By
Rebecca Gibson |
Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria is to undergo a multi-million pound refit at the Blohm + Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, in January 2015.
Initially scheduled for December 2015, the drydock has been brought forward to enable the line to replace a bearing on one of Queen Victoria’s propulsion units. According to Cunard, this has no impact on the safety of the ship but it is ‘timely’ for the bearing to be replaced prior to the ship’s ‘Round World Cruise’ beginning 20 January 2015.
Consequently Cunard has been forced to cancel the ship’s 12-night cruise to the Canaries from 13-15 January, as well as a five-night trip to Amsterdam and Cherbourg from 15-20 January 2015. Passengers and travel agents have been informed and the line has offered affected guests a future cruise credit of £100 per person. The credit can be used in conjunction with any alternative Cunard booking made for cruises departing before 3 January 2017. Full refunds of any monies paid will also be available should affected passengers not be in a position to rebook an alternative cruise with Cunard.
“Queen Victoria’s multi-million pound refit will ensure this much-loved ship remains in tip-top condition for her World Cruise in 2015 and beyond,” said Angus Struthers, Cunard director. “While we are sorry to be cancelling the two cruises, we are looking forward to welcoming all those affected back aboard a Cunard ship in the near future, perhaps on Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth, both of which will be sailing in 2015 fresh from their makeovers.”
Following her refit, Queen Victoria will feature a host of new innovations recently introduced onboard Queen Elizabeth inclduing her first nine single staterooms, which will be remodelled from part of the ship’s casino. In addition, new flat-screen TVs will be fitted to all staterooms, carpets will be renewed throughout the ship, sun awnings will be erected near to the stern Lido pool and on both sides of the Grills Upper Terrace and the onboard shopping area will be significantly increased to feature a new jewellery and watch shop.
Cunard will also install a scrubber to minimise the ship’s environmental impact.