Major QM2 interior refit 2016

[axelskater]

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 ....

 

They had Dixieland jazz twice which was immensely popular last week and also RADA stories a few nights which were well attended.

[Underwatr]

I can't imagine that they'd update everything but Britannia staterooms, although it looks like a lot of work for a 4-week availability.

[lannp]

Interesting - that bathroom shows a shower door. On a practical note that upholstery on the sofa will show the spots, stains, etc. very quickly.

[sfbearcat]

Austcruiser, thanks for letting us know. And thank you, Ray, for the link. Thus far everything looks very good. I can hardly wait to see the other staterooms and to find out what's in store for Kings Court and the Winter Garden.

 

Everyone seems to think some magic is going to happen to the Kings Court..

the structure of the ship cannot change..there are engine room uptakes and elevator shafts running the the center of the seating and serving stations..its not going to be some wide open grand lido when rebuilt..probally one large serving station in what is now that center seating area ..with tables pushed out to the sides...Everyone will still be walking all over!! I find todays version not that bad..It was laid out so that your choice what style of food you wished to have was close to the seating area near the stations..the problem is people want to try everything at once and walk between all the stations looking cause traffic.

[BlueRiband]

Thanks for the alert, and it's good to see diagrams to scale.

 

Our focus group was shown a remake of Kings Court that looks much classier than the high school cafeteria the ship now has. One statement made to our group was that the traffic flow was to be redesigned. Right now there are too many entry points and thus the nickname, "Kings Chaos". Payne addressed this in his Q&A in September 2013:

 

As mentioned elsewhere, ship design is a compromise between many conflicting factors. I chose the location of Kings Court on deck 7. This was influenced by the requirement to have a high tween deck height at this level in order to accommodate the lifeboats and their associated davit arrangements so as to allow the cabin deck above to have at least partially, rather than fully, obstructed views. As to the layout of the Kings Court, this was arranged by Cunard. The biggest complication, compared with placing the lido restaurant high in the ship, is that the cross passages from "B" and "C" staircases must be kept free to allow egress to the deck and the lifeboats. I have heard as many positive comments about the layout as I have negative and I think it is just a matter of personal preference...

[branston boy]

Hello,at the risk of being rebuked too strongly.Can I just say,yes everthing looks really nice for Grills and Club passengers.Are we ordinary mortals to be overlooked ?.I suspect so.

 

Rodger.

[pepperrn]

... the structure of the ship cannot change..there are engine room uptakes and elevator shafts running the the center of the seating and serving stations..its not going to be some wide open grand lido when rebuilt..probally one large serving station in what is now that center seating area ..with tables pushed out to the sides...Everyone will still be walking all over!! I find todays version not that bad...

Thank you sfbearcat, I second your comments.

 

As you say, there are stairwells, lifts, funnel uptakes, galleys (and their flues), air-conditioning ducts, cross passageways, plenty of doors needed to access the lifeboats, and the space needed to assemble a couple of thousand people (and more) in an emergency. That must produce some headaches and severe limitations about what can be done. Other than cosmetic, or relocation of buffet counters etc.

 

It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

 

Personally, despite my occasional tongue-in-cheek descriptions of Deck 7, I don't have an problem finding my way around the Kings Court, where the tea/coffee machines are, where the nearest "Gents" is located etc.

I can remember from out on the promenade which doors give access straight to the eight cross-passageways (to cross the ship with the minimum of fuss), or to the scenic lifts (to Deck 2/3), or to the B & C lifts and stairs (back to my cabin). I think this comes from going there often when it is quiet, rather than when it is "chaos"!

 

Mind you, nothing on land or sea would ever get me to use the Kings Court (as it is now) for "last" breakfast on the morning of disembarkation! MDR only for me.

Edited October 13, 2015 by pepperrn

[transatlantic fan]

I wonder if the club balcony rooms on deck 12 will be get the same treatment including the glass shower doors,I like the look of them.

[JollyJackTar52]

Loving the look of those Britannia Suites. Short of a massive pay rise or a lottery win, we're unlikely to ever be staying anywhere else, so we were looking forward to seeing these.

 

My Wife is on the website looking at Transatlantic Voyages already. I best go hide the credit card.... :D

[Thaxted]

Everyone seems to think some magic is going to happen to the Kings Court..

the structure of the ship cannot change..there are engine room uptakes and elevator shafts running the the center of the seating and serving stations..its not going to be some wide open grand lido when rebuilt..probally one large serving station in what is now that center seating area ..with tables pushed out to the sides...Everyone will still be walking all over!! I find todays version not that bad..It was laid out so that your choice what style of food you wished to have was close to the seating area near the stations..the problem is people want to try everything at once and walk between all the stations looking cause traffic.

