Virtuoso Life - May/June 2008 - (Page 150) CRUISE CALL All Hail the Queen Queen Victoria lives up to tradition as the newest jewel in the Cunard crown. BY ELAINE SRNKA s we pulled out of New York Harbor, sailing past the statue of liberty under a spectacular display of fireworks, the light mist of rain became more intense. still, the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd on the deck made no move to go inside. several women’s eyes welled with tears, and one next to me recalled being a bride when Queen Elizabeth 2 sailed its inaugural voyage back in 1969. It was then I realized the passion Cunard inspires in its legions of loyal passengers. the occasion was both historic and celebratory: the three Cunard Queens – Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2, and the brand-new Queen Victoria – were together in the same A port for one of the last times before the QE2 retires later this year. with its history of tradition and formality, Cunard is one of the industry’s most revered cruise lines; Queen Victoria, which set sail on its maiden voyage last december, promises to perpetuate that storied pedigree. from the sweeping dual staircase of its three-story grand foyer to its double-story wood-paneled library, the new ship evokes the elegance of ocean liners past. with just over 1,000 staterooms that range in size from 152 to more than 2,100 square feet, Queen Victoria continues Cunard’s class system with its more spacious Queens and princess Grill suites that provide entree to clubby, private dining rooms. (If you’re staying in a Grill suite, make sure to take a meal in the charming alfresco Courtyard restaurant on the terrace.) But the cruise experience encompasses so much more than the stateroom. A full slate of entertainment and educational offerings ranges from morning fencing lessons to afternoon lectures on maritime history to evening stage shows in the dramatic 830-seat Royal Court theatre. (for a real VIp treat, reserve one of the 16 royal boxes, where you’ll enjoy champagne, chocolate, and other fun perks.) the Cunardia Museum chronicles the line’s history, from royal and celebrity passengers to the ships’ wartime roles. there are also two outdoor pools, Celebrating the new Queen Victoria. 150 V I RT U O S O L I F E
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