Cunard has dropped two sailings from Queen Victoria's schedule in order to carry out maintenance work on the ship's propulsion system.
The Carnival Spirit-class vessel has had to enter dry dock nearly a year earlier than previously intended in order to have a bearing replaced in time for a world cruise beginning 20 January 2015.
As a result a 12-day trip to the Canaries on 3 January and a five-day excursion to Amsterdam and Cherbourg on 15 January 2015 have been cancelled; affected passengers will receive either a $175 (£105) rebooking credit, or a full refund, as preferred.
While in dock at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, Cunard's smallest ship will also receive a multimillion-pound refit that will include nine single staterooms, new shops and a more environmentally friendly filtration system for engine exhaust gas.
