Leaves in 9 daysQueen Elizabeth vs Queen Mary 2
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison · Updated April 2026
Queen Mary 2 is the significantly larger vessel at 148,528 GT — 63% more than Queen Elizabeth's 90,900 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 43.7. Built in 2010, Queen Elizabeth is 6 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
Score: 2 – 5
Quick Compare
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Category
Queen Elizabeth
Queen Mary 2
Size
90,900 GT
148,528 GT
Passengers
2,081
2,691
Year Built
2010
2004
Crew Ratio
1:2.1
1:2.1
Space Ratio
43.7
55.2
Decks
—
—
Length
294m
345m
From Price
$1,099/pp
$1,349/pp
Comparison Verdict
Queen Mary 2 is the significantly larger vessel at 148,528 GT — 63% more than Queen Elizabeth's 90,900 GT. Queen Mary 2 offers more personal space with a space ratio of 55.2 GT per passenger versus 43.7. Built in 2010, Queen Elizabeth is 6 years newer — an advantage for travellers seeking modern amenities and design.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Queen Mary 2 |
| Capacity | Queen Mary 2 |
| Modernity | Queen Elizabeth |
| Service | Queen Elizabeth |
| 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 Queen Elizabeth if Modernity matter more to you.
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Queen Elizabeth if...
- You want the newer ship (built 2010, 6yr newer)
- Better service ratio (2.1:1 crew ratio)
- Save $250/person on sailings
Choose Queen Mary 2 if...
- Size matters to you (148,528 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,691 guests)
- More space per guest (55.2 GT/pax)
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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.
