Cunard Shares First Look at Queen Mary 2 Makeover
by Dori Saltzman
The living room in an all-new Queens Grill Suite on Queen Mary 2. Rendering: Cunard
On the same day the Queen Mary 2 embarked on its 450th transatlantic crossing, Cunard offered a first look at the vessel’s new Art Deco interiors that will debut following a comprehensive refurbishment in May 2027.
Inspired by the original Queen Mary, which first sailed in 1936, the redesign introduces “Cunard Deco” – a contemporary interpretation of Art Deco that blends old Hollywood glamour, British elegance, and the golden age of transatlantic travel.
Speaking to a small group of media at a showing of hand-drawn illustrations of the new interiors by illustrator Tanu Vasu, Lee Powell, Cunard’s vice president of brand and product, explained how when it was time to begin design concepting the first stop was Cunard’s historic archives, which holds decades worth of photographs, advertisements, and more.
In keeping with traditional Cunard aesthetics, Queen Mary 2’s Queens Grill suites will feature regal purple tones, bespoke furnishings, and richly layered fabrics, while the Grand Duplex, Royal and Penthouse Suites will draw inspiration from Britain’s royal gardens, with custom botanical patterns, hand-tufted rugs and intricate decorative details.
Princess Grill Suites will embrace bold Art Deco geometry, signature Cunard red accents, and embroidered headboards depicting city skylines, while refreshed Britannia staterooms will feature deep marine blues and geometric carpets inspired by New York’s skyline – a nod to the ship’s iconic transatlantic crossings.
The Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants, along with the Grill Suites Lounge, will receive refreshed interiors, with the lounge drawing inspiration from the original Queen Mary’s famed “Peacock Alley,” where fashionable passengers gathered to see and be seen.
Cunard previously announced that Queen Mary 2 will receive 31 new staterooms during the refurbishment, including 16 new Cunard Princess Grill Suites, with the remaining 15 new cabins in the Britannia category.
The ship will also introduce a greatly expanded wellness offering. Powell also told media that due to guest demand, staterooms will receive interactive TVs and more USB plugs. Cunard is also concepting new experiences for the ship’s most popular spaces, he said.
Queen Mary 2 enters dry dock at the end of March 2027 and will remain in dry dock for the entire month of April It will return to service on May 9, 2027.
