Queen Victoria Makes its Debute

First and foremost, of course, is the fact that Queen Victoria is by no means as big, though the 90,000-ton, 2,000-passenger still qualifies as a mega model.More intriguing is that the design really celebrates Cunard tradition -- while at the same time offering a number of fresh twists. "With Queen Victoria what we've done is combined Cunard traditions and heritage and developed some innovations, too," Marlow, the cruise line's president, told Cruise Critic today. Ultimately, she adds, "we try and take the best of what we have on previous vessels and move forward, learning from our passengers as well."Queen Victoria is, for example, designed as an ocean-liner rather than a traditional cruise ship, which means it has a different superstructure -- and a strengthened hull and bow. Inside, numerous public spaces are two and three decks high -- adding an extra sense of space. Many features set to appear on Queen Victoria exist on Queen Mary 2 but have been tweaked, so to speak. Among them?The library will be an elegant two-story facility (situated on Decks 2 and 3) with a spiral staircase. In Cunard tradition, it will stock a voluminous collection of some 6,000 tomes in multiple languages and a broad selection of newspapers, periodicals and reference materials.Grill passengers -- the select suite-holders who qualify for the ship's restaurant-style Queen's and Princess Grill eateries -- get an entirely new atmosphere. The new restaurants will be located on Deck 12 at the top of the ship and feature areas for alfresco dining, not to mention imbibing. As well, the grill-only lounge will feature concierge service.The Winter Garden, which on QM2 is an indoor conservatory, gets an overhaul -- and a move to Deck 9. Even more notably, the new locale, tucked in between the lido buffet and the pool area, has a movable glass roof for indoor/outdoor ambiance, depending on weather conditions.Slight changes to QM2's lavish Royal Court Theater include the addition of private boxes (oh so very 19th century, not to mention the 21st) -- the first theater at sea to have such seating. And, responding to comments about the lack of a drink service on the big ship, Queen Victoria's Royal Court Theater will be adjacent to a lounge that will serve post-dinner dessert and drinks.Instead of a "heritage trail" that wanders through various public rooms on QM2, this ship will get a museum space of its own in which to showcase Cunard history (and a shop selling memorabilia will be housed next door).While Queen Victoria is built for ocean crossings -- and will sail some -- the ship will be much more port-focused than its big sister, though details of its 2008 itineraries have not yet been revealed.Other features that QM2 aficionados can expect to enjoy on Queen Victoria in one form or another include a Todd English alternative restaurant, the 4,000 square ft. Royal Shopping Arcade, a double-height Queen's Lounge, a traditional London-style pub, and a double-deck high Britannia restaurant.What QM2 features didn't make it in the translation from QM2 to Queen Victoria?There's no planetarium. "It was a function of space, not of popularity," Marlow says.QM2 has just revamped their pet kennels and service, but folks cruising with Fido and Fifi will have no other options. There will be no kennel aboard this vessel.There will be no atrium-view cabins though Queen Victoria has a reasonably high balcony ratio. Of the 1,007 staterooms, 86 percent are outside, and of these 71 percent have verandahs.The ship, which debuted on December 11, 2007, was christened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall (also known as Camilla Parker Bowles, the wife of Prince Charles). For its maiden voyage, Queen Victoria will sail a unique itinerary -- a 10-night Christmas markets tour of Europe from Southampton. Ports of call include Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo, Hamburg and Bruges. After that, for its actual Christmas/New Year's cruise, the ship swings south, heading to the Canary Islands.For Marlow, who joined Cunard from sister cruise line Swan Hellenic, the design, construction and launching of Queen Victoria has been a primary focus for the line over the past two years. But, just as important, she told us, is remembering that Queen Victoria is one of three sisters. "We'll also be focusing on keeping QE2 ship shape," she says, as well as reminding travelers who already know that QM2 is the er, Queen of trans-Atlantic crossings, that the ship will be circling the globe in 2007 -- and offering a number of more traditional port-intensive itineraries.

