Solo Sailing on Cunard’s Queen Victoria

There are some trips that surprise you, some that delight you, and some that change you just a little bit. My very first cruise, travelling solo on Cunard’s Queen Victoria managed to do all three. I stepped onboard not knowing quite what to expect and stepped off wishing I could turn around and do it all over again.

Before embarking on my first voyage with Cunard, I carried a mixture of excitement, curiosity and a few assumptions about what the experience might be like. Cunard has long been associated with maritime tradition, white-gloved service, elegant ballrooms, classical entertainment, and an older, more refined demographic. I imagined something reminiscent of the golden age of travel: polished, timeless, perhaps slightly formal and undoubtedly luxurious. What I did not anticipate was just how warm, lively, inclusive and sociable the atmosphere would be, especially as a solo traveller. Sailing with Cunard did not only meet the expectations created by its iconic reputation but surpassed them in ways that were both surprising and delightful.

From the moment I arrived at the Southampton (Mayflower) terminal, the level of organisation and genuine hospitality set the tone for what would become one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life. The journey to the port was smooth and simple, and despite this being my first cruise, everything felt intuitively laid out which made navigating the terminal incredibly easy. Staff were positioned everywhere, guiding guests with a friendly confidence that immediately made me feel safe and cared for. The check-in process was impressively efficient. Documents were checked quickly, questions were answered with a smile, and within a surprisingly short amount of time, I found myself walking up the gangway towards Queen Victoria.

For anyone preparing to board a Cunard ship for the first time, my best advice would be to arrive a little early to avoid crowds, keep your documents easily accessible, and approach the experience with calmness, because Cunard’s staff genuinely take care of everything else.

Stepping onto Queen Victoria felt like entering a world suspended in time; elegant, refined, and radiating the glamour of traditional ocean liners. The décor was classic yet updated, blending polished wood, soft lighting and sweeping staircases with modern touches. There was an immediate sense of grandeur, but it was never intimidating. My first task was to report directly to my muster station, which was handled quickly and efficiently. As my stateroom was not yet ready, I headed to The Golden Lion Pub to enjoy a drink and a light lunch.

The Golden Lion was the ideal place to begin my cruise. The pub atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and the service was superb, attentive without being intrusive. Sitting there with a drink in hand, listening to the soft hum of conversations around me as other guests filtered onboard, helped ease me into cruise life in the loveliest way.

Once my stateroom became available at 1pm, I made my way down the corridors taking in the ship’s quietly sophisticated atmosphere. Opening the door to my room felt like opening the door to a private sanctuary. Everything was spotless, bright and thoughtfully prepared. A blanket had been laid across the bed as a space for me to unpack my suitcase which was a detail that immediately impressed me. A chilled bottle of bubbly was waiting for me to enjoy at my leisure, and the overall space felt larger and more comfortable than I anticipated. As someone travelling solo, the room felt welcoming, safe and beautifully designed, this was a place I could retreat whenever I needed a few moments of calm, and it was lovely to experience a stateroom that had a balcony which I would subsequently enjoy my morning cup of tea on.

After settling in, I began to get ready for my first evening onboard. The first night set the tone for how lively, elegant and well-curated Cunard’s social atmosphere is. Our group met for drinks on Deck 9, where the ambience was wonderful. The pool glistened under evening lights, music drifted through the air and guests were chatting, laughing and enjoying the start of their holidays. Later we made our way to the Yacht Club to catch up with the rest of the group before heading to the Britannia Restaurant for our first dinner onboard.

Dining in the Britannia Restaurant was exceptional. The service was flawless, every member of staff seemed genuinely invested in ensuring we had a wonderful evening and the food was exquisite. On my first night, I enjoyed a chicken and chorizo terrine followed by perfectly cooked salmon served with buttered baby potatoes, broccoli and hollandaise sauce. A refreshing green salad accompanied my meal, and dessert was a delicate vanilla chia seed pudding. The experience felt special, elegant and celebratory - exactly what I had hoped for when imagining life onboard a Cunard ship.

After dinner we ventured to the Queen’s Room, which quickly became one of my favourite spaces on the ship. With its expansive dance floor, live band and glamourous décor, it felt like stepping into a grand European ballroom. Guests of all ages enjoyed the music, danced with enthusiasm and filled the room with contagious energy. The night ended with a silent disco, a surprisingly fun and modern twist that made everyone laugh, dance and mingle regardless of age or background.

The next morning, I chose to enjoy breakfast once again in the Brittania Restaurant. As I ate, I glanced out of the window and saw a rare and spectacular sight – the Queen Mary 2. Seeing her immense size and regal silhouette in person was awe-inspiring. At precisely 8am, Queen Victoria set sail for Amsterdam, and the gentle rumble of the ship only added excitement of the day ahead.

Shortly after breakfast, our group assembled in Connexions, a conference room onboard, for a meeting to discuss the itinerary for the coming days. We were organised into teams for a ship-wide scavenger hunt which required answering questions about the ship and capturing photos of various location. This activity turned out to be a fantastic and entertaining way to explore Queen Victoria more thoroughly, whilst also bonding with fellow travellers. Our event coordinators were enthusiastic, supportive, and full of energy, helping make the experience memorable.

