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43-496: MS Queen Victoria ( QV ) is a Vista-class cruise ship operated by the Cunard Line and is named after the former British monarch Queen Victoria . The vessel is of the same basic design as other Vista-class cruise ships , including Queen Elizabeth . At 90,049  gross tonnage  (GT) she is the smallest of Cunard 's ships in operation. Her facilities include seven restaurants, thirteen bars, three swimming pools,

86-451: A ballroom , and a theatre. Unlike many previous Cunard ships, Queen Victoria is not a traditional ocean liner , as she does not have the heavy plating throughout the hull . However, the bow was constructed with heavier plating to cope with the transatlantic run, and the ship has a high freeboard . The Queen Mary 2 had cost approximately $ 300,000 US per berth, nearly double that of many contemporary cruise ships, so Cunard made

129-487: A diesel-electric power plant and an Azipod propulsion system. The ships are designed so that eighty-five percent of the staterooms have ocean views and sixty-seven percent have verandas; the extensive use of glass in the superstructure , (including glass elevators located amidship), is also reflected in the Vista-class name. The Vista-class design was created by Carnival Corporation for its Holland America Line , using

172-638: A Grucci fireworks display. The Empire State Building was lit up in red to mark the event. In March 2011 Queen Victoria passed the former Cunard retired ocean liner Queen Mary for the first time. The Queen Mary is permanently docked in Long Beach, California and operated as a hotel. On 5 June 2012 all three Queens met again but this time in Southampton to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II . On 6 May 2014 all three Queens met up for

215-460: A Letter of Intent for the construction of a new cruise ship with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The new ship was modeled after the line's three newest vessels, Seabourn Odyssey , Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Quest . Delivery was completed in 2016. The vessel replaced the capacity that left the Seabourn brand with the sale of Seabourn Pride , Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend . In July 2018,

258-639: A Winter Garden lounge with a retractable glass roof and a two-story library with a connecting spiral staircase. In May 2017, Queen Victoria underwent a second major overhaul, which added new cabins aft, as well as refurbishing other spaces and adding new dining facilities. The modifications saw the passenger capacity increase to 2,081 from 1,988. Changes included a new Britannia Club restaurant, updated Chartroom, refreshed Winter Garden, refreshed Yacht Club and new outdoor pool area. Queen Victoria can carry 3,000 tons of heavy fuel and 150 tons of marine gas oil, consuming 12 tons per hour for maximum output. Although

301-461: A fireworks display in which Queen Mary 2 led the vessels back down the channel. On 25 May 2015 the three "Queens" were at Liverpool celebrating 175 years of the formation of the Cunard Line , which was formed and based in the city. At low tide, the three ships stopped in line in the middle of the River Mersey , bow to stern, manoeuvred 180 degrees in full synchronisation with each other, which

344-410: A newly re-designed aft lido pool area, and reduced the size of aft-facing balconies. Queen Victoria ' s public rooms are mainly located on the lower-level public decks of the ship, 2 Deck and 3 Deck. Unlike Queen Mary 2 , however, there is no central circulation access, the main corridors being to the port side . The ship does have the similar grand lobby staircase with an artwork feature as on

387-540: A stronger bow for direct transatlantic crossings , something Cunard ships have completed more regularly than typical cruise ships; and a large second balcony area over the Queens Room dance floor which is one of Cunard's signature features. The midship glass elevator design of the HAL Vista class ships was not retained. Superseded by: Vista Spirit hybrid class cruise ship Seabourn Cruise Line Seabourn Cruise Line

430-517: Is Holland America Line's Signature-class cruise ship, MS  Eurodam . While the same length as MS Noordam , she has one more deck than the standard Vista-class design, and her public areas and cabin placement have been significantly redesigned, especially on her upper-most decks (to accommodate the additional 190 passengers berthed just below the popular Crow's Nest). A second Signature-class ship, MS  Nieuw Amsterdam , entered service in 2010. In 2007 Cunard took delivery of Queen Victoria

473-458: Is further enhanced on Queen Victoria by the fact that Grill Passengers (those dining in the Princess Grill or Queen's Grill) also have two private outdoor areas on 10 and 11 Decks with the specific name "Grills Terrace", a feature which also appears on Queen Mary 2 at the aft section of 10 Deck. Queen Victoria ' s theatre is the first at sea to have private boxes. There is also has

