Cunard's Queen Mary 2 will undergo a significant refurbishment beginning in spring 2027. The ship is scheduled to enter dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France on March 31 with a return to service set for May 9.
Among the changes, 31 staterooms will be added to the ship's existing accommodations. Sixteen will be new Cunard Princess Grill Suites and 15 will belong to the Britannia category. All current Grill Suites will receive new furnishings, finishes and interiors, and updated bathrooms will be added throughout the Grill Suite categories. Cunard also plans updates to the Queens Grill and Princess Grill dining rooms.
Deck space will grow, as well, adding room for guests to sit outside and take in views of the water. Deck games, pickleball and paddle tennis will remain part of the onboard activities. The ship's kennels, which the line notes are the only ones of their kind at sea, will be expanded and redesigned, with a larger owners' lounge, more capacity and additional space for walking pets outdoors.
Other updates include a redesigned Mareel Wellness & Beauty facility and a new lineup of retail shops onboard. The Illuminations planetarium, billed by Cunard as the largest at sea, will receive new digital technology. Programming will continue largely as before, with West End and Broadway productions at the Royal Court Theatre and guest speakers through the Insights lecture series.
Chris Finch, one of the original designers of Queen Mary 2, is leading the design work, which Cunard says blends elements of classic Hollywood style with British design heritage. Illustrator Tanu Vasu has also partnered with the line to produce a series of illustrations depicting the refurbishment.
"Growing up in Australia, I remember seeing Cunard ships arrive in port and being struck by their scale and presence, so this felt like a particularly meaningful project to be part of," Vasu said. "In an era dominated by digital renderings, illustration offers an opportunity to tell a more human story — one that captures the design of Queen Mary 2 along with the elegance, artistry and enduring sense of wonder that have made her an icon of ocean travel."
The announcement comes after Queen Mary 2's appearance in New York Harbor last year for Sail 4th 250, part of the United States' 250th Independence Day observance.
"Queen Mary 2 is more than a ship, she is an icon of modern luxury travel and the only true ocean liner in the world," said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. "This is a significant investment in Queen Mary 2, and every decision has been approached with deep respect for her heritage, her character and the sense of occasion that only Queen Mary 2 can offer. We are not reinventing what guests love about her; we are refining it beautifully and ensuring she carries it forward."
Bookings for the new suites and staterooms opened May 18 for sailings departing after May 2027.
Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release distributed by Cunard. It was fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
