This Week in Cruise: Cunard's Queen Victoria Schedules January Drudock; Royal Caribbean Invests in Virus Protection Technology

Cunard Line's Queen Victoria set a scheduled drydock for January 2015, where the ship will undergo a million-dollar refit. This update will take place at the Blohm & Voss Shipard in Hamburg, Germany, and follows Queen Elizabeth's renovation at the same years. The makeover will create nine single staterooms for the ship, remodeled from part of the ship's casino.

Other changes include updated carpets and the addition of large flat-screen TVs in all passenger staterooms. In addition, waiters the ship's Lido restaurant will now serve hot drinks at all meals. Sun awnings will also be erected on the open area near the stern Lido pool and on both side of the Grill's Upper Terrace, and the ship's on board shopping area will increase in size. Scrubber technology will also be installed aboard Queen Victoria.

Royal Caribbean Cruises is extending its contract with ByoPlanet International of Sunrise, Fla., in a health and safety initiative designed to eradicate dangerous pathogens and protect guests from the effects of the Norovirus and other viruses.

To this end, Royal Caribbean ordered 350 additional electrostatic sprayers as well as the commercial 900 delivery system from ByoPlanet. ByoPlanet's electrostatic produces small electrically charged droplets of EPA- approved chemical that “wrap around” germ-infested areas. The chemicals penetrate into the designated target, killing pathogens in areas difficult for traditional housekeeping methods to reach. The new order of electrostatics is worth more than $2 million

Quark Expeditions launched a new addition to its Polar fleet with the Ocean Endeavour. The small expedition ship will sail health and wellness-focused adventure voyages in Antarctica following a million dollar makeover, offering itineraries beginning in November 2015. The ship is equipped with Zodiacs, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, and has two restaurants, including a wellness café and juice bar, a newly renovated spa and interiors with contemporary designs.