Completed in a record-breaking six-and-a-half-week period at the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Germany in mid-December, the $18 million refurbishment of the Great lady represents a continuation of British presence at sea.

Cunard CEO and president Larry Pimentel said:

"The refit is an endorsement of Carnival, the parent company of Cunard, to put Cunard back on the path to profitability. In the 18 months under the Carnival wing, we have accomplished much."

The QE2's $18 million refit and hotel refurbishment saw the removal of nearly 50 coats of paint from her hull and repainted in the icy wintry weather of Bremerhaven. Acres and acres of carpeting and miles of fabric went into the ship's interior refurbishment. What's more, the project was completed on time and under budget.

All the vessel's public areas have been redone in more modern tones and upholstery.

• The Queens Room is specially striking with its electric blue and gold motif carpeting and contemporary furnishings that open up the area to more light and space. Even the Grand Lounge, the Casino and the Golden Lion Pub got a dress over.
• The dining rooms were also spiffed up. Outstanding is the refurbished Caronia restaurant with its rich mahogany paneling, table lighting and crystal chandeliers that replicate the elegance of an English manor. (Expect to see more of that in the new ships ahead, predicts Pimentel).
  The Queens Grill also was redecorated with new furniture and carpeting and a new serving galley while the more intimate Princess and Britannia Grills have redesigned seating arrangements and new furnishings. In the cafeteria style Lido Pavilion, a new buffet facility was installed and the furniture was reupholstered.
• All passenger accommodations were enhanced. Two new grand suites were created in tan and gold color schemes with marble master and guest bathrooms and with a separate living-dining area apart from the bedroom in the Queens Grill category: the 575 square foot Caledonia Suite (No. 8200) on Boat Deck and the larger 777 square foot Aquitania Suite (No. 2149) located forward of the Midships Lobby on Two Deck.
  Also on Two Deck, the 770 square foot Carinthia Suite (No. 2151, formerly the Midships Suite) was enlarged while two additional Princess Grill category cabins ( Nos. 2153 and 2154) were also added. In addition, all suites and cabins have been refurbished and existing furnishings reupholstered.
• New directional signage was installed in the passageways and stairwells-a big help for passengers trying to find their way around the maze of corridors.
• The Business Center was upgraded with new computer email facilities for those just itching to send a cheery message home. And on the Royal Promenade, Harrods of London has joined the other elegant boutiques gracing the area.

But entertainment for its passengers is definitely on the mind of Cunard. In tandem with the ship's refurbishment, Cunard has introduced an innovative entertainment concept: its theater will be the venue for a Broadway-bound show.

Passengers will be able to see a work in progress, even attending dress rehearsals, workshops and be able to meet the cast and production personnel in group discussions.

Pimentel was quite enthusiastic about the QE2's refurbishment and highly respectful of the Cunard heritage that began in 1840.

"Since the QE2 is our flagship vessel, she embodies the essence of British heritage and all that is Cunard. With more than 160 years of tradition, it is important that we retain that all but vanished experience that defines luxury ocean travel.
"We are preserving a piece of history that is the foundation for what has become the explosive growth of the cruise market."