Tag Archives: dockyard

Cunard To Add 30 New Cabins to Queen Mary 2

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Cunard To Add 30 New Cabins to Queen Mary 2

Deck plans published on Cunard’s website show that the company is planning to add 30 new staterooms to the Queen Mary 2.

Set to undergo a major refurbishment program in 2027, the 2004-built vessel will see the introduction of new suites and inside cabins.

Designed as the world’s first modern ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2 currently carries 2,620 passengers in double occupancy, and that will now increase by approximately 2.5 percent..

Most of the extra staterooms will be added to a section of Deck 13 that is being turned into a new accommodation area.

Currently housing a sun deck, the space will offer 18 Princess Grill Suites, as well as five inside staterooms.

On Deck 9, the current Concierge Lounge is being converted into four additional inside cabins, while a new Penthouse Suite is being added to Deck 8.

The premium accommodation takes over an area adjacent to the ship’s library, which is currently occupied by a book store.

Cunard is also replacing part of the Queen Mary 2’s Teens and Kids Zone on Deck 6 with four new inside staterooms.

Other changes to the vessel’s deck plan include the addition of a new sun deck on Deck 14, as well as the removal of the Boardwalk Café from Deck 12.

While no details of the refurbishment have officially been confirmed at press time, Cunard’s website confirms that the Queen Mary 2 will undergo enhancements ahead of next year’s summer season.

The 151,400-ton ship is expected to enter drydock in late March 2027 before welcoming guests back on May 9, 2027.

The cabin additions follow a recent trend in the cruise industry, which has seen  cruise lines adding significant numbers of new staterooms to their older ships.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Norwegian, Holland America and Celestyal are among the brands that added capacity to vessels in drydock recently.

Norwegian Aura Floated Out at Fincantieri

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Norwegian Aura Floated Out at Fincantieri

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) floated out the Norwegian Aura during a ceremony held on April 16 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Now that the external hull construction is complete and the ship has touched water for the first time, work will continue on the ship’s interior development, according to a statement.

Said to be the largest vessel in company’s history, the ship is set to debut in May 2027.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out is a proud and meaningful moment for our entire team. She builds on the legacy of our award-winning Prima Class while taking our commitment to thoughtfully designed guest‑first experiences even further,” said NCL President Marc Kazlauskas.

“Created in close partnership with Fincantieri, the ship is purposefully constructed to deliver an elevated, multi‑generational vacation experience, with expansive outdoor spaces like Ocean Heights, that bring families and friends together for fun-filled days.”

Nearly 1,130 feet long and weighing approximately 170,000 tons, the ship will feature over 1,970 staterooms accommodating around 3,880 guests at double occupancy.

“Norwegian Aura’s float out marks a highly symbolic and operationally significant milestone in our shared journey with Norwegian Cruise Line,” noted Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri’s Merchant Ships Division.

“This vessel reflects the strength of a long-standing partnership and our ability to turn design vision and innovation into tangible solutions, helping to redefine onboard experience for future generations of guests.”

The Norwegian Aura will set sail on her maiden voyage on May 21, 2027, with a seven-day Mediterranean voyage departing from Trieste, Italy and calling to ports in Italy and Malta.

After that, she will embark on a 14-day transatlantic crossing to the United States.

Starting June 10, 2027, she will homeport in Miami and offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean during her inaugural season.

Royal Caribbean Offers Incentives for Guests to Change Utopia Booking

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Royal Caribbean Offers Incentives for Guests to Change Utopia Booking

Royal Caribbean International is offering incentives for guests willing to change their cabin categories for the August 25, 2025, cruise onboard the Utopia of the Seas.

According to a statement, passengers may receive perks when moving their bookings for ocean view or interior staterooms.

“Ahead of our Utopia of the Seas, August 25, 2025, sailing, we are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel arrangements,” Royal Caribbean said.

“If your plans are set in stone, please mark this email as ‘Read,’ and gear up for your upcoming adventure, although there are some pretty sweet options below,” the company continued.

Guests are being offered two options, including moving their bookings for an ocean view stateroom and receiving a 50 per cent refund of the cruise fare paid.

Passengers can also receive a 100 per cent refund of the fare paid for the booking when moving to an interior stateroom.

“We’ll move you to one of our cosy interior staterooms, and Royal Caribbean International will fully refund the cruise fare paid on your current booking, including non-refundable deposits,” the company explained.

Royal Caribbean said that the special offer, which was sent to select guests, is valid for a limited time and subject to availability.

Sailing from Port Canaveral, the Utopia of the Seas is scheduled to offer a short cruise to the Bahamas on Aug. 25, 2025.

The four-night itinerary features visits to Nassau, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private island destination of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the Utopia of the Seas entered service in 2024 as the sixth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class.

The 5,714-guest vessel has operated a year-round schedule of short cruises to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral since debuting.