Cunard Line has released details of the planned refit of the company's flagship Queen Mary 2, in preparation for her eighth birthday in January 2012. The major refurbishment and redesign includes new carpets, curtains, bedcovers and linens, and will make a voyage even more appealing on board the grandest ocean liner at sea.
Taking place at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, from 24 November to 7 December, work will take place 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 and the Play Zone / Kids' Zone. The popular Golden Lion Pub will be completely redesigned.
 Picture of the New Commodore Club Design | The noted Tillberg Design company, who were involved in Queen Mary 2's original design, have been engaged by Cunard to handle the new designs.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says: |
'Queen Mary 2' is an iconic leader in the world of luxury ocean travel and continues to receive 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 will require 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.
Specific plans include:
•Staterooms All 1,310 staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 will receive a fresh look with new carpeting, curtains, bedspreads and some will receive new furniture. The revised design will be in keeping with current designs but with an enhanced sense of comfort as can be experienced in luxury hotels around the world.
•Golden Lion Pub With its increasingly popular traditional British pub lunch menus, busy bar, exciting sports events and nightly music offerings, the Pub will benefit from a complete refurbishment and redesign to enhance its endearing appeal. The new design retains the British pub atmosphere and also evokes an American country club feel similar to the warm colours and plush seating in the same venues aboard sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Upgraded television screens will also be installed.
•Canyon Ranch SpaClub An extensive refurbishment of the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea will include 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 will be installed.
•Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants A new, lighter carpet design for both of Queen Mary 2’s exclusive Grill restaurants, the finest at sea, will enhance the existing ambience.
Picture of the redesigned Queen's Grill
•Commodore Club One of the most popular public rooms on board, this lounge overlooking her bow will be 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 will see a new carpet and soft furnishing.
•Sir Samuel’s This busy venue, which features speciality coffees during the day and an impressive menu of wines at night, will receive new carpeting and furniture coverings.
•The Play Zone / Kids Zone These facilities for younger guests will undergo a complete refurbishment, including new soft play areas, plus upgrades to the very latest in electronic gaming technology and entertainment.
In addition to the refit, when Queen Mary 2 returns to service on 8 December, she will introduce several new on board features, details of which will be disclosed soon.
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 and retaining her grand status with the largest ballroom at sea, the only planetarium at sea, the first Todd English Restaurant at sea and the largest library at sea, Cunard will ensure a consistently special voyage experience that will meet guests' expectations. |
