizabeth #cruise #cruising

[@stephenpayne4896]

Chris, Thank you for the great endorsement! Yes, Queen Mary 2 was built to last and she hopefully has at least two decades of further service ahead of her. No other ship rides the North Atlantic like she does, especially when it kicks up rough.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Thank you Stephen for creating such a remarkable ship!

[@GlamorousTitanic21]

Omg! Stephen himself! Thank you for keeping this tradition of transatlantic travel alive. ^^

[@kaamkmca]

It is so great to have Stephen Payne's endorsement of this welcomed news in Chris's video about Queen Mary 2's most positive prospects for her likely distant future. It has been on my mind recently around the 20th year after her launch.

[@scottb9026]

QM2 is a fantastic ship! I live in a hopeful world that Cunard’s 250th ship is another liner given the renewed and growing popularity of the North Atlantic route! Two Ocean-liners passing each other mid crossing like the golden days!

[@robertwilson738]

Chris mentioned something very fundamental that none of us have thought about probably. Do today's naval architects have the very deep understanding of what is required from an ocean liner and they just never have the chance to exercise that knowledge? That would obviously be the first requirement for any like for like replacement. If they do not have that knowledge then the only hope for a replacement would be to bring Stephen out of retirement on his walking frame!!

[@jeffbergstrom]

It is worth noting the Queen Mary 2 just finished a major refit last November (2023). Clearly Cunard/Carnival mean for her to be sailing for a long time yet.

[@35Cyt]

I mean I can’t really understand stand what you are saying but, yeah!

[@9TDF]

@@35Cyt She was remodeled some and updated.

[@MultiMattman68]

Sailed QM2 first time back in 2004 during her Inaugural season. What a ship, very impressed

[@aidanbowe3866]

Crossed on her from Southampton to New York on my honeymoon and have a Cunard house flag that flew from her mast from that year. She has a very special place in my heart ❤

[@mkhanman12345]

Same. Got to see her docked in Brooklyn, NY. This was in 2007.

[@brober]

I was the first American dispatcher of QM2 when Princess Cruise was paired with Cunard. Steven told me QM2 had a service life of 40 years plus.

[@gordonayres2609]

I would love to see the elegant old designs of the funnels of the 1920s -30s and 40s liners and the sleeker lower decks instead of these floating apartment buildings with shopping mall like interiors. There needs to be some alternative to all this overblown flashy design which hasn't a patch on the earlier ships.

[@richarddeason1845]

I think queen Mary 2 will stay around 50 years

[@bertiewooster3326]

No chance. Cost

[@paulspratt362]

A very good analysis, you raised many things I have never thought about.

[@davidhouston3946]

QM2 has a gap in schedule from May 16th to June 23rd 2026 inclusive, probably for a mid-life refurb. That would suggest she should last until at least 2048. Any news on where the dry docking will be? Obviously Europe as she finishes and resumes at Southampton.

[@paulr75]

There always should be an alternative way to get across the atlantic. You would actually be surprised how many people still think you can only fly

[@chrysler238]

I forgot the documentary name but it was filmed for the QM2 ehen was like a year old or two and I remember it mention that she can last till 2045 I believe the naval architect said that the man who designed her.

[@SeanLXIV]

I've been thinking about this, and of course we will have the 200th anniversary of Cunard's first sailing coming up in 2040. Whilst it would be great to see a new ship built for that milestone, QM2 will only be 36 years old then, a little early perhaps for a replacement

[@commodorezero]

Another important milestone is the next ship after Anne will be Cunards 250th vessell. I believe that ship will be the one to replace QM2 at least as flagship. 2040 would be the latest I see that ship being built which i see being built sometime in the 2030s. Its also possible they test out bringing a 2 ship service on the Atlantic for a few years before retiring QM2. The construction of a new flagship doesn't inherently mean retirement for QM2 but it is likely.

[@daleyseaton9426]

I nearly had a heart attack reading the video title, I feel she has another twenty years ahead of her at least. QE2's aluminium superstructure and SOLAS regulations forced QE2 into retirement. QM2 is a modern and to date the most advanced ocean liner yet built. Eventually a new ocean liner will take her place but right now the world's not ready to say goodbye to our beloved Queen Mary 2

[@EElgar1857]

I was scared when I read the title, but it sounds like she'll last longer that I will! I do east-bound transatlantic almost every year, and will do so again on May 5. I've never met up with you on a crossing, unfortunately; would love to do so! 😁

[@deidresmith2335]

She certainly can pull a crowd...everywhere we went on our cruise last month...she drew many onlookers...it was our 1st time on her...not our last... fell in love immediately ...we have 2 more cruises booked...including the iconic Transatlantic crossing...long may she reign QM2

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

This is very cheerful news. I definitely want to do an Atlantic crossing, hopefully only another 18 months away. Nice to know that there is time. Not like Concorde, I missed out on that! 😭😭😭. Thank you for the video. Interesting about the aluminium.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

I missed Concorde too 😢

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

@@ChrisFrameOfficial A shared misfortune!