 

You're right, of course. Given the engineering and architectural constraints, magic is out of the question. What I am wondering is what Cunard will be able to do within those constraints.

[MarkBearSF]

Looking again at the deck plan, I can see one reason for the rumored removal of the glass elevator from the lobby - it would free up a crucial bit of space for the Kings Court remodel.

Edited October 13, 2015 by MarkBearSF

[MCC retired]

Just off the Quebec to NYC sailing.

Looking forward to revamping of Kings Court but unless they upgrade service, variety and refilling items before they run out , it will be the same old KC to me very quickly.

No refilling of beverages by staff or helping those that need assistance carrying their plates.

They are pretty quick on bussing tables but cleaning and setting out silverware

are another story.

We also cruise on the mass market ships of CCL, RCI and Princess which all have Lido buffet's with all the above , that the Kings Court buffet hasn't.

It went on the comment card (like they react to comments?).

[eroller]

Looking again at the deck plan, I can see one reason for the rumored removal of the glass elevator from the lobby - it would free up a crucial bit of space for the Kings Court remodel.

 

 

Yes I mentioned this earlier in the thread, and providing more space in the King's Court would be the primary reason to do this. I've been told this is in the plans, but it remains to be seen if it becomes a reality.

 

I've also heard rumors that the Winter Garden will become a speciality restaurant. In addition I've heard the atrium glass elevators elevators will be removed to make more room on Deck 7 for the King's Court.

 

[ClanMcLean]

It will be interesting to see how much of an increase in revenue these updates generate. We haven't even been on our first voyage and I'm looking at those BC rooms and wondering if we could afford a world cruise :D

 

Prompted by another poster who discovered the fare for their voyage had decreased since booking, I went online to check ours, and noticed how many accommodations were sold out, including the Penthouses, which I was a bit miffed at, as I was hoping for an upgrade :p So, I'm left thinking that demand will be high next year after the refit. Quick, book now people, book now! :D

[laktex]

I wonder if the club balcony rooms on deck 12 will be get the same treatment including the glass shower doors,I like the look of them.

 

Proper shower cubicles with doors rather than curtains are great - shame that Queens grill suites are not getting separate showers.

[axelskater]

I was on last week and there is definitely a need for some carpets and other freshening - deck 9 carpet hallways were pretty stained and I vaguely recall reading something on here about plumbing & leakage issues. I don't remember the stains last year so it does look like a plumbing overhaul is needed in some areas of the ship. Some of the artwork is also pretty scratched and needs some restoration.

We were Q5 and booked Q5 for the exact same Quebec-NY voyage next year so I will be excited to see 1st hand how it looks. The room is dated now, I have to say, especially compared to the nice refit pictures they are showing on some sites. On board, the Chart Room & Vueve Bar looked great as did the Golden Lion. However, the VC bar manager told me that Cunard in the original refit design thought about doing away with it and extending out the Deck 3 shops. The Hotel manager apparently said no way QM2 needs a champagne bar, and the VC bar stays. I am VERY happy to hear this, as that is, for me, one of the most beautiful public rooms on the ship.

 

As was mentioned months ago, the casino is getting chopped for the single rooms, but I walked by a pianist in the Golden Lion one night and it sounds like they need excellent soundproofing there! Music carries across the hall! One of the photographers mentioned they would be going digital, so no more long halls of pix laid out in that area.

 

Deck 7 - I don't know what they will do with KC - but my understanding from Ozman the Maitre d' was that The QG & PG would both be getting much more seating for 2 as it is more and more popular. The head waiter also said Britannia & BC would add more tables for 2. I wonder if anyone else heard from their head waiters, etc., the same thing... We always get a table for 2 and prefer it, and there seems to be no lack of people who want to eat that way. However they end up reconfiguring some of these areas, I can't wait to see them next year...but I guess I will have to!

[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]

I was on last week and there is definitely a need for some carpets and other freshening - deck 9 carpet hallways were pretty stained and I vaguely recall reading something on here about plumbing & leakage issues. I don't remember the stains last year so it does look like a plumbing overhaul is needed in some areas of the ship. Some of the artwork is also pretty scratched and needs some restoration.

