Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
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Topic author - Able Seaman
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- Joined: December 2020
Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Great to have found you all!
Hubby and I have never cruised before and we are thinking of booking Northern Lights cruise Nov 2021 on the Victoria.
We'll book a Britannia Balcony cabin but I wondered what was the best section of the ship to choose? The auto booking offered me Aft deck 4 but I have no idea at all what I should be looking for/considering.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Hubby and I have never cruised before and we are thinking of booking Northern Lights cruise Nov 2021 on the Victoria.
We'll book a Britannia Balcony cabin but I wondered what was the best section of the ship to choose? The auto booking offered me Aft deck 4 but I have no idea at all what I should be looking for/considering.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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- Ex Team Member
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Best seat in the house, albeit only on the way back .... in normal times I would jump at it.
ps ... Hello and welcome
ps ... Hello and welcome
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being
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- Senior Second Officer
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
I like Deck 4 - balconies are longer than other decks (part covered, part exposed) and handy for most of the public rooms. However, look at a deck plan - some of the forward balconies have metal fronts; they are marked on the plans. There's more movement forward and aft but as long as you don't mind that, it matters not. Not as much movement midships.annethered wrote: ↑17 Dec 2020, 14:15Great to have found you all!
Hubby and I have never cruised before and we are thinking of booking Northern Lights cruise Nov 2021 on the Victoria.
We'll book a Britannia Balcony cabin but I wondered what was the best section of the ship to choose? The auto booking offered me Aft deck 4 but I have no idea at all what I should be looking for/considering.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Have a brilliant trip - she's a lovely ship.
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- Commodore
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Welcome to the forum annethered
I've never sailed on Victoria myself but here are the deck plans
https://www.cunard.jp/pdf/QV-deck-plans-2019.pdf
I've never sailed on Victoria myself but here are the deck plans
https://www.cunard.jp/pdf/QV-deck-plans-2019.pdf
Last edited by Stephen on 17 Dec 2020, 15:47, edited 1 time in total.
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- Commodore
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
We like Victoria. We always opt for mid ships cabins on any ship. Less motion if it does get choppy. Which it could in the North Atlantic and North Sea in winter.
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- Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Hi Anne....pleased that you have found us...do ask any question you like about cruising as there is a wealth of experience on this forum. Since joining this forum l have my own personal cruise consultant....he's bit pricey but what Manoverboard doesn't know about cruising/destinations/excursions, I don't know about horse racing.
First cruises are very special especially from a balcony cabin.....enjoy!
Btw, I'm sending you a box of "welcome on board" keefy chocolates.....but please bear in mind delivery can be a bit hit and miss this time of the year...enjoy!
First cruises are very special especially from a balcony cabin.....enjoy!
Btw, I'm sending you a box of "welcome on board" keefy chocolates.....but please bear in mind delivery can be a bit hit and miss this time of the year...enjoy!
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- Commodore
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
For your sake annethered let’s hope his virtual chocolates are a miss
Last edited by Stephen on 18 Dec 2020, 08:05, edited 1 time in total.
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
annethered, we have not sailed on QV but have been on P&Os Arcadia, which is a close cousin, and had an aft balcony cabin on deck 4. Normally the recommended location is to have passenger cabins above and below, to avoid any noise from public rooms, but the deck 4 aft cabins are above the main dining room and we did not notice any noise at all. Most of the standard balcony cabins are the same size and, assuming they are like Arcadia, will have a bath with a shower over the bath, some on Arcadia only had a shower, so its well worth carefully checking the deck plans.
The only potential problem you may encounter is that cruising is very addictive, you won't want to disembark, and you will most likely be desperate to book your next cruise.
The only potential problem you may encounter is that cruising is very addictive, you won't want to disembark, and you will most likely be desperate to book your next cruise.
John
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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Topic author - Able Seaman
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- Joined: December 2020
Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Oooh lots to think about but I feel in safe hands here!
Just another quick question. Is a higher deck better? Deck 8 is also an option.
And I'll eat any chocolates, virtual are admittedly better for the waistline!
Just another quick question. Is a higher deck better? Deck 8 is also an option.
And I'll eat any chocolates, virtual are admittedly better for the waistline!
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- Ex Team Member
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
The higher you go the more movement there is .... if you enjoy riding the big dipper than go high. Hi
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being
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- Commodore
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
annethered wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 17:23Oooh lots to think about but I feel in safe hands here!
Just another quick question. Is a higher deck better? Deck 8 is also an option.
And I'll eat any chocolates, virtual are admittedly better for the waistline!
Its entirely up to you, but just be aware of what is above, or come to that also below or even on the same deck as you depending what deck you are on. To be on the safe side try and stick as much to mid ships to get your sea legs. At the end of the day we can all guide you on here but it will be experience that wins in the end. But keep the questions coming.
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Be careful about deck 8, this is just below lido deck and there could be lots of noise from sunbeds being put out early in the morning. My own choice would be deck 4, but that's my personal preference.annethered wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 17:23Oooh lots to think about but I feel in safe hands here!
Just another quick question. Is a higher deck better? Deck 8 is also an option.
And I'll eat any chocolates, virtual are admittedly better for the waistline!
John
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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- Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Hi Anne…. from my limited cruise experience (none on Victoria) I would agree with Towny and Mob…best go 4 midship.
I’m not sure if this is the case with Victoria but generally speaking mid ship cabins tend to have a lift nearby which can be a useful when trying to find your way back to your cabin…. there will be times when you don’t know your bow from the stern especially when walking the identical corridors. One tip someone gave me is to look at the pattern of the carpet as a guide to which way you should be going.
