Queen Mary 2's 2027 Refit: What's Actually Changing on Cunard's Flagship

Cunard has confirmed that Queen Mary 2 will go into dry dock at Damen Shiprepair in Brest, France, on 31 March 2027, and return to service on 9 May 2027. The last sailing before she goes in is 26 March (voyage M707), and the first sailing back is 9 May (voyage M709). No existing itineraries are affected, so if you've already got a Queen Mary 2 crossing booked either side of those dates, nothing changes for you.

We haven't sailed Queen Mary 2 ourselves yet, so everything below comes straight from Cunard's own announcement rather than anything we've seen on board. That's worth flagging, because this is a genuinely big piece of work for a ship that's been Cunard's flagship since 2004, and we'd rather be upfront about where our knowledge ends than pretend otherwise.

New staterooms and suites

The biggest change is 32 new staterooms and suites, made up of 15 new Britannia Inside staterooms and 16 new Princess Grill Suites. They're already bookable for voyages sailing from May 2027 onwards.

Every existing Grill Suite is being refreshed too, with new furnishings and finishes, an inviting lounge area, upgraded technology and wellness touches. The bathrooms get a proper overhaul, with a spa-inspired look across all Grill categories. Britannia and Britannia Club staterooms get a lighter touch: new soft furnishings, decorative details and redesigned bathroom suites, rather than a full redesign.

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Images for illustrative purposes only.

Dining and the Grills

Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants are being reconfigured, though Cunard is clear that the space, comfort and exclusivity guests expect from Grill dining isn't going anywhere.

Everything else on board

Illuminations, home to the largest planetarium at sea, is getting new technology for more immersive shows. Mareel Wellness & Beauty is being transformed, the boutiques are being redesigned, and Cunard is promising a stronger entertainment programme across the board. Deck space is being reconfigured in places, but the outdoor areas guests actually use for relaxing, walking and deck games are staying as generous as they are now.

There's also a proper upgrade to the kennels, which matters more than it might sound. Queen Mary 2 is one of the only ships in the world where pets can travel with their owners on a crossing, and the plan includes a new owners' lounge, bigger outdoor walking areas, redesigned kennels and more capacity, so more guests will be able to bring their dog or cat along.

What this means if you're booking

None of this affects anyone sailing before 26 March 2027. If you're looking at something later in the year, you're booking a ship that's had a genuine refresh rather than a light polish, and the new Princess Grill Suites give a real reason to look at that grade if you haven't before.

We're happy to check dates and pull together options on the refitted Queen Mary 2, including how the new suites compare with what's on the sister ships. Get a free quote and we'll come back with what's actually available for your dates.