Travels with my daughter on Queen Victoria

[GeorgianGal100]

My daughter and I have just returned from a week in Norway on Queen Victoria.  This was our first ever cruise and we chose Cunard for the formal dress code (we just don't get to spruce ourselves up enough these days) and for the old world charm that Cunard was appearing to offer.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, attending dancing lessons, shows, talks, a hobby corner and Karaoke.

We didn't pre-book any excursions for our four port days as we just wanted to take each day as it came, this worked very well for us as we're great walkers and didn't want to be working to another person's schedule.  We'd arrive back for a late lunch either in the Lido or in the stateroom on our balcony and head off to a lecture after that, many about jewellery given by Natalie or Mark which were excellent.  We'd then get our glad rags on and head up to The Commodore Club (our favourite for pre dinner drinks) and if we didn't attend a show we would either head off to the The Chart room after eating, or up to the Yacht Club, we attempted Karaoke for the first time too, apologies to anybody who was there.  

I felt I knew the ship well, even before boarding, through watching all the you tube videos and the many helpful tips from all on this wonderful site.  My daughter was most impressed with me when I'd point something out which would otherwise have been missed.  Our favourite part was the sail away from Olden with the wonderful locals playing music and waving their flags, we both were quite choked up.

We dressed up every night, and were thrilled to see so many dapper looking men and women around the ship.  I feared we may have been in a minority of those wanting to push the boat out a little.  We did meet a lovely gentleman and his wife in the Yacht Club on the Black and White Gala night who had been refused entry to everywhere but there, as he didn't have a jacket as he said he had been totally unaware Cunard had a dress code.  They'd eaten in the Veranda restaurant but been lent a jacket by the Maitre 'D' so standards were being upheld on Gala nights at least.

Unfortunately on the first sea day I started to feel sea sick, or so I thought, and started on medication but it never really cleared and on the second to last day I developed flu like symptoms and of course tested positive for Covid, my first time ever getting Covid.  As it was a sea day we both happily camped out in our room watching the waves, me from my bed as I was pretty poorly.  My daughter tested negative so she was able to do everything as normal, even eat in the restaurants but she'd eat with me to keep me company.  We were asked to clear the linen from the room ourselves on the last day, empty all the bins and then were escorted off the ship at a very civilised 10.15am.  That was a rather sad end to our trip, but our photos remind us of the fun we had and the lovely people we met.  Almost all the staff were cheerful and helpful and it was so sad that we didn't get to say goodbye and make our thankyou's.  We also didn't get to order any professional photos as I couldn't leave the room to view them which I know I am going to regret more and more each day.

 

So, a big thank you to all who answered my many questions before we sailed, the build up was half the fun!  

[Host Hattie]

Thank you very much for your report.

I'm sorry to hear about your Covid, I hope you're feeling better now. 

[GeorgianGal100]

Thanks Hattie, I'm on the mend, unfortunately My daughter did succumb the day after returning home and now we're spreading the joy through the rest of the family.  I feel for them because they didn't get the enjoyment of the cruise!

[Host Hattie]

Sorry to hear that, I hope it hasn't put you off cruising ?

[GeorgianGal100]

I did check out Cunard's sailings yesterday to see what was available so I don't think it has!

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, GeorgianGal100 said:

My daughter and I have just returned from a week in Norway on Queen Victoria.  This was our first ever cruise and we chose Cunard for the formal dress code (we just don't get to spruce ourselves up enough these days) and for the old world charm that Cunard was appearing to offer.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, attending dancing lessons, shows, talks, a hobby corner and Karaoke.

We didn't pre-book any excursions for our four port days as we just wanted to take each day as it came, this worked very well for us as we're great walkers and didn't want to be working to another person's schedule.  We'd arrive back for a late lunch either in the Lido or in the stateroom on our balcony and head off to a lecture after that, many about jewellery given by Natalie or Mark which were excellent.  We'd then get our glad rags on and head up to The Commodore Club (our favourite for pre dinner drinks) and if we didn't attend a show we would either head off to the The Chart room after eating, or up to the Yacht Club, we attempted Karaoke for the first time too, apologies to anybody who was there.  

I felt I knew the ship well, even before boarding, through watching all the you tube videos and the many helpful tips from all on this wonderful site.  My daughter was most impressed with me when I'd point something out which would otherwise have been missed.  Our favourite part was the sail away from Olden with the wonderful locals playing music and waving their flags, we both were quite choked up.

We dressed up every night, and were thrilled to see so many dapper looking men and women around the ship.  I feared we may have been in a minority of those wanting to push the boat out a little.  We did meet a lovely gentleman and his wife in the Yacht Club on the Black and White Gala night who had been refused entry to everywhere but there, as he didn't have a jacket as he said he had been totally unaware Cunard had a dress code.  They'd eaten in the Veranda restaurant but been lent a jacket by the Maitre 'D' so standards were being upheld on Gala nights at least.

Unfortunately on the first sea day I started to feel sea sick, or so I thought, and started on medication but it never really cleared and on the second to last day I developed flu like symptoms and of course tested positive for Covid, my first time ever getting Covid.  As it was a sea day we both happily camped out in our room watching the waves, me from my bed as I was pretty poorly.  My daughter tested negative so she was able to do everything as normal, even eat in the restaurants but she'd eat with me to keep me company.  We were asked to clear the linen from the room ourselves on the last day, empty all the bins and then were escorted off the ship at a very civilised 10.15am.  That was a rather sad end to our trip, but our photos remind us of the fun we had and the lovely people we met.  Almost all the staff were cheerful and helpful and it was so sad that we didn't get to say goodbye and make our thankyou's.  We also didn't get to order any professional photos as I couldn't leave the room to view them which I know I am going to regret more and more each day.

 

So, a big thank you to all who answered my many questions before we sailed, the build up was half the fun!  

 

 

Pls keep safe and all feel better. 

 

What a wonderful review!

 

I felt I was sailing with you with your description. So happy your first sailing was a happy experience. 

 

I know you caught the cruise bug and will enjoy many, many more sailings in the future.

 

Cunard does offer a very good product and also have met many wonderful people to this day we are still in touch with.

 

Sorry you couldn't purchase a memorable photo, but next time.

 

Once again, thank you.....

[GeorgianGal100]

13 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

 

Pls keep safe and all feel better. 

 

What a wonderful review!

 

I felt I was sailing with you with your description. So happy your first sailing was a happy experience. 

 

I know you caught the cruise bug and will enjoy many, many more sailings in the future.

 

Cunard does offer a very good product and also have met many wonderful people to this day we are still in touch with.

 

Sorry you couldn't purchase a memorable photo, but next time.

 

Once again, thank you.....

Thank you so much BklynBoy8, maybe we'll make it over to your 'neck of the woods' next time, my daughter would love a transatlantic!  All the best.