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516-508: Is the Commodore Club, Churchill Lounge (for smokers) and Yacht Club nightclub. The Queen's Grill and Princess Grill, with their attached lounge and an open courtyard between, are on 11 Deck. The Queen Victoria operates similarly to both the Queen Mary 2 and the former Queen Elizabeth 2 , both of which follow the same practice of separating passengers into different restaurants based on

559-468: Is the more angled sloping stern, as compared to the newer ship's vertical one. In addition to this she lacks the covered games deck above the bridge, a feature which is present on the Queen Elizabeth . During the 2017 refit, Queen Victoria was fitted with additional cabins at the stern which makes her more similar in appearance to Queen Elizabeth . This addition also made more space available around

602-683: The Seabourn Sojourn in 2010 and the Seabourn Quest in June 2011. The three ships share most features. The Odyssey , Sojourn , and Quest have a maximum passenger capacity of 450 guests, quartered in 225 suite cabins, 90% of which have a balcony. The 650-foot (200 m) vessels cost approximately US$ 250 million each. The ships have 11 decks, an 11,500-square-foot (1,070 m ) indoor/outdoor spa, and four alternative dining venues. On March 31, 2011, Seabourn moved operations from Miami, Florida, to

645-559: The Panamax guidelines to determine their designed size. The predesessors to the class was Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line's Spirit-Class starting with the Costa Atlantica and Carnival Spirit . The first ship is the modified Spirit class design was the Zuiderdam . A fifth hull which was originally intended for Holland America was transferred to Cunard Line in 2003 where it

688-526: The Queen Odyssey , which was then renamed Seabourn Legend . In 1998, in partnership with a consortium of a Norwegian businessmen, Carnival purchased the remaining 50% stake in Seabourn, as well as acquiring the Cunard Line from Kvaerner ASA, and merged the two brands into an entity called Cunard Line. In 1999, three Cunard ships, Sea Goddess I , Sea Goddess II , and Royal Viking Sun were transferred into

731-672: The Holland America Line quarters in Seattle, Washington. It was announced on February 19, 2013, that Seabourn reached an agreement with Windstar Cruises for the sale of the three smaller Seabourn ships. Seabourn Pride departed the fleet in April 2014, sisters Seabourn Legend & Seabourn Spirit departed in April and May 2015, respectively. No cruises were cancelled as the ships sailed with Seabourn until their initial dry dock periods. On October 18, 2013, Seabourn announced it had signed

774-555: The Queen Mary ships, a relief portrait of the ship situated on the staircase sculpted by British sculptor John McKenna . 1 Deck, the lowest passenger deck, holds the lowest level of a three-storey stairwell lobby, as well as of the Royal Court Theatre. On 2 Deck can be found the mid-level of the Royal Court Theatre, casino , Golden Lion Pub , Queen's Room, Verandah à la carte restaurant, Chart Room bar, and lower level of both

817-480: The Seabourn fleet as Seabourn Goddess I , Seabourn Goddess II , and Seabourn Sun . In 2001, Carnival bought out the Norwegian shareholders, and Seabourn's parent company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival. That summer, Seabourn Goddess I and Seabourn Goddess II were sold to Seabourn's original founder, Atle Brynestad, in order to establish his own cruise line SeaDream Yacht Club . In 2002, Seabourn Sun

860-463: The cruise line announced it would add two expedition ships to its fleet. Seabourn Venture was delivered on June 29, 2022 and inaugural voyage on July 27, 2022. Seabourn Pursuit is scheduled for delivery in February 2023. On March 16, 2023 Seabourn announced that Seabourn Odyssey would be sold to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). The ship will remain with the brand under a charter agreement through

903-508: The damage was minimal, allowing the ship to continue operating, but repairs resulted in her missing a port of call in La Goulette . Queen Victoria completed her third world cruise in 2010 when she was joined by Captain Chris Wells, who was aboard to familiarise himself with the Vista-class ship before taking command of Queen Elizabeth in late 2010. During a call at Sydney , Queen Victoria

