Inside the Queen Mary 2’s $176 million refurbishment

It’s been 13 years since the launch of the Queen Mary 2 and cruisers have revelled in her luxurious settings.

This week marks the debut of the Queen Mary 2’s $176 million refurbishment,  which involved a full bow-to-stern “remastering”. She sailed into Southampton overnight to pick up passengers for the first transatlantic crossing to New York in her new outfit.

The line has changed much of the ship’s interiors. QM2 Remastered project manager Alison Clixby’s vision was to evoke the history of the ship’s forebear, the Queen Mary.

The results can be seen in the stylish Queen’s Grill which has been redecorated to feature the retro “starburst” carpeting and claret-red art-deco tub chairs. The cabins have geometric graphics throughout and is paired with gold and navy bedspreads, rounded sofas and chaise lounge seating.

The Grand Lobby is brighter and a more welcoming space but the highlight of the refit is the addition of the Carinthia Lounge which has an impressive Port Wall. The oldest bottle in the range is from 1840.

Adjacent to the Carinthia Lounge is the King’s Court which has been revamped. Gone are the dated floor tiles and bar-style tables. There are now self-serving stations as well as a fresh and clean décor.

There are also 50 new cabins, including 15 for single occupancy, and all existing suites and cabins onboard have been fitted out with new carpets, curtains, cushions, sofas/chairs and new kettles.

The 30 new Britannia Club staterooms have flat-screen TVs and a new layout.

For those keen to bring their pooches onboard, there are now 10 more kennels and owners and pets can be reunited in a new kennel lounge.

Australia is the line’s third biggest market, and we will be able to see the newly remastered ship in local waters when she visits next February during her 2017 world voyage.

Queen Mary 2’s time in Australia will include a memorable Royal Rendezvous with Queen Elizabeth in Sydney on February 25 as well as maiden visits to Tasmania and South Australia’s Kangaroo Island.