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Meet the iconic Queens: Queen Victoria
Embarking on her first voyage in 2007, Cunard’s Queen Victoria is renowned among loyal guests for her perfect blend of majestic spaces with home-from-home comfort. Her marble floors, sweeping staircases and Art Deco-inspired details set the scene for elegant evenings, while the Golden Lion pub provides a more informal yet lively affair. Thoughtfully crafted to offer the finest variety, the ship features an open-air sports deck with tennis and padel courts, a two-tier library housing more than 6,000 titles and a 500-piece art collection featuring etchings by Queen Victoria herself. With a highly anticipated 2026 refresh due to take place this autumn, there’s never been a better time for guests to step on board beloved Queen Victoria and experience a world of modern luxury.
Capacity: 2,079 guests (from November 2026, post transformation)
Staterooms: 8 categories (Britannia Inside, Britannia Oceanview, Britannia Balcony, Britannia Club Balcony, Princess Grill Suites, Queens Grill Suites, Accessible Staterooms and Single Staterooms)
Theatre seats: 800+ in the Royal Court Theatre on decks 1, 2 and 3
Destinations: Europe – including Northern Europe and British Isles, Iberia, Atlantic Coast and Canary Islands and the Mediterranean – plus Full World Voyage and World Voyage Sectors.
Who will love Queen Victoria?
As the second longest-serving ship in Cunard’s iconic fleet, Queen Victoria is highly desired by regular Cunard guests – affectionately known as 'Cunarders'. They’re often excited to explore new destinations and try new experiences both on board and ashore, yet find comfort in the unmistakable Cunard experience they know and love.
Queen Victoria is a good match for clients who:
- Love a sense of occasion
- Enjoy learning and activities of their own choosing
- May book longer voyages and book further in advance
- May take multiple holidays each year
Samantha Costi is a cruise expert at TUI and a self-confessed Cunarder. After her first sailing in 2019, she has enjoyed 10 Cunard voyages since, returning for a two-week Mediterranean itinerary on board Queen Victoria this September.
"I'm hooked!" admits Samantha. “I've tried other cruise lines, but I just have a huge passion for Cunard, and this makes it really easy for me to sell the experience to clients."
There's a host of reasons Samantha always chooses Cunard, but one selling point that really enhances the experience for her is the award-winning Cunard Insights programme, featuring inspiring discussions and Q&A’s with remarkable individuals.
During Samantha's previous trips, she's attended talks by leading British broadcaster Clare Balding as well as high-profile graffiti artist Mr Brainwash.
“There's always something happening on a Cunard cruise," she says. "You're always making memories – that's why I love them”
Sean Snazell, regional cruise expert for Hays Travel Romford, went on his first ever cruise in 1999, kick-starting his 25-year career in the industry. He’s been on 40 cruises since, with his most recent Cunard voyage last year.
“I do really enjoy selling Cunard as they have that luxury service, yet their lead-in prices are more affordable than you may think, making it suitable for a range of clients.”
Sean attributes his repeat Cunard business to its range of great itineraries, exceptional service and elegant evenings.
“The size of Queen Victoria also gives customers that sweet spot," Sean adds, complimenting how the ship perfectly balances an intimate feel with a spacious layout.
CRUISING THE MEDITERRANEAN
Few other regions offer such diverse culture and scenery as the Mediterranean, and its allure is only enhanced when sailing on board Queen Victoria.
Guests can discover striking architecture, explore some of the world’s most historic places and savour superb local cuisine, with Cunard’s choice of Mediterranean Shore Experiences helping guide the way.
And that’s without mentioning its picture-perfect coastlines: sparkling warm waters, soft sand beaches and sherbet-coloured villages await.
At the end of unhurried days exploring ashore (or perhaps even just soaking in the Mediterranean sunrays on the pool deck, with loungers, al-fresco dining and live entertainment), guests are welcomed back on board, ready for an evening filled with fabulous cuisine and showstopping entertainment.
Queen Victoria offers sailings from Southampton as well as Mediterranean Fly-Cruise itineraries, with journeys featuring classic stops in Spain, France, Italy, Greece and more.
Cunard’s Western Mediterranean itineraries feature the region’s most iconic coastal cities, including Barcelona, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca and Rome, whereas its Eastern Mediterranean itineraries star cultural hotspots in the Greek Islands and Turkey. There are also voyages with Adriatic ports of call in Croatia and Montenegro.
“Cunard has a real point of difference with their itineraries,” says Samantha, explaining why she’s picked her next Queen Victoria sailing. “You don’t often get an overnight stay in Istanbul with other cruise lines, but with Cunard, they give you that opportunity.”
From walking tours that tick off sought-after sights in places such as Florence, Pisa and Valencia, to more exhilarating excursions, like trekking up the Rock of Gibraltar or scootering around historic Cartagena, there’s a Mediterranean Shore Experience to match every client's style of exploring.
