More Queen Mary 2 coverage: fun facts

[Jason]

Fun facts about the Queen Mary 2

By Liz Doup

Staff Writer, Sun Sentinel

Posted January 26 2004

If you think you're besieged by winter guests, imagine being the Queen Mary 2.

Today, this elegant lady sails into Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades with more than 2,500 guests aboard.

But, hey, she can handle it. She's the largest, longest, tallest, widest and costliest passenger vessel ever built. And her maiden voyage, from Southampton, England, to Fort Lauderdale, is a study in how to entertain in high style on the high seas.

For a better look at QM2 and how she pampers her privileged guests, check out how she stocked up for her maiden voyage.

Here are some facts about the ship:

Eat, drink and sail

The Queen Mary II is stocked with:

14,000 Dozen eggs

14,000 Pounds of potatoes

8,500 Pounds of beef tenderloin

7,800 Pounds of shrimp

7,000 Pounds of pineapple

7,000 pounds of watermelon

6,000 bottles of champagne

5,000 pounds of lobster

3,500 pounds of Dover sole

120 bottles of Chivas Regal

69 bottles of Johnnie Walker Gold Label

37 bottles of Chivas Regal Royal Salute

The big boat

$800 million... Estimated cost to build

$5 million... Estimated value of art on the ship

$37,499... Top ticket price for 14-day maiden voyage

10,000... Number of napkins the ship's laundry washes and presses daily

8,000... Number of coffee cups cleaned daily

1,253... Ship's crew

200... Number of feet the ship sits above the waterline (equal to a 23-story building)

43... Roughly the percentage of passengers from the United States

14... Decks

13... Number of crossings the ship will make between England and New York in her inaugural year

10... Restaurants

10 miles... How far the QM2's whistle is audible

5... Duplex apartments, ranging from 1,566 to 2,249 square feet

4... Roughly the number of football fields the boat equals in length

Just for fun

8,000... Library books

115... Slot machines

80 to 100... Tuxedos in rental shop

75... Movies

50... Computers for guests

11... Gaming tables

8... Gentleman social hosts

5... Swimming pools

3... Aerobic instructors

1... Planetarium

[DaCruzNut]

Last night, our local TV station aired a tour of the QMII. They were given special permission, since they cover the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area...

After all the changes I've seen in cruise ships, over the past 20 years, it takes a lot to impress me.

Many of today's newer ships are all big, "cookie-cutter" types. They are all impressive, but nothing spectacular....until last night.

I sat in front of the TV, my eyes wide open and my heart beating a little faster.

My only comment is, the same one I had when I saw her, in person, Monday: "WOW!"