Cunard Line - Queen Victoria

Cruise-Australia.net

Discover Cruising at its Best!

With Reuben Goossens

Cruise’n’Travel Journalist & Maritime Historian

Cunard Line

To add a third liner to their fleet!

MV Queen Victoria

With Reuben Goossens

Queen Victoria Seen during her sea trials

All images on this page have been provided by the Carnival Plc / Cunard Australia – Unless stated otherwise

For a short time in 2008 there are three Queen’s sailing under the famed Cunard Line banner. In the past there was the great three funnelled Queen Mary and the two funnelled Queen Elizabeth. Today, there the true classic Cunarder liner the MS Queen Elizabeth 2, or as she is loving known as the QE2, and then there are the two new Cunard cruise ships, which are both Carnival inspired modern ships, the MV Queen Mary 2 and the Carnival Vista class, MV Queen Victoria, which externally is almost identical to P&O UK’s MV Arcadia. Internally, Queen Victoria will have all the traditional touches of a Cunard ship with rooms having all the traditional Cunard names.

Although externally in her design the Queen Victoria certainly does not look like a true Cunard ship, but she like the QM2 and QE2 will be recognised as a Cunarder for having the traditional black hull combined with that very traditional Red and black Cunard funnel. Although her design is identical to some P&O and Holland America Line ships, thus not a typical Cunard ship as it has been I the past. However, that is just an external observation from a maritime historian’s point of view. But, this will in no way impede with the true style and quality of service that will be enjoyed on this new ship!

As soon as passengers embark they will encounter the dramatic three level Grand Lobby, whose magnificent staircase and eye-catching artwork offers a lavish taste of life aboard. As you walk around the ship you will discover the elaborate chandeliers that adorn the elegant double height Queens Room. The Winter Garden is all light and its décor is very much colonial in tone. It has decked floors and leafy foliage, and has a glass roof that can open in warmer climates. All her facilities will be elegant and stylish, with every public room will have been created with a unique ambience, this combined with Cunard’s renowned “White Star Service”™ will surpass all expectations.

In January 2008, Queen Victoria will embark on her Maiden World Cruise, a cruise that has been a classic Cunard tradition and it will be magnificently reinterpreted. She will meet her classic Cunard sister, QE2 in Sydney on February 24, which is on her final world voyage. QE2 will be retired later this year as Carnival has sold her to the United Arab Emirates to be converted into a luxury hotel in Dubai, which is fitting to see this great classic liner preserved in all her glory!

Join us on a short tour of the Queen Victoria

Please Note: most images featured on this page are artist impressions. Final designs and decor may vary.

The Grand Lobby

Actual photo taken just before delivery of the ship

Queens Room

Here you will appreciate an ambience that is reminiscent of that enjoyed by Queen Victoria in her much loved home, Osborne House. This is also where waiters orchestrate the sublime white gloved serving of afternoon tea.

Royal Court Theatre

This glamorous venue occupies three decks with tiered seating and intricately fronted private boxes. The stage is set for 830 guests to applaud the many star performances and the glittering West-End-style productions.

Wintergarden

Here you will discover views of the sun-dappled horizon in almost every direction from this grand conservatory filled with greenery. A retractable glass roof even allows you to feel the warm sunshine on your face without setting foot outside.

Library

Choose from one of the most impressive collections at sea in serene, stately ambience. Being able to browse up to 6,000 titles is a real pleasure in a surroundings of where warm mahogany and an ornate spiral staircase and leather sofas.

Royal Arcade

Discover shopping as shopping should be in The Royal Arcade, which was inspired by London's Burlington and Royal Arcades. The wood panelling, wrought iron, green marbles and white stone combine a sublime effect.

Queens Grill

For guests staying in Queens Grill accommodations, this is the ultimate expression of understated dining excellence, where your waiter guides you through the delicious possibilities and your chef endeavour to fulfil any request. A la carte menus encourage the most sublime culinary adventures, where service is only ever flawless and the ambience always perfectly refined.

The Courtyard

Queen and Princess Grill guests may dine or sip civilised afternoon tea in this exclusively reserved area as Queen Victoria enhances Cunard’s esteemed Grill Experience al fresco.

Britannia Restaurant

When you book the comforts a Britannia Stateroom, you'll revel in the splendid nightly occasion of dining in the magnificent two-tiered Britannia Restaurant on Decks 2 and 3. Your table awaits where attentive service is perfectly unobtrusive and the creative artwork provides and eye-catching centrepiece. You are free to choose the first or second sitting.

Todd English Restaurant

This stylish alternative restaurant offers fabulously intense flavours and inspiration drawn from around the Mediterranean. Each course continues a sumptuous odyssey to this region that is rich in culinary flair.

Staterooms

Every stateroom aboard Queen Victoria provides a comfortable sanctuary for guests. Standard inside staterooms offer excellent value. Deluxe Inside and Ocean-view staterooms are positively spacious. Whilst the Grill deluxe staterooms, Suites and Penthouse offer space, balconies, and all the luxuries expected from Cunard’s finest accommodations.

Please Note: On Queen Victoria, as on other Cunard liners, the accommodation of choice determines more than just a stateroom square footage, but it also determines your dining venue, be it Queens or Princess Grill, or the Britannia Restaurant.

Queens Grill Suite

Princess Grill Deluxe Stateroom

Britannia Balcony Stateroom

Britannia Oceanview stateroom

Value for money – Britannia inside stateroom

Facts and Figures

Key Dates	Official start date of work: 14 April 2005 Keel Laying: 12 May 2006 Float Out: January 2007
Passenger Accommodation	1,007 staterooms
Gross Tonnage	90,000 tons
Length	964.5 feet (294 metres)
Width	106 feet (32.3 metres)
Draft	25.9 feet (7.9 metres)
Height	179 feet (54.5 metres)
Guest Capacity	2,014
Guest Decks Interesting facts 86% of staterooms are outside 71% of staterooms feature balconies	12

Queen Victoria Seen during her sea trials

Queen Victoria’s deck plan is located on the Cunard Page

http://www.cunard.co.uk/QVictoria_2007_Flash/QV_Full.html

Also visit Cunard/Carnival News Updates

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