Cunard Flagship Queen Mary 2 to Undergo Major Refurbishment in 2016, Befitting the World’s Most Iconic Ocean Liner

As Cunard marks its illustrious 175 year history with the arrival in New York of its flagship, Queen Mary 2, it is proud to announce the next chapter of innovation and investment, with a significant refurbishment scheduled to introduce new designs and guest experiences to the world’s most iconic ocean liner. 

From the company’s inception, Cunard has been at the forefront of ocean travel. To ensure the tradition continues, Queen Mary 2 will undergo an extensive 25-day dry dock refurbishment at the Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany from May 27 - June 21, 2016. 

Three of the key developments in this major refurbishment have been announced today, reflecting the changing needs of Cunard’s guests:

• For the first time, 15 single staterooms will be introduced onto Queen Mary 2. Research shows that increasing numbers of guests are seeking to holiday in multi-generational groups – grandparents, parents and children. Often this necessitates one member of the family travelling as an individual. The new staterooms will support this and also accommodate those guests travelling alone.

• 30 additional Britannia Club balcony staterooms will be created onboard reflecting the growing trend for balcony staterooms and for guests wishing for more flexibility in dining arrangements.  Guests travelling in these staterooms will be able to dine at a time of their own choosing in the dedicated Britannia Club restaurant, which will be expanded. 

• Ten new kennels will be created for four legged travellers. Just as families are holidaying across the generations, pets are increasingly seen as integral to the family group. Queen Mary 2 is already the only cruise liner in the world to offer dedicated kennels and currently carries up to 12 dogs and cats on its transatlantic crossings. These kennel places frequently sell out so the new kennels will meet strong demand. 

With an eye to the detail that differentiates Cunard, both a lamp post (for English dogs) and a fire hydrant (for American dogs) will be installed on the area of deck reserved for dog walking as part of the kennels development, so that dogs from either side of the pond will feel equally at home. This was previously a feature of the kennels on Cunard’s former flagship, QE2, and was first introduced on board Queen Mary at the suggestion of The Duke of Windsor. 

Cunard Director Angus Struthers said extensive research had informed a series of further developments which will be revealed over the coming months, building on the flagship’s strengths as the epitome of luxury on a grand scale.

“Queen Mary 2 is an icon in the world of luxury ocean travel.  A ship that turns heads everywhere she goes, she is the pride of the Cunard fleet and we are committed to ensuring her reputation grows ever stronger,” Mr Struthers said. 

“These enhancements are just the beginning of an exciting revitalisation for Queen Mary 2, and we look forward to making more announcements about this impressive refit in the coming months.”          …2/

The newly announced additional accommodation on Queen Mary 2 is now on sale for sailings from late June 2016.

Australians can experience the newly refurbished Queen Mary 2 on a number of a seven-night east or westbound transatlantic crossings in 2016 and 2017 including a New York departure on August 9, 2016 with fares from $1539* per person twin share, and a Southampton sailing for New York on November 19, 2016 from $1399* per person twin share. 

*Subject to availability.  

Kennel fees for a one week transatlantic crossing from June 2016 range from US$800 for dogs under 25 pounds to US$1000 for larger dogs, while for cats, which need two kennels (one for a litter tray) the cost is US$1600.

For more details on Cunard visit www.cunard.com, phone 132 441 or see a licensed travel agent.

Information supplied by: Cunard Line.

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