Tag Archives: Ocean Liner

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.

Okaloosa County Sets Tentative Date for SS United States Project

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Okaloosa County Sets Tentative Date for SS United States Project

Okaloosa County officials are planning to sink the SS United States this April, according to a report by Fox10 News.

Set to become the world’s largest artificial reef, the former ocean liner will be sunk 22 miles west of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Acquired by Okaloosa in 2023, the 1952-built vessel is currently being prepared for the operation in Mobile.

The process included remediation and decontamination of all of the ship’s interior areas and outside decks.

Carried out by Coleen Marine, the project also saw the removal of the ship’s two funnels, as well as its main mast, which will be used in a future land-based museum.

According to Fox10 News, Okaloosa County has already removed all the oil and fuel that were still onboard the vessel.

“She had 200 tanks onboard, so all that fuel and oil had to be removed. What they do in that process is suck it out of there and take it to an environmentally safe area,” Nick Tomacek, Okaloosa County Public Information Officer, was quoted as saying.

Contractors removed other hazardous materials as well, including non-metal parts, ensuring the deployment is clean and not harmful to the environment it aims to benefit.

Other modifications were also made to ensure that the vessel will land upright underwater following the assisted sinking operation.

He added that final Coast Guard inspections are set to start soon, with the exact deployment date dependent on weather conditions.

“While some folks did not want to see her sink, this is the next phase of the SS United States’ life, and she’s going to be enjoyed by divers, anglers and enthusiasts for years to come,” Tomacek said.

Okaloosa County also plans to livestream the reefing event on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach YouTube channel.

Out of service since 1969, the SS United States spent most of the last three decades docked at a commercial dock in Philadelphia.

Cunard to Launch Silent Discos in Onboard Nightclubs

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Cunard announced that it is launching silent discos in nightclubs aboard its ships, according to a press release.

David Jones, vice president of Marketing and Sales at Cunard, said: “Cunard is known for being a pioneer of sophisticated and luxurious travel, but the introduction of silent discos to our nightclub venues reflects our commitment to offering immersive and contemporary experiences for guests. I’m sure some may be surprised to learn that our ships have nightclubs, let alone silent discos, and this is just one of the many unexpected experiences you’ll now find on a Cunard voyage.

“As a business, we have always been willing to embrace new trends and have continually adapted our offering to evolve with the times – it’s in our DNA and goes right back to our forebears launching the world’s first ocean liner in 1840. This latest innovation ensures we remain at the cutting edge of luxury travel as we strive to provide guests with unforgettable moments they will cherish for a lifetime.”

To celebrate International DJ Day on March 9, Cunard is introducing silent discos to late-night venues on selected evenings starting with G32 onboard the Queen Mary 2, which is the biggest of the fleet’s nightclubs. 

The cruise line is adding a live DJ and resident party band to the venue. There will be silent discos aboard Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria as well.

The concept of silent discos involves guests wearing wireless headphones and dancing to music that is only audible through the headphones. It allows for a customizable experience as each guest can listen to the music they want, switch between genres and control their own volume.

This allows the cruise line to transform unexpected areas into nightclubs with parties in the Grand Lobby, on deck, or in other locations on the ship.