First look: Cunard's Queen Mary 2 gets a makeover

Used by Cunard Line since 1990, Blohm and Voss was established in 1877 and is one of the world's most historic shipbuilding and repair facilities. Numerous important passenger ships were built here, including the Blue Riband-winning SS Europa of 1928.

Supervised by Alison Clixby, Carnival UK's Director of Hotel Design and Projects, the Queen Mary 2's refit is the largest and most expensive undertaking of its kind in the history of Carnival Corporation, which now owns Cunard Line.

Maneuvering the 1,132-by-131-foot ship into the 1,151.6-foot-long drydock was a delicate feat. As the water was pumped out, the ship settled atop blocks that elevate it a mere 2.9 feet above the drydock floor.

Among many modifications, the Queen Mary 2 is getting 50 new cabins, 35 of which will be added atop her forward superstructure on Deck 13. Here is one of the eight stateroom blocks, which were pre-fabricated in Finland, being hauled on board.

Every part of the flagship's superstructure and hull is being stripped and repainted. A total of 2,721 gallons of paint will be used, including the "Federal Gray" color for her hull.

Even the lettering on the Queen Mary 2's bow is being carefully remastered.

Massive cranes on either side of the dry dock in Hamburg hoisted 300 containers' worth of new carpeting, textiles, furniture and other supplies onto the ship.

The largest passenger ship in the world at the time of its introduction in 2004, the 151,400-gt Queen Mary 2 was built by Alstom Chantiers de l'Atlantique (now STX France) and christened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The Queen Mary 2 is now the 12th largest passenger ship in the world.

Queen Mary 2 is the last great ocean liner specifically designed to cross the Atlantic in the summer and cruise in the winter. As such, the ship is distinguished by features such as a long, reinforced bow, a deep draft (32 feet) and engines capable of a speedy 28 knots.

Two tennis courts on either side of forward Deck 13 will be relocated farther aft to make way for the new block of cabins.

A small splash pool and two Jacuzzis have also been removed to make space for the new block of cabins.

This is a "before" view of the forward portion of Deck 13, prior to the installation of the new cabins.

And this is an "in progress" view of the new additions to Deck 13 from the same vantage while the refit was underway.

All of the Queen Mary 2's teak decking is being carefully refurbished and freshly caulked.

On Deck 12, there is a pool area that is protected by a sliding glass Magrodome.

All of the decking in this area has been resurfaced and new furniture will be added.

For the refit, temporary air conditioning units have been placed on Deck 12.

This is a view of the same deck under normal circumstances.

Even the ship's kennels are being completely revamped with a new lounge and 10 new kennels, bringing the total number of kennels to 22. Usually booked well in advance, kennels can cost between $800 for an upper and $1,000 for a lower, per crossing. Cats require two kennels (one for the litter box), for a total cost of $1,600.00.

Shown here stripped to the bare steel, the kennels will soon sport colorful murals by Karen Katon Oprey, the daughter of one of the Queen Mary 2's captains. Dogs will also have access to a genuine New York fire hydrant and a Liverpool lampost.

During the refit, construction materials and containers were hoisted onto the ship's terraced afterdecks.

Just for comparison, this is what the same area looks like under normal circumstances.

Even the exclusive Grill Terrace, the private realm of the ship's Grill Class guests on aft Deck 11, is getting renewed teak decking and new deck furniture.

All of the ship's accommodation is getting revamped, including the top-tier two-story duplex penthouses. Here is a look at the lower level of the Balmoral Duplex before the transformation.

This is a rendering of what the lower level of the similar Sandringham Duplex will look like with its new furnishings and soft fittings.

Duplex suite bedrooms are on the upper level. This is a view of the Windsor Suite bedroom as it originally appeared.

And here is a rendering of the Sandringham Duplex bedroom as it will look after being renovated.

All six single-level, 759-square-foot Penthouse Suites will also be getting new furnishings, soft fittings and artwork.

Shown in the process of transformation, all 506-square-foot Queens Grill Suites will be redone with new artwork, bedding, fittings, sockets and even coffee/tea making facilities.

This is what the Queen's Grill Suites will look like when finished.

Princess Grill Suites, shown here in the process of transitioning, measure between 335 and 388 square feet and will also be completely refitted during the ship's stay at Blohm and Voss.

Princess Grill Suites will emerge with deep blue and red accents that are offset by neutral background colors.

Shown here in their original color scheme, 248-square-foot Britannia Club cabins are among the most popular on the ship.

This is a Britannia Club cabin in transition sporting new blue and gold tones. All Britannia-grade cabins will be refurbished by the end of 2016.

This rendering shows what Britannia Club cabins will look like when fully renovated.

All in all, some 4,000 framed pictures and 6,500 new pieces of furniture are being added to the Queen Mary 2. The original furniture that will remain, including these cocktail tables, will be refreshed.

Shown in service, the far aft pool on the Queen Mary 2's Deck 6 fantail is sheltered by the ship's terraced decks.

During the refit, the same area has been used to load and unload some 438,091 square feet of newly woven carpeting for the Queen Mary 2's cabins and public rooms.

Many of the new carpet patterns are inspired by or copied from original Art Deco designs created for the Queen Mary of 1936.

Among the many rooms receiving new carpeting and soft fittings, the Commodore Club, shown in its original guise, overlooks the bow on Deck 9.

This is the "in progress" Commodore Club with its new carpeting already installed.

