On Wednesday, Oct 1st, 2008, we had both the Queen Mary 2 and the Norwegian Dream at our Saint John, New Brunswick port.  We had approximately 5,000 more people in our city in less then a day.  In the spring to fall months, we have cruise ships in port every week.  The temperature within the Bay of Fundy doesn't exceed 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are the differences between the two cruise ships:

                                       Queen Mary 2                             vs.             Norwegian Dream

Gross Tons:              151,400                                       vs.             50,760

Builder:                    Chantiers de L'Antique                   vs.            Chantiers de L'Antique (France)

Original Cost:           550 million (Euros)                        vs.            240 million ( Euros)

Entered Service:       Jan. 2004                                     vs.            Dec. 1992 (stretched 1998)

Registry:                  Great Britain                                 vs.            The Bahamas

Length:                    1,131.9 ft / 345.03 m                    vs.            754 ft / 229.8 m

Beam:                      134.5 ft / 41 m                             vs.            93.5 ft /28.5 m

Draft:                       32.6 ft / 9.95 m                            vs.            22.3 ft / 6.8 m

Passenger Decks:      17                                                vs.           10

Total Crew:               1,254                                           vs.           700

Passengers:              3,090                                           vs.           2,156

Pass. Space Ratio:     57.2                                            vs.           29.3

Crew-Pass. Ratio:      2.0                                              vs.           2.5

Cruising Speed:        25 knots                                       vs.           21 knots

Queen Mary 2 - FACTS

The ONLY Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea

The World's 1st Planetarium at sea

The largest library at sea

The longest jogging track at sea

The largest wine collection at sea

A cultural academy by the University of Oxford, with 7 classrooms and an auditorium

A Pillow Concierge offers a choice of up to 9 different types of pillows

Some royal suites have private elevators

Classic hallmarks include sweeping staircases & a grand ballroom, domed salons

Staff has renowned "White Star Service"

Norwegian Dream - FACTS

Freestyle Cruising concept

Increased entertainment & dining options

Guest can do anything or nothing at all

New LifeStyle Program

More art auctions

Health & Wellness Programs

Cooking demonstrations

In 1998, was stretched an additional 130 ft midsection