Queen Mary 2 to get major refurbishment in 2016

NEW YORK -- At an event commemorating the 175th anniversary of Cunard, the line's North America president, Rick Meadows announced some additional features and major refurbishments for the 11-year-old Queen Mary 2 to be added during a 25-day drydock next year.

The flagship of Cunard Line will for the first time get 15 single-occupancy cabins. During the drydock, workers will also install 30 more Britannia Club Balcony staterooms that come with anytime dining privileges in the Britannia restaurant.

A unique feature of the Queen Mary 2, the dog kennels, will be expanded. Currently there are accommodations for 12 dogs or cats and another 10 kennels will be added.

Also coming will be a statuary lamp post and fire hydrant in the dog walking area, a feature first introduced on the QM2's flagship predecessor, the Queen Elizabeth 2.

Parent company Carnival Corporation chairman Micky Arison, CEO Arnold Donald, Cunard CEO David Noyes, Holland America Group CEO Stein Kruse and Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy were among the company executives who joined travel agents, former Cunard officers, descendants of the line's founder Samuel Cunard and media in celebrating Cunard's anniversary.

Commodore Ron Warwick (Ret.), the first master of the Queen Mary 2, with Valerie Wilson Travel International co-president Jennifer Wilson and Cunard North America President Rick Meadows at the celebration of the 175th anniversary of Cunard. The Queen Mary 2 is in the background, just above Wilson. Photo Credit: Arnie Weissmann

 The Queen Mary 2 herself also made an appearance, pausing in New York Harbor to put on a light show for the crowd before heading out on a transatlantic crossing.

Other new features will be announced later. The QM2 is scheduled to emerge from drydock June 21, 2016.

Arnie Weissmann contributed to this report.