Queen Victoria
View Ship Itineraries

90,000 tons
Width: 106 feet at beam
Length: 964 feet
Passengers: 2014
Crew: 1001
Decks:  16
Entered Service: December 2007
Registry: Britain

Best for People Who Want
Refined elegance, separate suite dining and lounge

Should Be Avoided By People who prefer
Large casino, single seating dining

Onboard Experience
When I boarded Queen Victoria in New York for a tour I didn't expect to be "wowed".  This ship is drop-dead gorgeous with light mahogany paneling, marble floors and leather lounge chairs among the expensive fittings.   There are seemingly an endless number of subdued lounges and clubs, elegant dining rooms and so many touches that herald back to the great liners of the past – although Queen Victoria, at 90,000 tons, is really a cruise ship.  When the pub is much larger than the casino, it's fairly evident that the ship was designed to appeal to British passengers.  At least in her first year, Queen Victoria will cruise in the Mediterranean after her inaugural world cruise.

The Royal Theatre is a first, with private boxes ($25 per person) and a rich burgundy décor. Entertainment will certainly include West End productions and other British favorites.  You'll find a smaller, yet equally beautiful, Queen's Room for afternoon tea and evening ballroom dancing.  Victoria has the best suite amenities of any ship at sea. 

Separate single seating dining room (the Princess and Queen Grills) plus a beautiful concierge lounge, a private courtyard for alfresco dining when the weather cooperates and a private deck for sunbathing.

Carnival Corp., which owns Cunard and built Queen Victoria, did cut corners on non-suite cabins. Not only are staterooms significantly smaller than one finds aboard Queen Mary 2, but there are virtually no drawers.  Apparently passengers are expected to store clothing on the floor or in their suitcase!

Decor
This ship has my vote for the most beautiful décor afloat.  Light mahogany paneling and marble floors create an elegant country house effect.  The color scheme throughout is varying degrees of beige, Wedgewood blue and burgundy.  Beautiful paintings of Cunard ships are perfectly lit in lounges.

Public Rooms
For a 90,000-ton ship, Queen Victoria has an enormous number of public rooms and lounges.  Passengers embark in the three-story Grand Lobby with "floating" staircases between decks.
Lounges line the main floor, including the Champagne Bar, which make this area superb for people watching.  The ship boasts 13 bars and clubs, including the Golden Lion, a large English pub, the Midships Lounge, a two-floor Library with 6,000 books.  The Winter Garden, with retractable glass roof, fountain and plants overlooks the swimming pool. 

The three-deck Royal Court Theatre, which seats 830, has private boxes ($25 per person) and is elegant with burgundy fabrics.

I loved the two-deck Queen's Room ballroom with a 1000 sq. foot dance floor, where afternoon tea is served and passengers dance to a live orchestra at night. 

The Hemispheres Club, with 270-deegree views, is a lively club at night while the Commodore Club lounge is another circular lounge with Cunard memorabilia.  The large shopping arcade includes Harrods and several other high-end shops.

Restuarants
In the Cunard tradition, each grade of cabin is paired with a restaurant.  The bulk of passengers will dine in the two-deck Britannia Restaurant, decorated with a beautiful glass and bronze art deco centerpiece.  Dinner is assigned, two seating.  The Queens and Princess Grills are single-seating restaurants for suite passengers and the private area also boasts a lounge, bar and deck terrace.  The 100-seat Todd English Restaurant will be a very popular alternative restaurant requiring reservations.  Buffet food is found in the 450-passenger Lido open for breakfast and dinner.

Entertainment   

Aboard each cruise will be the Victoriana show, with period costumes and performances that herald back to the days of the British Empire.  Dance Passion captures the style of Gene Kelly plus tango, salsa and samba.  An Irish dance show, with traditional music, song and dance is scheduled each cruise.  A Stroke of Genius, blends popular music with French Impressionist paintings.

Cabins
Queen Victoria's standard inside, outside and balcony staterooms are on the small side and have two tiny drawers, certainly not enough space for even a week's clothing.  Inside staterooms are 151-243 sq. feet; outside are 180-201 sq. ft. and balcony staterooms are 242 to 472 sq. feet.  Suites are much larger and better equipped.

Princess Suites measure 342-513 sq. ft., Queens Suites and Penthouses are 508-771 sq. feet.  There are two Master Suites (1,100 sq. ft) and four Grand Suites (1918-2,131 sq. ft.)

Fitness/Spa
The 13,000-sq. foot Cunard Royal Spa & Fitness Center offers massages (starting at $115 for 50 minutes) from many countries and facials, manicures and pedicures.  I love the Hydrotherapy pool but at $35 per day, found it too pricey.  The fitness area offers Pilates, Gravity, Yo'Fit yoga program; Cycling, Push and Lift resistance workout and aerobics.  You can get your teeth whitened, which I don't recommend since reading horror stories of cruise ship passengers returning with major dental problems.

Attire
This ship is dressier than most with more formal nights scheduled than you'll find aboard other ships.

Tipping
Gratuities are automatically charged to your shipboard account for dining room waiter, cabin steward and other personnel. The per person (including children) per day rates are $13 for QE2 and QM2 accommodation with Grill dining; $11 for QE2 and QM2 accommodation with Restaurant dining. Visit the front desk to adjust the amount.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2008.  All rights reserved.