Cunard's New Queen Victoria

Almost as an early gift to the cruising public, Cunard's new ship, the Queen Victoria, will debut in December of this year (Dec. 2007). I, for one, can't wait to sail on her.

For the first time in Cunard's long sailing heritage, all three of her "Queens" will sail at the same time. In addition, on her maiden world cruise, the Queen Victoria will sail as part of a tandem transatlantic voyage with her sister ship, the QE2. All three Cunard ships will meet in New York on January 18, 2008. Her initial world cruise will be 106 days long and stop at nearly 40 ports.

Like her two sister ships, the Queen Elizabeth 2, and the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Victoria is reminiscent of a bygone era. This elegant and classic Cunarder will feature sparkling chandeliers, gleaming woodwork, beautiful marble, plush carpets, and impressive furnishings. The ship is currently being finished at the well-known Fincantieri shipbuilders in Italy; the Queen Victoria marks the first Cunard ship being built at this particular shipyard.

This Cunard ship will hold close to 2000 passengers in almost 1000 staterooms. Over 70 percent of the staterooms will feature balconies and less than 15 percent of the cabins will be interior rooms. The Queen Victoria will have 12 public decks and is 90,000 tons. In addition to the usual restaurants, lounges, casino and spa/fitness area, this ship will include a library with 6,000 books (and a gift shop to buy some titles also), a Winston Churchill Cigar Lounge, a Connexxions TM Internet and Conference center featuring guest lecturers, Cunardia - the world's first museum at sea - which will showcase Cunard memorabilia of maritime artifacts and history, and the Royal Court Theatre where guests will enjoy London's West End style performances.

Accommodations will vary from Brittania staterooms up to the Princess and Queens Grills rooms and suites. The Grills rooms will include large, carefully appointed bathrooms with butler service available in the highest categories. Like the other Cunard ships, Queen Victoria will also offer special dining venues for Princess and Queens Grills passengers.

Entertainment onboard will include dancing at formal and masquerade balls, enjoying top-notch theatre productions in the Royal Court Theatre with private boxes, wine-tasting classes, shopping at designer boutiques, being pampered in a spa and much more. The Queen Victoria will offer an excellent children's programme including nannies for the youngest set.

Following her maiden voyage (sorry, it's been sold out for quite awhile) to the Christmas markets of Europe, and her first world cruise, the Queen Victoria will sail the waters of the Mediterranean for the rest of 2008.