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Please tell our readers about the Royal Court Theatre.
The Royal Court Theatre is a magnificent 830-seat auditorium spanning three decks where the audience will feel they are in a world class Broadway or traditional London West End theatre. The décor features rich reds and gold with the focus being a magnificently framed, full-height stage. The highlight of the venue is a very exciting and unique feature that is also a “first ever” at sea: the 16 private theatre boxes permitting our guests stunning views of the stage from the privacy of their own box. There will be a special package available, which will include White Star Bellmen greeting our guests at the conclusion of dinner, escorting them into a special pre-theatre lounge where they will be served champagne and dessert before guiding them to their boxes prior to the commencement of the show. After the performance, I will meet all the private box guests and introduce them to cast members on stage where they will be offered a commemorative photo.

What other entertainment options are available on the Queen Victoria?
No Cunard Liner would be complete without a ballroom. The Queen’s Room on the Queen Victoria has been inspired by the ballroom in Queen Victoria’s favorite residence, Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. This will be the venue for the signature Victoriana Ball, the always-popular Black and White Ball, as well as other dance nights that feature the dedicated Queen’s Room Orchestra.

Another Cunard must is traditional afternoon tea, where guests enjoy exclusive White Star Service to live classical music. The Golden Lion Pub will also be a very popular venue for quizzes, karaoke, and our resident musicians. The relaxing atmosphere of the nautically-themed Commodore Club affords stunning ocean views accompanied by live piano music and elegant furnishings. Very close by will be another great venue called Hemispheres, which offers a superb view over the pool deck. Here, specialty lectures will be offered during the day and in the evening it will transform into a nightclub with a resident band and DJ. There will also be traditional sporting activities such as paddle tennis and deck quoits and even the basics of fencing! Other compelling onboard pursuits include the Empire Casino, the ship’s unique two-story library, the Royal Arcade shops, and the Internet Centre.

What are some of the characteristics that set the Queen Victoria apart from other ships?
There is something very distinctive about a Cunard ocean liner, which is evident from, among several things, the red funnel stack and traditional Cunard livery. The ship is really stunning with a very impressive Grand Lobby spanning three decks with elegant wrought iron, rich woods, and luxurious carpeting and flooring. She has all the features you would expect on a Cunard Liner from the Queen’s Room to the elegance of the Royal Court Theatre. The Grills experience is going to be exceptionally popular with a unique courtyard, terrace, and lounge. The Royal Arcade is a space inspired by the Burlington Arcade in London. Apart from the many shops offering everything from Harrods merchandise to elegant jewelry, the centerpiece is a magnificent clock designed by Dent & Company, whose rich manufacturing history includes “Big Ben” in Westminster.

In terms of size, how does the Queen Victoria compare to the Queen Mary 2?
As you likely already know, the QM2 is an enormous ship, one of the world’s largest at 1,132 feet in length. The Queen Victoria is equally magnificent in terms of beauty, although slightly smaller in size, at 965 feet. The QM2 has a maximum passenger capacity around 2,600. The Queen Victoria’s capacity is 1,980. A twelve-day Queen Victoria voyage will serve over 1,000 pounds of lobster, 1,700 pounds of coffee, and roughly 24 pounds of caviar. Over the course of a year, we’re expecting to serve 700,000 bottles of wine! Our diverse crew will represent 53 nationalities with some 39 languages spoken aboard.

To what would you attribute Cunard’s loyal following of gay cruisers?
The advantage of a Cunard voyage is that there is so much to do including attending stimulating lectures, glittering production shows, and light-hearted but educational dance demonstrations and classes. We also offer get-togethers for gay and lesbian guests during every voyage and this proves to be very popular. Taking a voyage aboard a Cunard Liner is also a very romantic experience as our guests relish the opportunity to relive the bygone days of classic ocean travel. There is so much space for our guests that it’s always possible to find a quiet nook to relax, watch the ocean going by, or read a book while sipping champagne. Of special interest on the Queen Victoria is her floating museum, called the Cunardia, where Cunard aficionados can delight in viewing a unique collection of Cunard memorabilia and artifacts.

What itineraries might you recommend for the gay traveler?
Taking a transatlantic crossing is one of those must-do adventures. It’s something unique to Cunard as we are the only company providing regularly scheduled transatlantic service—more than 20 such voyages each year. There is so much to do as you travel across “The Pond.” In fact, I enjoy meeting guests who come onboard with nine books to read and end up not getting through one; that tells me we are doing something right! You can even take your pet on board with the only kennels at sea, offered on Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic crossings.

I love Europe and there’s no better way to do it than on a ship that delivers you in classic luxury and style to another historic port of call each day. There is a great range of tours available so you are in good hands to discover some of Europe’s major cities without having to pack and unpack every day. The Caribbean itineraries are also a lot of fun with deck parties and great ports of call.

[Published: February, 2008]