I only disagree about Great Eastern and QM2. I recognize Great Eastern is odd - but it's so brutish and aggressive in its appearance it's a win for me. It makes me think of smoggy Victorian factories, but in a good way if that makes sense. It's steampunk before steampunk existed. QM2 I think is an unfair placement here because to me any modern ship will lose a looks contest with its older, classic counterparts. We were never going to get a classic ocean liner out of QM2, but given that limitation, she's by far the most attractive modern passenger ship constructed. She's leagues ahead of anything else sailing today. Love your channel!
I agree completely with your assessment. Your description of the "Great Eastern" is spot on. I think the QM2 is doomed aesthetically by being compared to the original QM. She's basically a Cruise Ship slightly disguised as an Ocean Liner.
@@j.kevvideoproductions.6463The Queen Mary 2 is an Ocean liner in every way! She is no Cruise ship! She is 100% built as an Ocean liner and has many differences to other ugly cruise ships
Believe it or not, Great Eastern is actually one of my favourite ocean liners because of the aesthetics. It looks like a prehistoric beast about to unleash its full power.
Imagine if she was (somehow) successful. Ie some big shot managed to convince people that her survival against storms was proof of safety, maybe even arfter her cable laying period someone managed to use her age and service record to bassicly say “hey look! This big ship has traveled all the oceans and survived the worse storms, why you’d have to be a fool in believing she is unsafe!”
A prehistoric beast. That is actually the perfect way to put it and the way that I've always thought of her but never in words. She really was more or less just that; the first true superliner before the age of superliners and a beast that, were she actually a living thing, I could definitely see pictures of in cave walls. :D
While I definitely have to disagree with quite a bit of this list (QM2, Athenic, Great Eastern and Oriana come to mind, they are beautiful vessels), it was certainly interesting to hear your points and opinions about them, as well as your comparisons and how you would improve them
@@TheGreatBigMove I suppose with Athenic, I personally like the messy superstructure aesthetic that many liners of the period shared. It differentiates them and makes them more unique in comparison to the cleaner likes of Olympic and Lusitania
I find L’Atlantique one of my favourite liners with her larger funnels but I do admit that the superstructure needed a bit more shape but my favourite part of the ship is her interior
My only issue with the QM2 is the age comparisons. The QM2 is beautiful for its time (as noted). You can’t compare her though to an Olympic, or a Mauritania. Because they’re two different eras. This is the equivalent of comparing a Jaguar E-Type with a Tesla. In their respective time periods, they each have their own beauty. But comparing them over time periods next to each other, is unfair. Regardless, very happy you put out a video, even if I slightly disagreed. Keep up the good work.
@@mechanicalbird282 Haha! Always thought Tesla sedans had their unique innovative beauty - but how 'bout that Cyber Truck? Gonna be the Pacer, Aztec of the future.
More like a cabin cruiser in my mind. I forgot to mention, I'd honestly put the MV Britannic in this video. Not really a fan of cabin cruisers and that's just because they look kinda flat and boxy to me. The only reason I didn't include the Georgic is because she at least had curves. :)
Totally agree with your points on the Qm2. Although she might be one of the prettier ships afloat today, she looks like an oversized box compared to the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. And take as long of a break as you need, we'll be here when your back and firing on all cylinders!
She is also the only true LINER in operation in the world today. Elizabeth and Victoria are cruise ships. QM2 is the only transatlantic any weather any time of the year passenger ship today. Cruise ships can cross the Atlantic but only if the weather forecast permits. She does also do cruises but unable to enter some harbours that cruise ships go because of her deep draught. ( Hull below the waterline). She is unique and as you say beautiful.
This list is just one person's opinion. It is generally accepted that QM2 one of the finest Ocean Liners ever built. It is widely regarded as a most beautiful ship and is greeted as such wherever it sails around the world! It has the aesthetic of liners in the true tradition. I disagree with the comments made in this video.
@@kaamkmca It looks like a Cruise Ship. It carries on the tradition of being a work of mechanical marvel, and be the last of it’s kind, but it still looks ugly.
QM2 appears elegant from some angles of view yet ugly from others, so I agree she isn’t the most aesthetic externally. The first Oriana definitely deserves the first place as most ugly ocean liner. She appears to have been designed by a very large discordant team, creating a ‘house that jack built’ appearance, which is strange given the more appropriate appearance of her smaller predecessors such as Orcades. I’d love to know what was on their minds when they patched that design together!
