Major QM2 interior refit 2016

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cunard-appoints-interior-design-firm-for-queen-mary-2-refit-300142948.html

I dont think this two day "old" article has been posted yet. London design company SMC has been chosen to take the lead in next years refit of QM2, the biggest makeover so far the only true Oceanliner in the world has experienced.

Replacing common space with more cabins doesn't excite me .

I hope other enhancements will make up for this.

We were on the QM2 twice this summer and were told that the 30 new cabins are going in on deck 13, the "Sun Deck," where there really is not much at all right now. He said that they would be Britannia Club staterooms. This was from the Voyage Sales rep.

There are also the single cabins on 2 and 3 taking up part of the casino and the photo gallery. I think that's what MCC Retired was referring to.

Replacing common space with more cabins doesn't excite me .

I hope other enhancements will make up for this.

It also means 75 more people with whom to share those public areas---75 more people to squeeze into the MDR (37 1/2 at each seating)---75 more people wanting seats in the theater and at Insights lectures.

It's a large ship and 75 people aren't that many, but it will make a difference.

The amount of public room space that is being converted to staterooms is minimal. The open space on Deck 13 was rarely used from my experience which, admittedly, has been only on Atlantic crossings. The new deck plans for after 21 June show the details. If this has been mentioned before, I apologise.

http://www.cunard.com/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2/

You could remove the Winter Garden for all Cunard ships because you hardly ever see anyone it in. It's always struck me as useless space and I'm surprised they bother to keep it.

I hope they put two sets of doors and some serious sound-proofing between the new Deck 2 (currently Empire Casino) single cabins and the Golden Lion...

I wouldn't fancy trying to get an early night when there's Karaoke, or the Jazz Band, at full volume, a few feet away across an open lobby :eek:

You could remove the Winter Garden for all Cunard ships because you hardly ever see anyone it in. It's always struck me as useless space and I'm surprised they bother to keep it.

I also used to dislike the Winter Garden on QM2, but in 2010 on a cruise, I couldn't find a seat in the Chart Room or Commodore Club one evening, so sat in the Winter Garden. Since then I've been back many times and the place has grown on me (esp since they stopped the auctions of so-called "art").

You could remove the Winter Garden for all Cunard ships because you hardly ever see anyone it in. It's always struck me as useless space and I'm surprised they bother to keep it.

Why remove it? I think it's a pretty little place and not useless at all; I often saw passengers sitting there, reading, having tea etc., especially when the weather didn't permit it to be outside. One day I attended a Stradivari concert :) and another time a lecture on beauty treatments ....

I believe there are rumours that the Winter Garden is indeed going, and a new bar or intimate show-lounge is being built there instead. But that could just be gossip (which I'm helping to spread :o )

 

I also used to dislike the Winter Garden on QM2, but in 2010 on a cruise, I couldn't find a seat in the Chart Room or Commodore Club one evening, so sat in the Winter Garden. Since then I've been back many times and the place has grown on me (esp since they stopped the auctions of so-called "art").

It is a lovely place to meet for mid-morning coffee.:D

(esp since they stopped the auctions of so-called "art").

"Here we have a $5000 painting, but it can be yours today for $250. Who'll bid me $250 ? You Sir ! Sold to the gullible fool sitting in the front row !"

Why remove it? I think it's a pretty little place and not useless at all; I often saw passengers sitting there, reading, having tea etc., especially when the weather didn't permit it to be outside. One day I attended a Stradivari concert :) and another time a lecture on beauty treatments ....

Because it's a big area and not really used. Those you do see are either asleep or possibly even dead.;)

I can't see them chopping off 1/2 of the casino and not replacing it.

Perhaps moving the casino to the Winter Garden art area.

Less chance of being ripped off in the casino than those annoying art auctions.

I also thought the Winter Garden was the dead zone. The decor is very dated, and the location is out of the way.

I was a member of one of the focus groups brought in to get feedback on refit plans for deck 7. According to the plans shown to our group Kings Court is to be entirely gutted and rebuilt. The Winter Garden is to be completely redone and renamed. I have no idea of other focus groups saw the same design proposals or if they were presented something entirely different.

I agree the Winter Garden is somewhat wasted in its current form. The only time there is any activity there is for smaller Captain's cocktail parties and Champagne Afternoon Tea. It's too far from any food service to be used for refreshment. If one wants a drink there are bars with better views and atmosphere.

One reason Kings Court is rightly called "Kings Chaos" is that there are too many entry points. The plan I saw completely changes traffic flow.

As with any refit, Cunard will be unable to please everyone. Those who like the current configurations of Kings Court and the Winter Garden will be sad to see them go.

One things is certain: Cunard plans to spend a lot of money on deck 7. They are making an effort to get passenger feedback. The texture samples looked high end and what I saw seemed to say, "Cunard Signature".

I'm liking the sound of the Winter Garden being changed to a proper bar/small entertainment area. I agree with others that the space isn't used well at this time.

I'm eager to see what they do change.

It's all a plot to make me book a trip for 2016.

In my mind, the Winter Garden was always an embarrassment (and Joe Farcus getting his toucan's nose in the door with the ersatz Rainforest Cafe decor in just this one room)

Glad to see the space put to better use.

It is a lovely place to meet for mid-morning coffee.:D

I can't see them chopping off 1/2 of the casino and not replacing it. Perhaps moving the casino to the Winter Garden art area. Less chance of being ripped off in the casino than those annoying art auctions.

Reducing the floor area of the casino (by approx. half) is exactly what will happen, as it already has on her smaller sisters. The number of passengers using the casino has drastically fallen over the last three/four years, I presume that revenues have subsequently dropped, and the room is now far too large.

You're right; in the casino there is a remote chance that you may get your investment back, and if the gods are with you, a slim chance you'll get very, very lucky :)

As for buying so-called "art" at the onboard auctions... it would be less distressing simply to flush your $/£ down the loo...

Maybe that's why they stopped the auctions; too many people refused to be conned.

:)

I'm liking the sound of the Winter Garden being changed to a proper bar/small entertainment area.

... and another bar ... :rolleyes:

... it would be less distressing simply to flush your $/£ down the loo...

:(

The number of passengers using the casino has drastically fallen over the last three/four years,

 

 

:)

Equally the number of passengers using the Winter Gardens may not have fallen but it's always seemed to me to be very sparse. As to another bar, aren't there enough already.

The ship has always lacked a proper cinema and the space would accommodate one very well.

David.

The number of passengers using the casino has drastically fallen over the last three/four years, I presume that revenues have subsequently dropped, and the room is now far too large.

I recall one of the barmen in the Casino bar telling me it dropped off as soon as they stopped allowing people to smoke in the casino area.