Queen Mary 2 Is Marking 450 Crossings by Planning a Makeover

The world’s only ocean liner still running a scheduled transatlantic service is in the middle of a milestone. Queen Mary 2’s 450th crossing between Southampton and New York sails from November 10 to 17, and Cunard has turned it into a themed voyage, with an immersive theatre programme called The 450 Club, a gala dinner and a murder-mystery dinner in the Verandah restaurant that draws on the line’s history. It is a reminder of what makes the ship unusual: it was built for open-ocean crossings, not island-hopping.

The celebration comes as Cunard prepares the most significant changes to the ship in years. Queen Mary 2 is due to enter dry dock at Damen Shiprepair in Brest, France, on March 31, 2027, and return to service on May 9. During those five and a half weeks the line will add 31 new staterooms, including 16 new Princess Grill Suites and 15 Britannia staterooms, and refresh every existing Grill Suite with new interiors and newly designed bathrooms.

Cunard has been sharing more of the design direction, described as a modern take on the Art Deco style of the original Queen Mary, with restored wood panelling, metal detailing and preserved original features. The Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants are also being refreshed, more outdoor deck space added, the Mareel Wellness and Beauty spa transformed and new luxury shops installed. Illuminations, the largest planetarium at sea, gets a digital upgrade for more immersive shows.

One detail will please a particular group of passengers: the ship’s kennels, unique among major liners, are being redesigned with greater capacity, along with a refurbished owners’ lounge and a larger outdoor walking area for dogs and cats. Travellers eyeing a crossing in spring 2027 should note the dry-dock dates when comparing itineraries, and anyone who wants the refreshed suites should look at sailings from mid-May onward.

Sources: Cunard, Cruise Industry News