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Cruise News

Fully enhanced Queen Mary 2 remerges after major makeover

Cunard Line’s flagship Queen Mary 2 returned to Southampton after a major refurbishment that will prepare the world’s largest ocean liner for her ongoing programme of transatlantic crossings, European sailings and World Voyages.

The refurbishment took place at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, from November 24 to December 6, with work undertaken in all staterooms, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants, the Commodore Club, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Sir Samuel’s Bar and Lounge and children’s Play Zone. The popular Golden Lion Pub was completely redesigned.

The Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, above, and the Queens Grill, below

The noted Tillberg Design company, who were involved in Queen Mary 2’s original concept, were engaged by Cunard to develop the new designs.

Says Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director: “Queen Mary 2 is an iconic leader in the world of luxury ocean travel and receives consistently high ratings by guests and the cruise industry. A ship that still turns heads everywhere she goes, she is unquestionably the pride of our fleet. We are committed to maintaining that impeccable reputation, and this significant refurbishment is an important investment on behalf of our guests.”

The 14-day refit required a team of thousands of workers replacing the equivalent of almost ten football fields of carpet and manufacturing about 18 miles of fabric into over 6,000 individual items. Over 1,250 loads were craned onto the ship and 20,000 litres of paint and varnish used.

The Canyon Ranch gymnasium, above, and the Commodore Club, below

Makeover details

Staterooms - All 1,310 staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 received a fresh look with new carpeting, curtains, bedspreads and some received new furniture.

Golden Lion Pub - With its increasingly popular traditional British pub lunch menus, busy bar, exciting sports events and nightly music offerings, the Pub has received a complete refurbishment and redesign to enhance its appeal. The new design retains the British pub atmosphere and also evokes an American country club feel, with warm colours and plush seating in keeping with the same venues aboard sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Upgraded plasma television screens have been also installed.

Canyon Ranch SpaClub – An extensive refurbishment of the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea included reconditioning the teak surrounds of the hydrotherapy pool and adjacent wet areas and a general upgrade of all the facilities. In addition, new exercise machines in the fitness centre and new and improved features in the Beauty Salon have been installed.

Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants – A new, lighter carpet design for both of Queen Mary 2’s exclusive Grill restaurants will enhance the existing ambience.

Commodore Club – One of the most popular public rooms on aboard, this lounge overlooking the ship’s bow has been refreshed with a new carpet design and additions to the white leather furnishings of chairs, sofas and bar stools.

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar – This venue featuring the exquisite Veuve Clicquot brand of champagne has a new carpet and new soft furnishings.

Sir Samuel’s – This busy venue, which features speciality coffees during the day and an impressive menu of wines at night, received new carpeting and furniture coverings.

The Play Zone – These facilities for younger guests underwent a complete refurbishment, including new soft play areas, plus upgrades to the very latest in electronic gaming technology and entertainment.

The Golden Lion Pub, above, and the Queens Grill Lounge, below

Queen Mary 2 was recently named the world’s Top Large Resort Ship in the new 2012 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising.

By continuing to invest in both her technical and hotel areas as well as retaining the status of having the largest ballroom at sea, the only planetarium at sea, the first Todd English Restaurant at sea and the largest library at sea, Cunard endeavours to ensure a special voyage experience.