Our Inaugural Cruise --

Now that the gala send-off has passed, Queen Victoria is sailing on its maiden voyage -- an intriguing December trip to Western and Northern Europe where "Christmas market" season is in full swing. Join us for our virtual coverage of the trip, as Cruise Critic Contributor Greg Straub, who also covered Queen Mary 2's inaugural for us, gives us day-by-day reports on the ship and the ports.Straub's a stalwart Cunarder, having first boarded Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1969 when he paid 50 cents to the Seamen's Fund for the privilege of a tour of the then-new vessel. Since his first crossing aboard QE2 in 1977, Straub has sailed many times on Cunard ships including Cunard Adventurer, Vistafjord, Caronia and QM2.Straub's trip will transport you -- virtually of course -- onboard Queen Victoria from Southampton to Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Oslo and Brugge. Stay tuned for his first missive on Friday, December 14. Queen Victoria Central
Day 1: Embarkation and First Impressions Day 2: We Can’t Help But Compare the Queens Day 3: Overnighting In Copenhagen Day 4: Copenhagen Redux Day 5: Moving On to Oslo
Related Links Queen Victoria ship review Northern Europe Cruises Northern Europe Messages Cunard Messages
Day 1: Friday, Embarkation and First Impressions
When I booked the maiden voyage of Queen Victoria more than four years ago, I didn't know what the length of the voyage would be or the ports that would be visited. (I also didn't know how much it would cost.) Cunard chose to showcase its new ship with a Christmas markets cruise, visiting northern capitals before the holiday.Christmas markets are a northern European tradition of street fair. Merchants set up temporary shops, selling prepared meats, cheeses, baked goods (particular to the holiday), decorations and small presents. These markets are generally erected in the shadow of a city's cathedral.I'd never been on a Christmas markets cruise, and I was happy enough with that itinerary. I was not alone. I have met several other passengers who booked the voyage because it was the ship's first, not because of its itinerary. (I have also met a fellow passenger who put a deposit down on a cabin five years ago and forgot she had done so, until the invoice arrived for final payment.)I encountered my first Christmas market before boarding Queen Victoria. Southampton's main shopping street, Above Bar, is a rather forlorn pedestrian promenade dividing two rows of uninspired, post-war shops. (Southampton, like other port cities, was heavily damaged in World War II. The port was rebuilt in a brutally drab, concrete style.) This year, Above Bar became the site of a German Christmas market. Stall keepers sold prepared meats (sausages and cured hams), baked goods, ceramic models of half-timbered houses and all manner of small gifts and ornaments. There was also a rather nice carousel. The stall-keepers didn't look particularly German, or English, truth to tell. Most of them looked, well, Asian, but that was all right because most of the goods came from, um, China.Queen Victoria was easily viewed from Above Bar and the West Quay Shopping Centre. She made a handsome profile docked at the City Cruise Terminal. Unlike Queen Mary 2, she has a properly proportioned, single red funnel, very much like QE2's. Resemblance to either of her running mates ends there, however. Queen Victoria presents a typical contemporary cruise ship profile. She does not have the sweeping bows of QE2 or QM2. Her bow is stubby. She does not have terraced decks aft ending in a lovely rounded stern. Her superstructure runs aft, stops, then drops to the square stern. In short, she is a boxy ship. A friend e-mailed me bon voyage wishes and told me how handsome she thought Queen Victoria. She said, "She reminds me of my favorite Holland America ships." Well, yes, and so she does. She also resembles all the other Carnival family ships of late: lots of balcony cabins, none of which, unlike QM2, are in-hull. Except for the signature Cunard funnel and the iconic font lettering of "Cunard" and "Queen Victoria," this ship could be a ship of any other Carnival Corporation's fleets.I left my hotel by taxi and delivered my bags at the pier before returning to do some High Street shopping (and visiting of the Christmas market) in Southampton. I returned to the pier around 1:30 p.m. and whisked through registration. I have sailed often enough with Cunard to merit its diamond level of past-passenger status, which entitles one to expedited check-in with passengers assigned to grill dining rooms. I was handed a specially colored embarkation card that enabled me to avoid having to sit in the waiting room while other colors were called. I was ushered straight to the gangway. So far, so good. There was a long queue for the inevitable sailaway photo, but those of us who sail often have all these we want, so we were ushered past the ship's photographer. And there we stopped. For 45 minutes, we inched our way up the gangway. Here were the line's most important passengers: those who had spent the most money for their cabins and those who had been most loyal to Cunard Line. The gangway zigzagged up to the promenade deck in a series of switch-backs, where the line continued to a door. Each passenger was photographed for security purposes, but what was