Book Review: QUEEN VICTORIA A Photographic Journey
QUEEN VICTORIA
A Photographic Journey
by Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross with an afterword by Commodore Rynd
120 pages, available in both hard and soft cover
Publisher: The History Press
With over 200 colour images in the book, this is certainly a thorough photo survey of all of Cunard’s QUEEN VICTORIA’s interiors.
The books take us on a tour from QUEEN VICTORIA’s Queen Grill Accommodation, through various cabin categories, and on to the restaurants then bars with numerous images to showing us the Queen’s and Princess Grills, the Britannia restaurant, Winter Garden, Lido Bar, Midship’s Bar and Golden Lion pub among others.
From her exquisite Grand Lobby to her Royal Court Theatre (complete with box seating), the lavish photographic record takes the reader on a journey through the entire ship.
I particularly enjoyed seeing parts of the ship not normally unavailable to the passengers, the bridge, the power plant, the stores, the galley and even the crew’s bar the “Pig & Whistle”.
This bright and breezy book, well laid out with fun facts over loaded with photographs is the perfect gift for QUEEN VICTORIA fans, cruisers, and Cunard enthusiasts.
“QUEEN VICTORIA was the first in a new breed of Cunard Ships—her unique design, based on the Vista Class hull of Carnival Corporation, is strengthened and enhanced to give her the ability to cross the North Atlantic Ocean. This hybrid of ocean liner and cruise ship represents a new era for the 170-year-old Cunard Line, introducing one of the most luxurious ships to carry the Golden Lion. Built by Fincantieri and introduced into service in late 2007, QUEEN VICTORIA’s reign is young; however, she has had a notable career with royal engagements, tandem Atlantic crossings, and Gala-World Cruises where she has been welcomed internationally with open arms. This photographic journey around the modern yet stately QUEEN VICTORIA is full of quirky and amusing anecdotes and stories looking back over the life of QUEEN VICTORIA. Each room is described in light narrative with complementing photographs to create a lasting memento of a voyage aboard Cunard’s newest monarch.” – The History Press
Some QUEEN VICTORIA background from author Chris Frame:
“The idea of a third modern Queen was to become a reality in 2005. However the original design was unable to participate in the Cunard tradition of trans-Atlantic voyages. This resulted in the incomplete “QV” moving to P&O, to become known as ARCADIA.
On the December 3, 2004 a new contract was signed with Fincantieri shipbuilders. Work on the new QUEEN VICTORIA was started on April 14, 2005.
In true Cunard tradition, Queen Victoria is capable of crossing the North Atlantic in a direct route from New York to Southampton.
With an onboard atmosphere reminiscent of Cunard Liners from days gone by, QUEEN VICTORIA is just small enough to transit the Panama Canal allowing her to partake in the other Cunard tradition of annual world cruises.”
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I’ve got all of them in the series.
The QUEEN VICTORIA is simply splendid to sail.
When I first sailed her I could not help but make comparisons with the QUEEN MARY 2. There are some similarities within the ship, mainly design and decor.
There is a special feeling to this ship, one I adore.
Comparisons made, the QUEEN VICTORIA holds her own, and is a suitable sailing companion to the QUEEN MARY 2.
Interesting comments, Kenneth. I’ve never even seen the ship let alone set foot aboard. There are a lot of good quality photos of her interiors on the site Ship Parade, judging by those I’d say that she probably would not appeal to me. So many of her rooms seem to have such low deck heads. The décor seems both fussy and safe. Fussy I can deal with but safe I cannot. Given her vast size I’m not likely to go and find out for myself but may be I ought to throw caution to the winds and book one of those mini cruises that Cunard offers from time to time.
Something has not felt quit right about QV to me. It’s hard to fall into all the hype when you realize this is a Carnival owns ship, operated, designed and decorated by P&O. So, where exactly is “Cunard” in all this? Nowhere, it’s another company’s interpretation of what the Cunard name should be. The Specially disappointing when many people realize there is something off in the look of QV when they say she feels “very Princess”. And if you look at the Ruby Princess you’ll see a great deal of the Cunard theme recycled.
It’s Carnival’s attempt at being upscale using well worn ideas and props bought on the cheap. I was more impressed with my stay at the Omni Berkshire recently. Yes it’s an upscale mass hotel but it doesn’t present to be anything it’s not.
Kevin, I trust that you have not sailed in the QUEEN VICTORIA.
I’ve never been in a Ramada Motor Inn either and from the pics it looks pleasant enough. Not that pleasant that I’d be compelled to stay in one. Whatever P&O is trying say with Cunard it’s just not clicking with me for some reason. The Cunard theme plays it way too basic and safe.
Sorta like “I’ve never been to Spain but I kinda like the music..” from Three dog Night?
I have been to Spain and I do kinda like the music.
So, tell us true, what ships have you sailed that you do like?
Just asking.
In fairness to balanced argument to date, Cunard certainly did not have, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the number of competitors it has today.Simply,it could unilaterally decide on vessel style, size etc.
In today’s world, the likes of Carnival Corporation finds it cost effective and not deterring to utilise ideas from one Line in its stable, to influence what it does with others.
Hope this view from Sydney, Australia makes sense!
Warwick
You have a good idea, not uncommon with regard to todays cruise world, indeed, in all aspects of the business world.
Be Carnival or anther corporation, mega businesses can not thrive today without backers and funding, not to mention keeping up with the competition. One need only look at the once venerable cruise lines of the not too past decades and even to more current years, Renaissance is one glowing example.