Cunard Line

Queen Victoria

Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship Overview

Cunard Line
Cruise StyleLuxury
Ship SizeSmall

Queen Victoria, which is very similar to her fleetmate Queen Elizabeth, sails primarily in Europe on Easter and Western Mediterranean, Baltic, British Isles, and Norwegian coast itineraries. If you’re looking for a class-conscious, traditional cruise, then this may be the ship for you.Read More

Designers drew upon the history of previous Cunard ocean liners to conceive Queen Victoria’s elegant interiors. From the ship’s double- and triple-height spaces—design features of grand liners of the past—to rooms imbued with an elegant yet understated British charm, the overall effect is contemporary and historically classic. The impact of the Grand Lobby’s triple-height ceiling, sweeping staircase, and sculpted balconies is immediate and unmistakable.

Queen Victoria herself might well feel at home on entering the double-height Queens Room, a loggia-style venue designed in the manner of the grand ballrooms found in large English country estates, such as Her Majesty’s own Osborne House. The ballroom has cantilevered balconies overlooking an inlaid-wood dance floor; the staircase is detailed with classically ornate, curved railings.

In addition to the intimate dining spaces and a lounge reserved for occupants of Queens and Princess Grill accommodations, an outdoor terrace is devoted to their exclusive use. All other public rooms are accessible to everyone on board.

One of the world’s most distinguished names in ocean travel since 1840, the Cunard Line has a long history of deluxe transatlantic crossings and worldwide cruising. The line’s ships are legendary for their comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine, and personal service. After a series of owners tried with little success to revive the company’s flagging passenger shipping business, Carnival Corporation offered an infusion of ready cash and the know-how to turn the line around in 1998. Exciting new ships have followed.

Delightful daily events include afternoon tea and the maritime tradition of sounding the ship’s bell at noon. The line offers North Atlantic crossings and seasonal shorter cruises, including Northern European and Mediterranean itineraries.

  • 12 passenger decks
  • Specialty restaurant
  • 3 dining rooms
  • buffet
  • café
  • ice cream parlor
  • pizzeria
  • Wi-Fi
  • safe
  • refrigerator
  • DVD (some)
  • 2 pools
  • Fitness classes
  • gym
  • hot tubs
  • sauna
  • spa
  • steam room
  • 10 bars
  • casino
  • 2 dance clubs
  • library
  • show room
  • Children’s programs
  • Dry-cleaning
  • laundry facilities
  • laundry service
  • Internet terminal
  • No-smoking cabins

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pros
Cons
The promenade deck that encircles the ship is ideal for casual strolls or jogging
The shops on board are well-stocked
The Winter Garden with a glass roof that opens is a pleasing spot to relax with a cup of tea
The first Cunardia museum exhibit at sea is disappointingly small
Standard accommodations don’t have enough drawer space
Private box seating for shows in the Royal Court Theater requires a reservation and fee

What to expect on board

Staterooms & Cabins

Cabins
Amenities
Accessibility

Although there are more than two dozen stateroom and suite categories from which to choose, cabins really fall into eight configurations. At the top are the Queens Grill suite categories, which have the most luxurious amenities; next are Princess Grill suites; finally come the standard staterooms (some with a balcony) as well as inside cabins, whose passengers dine in the Britannia Restaurant. The majority of the cabins fall into the standard categories. More than 86% of the staterooms on the ship are outside and 76% have private balconies. All are designed with ample closet and storage space, and even the least expensive outside categories have a small seating area. Private balconies are furnished with a table and chairs and some have loungers.

All passengers are greeted upon embarkation with sparkling wine or champagne and will find a refrigerator, safe, hair dryer, fresh fruit basket, bath toiletries, slippers, and a bathrobe for use during the cruise. Butlers are on hand to attend to Queens Grill occupants, whose bars are stocked with spirits, wine, and soft drinks.

Fourteen cabins are wheelchair accessible.

Food & Drink

Food

The Britannia Restaurant serves dinner in two assigned seatings for most passengers, while those in AA Britannia Club Balcony Cabins dine in the single-seating Britannia Club Dining Room, and those in Princess and Queens Grill-classes also dine in a single seating in their respective restaurants. Todd English, the alternative restaurant, requires reservations and has a fee. The Lido buffet and Golden Lion Pub offer relaxed dining options, while specialty teas, coffees, and pastries are featured in Café Carinthia. A proper English tea is served daily, and room service is always available.

Entertainment

Evening entertainment can include production shows and concerts and Cunard’s traditional themed formal balls in the Queen’s Lounge ballroom. Other options are as diverse as the exclusive Champagne Bar, an authentic English Pub, or Hemispheres, the glass-domed lounge for dancing until the small hours to the beat of a big band or with the resident DJ.

Spa & Fitness

Operated by Steiner Leisure, the spa features a wide range of exotic and contemporary treatments. Chakra rasul and herbal steam chambers are designed for couples to indulge in ancient Eastern rituals. A relaxation room, hydrotherapy pool, and thermal suite have three steam and sauna rooms that are available for the use of spa clients who’ve booked a treatment and others who’ve purchased a pass. Complimentary saunas are found in men’s and women’s changing rooms.

Key cruising tips

QUICK FACTS

SHIP STATS
Entered Service
2007
Number of Cabins
985
Passenger Capacity
1,990
Crew Members
981
Passengers to Crew Ratio
2.03
Gross Tons
90000
Width
106 feet
Length
965 feet
CRUISE LINE INFO
661/753–1000 or 800/728–6273

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