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Why Go?
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 Upscale interior that pays respect to Cunard's long history
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Wide range of itineraries, from four-nighters to world cruises
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Afternoon tea reminds of grander days of ocean travel
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Gorgeously elegant formal nights
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Good and consistent service
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Itineraries and Ports of Call: Baltics & Northern Europe • Canary Islands • Caribbean - Southern • Europe - British Isles & Western • Europe - Eastern Mediterranean • Europe - Western Mediterranean • Hawaii • Mexican Riviera • Panama Canal & Central America • Transatlantic
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Queen Victoria Review
Queen Victoria, which debuted in 2007, lacks some of the high profile glitz of Queen Mary 2, its much larger sibling -- but never mind. The ship is large enough to feature plenty of space, but also cosy enough to foster a sense of intimacy, and is actually the most beautiful ship Cunard has built (at least in my day).
The ship's interior pays many tributes to Cunard's venerable history (the British line dates back to 1840) as well as to England. These celebratory nods range from black and white photos of the rich and famous as they travelled on various Cunard steamers to an homage to Queen Victoria herself in the design of the two-deck high Queen's Room, meant to replicate the general ambience of Osborne House, the monarch's favourite residence.
Polished veneer on the walls in staircases also harks back to the age of liners; trumpet light fixtures in the Chart Room Bar remind us of those that graced the First Class Observation Lounge on the first Queen Mary (1936).
As important as history is in creating a certain elegant ambience onboard, what makes it all work is that Cunard has successfully fused heritage with modernity. Cabins are relatively state of the art while the Golden Lion pub boasts an antique-ish pressed tin pub ceiling.
Ultimately, Queen Victoria doesn't awe passengers with breathtaking extravaganzas as does Queen Mary 2 (which it must be admitted I admire even so). It's grand -- yet with warm colours, familiar and competent service and plenty of smallish-sized public rooms, it's built on a human scale. This is a much more British ship in the sense that it's overall ambience is understated rather than stunning. Ultimately, it's worthy of note that while there's a museum on the ship, by no means is Queen Victoria a mere museum itself.
Read Complete Queen Victoria Review
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Cunard Ships: Queen Elizabeth • Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) • Queen Mary 2 (QM2) • Queen Victoria
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