Largest ocean liner (displacement)

After the Second World War, developments in aviation caused the decline of ocean liners as intercontinental transport as competition from the new airliners meant passengers could reach their destinations much more quickly. Almost all large passenger ships today are used for recreational cruises but the RMS Queen Mary 2, which began her maiden voyage on 12 January 2004, was designed as a true ocean liner. She displaces 81,961 tons and measures 345 m long with a beam of 41 m and can travel at 29.5 knots. An ocean liner is distinct from a cruise liner in that it is used as a method of transport between two destinations as opposed to a cruise ship which is purely for leisure purposes. The Queen Mary 2 regularly ferries passengers between Southampton, UK and New York, USA.