[@catrinlewis939]

I believe the 2026 schedule is out now. Book sooner than later; cabins go fast.

[@Kaidhicksii]

Well, look on the bright side: Concorde may be gone, but Overture should be coming online at the end of the decade, all being well. Supersonic will be back yet! :D

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

@@Kaidhicksii If they can get it up and running. I understand they are having issues with the engines. Fingers crossed though.

[@Little_Blue_49]

I was Worrying if i Grow up. I can never go on a Crossing on the Queen Mary 2 but i do. I'm turning 18 on 2033 so i have Plenty of Time to go on Queen Mary 2.

[@johnfalstaff2270]

I think, she will be replaced with a new vessel with the same name. According to an old British tradition.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*THE MV ASTORIA IS 76 YEARS* just been taken out of service but is up for sale as a working vessel - it was the ship that sank the Andrea Doria [under a different name]

[@dominiccarpin5651]

Excellent. Thank you. Just completed my third crossing. Fantastic!

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Fantastic!

[@GlobalAdventurer]

Thanks for this podcast. The reason I finally decided to sail on this ocean liner this year (4 bookings) is because nobody knows when it will make its last voyage. I have a feeling that a future ocean liner like QM2 will never be duplicated because so many people are not into this way of ocean travel. I love older hotels and older ships, but both are going by the wayside because the average person is looking for modern furnishings and not yesteryear. I hope QM2 can last 30 more years but unfortunately it won't. I've been on the original QM in Long Beach and QM2 will end up permanently docked somewhere too.

[@zammich3649]

There are enough people that are into ocean travel (even if just ceremonially) that QM2 has been able to maintain popularity and success despite being considered to be a "vastly archaic" mode of travel by many. There is clearly still a market there, at least for one liner, and there will likely imo be a liner as long as such a market exists to be filled.

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

What do you think? How long will QM2 last?

[@breadyegg]

Am I right in thinking that qm2 had recently had an interior refresh/refit? I don't know how often these occur, but I guess every 7 or 8 years. Therefore I expect she'll be around for at least that long.

[@SeanLXIV]

The drydocking for certification reasons are every 5 years

[@Kaidhicksii]

50 years +/- 5. Guarantee.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

How much of a market is there for transatlantic travel?

[@mycruiseviews]

Thanks Chris, having sailed on all 3 current Cunards I share your passion for this iconic ocean liner. The experience being on the two other cruise ships doesn’t come close to being up on her high teak promenade deck, particularly in an uncongenial sea state. If only the executives at Cunard/Carnival could understand the value sitting in the sunk costs from the great work of Stephen Payne in engineering QM2, we would have a sister ship being launched this year instead of another synthetic teak clad cruise ship.

[@tomw9607]

Great video. I think QM2's successor will likely be a heavily adapted cruise ship design - a hybrid between ocean liner and cruise ship to give her greater flexibility and keep costs down.

[@muhammadhanifkurnaen6689]

Maybe they would reduce its services speed and hull design, but still above averages cruise ship.

[@commodorezero]

There is no such thing as a purpose built ocean liner its Cunard propaganda. The North Atlantic(which is why QM2 is stronger) has nothing to do with the meaning of that word. The Cunard definiton would strip ocean liner status from non Atlantic ocean liners which used to be a thing.

[@joanfreestone1707]

Thank you for the information. I've not been on the Queen Mary 2 but I'm happy to know she'll be with us for a long time yet.

[@xmarcosnavigator]

Hi Chris. I love your videos and would like to recommend some but I don't see the subtitles in Portuguese, here i leave my feedback here, I hope you respond. 😊

[@anastassiosperakis2869]

QM2 was designed for 40 but can easily go to 50. I know Steve Payne, her designer, quite well, he spent an hour in my office when he was invited to my Dept to give a detailed seminar about the ship. I have been a professor of NavalArchitecture at the U of Michigan for over 40 years, (Emeritus since 2022) after a PhD in Ocean Engineering at MIT.

[@motaz1975]

they will get 40 years out of her, without a doubt.

