Major QM2 interior refit 2016

[QM1]

I think the forward outside elevators will stay.

 

I very much hope so. What would be the sense of removing them? They are needed, and they are a nice detail.

[eroller]

Its so annoying that in Germany you always get redirected to the German website which still has no information at all about the QM2 refit. There is NO chance to access the UK or US website from Germany, and Cunards helpdesk doesn´t help.

 

 

That is frustrating. I have placed all the renderings thus far at one link if that helps.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157659570696503

[QM1]

Try Cunard's YouTube channel.

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreCunard

 

Thank you!

 

I wonder why the German Cunard Staff didn´t send me that link when I asked. Seems they are ignorant of it. Oh well...

 

I do like the changes being made to my favourite ship. Maybe a bit too much beige overall, otherwise its very promising ;-).

The empty winter garden, which I found always to have a cold feel to it, is being turned into something useful. Finally, KC being totally redone. Thank heavens!

 

 

That is frustrating. I have placed all the renderings thus far at one link if that helps.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157659570696503

 

Many thanks!

Edited December 1, 2015 by QM1
Courtesy to avoid multiple posts.

[bobby1119]

That is frustrating. I have placed all the renderings thus far at one link if that helps.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157659570696503

 

Thanks, Ernie, for pulling all the renderings together in one place.

 

I, too, am pleased to see the projected changes to Kings Court - anything will be an improvement. Mgmt. should seriously consider a name change to dispel all the negative comments associated with the space, including Kings Chaos.

 

I suspect that the next announcement will be about the SPA or Todd English. Somewhere in the earliest releases about the refit, I remember reading that the SPA was one of the targeted areas.

 

Regarding Todd English, I have been looking at the deck plans and cannot imagine a way to solve the issue of passengers walking from Deck 8 through the restaurant, and out to the pool deck.

 

Looking forward to seeing the final product.

[Bell Boy]

Yes the Todd English is to become the 'Verandah' and something is going to be done with that port side area, where folks keep walking through.

 

I was able to have a sneek preview of all the artist impressions a few months ago in July & October. Everything about this new refit will look far better than what we have now. I can't understand some of the negative comments that are posted on some other forums...." oh I don't like this colour or that colour ..."Oh I shall really miss such and such"

 

Anything in this major refit is an improvement on what we have now. ;)

 

Correction to my above posting ; I mean the Starboard side Area :o

[eroller]

 

Regarding Todd English, I have been looking at the deck plans and cannot imagine a way to solve the issue of passengers walking from Deck 8 through the restaurant, and out to the pool deck.

 

 

 

 

I think what they could do is make a walkway, a mini promenade so to speak, from the current forward entrance along the starboard side windows then to a door leading outside. The bar could stay where it is (but reconfigure it) and the walkway would be to the left of the bar as you enter from the corridor. Upon entering from the corridor if you turned right, and walked to the right of the bar you would be at the entrance to The Verandah. So in essence the bar and walkway would be a separate room from The Verandah. The Verandah could have a full wall with doors separating it from the bar and walkway, or perhaps just an etched glass screen or something to that effect, keeping it somewhat open to the bar area but still closed off.

[mariposa777]

It does look good. Our focus group saw the proposed serving area but didn't see details for the seating area.

 

Just about anything would be an improvement. The first meal most new passengers have on the ship is embarkation day lunch. And the old Kings Court had the ambiance of a crew mess. Not a good way to start one's voyage on the flagship of the fleet.

 

Absolutely - i was wondering what the heck I'd gotten us into. Our crossing was a present from me to my husband for his birthday and also - as it turned out - part of our honeymoon, so a big deal for me.

 

Luckily we gave up and found the golden lion and a nice english beer. And did not go back to KC for the remainder of the trip.

 

Will be interested to see how the new setup is received.

[sfbearcat]

:)

Yes the Todd English is to become the 'Verandah' and something is going to be done with that port side area, where folks keep walking through.

 

I was able to have a sneek preview of all the artist impressions a few months ago in July & October. Everything about this new refit will look far better than what we have now. I can't understand some of the negative comments that are posted on some other forums...." oh I don't like this colour or that colour ..."Oh I shall really miss such and such"

 

Anything in this major refit is an improvement on what we have now. ;)

 

Many like myself do like a lot of the original ship and its features. I think the new colors are to gray.. and not very deco,its more current style as in every other ship sailing .

[rsquare]

I just saw the renderings for the new King's Court, but not the You Tube "fly-through.". The buffet area seems to owe a lot to Crystal, with separate little islands rather than a long continuous food service area. I also note the absence of tray rails in the rendering. On Crystal, there is always a waiter to take your plate to your table, but it's hard to see Cunard doing this on a ship the size of the Mary, at least not without unpleasant repercussions on fares. Note that it is now crosswise to the outside deck, not parallel to it, reinforcing speculation that the buffet sits where the glass elevators used to be.

