I was not particularly impressed with the décor of the QE2, it's all very 1960 ish…not a great period for design. However, everyone claims that the service and food is second to none. However, she was different classes of restaurant depending how much you pay for your cabin. The QE2 is not cheap, unless you are prepared to travel in the winter – when discounts are available, but the Atlantic does its worse.

I was very impressed with the Norway’s Art Deco interiors. I also like her shape better than the QE2. She feels more historic to me than the QE2. However, she is a four star ship, not five…so you would expect the service not to be quite so high as the QE2. She also has generally cheaper fares than the QE2.

You pays your money, and takes your choice. Email me for more info:

In addition, if you want to sail with others trying to capture the spirit of the ocean liners, you are more likely to run into them on one of Norway's crossings since she only makes a few trips across the Atlantic each year and is usually packed with folks like yourself. Since QE2 still maintains a regular schedule of crossings she will usually be carrying a more diverse crowd.

If you are really interested in the history of either ship try getting a copy of the original deckplans and compare the layout of the ship when she entered service to the layout today. For the Norway, look for a deckplan for the France in the early 1960's. If you compare it to the deckplans you find in NCL's brochures you can see which cabins and lounges were originally First Class and which were designated Tourist Class. It's interesting to walk around the ship looking for signs of the past. Every once in a while you can spot a sign in French and if the sun is hitting the bow of the Norway just right you can still see the outline of the where the letters spelling out FRANCE used to be.

For QE2 look for a deckplan from 1969 or the early 1970's. Notice how the Queens Grill didn't even exist when the ship first entered service. It was added later in the space where a lounge was previously. The intimate Princess Grill (originally the Grill Room) is the only restaurant that hasn't changed since the ship entered service.

I have saw the QE2 and the Norways interiors two years ago, and the QE2 still has a some ugly 60's fittings. The Norway still has much of her Art Deco style. Certainly for me, the Norway had more of a 'Titanic' feel than the 'QE2' - but of course neither ship really resembles the ill fated vessel.

Yes, the food and service is said to be better on the QE2, if you pay enough. The old British 'Class System' is alive and well on the QE2!

By the nature of their tapering hull which was designed for the rigors of the North Atlantic, Ocean liners have cabins of differing sizes. Modern cruise ship have uniform cabins because their hull is designed around the accommodation. Hull performance is not so important to today's fair weather ships.

Additionally, ships like the SS France (Norway) usually had three classes of accommodation as well as two or more dining rooms, divided into the classes.

It's not easy to get a traditional Ocean Liner experience, a large stateroom with picture windows and balconies, plus all the modern conveniences!

Norway looks nice out side (Not as nice as QE2 in my opinion) but she still is a good-looking ship. Norway is however as far as I have heard a little run down – a little spent on her could bring her up to Luxury standard.

Of cause I would prefer to go on QE2 again, but I would cruise on Norway for her historical value.

I don't really know why we are comparing these two great ships – it is a matter of opinion, they are both great ships, both are proper liners – with rich histories.

The one thing I thing the Norway lacks is "energy". As the France, she had all her speed, there was an excitement or exhiliaration about being onboard, there was a "feel" about the ship when she was at her trans-Atlantic speeds, which is missing on the Norway. Today Norway seems to drag from port to port in a lazy dream. That certain comfort unique to a trans-Atlantic crossing seems to be missing, even when Norway does a trans-Atlantic crossing.

You could not have said it better. There
was something so special about "Le France"
at speed on a crossing.....the wind, the
wake, Joseph tucking you in a deck chair.
She was somewhat like a racing greyhound..
...and with that unique "Transat" atmos-
phere she was indeed very special.