A couple days after leaving the Star Princess in Civitavecchia, we returned to the port and boarded Cunard's Queen Victoria on September 25, 2010. As we approached the ship I was impressed with the beautiful exterior of navy, red and white and remember thinking it was the most stunning ship I had ever seen.

Embarkation was smooth, though I was not excited about having to leave my passport with the staff in exchange for a ship card that I was told would serve as my passport for the next 12 days. As we entered the ship and approached the main elevator a perfecty dressed young man stuck out his white gloved finger and pushed the UP button. That was the last time in the next 12 days that I was of the impression that we were on a luxury cruise ship. Somehow the term luxury was transformed simply and completely to uninviting.

It began with the note on our bed as we checked into our room. Not really welcoming as much as warning us of the need to follow the dress code. The room steward was great. Similar to every other steward serving us on every other cruise. They have all been wonderful. Read more