Before the modern era of passenger air travel, the ocean liner was the only means of travelling overseas to countries all around the globe. Of the routes established, the most prestigious was the North Atlantic run from north European and Mediterranean ports to New York, and the demand for speed, regularity and luxury on this route was the driving force for the introduction of ever greater, more magnificent ships. By 1913, the expansion in size and splendour occasioned the adoption of the term ‘super-liner’, a definition based on precise and unambiguous criteria. Only 13 ships were entitled to be singled out for this exclusive accolade: the Imperator trio; Bremen *and *Europa; Rex; Normandie; Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth; United States; France; QE2 *and *QM2. This is their story.