 

Seating areas don't look much different other than more comfortable chairs and a lighter, more beige-y color scheme. And apparently Chef's Galley will revert to its original role as a demonstration kitchen, while remaining a pizzeria during the day.

 

I can't see any similarity to the P&O photo which someone posted a page or two back.

Edited December 1, 2015 by rsquare

[eroller]

The buffet area seems to owe a lot to Crystal, with separate little islands rather than a long continuous food service area.

 

 

 

Many cruise lines do this. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, etc. They call them "Action Stations". It's the trend with all major cruise lines. It's rare to find a long buffet line with trays anymore. That is a thing of the past.

[rsquare]

Regarding Todd English, I have been looking at the deck plans and cannot imagine a way to solve the issue of passengers walking from Deck 8 through the restaurant, and out to the pool deck.

 

There is already port-side access to the pool without going through the restaurant; not sure why you see a problem, unless you expect the restaurant to be extended portwards and so block current outside access.

Edited December 1, 2015 by rsquare

[Underwatr]

On Crystal, there is always a waiter to take your plate to your table, but it's hard to see Cunard doing this on a ship the size of the Mary, at least not without unpleasant repercussions on fares.

Caribbean Princess has more passengers, and they have at least some waiter assistance of that sort in her buffet restaurant.

[Bell Boy]

There is already port-side access to the pool without going through the restaurant; not sure why you see a problem, unless you expect the restaurant to be extended portwards and so block current outside access.

 

Sorry Bob, correction to my posting (a few postings back) I should have said, the 'Starboard Side' ......the problem as it is now, many folk use the door ( next to the Pool Bar ) and walk back and forth 'through the restaurant' for access to deck eight, or from deck eight (starboard side) for access to the rear pool area.

 

:)

[Underwatr]

There is port-side access to the pool, but only via stairs from Deck 7, not from Deck 8. If someone is headed aft to the pool they might end up at Todd English by mistake. No excuses for someone leaving the pool area by that route, however.

[bobby1119]

There is already port-side access to the pool without going through the restaurant; not sure why you see a problem, unless you expect the restaurant to be extended portwards and so block current outside access.

 

Yes, but the port side entrance on Deck 8 leads to the stairway to Deck 7, emerging almost at the entrance to PG. If the starboard side entrance on Deck 8 were to become an exclusive point of entry for the Verandah, then passengers occupying cabins on Deck 8, for example, would have to go down to Deck 7 and then up the port side stairs to access the pool deck. There is not even elevator access to the pool in the current configuration. The reconfiguration here will be interesting to see unfold.

 

...And while we're in the process of re-mastering the ship, let's consider relocating the smoking area from the covered area outside the current Todd English.

[Salacia]

The success of any restaurant depends on the food and the service provided. Kings Court "Remastered" will serve "A variety of cuisine will be available from Italian, Indian, Pan Asian and Tex Mex menus on a rotating basis." quoted from http://www.cunard.com/cruise-ships/queen-mary-2/remastered/kings-court-remastered/

 

Much is made about the new décor, but no mention about improvements to service or examples of future menus.

[Bell Boy]

Yes, but the port side entrance on Deck 8 leads to the stairway to Deck 7, emerging almost at the entrance to PG. If the starboard side entrance on Deck 8 were to become an exclusive point of entry for the Verandah, then passengers occupying cabins on Deck 8, for example, would have to go down to Deck 7 and then up the port side stairs to access the pool deck. There is not even elevator access to the pool in the current configuration. The reconfiguration here will be interesting to see unfold.

 

...And while we're in the process of re-mastering the ship, let's consider relocating the smoking area from the covered area outside the current Todd English.

 

Quite correct Bobby, also the guests from the port side of deck eight have no option but to cross over to the starboard side, as there is no access from the aft of deck eight/port side to the pool area. ..... As I understand it ( from a reliable source on QM2 ;)) the Bar in the Todd English is to be removed ( it's very under used or not use at all ? ) and some sort of walkway/corridor will be erected, and hopefully the restaurant ( new Verandah) will be screened off.

 

Whatever they decide to do, it will certainly be a vast improvement, those dining in the restaurant will not have to put up with folk parading back & forth in all sorts of extreme casual clothing and swimwear. ;)

Edited December 2, 2015 by Bell Boy

[david,Mississauga]

Yes, but the port side entrance on Deck 8 leads to the stairway to Deck 7, emerging almost at the entrance to PG. If the starboard side entrance on Deck 8 were to become an exclusive point of entry for the Verandah, then passengers occupying cabins on Deck 8, for example, would have to go down to Deck 7 and then up the port side stairs to access the pool deck. There is not even elevator access to the pool in the current configuration. The reconfiguration here will be interesting to see unfold.

