POSH pooches setting sail from Southampton on board Cunard’s luxury flagship, Queen Mary 2, will soon be able to sniff out their very own lamp-post, while their American cousins will be relieved to see a traditional fire-hydrant on their very own deck.

With an eye to the detail which perhaps differentiates Cunard, both a lamp post and a fire hydrant will be installed on the area of open deck reserved for dog walking while the liner makes her way across the Atlantic.

These two conveniences will be added as QM2 undergoes an extensive 25 day-long dry dock refurbishment at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany next summer, from May 27 to June 21, 2016.

As Cunard marked its illustrious 175 year history with yesterday's celebratory departure from New York of its flagship, QM2, it announced the next chapter of “innovation and investment”, introducing new designs and passenger facilities to the world’s most famous liner.

Just as families are holidaying across the generations, so pets are increasingly seen taking a sea voyage and Cunard is only took pleased to help out.

QM2 is already the only liner in the world to offer dedicated kennels and currently carries up to 12 dogs and cats on each trans-atlantic crossing.

To meet strong demand - these kennel places frequently sell out - a further ten kennels will be created for four legged travellers during the refit.

This is not the first time that the shipping line has ensured that dogs from either side of the pond will feel equally at home as they previously a feature of the kennels on Cunard’s former flagship, Queen Elizabeth 2 and was first introduced on board the original Queen Mary at the suggestion of the Duke of Windsor.

Daily Echo:

According to Southampton based Cunard, this major revamp of the 11-year-old vessel will “further refine and refresh guest interior spaces and launch new exciting innovations designed to exceed guest expectations.”

Among the ship’s key developments announced, reflecting the changing needs of Cunard’s passengers, will be the introduction, for the first time, of 15 single staterooms on board QM2 while 30 cabins, each with private balconies, will also be created for those guests wishing to have more flexibility in their dining arrangements as the dedicated Britannia Club restaurant will be expanded.

From the company’s inception, Cunard has been at the forefront of ocean travel.

Through establishing the first scheduled transatlantic crossings, to the first electric light bulbs and en-suite bathrooms at sea, to the grandeur of the floating palaces of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, to the launch of the current fleet.

Extensive research has informed a series of further developments which will be revealed over the coming months, building on the flagship’s strengths as the epitome of luxury on a grand scale.

Angus Struthers, Cunard director, said: “Queen Mary 2 is an icon in the world of luxury ocean travel. A ship that turns heads everywhere she goes, she is the pride of the Cunard fleet and we are committed to ensuring her reputation grows ever stronger.”