Leaves in 14 daysCelebrity Apex vs Queen Mary 2
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Queen Mary 2 is the larger vessel at 148,528 GT — 15% more than Celebrity Apex's 129,500 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 44.5. Built in 2020, Celebrity Apex is 16 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
Scroll to compare
Category
Celebrity Apex
Queen Mary 2
Size
129,500 GT
148,528 GT
Passengers
2,910
2,691
Year Built
2020
2004
Crew Ratio
1:2.2
1:2.1
Space Ratio
44.5
55.2
Decks
—
—
Length
306m
345m
From Price
$4,123.8/pp
$1,349/pp
Comparison Verdict
Queen Mary 2 is the larger vessel at 148,528 GT — 15% more than Celebrity Apex's 129,500 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 44.5. Built in 2020, Celebrity Apex is 16 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Queen Mary 2 |
| Capacity | Celebrity Apex |
| Modernity | Celebrity Apex |
| Service | Queen Mary 2 |
| Spaciousness | Queen Mary 2 |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Queen Mary 2 |
| Fleet Power | Queen Mary 2 |
Bottom line: Queen Mary 2 leads 5–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Queen Mary 2 for overall superiority; pick Celebrity Apex if Capacity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Celebrity Apex if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2020, 16yr newer)
- More onboard variety (2,910 guests)
Choose Queen Mary 2 if...
- Size matters to you (148,528 GT)
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (55.2 GT/pax)
- Save $2,774.8/person on sailings
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
We may earn a commission from partner bookings at no extra cost to you.
Deep Dive
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Celebrity Apex
Upcoming Sailings on Queen Mary 2
Spots going fast
Spots going fast
Spots going fastHotels & Accommodations Near Miami Cruise Port
Compare prices from 100+ booking sites
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We compute scores across 8 categories using real spec data — gross tonnage, passenger capacity, crew capacity, year built, length, deck count, space ratio, and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40; mass-market ships often fall in the 30-40 range.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
Passengers per crew member. Lower is better — more staff per guest means better service. Luxury lines aim below 2:1; large mainstream ships may be 3-4:1.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices are sourced from Cruisebound and reflect real-time availability. They may change based on cabin type, date, and demand. Click through to see the latest fares.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes — up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ vessels, revalidated every 5 minutes via ISR. The "Updated" timestamp shows when records were last modified.
