QM2 vs Independence of the Seas

I've been watching a show recently, (I think it was originally on Bravo), called Deadliest Warrior. It's a semi historical show where two groups of 'practical' historians will represent a warrior from the past ie a Ninja vs a Samurai. They test all the different weapons/armour that these warriors had to offer, (normally on an un-suspecting crash test dummy), and then at the end of the show all the data is collected and loaded into a computer which then determines who would of won in a fight, had they ever of met in real life.

It's actually quite fun and at they end they get two actors to enact the final result, it's definitely worth a watch.

The point of all this is that it's given me an idea for a series of blogs based on the same principal. I'm going to pitch two different ships together in a head to head 'fight' to see who comes out on top. The first match will be between.........

QM2 vs Independence of the Seas

Round 1 - Food on Board
QM2
The QM2 starts out on a disadvantage here as it only has 5 different places to eat. There's Kings court, the self service buffet, the maid dining room - Britannia, Todd English the speciality restaurant and then the Princess and Queens grill restaurant. However you can only eat in the Princess or Queens grill restaurants if you've booked a Princess or Queens grill suite, effectively dropping the amount of places you can eat in to three.
Independence of the Seas

After a quick count it looks like the Indy has at least seven different places to dine including the main dining room, Sorrentos, the self service buffet Windjammers, the Jade restaurant, Portifinos, Chops grille and one of my favourites, Johnny Rockets.

Advantage - Independence of the Seas - Whilst the level of the food may be slightly better on the QM2 for sheer choice and variety the Indy has to carry this one.

Round 2 - Bars and Nightclubs
QM2
Thinking back to the last time I sailed on the QM2 I can count at least 6 bars and nightclubs. G32 is the nightclub with a great live band. It also has two levels, the top of which you can smoke in. Then there's the Winter Gardens, the Commodore club and Churchills, a cigar lounge and if memory serves there is also a terrace bar by the pool on deck 8, although I was cruising in November so this one wasn't all that busy! Oh and how could I forget the Golden Lion Pub putting the total to seven.

Independence of the Seas
Looking at the deck plans I can only count 6 bars/nightclubs but thinking back to last time I was onboard I'm sure there is more than that so if anyone can see any I've missed you'll have to let me know. The nightclub on the Indy is called Labyrinth and as with the QM2 you are allowed to smoke inside it. Then there is the Schooners bar, the Boleros lounge, the Dog and Badger Pub, a champagne bar and the Viking crown lounge.
Advantage: Too close to call, I think I'll have to call this one a draw.

Round 3 - Casinos/Entertainment
QM2
There's only one casino on the QM2 with quite a few games tables and a few slot machines.There is a theatre as well as a show room, (the Queens room) as well as a cinema onboard. There is also a very well stocked library and the Planetarium which is a must see!
Independence of the Seas
The casino on the Indy is a bit larger with some gaming tables and then many, many gambling machines. There are two theatres but no cinema from memory but there is a small library.
Advantage: QM2, although it's a close run thing.

Round 4- Drinks Prices
QM2
A bottle of beer will cost you $4.75 whilst a glass of wine will cost you $5.95
Independence of the Seas
A bottle of beer will cost you $4.95 whilst a glass of wine will cost you $5.50
Advantage: Independence of the Seas. Another close run thing but a round of drinks will definitely be cheaper on the Indy.

Round 5 - Atmosphere on Board
QM2
Famed for its stylish and sophisticated transatlantic crossings this is quite a formal ship with lots of formal nights where black tie and cocktail dresses would be expected, (black tie for the men, cocktail dresses for the women), but this all goes to increasing the impression that you're traveling in a different age.
Independence of the Seas
Whilst the Indy does have formal nights on board there won't be as many and they wont be as adhered to. You'll find a much more relaxed, casual, "American" atmosphere onboard.
Advantage: QM2, but only by the smallest of margins as this round really does come down to personal taste and what you look for on a cruise.

Round 6 - Size
QM2
Entered service in 2004 with refit in November 2008. It can hold 2620 guests at maximum capacity with a gross tonnage of 151,400GRT. Crew to guest ratio is 2.09
Independence of the Seas
Entered service in May 2008. It can hold 3634 guests at maximum capacity with a gross tonnage of 160,000GRT. Crew to guest ratio is 2.67
Advantage: Independence of the Seas. The Indy carries this round on sheer size although if you were looking for more attention to detail from staff the QM2 might be a better bet.

Round 7 - Cruise.co.uk past Passenger Ratings
QM2
The average score for the QM2 was 4.5 stars out of 5
Independence of the Seas
The average score for the Indy was 4 stars out of a possible 5
Advantage: QM2,as voted for on our review site.

Overall Winner: Independence of the Seas. Although after I had fed all the data into the 'computer' which 'scientifically' and 'statistically' worked it out to a close draw; the fact that the Indy could offer extras like flow riders, mini golf courses and rock climbing walls just put them in lead as the overall winner.

So which ships would you like to see pitted against each other next. Let me know what you'd like to see here.

Happy Cruising.