History

The Queen Victoria is the first purpose built cruise ship to join the Cunard fleet since the RMS Caronia of 1948, which was affectionately known as the Green Goddess. This giant new cruise ship, larger than the QE2 but smaller than the RMS Queen Mary 2 is sure to set new standards for cruising and is designed for service on European cruises from Southampton, Liner Voyages, Transatlantic Crossings and World Cruises. In 2007 she will make her debut and join the Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in the Cunard fleet and continue the legend of the Cunard Queens well into the future.

Design and Construction (2001 – 2007):

Cunard Line had been a relatively latecomer to the cruising trade, introducing its first ocean excursions in the 1920s. Even then its intention was primarily to provide useful employment for its ships during the Atlantic off peak season. Later in the 1930s and throughout the Depression years, when reduced traffic volumes threatened the economic survival of many ships which would not, otherwise, have paid their way, the diversion into cruising was intensified.

Leading the way among the ships that were engaged in cruising in those early years were the company’s four post First World War intermediate steamers, which inaugurated the now famous annual World Cruise – a tradition maintained today by the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. For two years after the merging of the Cunard and White Star fleets the venerable RMS Mauretania, resplendent in white livery, undertook an exclusive cruise itinerary, helping to popularise this form of seagoing experience. Even the stately RMS Aquitania was used on cruises from time to time to supplement her revenues.

After the Second World War, Cunard commissioned its first (and until the introduction of the new Queen Victoria) built to order, dedicated luxury cruise ship, the famous Green Goddess – the magnificent RMS Caronia of 1948 – which earned an enviable reputation in the luxury cruise business. She was so popular, that certain passengers could not bear to leave her, and one passenger – Mrs Clara MacBeth – lived on board for more than 14 years.

Subsequently, as the North Atlantic passenger shipping business gradually fell into decline, other Cunard ships were switched to cruising including the Cunard Queens in their final years. In 1963 the second Mauretania was repainted in the green colours famously associated with the Caronia, along with the Franconia (former Saxonia) and Carmania (former Ivernia). The remaining pair of Cunard’s Dominion service quartet, the Carinthia and Sylvania, were painted white and they too transferred into cruising.

Gradually as the 1970s unfolded, Cunard’s involvement in cruising gathered momentum, becoming its primary passenger shipping activity. A number of small cruise ships were acquired and adapted to supplement the dual role Queen Elizabeth 2. They included the former Norwegian America Line fleetmates Sagafjord and Vistafjord, the latter sailing under the illustrious name of Caronia in recent times.

Finally over 50 years after the Green Goddess entered service, Cunard is set to take delivery of the new Queen Victoria – its second built to order luxury cruise ship. Thus the Queen Victoria will restore a long Cunard tradition and fill a long vacant position in the Cunard fleet. The new cruise ship will be the second largest passenger ship ever owned by Cunard and so deservedly falls into the Queen class of ships. Although some have argued that Queen names should be reserved for ships on the transatlantic crossing. However Cunard justified the name chosen, Queen Victoria, as an entirely appropriate choice considering that Cunard was founded just after Queen Victoria came to the throne and her reign saw the company develop greatly in every sense. Throughout Queen Victoria’s reign, Cunard built more and even better ships, embracing new technology and carried more passengers in greater comfort. Also Queen Victoria was originally thought to be the name suggested for the Queen Mary in 1936 when they asked King George V if they could name her after “Britain’s greatest Queen”. Unfortunately the King replied that his wife would be delighted, so the ship had to be named Queen Mary. As a result many think that the name Queen Victoria is long overdue in the fleet.

On the 14^th December 2001 Cunard Line announced that an order for a new giant cruise ship had been placed with Fincantieri Shipbuilders, Italy and on the 31^st March 2003 they announced that the ship would be called the Queen Victoria. The ship was allocated yard number 6078, was a development of the Vista class ships of Holland America Line (another Carnival Group brand). It was intended that the ship would be based in Southampton and operate in European and Caribbean waters. Thus there would be the possibility of three Cunard Queens based in Southampton for the first time.

Six Sulzer low emission diesel electric engines coupled via an Azipod propulsion system would deliver a maximum speed of 24 knots and a service speed of 22 knots. Endurance would be 18 days at a constant 19.5 knots. Internally her décor would retain empathy for the romantic tradition of cruising which Cunard has long been associated with, while focusing on a contemporary interpretation of luxury. She will be a modern and sophisticated ship extending the Cunard tradition into the 21^st century.

Among her passenger facilities would be a two deck high main dining room, the Aquitania Restaurant, only the third split level restaurant on a Cunard ship (after the Britannia Restaurant on the RMS Queen Mary 2 and the First Class Restaurant on the RMS Berengaria). There would also be a single sitting Queens Grill for Penthouse and Suite passengers. Distinctive features of the Queen Victoria include glass walled lifts running up either side of the hull exterior, linking 10 of the 12 passenger decks (as on the Vista class ships). Also there will be a sheltered wrap around Promenade Deck, forward facing Observation Lounge, and two swimming pools.

On the 13th January 2008 New York witnessed maritime history as fireworks and fanfare marked the first and only meeting of the Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth 2 and the new Queen Victoria. The regal fleet departed at 6.30 pm and Queen Mary 2 will depart from her American home port, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, while the QE2 will depart from Pier 92 and Queen Victoria will depart from Pier 88 both at the Manhatten "New York Cruise Terminal". Then the three mighty Queens will rendezvous and sail past the Statue of Liberty during a spectacular fireworks celebration at around 7pm. This is the first time in Cunard's long history that three Queens have been in service at the same time and with the QE2 retiring in November 2008 it will be the only time they will be in service together. It was truly maritime history in the making.

"This is a historic occasion for Cunard and New York, marking the only time that the three ships will be together ever! More history will be made as our grande dame QE2 departs on her 26th and final World Cruise and the Queen Victoria will depart on her maiden World Cruise."

Words of Carol Marlow (President and Managing Director of Cunard Line)

With the retirement of the legendary QE2 in November 2008, Cunard Line entered a new era with a modern two ship fleet consisting of the RMS Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria.

In 2009 both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria will undertake their second World Cruise. Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will circumnavigate the globe during voyages of 84 and 107 days, meeting in Ft. Lauderdale for a spectacular Royal Rendezvous on the 13th January 2009. Queen Victoria will circumnavigate the globe in a westbound direction departing from Southampton on the 2nd January 2009, transiting the Panama Canal and Suez Canal with calls in some of the world’s most interesting ports, including Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Shanghai, Chica; Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands and Rabual, Papua New Guinea, as well as an overnight call in Sydney Australia. Queen Victoria will also call on the port city of Mormugao in Goa, on the west coast of India, which is known for its pristine beaches and Portuguese architecture; and the charming port city of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia’s second oldest city. She will make numerous maiden calls during her epic second World Cruise. Her journey ends in Southampton on 20th April 2009.