Celebrity Cruises’ 294m cruise liner Celebrity Constellation is to undergo a comprehensive refit in May, 2017 after her first ever Middle East cruise season.

The 2,038-passenger Constellation is currently sailing roundtrip from Abu Dhabi on a number of Arabian Gulf and Indian cruise itineraries. Constellation will return to the Middle East cruise market for a further two seasons. This decision was made due to unprecedented demand, Celebrity told Cruise Arabia & Africa.

Cruise Arabia & Africa was informed by a member of staff on-board that she was fully booked during a tour of the ship at Dubai Cruise Terminal in Port Rashid. Most of the suites are sold out for the remainder of the 2016/17 cruise season.

The refit in May was meant to be a purely technical overhaul of the 2002-built ship. However, she will now be significantly refurbished, according to the same member of staff. This will bring her up to date and on-par with the other Millennium-class cruise ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet.

Celebrity Constellation was last refit in 2013.

She is currently the only Millennium-class cruise ship to have the premium dining option Tuscan Grill on Deck 11. The Tuscan Grill aboard Constellation is also the only restaurant among the Millennium-class ships to lack the dramatic barrel archway, which is a signature architectural entrance-way.

RELATED: New Dubai Harbour will be the ‘Monaco of the Middle East’

RELATED: Seven cruise lines to homeport in UAE during 2018/19 season 

RELATED: Key challenges to make Muslims a source market for Gulf cruises

Cruise Arabia & Africa understands that the Tuscan Grill will be moved to deck 4. The premium dining location Oceanliners in this space will be removed. The space currently occupied by Tuscan Grill will in turn be converted into Qsine, Celebrity Cruises’ famous premium dining concept. Qsine attempts to surprise the pallet with new twists on classic dishes, according to Celebrity press material.

Qsine is a smart-casual culinary experience that starts with ordering the meal using an iPad. The contemporary twist in the décor, which combines flamboyance with style, is another distinctive feature.

Menu options include sushi lollipops, lobster escargot, popcorn fish and chips, and more.

Following her May refit, Celebrity Constellation will return to the Middle East cruise market. From November 2017 to February 2018, Constellation will cruise round-trip from Abu Dhabi to India.