What do you like about the QV?

[Jacqueline]

I have been closely reading all I can about the QV and it is a bit hard to get a sense of her as she seems overshadowed by the QM....

I would be very interested to hear what it is that you have found to be special about her. I keep reading bits like she lacks a WOW factor, etc. I do not need a WOW factor actually but would like to get a better sense of what one finds to be enjoyable/notable about QV.

[RobertGraves]

Hi Jackeline. Interesting question. Where to start from?

 

First, I must stress that there are many people who prefer her over QM2. A rough distinction has been made that Queen Victoria is more suitably oriented to British taste, while QM2 addresses better American guests. It is up to you to decide. Personally, I am still unable to. :)

 

Beginning, I would say that Queen Victoria does offer the Wow factor, but in an distinct, classically restrainted way. Not huge expansions of flashy surfaces, but elegantly designed and well placed venues. She manages to balance intimacy and spacious public rooms with remarkable success.

 

Most importantly to my humble opinion, her decor is magnificent. Attention to detail. Evoking the legendary ocean liners as we have come to associate them since our childhood.

 

Let's see some specific rooms, which are a pleasure to be in:

 

The Queen's Room (ballroom) has decorative elements from Queen's Victoria's Osbourne House. Undoubtedly one of the finest ballrooms afloat. And when people are dressed for formal nights, its magic...:rolleyes:

 

Her Theatre. It is like a London theatre at sea. It is the only theatre offering private boxes, which you can rent and enjoy a most civilized experience with Veuve Cliquot champagne and canapes. Highly recommended.

 

Her Lido. Unlike QM2, it offers wonderful floor to ceiling windows, enabling unrestricted sea views. Also easier to navigate.

 

The front panoramic lounge, the Commodore Club, arguably the best lounge on board. Our favourite pre-dinner spot. It also offers magnificent unrestricted views over the bow.

 

The Winter Garden with its retractable glass roof, suitable on every kind of weather.

 

The two-deck high Royal Arcade, unifying shops, casino and pub in a both convenient and dramatic way.

 

May I also add, Queen Victoria is easier to navigate than QM2. Shorter distances. You learn the directions even from the first day.

 

To make a long story short, a ship designed both with elegance, fantasy and wisdom.

 

I think these are enough for beginning. Other people here can add much more. You are on for a great cruise! :)

[Ray66]

I have been closely reading all I can about the QV and it is a bit hard to get a sense of her as she seems overshadowed by the QM....

I would be very interested to hear what it is that you have found to be special about her. I keep reading bits like she lacks a WOW factor, etc. I do not need a WOW factor actually but would like to get a better sense of what one finds to be enjoyable/notable about QV.

 

The wow factor for me on the QV is the panoramic views from the Commodore Club, the theatre (the biggest at sea), the two deck library with a spiral staircase and when I first saw Hemispheres with the huge chandelier.

 

It also has extras which the QM2 doesn't have such as self-opening doors, an old fashioned sweet shop, coat hooks in the cabins, and we've always had slippers inside the wardrobes on the QV but never on the QM2.

 

The QM2 is still my favourite though and I prefer Kings Court to the Lido.

[RobertGraves]

It also has extras which the QM2 doesn't have such as self-opening doors, an old fashioned sweet shop, coat hooks in the cabins, and we've always had slippers inside the wardrobes on the QV but never on the QM2.

 

This strange thing with slippers I have heard many times.:confused:

 

However, I have to say that on all our QM2 cruises we had slippers in cabin. Same goes to QV.

[guernseyguy]

I too agree that Queen Victoria has a 'wow' factor. Sure, neither her Queen's Room nor her Britannia Restaurant are as spectacular as QM2's - but they are both very nice in their ways. One room where Queen Victoria wins hands down in my view is her theatre - they have done a superb job, and whilst I have not sailed in the Grills on QM2, I strongly suspect their location on QV is superior - lovely floor to ceiling windows over the sea, rather than the passing trade of the Promenade deck on QM2. I also prefer QV's Atrium - there seems to be more social activity, while QM2's reminds me of a hotel lobby. Its a bit like trying to decide whether you prefer apples or oranges.....Both are very fine ships, and both are very good at what they do best - QM2 crossing, QV cruising.

