Queen Mary 2
Here’s a little story from when we left Southampton yesterday. The Balmoral was docked at Cruise Terminal 101, and not far from us, the Queen Mary 2 was getting ready to set sail from the Mayflower Terminal.
Now, the Queen Mary 2 isn’t just any cruise ship. She’s massive and built to impress — stylish but with a tough, powerful look. Watching her up close was something special, so I wasn’t about to miss it.
She was scheduled to leave at 4:30 PM, and we weren’t heading out until 5 PM — perfect timing! That gave me a little window to find the best spot to watch her go by. I figured the forward part of Deck 7 on the port side would give me the best view.
My bridge watch ended at 4 PM, and as soon as I handed over to the next officer, I dashed to my cabin to grab my phone and rushed back up to Deck 7.
At first, the sun was right in front of my camera, so the photos didn’t come out great. But as she moved along and the angle shifted, I finally got a perfect shot of her iconic, massive stern.
She was off on a transatlantic trip to New York, while we on the Balmoral were setting off for a cruise around Europe. Two very different adventures — both exciting in their own way.
Queen Mary 2 leaving Southampton, UK
I first heard about the Queen Mary 2 from a documentary — I think it was on the Discovery Channel — that showed how she was built from the keel up. Her engineering fascinated me. She’s not just built for comfort; she’s built for the ocean.
The last time I saw her up close was way back in 2006 in Port Klang, Malaysia, when I was working on the Amusement World, a casino ship. And now, nearly two decades later, I get to see her again here in the UK.
Back in 2004, when she was launched, she was the largest cruise ship in the world. That title has since been taken by newer giants, but the Queen Mary 2 is still one of a kind. Unlike the resort-style cruise ships we see today, she’s a true ocean liner — designed for long-distance voyages through rough seas, especially across the Atlantic. She’s got a reinforced steel hull, more powerful engines, and she slices through the waves like a knife through butter.
The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.
— Jacques Cousteau
I remember reading some fun facts about her somewhere — can’t quite remember where — but they stuck with me. On a typical 7-day crossing from Southampton to New York, she carries around 2,600 guests and over 1,200 crew. And get this — she reportedly uses about 50,000 eggs, 16 tons of beef, 8,000 gallons of milk, and over 12 tons of fruits and vegetables on a single voyage! That’s basically a floating city with a serious appetite.
Even though she’s no longer the biggest ship out there, she still stands out. There’s just something about her presence — the way she looks, moves, and carries herself — that makes you stop and take notice. Catching a glimpse of her again, up close and in motion, was definitely a highlight in an otherwise busy day.
While the Queen Mary 2 is now somewhere out in the Atlantic Ocean on her way to New York, we’re docked here in the port of Falmouth — our first stop since leaving Southampton.
Seafarer and Family Man
I'm Dexter— a seafarer by profession, a traveler by passion, and a homebody by choice.