the hold-up? I can only imagine we were waiting for stewards to return from escorting previous passengers to their cabins. New stewards were finding their own ways to unfamiliar places, and the process was taking longer than anticipated. We were queuing for an amenity, being shown to our cabins, when everyone in line would have been happy to have been onboard as quickly as possible. I hope the valuing of marketing pretension over passenger convenience and comfort ended with our embarkation.Because the line took so long to move, I had ample time to survey the promenade deck. It is covered in some manufactured substance with lines drawn on it to simulate teak decking. It looks like linoleum, and this is not its only appearance on the ship. The ship's balconies are covered in the same substance, as are the upper, outside decks. Lovely teak deck chairs with bright blue Cunard cushions line the promenade. Rather good powdered-steel tables with nylon mesh chairs furnish the stateroom balconies. But they rest on linoleum! What gives?Cunard had upgraded my cabin category from an inside to a balcony outside cabin. In previous reviews, I have remarked on how spacious my minimum-grade inside cabin had been. Now, I have a top-of-the-line (for Britannia Restaurant) balcony cabin, and roomy is not the word I would use to describe it. First, there are few drawers. There's a drawer over the refrigerator. (It holds the hair dryer.) There is a desk drawer. (It holds the ship's information book.) There is a small drawer in the bottom of each of two bedside tables. (One contains a Gideon Bible.) And that's it. Yes, there are a few shelves in the three closets. (One is occupied by the life vests; another, by the in-room safe.) That's all there is for a ship that is scheduled to make two world cruises. There is, however, ample hanging space with wooden hangers. And someone thought it would be a nice touch to put a tie rack on one of the closet doors -- it holds six ties, which may be indicative of the level of formality Cunard plans for the future.As little storage as there is in the cabin, there is less in the bathroom. There is no medicine chest. There are two small trays below the mirror, but they are already filled with tooth glasses, toiletries, cotton swabs and so on.As I have run into passengers I have met on previous sailings, the first thing we remark is, "Have you seen the drawers?"Most of my fellow passengers are English. There is a sizable number of Americans, including a large contingent who booked with Pied Piper Travel, the New York agency that caters to gay travelers, along with a smattering of Germans and Japanese. I hope to discover what has drawn this group of passengers together.
Today, we put into Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I have not been here in many years, so it was good to walk around the city and remind myself of its layout. Rotterdam is not picture-postcard Holland, so forget about windmills and canals. Cruise Critic's Rotterdam port profile pretty much addresses this: "For the first-time visitor, it can be jarring to see steel and cement instead of canals and cobblestones. But what Rotterdam lacks in historic charm, it makes up for in cutting-edge architecture, world-class museums and sunny sidewalk terraces perfect for enjoying a Dutch beer or two. And the past isn't entirely forgotten; look closely enough and you'll unearth a few remnants of the city's history, like a 1920's statehouse, a 15th-century church and a 400-year-old statue of Erasmus -- a ghost from the past who seems to smile benevolently upon Rotterdam's bright future."Part of the reason -- a major part -- for Rotterdam's lack of charm is that the city was heavily damaged in World War II and is a post-war, industrial port (the largest in Europe). While the city itself is not particularly interesting, nothing is too far by train: Edam with its cheeses; Delft with its pottery; The Hague, the lovely center of government (but ironically not the capital); and the cosmopolitan capital of Amsterdam.If you feel like a low-key day, one of the most interesting buildings to survive the war is just a short walk from the pier. The Hotel New York, at one time the old headquarters of the Holland America Line, has since been remodeled. It has charm, and its cafe/bar, the former ticket hall, is a wonderful place to have a coffee or drink and a light meal. It overlooks the harbor and is a great place for people-watching. I had hoped to catch a glimpse of Rotterdam V, but she has not yet arrived (the retired ship, which was built in 1958 for Holland America Line, will become a floating hotel/conference center in Rotterdam). QE2 was in port with us, but she was docked some distance from the center of town in the container port. Queen Victoria, with her relatively shallow draft, docked at the city pier.Is Queen Victoria a liner? Cunard assures us she has a strengthened bow, but her stubby bow and high superstructure do not suit her for inclement crossings of the North Atlantic, and she is not as powerful as either of her sister ships. When Queen Victoria and QE2 sail in tandem across the Atlantic next month, QE2 will slow herself down to her running mate's speed. With the wrong shape and inadequate propulsion, Queen Victoria is not an ocean liner.Tomorrow, our first day at sea, we'll see what kind of cruise ship she is.