[ovccruiser]

I was fortunate to sail on QV's maiden voyage and my initial thoughts were far from a wow factor. We attended the naming ceremony from the most advantageous site, the park next to the main "theatre tent" and the site of the ship all lit up was superb. However, and this is where the wow disappeared, when we boarded the ship the next morning, we boarded on the Prmenade Deck and for the first time saw the plastic lino :( But after entering the ship, the wow factor soon returned. She is a magnificent ship and certainly the best cruise ship I have been on, QM2, as has been said on numerous occasions, is not a cruise ship, she is a liner used for cruising. It is really unfair to compare the two ships imo.

[Cruachan]

I have been closely reading all I can about the QV and it is a bit hard to get a sense of her as she seems overshadowed by the QM....

I would be very interested to hear what it is that you have found to be special about her. I keep reading bits like she lacks a WOW factor, etc. I do not need a WOW factor actually but would like to get a better sense of what one finds to be enjoyable/notable about QV.

 

Well, anyone who says the QV lacks a "wow factor" is clearly all wowed out!

 

I agree with all the points highlighted by the previous posters, but if I were to single out one feature of the ship for special mention it would have to be the theatre. Absolutely fantastic.

 

You can find my photos of QV interiors here if you want to have a look.

 

J

[alimicky]

What a great review robert, I am going on my first cruise with my wife and 12 year old daughter, we go in August. My daughter is very excited about the ballroom. Her chance to be a princess.

[spikecat]

Thanks Cruachan for the pictures-they were great. Being an American on a British oriented ship I hope we can get a good cup of coffee. I do look forward to tea time with scones and clotted cream(?).

[north east girl]

Thanks for sharing your great photos of QV, she looks very elegant. It has made me think I would like to try her one day.

 

Catherine

[Ray66]

Being an American on a British oriented ship I hope we can get a good cup of coffee.

 

Britannia - yes

Lido - no

 

I do look forward to tea time with scones and clotted cream(?).

No. Whipped cream.

[guernseyguy]

Being an American on a British oriented ship I hope we can get a good cup of coffee.

 

Europeans (which includes some Brits) have views on American coffee.

 

As Marianne Sägebrecht observed in the movie Baghdad Cafe

 

'That's not coffee - that's brown water'.........

[Camgirl]

I love the Queen Victoria but have never been on QM2.

 

I love the theatre (you can go in the boxes for free for lectures etc),

 

I love the Commodore Club, especially in the evening,

 

I love the Winter Garden,

 

Other places which are particular favourites - the lido pool (where better to swim in the evening), the Chart room for music in the evening, the Queens room for afternoon tea and balls), even the Britannia (especially right at the back with floor to ceilling windows over the stern).

 

I just wish I was retired and rich, rather than working and poor - then I would be on her so much more.

 

Enjoy your cruise, I wish I was coming too (only another 10 1/2 months to my next trip!)

 

Sarah

 

PS if you want a decent amount of cream (whipped) and jam on your scones, have your tea in the Lido. It lacks the atmosphere of the Queens Room and you have to serve yourself, but you get exactly the same food and can have however much you want.

[Camgirl]

I just wish I was retired and rich, rather than working and poor - then I would be on her so much more.

 

.

 

 

Yikes! Just realised that could be misconstrued! I wasn't saying all retired people are rich, just that I would like to be both (preferably early retirment of course!), so having both time and money with which to enjoy plenty of QV.

 

S

[alibru]

Hi There,

 

I too have never been on QM2 but have this to offer on QV.

 

As everyone else has said, the theatre is certainly something for the WOW factor and the boxes are a special treat on production show nights and well worth the cost.

 

We dined in Britannia so for us Cafe Carinthia and the Chart Room were our favourites for pre-dinner drinks. There is something oh so special about watching the parade of elegant dresses on formal nights from these two rooms.

 

The Commodore Club is just wonderful both during the day (for a really good late and panoramic views) and after dinner drinks - Martini anyone?.

 

I am just working out when I can be lucky enough to travel on her again. Living in Oz we either have to face a dreadful flight each way or wait until she comes by once a year maybe.

