Holland America Line
Rotterdam
- Cruises
- 135
- From
- $699
Ship comparison
Rotterdam vs Queen Mary 2
Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2
- Cruises
- 127
- From
- $359
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Rotterdam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 2,668 passengers, in service since 2021. Queen Mary 2 is a large Cunard Line ship carrying 2,620 passengers, in service since 2004.
Choose Rotterdam if you want a newer ship, a more family-friendly ship or better-rated dining: it outscores Queen Mary 2 for family friendly (6.0 vs 4.0) and dining (9.0 vs 7.7) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2021 (vs 2004).
Choose Queen Mary 2 if you want more culture, more space per passenger or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Rotterdam for cultural (8.0 vs 4.0) and spa & fitness (9.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 57.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 37.3).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Rotterdam | Queen Mary 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Holland America Line | Cunard Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2021 (better) | 2004 |
| Gross tonnage | 99,500 | 151,400 |
| Passengers | 2,668 | 2,620 |
| Crew | 1,025 | 1,253 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.3 | 57.8 (better) |
| Decks | 12 | 17 |
| Length | 984 ft | 1,132 ft |
| Beam | 115 ft | 148 ft |
| Speed | — | 35 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 10 / 10 (better) | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 135 | 127 |
| Upcoming sailings | 179 | 180 |
| Cruise lengths | 7 to 24 nights | 2 to 35 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $699 | $359 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Rotterdam leads on 5 of the ten, Queen Mary 2 on 3, with 2 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Holland America Line
Rotterdam
Holland America Line's grand, inviting Rotterdam is more than a sister to Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, part of its Pinnacle class of ships. After its launch in July 2021, Rotterdam is now the august cruise line's flagship.
Sailing now
135 cruises on sale, from $699.
Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2
The ocean liner Queen Mary 2, flagship of the 184-year-old Cunard Line, embodies the grace and classic heritage of ships from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. She is the only ship in operation that retains a scheduled transatlantic service, from New York to England and back.
Highlights
- The planetarium shows
- Lectures by leading academics, scientists, politicians, entertainers and historians
- Canyon Ranch Spa and Thalassotherapy pool, if you can afford it
- The transatlantic crossings from New York to Southampton are really one of a kind.
Sailing now
127 cruises on sale, from $359.
Questions
Rotterdam or Queen Mary 2?
Which is bigger, Rotterdam or Queen Mary 2?
Queen Mary 2 is bigger at 151,400 gross tons, against 99,500 gross tons for Rotterdam. Rotterdam carries 2,668 passengers and Queen Mary 2 carries 2,620.
Which ship is newer, Rotterdam or Queen Mary 2?
Rotterdam is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 2004 for Queen Mary 2.
Which has more space per passenger?
Queen Mary 2, with 57.8 gross tons per passenger against 37.3 on Rotterdam. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Queen Mary 2, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Rotterdam.
Which is better for families?
Rotterdam scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for Queen Mary 2.
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