Cunard's Century - Old Tradition of Fine Wining and Dining Peaks on Queen Victoria - Cunard

Thursday, 08 November 2007

One hundred years ago this year Cunard Line introduced its first true ‘Floating Palaces‘, express transatlantic liners with sumptuous interiors designed to resemble grand country houses, with food and service standards to match. They were Lusitania and Mauretania – magnificent ships on which passengers could almost forget they were at sea. Before that, in line with Samuel Cunard’s original instructions that his ships should have no ‘unnecessary ostentation or display‘, Cunard’s transatlantic liners had tended to be sturdy and serviceable, rather than sumptuous and luxurious.

The year 1907 represented a significant break with the past, and an advance in sea-going standards which have been built on ever since – and which reach a crescendo in Cunard’s new Queen Victoria.

In the formal ballroom, the magnificent double- height Queen’s Room, the century old tradition of white-gloved afternoon tea service, with appropriate ‘ palm court ‘ music playing discreetly in the background, will continue in a style and in surroundings befitting Queen Victoria’s former predecessors.

The same resonance is evident in the magnificent art deco Britannia Restaurant - again double height, but more reminiscent of later liners such as Queen Mary. The double - height space features bronze, mirror, gold and polished wood.

Following the quest for excellent cuisine and impeccable service standards, but with a modern feel, are the Queen’s Grill and Princess Grill. These offer single-sitting dining on a par with the best restaurants ashore, and feature an exquisite courtyard for al fresco dining.

Other dining venues on board include the Lido Café, reminiscent of that on board Queen Elizabeth 2, which offers buffet and bistro dining in casual but elegant surroundings ; the intimate and stylish Todd English Restaurant which builds on the success of that on board Queen Mary 2; and the ‘French patisserie‘ feel of the informal Café Carinthia; the traditional Golden Lion pub; and the elegant Veuve Cliquot Champagne Bar.

What Cunard started in terms of impeccable service and luxurious surroundings just a century ago, it now brings to perfection with Queen Victoria.

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