The illustrated history of the most famous ocean liner afloat today.

There has been no more beloved liner than the Queen Elizabeth 2. The last liner to be built on British soil, she was constructed by John Brown & Co., Clydebank (Scotland) and her keel was laid on July 5, 1965, marking the start of her illustrious career. Her maiden voyage left Southampton on May 2, 1969, bound for New York, and she has remained in service for the past 40 years. She had a spell as a military ship from 1982, when she was requisitioned to serve as a troop carrier during the Falklands War, and during her military career QE2 successfully sailed more than 14,900 miles. Post-war, she has had many refits, including a headline-grabbing total refurbishment in 1994 to turn her into a 21st-century luxury liner. In November 2008, QE2 retired to a new life in Dubai World, where she began her conversion to a floating hotel, and the last chapter of her exceptional life in service will close.

This book documents the creation, from keel laying to christening, of one of the most ambitious passenger vessels of all time, Cunard Line's new flagship, the Queen Mary 2. The story of the Queen Mary 2 is told by noted maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham, whose engaging text takes us through the building of the ship and details its world-class amenities.

HMS Queen Elizabeth 2 is the most celebrated craft afloat and one of the greatest technical achievements of the 20th century. In her construction and maintenance are involved almost every science, profession, and trade known to civilization. On her bridge stand officers, who besides being the pick of the Royal Navy, have passed rigid examinations in all studies pertaining to winds, tides, currents, navigation, and the geography of the sea. For 91 days, author Bernard M. Patten, M.D., sailed around the world on this ultimate cruise ship. What was it like onboard this most luxurious of luxury liners? "Marvelous, simply marvelous," he assures the reader with obvious enthusiasm that spills off every page. Determined to give the reader the complete QE2 experience, Patten and his wife, Ethel, roomed in progressively better accommodations, moving level by level from the least expensive class ("Mauritania 5") to the Penthouse Suite, which included their own butlers, Geoffrey and Paul. Along with the Pattens, readers will experience every deck, every restaurant, and every level of luxury that this incredible ocean liner has to offer. Whether you're a cruise buff, or planning your own stay aboard this fabulous ship, or just want to take a trip in your imagination on a cold rainy night, Cruising on the Queen Elizabeth 2 will provide you with interesting information, entertaining stories, and ample pleasures.

Personal account by Beatrice Dumont Muller of her unique stay on the Queen Elizabeth 2. She was a passenger for many years.

Stunning illustrations to colour in, charting the history and heritage of the Cunard Line

"With a fascinating mixture of maritime history and contemporary analysis, the author describes the history of the Cunard Line, before saying farewell to the QE2, which will retire to Dubai as a floating hotel in November 2009."--Global Books in Print.