Photos by Jason Leppert
Plans to redesign Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 to elevate the guest experience have been announced periodically over the last several months, and at Seatrade Cruise Global 2016, the company wrapped up final details with flair while addressing the rest of the fleet as well.
At the annual convention, David Noyes, Cunard CEO said, "you could argue that Cunard invented the luxury cruise concept." The Queen Mary 2 dry-dock will commence from May 27 to June 21 to elevate the ocean liner to new heights of excellence. Cunard says the timing in right to invest in the 12 year old vessel. While the ship is decidedly special as the only true ocean liner remaining at sea - one particular seaworthy for crossings thanks to a substantial draft and raised bow - the ship could use some sprucing up to sustain its classic splendor.
New renderings (shown at the conference above) display some of the latest refreshments coming to the ship's finest accommodations. Britannia Club staterooms will also be upped in number by 30, and newly announced is the fact that the cabin category will soon extend to the rest of the fleet with the Queen Victoria also getting the variety during its upcoming June 2017 refurbishment. Plus, the Queen Mary 2 will receive 15 new single staterooms, and by its 2017 World Cruise, all remaining staterooms will be remastered. Even the kennel facilities are being expanded, and tea and coffee makers are being added to each cabin.
VIDEO: Cunard Line Press Conference at Seatrade
"Cunard was the innovator of the luxury suite category, and this remastering will further showcase the richness of the ship's stateroom design, intimate dining experiences and White Star Service," said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard North America.
Todd English's restaurant may be out, but the Queen Mary 2 will be getting new food choices - shared with convention attendees via said service (seen below) - at The Verandah, the liner's new specialty dining room. The updated cuisine will be crafted by the line's twin executive chefs, Nicholas and Mark Oldroyd.
Also on the upgrade list is the Kings Court buffet, which will be vastly reconfigured into a more elegant setting with a much improved flow. Cunard is going to such great lengths as to even remove two central elevators and block off a former entrance to accommodate the serving of international cuisine, including a smokehouse alternative dining option.
READ MORE: Queen Mary 2 to Undergo Major Facelift in 2016
"We are all very excited about what Nicholas Oldroyd and his twin Mark, the executive chef onboard Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, are doing to reinvigorate the menus across the fleet," added Meadows. "They have gone to great lengths to source interesting and different ingredients, and we believe our guests will be extremely pleased."
What's more, Cunard is hopeful to rely on its trusted travel partners to help share this next chapter in Queen Mary 2's continuing story.
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