[maxbhp]

Its 8thFeb and the time is 12:50pm and I was happily playing cricket with my friends(30 yr old cricket freaks). Soon after the game the topic some how shifted towards Queen Mary ( had docked at Cochin on the evening of 7th) and descriptions of people's visit . So we thought why not have a visit in person.There were around 4 of us willing to go ,after enquiring with a couple of contacts we came to know that 2:00 pm was the departure time and it was already 1:00PMby now and chances of meeting her looked distant. By the time everyone gets ready after a shower we were sure we werent going to make it on time and hence we decided to have a blast to Cochin from TCR in our cricket gear (3/4th and tshirt + sweat + dirt). Its roughly 76kms . Some hoe we managed to reach by 1:55 comfortably as it was declared 'hartal' on that day so traffic was next to nil on the National Highway. On reachin cochin we decided to go to marine drive as there were boats , so even if mary decides to leave at 2 we maybe able to see her close enough .

Statistics say that this is one of the most luxurious Cruise liner built . Its 23 floor high and a ticket in this around the globe can drain 78lacs from your Assets.Leraning these facts made us eager to have a closer look at her coz from distance she looked quite ordinary. For this purpose we rented out a Yamaha powered speed boat . The ride wasnt very smooth as the boat was quite light and every single wave slapt the undersides of the boat with terrible jolts.Soon we were closing on the Cruise liner and it indeed looked majestic especially on zooming and seeing her upclose. She had a majestice grace about her shape. It was a nice experience but 23 storeys high ? Ahem....we were quite doubtful about that story and soon arguments began on what her actual height is . Finally everyone came to conclusion that she shouldnt be more than 8 storeys high. After circling her for 2 times we started for our way back. By this time everyone's mood had lost Enthusiasm coz we expected 23 storeys floating in the sea . At one point we were equidistant from the land and the cruise liner and Holy molly she was indeed tall coz compared to the 10 storeyed bulding she was looking like a Goliath. And by this time Ship had started moving towards horizon . It was around 2:30 Pm and the it was indeed a beautiful sight to see such a huge structure in the sea beeing outlined by sun light...Indeed a divine sight . Soon we realised that we hadnt talked among ourselves for around 10 minutes . Each one of us were spell bound by the beauty . By this time the excitment had creeped inside everyone , and discussions on the data about her highness was back on full steam for journey back home.

This one is kerala's pride, I present you her higness Kumari Mary

[maxbhp]

Length:

1,132 feet

Beam:
135 feet

Beam at Bridge Wings:
147.5 feet

Draft:
32 feet 10 inches

Height (Keel to Funnel):
236.2 feet

Gross Tonnage:
Approximately 151,400 gross tonnes

Guest Capacity:

2,592 lower berths
3,056 maximum capacity (Including third and fourth berths)

Crew:
1,253

Cruise Speed:
28.5 Knots

Power:

157,000 horsepower, environmentally friendly, gas turbine/diesel electric plant

Propulsion:
Four pods of 21.5 MW each; 2 fixed and 2 azimuthing

Strength:
Extra thick steel hull for strength and stability for Transatlantic Crossings

Stabilizers:
Two sets

Cost:
Estimated $800 million

Some Comparisons:

• QM2 is five times longer than Cunard's first ship, Britannia (230 ft.)
• QM2 is 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary
• QM2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall (550 ft.)
• QM2 is 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (984 ft.)
• QM2 is more than 3½ times as long as Westminster Tower (Big Ben) is high (310 ft.)
• QM2 is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall (1248 ft.)
• QM2 is more than three times as long as St. Paul's Cathedral is tall (366 ft.)
• QM2 is as long as 41 double-decker London buses (31½ ft. each)
• QM2's whistle is audible for 10 miles

More Interesting Facts:

• In 1839, Queen Victoria awarded Samuel Cunard the first ever licence to deliver mail across the Atlantic, proudly granting his steam ship the honoured title RMS (Royal Mail Steamer). In 2004 RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Queen Mary 2 was awarded this privileged title and continues to celebrate this golden heritage.
• Queen Mary 2’s kennel programme is available on all crossings between New York and Southampton in either direction, and is overseen by a full-time Kennel Master who takes care of responsibilities such as feeding, walking and cleaning the ship’s 12 spacious kennels. Travelling dogs and cats also receive a complimentary gift pack and other animal amenities.The kennels and adjacent indoor and outdoor walking areas are open throughout the day, enabling passengers to spend significant time with their pet. Reservations for the kennels may be made at time of booking, and are based on space availability. Contact Cunard for fees and additional requirements.

[manson]

Beautiful pictures max.
The size of the liner is so in your face in the second last picture.

manson.

[speedzak]

The thing was huge!!
When it started moving, we felt it was stand still and we were moving!!


Ship Docked at Cochin Port. This is worth a wallpaper!


Daytime pics.


Coming out of the dock.


Yes!! I am BIG!!!


Sailing away!!!

It was a festival mood in the whole city. The day of the sail off was declared Harthal due to some reason. Still people came in all modes of transports they could find and reached the Warf. Wherever the ship may pass by, where filled with people. And the moment the ship announced it's departure, everybody just went mad!! Waving and saying goodbye, Please come again etc...

[normally_crazy]

Simply Awesome pics guys !! Thanks !!

It is a monster allright !

[maxbhp]

[V-16]

Great pics MAX. Got a chance to see the other Royal Beauty The Q Eand hop on and off her when she was in Mumbai last. dad and Mum with some of their friend were taking the cruise so the family was invited the night before and even on the day of the sail, to come spend some time on her and see her. Its completely awesome and that was an old ship. I guess this one will be huger, better and more equipped.

[maxbhp]

Another one seen on 3rd feb(Pic taken by v3 i, so please pardon the quality)

[artofzen]

Till recently,This was the largest cruise ship ever built.But now that record goes to "Freedom of the seas" .

[moralfibre]

Wow! Amazing pics Kochi boys. This thing is huge and beautiful! It must have been a sight to watch.

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by maxbhp

Finally everyone came to conclusion that she shouldnt be more than 8 storeys high.

hope you kept in mind that just like an iceberg, you only get to see the tip of a ship, on the surface.
most of it is underwater.

[turbofreak]

Monster ship man...any idea what do these big ships do at the cochin port...I think these are supposed to be cruise ships.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by turbofreak

Monster ship man...any idea what do these big ships do at the cochin port...I think these are supposed to be cruise ships.

They bring tourists. The port is building a Cruise Ship Terminal exclusively for these chaps after increasing visits by big cruise liners. Its good for business.

QM2 reached Dubai yesterday for the first time.

[esteem_lover]

Terrific ship & beautiful pictures. How did you guys manage to get so many angles ?

[typeOnegative]

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

hope you kept in mind that just like an iceberg, you only get to see the tip of a ship, on the surface.
most of it is underwater.

Correct. The height of the ship should be measured from the keel upwards. See her in a dry dock and I bet you will be stunned.