The Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most comfortable cruise liners, is also classed as a floating 5 star hotel. She is 293 m long, has 3 swimming pools, 22 lifts, 970 crew members and can carry up to 2025 passengers across the Atlantic. This vessel was put into service from her home port, Southampton, by the Cunard Shipping Line in 1969. She was first used on express transatlantic crossings in summer and luxury cruises in winter, but in future will be used solely for cruising. Top speed: 35 knots; displacement: 70,327 GRT