QUEEN MARY 2 Designer Spills ALL Her Secrets!

Episode 2: The Visionary Behind Queen Mary 2 - Dr Stephen Payne OBE
In this episode of the Sail Away: Uncensored Cruise Podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr Stephen Payne OBE, the renowned naval architect behind the iconic Queen Mary 2. Dr Payne shares his early inspirations and the moment he first dreamed of building such a magnificent ocean liner. He delves into the intricate process of bringing Queen Mary 2 to life, from the initial concept to the completion of the largest and most luxurious ocean liner ever constructed.
Listeners will gain an insider's perspective on the myriad challenges faced during the construction phase, including innovative engineering solutions and the unique design elements that set Queen Mary 2 apart from other vessels. Dr Payne's passion and expertise shine through as he recounts his journey and the monumental efforts that culminated in the creation of this maritime marvel. Join us for an in-depth conversation that highlights the fascinating blend of artistry and engineering in the world of shipbuilding.
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Music: Sail Away Uncensored Theme Tune.
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[@sailawaymag]

Have you heard about Sail Away? It's the cruise magazine written by cruise lovers, for cruise lovers! Subscribe today for FREE*! sailawaymagazine.com/cruise-magazine/

[@shaunbreeze9796]

Absolutely let this man be the chief of our nations flag ship! Something we could be proud of again!

[@sailawaymag]

Couldn't agree more strongly with you!

[@BrianGoetschius]

My wife and I Sailed aboard her when she was six months old. Magnificent!

[@jimw6659]

A true, humble, British gentleman. Wonderful insights.

[@andrewmoroney2381]

That was so interesting and a great interview! I'd love to see more like this. He was so interesting and I loved hearing the different considerations/compromises when designing this ship. Well done guys.

[@WaterWorld1]

A truly wonderful machine. If there is a storm in the North Atlantic, she is definitely the one to be on. Genius!

[@sailawaymag]

Totally agree. She's a masterpiece :)

[@robertshaver1612]

Great interview questions. Probing, supportive, respectful. Thank you.

[@tomklein_photo]

I am not at all into cruises, but have enjoyed two transatlantic crossings onboard of Queen Mary 2. She's really special and I really love listening to Stephen when he talks about his ship. So many stories to tell!

[@johnLee-bb2do]

We arrived in Brooklyn four weeks ago on the QM2. Trip of a lifetime. I took the entire family.

[@Jenpen9345]

Fascinating. Boarding her on 11 Jan 2025. Very excited.

[@beverley6312]

Absolutely brilliant. I found this so interesting.

[@sailawaymag]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@braddonaldson7938]

A great ship built by a great man. Brilliant Stephen. You have captured the past of Atlantic travel. The Liners and Cunard all in Queen Mary 2. Beautifully presented, as mentioned as we, and technology evolves. I have the book, Queen Mary 2 ' Owners Workshop Manual' I purchased aboard Queen Mary 2. A great insight. Finally, Stephen. Is there any chance of a book ? From your beginnings and taking us through this wonderful project of Queen Mary 2? It was said that Queen Elizabeth 2 would be the last Atlantic Liner. WOW. We got that wrong. Now Queen Mary 2 long may she reign. The 8th Wonder... Brad Donaldson

[@chiquita71]

Cracking content and very interesting, enjoyable and educational interview. Very well done.

[@maurice491]

Thank you for my Christmas card that was a really nice touch. It surprised me in the USA.

[@Scotts-CruiseTravel]

Thank for putting this together. ❤

[@quicksesh]

Have to say - much prefer to here from people like this rather than the vapidity of KZbin vloggers - this is a real insight into cruising rather than the cult of personality and personal opinion for views.

[@Andrew-ep4kw]

Regarding fake funnels, the Olympic class liners (Titanic was the 2nd of the 3 ships) had 4 funnels but only 3 carried exhaust from the boilers. The 4th was not a dummy funnel, however. Instead, it handled the substantial ventilation requirements demanded by the engine room. It also served as the chimney for a fireplace in one of the lounges, as well as a lookout point for engine room crew willing to climb all the way to to the top.