I’m not sure if this is the case with Victoria but generally speaking mid ship cabins tend to have a lift nearby which can be a useful when trying to find your way back to your cabin…. there will be times when you don’t know your bow from the stern especially when walking the identical corridors. One tip someone gave me is to look at the pattern of the carpet as a guide to which way you should be going.
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
You need either fore or aft to have a balcony, I have no experience of the foreword cabins, but in either case I would go for one that is nearer to midships, although ours was probably closer to aft and we had no problems with the ships movement, even though we had quite a gale blowing one day.Onelife wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 22:06Hi Anne…. from my limited cruise experience (none on Victoria) I would agree with Towny and Mob…best go 4 midship.
Not midship on deck 4, these cabins are obstructed ocean view ones and not balconies/
I’m not sure if this is the case with Victoria but generally speaking mid ship cabins tend to have a lift nearby which can be a useful when trying to find your way back to your cabin…. there will be times when you don’t know your bow from the stern especially when walking the identical corridors. One tip someone gave me is to look at the pattern of the carpet as a guide to which way you should be going.
John
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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- Commodore
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
I presume this is a specific reference to deck 4. On most decks there are plenty of midships balconies.towny44 wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 22:54You need either fore or aft to have a balcony, I have no experience of the foreword cabins, but in either case I would go for one that is nearer to midships, although ours was probably closer to aft and we had no problems with the ships movement, even though we had quite a gale blowing one day.Onelife wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 22:06Hi Anne…. from my limited cruise experience (none on Victoria) I would agree with Towny and Mob…best go 4 midship.
Not midship on deck 4, these cabins are obstructed ocean view ones and not balconies/
I’m not sure if this is the case with Victoria but generally speaking mid ship cabins tend to have a lift nearby which can be a useful when trying to find your way back to your cabin…. there will be times when you don’t know your bow from the stern especially when walking the identical corridors. One tip someone gave me is to look at the pattern of the carpet as a guide to which way you should be going.
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Yes, specifically only for deck 4, which was the initial cabin offered to the OP.Mervyn and Trish wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 23:40I presume this is a specific reference to deck 4. On most decks there are plenty of midships balconies.towny44 wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 22:54You need either fore or aft to have a balcony, I have no experience of the foreword cabins, but in either case I would go for one that is nearer to midships, although ours was probably closer to aft and we had no problems with the ships movement, even though we had quite a gale blowing one day.Onelife wrote: ↑18 Dec 2020, 22:06Hi Anne…. from my limited cruise experience (none on Victoria) I would agree with Towny and Mob…best go 4 midship.
Not midship on deck 4, these cabins are obstructed ocean view ones and not balconies/
I’m not sure if this is the case with Victoria but generally speaking mid ship cabins tend to have a lift nearby which can be a useful when trying to find your way back to your cabin…. there will be times when you don’t know your bow from the stern especially when walking the identical corridors. One tip someone gave me is to look at the pattern of the carpet as a guide to which way you should be going.
John
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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- Commodore
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
I’m sure you are only trying to be helpful John but I don’t personally agree of editing someone’s original post, ie Onelifes. At least not without their permission. I leave that to the moderators.
Last edited by Stephen on 19 Dec 2020, 08:00, edited 1 time in total.
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- Deputy Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
It wasn't an edit Stephen it was a reply.
John
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Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Thank you, Stephen, I struggle to read my own writing without someone adding things to it…. but as you say John was only trying to clarify my mistakes…. it’s his hobby.
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- First Officer
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
To Anethered : You are choosing an interesting year for your first cruise experience.
We are booked on Aurora in October and are still in two minds as to whether to cancel.
The cruise experience is likely to be very different from the "old normal".
What is putting us off at the moment is the inability to go DIY at the cruise ports, therefore being herded around on ship's tours, and the prospect of wearing masks and social distancing whilst on board.
If that is still the case in July, when our final payment is due we will cancel.
We are booked on Aurora in October and are still in two minds as to whether to cancel.
The cruise experience is likely to be very different from the "old normal".
What is putting us off at the moment is the inability to go DIY at the cruise ports, therefore being herded around on ship's tours, and the prospect of wearing masks and social distancing whilst on board.
If that is still the case in July, when our final payment is due we will cancel.
Last edited by allatc on 19 Dec 2020, 10:02, edited 1 time in total.
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- Ex Team Member
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- Site Admin
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Bear in mind that any cruise to the Northern Lights can be his or miss as to what you see.
We spent several hours stood around at -15C looking at nothing!
Also remember that you will need plenty of "cold weather" gear.
We spent several hours stood around at -15C looking at nothing!
Also remember that you will need plenty of "cold weather" gear.
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- Ex Team Member
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
There was a lovely programme on TV last night with Jane McDonald doing Christmas cruises. In one she sailed up the Norwegian coast with Hurtigruten on Polarlys, hopefully to see the Northern Lights which, on this occasion, did not materialise. I must admit Hurtigruten looked a lot more appealing than I otherwise thought.
She also did a rather nice river cruise down the Rhine visiting Christmas markets which gave food for thought.
A few years ago Joanna Lumley did a similar cruise to Norway for the Northern Lights and she was disappointed too. I think you just have to be lucky.
She also did a rather nice river cruise down the Rhine visiting Christmas markets which gave food for thought.
A few years ago Joanna Lumley did a similar cruise to Norway for the Northern Lights and she was disappointed too. I think you just have to be lucky.
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
Don't Hurtigruten guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights and if not you some (all?) of your money back
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- Captain
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Re: Brand new cruiser - Victoria advice
I have noticed over recent months that you have been very lackadaisical in correcting my grammatical errors…you need to pull your socks up…Just saying!