With Reuben Goossens

Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer

& Maritime Historian

Cunard Line

To add a third liner to their fleet!

MV Queen Victoria

 

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future.

 

Queen Victoria Seen during her sea trials

(Photograph © 2007 Carnival PLC/Cunard Australia)

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

(Photograph © 2007 Carnival PLC/Cunard Australia)

 

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

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

 

Visit our many features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies

Cunard: Queen Mary 2 / Queen Victoria / Queen Elizabeth

P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Sun / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Jewel / Pacific Pearl

P&O Cruises UK: Aurora / Oriana / Artemis

Princess Cruises: Sun Princess / Dawn Princess

Seabourn: Seabourn Yachts

 

For the Latest Cruise NEWS read our …

P&O/Princess/Cunard/Costa/Seabourn/Carnival News Updates

 

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For all cruise enquiries and reservations contact:

Australia’s first fully dedicated cruise agency – Established in 1982

The perfect agency Australia-Wide, Queensland & Northern Territory

 

Email: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

www.cruisespecialists.com.au

 

Or Phone

--1800 427 847--

Brisbane & International – Phone: +61 7 5546-6798

Fax: + 61 7 5546 6849

 

For International visitors

 

For a listing of recommended New Zealand & International Cruise’n’Travel Agents

ENTER HERE

 

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Email the Author … 

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

 

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future.

 

However, if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to a dedicated cruise agent in Australia, New Zealand or further afield on my recommended “cruise agents” page, for these are agents that specialise in cruising and they will be able offer excellent service you and the best fares available! Be assured, I do NOT receive any commissions or favours from these agents, and in the vast majority of cases these agents will not even be aware of my, or mu site’s involvement, as I provide the enquirer with the requested information of the agents (in their region) including their contact details. Reuben Goossens. 

 

Return to the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX

 

Cruise-Australia.com

& Cruise-Australia.net  

 

Classic Liner enthusiasts visit

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

Where the ships of the past make history & the 1914 built MV Doulos Story

 

 Visit the NEW Classic Ocean Voyages Feature

 

Photographs on cruise-australia are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

 

 

 

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