QUEEN MARY 2 returning after 'remastering' refit

Cunard flagship QUEEN MARY 2 is completing a 25 day stay with Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, Germany, and returns to service on Thursday this week (23 June) with a transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York.

The most extensive refit since the 148,258gt liner entered service in January 2004 after delivery by Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, during the previous month - and involving work literally from stem to stern - has been branded as a 'remastering' by Cunard.

Capable of carrying a passenger max of just over 3,000, QUEEN MARY2 has received a new structure on Deck 13 containing 30 Britannia Club Class cabins together with changes to other major onboard areas and large scale replacement of carpets, furniture and fittings.

While the vessel was in the Elbe 17 dry dock in the centre of Hamburg, 1,200 crew members were joined by 2,600 workers from shore contractors for shifts operating a full 24 hours every day.