My family and I crossed the Pacific in the '60s on the Oriana and us kids had a blast running around the "ugly honeycomb steer" decks, which, on modern cruse liners, are taken up with aft balcony cabins or other facilities. More open deck space then. While in Fiji, the Canberra was docked next to us, and I wasn't too young to appreciate the beauty of that vessel. Way ahead of its time. We were on its ugly sister I guess! Great memories.
I personally disagree with the choice of Great Eastern, especially at Number 2, but I mean that in the most respectful way possible 😂. I am personally a huge fan of the look and it is mostly due to Great Eastern’s very Victorian design. I know the look is not for everyone and I do understand why you chose to put her at your number 2. I however, personally hold that she introduced luxury to the 7 Seas with her stunning interior. Love the show and I love your videos, keep doing what your doing man!
I should have started the video by clarifying that this particular video is taking into consideration only exterior design. I might do a video in the future on best and worst interiors. Thanks for watching!
Though I think QM2 could use a greater sheer, second funnel, and a longer bow, I’d still ace to say she’s a very beautiful ship in my opinion. This is controversial to say, but I’d say as luxurious and glamorous as Normandie was, I do think her funnels and bow could have used a slightly more traditional aesthetic. But, as I said I still absolutely love Normandie! ❤️🚢
@@andyrob3259 She’s not my type of ship, but she’s definitely more aesthetically appealing than the Great Eastern. I still can’t believe SS Pasteur isn’t on this list.
@@andyrob3259 Yes she was for her time and she could really crank up those engines usually at night! I believe she still holds the record for the fastest passenger ship to sail to Australia. The golden Cockerel award was always proudly displayed above the bridge when entering a port! She was one of the last ships to have a 2 class passenger status and became fully open class in the 70's I think! I would sail on her again in a heart beat if she still existed today! :-)
I think Queen Mary 2 shouldn't have been on here. Sure, it doesn't look as good as the ships from 100 years ago, but it can't, either. It is a hybrid of an ocean liner and cruise ship, and I think the interiors look great. It also has the traditional stern and the bridge is at least somewhat far from the bow and not just straight above. I'm pretty sure there are now rules that the bridge has to be a certain distance from the bow. Either way, she's not just a big floating box. So some exterior aesthetics had to be sacrificed to allow the modern comforts and amenities of ships, and although a far cry from say, the Lusitania of a 100 years earlier, still she maintains some of the ocean liner style.
Fun comment section! Liner aficionados have passionate hearts, and this topic is like smacking a beehive. Hee hee hee. I've found my people at last. Of course, everyone is right: the eye of the beholder.
She is one of that group of vessels known as cargo liners, leads to too many demands on deck space, but look at the Union Castle ships 1950- 1970 same function not as ugly, quite stylish in their own way.
The Oriana really deserves that first place on this list. It looks like a ship I would have drawn as a 5 year old. The only one I really must disagree with is the Great Eastern. I really love the way she looks. The lack of tall superstructures gives her a sleek look, and I especially like the mix of steam ship and sailing ship aesthetics. While other similar vessels either looked like a sailing ship with funnels or like a steam ship with sails, I think the Great Eastern managed to find a sweet spot in the middle. Anyways, great video as always!
I think that Johan Van Oldenbarnevelt was extensively rebuilt later in her life, which majorly increased the height of the funnels, rebuilt most if the super structure, and added a few masts here and there, which to me really improved her aesthetic
Personally, Great Eastern is actually very beautiful in my opinion, with the 5 funnels, paddles, huge hull, multiple masts. I am glad that Aquitania, Queen Mary and Seeandbee did not make it on the list. Also, most of the ships on this list I still thought looked great, but the Matsonia and Oriana.
God, I thought I was alone in thinking the Queen Mary 2 was a bit homely. XD She looks more like a toy boat to me, if that makes any sense... the rounded edges of her superstructure and body, and how she looks more like a cruise ship with black paint than a traditional liner. Like something you'd see bobbing around in a bathtub than cutting the waves across the Atlantic. What a fun video, there were some truly gnarly ships on here! That one really long ship with the single little funnel killed me, that one is definitely my favorite on this list. Absolute marvel of nautical design, right there. XD
I thought the same: Not the Inman Line ship. While the barrel vault skylights forward were certainly novel, she and her sister City of New York managed to be graceful and yacht-like.
