Cunard has at last unveiled the full scope of the forthcoming reconstruction of MS Queen Victoria.
This autumn, following a scheduled drydock, the ship will emerge with a series of enhancements to signature public rooms, a refinement of the Grill staterooms, and the introduction of a novel wellness venue.
The vessel will be drydocked at Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam between October 17th and November 5th, restarting revenue operations on Nov 7th.
The refurbishment will revitalise several of the ship’s most recognised interiors. The Grand Lobby is to be refreshed to elevate the initial impression afforded to embarking passengers, whilst the Queens Room, that grand saloon so associated with Cunard’s afternoon ritual, is to be reimagined in a manner that preserves its function as a venue for tea service, live performance, and the formal galas for which the line is known.
Accommodation will also receive considerable attention. The Grill Suite experience is to be upgraded, with both Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites receiving new furnishings and refined design treatments. In addition, eight new Britannia staterooms are to be added, three of which will constitute a new premium category designated as Britannia Deluxe Oceanview, each distinguished by floor-to-ceiling windows. These new staterooms were made available for booking from the day of the announcement, for voyages departing from the eleventh of November.
In a development that aligns Queen Victoria with her more recent fleetmates, she is to become the third Cunard vessel to feature The Pavilion Wellness Café, following its successful introduction aboard Queen Anne in 2024 and Queen Elizabeth in the year just past. This venue is to offer breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining, with a menu that emphasises plant-based cuisine whilst also providing sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy options.
Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, observed that Queen Victoria has always occupied a singular place in the affections of her guests, being celebrated for her distinctive character, her intimate spaces, and her unmistakable air of British elegance. She further expressed the company’s genuine enthusiasm at being allowed to refine the experiences and spaces the ship offers, adding that every decision had been approached with a profound respect for the heritage and charm that define her identity.
Following the completion of this refurbishment, Queen Victoria is to resume voyages to the Mediterranean, the Norwegian Fjords, the Canaries, and other regions.