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Login Queen Victoria will delight you with her special appeal, where elegance and unique features combine seamlessly with outstanding hospitality. You’ll discover an extraordinary way to see the world.
From the moment you step on board, you're immersed in an enchanting world of pleasure and escapism. Pass leisurely days soaking up the sunshine or gazing out at the tranquil ocean from her light-filled Winter Garden. Learn something new with our Cunard Insights speakers, or simply unwind with a good read. As evening falls, choose from a delectable array of dining options, and enjoy world-class entertainment in the Royal Court Theatre. On Queen Victoria the freedom to create your perfect trip is all yours.
We arrived early at the terminal in Barcelona, but were on board smoothly in no time at all. Our cabin was ready soon after. For me, Cunard just seem to do things a little bit better than average: the decor, the service, the food. Even our suitcases were not just dumped outside the door, but taken into the cabin and placed on the bed, ready for unpacking. And our balcony cabin had a small sofa between the bed and the balcony door - a small detail, but it gives you somewhere else to sit rather than just on your bed. Around the (heated) pools, there were fresh towels stacked ready for when you got out - no swapping or deposits or searching for the towel station. The cabin was as clean as you'd hope for and everything worked fine. The TV is a little frustrating because, although there's a good choice of channels, the guide is no use, as it doesn't describe any of the programmes, so you just have to flick constantly until you find something of interest. We picked a cabin near the front of the ship, as we do on nearly every cruise, but on Deck four this was extremely noisy when docking, being directly above the thrusters which, although only used for a few minutes, had a loud whine (probably their motor) running for the whole docking procedure. Wouldn't pick again for this reason alone. The interior of Queen Victoria was generally exceptionally clean, but the exterior looks quite tatty and rusty and in need of a paint. It's been a while since its last refurb, so would benefit from another soon, but nothing to put you off going. We found the food to be noticeably better than the few recent P&O cruises we've been on and the gluten free section of the buffet the best of any cruise we've ever done - lots of choice and no waiting for staff to go and get things for you. The ship was not full, so there was lots of space on deck, but a little lack of atmosphere. The Queens room was half empty most of the time even though the band was playing almost all the time. I do wonder how Cunard will fare as the ballroom dancing generations fade away over time. Entertainment was good quality, far better than the typical 'headliners' teams, who I appreciate are learning their trades, but just don't compare to the sopranos and musicians Cunard choose. The ports were all good: Livorno well worth a day rather than risk the chaos of Pisa or the corrupt cops on the buses ripping tourists off and demanding fines after not letting them validate their tickets (a well known scam apparently, but coming from government employees), Toulon a nice walkable town and waterfront, Ibiza (Eivissa) beautiful and Valencia's art and science park just amazing. Barcelona is obviously well worth a few days before or after the cruise, although Las Ramblas is completely dug up right now, and no doubt will be for the whole of this summer, so wasn't what we'd hoped.
The dream of waking up to blue Caribbean skies and the prospect of another day of white sandy beaches lapped by aquamarine seas, provides a much-needed escape from the misery of winter and this cruise made it a reality. Okay, sometimes it was marred by what the locals call liquid sunshine but when the tap is turned off paradise is restored. Airports have ruined flying and to see the world by ship is far more civilised especially on board Cunard’s Queen Victoria, a mid-sized ship that succeeds in delivering great service and fine food in the most elegant of surroundings. It looks and feels like a 5-star hotel and once you’re remembered for the right reasons, the officers and crew treat you like family. Just one example. A breakfast treat when I’m abroad is black bread and I didn’t expect to see it in the ship's buffet. And initially I didn’t. But a chat with Jose, one of the commis chefs, produced dividends. Next morning he presented me with thick triangles of dark pumpernickel. Toasted, buttered and with thick-cut marmalade it’s delicious. Well done to Jose! THE PORTS If you’re planning a first Caribbean holiday and wondering about the islands, I’d recommend Barbados where even the capital, Bridgetown, has the most incredible beaches as well as lots of history and the same is true in Dominica and St Kitts which have the added bonus of being very friendly. St Maarten is another favourite, not only for its beaches and bars but also for its cleanliness; the town sparkles. One word of advice: the sea might tempt you in but the undertow can be strong and getting out may at times be a challenge. If St Lucia is included in your cruise itinerary, share a taxi or book a tour and explore the island because the port town of Castries has little to