Cunard announces a major refurbishment for Queen Victoria: what’s new

The British brand Cunard has announced significant modernization work for Queen Victoria, which will enter the Damen shipyards in Rotterdam from October 17 to November 5, 2026. Among the main planned interventions are the restyling of the spectacular Grand Lobby, designed to offer an even more impactful welcome, and the renovation of the renowned Queens Room, a historic gathering point for traditional afternoon tea, gala evenings, and live music.

The updates will also concern on-board hospitality, with a thorough redesign of the luxurious Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites, enhanced with new furnishings and premium finishes. In addition, eight new Britannia category cabins will be created, including three solutions of the unprecedented Britannia Deluxe Oceanview type, featuring large, full-height windows to offer panoramic sea views.

Completing the transformation will be the introduction of The Pavilion Wellness Café, a new space dedicated to gastronomic wellness, serving breakfasts, lunches, and light snacks based on plant-based dishes and sustainable ingredients. Queen Victoria thus becomes the third ship in the fleet to adopt this format, following its debut on Queen Anne and its arrival on Queen Elizabeth. As highlighted by Katie McAlister, president of the company, every intervention has been designed to modernize the ship while preserving its classic charm and timeless elegance.