News

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 to undergo extensive refurbishment

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 September 2026 09 September 2026

British cruise line Cunard has announced a refurbishment of Queen Mary 2, marking a new chapter for the world's only ocean liner as it prepares to enter dry dock in spring 2027.

As the flagship of the Cunard fleet and the only ship in the world offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic Crossings between Southampton and New York, Queen Mary 2 occupies a unique place in maritime history. The 2027 refurbishment represents Cunard's continued investment in the future of luxury ocean travel, ensuring she remains the benchmark for Transatlantic travel for generations to come.

The refurbishment will introduce new Grill Suites, an elevated wellness offering, enhanced retail spaces and carefully refreshed guest areas, while preserving the ship's distinctive Art Deco identity and her place as the icon of Transatlantic glamour.

The ship will enter dry dock at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France, on March 31, 2027, returning to service on May 9, 2027.

Elevated accommodations and public spaces

Thirty-one new staterooms will be added across the ship, including 16 new Cunard Princess Grill Suites, with the remaining 15 new staterooms in the Britannia category.

Every existing Grill Suite will be refreshed with elegant new interiors, furnishings and finishes, and newly designed luxurious bathrooms will be introduced across all Grill Suite categories, with a sophisticated new look and premium spa-inspired features. The Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants will also be refreshed to ensure they continue to offer the same exceptional sense of space, comfort and exclusivity.

Guests will also be able to enjoy additional outdoor deck space, with places to relax, watch the sunset, and take in the sea air. Classic deck games, along with paddle tennis and pickleball, will continue to be part of the Queen Mary 2 experience.

Queen Mary 2's famous kennels, the only dedicated kennels at sea, will also be enhanced. Improvements will include redesigned kennels, increased capacity, a refurbished owners' lounge and an expanded outdoor walking area, further elevating the experience for guests crossing the Atlantic with their pets.

Wellness, culture and entertainment at sea

Mareel Wellness & Beauty will be transformed as part of the refurbishment, creating an updated space designed to revive, refresh and restore. A new collection of luxury stores will also be introduced, bringing a boutique-style shopping experience to the ship.

The ship's world-class cultural and entertainment offerings will also be refreshed. Illuminations, the largest planetarium at sea, will receive a major digital upgrade, delivering more immersive, state-of-the-art experiences beneath its dome. The Royal Court Theatre will continue to host West End and Broadway productions, while Cunard's award-winning Insights program will continue to welcome notable speakers and cultural figures on board.

The design vision, led by Chris Finch, one of Queen Mary 2's original designers, draws on the cinematic glamour of classic Hollywood, balanced with the refinement of British lineage and tradition. The result is a design that feels renewed while remaining instantly recognizable as Queen Mary 2.

Cunard has partnered with acclaimed illustrator Tanu Vasu to capture the vision for Queen Mary 2's refurbishment through a bespoke collection of illustrations. Known for her work with heritage and luxury brands, Vasu's artistic interpretation captures the atmosphere, elegance and sense of occasion that have long defined the Cunard experience.

"Growing up in Australia, I remember seeing Cunard ships arrive in port and being struck by their scale and presence, so this felt like a particularly meaningful project to be part of," said Tanu Vasu. "In an era dominated by digital renderings, illustration offers an opportunity to tell a more human story – one that captures the design of Queen Mary 2 along with the elegance, artistry and enduring sense of wonder that have made her an icon of ocean travel."

The refurbishment follows a landmark year for Queen Mary 2, when she took center stage in New York Harbor for Sail 4th 250, the centerpiece of the United States' 250th Independence Day celebrations.

"Queen Mary 2 is more than a ship, she is an icon of modern luxury travel and the only true ocean liner in the world," said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard. "This is a significant investment in Queen Mary 2, and every decision has been approached with deep respect for her heritage, her character and the sense of occasion that only Queen Mary 2 can offer. We are not reinventing what guests love about her; we are refining it beautifully and ensuring she carries it forward."

New suites and staterooms went on sale on May 18, 2026, for voyages departing from May 2027. Queen Mary 2 offers her signature Cunard experience on iconic Transatlantic Crossings, including special Event Voyages, as well as itineraries throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and the Caribbean.

