| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 13/11/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 6 |
| Copyright: Other |
Cunard Line signs contract to build QM2
CUNARDLine has signed the contract for the building of its new ship Queen Mary 2.
QM2, due for completion in 2003, is set to become the world’s largest transatlantic cruiseliner and will be the first built by Cunard since QE2 in 1967.
It will be built by the French shipyard Alstom Chantiers de L’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire at a cost of £538 million.
Cunard Line president and chief executive officer Larry Pimentel said:”QM2 will be based in Southampton and is a sister to the QE2, not a replacement.”
The 2,620-passenger QM2 will have a college at sea, with seven classrooms and will offer courses ranging from ballroom dancing to cookery lessons.
There will also be an Internet centre, a planetarium, an 800-seat cinema, five swimming pools and plenty of shops.
Among the ship’s features is a grand atrium, six decks high, and nine different classes of cabin.
Building plans: QM2 is expected to be complete in 2003