We were Q5 and booked Q5 for the exact same Quebec-NY voyage next year so I will be excited to see 1st hand how it looks. The room is dated now, I have to say, especially compared to the nice refit pictures they are showing on some sites. On board, the Chart Room & Vueve Bar looked great as did the Golden Lion. However, the VC bar manager told me that Cunard in the original refit design thought about doing away with it and extending out the Deck 3 shops. The Hotel manager apparently said no way QM2 needs a champagne bar, and the VC bar stays. I am VERY happy to hear this, as that is, for me, one of the most beautiful public rooms on the ship.

 

As was mentioned months ago, the casino is getting chopped for the single rooms, but I walked by a pianist in the Golden Lion one night and it sounds like they need excellent soundproofing there! Music carries across the hall! One of the photographers mentioned they would be going digital, so no more long halls of pix laid out in that area.

 

Deck 7 - I don't know what they will do with KC - but my understanding from Ozman the Maitre d' was that The QG & PG would both be getting much more seating for 2 as it is more and more popular. The head waiter also said Britannia & BC would add more tables for 2. I wonder if anyone else heard from their head waiters, etc., the same thing... We always get a table for 2 and prefer it, and there seems to be no lack of people who want to eat that way. However they end up reconfiguring some of these areas, I can't wait to see them next year...but I guess I will have to!

 

You are correct I have seen numerous leaks on the deck 9 corridor and in fact I've twice had leaks within my cabin on that deck which were quickly attended to when reported.

 

During June and July there were contractors working on deck 9 doing advanced work on the replacement of pipe work in the ceilings. They were also working in the crew cabin areas doing similar work. Maybe someone has seen this too on other decks? I believe some of the replacement pipe work is therefore already there awaiting connection.

 

M-AR

[Bostonjetset]

SO far everything looks great! I can't wait to see the rest of the updates. I am glad, however, that I got to sail her with most of her original decor. I even got to experience once of the infamous potholes!!

 

I actually prefer the current carpets in Britannia staterooms though [i know many people hate them] as the dark colors stay looking fresh. These new beige carpets are beautiful but will show wear and tear quite quickly.

 

It is nice to see that better use will be made out of deck 13 as the current emptiness is wasted space [that tiny, exposed pool on a TA? PLEASE! haha]. I do hope they don't change the lines of the ship by added these cabins though. It would be a shame to have a block of flats plopped on her head and look like a block of flats was plopped on her head.

 

Just off the Quebec to NYC sailing.

Looking forward to revamping of Kings Court but unless they upgrade service, variety and refilling items before they run out , it will be the same old KC to me very quickly.

No refilling of beverages by staff or helping those that need assistance carrying their plates.

They are pretty quick on bussing tables but cleaning and setting out silverware

are another story.

We also cruise on the mass market ships of CCL, RCI and Princess which all have Lido buffet's with all the above , that the Kings Court buffet hasn't.

It went on the comment card (like they react to comments?).

 

I agree about the KC service! Whilst KC was not "bad", we certainly felt Princess excelled in this area; their lido staff was the best of any cruise we've taken [at least for breakfast and lunch...we always do MDR for dinner]. Small things like the waiters refilling your beverages truly enhance the experience. HAL does pseudo-service which works well also; They fill glasses with iced tea, water, etc and man a table for you to grab from rather than having to fuss with the machines. We have never seen either on CCL though so you must have lucked out!

[Underwatr]

I've seen Cunard pre-fill water, etc. glasses during an Noro Code Red but otherwise I think self serve works better for the oassenger.

[BlueRiband]

Proper shower cubicles with doors rather than curtains are great - shame that Queens grill suites are not getting separate showers.

 

Running the plumbing would be a major problem. Since one has to step up into the bathroom the piping probably runs under the deck and it can't be done without ripping up major sections to get to the pipes. The new cabins on 2 and 13 will need to have all of that deck space opened up. Doing this in existing cabins has got to be a lot more complicated if it's even possible.

[3rdGenCunarder]

You are correct I have seen numerous leaks on the deck 9 corridor and in fact I've twice had leaks within my cabin on that deck which were quickly attended to when reported.

 

During June and July there were contractors working on deck 9 doing advanced work on the replacement of pipe work in the ceilings. They were also working in the crew cabin areas doing similar work. Maybe someone has seen this too on other decks? I believe some of the replacement pipe work is therefore already there awaiting connection.

 

M-AR

 

They were poking around in the ceilings of deck 5 around then, too.

[maz48]

We just disembarked the QM2 yesterday and were on deck 5. Plenty of big stains on the carpets and a few leaks from the corridor ceiling throughout the week. They did work on the ceilings a couple of times too. I heard a steward telling a passenger who had a leak dripping in their doorway, that all the pipes were in place but the work needs to be done. Maybe that will all be done prior to the re-fit. The corridor had bad damp smells a few times and they used a large fan at times. I guess new leaks were going on old stained carpets creating the smell.

