Cunard light

The Queen Victoria is the smaller version of Cunard style than the Queen Mary 2. The ship is simpler in design. The public rooms on deck two and three are located on one corridor that runs the length of the ship. Most of these bars and entertainment venues are open to the hall making them less private.

The food was mediocre. The food in Britannia is "dumbed down." The portions are now nouvelle cuisine size. The sauces are less refined and sugar based. There is a vast difference in food from just two years ago.

The Lido restaurant is adequate for main courses but the side dishes were mainly potato based. This is not the place to try to be on a healthy cruise. This is not the place for someone with special food needs.

The Lido pastries were seriously lacking. Most desserts were gelatin based. They actually had Jello in different colors available.

The entertainment is similar to the Queen Mary 2 but less extravagant. There were few classical concerts. There was a Russian pianist who was excellent. It was shame that she played in the Queens Room on a seriously out of tune piano which was amplified. This exaggerated the inadequate piano even more. Attendance is always sparse for classical concerts aboard Cunard. The poor state of the equipment even made me stay away after two concerts.

There was a comedic cello concert with the Cunard band. This seemed to be English schtick similar to Heny Youngman which is out of style in the US but much enjoyed by the packed house here. I found it painful.

The lecturers were excellent, as usual. There were lectures on the environment, art, history and local cultures. The lecturers are always well educated, enlightening and entertaining.

The outdoor pool area was packed in good weather. It was well attended by the leather skinned crowd and the pale trying to find warmth on this winter cruise. There does not seem to be an indoor pool except for a small soaking pool in the spa which was usually empty. That pool is visible through large windows on the way to the Lido food areas.

The Queen Victoria is an excellent ship for someone who does not want to maneuver around a huge ship, such as the Queen Mary 2. The layout is simpler and easy to get around.

The people on the Queen Victoria world cruise segment were more cruise savvy than the average Transatlantic passenger. They dressed better but still casually in the daytime. They looked comfortable even in their formal clothing at night.

The Captain, Inger Klein Olsen, is an absolute delight. She is a warm, genuine person who confidently controls the ship while being engaging with the passengers.