[@AlVlogs1603]

I’ve sailed on both the QE2 and The Mighty Mary both great ships but I’ve also sailed on Canberra and the Original Oriana they all have differing but similar qualities

[@m.m.4645]

No, not retiring soon. Have been on her about 10 times, mostly Transatlantics. A fine Lady!

[@Lightmaker5]

Yes there's a project recovering and fixing the Titanic. They also look for wizards and witches to save the rest of the crew and passengers. And continue the journey to New York.

[@Christopher-g6p7k]

Fascinating mate

[@1TitanicFan1]

I was introduced to the existence of the Titanic back when I was 7 and have ever since dreamed of becoming a Naval Architect for an Ocean Liner. I am currently going into my sophomore year at the Boysie Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program at the University of New Orleans. I would kill the even have a chance to be a member of the team tasked with creating QM2's successor.

[@Stanf954]

Finally going on her in Sept for her New England-Canandian fall tour. Can't wait to go but it does mean the end of Summer.

[@danandlaundry]

I hope Queen Mary 2 will get permanently docked somewhere like the original Queen Mary and QE2 was

[@sl4193]

So interesting, thank you both. Your expertise absolutely shines through, Chris. Can't think where else such a wealth of information would be available in an easy to understand format. Appreciate this video, all your previous ones and, of course, the Big Podcast.

[@stephenhope7319]

I sailed NYC to Southampton via Greenland and Iceland last year and sailed Southampton to Fort Lauderdale both on Princess. Not sure why Cunard is such a draw? Certainly not interested in dressing up for dinner, those days are gone imho. Thanks for your videos.

[@trevorspottiswood985]

She has at least another 20 years left.

[@helensprigg7286]

Awe No Hope She still has Plenty Of Life yetxxLoved Sailing on her Such A Masterpiece.Long live Our Queen Mary😎😗😗😗

[@m341ehw]

I would say QM2 is not a cruise ship dressed as a liner....... but a liner dressed as a cruise ship.....

[@genedejong5513]

I love the old classic liners. The new ones that look like a pinball machine? Not so much.

[@alannewman85]

No chance of QM2 meeting the knackers yard before 37-43 years.

[@martynmiller4247]

She has a designed life of at least 40 years, so come back to us in 20 years. Thank you.

[@RholynjayLim]

QE2 and RMS Aquitania are pretty much old when they retired. And holding the record of oldest Ocean Liners in Cunard History.

[@muhammadhanifkurnaen6689]

I think in the future, topic about QM2 replacement will be much talked, then cunard can take decission to build a true ocean liner, or cruise ship dressed as ocean liner. higher chance would be a hybrid design, but who knows there will be guys that have lot of money and power to drive next gen ocean liner

[@Bigbwortha]

I had emailed a chair man at Cunard and was deeply concerned about the QM2s future and he basically said she’s 20 years old she’s got lots of life left in her when it’s her time Cunard has plans for another

[@emagenevanhorn1543]

If she retires I think she should have a place found near qm I feel she should be with her big sister if she retires

[@car_tar3882]

We need some billionaire to order 3 nuclear power ocean liners and operate a 3 ship transatlantic possibly with 6 night sailings. This would allow people to actually use the transatlantic for vacationing to Europe.

[@janetcarbone4213]

Don’t let the liners go!

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

If was up to me there'd be heaps more!!

[@Johnplod]

Great ship - my favourite since going on its maiden voyages to Norway and across the Pacific to Sydney

[@richardwatts9459]

We were on her on the WC this year and went on a behind the scenes tour. This included the brand new engine control room. This state of the art, wall to wall screens, room cost many millions. Coupled with the significant updates to the bridge systems and the updates it would be fair to say QM2 is here to stay for a good few years yet.

[@garyhowtobluetoothjblheadp3583]

She's still state of the art and in a unique class and style of her own, at that?! French design and engineering at its best!

[@teresadonaldson-smith3838]

Queen Mary has been reserved in 2021. She is beautiful.

[@ManagedPan1k]

Bring back White Star Line, RMMV Oceanic

[@Perich29]

Titan might be the replacement of the Queen Mary 2.

[@bobmarshall3700]

In other words, "We don't know"! Just speculation and guesswork..............

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

In other words - not in 10 years!

[@michaelcallahan5358]

She has only has 20years of service, most liners go at least 30 or more, what’s wrong with this ship????

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Hey Michael did you watch the video - it’s all detailed in there but in short she’s absolutely fine and has at least 20 years left 🥳

[@rowanfearnley2686]

now titanic II is confirmed we will have 2 ocean liners!

[@tripwire3992]

If they make a new oceanliner i want "mauretania III"

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

Why do Ships have a short life span?

