At 150,000 gross tons, the Cunard liner Queen Mary 2 is the largest, longest, widest, tallest passenger ship ever built. She accommodates 2,620 passengers, is home of 1,253 crew members and features sweeping staircases, expansive promenades and luxurious accommodation - three-quarters of the cabins have private balconies. The Queen Mary 2 also features ten dining areas, the world's first floating planetarium, the largest ballroom at sea and the biggest wine collection afloat. Her total length is 345 meters (1,132 feet) and at a height of 72 meters (236 feet) with 14 passenger decks, she is taller than the Statue of Liberty and the Tower of London. She is also the first ship of her type built since Queen Elizabeth 2, being a true liner rather than a cruise ship. With her long, slender and exceptionally strong hull, deep draught and powerful engines, Queen Mary 2 has been designed to cross the North Atlantic between Europe (Southampton, England) and North America (New York) in six days. The concept for Queen Mary 2 was born from the purchase of the legendary Cunard Line by Carnival Corporation in May 1998. Carnival's Chairman Micky Arison initiated the new ship study. Carnival's Chief Naval Architect Stephen Payne and Cunard Line's Director of Newbuildings Gerry Ellis developed the design. After a two year design period the contract was placed on 6 November 2000 with Alstom Chantiers De L'Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France. Very detailed kit!