 

Though generally everything looked clean, the carpets were very worn in many places but particularly the stairs which I thought could be a bit of a hazard. I managed to hit a few sink holes too! She really is in bad need of this re-fit.

 

Looking forward to seeing her afterwards, though I hope my favourite places aren't spoilt.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Everyone seems to think some magic is going to happen to the Kings Court..

the structure of the ship cannot change..there are engine room uptakes and elevator shafts running the the center of the seating and serving stations..its not going to be some wide open grand lido when rebuilt..probally one large serving station in what is now that center seating area ..with tables pushed out to the sides...Everyone will still be walking all over!! I find todays version not that bad..It was laid out so that your choice what style of food you wished to have was close to the seating area near the stations..the problem is people want to try everything at once and walk between all the stations looking cause traffic.

 

When we were on board this summer, I walked through KC trying to figure out how they might fix it. And I was stumped. With all the space taken up by mechanicals, as you say, plus the need for multiple doors to the deck, and the need for a walkway the length of the ship, they don't have a lot of contiguous space to work with.

 

One thing I would like to see is more similarity in the layout of the various sections. In some places, there is one longer line where you get cold food first, then move on to the warm, which makes sense. But in other places, you get your tray at the warm line, and then move on to a separate area for cold foods. And then you have to move on to a beverage area, that in one place is not even visible from the food service area. It's no wonder people are wandering around in a confused daze. And don't get me started on the layout of the beverage area. No matter what you want, it seems you have to move/reach around other people.

 

Another thing that would help would be menus posted where people could read what's being served. That would get rid of the people trying to look past people in line to see what's available. I once asked why there were no menus posted and was told that it's because they might run out of some items and have to make substitutions. Seemed like a lame excuse to me.

 

Some little things might help, like better signage. Why can't the doors leading in from the deck be labeled in some way? "These doors lead to C stairs and elevators" Maybe even label the others "no access to elevators from these doors." Not strictly true, of course, you CAN get to an elevator from any of the entrances, but for people headed to their cabins or somewhere other than KC, it would be to their benefit not to have to walk through that area, and it would lighten congestion at KC.

[jimmybean]

 

Personally, despite my occasional tongue-in-cheek descriptions of Deck 7, I don't have an problem finding my way around the Kings Court, where the tea/coffee machines are, where the nearest "Gents" is located etc.

.

 

I think KC may be very difficult to figure out for new sailors --the flow is terrible--but once all the stations are learned, I don't believe it is impossible to maneuver with some efficiency. You just quietly dodge the people staying around, holding trays, with lost looks on their faces… ;)

 

My real question: I don't understand all the discussion of how KC is going to be changed during this re-fit. Re-modeling the KC was not part of the Cunard re-fit announcement and during that live-chat with the Cunard executive a month, or two, ago (I can't remember his name, sorry) it was stated Cunard thought KC was working just fine…

 

Why is there belief there will be major changes to King's Court during 2016 re-fit? Pepper admits to starting rumors in this direction, but can any other rumors be traced back to Cunard?

[Thaxted]

I think KC may be very difficult to figure out for new sailors --the flow is terrible--but once all the stations are learned, I don't believe it is impossible to maneuver with some efficiency. You just quietly dodge the people staying around, holding trays, with lost looks on their faces… ;)

 

My real question: I don't understand all the discussion of how KC is going to be changed during this re-fit. Re-modeling the KC was not part of the Cunard re-fit announcement and during that live-chat with the Cunard executive a month, or two, ago (I can't remember his name, sorry) it was stated Cunard thought KC was working just fine…

 

Why is there belief there will be major changes to King's Court during 2016 re-fit? Pepper admits to starting rumors in this direction, but can any other rumors be traced back to Cunard?

 

I haven't followed the speculation about the future of Kings Court carefully enough to know if Cunard has said anything officially about it. But the summer before last, someone on this forum reported: (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2058095)

 

During our break, the hotel director spoke with us. We had 2400 passengers aboard, with 200 passengers doing the roundtrip from Hamburg or Southampton. The hotel director spoke very candidly with the group. He said that he cannot wait for the ship to go into dry dock for it’s next refit, in January, 2015. He said specifically, that big changes are coming on deck 7. He said that “The Kings Court Buffet lets the ship down and is a source of frustration for the food and beverage team. The Kings Court Buffet area will be gutted and reworked completely during the refit."

Edited October 19, 2015 by Thaxted