[@cliffgniliaw9642]

What an interesting video didn’t know carnival owned cunard ,can’t wait to go back on Queen Mary 2

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching Cliff! Most cruise lines are owned by only a few company’s!

[@kevinm-fr4wl]

Would love to be on the QM2 sitting at the bar with this guy next to me...Oh so many questions :)

[@TomandDomTravel]

Great interview. A fascinating insight into QM2

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching guys! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@olivierdochez4141]

Brilliant again, thanks. How I do love that he says he is most proud about the "egalitarian" approach of QM2 while at the same time it is still the only ship, thankfully so, that has a three class system. There is still an entire deck only for Queen Grill passengers (including the Commodore club) with the deck bellow being Queens and Princess Grill. in addition both of these classes have their own separate restaurants which are not accessible by other passengers. the most fun part about QM2 is that we evolved in reverse when it becomes transatlantic liners. where the first class restaurants and lounges used to be the largest spaces on board (with the Normandie taking the first place in that decadence) it is now the "tourist Britannia class" that has these magnificent two story rooms to them. the Queen and Princess grill, even on the other Cunarders, have a far more cosy and intimate atmosphere with private bar and deck space, again not available to other passengers, which have now become the ultimate luxury. I blame socialist architecture, who created huge spaces available to all with the wealthy turning their back on it, it's kind of why Normandie was already behind the times in some areas of her conception and why the idea of the Olympic class ships is still so vivid as her first class rooms seem so cosy, exactly what we want today.

[@cruisingwiththe4bs]

Hey, Stephen is clever man and great story teller, another great podcast. I especially enjoyed the stories about Micky.

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching!

[@ritzytravelguide]

Great video, really watchable!

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback :)

[@rob_lightbody]

Fabulous. Thank you.

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CETravelGames]

10:40 I was on this voyage. I don't remember it that much, but apparently a lot of people had gotten quite seasick that first night. Fun to have been on a "historic" voyage of QM2, though

[@bosse1998]

Thank you for sharing! Very interesting!

[@Alexius01]

Watching this from QM2. Very nice you guys have done this!

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching :) enjoy QM2, she’s marvellous!

[@OrnumCR]

Fascinating…now to join QM2 later this year for my own transatlantic crossing UK to US…

[@sistersontheseas]

Really interesting watch! You’ve made us want to sail on Queen Mary 2 even more now 😅

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching! Book her, and we’ll come with you for company 😊

[@Lasuvidaboy-jp4xe]

Great interview. As for the gas turbines, it would be nice if they could be operated more efficiently as QM2’s original 6-day transatlantic crossings at 25-27 knots was the right amount of time at sea.

[@sailawaymag]

From Stephen Payne: “To attain 26 knots Queen Mary 2 requires at least one of the two gas to be connected to the grid. Irrespective of the comparative cost of gas turbine fuel, moving up to 26 knots from 23 knots requires roughly a 40% increase in power which is a big cost however the power is generated. Also, the International Maritime Organisation (part of the UN) which sets international maritime regulations, has mandated that all ships reduce emissions. In consequence, we won’t see Queen Mary 2 returning to her 26 knot, six day schedule”.

[@nathanarneaud5666]

@sailawaymag that's very unfortunate tbh. There should be a more efficient means of increasing speed and power. Not saying speed is everything, but when you see an ocean liner, it is the epitome of speed, power and majesty.

[@jwayne7400]

I just returned from a TA voyage, it's a lovely ship. It was a little confusing at first, and I will admit I didn't realize that there was any other way to get to the Queens Room except via the Britannia dining room... The doors were always wide open all day so lots of us walked right through 😅

[@sodiumlights]

Really enjoyed this interview, top notch, cheers.

[@sailawaymag]

Thank you so much!

[@seanpruitt6801]

I’d love to see any concept art of what Payne thinks a next gen liner would look like! I also want to know Stephen’s thoughts on the QM2’s crossing time getting extended to 7 nights and now even 8 some times.

