Victoria2

Well. I’ve tried. I really have. I'll hold my hands up and say we have been rather insular this trip and haven’t been as out and about as usual and so have not had the run of the ship to seek out the slipping standards but apart from rust spots, bird poop on our immediate restaurant window, definitely dodgy satellite TV reception at times and an internet battle to start with, I cannot find fault with our return to our beloved Queen Victoria. The Deputy Captain has done a good job and not run us aground or rear ended any passing boat; the food in QG has been up to par, too par 'ish if my jeans are anything to go by; my evening heels haven’t landed me on my backside or worse, with a sprained ankle after three years in their box in my wardrobe at home; the much vaunted lowering of dress standards seems to have, by and large, passed me by eg, has had no effect on us whatsoever…I could go on. I had a lovely snivelling/ snuffling afternoon in the theatre, along with many other female passengers and more than a few chaps ( except chaps don’t do three hanky weepies as well as us ladies) watching Downton The New Era. Rather appropriate really ( not the weepie end bit) as we’ve been looked after so well and we had a butler too. Back to reality tomorrow. I love my home so not bothered in the slightest but knowing we have so many cruises booked on QV ( did I mention I booked a couple more today!) in the great line from The Terminator, I'll be back! Thanks for reading and all the reactions. I appreciate it. Victoria2 xx

Thank you We've been quite a few times before when walking around was no problem so gave this one a miss and anyway, I love the ship when it’s deserted. Beautiful weather; a lovely cabin and balcony; a new James Patterson to read in a few hours; staff who can’t do enough for you ( never EVER mention you like something nibbles wise as you’ll be snowed under with it ); enough just about drinkable Sauvignon blanc on tap…what more could I wish for under the circumstances. Sadly, we started packing as the ship is stable when in port and my husband doesn’t trust me with his packing. I almost had to strong arm our butler out of the cabin as he insisted he could pack for us tomorrow. No chance mate. It’s one thing being spoilt rotten by extra cabin assistance but there isn’t a cat in hell’s chance I’d expect someone to pack our cases for us. Ordered off for starter and pud tonight and had a Bamboo main last night. I am hoping for wheelbarrow assistance for disembarkation on Wednesday.

Sorry folks. Our next four booked trips are QG so can’t help with any balancing, apart from helping my husband in lumpy seas. I will refrain from commenting though if that might help.🙂

Most chaps wore the usual Gala garb but there were one or two who had made an effort to 'roar'. Some more successfully than others. However I would say ladies came up trumps. Not too much of an exaggeration to say over a quarter gave some sort of nod to the theme, be it a head band/ piece, stonking long string of pearls or a flapper dress. Nice to see. Must add, the Queens Room was full, as was the dance floor. Some great dancers and good to see some who were not so proficient getting up and joining in too.

Anglicised to ‘ Julia', she is wonderful. Yet another superlative of an adjective!

What Cunard App? 😀 I do think in the greater scheme of things, as long as I’m not paying for another’s round of expensive drinks, the CC bill isn’t going to cause us angst. As for staff interaction, I have felt like crying ( again) at the recognition and care we’ve received throughout the ship. This thread maybe one of the more boring of reported Cunard experiences ( apparently 🙂, but I did give fair warning it wouldn’t be a riveting blog) but I cannot reiterate enough how wonderful the staff are on Cunard's Queen Victoria. I am still desperately trying to find a fault to report but might have to resort to the slight rust on the joint where balcony meets the deck; the Irish duo were too loud in the Winter Gardens last night and the TV satellite signal can be a bit dodgy. I have two days to find a ‘real’ fault.

Stopped by to look down on the Queens room after the lecture. An old fashioned tea dance was under way. Looked really lovely.

Bit of a music day for me once we get going. Lecture on 3 great Scandinavian Composers after lunch; the Irish duo Cula after dinner and ( classical) guitarist Andrew Scott to fit in before dinner. We didn’t get to Michael Howard’s lecture so that will be a repeat on the television.