 

Cheers

 

Ali

[safarigal]

It is almost easier to say what I don't like about the QV (the lack of a full wrap around Promenade Deck and the plastic decking), than to say what I do like. Apart from those two minor annoyances, we found everything else to be wonderful. As stated previously, the Commodore Club and the theatre are fantastic, and although I never ventured near the place, my husband likes the gym, which although smallish, was never too crowded.

 

If you are lucky enough to get upgraded to PG, or decide to book a Grills cabin, you will also get to experience the beautiful dining room and lounge (I much prefer them to those on the QM2) as well as eating out in the Courtyard if the weather permits, which I though was a special treat.

 

Our photos of the QV from our trip are at

http://gallery.me.com/lesleyblake#100381&bgcolor=black&view=grid

I can't believe it was almost 2 years ago! I am so ready to go on her again! I am sure you will enjoy your experience on her!:)

 

Lesley

[Camgirl]

It is almost easier to say what I don't like about the QV (the lack of a full wrap around Promenade Deck and the plastic decking), than to say what I do like. Apart from those two minor annoyances, we found everything else to be wonderful.

Lesley

 

When we were onboard in June I was told by someone who is a frequent traveller and who seemed to know everybody, that the promenade deck was going to be opened up in some way so that one could walk all the way round, during the winter. I have no idea if it is true but it would be great if it is. Then there is just the lino to sort!!

 

Sarah

[Cruachan]

When we were onboard in June I was told by someone who is a frequent traveller and who seemed to know everybody, that the promenade deck was going to be opened up in some way so that one could walk all the way round, during the winter. I have no idea if it is true but it would be great if it is. Then there is just the lino to sort!!

 

Sarah

 

Sarah,

 

there's no practical reason not to open up the forward end of the promenade deck. It would involve no more than unlocking one padlock on each side of the ship and opening a small gate in the rail that blocks passenger access to the transverse passage at the forward end.

 

However, the space contains several items of machinery of some sort or another and is clearly a working area so, no doubt, the fact that it is kept locked is because of health and safety.

 

I have actually walked all the way round on one occasion when both gates were open and there were no signs telling me not to enter. It's not an attractive area of the ship though - very obviously designed for crew rather than passengers.

 

J

[sullaRaffaello]

My favorite is the location of the Grills on deck 11. Having luncn at a window table overlooking the ocean is spectacular.

[moomax6]

Something extra we enjoyed on QV was the organized deck activities, shuffleboard and quoit tournaments. I actually won a shuffleboard tournament beating all the Brits and it was my first time to play - talk about beginners luck - a WOW for me! It was a fun way to meet other passengers. We didn't find these activities offered on QM2 when we took a Caribbean cruise. Greatly enjoyed taking the watercolor classes on sea days.

 

After sailing on both QV and QM2, we prefer QV. Public rooms more centrally located, easier access to pool deck - perhaps the difference between the QM2 liner and QV cruise ship. Lido much better than King's Court with better seating and ease of moving about. Both ships offer just the right amount of sevice for us - probably depends of the luck of the draw with your cabin attendant and those serving your tables. What's not to love!

Beachgirl.

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I have not yet cruised on the QV (was booked on the QV for April, but the volcano forced me to miss the cruise). I am looking forward to trying the QV next year.

 

I am guessing the forward portion of QV's promenade deck is similar to this same area on the Holland America Vista / Signature Class ships. I have cruised on the Eurodam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam and enjoyed walking all the way around the promenade deck. The forward portion is basically a long enclosed hallway, but at least you can circle the ship. Is the QV's machinery in this area different? It looks like it would be easy to open this area up.

 

Chuck

[NomDePlume]

Hi,

 

I have not yet cruised on the QV (was booked on the QV for April, but the volcano forced me to miss the cruise). I am looking forward to trying the QV next year.

 

I am guessing the forward portion of QV's promenade deck is similar to this same area on the Holland America Vista / Signature Class ships. I have cruised on the Eurodam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam and enjoyed walking all the way around the promenade deck. The forward portion is basically a long enclosed hallway, but at least you can circle the ship. Is the QV's machinery in this area different? It looks like it would be easy to open this area up.

 

Chuck

 

See post #18