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946-505: The economic decision to base Queen Victoria on a modified Vista-class cruise ship, and Queen Elizabeth retains the same design with some minor changes. Nonetheless, Ian McNaught, who was Queen Victoria ' s captain in 2009, has asserted that the ship is a liner based on her classic décor. An order for a Vista-class vessel was transferred by Carnival Corporation & plc , parent company to Holland America , Cunard and P&O from its Holland America Line to Cunard with

989-411: The first ship in a class described as a hybrid design "taking the best parts from Aker Yards ' [ sic ] built Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea , and from Holland America's Vista class ships". Subsequent ships based on this hybrid design include Costa's Costa Luminosa , Cunard's Queen Elizabeth , and Costa Deliziosa . The Cunard ships had a few additional changes including

1032-470: The first time in Lisbon , Portugal , in preparation for Queen Mary 2 ' s 10th birthday. All three on departure sailed in a one-line formation to Southampton. On 9 May both Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria led in single file, Queen Mary 2 up the Southampton channel, with both ships docking in a bow to bow formation performing a birthday salute to Queen Mary 2 . Later on, all three sisters gather for

1075-528: The globe in 107 days. (The first ship to have previously done so—also named Victoria —took 1,153 days in 1519 to 1522.) The first leg of this voyage was a tandem crossing of the Atlantic with Queen Elizabeth 2 , to New York City, where the two ships met Queen Mary 2 near the Statue of Liberty on 13 January 2008, with a celebratory fireworks display, marking the first time three Cunard "Queens" had been present in

1118-546: The intent that the vessel would become the Queen Victoria Fincantieri laid down the keel in 2003, but Carnival reassigned the hull again to become the P&;O ship Arcadia . The new Queen Victoria ordered from Fincantieri in 2004 was 11 metres (36 ft 1 in) longer, 5,000 tons larger, with an increased passenger capacity of 2,000. and features which had proved successful on Queen Mary 2 . The keel

1161-467: The library and Britannia Restaurant. The topmost level of the theatre, Royal Arcade, Midships Lounge, and upper level of the library and formal dining room are all on 3 Deck, along with a wrap-around exterior promenade. The decks above these contain mostly passenger cabins until 9 Deck, on which are the Cunard Health Club and spa, Winter Garden lounge, Lido Restaurant, and two outdoor pools. On 10 Deck

1204-512: The price of the cabin they booked (the Britannia as standard for regular cabins, the Princess Grill as middle for those in junior suites, and the Queen's Grill as superior for deluxe suite occupants), are actually ships divided into three classes, despite the fact that all other public rooms are used by all passengers equally. Though this situation is similar on Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 , it

1247-557: The same location. Cunard declared that this would also be the only time the three ships would ever meet, owing to the QE2 's impending retirement from service in late 2008, though the ships did meet again in Southampton on 22 April 2008, resulting from a change in Queen Elizabeth 2 ' s schedule. In May 2008, Queen Victoria struck a pier in Malta after her thrusters malfunctioned. However

1290-464: The ship burns heavy fuel, it uses low- sulphur fuel in certain jurisdictions. On Queen Victoria 's 21 December 2007 voyage, 122 guests and 11 crew on board contracted norovirus . It was officially attributed to a guest who had already contracted the virus prior to boarding the ship. The outbreak was also popularly attributed to the Duchess of Cornwall's initial failure to break the champagne bottle during

1333-445: The ship's christening , which is a bad omen in naval tradition. While most recovered, 30 were still reported to be ill at that time. This was not reported on the CDC 's website, which recorded three more norovirus outbreaks on the ship's 4 January 2010, 12 January 2010, and 21 February 2018 voyages. On 14 May 2008, on Queen Victoria 's first visit to Grand Harbour , Valletta , Malta ,

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1376-410: The ship's superlatives, and represented Queen Victoria as "Cunard's most luxurious ship." The same day, the ship was officially named by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall , continuing the tradition of Cunard "Queens" being named by royalty. The bottle of champagne failed to break upon impact with Queen Victoria ' s hull, which according to nautical superstition is a bad omen. However, a backup bottle

