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October 27, 2024

Here we are, ready to embark on a new journey to explore a legendary cruise line renowned for its expertise in transatlantic crossings. But this time, it’s a Mediterranean cruise, featuring a tour of Corsica, Sardinia, and the Italian coast!

So begins our adventure with Cunard, a line not widely known to the French or European public but greatly appreciated by the British and especially Americans. The all-wood style and decidedly British look create an atmosphere that could be described as “cruises of another era.” Aboard the Queen Victoria, the ship’s ambiance is rich in wood, with carpeted floors and a simple yet classically elegant atrium. Taking photos here is truly a pleasure. Thanks to the size of the ship and the number of passengers, there’s a genuine sense of intimacy on board!

What impressed me most about the Queen Victoria is the tranquility; a calmness is felt around the outdoor spaces like the pool, the buffet, or in the various restaurants, where every guest seems mindful of others, speaking in very low tones. This is one of the great benefits of this cruise line! Another highlight is the staff—always incredibly kind, with warm smiles and a relaxed, friendly demeanor. They don’t seem particularly stressed. Always available and eager to interact, they’re happy to get to know guests better and share their daily stories.

Cunard also offers an impressive dining experience: varied and delicious dishes, often perfectly cooked with well-balanced flavors. The buffet changes daily, presenting excellent options! Speaking of accommodations, the cabins are equipped with very comfortable beds, although closet storage space is a bit limited, which slightly detracts from the comfort considering the luxury of the line! As for daytime activities, Cunard offers few poolside activities during the day, and themed evenings are limited, echoing the idea of a “cruise of the past”—ideal for those looking for total relaxation. The ship also has several splendid ballrooms with gentlemen ready to dance with ladies, all in a truly remarkable setting. Around the ship, there are bars, lounges, and live music with piano concerts, creating an ambiance reminiscent of a James Bond-style lounge!

Regarding the common areas, the ballroom, the tea-time lounge, and the Winter Garden are very spacious, while areas like the casino and the central pool have more limited space. This is definitely another feature of the line, presenting itself as a luxury cruise line, certainly not for everyone’s taste but certainly worth discovering!

The Queen Victoria, like any cruise ship, offers different types of dining venues, some included in the cruise price depending on the cabin booked. The higher the cabin category, the more exclusive and high-quality the dining venue. Additionally, there’s a premium service that allows a limited number of guests to access exclusive common areas, like a restaurant or more privileged sunbathing areas! In terms of restaurants and bars, there are two specialty restaurants in addition to the classics, with excellent quality meat and fish, such as the famous Black Angus or caviar, available for a fairly high surcharge!

The ship also features a large library, games or puzzles for passengers, an art gallery, a sports bar, a fish and chips, an opera-style theater, two pools, and an excellent buffet open all day with a wide variety of dishes.

Now, back to my experience. Due to emergency repairs on a propeller, the ship stayed for three days in Barcelona, where Cunard provided continuous, free shuttles day and night, allowing us to travel to and from the center of Barcelona at any time! What better opportunity to explore the city thoroughly? After leaving Barcelona, we made our first port stop in Sardinia, specifically Alghero: a small town reached by tender, with well-organized logistics. You arrive in a small port at the base of a fortification, where numerous boats offer excursions to discover secluded coves with crystal-clear waters or to visit Neptune’s Grotto—a sight worth visiting, but only for those with a strong heart, as the boat approach can be a bit choppy!

The next day we arrived in Cagliari, also in Sardinia. Here too, as throughout Italy, the port is well-equipped for cruise passengers. It’s a beautiful Italian city, perfect to discover by strolling through its lively streets, where you can enjoy excellent gelato and visit numerous churches and cathedrals. It’s a great city for a walk, but you can also opt for a taxi to visit the fine sandy beaches!

Our next stop was Naples, but it was a Sunday, so there were fewer options for sightseeing in the city, although the famous excursions to Capri, Sorrento, or Pompeii remain favorite destinations! We chose to explore the city up to the famous Galleria Umberto I, where we enjoyed a mocha and a renowned Neapolitan pastiera, and then decided to see Naples from the famous red bus…and of course, we had pizza!

The last days were all about relaxation, and disembarking in Rome was incredibly quick! As with all cruises, the ship docks at Civitavecchia, from where we took a train to Rome, where we then spent two days, concluding our Mediterranean experience with Cunard.

Stay tuned for news, updates, and Cunard reviews on Cruising Journal with photos, videos, and cruise offers.

Joris Lemesle

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