Review of the Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria 23rd November 2009

written by Lanky Lad posted on 07/12/09

Day 1 the journey South

We left home at 7.10am and made our way by taxi to the pick up point where we joined the coach for Southampton. We left on time (8.45am) and were due at the ship by approximately 2pm.

All was going ok but then we stopped and did not move for the next 40 minutes. It appears a lorry spilt it’s load all over road and we had to wait until it was cleared away before they re-opened the road. It then took us about 40 minutes to go 1.5 miles to the next pick up point.

We finally arrived at the ship at 3.30pm and were on board by 4pm so we had missed afternoon tea.

I was about to have a look around the ship when my case arrived so I started to unpack whilst I was waiting for Alan to arrive he was on a different coach. Queen Victoria was due to sail at 4.30pm and Alan did not arrive until 4.30pm, it was 5.30 pm when we actually sailed. All I can say is thank goodness we were on a coach organised by Cunard Line, otherwise the ship may not have waited for us.

Due to arriving late at the ship we were a little late going into dinner which meant we missed the show that night. For some reason they only did one show that night, each other night they did two.

That night was quite bumpy and there were lots of creaks a groans in our cabin so I did not sleep well.

Day 2 at sea

A relaxing day at sea, apart from being in the Bay of Biscay in a force 10. Lots of movement and more creaks and groans from the ship.

Too keep us occupied there were 3 lectures in the morning and a classical concert in the afternoon. All of which were very good. I decided not to attended the watch seminar as I thought it might prove expensive.

Whilst in the lectures the Captain made an announcement over the public address system to say that a passenger needed to be air lifted off for urgent medical attention and we would be turning back toward France so that we were within range of the helicopter. Various other announcements were made keeping us updated on what was going on and we finally got back on course at about 12.30pm

It was the Captain’s welcome party that night and we had a nice chat to the Staff Captain Andrew Hall, when asked whether we would arrive in Madeira on time, he said it was a “tall order”. So we suspected that meant we would not.

The show that night was a piano player called “Harry” he was quite funny and very good.

Day 3 at sea

More interesting lectures in the morning including one on the OJ Simpson trial and one on George Formby complete with excerpts of his music.

During the morning the Captain announced that due to the events of the previous day we could not make it to Madeira on time. However, as they know how much people liked Madeira they were going to stay there overnight and sail at 4pm on Friday, which meant we would not be calling at La Palma (the only port I had not been to previously).

The entertainment that night was a production show by the Royal Cunard Singers and Dancers, which was very good. The Black and White Ball took place in the Queens Room that night so we popped along and had a nice chat with Thomas (cruise staff) and Michelle (social hostess) who used to work onboard QE2.

Day 4 a late arrival in Madeira

This morning we had a very interesting talk about George and Ira Gershwin, followed by a talk on the building of Queen Victoria.

We spent the afternoon on deck watching the sail into Funchal, a beautiful sunny and warm day, which made a nice change from the rough seas of the past couple of days.

After dinner, we made a quick trip on the shuttle bus to get some nice shots of Queen Victoria in the dark. I do love to see a ship with all it’s lights on.

The entertainment that night was the singer out of the Queens Room and a flutist both of whom were good.

Day 5 Funchal Madeira

A full day in the beautiful port of Funchal, Madeira, we did not do any trips and just had a look around the town then went to the park.

The entertainment that night was a comedian who was good, but he did more or less the same act that he did on QE2 last year.

We went for a drink in the Commodore Club and found it was “James Bond” night and they were having a quiz. So we entered and managed to come 4th with 15 out of 20. We won two bingo cards and a bottle of bubbly. Unfortunately we did not win anything with the bingo cards (used on the next sea day).

Day 6 Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Another nice sunny and warm day, so we had a little walk around the town, then back to the ship for lunch.

We spent the afternoon on the ship soaking up the sun.

Tonight’s entertainment was another production show by the Royal Cunard singers and dancers, which was very good.

Day 7 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

We had a nice long walk through the town as far as the beach, not quite as warm today but still nice.

Tonight’s entertainment was a female singer, who was really very very good.

Day 8 Arrecife, Lanzarote

Another warm and sunny day so we had a walk around the town then back to the ship for lunch

Tonight’s entertainment was a comedian, who really made the mistake of telling jokes the previous comedian had used (he had no way of knowing this), so he died on the first show, then he had to do the second show. From what I have heard he did not do much better that time either.

Day 9 at sea

A couple of interesting talks today one from an MP and one on the new Queen Elizabeth. We also had a cocktail party in a Queens Grill suite in the morning and the Cunard World Club party in the evening.

Tonight’s entertainment another show by the Royal Cunard singers and dancers, again very good

Day 10 Lisbon, Prtugal

The day started off very wet, so we had a quick walk around town then back to the ship to get changed. The sun came out and we spent the afternoon on deck making the most of it.

Tonight’s entertainment was a male singer who again was very very good.

Day 11 Vigo, Spain

A dry but cool day, so we just had a walk around the town then back to the ship for lunch and we spent the afternoon on board.

Tonight’s entertainment should have been the last of the Royal Cunard singers and dancers, but due to the rough seas, it was postponed and we had the “fairwell” show a day early. I suspect it should have been the second comedian and the male singer, but instead we got the male singer and the singer from the Queens Room.

Day 12 at sea

I did not attend any talks today, as Alan and I had received an invitation to the bridge. We spent about 40 minutes on the bridge (with 10 others) and the third officer gave us a guided tour. This was very interesting.

I then watched Alan play Bingo whilst waiting for Jean (my mother) who was in the saloon having her hair styled.

A nice restful afternoon packing. Then after dinner it was the Senior Officers Party, so more cocktails.

Tonight’s entertainment was Victoriana by the Royal Cunard singers and dancers, again a very good show.

Day 13 the journey North

We were off the ship at 8.45 and on our way North by 9.20, I am happy to say the journey North was much easier and we were home by 3.30.

Tonight’s entertainment was trying to decide what to make for dinner.