Venetian Las Vegas New Neighbor

Meet The Venetian's New Neighbor, The PalazzoBe among the first to experience The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Connected to The Venetian by shared walks and waterways, The Palazzo welcomes guests to a new era of luxury.Click here for Deal Details

Caribbean Cruises Still a Good Deal and Alaska More Available

Cruise fares for the Caribbean should remain solid through at least the first half of 2008 despite the volatility of fuel prices and Americans' economic uncertainty, according to Tim Conder, managing director of Wachovia's leisure equity research group. "Pricing continues to improve through first-half 2008 in the key Caribbean market despite growing U.S. economic concerns, driven by the attractive price/value relationship of cruises relative to other land-based vacation alternatives for the consumer," Conder writes in a note to investors. Cruise pricing is monitored more for the Caribbean than any other cruising region because it's the most popular cruise market for U.S. consumers and generally one of the most profitable. Conder writes that European pricing overall is holding up, due in part to increased capacity in the region, while Alaskan pricing indicates a slight decline. (DE)

Kauai's Plush New Property

Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, will open its first property on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. The resort, Starwood's third vacation ownership resort in Hawaii, is taking reservations now in advance of its April opening.
Villas are located in seven two- and three-story buildings and contain the signature Westin Heavenly Bed, queen sofa bed, Heavenly Bath with separate whirlpool tub, LCD flat-screen TV, DVD player, Bose AM/FM radio, two dual-line phones with voicemail and data ports, and high-speed Internet connectivity. The guest rooms have a separate dining area, fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette and a private lanai. Visit www.starwoodhotels.com. (MR)

Feeling the weekday blahs? Then get away for some weekend "Ahhhs!" at one of these luxurious hotels and resorts -

Click on the links below to discover special pricing and amenities that are guaranteed to turn a few days into memories that'll last forever, call 904-703-7815 or email travelexpert@cruiseandvacationagents.com

Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & SpaSan Antonio, Texas$50 food and beverage creditHyatt Regency TamayaResort & SpaSanta Ana Pueblo, New MexicoOne spa treatment per personThe BroadmoorColorado Springs, Colorado$200 spa credit per roomThe Whiteface LodgeLake Placid, New YorkRoom upgrade on arrivalTriple Creek RanchDarby, MontanaStay 3 nights and getthe 4th free


Clift HotelSan Francisco, CaliforniaSpecial rates

St. Regis Hotel, San FranciscoSan Francisco, CaliforniaChampagne and flowersupon arrival

Taj Hotel GroupBoston, San Francisco and London$150 food and beverage credit
The BenjaminNew York, New York12-choice pillow menu

The Fullerton Hotel SingaporeSingapore, Singapore180-minute Spa treatmentfor two

The LanesboroughLondon, United KingdomAn evening a LondonWest End musical
The Peninsula New YorkNew York, New YorkGuaranteed room upgradeat booking
The Regent ShanghaiShanghai, ChinaAccess to the Regent Club
Fairmont Hotels and ResortsHamilton and Southampton, Bermuda$300 Resort Credit

Mandarin Oriental, MiamiMiami, FloridaWelcome bottle of champagneThe Royal PlantationSpa & Golf ResortOcho Rios, Jamaica33% saving off suite ratesTHE US GRANT- A Luxury Collection HotelSan Diego, CaliforniaDaily breakfast for twoWaterColor Inn and ResortSanta Rosa Beach, FloridaA Back to the Beach Starter Pack