[@allanmoore4353]

Retire? The QE2 ran for forty years.

[@barrybloggs9474]

She's just had a refit, so not retiring.

[@SpottoBotto]

She's got at least 40 years of service in here

[@KWHCoaster]

Whenever possible, I time my visits back home to Halifax, Nova Scotia to be there when QM2 is stopping in Halifax. Last time was July 2019, when Queen Elizabeth was also in port. Some great pix as QM2 and QE sailed out of the harbour at the same time. I got my favourite pic of QM2 in July 2016.

[@jimmycogsdil9518]

By by bbbby. Dry dock.

[@franklinmui3560]

03-10-2024, The Queen Mary 2 is a luxury ocean-liner. Good idea: The Queen Mary 2 will become a luxury hotel ship. Affordable prices for the customers. For wedding parties, birthday party, honeymoon party, friendship reunion party, marriage party or the church's group party. The Queen Mary 2 : luxury hotel ship. Modern luxury hotel ship. Make profitable business. To use the money to modernize and upgrade the Queen Mary 2: luxury ship. ☀️🌎🚢👍

[@bosse1998]

Why not Steven Payne again?

[@a-guy1912]

HEY HEY HEY its almost time for titanic II to replace qm2

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Keep dreaming 🤣

[@seanwebb605]

Maybe but will there continue to be enough demand and will it be too costly to run the operation?

[@zammich3649]

Given QM2's reported profitability, I expect there will be a replacement, but I suppose it depends on whether the market dwindles or grows over the next decade.

[@railsrust]

@@zammich3649I think the better question ask is, WHAT will her replacement be?

[@0021cam]

Umm it’s 20 years old, its ridiculous to think about replacing it when no one seems to even know or care what a ocean liner is anymore without always turning them into a horizontal high rise!

[@FraserAtSea]

Having just cruised on QM2 in December, I really don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon - she's looking absolutely gorgeous! I think that, when the time finally comes, they'll bring out something equally as iconic. I did Transatlantic on both the Liner and also a cruise ship (Virgin - I know - couldn't be more different), and the QM2 just handles it SO much better. An absolute JOY to travel on!

[@ardiffley-zipkin9539]

Don’t do it! If needed, redesign her keeping the style and best of QM2. I loved it and cruised frequently on her as a platinum passenger. Those box like things that lumber along are horrible. I loved every voyage and my parents were frequent Cunard QM2 passengers.❤

[@illbehim]

I hope that if the QM2 is replaced, she is replaced by a ship that ACTUALLY looks like an Oceanliner

[@teemum.9023]

Silja Line refurbished 1991 Serenade

[@asa1973100]

Southampton to New York on that magnificent vessel. It was an experience I will cherish and hold with me always specially with those young boys that worked on there they were very attentive to an old girls needs

[@stronzer59]

4:26 looks like Freo

[@nordisk1874]

Sagafjord lasted 44 years and Vistafjord lasted to 41 so the QM2 has gotten at least 20 years left so…

[@jdslyman1720]

Not to mention QE2 was around 40 when Cunard finally retired her. For a bit, QE2 and QM2 ran along side each other.

[@nordisk1874]

@@jdslyman1720 yep, but only two liners filled in for the QE2. There’s nothing in the fleet that can fill in when she is in drydock.

[@braddonaldson7938]

Hello Chris. There is no one whom loves Queen Mary 2 and indeed QE2 more than I. At times with all these newer CRUISE ships coming on line, intending guests want to experience the new kid on the block. Fair enough....Queen Mary 2 however, carries with her the history and elegance of what Ocean travel used to be about. Also with her, QE2, Normandie, Elizabeth and Mary.in her design. What Atlantic travel was, the old to the new world. She is iconic. With a 40 year fatigue life (All steel) Queen Mary 2 may very well go beyond that. If her owners treat her as such. After all, the great man Naval Architect Stephen Payne designed her for that and I'm hoping her owners Carnival Corp ( without opting for yet another cruise ship) have another Ocean Liner in mind because that will be the only new build that will replace Queen Mary 2 Brad Donaldson

[@DanielHCantwell]

I think QM2 is good for at least 10-15 years. I would hope that a replacement transatlantic service would go back to faster voyages. Cunard should go back to a two-boat weekly service between Europe and North America. The current tonnage of the QM2 could be divided and allow for that and the two lighter ships would be better for the environment.