SeaDream Yacht Club to introduce its first new yacht in 25 years

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 September 2026 01 September 2026

SeaDream Yacht Club, the family-owned luxury yachting company headquartered in Palm Beach, today announced SeaDream III, the first new yacht to join its fleet in the company’s 25-year history. Reservations for SeaDream III’s inaugural voyages open today.

Debuting in July 2029, SeaDream III will introduce the SeaDream experience to more of the world while remaining rooted in the defining qualities that have shaped the company for the past quarter century: intimate yachting, highly personalized service and a distinct sense of family.

“SeaDream III represents the next chapter for SeaDream,” said Atle Brynestad, founder and owner of SeaDream Yacht Club. “She will carry forward the same DNA as SeaDream I and SeaDream II: personalized service, exceptional cuisine, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and the genuine feeling of being on your own yacht. With SeaDream III, the whole world becomes our destination.”

At approximately 151 meters, or 495 feet, in length, SeaDream III will welcome around 200 guests, cared for by a crew of nearly equal number, preserving the intimacy and highly personalized service that has defined SeaDream for 25 years.

Guest accommodations will span five decks and include a greater selection of suites, Commodore staterooms and connecting configurations, with private balconies across four guest decks. Larger suites and staterooms will provide more space to settle in, whether joining SeaDream for a single voyage or an extended journey.

The yacht’s design will place open-air living at its center, with expansive upper decks, a dedicated pool deck and multiple indoor and al fresco spaces for dining, gathering and relaxing. Three dedicated watersports marinas will provide direct access to the sea, building upon one of the signature experiences aboard SeaDream I and SeaDream II.

SeaDream III will also feature expanded spa, fitness and wellness offerings, reflecting SeaDream’s continued focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle at sea.

For SeaDream, the experience has never been defined by size alone. It is found in the freedom to dine indoors or outside on deck, personalized cuisine, a relaxed atmosphere without formal evenings and the ability to spend each day entirely on one’s own terms.

“SeaDream has never been about size for its own sake,” Brynestad said. “Our focus is creating fantastic days and unforgettable experiences for every guest. SeaDream III gives us the opportunity to bring that experience to more places around the world.”

A maiden season beginning in Asia

SeaDream III will embark on its maiden voyage from Hong Kong on July 10, 2029, sailing through the Ryukyu Islands and along Japan’s Pacific coast before arriving in Tokyo for its official christening on July 21.

The 10-night maiden voyage will feature extended stays in Ishigaki and Yakushima, along with calls in Okinawa, Amami Oshima, Kochi and Shimizu.

Her inaugural season will continue with a collection of voyages exploring Japan and South Korea. Four 14-night round-trip voyages from Tokyo will combine northern and western Japan with South Korea, followed by a 15-night voyage from Tokyo to Hong Kong through Japan’s southern islands.

Highlights include Hakodate, Aomori, Akita, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Kobe and Osaka; Mount Fuji views from Shimizu and Tagonoura; Japan’s Inland Sea; Busan and Jeju in South Korea; and the islands of Yakushima, Amami Oshima and Ishigaki.

Following her first season in Japan, SeaDream III will continue to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. Voyages will feature Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Bali, Komodo, the Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania, culminating in a New Year’s celebration in Sydney.

“SeaDream III has been designed not only to travel farther, but to bring guests closer to the places she visits,” said Brynestad. “Her size will allow her to reach distinctive harbors and sail globally while maintaining the highly personalized experience our guests expect. This deployment reflects the spirit of SeaDream: unhurried exploration, exceptional service and access to places best experienced by yacht.”

From Asia to the Arctic and the Great Lakes

During her first 24 months, SeaDream III will sail to six continents, 73 countries, and 364 ports.

In 2030, the yacht will sail west from Asia to India, the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean before arriving in London. From there, she will explore the British Isles, the Baltic, coastal Norway, Svalbard, Greenland and Iceland.

SeaDream III will then sail the North Atlantic to Canada, continuing through the St. Lawrence and into the Great Lakes. Voyages will include Montreal, Chicago, Toronto and Detroit, with calls throughout Georgian Bay, Lake Superior, the Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward County and the St. Lawrence.

