As Queen Mary 2 marks her 450th Transatlantic Crossing, Cunard has revealed plans for her new interiors, as she welcomes guests back in May 2027 after a major refurbishment.
All details correct at the time of publication (11 November 2026).
The refreshed interiors will introduce a distinctive design style called Cunard Deco. This combines the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age with Cunard’s royal heritage and understated British style.
The refurbishment will add new Grill Suites accommodation, an enhanced wellness offering and refreshed guest spaces. However, the ship will retain her distinctive Art Deco identity and reputation for transatlantic glamour.
Cunard has worked with acclaimed illustrator Tanu Vasu to create a collection of bespoke illustrations. These offer a first look at how some of Queen Mary 2’s most iconic spaces will change. They also capture the craftsmanship and design ideas behind the refurbishment.
London-based studio AD Associates is leading the interior design. The team has drawn inspiration from Cunard’s historic archive and the decorative arts of the original Queen Mary. The result connects Britain and America through design and storytelling.
As the Cunard fleet’s flagship, Queen Mary 2 is the only ship in the world offering regular scheduled transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York. The 2027 refurbishment also reflects Cunard’s continued investment in luxury ocean travel.
Paul Ludlow, President of Cunard, said: “Queen Mary 2 holds a unique position within our fleet and remains one of the most recognisable ships in the world. Our focus is on protecting and celebrating everything that makes her so special, while making considered enhancements that will further elevate the onboard experience. We are confident these improvements will ensure Queen Mary 2 continues to set the standard in luxury ocean travel for years to come.”
A tapestry woven between two continents
The design process began at Cunard’s archive in Liverpool, the company’s spiritual home. Designers studied original drawings, decorative schemes and artwork from the 1936 RMS Queen Mary. They then used these references to create a modern interpretation of 1930s design.
The redesign will cover every accommodation grade. This includes Britannia staterooms, Grand Duplex Queens Grill Suites and the Princess Grill and Queens Grill restaurants. The Grill Suites Lounge will also receive a new look.
Cunard Deco combines British elegance with the glamour of transatlantic travel between Southampton and New York. Cunard has crossed the Atlantic since 1840, while Queen Mary 2 has sailed this route since 2004.
AD Associates approached the design as a tapestry connecting Britain and America. Its concept uses two elements: the warp, which represents structure, steel and order, and the weft, which carries stories, style and memories.
These ideas appear in custom carpets, wallcoverings, screens and artwork. Many designs take inspiration from the original 1936 liner. Each Grill Suites space will have its own story, linked by a scallop shell motif. This historic symbol represents safe passage across the sea.
The shell’s distinctive fan shape also appears in different forms throughout the ship. In the Queens Grill Suites, it echoes the bow of Queen Mary 2 as she cuts through the Atlantic. The Princess Grill Suites feature a symmetrical design inspired by the Manhattan skyline. Meanwhile, the Grill Suites Lounge takes inspiration from a peacock’s fan.
This final design also references ‘Peacock Alley’ aboard the original Queen Mary. Guests used this social promenade to stroll, meet and see one another.
Bespoke embroidery and artwork add further detail. In the Princess Grill Suites, embroidered headboards feature cityscape silhouettes that tell stories of transatlantic travel.
Printed bathroom panels also reinterpret Leslie MacDonald Gill’s map of the Atlantic. The original map hung in the first-class dining room aboard the Queen Mary. It included a working clock. In the new artwork, the clock hands stop at 4.33pm, the moment Queen Mary first left Southampton in May 1936.
Chris Finch, Founder and CEO of AD Associates, said: “The process of exploring Cunard’s archive in Liverpool, with the drawings and decorative arts of the 1936 Queen Mary, gave us both inspiration for the designs and stories to build meaning behind those creative choices. A guest might not know that the clock design in their suite stopped at the minute Queen Mary first set sail, but once they do, they never look at the room in the same way.”
Celebrating British craftsmanship
The refurbishment will also celebrate the craftsmanship of Cunard’s 1930s liners. This includes traditional marquetry and cabinetmaking.
British suppliers will contribute their skills to the project. They include Ulster Carpets, a world-renowned luxury carpet manufacturer and Royal Warrant holder. The company also supplies carpets to royal residences, including Buckingham Palace.
Designing for a ship brings different challenges from designing a hotel on land. Every fabric, finish and carpet must meet strict marine standards. AD Associates will bring 20 years of luxury hotel design experience to the project.
The team will also retain and restore many of the ship’s existing timbers, stone floors and fittings. This will help reduce waste while preserving her original craftsmanship.
450 crossings and a new chapter for an icon
The design reveal coincides with Queen Mary 2’s 450th Transatlantic Crossing. To mark the occasion, the voyage features the 450 Club. This immersive programme celebrates the history and lasting appeal of transatlantic travel through events across the vessel.
Queen Mary 2 takes her name from the original RMS Queen Mary, which made her maiden voyage 90 years ago in 1936. The new interiors bring the original liner’s decorative influences back to the Atlantic.
The refurbishment also responds to growing demand for luxury travel with a sense of history and occasion. More travellers are choosing to make the journey itself part of the holiday experience.
Queen Mary 2 will enter dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France on 31 March 2027. She is due to return to service on 9 May 2027.
For more information about Cunard, visit www.cunard.com.
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