Travel Agent - January 21, 2008 - (Page 64) CRUISES CUNARD’S NOW THAT THE HOOPLA SURROUNDING QUEEN VICTORIA’S CHRISTENING IN SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, IS OVER, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty: What can travel agents tell their clients to expect when they step onboard? When I went to Southampton to partake in the naming revelry, I made a detailed survey of the ship, and can report frankly that I enjoyed my experience on it more than I did on its sister ship, Queen Mary 2. The main difference is size: Queen Victoria is 90,000 tons; Queen Mary 2 measures in at more than 150,000 tons. Obviously, this time Cunard took the approach that less is more, and I applaud them. Continuity reigns supreme on Victoria, and all the rooms and spaces are easily accessible. (If you have the misfortune of forgetting something you need in your stateroom on Queen Mary 2, best to forget about it or call it a night—it’s such a long walk back.) So, with a little “Help!” from the Beatles (Cunard having a British heritage and all), here’s what your clients can expect. Queen Victoria BY DAVID EISEN Its naming ceremony passed muster. How about the ship itself? Here, There and Everywhere Every Cunard ship is famous for its Grand Lobby, and Queen Victoria is no exception. The sweeping staircase’s centerpiece is a sprawling marquetry, designed by Scottish sculptor John McKenna, that depicts a globe, sky, continents and sea in varying shades of wood, set against a portrait of the ship. The lobby area conveys a return to the bygone golden age of cruising, reminiscent of past ships such as the storied and tragic Titanic. However, the spot on the ship most likely to elicit a “wow” has to be the 800-seat Royal Court Theatre. I defy anyone to say they don’t feel transported to London’s West End once inside. Private boxes hug the sides of the theater and have a dedicated lounge section. Another eye-catcher on Victoria is the two-deck library, anchored in the middle by a dark-wood spiral staircase. The library features rich wood paneling, stained glass, leather furniture and, of course, books— nearly 6,000 in all. refined experience, check out the Champagne Bar or the nautically themed Chart Room. The Queen’s Room is the perfect space to squire a lady friend for an evening of dancing on the 1,000-square-foot ballroom floor. The bilevel room is also used for afternoon tea. Come Together After a show, many guests converge on deck 2 and its row of drinking and entertainment venues. In total, Queen Victoria boasts 13 bars and clubs, and if you want a taste of real English tradition, sidle up to the bar at the Golden Lion, the ship’s traditional English pub, where you can enjoy a pint of Guinness with a basket of fish and chips. For a more 64 | TravelAgent January 21, 2008 Savoy Truffle Dining is where Cunard sets itself apart from other cruise lines—not only with the food, but to whom and where it is served. The caste system is alive and well on Cunard, meaning the restaurant where guests eat is tied to which accommodations they’ve purchased.
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.