Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria to Enter Drydock in January 2015 for Refit

Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria will enter the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, in January 2015 for a multi-million dollar refit.

Following Queen Elizabeth’s recent refit at the same yard, Queen Victoria’s makeover will create nine single staterooms for the first time on the ship, re-modelled from part of the casino.  In addition, carpets will be renewed throughout; large flat-screen TVs – mostly 32 inches or above – will be installed in all passenger staterooms; and in the ship’s informal Lido restaurant, waiters will in the future serve hot drinks at all meals.

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As on Queen Elizabeth, sun awnings will be erected on the open area near the stern Lido pool and on both sides of the Grills Upper Terrace area near the top of the ship to offer more shade on deck.

The ship's on board shopping area will increase in size. New fine jewellery and watch shops are opening and the layout, lighting and overall shopping experience for passengers is being enhanced.

On the technical front, scrubber technology is being installed aboard Queen Victoria to match that now aboard Queen Elizabeth. The process involves the installation of a filtration system for the exhaust gas from the ship’s engines.

The timing of Queen Victoria’s dry dock is being brought forward, as a bearing on one of the ship’s propulsion units will need replacing prior to her previously scheduled dry dock in December 2015. This has no impact on the safety of the ship, but it is timely for the bearing to be replaced prior to the ship's Round World Cruise beginning 20 January 2015. 

As a result, two Queen Victoria sailings will be cancelled: the 12-day cruise to the Canaries on Jan. 3, 2015, and a five-day trip to Amsterdam and Cherbourg on Jan. 15, 2015. Passengers and their travel agents have been informed. A Future Cruise Credit of $175.00 per person is being offered to all affected passengers, which can be used in conjunction with any alternative Cunard booking made for cruises departing within the next two years (before Jan. 3, 2017). Full refunds of any monies paid will also be available should affected passengers not be in a position to rebook an alternative Cunard cruise.

For more information, visit www.cunard.com.