Cunard has announced the refit of Queen Victoria will take place this May.

The ship will be taken out of service on May 5, 2017 and the company is investing more than £34 million in the project which is being undertaken at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy and scheduled for completion on June 4, 2017.

New to Queen Victoria is Britannia Club Dining with the addition of an intimate restaurant and 43 Britannia Club staterooms on Decks 7 and 8. The refreshed staterooms will feature newly-designed carpets, soft furnishings, new flat screen TVs, as well as tea and coffee facilities. The Britannia Club restaurant will offer guests the flexibility to dine when they choose. In addition, the ship’s Grand Suites and Deck 8 aft Penthouse Suites have been completely redesigned, and a new Chart Room bar will be introduced.

Simon Palethorpe, Senior Vice President, Cunard said: “This investment in Queen Victoria just goes to demonstrate Cunard’s passion for delivering an experience that exceeds guests’ expectations in luxury travel by sea. For the first time on Queen Victoria, guests can enjoy an elevated experience with large, well-appointed balcony staterooms in prime locations and the new Britannia Club Restaurant will be the perfect setting for those who prefer a more intimate dining experience in one of the finest restaurants at sea.”

The Cunard Grand Suites will be redesigned and reconfigured to maximise space. The Aquitania, Berengaria, Mauretania and Laconia Suites will have similar square footage to those on Queen Elizabeth at approximately 1,436 sq. ft. Refreshed designs will include a new colour scheme that takes its inspiration from the line’s history with its signature Cunard purple.

Five new Penthouse Suites will be added on Deck 8 aft which will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, defined living and sleeping spaces and bathrooms with natural light. New colour schemes reflect Cunard’s signature tones of deep red and geometric patterns.

A new Chart Room concept will debut on Queen Victoria as part of the refit. It be located on Deck 2 off the Grand Lobby, where Café Carinthia is currently located. The Chart Room will feature illy coffee, Godiva chocolate treats and light bites by day and cocktails by night. The cruise line will also introduce a “gin and fizz” themed menu to the Midships Lounge, including a variety of wines, Proseccos, Cavas and Champagne alongside premium gins and spirits.

More details on the refurbishment will follow over the coming months.