Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria

Revealing the year's most anticipated and innovative new ship.

 

At a cruise industry event in New York not long ago, a high-ranking industry official was asked, what are the leading shipboard trends? "Onboard innovation," he said, tops the list. Each year, it seems the latest ships play a game of one-upmanship, and the offerings for 2007 promise to continue the top-this trend.

With 10 ships scheduled to make their debut in 2007, perhaps the most anticipated and innovative is the last one due to launch is Cunard Line's 2014-passenger/90,000-GRT Queen Victoria. Small enough to fit through the Panama Canal, the QV will nonetheless be the second-largest Cunarder ever built. In fact, the vessel's dimensions - 294 metres long and 32 metres wide - allow it to barely squeeze through the locks of the canal.

Not only is she one of the few vessels under construction rated as Panamax (ie. just small enough to transit the Panama Canal), the Queen Victoria sports several novel features: "No other passenger vessel will boast a two-storey, wood-panelled library with spiral staircase, nor traditional box seating in the theatre, for example," Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow tells Cruise Passenger. "Other exciting features include a shopping area reminiscent of a Victorian London shopping arcade as well as sweeping staircases serving as a signature interior design element throughout." The QV also has a grand, British-colonial-style conservatory, complete with central fountain, greenery and a retractable roof. A unique floating museum, Cunardia, houses Cunard artefacts and memorabilia.

Yet even as the QV differs from its fleetmates, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2, it will remain firmly rooted in the tradition of the great ocean liners that have made Cunard a legendary name around the world. As such, she will augment rather than compete with her running mates. "Queen Victoria will complement the current Cunard fleet by adding a mid-sized ship to her sisters," Marlow explains. What's more, "The Cunard liner legacy will be upheld, as Queen Victoria will offer all the classic characteristics that have become associated with Queen Mary 2, QE2 and the company's unique liner heritage," she says.

That lineage will be evident even before passengers board. "From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at the experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship," Marlow continues. Once aboard, passengers will find an ambience that evokes the golden age of ocean travel. "This will be most evident in the ship's homage to the liner traditions of the past with elegant public rooms, many on a grand scale, and all graciously styled with luxurious decor and finishes," which are intended to evoke "a more civilized era of travel" that defines a Cunard liner's persona. "And, of course," Marlow adds, "the ship has been constructed with impressive sea-keeping qualities that will enable it to travel easily and efficiently through the demanding waters around the world."

After two inaugural European voyages roundtrip from Southampton, the newest Queen sets off on a 106-day world cruise departing Southampton on January 6, 2008. Dubbed the "Pathway to the Explorers," this classic circumnavigation visits 36 ports in 23 countries, including an inaugural visit to Sydney on Saturday, February 23, 2008. In addition to the full-length itinerary, passengers can book five different segments ranging from 13 to 22 days. Subsequent itineraries are scheduled to be announced throughout 2007.

Even before it ever sets sail, the Queen Victoria already has a storied history of interest to ship aficionados. The name Queen Victoria was originally assigned to a hull ordered as the fifth ship in Holland America's Vista Class, itself based on Carnival Cruise Lines' Spirit Class, which actually began with 2000's Costa Atlantica. In 2004, that newbuild was transferred to P&O Cruises and renamed the Arcadia. A new Queen Victoria was then ordered from Italy's Fincantieri shipyard.

This enhanced design for Queen Victoria was upgraded and enlarged to include amenities and facilities that have become Cunard signature elements. These included a Queens Grill, Princess Grill, grand ballroom, British pub and Todd English alternative restaurant - all hallmarks of the larger Queen Mary 2. For more information, go to www.cunard.com.

Written by MT Schwartzman - Issue 27 Autumn 2007