offer. LIFE AT SEA There is no time to be bored. The six days spent crossing the Atlantic zipped by with a full programme of daily activities. In my case, the art sessions were a highlight because the teacher, Nick Owen, was so good. With art packs excellent value at $35, plenty of people joined in and Nick’s individual tuition was really helpful. Apart from the popular song-and-dance shows, the theatre presented port talks and guest speakers, such as Annabel Croft who shared her life in tennis as well as in the commentary box. The sea was kind and some enjoyed playing quoits, table tennis and cricket on the open decks but I preferred a sheltered corner of the aft deck for reading. Inside, the Clarendon Art Gallery displayed originals and limited edition prints of established and new artists, with the pictures and sculptures changed on a daily basis; Eliza and Somi also organised some wonderful cocktail parties to share details about Clarendon’s archive. I tried hard to visit the well-equipped gym each day but one place I always enjoyed visiting was the spacious library where librarian Ronnie kept everything shipshape and helped sort out our wifi problems. Senior officers were high profile and one in particular impressed me. Lynn d’Mello is the Guest Operations Co-ordinator and I was able to observe as he arranged help for one of our table companions whose husband died unexpectedly at home. With great empathy, he eased her sadness by arranging a flight home and on the day of her disembarkation made sure a taxi was at the quayside. He even assisted with the offloading of her luggage. Lynn is certainly a tremendous ambassador for Cunard values. Within a week of boarding, I was intent on booking another cruise. I had met Naomi Yu, one of three Future Voyages consultants at cocktail parties which were held at regular intervals, and it was she who responded to my avalanche of inquiries. Her cheerfulness, her knowledge and her keenness to answer every question resulted in me booking not one but three new cruises. THE FOOD Ottavio, Executive Chef, inspired his galley team to create some amazing food and menu choices, and was happy to engage with guests. At lunch the buffet choices were wide and varied, from salads, curries and seafood to roast meats, pizzas and soups. Exquisite desserts made all thoughts of holding back impossible. I booked a table at Verandah, a specialist restaurant, and was served an exceptional Dover Sole, filleted at my table, followed by a rum baba with bottles of different rums trolleyed to me for my added enjoyment. At dinner I shared a table in the convivial company of six others and this made each meal a special occasion. Joshua and Jeffrey provided cheerful and attentive service in Britannia restaurant and were ably supported by wine waiter Gusti. Of all the dinners, my favourite main courses were beef Wellington and the pork medallions - succulent, tender and presented piping hot. WOULD I BOOK AGAIN? Of course, and I did. Queen Victoria is a fine ship thanks to the hard work of her officers and crew. Her facilities are second to none and I disembarked refreshed and confident that for 28 nights I had enjoyed the best that cruise holidays can offer. The writer: David George worked in BBC Radio News before he retired and now writes travel guides and cruise reviews
From parties of one to families of four, you’ll find a variety of spacious staterooms and suites on board our ships to make your voyage as comfortable as possible.
From casual bites to haute cuisine, each day on Queen Victoria unlocks a new culinary adventure. Enjoy the timeless elegance of her fine dining restaurants, the array of dishes at her Lido buffet, or the chance to indulge in hearty pub fare at the Golden Lion pub. Where will you eat first?
As with all Cunard ships, Queen Victoria operates a stateroom-affiliated dining system, whereby your main dining room corresponds to your stateroom grade: Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill or Queens Grill. Guests can dine in their main dining room for all meals of the day, and it's all included in the cruise fare. However these are just the beginnings of what your tastebuds can discover on board Queen Victoria. Read on as we introduce six of our favourite culinary experiences available to guests on Queen Victoria, wherever she sails.
A journey of sophistication and indulgence awaits you at Queen Victoria’s bars and lounges. From classic cocktails and fine wines to global beers and spirits, here’s nine places to raise a glass on board our legendary vessel.
The ship features a fantastic array of health and fitness facilities for passengers that wish to stay active or relax and be pampered. These include, a spa, a fitness centre, a games deck, sports courts and much more.
Our ships are ideal family holiday destinations, with plenty to keep our younger guests entertained.
Children of all ages are welcome on our ships, and our dedicated clubs offer activities and entertainment. These include arts and crafts, sporting activities, play areas, computer games and much more. They can make friends with other children at The Play Zone, for two- to seven-year-olds, and The Zone which is ideal for eight- to 17-year-olds. Our youth staff will supervise your children and organise events, activities and competitions.
Access to the children's clubs is included in your fare.