Todd English was a popular extra-tariff dining venue on aft Deck 8.

Cunard is replacing Todd English with the Veranda Restaurant, shown here being remodeled. The new eatery is inspired by the legendary Veranda Grills aboard the first Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

The new Verandah Restaurant will overlook a terrace on aft Deck 8 and will feature a French menu with seasonal produce.

The Canyon Ranch Spa begins an entire deck of public rooms on Deck 7. This is the entrance lobby in its original configuration.

The same space, shown during the refit, has been completely stripped down to the bare bones and will be reconfigured with new ceilings, panels and decking, as well as new furniture.

In the center of the Canyon Ranch Spa, there is a large thalassotherapy pool.

The entire thalassotherapy pool area is being remodeled with new teak framework, new decking, ceilings and lighting.

New tilework is also being installed in the wet areas of the Canyon Ranch Spa.

The Wintergarden, which was directly aft of the Canyon Ranch Spa, was intended as an homage to the great winter gardens on ocean liners past but it never quite caught on.

Shown here in the early stages of the ship's remastering, this former Wintergarden has been completely stripped out.

All of the ceiling frescoes have been painted over and the room will be fitted with new furnishings and named Carinthia, after a former Cunard liner.

By day, the Carinthia Lounge will be serving up light breakfast and lunch fare as well as an elegant afternoon tea and at night, it will function as an entertainment venue with wine and tapas-style snacks.

Aft of the Carinthia Lounge, the King's Court buffet dining venue is being expanded and completely reconfigured.

New serving and cooking demonstration stations, lighting and ceiling fixtures are being added to the King's Court.

New tilework is also being installed in the King's Court.

This is a rendering of how the serving stations will appear in King's Court.

This is another section of King's Court during reconstruction.

This is a rendering of the seating area in the King's Court.

Since their introduction aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1968, the Grill restaurants have been Cunard Line fixtures. Located on the port side of aft Deck 7, this is the Princess Grill as it originally appeared aboard the Queen Mary 2.

Here is the entrance to the Princess Grill at the beginning of its transition.

The Princess Grill will have a Regency-inspired decor when it is completed.

The Queens Grill is on the starboard side of aft Deck 7. Its original autumnal color scheme was elegant and muted.

After 12 years, the legendary space, considered one of the finest restaurants at sea, was due for a makeover, which includes the installation of metal screens that break the room up into smaller alcoves.

Carpeting that complements the new screens was also installed in the Queens Grill.

When completed, the new Queens Grill will be a spectacular, Art Deco-inspired dining venue with muted colors offset by plush crimson and white chairs.

The Queens Grill Lounge, a favorite pre- and post-dinner hangout for Queens Grill guests, will likely remain the same after the refit.

However, during the refit, it was being used to stage various textiles that will be used throughout the ship.

During the refit, upholsterers were using the Queens Grill Lounge to refurbish the chairs that will remain with the ship after the conversion.

Shown here prior to the refit, the balconied Royal Court Theater is the Queen Mary 2's main showroom on Decks 2 and 3.

In addition to new soft fittings, the Royal Court is getting a high resolution, 22-foot LED screen behind the stage.

Even the Deck 3 shopping areas are being stripped and reconfigured.

Located on the Deck 3 balcony of the Grand Lobby, Veuve Clicquot, shown prior to the refit, is the Queen Mary 2's champagne bar.

Veuve Clicquot will remain much as it always has, albeit enhanced with new soft fittings.

One of the rooms that will remain largely as built, the specialty coffee and wine bar named for Cunard Line's founder, Sir Samuels, was used as a carpenters' workshop during the refit.

The photo gallery and shop on the port side of Deck 3 has been transformed into six new Large Britannia Single cabins.

This is what these Large Britannia Single cabins will look like when finished.

Shown as built, the Empire Casino on the port side of Deck 2 has also been transformed.

The aft portion of the Empire Casino will be converted into nine new Britannia Single cabins. Many of the cabin fittings were staged in its forward section during the refit.

This is one of the new Britannia Single staterooms in the midst of its transformation. The addition of 50 new cabins increases the Queen Mary 2's capacity to 2,961.

And this is what one of the Britannia Single staterooms will look like when completed.

Throughout the ship, as work continues, items such as artwork and railings that will remain in place have been sealed up for their protection.

The Britannia Restaurant is the Queen Mary 2's most lofty and largest dining venue.

New carpeting is being added and the paneling is being refreshed in the Britannia Restaurant.

Here is another view of the Britannia Restaurant from its lower (Deck 2) level.

And here is a similar view from the lower level during the Britannia Restaurant's restoration.

With approximately 5,200 people (1,200 crew, 2,500 contractors and 1,500 yard workers) working around the clock, the Queen Mary 2's executive chefs were on hand to make sure everyone was fed well during the remastering.

Two panoramic elevators in the Grand Lobby were removed during the refit.

This is what the restyled Grand Lobby will look like when the work is finished.

In addition to all of the hotel enhancements, the refit also includes mechanical upgrades to the four motors in the ship's azipods. This is the forward/port pod.

Even the ship's thrusters are getting overhauled.

There is 29.5 feet of clearance on either side of the ship in Dock 17. In this view, the anchor chains have been laid out for cleaning as the underwater portion of the ship's hull gets sandblasted and repainted.

The massive bulbous bow, which helps push water aside to increase the ship's speed and fuel efficiency, is also being stripped and repainted.