Cunard, renowned for luxury ocean travel, impeccable service, fine dining and world-class entertainment, recently unveiled the remastered Queen Mary 2 with a grand arrival in Quebec. The ship greeted Daphnie, the city’s well-known canine ambassador from the iconic Le Château Frontenac, as part of the celebrations surrounding the vessel’s $132 million redesign.
The updated Queen Mary 2 sailed into Quebec to showcase contemporary interior design, enhanced guest experiences and a series of practical upgrades. Uniquely among passenger vessels, Cunard accommodates cats and dogs and has expanded its kennel facilities: 12 new kennels bring the total to 24, and the kennel area now includes a pet playground and an enlarged outdoor space that houses a historic British lamppost and an American-style fire hydrant. A full-time kennel master is on board to care for pets and manage daily routines.
Cunard’s history of transporting famous animals stretches back decades—pets belonging to celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and historic figures like the Duke of Windsor have sailed with the line. Honoring that legacy, several well-known Boston-area Instagram dogs were invited to be among the first modern guests to try the new kennels and pet amenities.
After its Quebec visit, the ship stayed overnight before departing on Oct. 4 for Saugerties as part of a 10-day Canada and New England round-trip voyage from New York. The itinerary offered passengers the chance to experience the refreshed vessel firsthand while visiting coastal ports.
The remastering project included extensive updates across passenger accommodations, dining venues and public spaces. Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants were refurbished, and additional staterooms were added: 30 new Britannia Club staterooms, 15 Britannia single staterooms and five Britannia inside staterooms. Public areas and restaurants were redesigned, and the ship introduced The Verandah, a new specialty restaurant. The popular buffet area, Kings Court, was reconfigured for improved flow and choice. Beyond guest areas, the refurbishment included 12 additional kennels, a complete exterior repaint and technical and structural enhancements to support long-term performance and comfort.
These updates aim to preserve the ship’s classic elegance while bringing modern amenities and thoughtful touches that appeal to today’s travelers, including those sailing with their four-legged companions. The remastered Queen Mary 2 continues Cunard’s long tradition of combining maritime heritage with contemporary luxury and expanded services for guests of all ages—two- and four-legged alike.