Say is isn't so! The Oriana?! An unapologetic expression of maritime engineering and design, but I can see your point ;) There's a fair bit of heritage in her design if you look at earlier Orient line ships. I think she's wonderful but most beautiful in her original, corn coloured hull Orient line livery :)
Agreed100%!! I sailed on her 3 times in the 70's. A bit stark perhaps and looked like a battle cruiser but she was fast! Loads of space for passengers unlike todays leviathans that are overcrowded on the main decks. She had a massive following of loyal passengers and was a great ship. I agree with your comment on her heritage as she was the natural progression to her older but much loved sister's. :-)
I agree. I’m an shocked Oriana was on here. She was not only innovative for her time, she was an absolutely lovely ship to sail in with great interiors. I actually think the Canberra was ugly - very bulky and very squat. In many ways reminiscent of modern too heavy cruise ships of today.
@@ryan8960 I can see why you would think that but it was a common design for many ships at the time. These days of course every space available has cabins bunged in for maximum profit. The Oriana's stern 'basket like' arrangement did in fact have a very practical application. During rough weather when it was unpleasant to be up on the open decks, passengers could retreat to the stern area that was comparatively shielded from the weather but still able to be enjoy the open air. It must be remembered that Oriana was built for speed unlike the massive hotels of today that lumber along! The lifeboats being tucked away was a relatively new innovation and prevented much of the worst weather from attacking the Davit gear that needed constant maintenance. After sailing on many more modern ships I can still say that the Oriana was one of my favourite's for many reasons. :-)
The part that hit me the hardest had to be when you put the QM2 into this list because I think she is beautiful and she’s my favorite true ocean liner of all time.
I think you are spot on. I too like that we still have true Ocean Liner in QM2 but profit drives design. I think it would interesting to see if you find any cruise ships today beautiful.
When I was a kid back in the 50's, 60's, liners were admired for their beauty even by non-travelers. They were floating works of art to be admired. Except Oriana, which was not just ugly, but "circus ugly". And sometimes, the intended route, cargo type and loading facility, passenger manifest, harbor restrictions (draft, low bridges, etc.) dictate the final design which may look odd.
I thought you did a pretty decent job. I was glad you handled the QM2 the way you did and I agree. My first trip on a ship was 1968. I then had 11 sailings on the QE2, a knock out ship...Then, the QM, just to try it, I was not 'wowed' by its looks. And yes, It was great crossing the Atlantic, however, it is primarily a cruise ship with a hug to the liner past. A liner, of course, today would not make it. So I think they did about the best they could...although, a little more attention to the eye candy bit would have helped.
Very interesting list, though I do disagree with your first choice. If I were to suggest an ugly ocean liner, it would be SS Félix Roussel or MS George’s Philippar of the Shipping line, Messageries Maritimes. Aside from patchy and cluttered superstructures and open decks, both had a set of two square-shaped funnels. Let me know what you think of them.
Reply if you love oriana and canberra Edit oriana is beautiful because she had so much deck space for passengers The view from her forward decks must have been incredible As for the funnels they are different decks but why not its gives her a unique silhouette something other ships of her time lack especially cunard liners
@@Pelley4560 Oh dear, have I upset you? No other passenger ship is capable of going transatlantic in any weather at any time of the year except QM2. Because of her draught, she cannot enter some harbours that cruise ships do but she does do cruises as well. I am as you are entitled to my own views on this stream. People calling cruise ships liners is also annoying as many people do. QM2 doesn't always function as a cruise ship as you say she does. Sorry if you are in any way offended but facts are facts. A liner is a liner and not a cruise ship. Ask any shipbuilder.
@@rubberyowen1469 I wasn’t offered rather amused. That being said when I was originally responding to the original comment that stated they saw the qm2 as a hybrid I agreed in that she is a liner from an engineering standpoint yet her purpose is to cruise. Her passengers are there to cruise and have a good time not simply for the sole purpose of transportation like a liner of yesteryear or an airplane today. That is what I meant. While I guess for many people’s vacations be it on a cruise in the Caribbean or qm2 going to new York and/or the UK, they are their to transport but the it’s definitely about the journey not just the destinations when it comes to passenger ships in today’s world.
I have a soft spot for the Oriana. She was the first ship I travelled on, in 1984, quite late in her career. Yes, she looked ponderous compared with other ships, and by then her interiors were dated and sad looking, but she was still a magnificent lady who had served Orient/P&O well.
I personally find the SS Athenic my second favorite liner, she was beautifull in my eyes, I would also have to say the Le’Atlantique is also one of my favorites, but we all have our opinions.