 

...And while we're in the process of re-mastering the ship, let's consider relocating the smoking area from the covered area outside the current Todd English.

 

Last year we had dinner in T.E. for the first time. Although the food was very good, I wasn't impressed with the total experience. The most annoying aspect was the constant parade of casually-dressed people reeking of tobacco smoke, notwithstanding the signs at both the inside and outside entrances to the room. As it was raining that night, the smokers had to gather under the small over-hang adjacent to the windows. If we had been seated by a window I would have asked that the curtains be drawn.

 

This was not the expected up-scale dining experience (for other reasons as well). It was a gift from our TA. Unless there are changes I won't be going again, especially if I have to pay for it.

Edited December 2, 2015 by david,Mississauga
clarification

[bobby1119]

Last year we had dinner in T.E. for the first time. Although the food was very good, I wasn't impressed with the total experience. The most annoying aspect was the constant parade of casually-dressed people reeking of tobacco smoke, notwithstanding the signs at both the inside and outside entrances to the room. As it was raining that night, the smokers had to gather under the small over-hang adjacent to the windows. If we had been seated by a window I would have asked that the curtains be drawn.

 

This was not the expected up-scale dining experience (for other reasons as well). It was a gift from our TA. Unless there are changes I won't be going again, especially if I have to pay for it.

 

Fully in agreement with you, David.

 

The location for a specialty restaurant leaves so much to be desired. Even if the issue of a parade of people cutting through the dining room is solved, the less-than-desirable view remains as an issue.

 

As you observed, the area outside the restaurant under the awnings is reserved for smokers. It reeks of smoke most of the time, and the smoke can be detected even from the pool sometimes. Diners in TE have a few of smokers and others in various states of undress. Too much fleshy flesh, at times.

 

I was of the opinion that the specialty restaurant should be re-located, perhaps to the space where the Winter Garden (and soon-to-be Carinthia Lounge) is located. The entrance to the restaurant could be through the port side of Deck 7. There would be windows along the wall on the starboard side of Deck 7.

 

Then make the current TE a casual grill/buffet similar to the Pavillion on QE2. This would take care of the issue of passengers transiting to the pool through a formal restaurant, as well as keep the entire area casual in style. The Boardwalk Cafe on Deck 12 is too far removed from the pool deck and hardly used anyway.

 

Queen Mary deserves a better layout. There are too many transitional issues on the ship such as the Todd English/pool combination; others are the elegant Queens Room/G32 combo - truly a tale of two cities. Even the grills have less than desirable views, and their entrances collide with the casually clad traffic coming to and from the Boat Deck and the buffet restaurant.

 

I hope Carnival gets it right now; otherwise this refit will be just the beginning of a long stream of re-fits, and re-refits, sort of two steps forward, one step back, etc., that will follow the ship through her tenure as flagship.

[Joserus]

With all of this talk about Todd English, let's hope that this is the reveal next week ;)

Since next week is the final reveal, I think that it may be more than one venue. Perhaps G32, Grills' Lounge or the lobby in addition to Todd English. Maybe they can reveal their new tiny casino (jk).

Other areas that I think are wasted opportunities are the Atlantic Room (possible lounge or cafe) and Boardwalk Cafe.

Another question, are they going to replace the pool and hot tubs that are being removed for the new club balcony rooms on deck 13? Would be great to see the upper deck utilized like on Princess ships (although always so cold and windy up there).

I agree that TE needs a makeover as the decor caused some head scratching even in 2004. I think that they were having a Joe Farcus moment when they decorated that one ;)

[Underwatr]

I figure there still has to be a roof over the deck 13 staterooms, so there's still some chance to put a hot tub or something up there, assuming it's not much windier than the present configuration.

[transatlantic fan]

Next installment is the Verandah as we thought.

[BlueRiband]

Up on the US site this morning:

Verandah Remastered

 

It looks good and this space was long overdue for a face lift. It looks like some screens and visual barriers are there to discourage walk-throughs to deck 8.

[eroller]

The bar looks the same as Todd English. I was actually hoping the bar and walkway would be completely separate from the new Verandah Restaurant. A walkway out to the pool is still needed on Deck 8, and not sure this will change any of that.

 

Also no updated deck plans which I was hoping for.

Edited December 8, 2015 by eroller

[FennoExpress]

I was hoping for a more radical makeover for the TE, so that the walkthrough to the deck would have been rerouted. Overall I like the Remastering, everything Cunard has shown us so far is an improvement. The colours and art deco-details look very classy and upmarket. I just hope they don't forget the broken seats in the planetarium.

 

Has anyone spotted any information about refurbishments to the bathrooms?