Queen Victoria

Victoria reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom for 63 years, from 1837 until her death, and her reign became known as the Victorian era, a hallmark in European history. So, of course, it is expected that Queen Victoria (well, the ship) serves as a big nod to the United Kingdom. This ship primarily sails out of Southampton, focusing on Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. It also offers long voyages of more than two weeks to the Caribbean, departing from, yes, you guessed it, Southampton.

What we like about Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is a love letter to England and to those sailing out of Southampton. In fact, a third of Queen Victoria’s sailings depart from Southampton, while another third depart from Hamburg and Rome. Most itineraries focus on Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and you can find anything from 2-day Europe cruises starting at $400 to 4-day cruises at $790, as well as great deals like an 11-day Voyage du Vin cruise from Barcelona that celebrates that beautiful thing called wine, starting at just $910. 

That is an amazing price for a luxurious and romantic vacation. Of course, prices vary and deals come and go, but Queen Victoria offers so many European itineraries that there is a good chance you will find something you love that also fits your budget. And hey, your friends at Famvia can always give you a hand with that.

Queen Victoria is all about that classic era of cruising, with dark wood and modest luxury throughout. The word here is classy. Do not expect neon and glitz anywhere, but the overall vibe is that of a modern castle with crystal chandeliers and pillar clocks that knows it is luxurious and does not need a label to prove it. That is probably one of the reasons why it is a ship that features ballroom dancing, gala nights, and sometimes even masquerade parties that resemble Renaissance Italy. It is a gorgeous, elegant ship and perfect for guests looking for an intimate and romantic moment.

Another great reason to go on Queen Victoria and feel transported back in time is its daily Afternoon Tea. This is an event on every Cunard ship, but it holds a special place aboard Queen Victoria. I mean, is there anything more special and more British than having tea and eating pastries while being served by waiters wearing white gloves? Afternoon Tea is complimentary, but you can even choose to pay an extra $35 to transform the experience into the Champagne Afternoon Tea. Champagne, tea, cakes and all the dessert I can eat? Sign me up.

What we don’t like about Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria is actually smaller than Queen Mary 2, which launched four years before and focuses on transatlantic crossings. Maybe for this reason, some indoor rooms seem smaller and a little bit more claustrophobic than what you’d find on Queen Mary 2. This is also not a purpose built ocean liner, so transatlantic crossing and world voyages might be slightly more bumpy than these trips on the Queen Mary 2. You also won’t find venues on the Queen Victoria like the planetarium, no kennels and no bridge viewing windows.

The buffet is somewhat disappointing compared with Queen Mary 2. Is it terrible? Not really, but the food quality could be better given the cruise price. The pizza is not very good, and sometimes the buffet lacks options. There is not enough staff to clear and reset tables, leaving guests standing and searching for seats as their food gets cold. The Lido on this ship definitely needs a few improvements.

Conclusion

Queen Victoria is for those who want to go on a cruise that definitely feels British. It is cozy, intimate, and romantic, with everything guests need to relax and enjoy a trip out of Europe. It could use a few updates, especially in some indoor areas and the buffet, but let us just say that Queen Victoria herself would give this one a thumbs up.