Guests can also get a taste of local life with a selection of slower-paced cultural experiences around the Mediterranean. This is something that Sean leans into when selling Cunard, and always encourages guests to book in advance to secure their spot.
“Cunard are known for their cultural immersion, and I think that’s really what differentiates them from a lot of cruise lines,” he shares.
For Samantha, she fondly recalls an immersive wine-tasting Shore Experience in a vineyard near Marseille. “Cunard’s food and drink experiences are often in small groups and are excellent value – especially as they offer guests something they'd be unlikely to discover on their own.”
QUEEN VICTORIA'S UPCOMING TRANSFORMATION
Please note the below artistic impressions are for illustrative purposes only
Scheduled to undergo her transformation in autumn this year, Queen Victoria will continue her 2026 sailings from November with a refreshed interior and new additions.
She will emerge with brand-new staterooms, as well as an elevated Grill Suites Experience. The Princess and Queens Grill Suites and their restaurants will be beautifully uplifted, while the redesigned Grill Suites Lounge and Terrace will draw on inspiration from Victorian-era jewellery.
Thoughtful enhancements will also be made to the ship’s most iconic spaces. The much-loved Queens Room (artistic impression pictured behind is for illustrative purposes only), known for its generous dance floor, will be reimagined. The new look is inspired by an orange blossom motif found on one of Queen Victoria’s brooches, deepening the room's connection to royal heritage, yet maintaining the bright and airy feel, welcoming guests from morning until night.
Elsewhere, the Grand Lobby will also be embellished with regal details, enriching the arrival experience, while new carpets and finishing touches throughout the ship will update its style and comfort.
Finally, a Wellness Café is also being introduced, serving guests a delicious selection of feel-good food options, such as fruit smoothies and seasonal salads.
“The level of detail they’ve gone into for the upcoming refit is amazing – I love the bespoke Queen Victoria touches,” says Samantha.
She adds: “With guests now being more health-conscious, I think the new wellness addition is a great idea, too”
FABULOUS EVENINGS OF STYLE & CELEBRATION
For guests that love a sense of occasion, Queen Victoria’s evening entertainment will not disappoint. As the sun slips behind the horizon, the ship comes alive with everything from world-class musicians and critically acclaimed theatre to vibrant cabaret performances.
Queen Victoria is scheduled to feature a series of upcoming Entertainment Residencies. Cunard has collaborated with renowned theatre and opera companies, as well as one-person shows, bringing a vibrant array of guest performances to sea. Whether your clients enjoy musicals, comedies, ghost stories or more intimate recitals and workshops, they can immerse themselves in a wonderful world of storytelling
The Royal Court Theatre is where much of the evening magic happens. Decorated in Cunard’s signature red and gold colours, Queen Victoria’s three-tier theatre is a dazzling venue seating 800+ guests, with wheelchair access provided.
It also boasts the first West End-style theatre boxes at sea. Guests who book one of the 12 private boxes will be escorted to their seat by a Cunard bellhop, where they can order champagne and sweet treats to savour throughout the evening, including chocolates and desserts.
Samantha is excited to experience the themed Gala Evenings on her upcoming voyage. “We have a Masquerade night, a Roaring 20s night and a Red & Gold night, which is great, as I love dressing up for an occasion!”
Beyond the Queens Room and theatre, Queen Victoria has a venue to suit every mood. The laid-back Winter Garden room with floor-to-ceiling windows offers some of the best views out to sea; the more refined Chart Room entices guests with its imaginative mixology and classic cocktails, while the Yacht Club is a must-visit for a lively night on the dance floor, with a resident DJ keeping the party going until late.
For Sean, one of his most cherished Cunard evenings was spent at the Golden Lion pub, where an Irish band played live folk music.
“It was quite unexpected, actually, but the atmosphere was superb.”
CUNARD WHITE STAR SERVICE
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Plenty of cruise ships do afternoon tea; nobody does it like Cunard.
Sean Snazell, Hays Travel Romford
What keeps Cunarders coming back time and again is the service that consistently goes above and beyond guest expectations. This is what Cunard calls its White Star Service, and has been a deep-rooted part of its values for more than a century.
Whether bartenders, waiters, stateroom stewards or butlers, every crew member is pleased to serve, surprise and delight guests by anticipating their needs before they do. From brand-new bookmarks left in their stateroom or a glass of their favourite fizz topped up without having to ask, the attention to detail is second to none.
For Sean, the epitome of Cunard’s White Star Service is its ‘iconic’ Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room, a daily ritual where a procession of white-gloved waiters present guests with an array of treats, while a resident harpist or pianist fills the room with a delicate symphony. “Plenty of cruise ships do afternoon tea; nobody does it like Cunard.”
Samantha agrees the Afternoon Tea is a spectacle, but for her, it’s the small gestures that really set Cunard apart. “I’d not been on a Cunard ship for a couple of years, and staff remembered me by name when I returned,” she explains. “It really is excellent."
