Queen Victoria was launched on December 10, 2007, by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla Parker Bowles) in Southampton, England. Following the Queen Victoria's celebratory maiden call to New York, she embarks on her Maiden World Cruise, a 105-day journey stopping in 37 ports in 23 countries.

See the 3 Tenors at the Naming Ceremony (Video takes a moment to load)

View Photos of the Ship

Queen Victoria Naming Ceremony and Photos

As you embark, you first encounter the dramatic three-tier Grand Lobby, whose magnificent staircase and eye-catching artwork offers a lavish taste of life aboard. Walk around the ship and you’ll see elaborate chandeliers adorn the Queens Room double height ceiling to enhance its calm grandeur. The Winter Garden is all light and relaxation, with decked floors and leafy foliage – its glass roof even opens to the warm breeze.

The 90,000-ton Queen Victoria offers the very best of Cunard's heritage and traditions, along with all modern day luxuries including some exciting innovations. These include the first traditional West End-style private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre, the first Cunard museum exhibit at sea, housing Cunard artifacts and memorabilia along with the first two-deck library featuring an elegant spiral staircase.

There are no rock-climbing walls or pools with waves in any of the ships. But The Queen Victoria is the first to add fencing lessons, a much-admired skill among landlubber aristocrats. It also was a favorite pastime of Prince Albert, husband and consort of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and thus appropriate to a vessel in her name.

The Queen Victoria continues in the Cunard tradition

Though smaller than its sister ships, the Queen Victoria brings back the elegance of sailing in days-gone- by. Onboard are 8 grand pianos an 8 piece orchestra, a string quartet, 12 professional dancers and 4 crooners. The Queens Room hosts cocktail parties, soirees and tea dances. So. life on board is about sipping a glass of Champagne on the deck and twirling to the sound of a live orchestra in the ballroom.

Queen Victoria Ship Facts

Builder: Fincantieri Cantieri Navali SpA

(Marghere Shipyard near Venice)

This is the first Cunard Line ship built by Fincantieri, one of the most technically advanced shipbuilders in the world who have built more than 7,000 vessels.

Facts and Figures

Key Dates	Official start date of work: 14 April 2005 Keel Laying: 12 May 2006 Float Out: January 2007
Passenger Accommodation	1,007 staterooms
Gross Tonnage	90,000 tons
Length	964.5 feet (294 metres)
Width	106 feet (32.3 metres)
Draft	25.9 feet (7.9 metres)
Height	179 feet (54.5 metres)
Guest Capacity	2,014
Guest Decks	12