The Queen Victoria is a very elegant and well maintained ship with all the traditional look and feel of the Cunard Line.
We were in the Queens Grill suite 5103.
This is in a very good location for the theatre, shops, lounges and amenities but perhaps a little low down for the Grills Terrace and Restaurants.
Our Butler (Analyn) was excellent – very helpful and attentive.
We had breakfast in bed most days and she prepared it beautifully.
Our wait staff (Alli, Reynaldo and Michael) were exceptional; friendly, attentive, helpful, and fun to be with aided and abetted brilliantly by the Sommelier Boris.
Our only beef was the table we were allocated.
Table 58 was snuck away at the rear end of the restaurant actually semi obstructing a fire exit.
Although it was by the window (the window was filthy and looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in ages).
We were semi isolated from the other guests.
It was not the table we felt someone of Diamond Status in a Q3 should have been allocated.
We did ask to change and were told by the Maitre d’ that there was only one other table available (this was immediately next to the servery and we decided to stay where we were).
However it did leave a negative impression which was a pity.
We had tea (when on board ) in the Queens Room which was a splendid affair and great fun – the waiters parade in with the goodies and were ever so attentive and pleasant.
We ate a couple of lunches with our friends in the Britannia Restaurant.
This is very elegant and spacious (and although the choices are not quite Queens Grill – especially the a la carte) the two lunches we had were both very pleasant and friendly.
The entertainment was perhaps spoiled somewhat by the early timing of the late show at 21.45.
This meant an early or rushed dinner.
We therefore were quite selective and missed most of the solo artists but enjoyed the production shows and the special film – Downton Abbey – the Final Chapter.
Embarkation and debarkation were very slick.
However there were no embarkation photographers present and none to be seen at any of our port stops.
We asked the photographer to take an embarkation photo but he frankly was disinterested.
This too put a damper on a good (but could have been excellent) voyage.
The ship missed one port stop (Malaga).
Apparently this was because of ‘technical port issues’ and rough seas across the Bay of Biscay.
We arranged our own walking tours in Cadiz, Barcelona and Alicante.
Very good and interesting and much cheaper than the Cunard offerings.
The lecturers (Adele Parks and Chris Phillips) were excellent and informative and very nice people to talk with.
Overall we shall go on the QV again and it probably is the best run and most elegant of the Cunard Ships.
It is a sister ship of the QE but somehow feels more welcoming and comfortable.
A very comfortable and pleasant 12 days.