As we’re ours, although I’m a bare foot person ( and have the broken toes to show for it 🙂). One thing I do love, is the fleecy sort of fabric of the very cosy bathrobe. Sea is a bit lumpy today and I’m on 'balancing duty' for my husband so that robe is a wonderful vegging piece of kit. Internet access in the cabin, great, TV signal a tad iffy at times but nothing to write home about.

Forgot to say, it’s a Roaring 20s gala tonight with the theme running through a couple of activities during the day. It will be interesting to see the outfits. The vast majority of chaps still wore jackets during dinner although the tie as an accessory is becoming more and more rare.

I was told yesterday, the ship has no ( reported) cases of Covid. I didn’t enquire if that was passengers and crew, or just passengers. Still wearing our masks, just in case.

A beautiful day in Oslo. I must have managed a few thousand steps walking around. I spent a good hour people watching by the main marina and chatting to a lovely couple, in perfect English on their part. The weather has been extraordinarily kind to us on this trip just adding to our delight in being here.

Well obviously, we must have a preferential allowance as the tags on our bags which are in our cabin at this very moment say 'Ship max. weight of 23kg per piece'

No photographers is a bonus as far as I’m concerned and. there are plenty of Cunard Aug22-May24 brochures in the future voyage sales office now.

The weight issue is why our lightest of lite cases are all hard, medium sized.

Sorry, I was referring to number of cases. The max weight per case is now 23 kg and I think it unfair to go over as we have to think of those who have to lift/ shift our cases. I can just about manage 23kg so we wouldn’t dream of going over that.

Don’t think Cunard has a limit as far as their ships are concerned. I always remember a comment by Clef d'or concierge of a famous hotel. He can tell those used to travelling, they manage with minimum cases as they are practised at the art of packing well. As you’re in a large cabin, you can squirrel away quite a few cases in the dressing 'room' as well as under the bed.

Excellent music around last night, well excellent if you consider the act ( sounds of the 60s being their forte) in the theatre to be enthusiastic rather than totally vocally accurate. They were well received by quite a full theatre so maybe I’m being a bit too judgemental. The music was very good but the singing left a little to be desired at times and a lot by the secondary singer. No dancing in the Ballroom as far as we could tell ( final pass by around 10.50 pm) as a superb Irish duo held the room. There were even tables and chairs set up on the dance floor. Talking of ball room dancing, it was fascinating to watch from deck three viewpoints the other night. The floor was busy and the styles so different. As a novice in these things, I would say the best couple on the floor were 'compact' with their dancing as opposed to the flamboyant who flung their arms around and were most definitely not, compact.

Sadly, football seems to be a bit predominant or maybe that’s just my bias as I dislike the game.

I mustn’t have been clear. I asked for a foot file, but not available so sorry ( hence standards slipping quip). May I suggest taking a Ped Egg along with you. Up early to watch the sail in, to Oslo. Very moody breaking dawn with the mists nestling amongst the pines, and the smell of those pines, wonderful. Philistine that I am, I take my own instant coffee ( a Cap Colombia blend) with me and a couple of mugs of hot coffee and wrapped in the gorgeous fluffy robe ( new style) I sat out on the balcony for a good hour around 5.30 am. We are so lucky to be here.

Can I also add. I’m seeing more masks around the ship. I have no idea if anyone has 'the' virus, but it’s good to see more taking care.

I will add, there have been moments when no signal has been available but for the most part, the television is fine.

I’m on Victoria at the moment and admittedly have not and will not be able to experience the whole ship. My daily deck 3 pounding has been curtailed by areas roped off for the never ending ‘housekeeping' occasionally and there’s a bit of a varnish smell around, but I would dearly love to know what I’m missing so that I can include the warts as well as the bouquets in my summing up oh our first cruise post pandemic.

Yes, it’s working. We're in Gothenburg and having a rest in the cabin having just got back. Sadly, Sky Sports is on at the moment, but all the news channels are receiving a signal.

Thank you. Two years and fifty weeks to be precise. 🙂 We’re not out and about as much at the moment, but the fact we’re here at all makes it incredibly enjoyable and we know how lucky we are to be able to enjoy Queen Victoria.