Categories: Cruise News

Cunard Line flagship Queen Mary 2 to undergo refit and refurbishment in 2020

The refit and refurb news just keeps on coming, this time with Cunard Line confirming to Cruise Critic that Queen Mary 2 is going into drydock in November, 2020.

The world’s largest ocean liner ever built, will be 15-years-old by next November, making this refit her third five-year overhaul.

Queen Mary 2 last received a refurb in June, 2016 with a US $110-million upgrade that included a redesign and refurbishment of the Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants, as well as other minor and major changes that we covered here.

QM2’s new Grand Lobby following the 2016 refit

RELATED: 5 common misconceptions about Cunard Line

RELATED: Cunard to introduce West End musical ‘Top Hat’

Cunard Line confirmed that its 2,691-passenger flagship was going in for another refit during a steel cutting ceremony for its new, yet-to-be-named cruise ship this week, but did not say what changes would be made.

“Plans are still being finalised for the update,” Cunard’s Senior Vice President, Simon Palethorpe, told Cruise Critic.

During the 2016 drydock, fifty brand-new cabins were also added and the Winter Garden was replaced with the Carinthia Lounge, so speculation is rife as to what might be in store for the ship next year.

“Only thing that I’ve seen mentioned is a new spa; hard to believe that alone is a three-week job,” a user called rsquare wrote on the Cruise Critic message boards.

The new Mareel spa concept was introduced aboard Queen Elizabeth when she emerged from a major refurbishment last year.

Mareel Spa to be introduced aboard Queen Mary 2

RELATED: Cunard’s QM2 Cape Town cruise injected R2.2-million into SA economy

RELATED: QE2 Dubai to close iconic Queen’s Grill for major renovation project

Canyon Ranch has created a brand-new menu of spa treatments with more focus on mineral-rich seawater and marine-based experiences.

The revamped spa on Queen Elizabeth for example features a new couples’ suite for seaweed bathing rituals using VOYA seaweed harvested from the west coast of Ireland.

There’s also a new meditation room with acoustic resonance loungers; a reconfigured fitness centre and studio space for classes and new sound therapy facilities in every treatment room.

Another user on the Cruise Critic message boards said that the Britannia category bathrooms and some Grills bathrooms would also be redeveloped, based on information from a housekeeper.

The first sailing after Queen Mary 2’s dry dock will be a three-night Christmas Markets in Belgium cruise, departing from Southampton on November 28th, 2020.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

Recent Posts

Viking floats out two newest Nile ships ahead of Egypt deployment in 2026

Viking has marked a key construction milestone for its expanding Egypt programme with the float…

13 hours ago

6 cruise ships in Arabian Gulf eye early May return as repositioning delays continue

Six cruise ships remain in the Arabian Gulf with repositioning voyages still on hold, but…

21 hours ago

Celestyal Cruises working with Gulf authorities to resume sailings as soon as possible

Celestyal Cruises is continuing to coordinate closely with regional authorities in the Arabian Gulf as…

2 days ago

Holland America’s Koningsdam returns from refit with upgrades ahead of Alaska season

Holland America Line’s Koningsdam has returned to service following a two-week dry dock in the…

2 days ago

MSC Cruises confident in 2027/28 Arabian Gulf cruise season despite disruption

MSC Cruises has reaffirmed its commitment to the Arabian Gulf, confirming plans to return to…

2 days ago

Hero of the Seas expands waterparks, dining, and family spaces in Icon evolution

Royal Caribbean International has outlined further details of the onboard experience planned for Hero of…

2 days ago