1419-558: The throttles malfunctioned during berthing, resulting in the vessel colliding with the pier. She remained in port for an extra night whilst repairs were carried out to the stern. Vista-class cruise ship (2002) The Vista class is a class of Panamax -type cruise ships , built by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, in Italy . Vista-class cruise ships are operated by Holland America Line , P&O Cruises , Cunard Line , Costa Cruises , and Carnival Cruise Line . The ships are equipped with

1462-502: The traditional placing of coins on the mast – in this case a Euro and a gold Queen Victoria sovereign were welded beneath the radar mast. Queen Victoria departed the Port of Venice on 24 August 2007 to commence her sea trials , and, after handover to Cunard , arrived in Southampton , United Kingdom , to fanfare and media attention on 7 December; much of the coverage was focused on

1505-430: Was delayed due to investors' financial constraints and was ultimately purchased by Royal Viking Line in 1992 as Royal Viking Queen . In 1995, Royal Viking Queen was transferred to a Kloster subsidiary, Royal Cruise Line , as Queen Odyssey . In 1991, Carnival Corporation purchased a 25% stake in Seabourn. Carnival Corporation increased its stake to 50% in 1996, providing the company sufficient capital to purchase

1548-764: Was described as a river dance, and then formed an arrow side by side. Queen Mary 2 was in the centre with her bow in line with the Cunard Building at the Pier Head . The Royal Air Force Red Arrows aerobatics team performed a flypast in Vic formation , emitting red, white and blue smoke, over the vessels. An estimated 1.3 million people lined the river banks to witness the spectacle. Queen Victoria ' s exterior design closely resembles that of Vista-class ships built for various cruise companies. A feature which distinguishes her from her younger fleet mate, Queen Elizabeth ,

1591-424: Was founded in 1986 under the name "Signet Cruise Lines" by the Norwegian private investor Atle Brynestad and Warren S. Titus. The name "Seabourn Cruise Line" was adopted shortly afterward following objections over trademark ownership by Signet Oil. Its first ship, Seabourn Pride , entered service in 1988, followed by an identical sister, Seabourn Spirit , in 1989. A third vessel, originally planned for 1990,

1634-448: Was illuminated in pink in support of breast cancer research. On 9 December 2010 Cunard announced its first female captain, Faroese -born Inger Klein Olsen, who took command of Queen Victoria on 15 December. At the end of October 2011 Queen Victoria and her fleet mates changed their registries to Hamilton, Bermuda , to host weddings on board. Also the word "Southampton" across the stern

1677-766: Was immediately successful. Captain Paul Wright was appointed as the first master of Queen Victoria in October 2006. Captain Christopher Rynd became secondary master. Captain Ian McNaught briefly commanded Queen Victoria before transferring to Seabourn . Queen Victoria undertook her maiden voyage, a 10-day cruise to northern Europe, on 11 December 2007. Following this and a cruise to the Canary Islands , Queen Victoria embarked on her first world cruise , circumnavigating

1720-406: Was laid on 12 May 2006. Eighty prefabricated steel "blocks", each complete with interior structure, cabling, and ducts, and each weighing 325 tons, were then added. The completed hull with superstructure was floated out on 15 January 2007, after having a bottle of Prosecco smashed against her side by Maureen Ryan, a Cunard employee who has served on all four "Cunard Queens". The ceremony also saw

1763-409: Was planned to become MS  Queen Victoria . However, due to restructuring within their parent corporation Carnival Corporation & plc , as well as a later decision by Cunard that modifications should be made to introduce successful elements from the design of RMS  Queen Mary 2 , the hull was again transferred to become P&O Cruises ' MS  Arcadia . The second derivative design

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1806-589: Was replaced by Hamilton. In January 2011, two years after the first Cunard Royal Rendezvous, on the same date, Queen Mary 2 met up with both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth for another Royal Rendezvous in New York City on 13 January 2011. Both the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth made a tandem crossing of the Atlantic for the event. All three ships met in front of the Statue of Liberty at 6:45 pm for

1849-516: Was transferred to the Carnival-owned Holland America Line , reducing the Seabourn fleet to its three original sister ships, and the company was demerged from Cunard Line and reorganized as a stand-alone operating brand of Carnival Corporation & plc. In October 2006, Seabourn ordered three new, 32,000-ton cruise ships from Genoa 's T. Mariotti shipyard. The first, named Seabourn Odyssey entered service in 2009, followed by

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