Cunard Reveals New ‘Cunard Deco’ Interiors for Queen Mary 2

Cunard has revealed the interior design concept that will shape Queen Mary 2 when the ship returns to service in May 2027 after a major refurbishment. The new look, named Cunard Deco, combines the ship’s original Art Deco heritage with Hollywood-inspired glamour and British design sensibilities.

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The announcement was timed to coincide with Queen Mary 2’s departure from Southampton on November 10 for its 450th transatlantic crossing, a milestone that underscores the ship’s long-running role as the only vessel offering regularly scheduled transatlantic sailings between Southampton and New York.

What’s Changing Onboard

According to Cunard, the refurbishment will bring new Grill Suites, expanded wellness facilities, and refreshed guest spaces, all while preserving the ship’s distinctive Art Deco character. For passengers who already love Queen Mary 2’s classic ocean liner feel, the line is framing this as an evolution rather than a wholesale transformation.

Paul Ludlow, President of Cunard, said the goal is “protecting and celebrating everything that makes her so special, while making considered enhancements” to the onboard experience, according to Porthole. He added that the improvements are intended to keep the ship at the forefront of luxury ocean travel.

To bring the concept to life ahead of the ship’s return, Cunard worked with illustrator Tanu Vasu to produce a series of images showing how some of the ship’s signature spaces will look once the work is complete.

Drawing on Cunard’s Archives

The interiors are being designed by London-based studio AD Associates, which brings two decades of luxury hotel design experience to the project. The design team spent time researching Cunard’s archive in Liverpool, studying drawings and decorative arts from the original 1936 Queen Mary for inspiration.

Chris Finch, founder and CEO of AD Associates, explained that this research shaped not only the aesthetic choices but also the stories behind them. He pointed to one example, saying a guest “might not know that the clock design in their suite stopped at the minute Queen Mary first set sail,” according to Porthole, but that detail is meant to add meaning once discovered.

The refurbishment will also incorporate traditional craft techniques seen on Cunard’s 1930s liners, including marquetry and cabinetmaking. British suppliers are contributing to the project, among them Ulster Carpets, a Royal Warrant holder that also produces carpets for royal residences including Buckingham Palace. Where possible, existing timber, stone flooring, and fittings will be restored and retained rather than replaced, a move Cunard says will help preserve original features and reduce waste.

What It Means for Passengers

For cruise fans with Queen Mary 2 sailings planned around the refurbishment period, the key date to note is the ship’s dry dock entry at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France on March 31, 2027. The ship is scheduled to return to service on May 9, 2027, so any voyages in that window will be affected.

Those already onboard for the current transatlantic crossing can take part in the 450 Club, a program of events marking the history of transatlantic travel, timed to the ship’s 450th crossing. For future passengers, the takeaway is that Queen Mary 2’s signature Art Deco identity is set to continue, refreshed with updated suites and wellness spaces but still rooted in the design language of the original Queen Mary, which first sailed in 1936.

As the refurbishment date approaches, Cunard is expected to share further details on specific spaces and amenities. For now, the Cunard Deco concept gives passengers a first look at how the line intends to balance heritage with modern comfort on one of the world’s most recognizable ocean liners.