[@bobbysenterprises3220]

I hope my friend Mike Brady ocean liner designs sees this

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

I’ll send him the link though I am sure he’s seen it ☺️

[@samuelhaverghast2442]

She might have a new lease on life with the refit, but yes, her time is running out, they are currently working on the Queen Anne

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

Don’t worry QM2 will be with us for decades to come and Queen Anne is by no means a replacement ☺️

[@skmehbub5841]

I think after QM2 there should be another ocean liners QM3 in memory of QM2 because ocean liners services should not be end in terms of services. This ship has been holding an excellent capability and record to tackle very rough atlantic seas weather and as well as safe and secure services for those passengers who wants to enjoy transatlantic travel till now.I think QM2 still has ability to give services for another 20 to 30 years. After QM2 , there should be another ocean liners QM3 - which has length should be 400 metre, breadth 60 to 65 meter as an gigantic figure and more passengers capability as well as more powerful to cut down massive atlantic waves. Great video,nice information from QM2.

[@ElrosTar-Minyatur]

I think that QM2 till last till the mid 2040s! And hopefully they will replace it around that time!

[@trevorn9381]

They should have built a sister ship for Queen Mary 2 instead of those two cruise ships painted black.

[@danabe3220]

I plan to travel on the QM2 multiple times over the next 10 to 20 years. Doing the transatlantic crossing from NY in May and returning on her in July.

[@petermatthews6819]

I should think qm2 has another 15 years at least

[@muhammadhanifkurnaen6689]

A 40 year life means it would last until 2044.

[@ENGBriseB]

I think a lot of us in the UK and around the world. Would one day would love to go to New York and return on her. And hopefully she can be sorted or they build another cruise liner. And maybe there will be 2 if the demand is there. Thanks for your post.

[@deidresmith2335]

Thank goodness she's not retiring as we only went on her for the 1st time last month...and we have 2 more cruises booked on her...1 being the Transatlantic...loved her..

[@rolanddunk5054]

With QM2 having diesel engines and being correctly maintained and spare parts being available there should be a very long lifespan in that respect.

[@djt_Art_Travel]

Hopefully not in my life time, and I'm around 70 - she is a beauty

[@thepanman2024]

You see, most liners towards the end, the quality starts to go and the popularity fails and it comes to a natural end. QM2 is constantly hitting the mark, twenty odd years in its still providing the same quality as a modern day ship.

[@barrydappleby]

A lot longer yet

[@stevensonsadventure6625]

When she does retire put her by her older sister the queen Mary and you will see the difference

[@andrewyoung749]

hardly a sister. the difference is pretty clear though. further one is arguably the most historically important ocean going passenger ship ever having been a competitor in the most competitive period of transatlantic ship travel ever duelling with Normandie for the Blue Ribband and winning twice maintaining British prestige at an important time as UK power waned and others were noticing. then serving as a troop ship, out of convoys, and still retaining the record for most passengers ever on one ship at once. She's 'the' ocean liner, entirely emblematic of the height of the ocean liner period when these monsters raced on the North Atlantic vying not just for company prestige but national glory and a stellar war record as well. The other is a ,nice enough, attempt to cash on on all that of her namesake but which has only ever been a plaything for people who want the ocean liner 'experience' 50 years after the mode of transport collapsed and 17 years after Stefan Batory bought the North Atlantic ocean liner period to an end as a means of anything other than joyriding.

[@m.m.4645]

As far as I read it it is planned to be running for 40 years. 20 years are over. So, do the math. 😊

[@FrancOnia-zh1me]

QM2 2054!!

[@ollietreg2334]

Nope

[@co7580]

I do hope she will last. And will eventually be replaced by another ocean liner. It's a great ship to travel on.

[@mightya]

We are crossing westbound in June after a rail trip in Scotland. We will be hard at work trying to figure out how to pack formal wear!

[@bobeden5027]

How about refitting with electric motors? now there's a thought, hey?

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

QM2’s propulsion system is electric motors. The electricity is created by the diesels and gas turbines but the motors themselves are electric units not direct drive.

[@bobeden5027]

@@ChrisFrameOfficial electric motors powered by batteries!

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

@@bobeden5027 Now that would be good!

[@Micahswf]

A documentary i watched said she was designed to last 50 years hmmm

[@markjones-vx3kp]

It’s nearly as bad as losing Concorde😢😢

[@KINGZILLA2023]

Titanic 2 vs queen mary 2 coming soon on 2027!😊❤🎉

[@maxwelldaly5845]

I don’t think the titanic 2 project is going to be able to get off the ground sadly

[@KINGZILLA2023]

​@maxwelldaly5845 let's see about that

[@KINGZILLA2023]

​@@maxwelldaly5845 but the world needs another liner people want to ride on the new titanic