Spots going fastIona vs Queen Mary 2
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Iona is the significantly larger vessel at 184,700 GT — 24% more than Queen Mary 2's 148,528 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 35.5. Built in 2020, Iona is 16 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 4 – 2
Quick Compare
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Category
Iona
Queen Mary 2
Size
184,700 GT
148,528 GT
Passengers
5,200
2,691
Year Built
2020
2004
Crew Ratio
1:2.9
1:2.1
Space Ratio
35.5
55.2
Decks
—
—
Length
345m
345m
From Price
—
$1,349/pp
Comparison Verdict
Iona is the significantly larger vessel at 184,700 GT — 24% more than Queen Mary 2's 148,528 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 35.5. Built in 2020, Iona is 16 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Iona |
| Capacity | Iona |
| Modernity | Iona |
| Service | Queen Mary 2 |
| Spaciousness | Queen Mary 2 |
| Decks | Tie |
| Length | Tie |
| Fleet Power | Iona |
Bottom line: Iona leads 4–2 across our categories — strongest in Size. Choose Iona for overall superiority; pick Queen Mary 2 if its strengths matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Iona if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2020, 16yr newer)
- Size matters to you (184,700 GT)
- More onboard variety (5,200 guests)
Choose Queen Mary 2 if...
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- More space per guest (55.2 GT/pax)
You've compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
See Current Prices
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Sailing Prices
| Iona | Queen Mary 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | — | $1,349 pp |
| Departing | — | Aug 4 |
| Duration | — | 14 nights |
| View Deal |
Prices from Cruisebound. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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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.
