First off, let me say the ONLY reason I'm taking the time to write this review is because of the constant nickle and diming of Cunard and their stingy ways. Otherwise I'd have just blown even the extra $3,500 off. But they're just stingy and to the bone.
We chose this cruise because of the itinerary mostly - however, I am confused why we called a couple ports - and because of Cunard's reputation and reviews. We had priority embarkation so that was flawless. The community rooms, except for the Lido dining area, of the ship are well decorated with stunning under stated taste. Cunard had a half bottle of complementary sparkling win in our room which was a nice touch. That's where my amazement ended.
Embarkation is at 2:00 and coincidentally lunch is over at 2:00-ish. We dropped our stuff off in the underwhelming state room (See Cabin Review Section about the stateroom's decoration and abysmal bathroom.). When we headed up to the Lido, which is decorated circa 1995 in pale blues, ugly yellow and white wood and can be hot, we found that not twenty minutes after getting on the ship on a turn-around day, they were closing up shop for lunch. I had to find a manager to leave the salad bar open. There is literally nothing to eat but mostly bread, skimpy on the filling sandwiches and cookies - all fattening - between 2:30 and 5:30ish on the ship. I don't like bread. I ended up hording bananas and cereal in our room.
The stateroom was ok. I've sailed on other high end cruise lines like Oceana and I have to say the bathroom and furnishings were lack luster in compassion. First off off there was just a tiny shower with a cloth shower curtain, plastic floors and the sink and toilet were at cross roads with another. When compared to the regular Oceana balcony cabin, which had slate tile, a round tub and a shower with a real glass door, the bathroom was cramped and lack luster.
I might also add that where the stateroom was roomy, it was decorated circa early 1990's in light blue, yellow and white wood even so I know the Victoria was given a major over haul in 2007.
Cabin steward average.
Good tour. Long day. Cunard didn't include lunch.