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CRUISE NEWS
LONG
LIVE THE ‘QUEENS’
Although the
venerable QE2 is now a
tourist attraction in Dubai, Cunard
introduced another Queen that deserves the royal crown in every way. Smaller than its sister ship Queen Mary 2,
the new Queen
Victoria can now take you in style to places the larger vessels
couldn’t
navigate, such as the Panama Canal. The new entry from Cunard boasts 12 decks and
990 staterooms, of which 86% are outside
and 71%
feature balconies. While this
Queen may be reduced in
size, it
definitely does not stint on comfort and amenities. Its
elegance is immediately evident as you first enter the spectacular
Grand Lobby.
Shopping is a
perfect example of Queen Victoria's
upscale convenience.
You could be in the heart of London instead of miles away at sea while
you browse in the Royal
Arcade. Here you'll find Wedgewood, Harrod's and Royal Doulton, to name
a few Brit stalwarts. Just to keep
things authentic, a clock built by the company that made Big Ben,
chimes the hour on London time.
Queen
Vic, as Cunard has dubbed its latest entry, presents eight
accommodation
categories
of varying size and price, including four types of suites plus 25
penthouses. All rooms have
bathrooms with
showers, televisions, safes and hairdryers. Suites
add
concierge service, tub and shower in the bathrooms, daily bottled
water, robes
and slippers. Suite guests are served in separate Queen’s Grill
and
Princess Grill dining rooms, reached by private elevator.
Floor-to-ceiling windows extend out over
the water
to offer superb views. If you want to add that extra touch of romance
to the
occasion, opt for dinner under the stars.
It
isn’t British unless it has a conservatory, and Queen Victoria’s is
called the
Winter Garden. Lots of greenery, fountains, ceiling fans and wicker
furnishings
create the mood. In warm weather, the glass roof retracts. A
real show-stopper on Queen Vic is the Royal Court Theatre, taking up
three
decks and decorated in deep red with gold trim. This is believed to be
the
first cruise ship theater with special boxes that can be rented during
major
productions. Word is that a backstage tour will be a rental bonus.
Check the website for a schedule of cruise itineraries. www.cunard.com
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