Peter B wrote a review 6 Jan

4 contributions8 helpful votes

Second Canaries cruise and a great disappointment

Our sixth cruise with Cunard, most on Q Victoria. Never again! Embarkation was disgraceful with many of us being held standing in the cold outside the terminal for nearly an hour when there were numerous seats just inside the building before check-in. Cabin was dirty and toilet had certainly not been cleaned properly. When looking for a lost pen between sofa cushions discovered the whole thing was full of debris. We asked for a large table for set time dinner and were allocated a two seat one beside the servery. We complained to the purser and were treated in an offhand manner verging on rudeness. Action was only forthcoming when I threatened to make a formal complaint. We met many others who had asked for either large or small tables and who were ignored. On the other hand, both the entertainment and talks were good and better than we had experienced on earlier cruises. Overall, it appeared staff lacked motivation. Maybe they were all tired and coming to the end of a three month stint but a great disappointment.…

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Clairemacjackson wrote a review 5 Jan

Neath Port Talbot, United Kingdom18 contributions7 helpful votes

A Disappointing New Year Cruise on Queen Victoria

A Disappointing New Year Cruise on Queen Victoria My husband and I recently embarked on a New Year cruise aboard the Queen Victoria, departing Southampton on 28th December 2024 and returning on 2nd January 2025. This was our second voyage with Cunard, and while I still have a fondness for the brand, I must admit this cruise fell below the high standards I have come to expect. I understand that others on this forum have shared similar concerns about this particular voyage, and I agree with many of their observations. While I will highlight the issues we encountered, I aim to provide a balanced review, as I do not believe this experience represents the best Cunard has to offer. Drinks Menu Disappointment One of the first issues we noticed was the lack of a proper drinks menu. On the Queen Mary 2 (QM2), every bar and lounge offered an extensive menu presented in an elegant hardback book, complete with detailed descriptions of cocktails and speciality drinks. However, on this cruise, the drinks menu was reduced to a laminated A4 sheet with limited offerings. While the full range of drinks was still available if requested, the presentation felt cheap—more akin to a budget chain than a luxury cruise. This cost-cutting measure, intentional or not, detracted from the premium experience Cunard is known for. Britannia Restaurant Chaos Dining in the Britannia Restaurant was another letdown. Despite booking freedom dining, reservations were still required, and securing a late dinner on New Year’s Eve proved nearly impossible for some guests. While I appreciate the need for allocation during busy periods, the maître d's attitude left much to be desired. On several occasions, he was curt and dismissive, leaving passengers visibly upset. One group of guests had obviously made a specific booking for NYE prior to departure but this had not been transmitted to the onboard staff. The maître d's obsessive compulsion to refuse to admit fault on behalf of the company was embarrassing to watch. That said, I also witnessed some passengers being unnecessarily rude to the maître d, which likely exacerbated tensions. A more patient and courteous approach on his part might have diffused some of the confrontations. As pescaterians who also avoid eggs and dairy, we encountered repeated issues with our meals. Despite explaining our dietary preferences and ordering from the plant-based menu (with fish as our sole exception), we were served pork in a source on one occasion. The staff apologised and made efforts to improve after this incident, but the recurring issue of being served butter instead of a plant-based alternative was frustrating. Most nights, we waited up to 20 minutes for the correct option, and on some occasions, it never arrived. This was never an issue on our previous voyage. The food quality was inconsistent—some dishes were superb, while others were bland and uninspired. This was a stark contrast to our experience on the QM2, where the food was consistently excellent. Unpleasant Smells in the Queen’s Room Another major issue was the persistent, unpleasant odour in the Queen’s Room, which worsened as the cruise progressed. By 1st January, it became unbearable to even walk past, let alone spend time in the space. This was a significant disappointment, as the Queen’s Room is one of the ship's most iconic venues. Amsterdam Schedule Change The advertised overnight stay in Amsterdam for New Year’s Eve was another letdown. Instead of arriving on 31st December, the ship docked on the morning of 30th December and departed at 6 am on the 31st, effectively eliminating the overnight experience. While I understand the change was due to adverse weather, it was disappointing to learn that P&O managed to maintain their schedule under similar conditions. Cabin and Ship Observations Our ocean-view cabin was well-appointed, but service from the cabin steward was inconsistent. Basic tasks such as topping up tea and coffee supplies, tucking in sheets, and replacing towels were often overlooked. On one occasion, we were left with only one bath towel and a face cloth. The ship itself was beautiful and elegant, but some of the furniture appeared tired and in need of refurbishment. On a positive note, embarkation and disembarkation were flawless. New Year’s Eve Entertainment Finally, the New Year’s Eve entertainment in the Commodore Lounge fell flat. The evening was advertised as reflective and low-key, but it ended up being too subdued. The countdown to midnight was okay and timely however the subsequent rendition of Auld Lang Syne was so quiet that most guests missed it entirely. The quartet lacked presence. Moreover, the pianist’s repertoire felt overly repetitive, consisting of classic Christmas tunes with little variety. Conclusion While I still appreciate Cunard as a brand, this particular cruise did not live up to expectations. Whether it was due to the time of year or just an off voyage, it was disappointing in many respects. Will I travel with Cunard again? Yes. Will I sail on the Queen Victoria again? Perhaps Will I book a New Year’s Eve cruise again? Definitely not. It’s simply not for me. I hope Cunard takes feedback like this onboard to ensure future cruises meet the high standards they are known for.…

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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TINA t wrote a review 2 Jan

13 contributions6 helpful votes

New year cruise Queen Victoria.

Service was appalling, staff were extremely unhappy.😔 Shows were hit and miss. Embarkation a disaster, Dining queues unacceptable. Queens room effluent smell, unacceptable. Bland food every night in Britannia dining room. No spice nights here. Overcrowded Disembarkation fast and efficient. Just about sums it up!…

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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sibbs1 wrote a review 2 Jan

Bristol, United Kingdom20 contributions4 helpful votes

Very disappointed

Not sure what has happened to Cunard. I have just come back from a 5 night cruise over the new year and I was very dissatisfied with the overall service on board. There were not enough bar staff on any evening and wait times to order a drink were around 20 minutes. That's if you were lucky enough to attract a waiters attention in the first place. Not sure if this is now a deliberate cost saving decision but it will backfire! A very disappointed passenger. Stephen Gibbs…

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Sandra K wrote a review Dec 2024

2 contributions

Christmas on Queen victoria

Beautiful ship, fabulous crew, lovely food and we enjoyed the shows. Had a great holiday and impressed by Cunard, especially over the Christmas time. Hope to use Cunard again on Victoria.

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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