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Iconic Queen Mary 2 returns to service after massive makeover

Throughout the liner, as hammers pounded, saws buzzed and workers in hard hats hauled construction materials between job sites, remaining works of art, railings and paneling were wrapped in protective plastic.

During a brief visit to the ship on the 9th day of the refit, a USA TODAY representative saw massive cranes hoisting eight prefabricated, Finnish-built blocks to house 35 cabins (30 Category A2 Club Balcony Staterooms and 5 Category IF Standard Insides) on Deck 13.

Throughout the liner, as hammers pounded, saws buzzed and workers in hard hats hauled construction materials between job sites, remaining works of art, railings and paneling were wrapped in protective plastic. The majority of carpeting had already been removed, exposing steel decks and insulation, all prior to the installation of some 438,091-square-feet of newly woven carpeting, some of it sporting patterns replicated from the Queen Mary 2’s 1936-built namesake, now preserved as a hotel and attraction in Long Beach, California.

 

Massive cranes on either side of the dry dock in Hamburg hoisted 300 containers' worth of new carpeting, textiles, furniture and other supplies onto the ship. (Photo: Peter Knego)
Massive cranes on either side of the dry dock in Hamburg hoisted 300 containers' worth of new carpeting, textiles, furniture and other supplies onto the ship. (Photo: Peter Knego)

To make way for the new cabins on the top of the ship, two sports courts were being moved further aft while the Deck 13 wading pool and two Jacuzzis will be jettisoned. More cabins also were being added to the interior of the ship, including six cabins for solo travelers (Category KC Singles) featuring circular picture windows that are replacing a photo gallery on Deck 3 and nine more cabins for solo travelers (Category KB Singles) that will be occupying what was once the aft portion of the Empire Casino on Deck 2. These are the ship's first cabins for solo travelers.

For many of the QM2’s single guests who have had to pay a supplement to occupy a standard cabin, the addition of cabins for solos is welcome news. On the flip side, the now 2,961-passenger ship’s new cabins will claim both open deck and interior space, although the passenger space ratio still will remain at a generous 50.16.

All of the accommodations were being overhauled with new soft fittings, the addition of 1,305 tea kettles and a muted gray color scheme. Work on top category Queens and Princess Grill staterooms was scheduled to be completed by Tuesday, but some Britannia class staterooms won’t be transformed until year’s end.

 

This rendering shows what Britannia Club cabins will look like when fully renovated. (Photo: Cunard Line)
This rendering shows what Britannia Club cabins will look like when fully renovated. (Photo: Cunard Line)

The once too similar-looking Queens and Princess Grills were getting complete makeovers. The Princess Grill will sport a new Regency-inspired look with blue accents versus the Queen’s Grill, will which will boast a slightly more upscale, Art Deco vibe with eggshell tones offset by deep blue and crimson highlights.

Todd English, the extra-tariff specialty dining venue with menus curated by the Boston-based celebrity chef, was being replaced with the Verandah Restaurant, a French eatery that is a popular staple aboard the QM2’s fleetmates, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Inspired by the grills on the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, the QM2’s Verandah is now located on aft Deck 8 overlooking the ship’s stern.

Many loyal fans of the ship will be pleased that the often congested King’s Court buffet restaurant on Deck 3 has been expanded with a more open floor plan to improve traffic flow. It also has received reconfigured serving stations that can be used for cooking demonstrations. Meanwhile, the three deck tall Britannia Restaurant, one of the loftiest dining rooms at sea, has been enhanced with new paintwork and all new soft fittings.

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Source: USA Today:

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