The yacht will continue along the American East Coast before arriving in West Palm Beach, near SeaDream Yacht Club’s U.S. headquarters in Palm Beach. From there, she will begin a series of voyages exploring the Caribbean, Central America, Colombia’s Caribbean coast and Panama.

Throughout her inaugural years, SeaDream III will be presented in a series of global yacht showcases, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Auckland, Sydney, Mumbai, London, Oslo, Boston and West Palm Beach.

A 180-night World Voyage

On January 5, 2031, SeaDream III will depart West Palm Beach on a 180-night World Voyage to London.

The voyage will transit the Panama Canal before following the Pacific coast of South America through Ecuador, Peru and Chile. SeaDream III will then journey through the South Pacific, visiting Easter Island, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu before continuing to Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

From there, the World Voyage will continue to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India and the Arabian Peninsula before visiting Egypt and Jordan and transiting the Suez Canal. Its final chapters will unfold throughout the Mediterranean and along Europe’s Atlantic coast, concluding in London on July 5, 2031.

Reservations for SeaDream III open September 1, 2026.

Fincantieri floats out Oceania Sonata, first ship in new Sonata-class

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 27 August 2026 27 August 2026

Oceania Cruises has marked a major milestone in the construction of its newest ship, Oceania Sonata, as the vessel was floated out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. Featuring 695 rooms and suites, the ship now moves from dry dock to the fitting-out berth, where work will continue on her interiors ahead of her highly anticipated debut in August 2027.

Oceania Sonata is the first of five ships planned for the line’s new Sonata-class and will be followed by sister ship Oceania Arietta in 2029, with three additional ships scheduled for delivery in 2032, 2035 and 2037. The Sonata-class represents the next generation of Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury philosophy, combining more space, elevated suite accommodations and enhanced culinary experiences with the line's signature destination- and-culinary-focused itineraries.

Representing Oceania Cruises at the ceremony was Paolo Novarino, Senior Director, Project Owner, who joined Fincantieri leadership and team members to celebrate the landmark moment and longstanding partnership between the two companies. For nearly two decades, Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri have worked together to bring the line’s purpose-built ships to life, beginning with Oceania Marina, delivered in 2011, followed by Oceania Riviera in 2012, Oceania Vista in 2023, Oceania Allura in 2025, and now Oceania Sonata.

“The float out of Oceania Sonata is an incredibly exciting moment as we move one step closer to welcoming our first guests aboard next August,” said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “We are tremendously grateful to our partners at Fincantieri whose expertise and craftsmanship are bringing Oceania Sonata to life. As the first ship in our new Sonata Class, she represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the brand and a defining milestone in the continued evolution of Oceania Cruises.”

With its exterior structure now complete, work will turn toward bringing Oceania Sonata’s interiors and onboard experiences to life. At approximately 86,000 gross tons, Oceania Sonata will be nearly 30% larger than Oceania Allura, yet will feature only 90 additional guest accommodations, creating an exceptional sense of space and comfort throughout her elegant interiors. The ship will offer a serene adults-only environment, with expansive public spaces, including bars and lounges, plus thoughtfully designed guest suites and rooms.

One-third of accommodations will be suites, including four Owner’s Suites featuring two bedrooms – a first for Oceania Cruises. Oceania Sonata will also introduce two new suite categories: Horizon Suites, offering more than 600 square feet of refined residential comfort, with separate living and bedroom areas, a walk-through closet and an oversized veranda; and the 488-square-foot Penthouse Deluxe Suite, featuring an expanded layout and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that frame the ocean views.

Reflecting Oceania Cruises' commitment to The Finest Cuisine at Sea, dining on board Oceania Sonata will feature 13 venues, including two new culinary concepts: La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and Nikkei Kitchen, as well as The Grand Dining Room and beloved Oceania Cruises specialty restaurants Jacques, Red Ginger, Polo Grill and Toscana.

Oceania Sonata will embark on a wide-ranging inaugural season from August 2027 through April 2028, visiting more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, and Central and South America.