A long long time ago, in a ocean not too far away, the SS United States was the most shining cruise liner on the North Atlantic, and as young boys (well, already older than some...), we followed her crossings with enthusiasm.
Normandie had suffered a sad fate in New York together with a dubious reputation, because it had been seized by the US, desacring her. The SS United States was competing with the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, (Queen Mother, not Queen Elizabeth I).
Queen Elizabeth was surely the biggest, but the quickest was the SS United States, small, but nicier, more modern and not so snob with her 2 funnels. In these days, speed was more important than size, and nationalism was not at its highest.
If it pleases you more, I support the Queen Elizabeth, while regretting that the SS United States disappeared from the memories.
Regards,
Luc