Unless otherwise stated, rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Offers subject to availability and blackout dates and may change without notice. Restrictions may apply. Prices in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. Not responsible for errors in pricing. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Photo: Shutterstock. CST#2069091-40 687101 12/07

Hilton For Breakfast Please The Important Meal

Issue #6- December 2007

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We want your clients to start the day off right that's why we offer these great choices:•The Hilton Breakfast color-coded guide helps your clients select the breakfast that's right for them. • The Doubletree Eat Right® healthy menu programs, now available at participating hotels, are designed with maintaining the "right" balance of protein, saturated fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates and calories. • Embassy Suites Hotels prides itself on being the first and only upscale, full-service, all-suite hotel brand to offer every guest a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast every morning. • Hampton Inn offers complimentary On the House hot breakfasts and Hampton's On the Run™ breakfast bags (Monday-Friday)• At Homewood Suites by Hilton, we want to help your client start the day off right - so much so that guests can enjoy a daily complimentary Suite Start® hot breakfast . •The Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Breakfast Deal - When your clients stay a minimum of two nights this winter between November 15, 2007, and March 8, 2008, they receive complimentary breakfast for up to four guests in the same room. And on weekends, they'll enjoy our Lazy Breakfast service until 11:00 a.m. Offer available at participating Hilton Garden Inn Hotels worldwide.

Destination: Niagara Falls Winter in Niagara is not to be missed. Niagara Falls becomes a winter wonderland and ice spectacle. The annual Winter Festival of Lights (early November - early January) brings nearly two million lights and over 100 lighting displays and free fireworks on select nights. With over 16 properties in the area Hilton Family has the best hotel for your clients. Check out these special offers: •Doubletree Resort Lodge & Spa Fallsview
•Embassy Suites Niagara Falls - Fallsview


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2008 Imperial Russian Waterways Package

Imperial Russian Waterways & St. Petersburg
16 Days From Only $3,715(plus government taxes and fees)


NEW: Prices now include fuel surcharges!
Click to Enlarge Map Aboard ms Nikolay Chernyshevsky Moscow • St. Petersburg
This wonderful itinerary along the Volga River lets you explore multi-faceted Russia two ways — for the best possible experience. With four nights in a Deluxe hotel in mighty Moscow plus 10 nights aboard your “floating hotel,” you’ll have ample time to see it all, from the Hermitage to the Kremlin. In between, you’ll cruise the lovely Russian countryside aboard your privately chartered river cruise ship, disembarking to explore the heart of Russia, and meeting fascinating people, thanks to exclusive Vantage Cultural Connections. We’ve included the perfect number of sightseeing tours, so you’ll enjoy a leisurely pace that allows you time to explore as you wish. LIMITED TIME OFFER: FREE HERMITAGE BALLET TICKETS FOR APRIL THROUGH JULY DEPARTURES!
When you reserve this 16-day Russian river cruise with Vantage, you’ll enjoy 19 included sightseeing tours and a host of Cultural Connections. A Moscow city tour, a visit to the majestic Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, and a Russian barbeque lunch are just some of the other Highlights you’ll experience on this comprehensive Russian riverboat cruise. While river cruising is all the rage among today’s savvy travellers, a Russian river cruise is still a novelty for most. Reserve now and be among the first to take this truly unique journey!
Trip FeaturesYour price includes:
INCLUDED roundtrip international airfare from 25 U.S. cities
10 nights aboard the exclusively chartered ms Nikolay Chernyshevsky in a riverview cabin
4 nights in the heart of Moscow at the Hilton Moscow or the Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel (or similar), both Deluxe hotels
35 Meals: 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners (including Captain’s Welcome & Farewell Dinners and meals ashore)
19 Sightseeing Tours & Cultural Connections
An experienced, English-speaking Program Manager throughout your trip
All transfers (via private motorcoaches) and baggage handling overseas (except in customs)
Visa service to facilitate obtaining your Russian
5% Travel Credit received upon your return, to use towards your next trip from this special collection of packages.