[@sailawaymag]

From Stephen Payne: “A traditional form with the pyramid shape is a prerequisite with the weight along the hull being matched to the buoyancy below to minimise stresses. The breakwater is also useful to protect the superstructure front. At the stern, the hybrid cruiser/transom works well. The cruiser form is good for seakeeping in swells which eliminates annoying slamming. The modest transom provides good hydrodynamic efficiency and gives seating for the pods. What goes in between these bow and stern areas is still work in progress”.

[@seanpruitt6801]

@@sailawaymag absolutely amazing! I really really enjoyed watching this episode. Cheers.

[@sailawaymag]

@seanpruitt6801 thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@Edgetravelguy]

So enjoyable- thank you

[@sailawaymag]

Thank you!

[@philliptaylor502]

This guy is my hero, i actually MET him on the ship he designed, he was a guest speaker on Queen Mary 2 when my wife and i were on a 4 day mini-cruise to Hamburg. It was an honour to meet such a humble man. I asked him what he thought of the horrible ‘floating office block’ ships and are they as top-heavy and unstable as they look, he’s a very diplomatic man, but his face said it all.

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching and for your feedback. Stephen has long been our hero too - a true genius, and a lovely man as well.

[@davidjames-maddaford4531]

Fascinating

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@pumpkin462]

Amazing - love this

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks for watching :) glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-oo3uj5ku9r]

Simply amazing! GET A FLAGSHIP

[@sailawaymag]

We couldn't agree more :)

[@Smartgran]

I wondered how the hull construction differs from the time of the Titanic! Are there rivets? Are the materials different? I'd love to know.

[@marymorgan1498]

Nothing wrong with Mary Been on all the Cunards. Various other lines Cunard is the best

[@rob_lightbody]

Can you please ask Stephen why the very back pool deck on deck 6 doesn't have teak decking on it?

[@sailawaymag]

From Stephen Payne: “As the aft deck was primarily for children, we decided to fit a rubberised composition that provided some cushioning for games play and accidental slips”.

[@rob_lightbody]

​@@sailawaymag thanks!!

[@JamieLofthouse]

Beautiful ship but needs a bit of TLC. Not sure if it's had a refurb since 2022 but it needs it.

[@ericcriteser4001]

More!

[@harryvlogs7833]

I wouldn't say the layout is that confusing I found it quite easy to get around

[@sailawaymag]

Good to hear :)

[@lkat5113]

Very interesting…

[@sailawaymag]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching :)

[@PaulHJones]

Has the addition of the newer cabins on Deck 13 changed the ship's design?

[@sailawaymag]

From Stephen Payne: “The 2016 reconfiguration of the Kings Court Lido Restarant, was an expensive proposition, so it was not surprising that the extra cabins were added to offset the cost. Happily, the ship still retains her liner credentials”.

[@tonylarussa4046]

He is not sacrificing the brand but introduced the US Dollar onboard and changed her homeport to Hamilton. So much for not sacrificing the brand!

[@sailawaymag]

Sorry who is sacrificing the brand?

[@johnwinter6061]

It may have been well designed. Except for the rise in the floor near the Atrium. The floor had to be raised to fit equipment! Sadly it's not well built. The sides look like an ocean swell. Sadly too a lot of the staff were not good when we sailed on her. Had too many frequent Cunard travelers agree with us on that. Which put Cunard on our 'never again' list.

[@Minecraft-pj4hm]

Shame the Government didn't back our shipbuilders to build her in the UK.

[@sfbearcat8637]

NO people don't hate the layout...I just got off and have done 20 crossings ..never have I heard anyone at diner say they hate it.actully the other way around. Just typical KZbin drama title to get clicked on

[@sailawaymag]

No it isn’t! Even Stephen Payne has admitted that her layout is confusing. Calm down 🤣

[@sfbearcat8637]

@@sailawaymag maby to you..still click bait

[@EElgar1857]

I love the ship, have done 10 transatlantic crossing on her, and found this interview fascinating! But I must say that Micky Arison was a very poor CEO, in many ways.

[@sailawaymag]

Thanks so much for watching, and for your positive feedback. In your opinion, what are the worst things that have happened to Carnival Corp & PLC under Micky Arison's watch?

[@Dbodell8000]

The flagship of GB? Yet its American owned and French built

[@DanielWilson-l1i]

You just had to be 'that guy' eh?