New Staterooms, Public Rooms & Dining Venues for Cunard’s Iconic Flagship

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is getting a makeover this year. Photo courtesy of Cunard Line.

This spring, Cunard Line’s flagship, the grand Queen Mary 2, will undergo her most significant refit since entering service as the only modern-day ocean liner in the world back in 2004. When she emerges in mid-June, she’ll sport a brand-new look, new features, and new accommodation choices.

Click here to read our Live Voyage Report from Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Westbound Transatlantic Crossing featuring the National Symphony Orchestra

Shipboard refits are sometimes a touchy subject, but everything that Cunard has announced for this very special ship seems to fit right in with her very essence. Indeed, the refits seem to correct under-utilised spaces and breathe new life into existing ones. Taking place between May 27 and June 21, 2016 at the Blohm + Voss shipyards in Hamburg, Germany, this refit promises to be the most exciting change in QM2’s 12-year history.

Here’s a look at what we can look forward to from this modern-day greyhound of the sea:

New Solo Staterooms

Rendering of one of Cunard’s new Britannia Single Staterooms on Deck 3L, in place of the former Photo Gallery. Rendering courtesy of Cunard.

Last year, Cunard announced a range of enhancements that were made to accommodate the changing needs of their core passenger base aboard Queen Mary 2, and one of the first announcements related to solo travellers. The upcoming refit will s include the addition of 15 staterooms designed specifically for solo travellers, which will become the first solo accommodations added to the Queen Mary 2. The line noted that these solo rooms were designed to better serve the increased number of guests choosing to sail alone, as well as to those travelling as part of a multi-generational family.

Refitting a Queen: the first solo traveller staterooms will be added to Queen Mary 2 this spring. These shown here will occupy the former Images Photo Gallery on Deck 3L port side. Photo © 2015 Aaron Saunders

Known as Category KB and KC, these solo oceanview staterooms will occupy some interesting areas of the ship. Nine Category KB staterooms will be installed on Deck 2, in the area currently occupied by the Empire Casino’s slot machines. These will be relocated to the forward part of the Empire Casino, adjacent to the Grand Lobby. Personally, I can see why Cunard chose that area: the Casino, even in the evenings, is far too big on this ship for the relatively small number of guests that utilise it.

Additional Category KB solo staterooms will take up space currently occupied by the Empire Casino on Deck 2. Photo © 2015 Aaron Saunders

Solos can also select one of six Category KC oceanview staterooms on Deck 3L, the so-called “tween deck” that functions as a pass-through to access the Queen’s Room without having to go through the Britannia Dining Room. Currently, this space is home to Images Photo Gallery, which will be relocated across the hall from the Golden Lion Pub on Deck 2. From the deck plans, it appears as though the corridor will still provide access to the Queen’s Room aft, and the G32 Nightclub that exists beyond the Queen’s Room.

More Britannia Club Balcony Staterooms – And A New Look

Britannia Club Balcony staterooms will be added to Deck 13, and all will receive new decor. Rendering courtesy of Cunard.

Cunard is also increasing the number of Britannia Club Balcony staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 with the installation of 30 new Category A2 staterooms on Deck 13, marking the first time accommodations have been featured on Deck 13 of this ship. They will take the place of the current (and rarely-used) Splash Pool and Regatta Bar. Ranging from 242 to 248 square feet, these rooms let guests dine in the more intimate Britannia Club Restaurant which is situated adjacent to the main Britannia Dining Room. Guests have assigned tables, but may come as they wish between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

New Britannia Club Balcony staterooms are coming to Deck 13, shown at left, while some changes are afoot for Deck 12, right.

The line will also be refreshing the décor of current and new Britannia Club Balcony Staterooms. Colours include a nautical palate of blues that is designed to soothe and entice travellers to linger in their midrange accommodations.

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