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The QM2 may market itself as “the last Ocean liner”, but I’ve always struggled to see any real distinction between it and e.g. San Francisco – Hawaii cruise ships. It follows a single route – but so do they (and indeed the QM2 diverts irregularly to Halifax). It doesn’t follow a regular timetable in the sense of repeating even yearly. It publishes schedules years in advance, but so do many cruise ships. So why do we go along with this claimed distinction?
A liner is different to a cruise ship. Though Liners were used as cruise ships after retirement or off-season. Cruise ships follow an itinerary subject to weather at slower speeds.
1: Ocean liners have a long bow to help them cut through the high seas of deep ocean voyages. The bow protects the superstructure from the force of the waves. Cruise ships are not expected to be exposed to these heavy waves as regularly – so they have a shorter bow.
2: Ocean Liners usually have the bridge up high, often on the top deck, protecting it from the rough weather often encountered. This also gives a better view during storms. Cruise ships are built for calmer weather, they generally have the bridge a bit lower down and often have lounges and cabins above the bridge.
3: Ocean liners are MUCH faster than cruise ships. Liners must maintain a schedule of point to point crossings. If they’re delayed mid-ocean they need the extra speed to make up lost time. Cruise ships can skip ports if there are delays, or reschedule voyages altogether. This isn’t possible for a liner mid-Atlantic. Some famous liners could even go backwards faster than cruise ships can go forward.
4: Liners have their lifeboats higher up than cruise ships for the weather. A lower boat deck allows for better interior spaces but increases the risk that the boats will be damaged during storms. Because liners often encounter storms, their boats are up high.
5: Liners are much stronger than cruise ships. The hull is reinforced to handle the heavy seas encountered. On QM2 for example, the steel is 15mm thick and 28mm at the bow – more than double that of many cruise ships.
Whether the market or purpose of QM2 justifies the expense does beg the question whether it truly is the LAST liner, a position the SS Norway exploited for many seasons. As a halo offering from the Cunard line and the Great British branding it is an image they can continue for decades yet.