(Before anyone gives me their life story this is MY personal opinion, The Great Big Move is one of my favorite channels and I’ll continue to watch and support this channel!) I’m sorry but Queen Mary 2 should not be up here, you can’t judge her from oceanliners of the past to now because she herself is technically an ocean liner, she was built to look more modern mainly because of the environment she travels in. The bow is triangular to withstand and to divert waves when she loops around South America via Cape Horn. The balconies were a nice addition to the classic ocean liner so that guests can enjoy private outdoor space and there is plenty of room in outdoor and indoor public spaces for guests to socialize.
I wouldnt be suprised if number #3 was a ferry. I'm saying #3 because im too lazy to spell that crazy name. Edit: I have a number 6 xd: It is SS Oceana of 1887. The funnels are too thin, the funnel is too high, the super structure is so small, and in 1887, i wouldve preferred an inman line ship, like SS City of New York.
Amazing video! And thank you for thinking of your viewers and giving us something to watch. Have a amazing weekend And look forward to your next upload 😊🔥
Personally, I do not believe that there is such thing as an ‘ugliest’ ship. I think that each vessel, no matter how unique it might be, has its own charm, and no doubt has their fair share of supporters! I feel as though the saying “One mans trash is another mans treasure” applies perfectly to this.
@@TheGreatBigMove for sure, and it was indeed fun to hear about your opinions on these unique vessels, not a lot of people do videos like these. Great work on this video! 🙂
I've liked this comment based purely on the fact that it is incredibly funny. But thinking about it now it wouldn't be quite so humorous unless there was a grain of truth in it.
From some angles, Queen Mary 2 looks quite elegant; from others, it looks like a horizontal skyscraper. Overall, I like her lines and would strike her from this list.
I can remember being up late of a night and discovering an officer leaving a passengers cabin with a very guilty look on his face!!! I loved that ship! :-D
I quite like the Oriana, and that "Honeycomb Stern" (actually, it's called a "Gallery Stern") was mandatory on all Australian-Run ships to provide some escape from the heat in the Red Sea. The naval architect had a house overlooking Sydney Harbour that looked identical! I really liked the Oriana's older fleetmates, the Orcades III and Oronsay. In contrast, I find the saggy old Canberra's "heavy browed" look quite disproportionate. I think the QM2 should have been second or third on the list, after that Dollar ship and some of the other older cargo/passenger combos.
I agree. I’m an shocked Oriana was on here. She was not only innovative for her time, she was an absolutely lovely ship to sail in with great interiors. I actually think the Canberra was ugly - very bulky and very squat. In many ways reminiscent of modern too heavy cruise ships of today.
The Matsonia would look quite nice if the funnel was placed further forward! Johan Van Oldenbarnervelt needs taller funnels. QM2 is just a floating hotel! The Great Eastern is easily the worst looking of the lot! I quite like the Oriana, other than that hideous stern! All in all, a well selected range of bad looking ships there! Thanks for the upload!
That stem in Oriana was great. The top has a huge area for sitting or playing games, fantastic when leaving port and underneath was two great rooms. The huge stern gallery lounge and bar with sheer windows and the children’s playroom and pool one deck below.
@@andyrob3259 It may well have been functionally fantastic, however I just don't like the look of it. No logic or practical thought to my view, just purely based on my opinion of the aesthetics of it.
my late great uncle harry was 1 st vent officer aboard oriania , he spent along time at vickers in barrow while she was being built , he loved her , he started as junior officer for canadian pacific aboard empress of japan in 1941 , moving to duchess of bedford in 1943 . he then left to join the orient line and the orontes , he was a charming whitty man , uncle jack spent most of his war aboard ss gleniffer , alfred holt and co . smashing films . love them ,. god bless from wigan . lancashire . england .
The Ward Line Sisters Morro Castle 1930 & Oriente 1930 were fairly homely and crazy dangerously constructed in my opinion. I have no idea what was going on with their fantail design. I like your list they are some real dogs
I was about to take issue with some of the choices, compared to today's floating multi storey carparks, until I twigged that liners and cruise ships are not the same thing, so now it makes sense!
yes, whilst there is a difference, 'passenger ships' usually being built for purpose, it was often the case that their role would change depending where the profit lay, hence the QE2 did world cruises from 1975 in the northern winter to avoid the bad north Atlantic weather, as did a lot of passengers, but it was not a good cruise ship. As a former Steward on 7 'passenger ships" in the 1970's (QE2, Canberra & Oriana amongst them) I don't disagree that Oriana lacked the aesthetic flow of the others, but it was always one of my favorites. callsign GVSN, the big 'O'.
