A Clients Personal Thoughts On Queen Victoria Refit !

I have to say as a cruise agent there is nothing better than having a client’s personal opinion of a ship. On the 8^th June 2017, one of my very good clients enjoyed a personal experience of a full day ship visit on the Queen Victoria in Southampton after her £34 million refit.

From 5 May to 4 June, Queen Victoria entered dry dock for a partial refit at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Sicily. This included an upgraded and increased choice of staterooms, new Britannia Club dining, a broader and more distinct bar offering, a transformed sun deck, and several other new features.

Guests have asked why Queen Victoria is being refitted when she already meets every expectation !

Well here is a little insight from my clients and “their” personal thoughts on the new refit which I thought would be excellent to share with you and a very interesting read.

My observations on Queen Victoria from our visit :

The top deck of QV has canopies around the sides. Underneath them are armchairs and sofas (I think they were wicker with nice thick cushions) but we didn’t go out to them as it was torrential rain when we were taken up there. The swimming pool is not right at the stern like QE so there is a large sunbathing area aft of it. There are no changes to the Lido  except they have removed the trays.

Cafe Carinthia has gone and it is now the Chart Room with new furniture and a new blue carpet. The nice settees have gone. A small selection of food is still served but it is completely different. Club Dining is now where the Chart Room was.

The shop on deck 2 has gone and the space is now future cruise sales and CWC.

The Winter Garden has had a complete makeover with carpeting in parts and all new furniture – it looks much better than it was.

Commodore Club has just had new carpets. Hemispheres Night Club is now The Yacht Club with much improved furniture.

The new Q1 grade cabins at the stern have televisions which fold down from the ceiling in their bedrooms! The furnishings in there are superb.

All the cabins have new furnishings and carpets – I think the carpets are much nicer.

New interior cabins in the new section are quite large.

I didn’t take a camera as it was a much more formal visit than normal (had to wear a suit) as it was in aid of The Prince’s Trust.

Lunch was excellent and there was no shortage of drinks – we had a cocktail in The Chart Room before a cocktail reception in The Queen’s Room where drinks were continually refilled as they were during lunch!

Captain Peter Philpott was leaving QV  to go to QM2 and he hosted a table for lunch – all tables larger than 4 had a Cunard representative.

I have personally sailed on the Queen Victoria and I know she is an outstanding ship and to know that clients also think the same well what else can I say.