Much has been said recently about this new Cunarder and I have been in general, dismayed by the negative reviews she has garnered since entering service late last year. Even before she had her first cruise the naysayers were condemning her shape and the quality and styling of her fitout, mostly before seeing her let alone stepping foot on her. Interestingly enough the same complaints circulated about the Queen Mary 2 before her launch and previously the now much lauded QE2 had horrified travelers in the 60s by her now perceived iconic profile. Both ships are now regarded as icons and woebetide anyone who criticizes either ship. The recent negative reviews of the QV on this forum have made me wonder if the writers and I had been on the same ship. After spending several sectors on her during her recent Maiden World Cruise I think I had enough time to explore her and all her services without coming to any hasty decisions. I personally, was thrilled with her, the fitout is superb and the experience was exceptional, the crew efficient and from all accounts happy and the Captain gracious and very sociable. This has made me wonder...who would write reviews, unless you had an axe to grind or a particular complaint to make why would you bother? I figured therefore that its about time that those many of us who have enjoyed these ships should get out our pens and warm up our mice and start having our own say and try and redress the balance.....

so here goes......

Background, I am a New Zealander in my late 40s and a Cunard Platinum Traveller. I have previously travelled with groups of friends and family ranging from 8 to 12 people. This was my first and longest cruise travelling solo and I embarked in Singapore and travelled through to Southampton. Read more