Lunch that afternoon was served in The Verandah, Queen Victoria’s specialty restaurant on Deck 2, and it was without question the culinary highlight of the entire voyage. From the moment we were seated, the service was impeccable. We were welcomed with warm buttered brioche paired with smoky butter that melted in the mouth. This was followed by grilled asparagus topped with a crispy poached egg and smoked hollandaise, a combination of flavours that felt both refined and indulgent. The main course was a beautifully cooked steak accompanied by Sauce au Poivre, garlic mushrooms and tender stem broccoli. Dessert was a perfectly executed New York-style cheesecake - the entire meal was extraordinary.

After eating like royalty, several of us decided to visit the spa for a couple of hours of relaxation. This turned out to be one of the most magical experiences on the cruise. The spa was peaceful and serene, offering a heated stone bed area, sauna, steam room and a warm pool, all overlooking the ocean. Because we visited during sunset, the view was breathtaking. Wrapped in robes and slippers provided by the spa, with glasses of water in hand, we watched the sky turn golden as the ship glided across the water. It was luxurious, tranquil and truly soothing.

Later that evening, we returned to the Britannia Restaurant for dinner before heading to The Royal Court Theatre. The theatre itself was grand and beautifully designed, spanning three decks. We watched comedian John Martin perform – he is a world record holder for non-stop joke telling for 101 hours and 39 minutes!! He’s also a talented comedy writer for icons such as Sir Ken Dodd, and his performance was sharp, witty and thoroughly entertaining.

The following morning, we awoke in Amsterdam. The experience of going to sleep surrounded by nothing but ocean and waking up docked beside a bustling European city felt surreal. Our excursion for the day was a canal cruise, which offered a new perspective on Amsterdam’s history and architecture. Although I had visited the city before, seeing it from the water, whilst listening to a knowledgeable guide made the experience refreshing and insightful. After the cruise, we had free time to wander along the canals, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the city at our own pace.

Our final day onboard began with a farewell presentation from our hosts, where we looked back at all the photos collected during our scavenger hunt and activities, bringing back a wave of laughter and fond memories. Afterwards, we were treated to the iconic Cunard Afternoon Tea in the Britannia Restaurant. The servers, dressed in crisp white suits and gloves, glided around the room offering trays of delicate sandwiches, beautiful desserts and Cunard’s famous scones, all whilst ensuring our teacups stayed full. It felt timeless, elegant and undeniably special.

That evening was Gala Night, one of Cunard’s most cherished traditions. Guests transformed the ship into a glamorous sea of cocktail dresses, tuxedos and shimmering fabrics. I loved seeing each person interpreted the dress code - some glamorous, some traditional, some creative - all contributing to an atmosphere of celebration and sophistication. Dinner was wonderful, and afterwards we returned to the Queen’s Room for an evening of dancing accompanied by The Flyrights, an incredibly energetic band whose setlist ranged from Michael Jackson to Tina Turner. Their performance had everyone on their feet. Later, unwilling to let the night end, we stopped by The Golden Lion Pub for karaoke before finally dancing the night away in the Yacht Club. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable voyage.

My accommodation was a Britannia grade stateroom, but I also learned a great deal about the Princess and Queens Grill Suites. These accommodations represent the pinnacle of luxury onboard. Princess Grill Suites offer spacious living areas, private balconies, priority boarding, elevated amenities and exclusive dining in the Princess Grill Restaurant. Queens Grill Suites take exclusivity even further, offering some of the largest suites at sea, private butler service, marble bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes, access to the Queens Grill Restaurant and a private lounge and sundeck. The Grill experience is tailored, elegant and perfect for guests seeking the highest level of comfort and service.

One of the most surprising aspects of the cruise was the diverse demographic onboard. Despite Cunard’s reputation for attracting an older clientele, I was thrilled to see guests ranging from their twenties to their nineties, including families, solo travellers, couples and groups of friends. The mix of ages created an energetic, inclusive atmosphere that made it easy to meet people and feel part of a broader community.

Throughout the cruise, I learned several personal lessons and useful packing tips. I found myself wishing I had brought a portable steamer for evening wear, as well as an extra outfit or two for gala night. I was grateful for comfortable shoes for exploring Amsterdam, and I realised that I packed more casual daywear than necessary, since the ship’s atmosphere leaned more towards smart-casual. I also discovered that Cunard provides excellent toiletries, making some of what I had brought redundant.

Reflecting on everything I experienced, the impeccable service, the elegant atmosphere, the extraordinary dining, the lively entertainment, the genuine connections formed, and the peaceful moments spent watching the sea, I can say with confidence that this cruise was nothing short of magical. It set the bar incredibly high for any future voyage and gave me memories and friendships I will cherish for years to come.

If I were to summarise my experience in just a sentence or two, I would say this:

“Sailing with Cunard on Queen Victoria was a perfect blend of luxury, tradition, fun and connection. It was everything I hoped my first cruise would be and so much more, leaving me grateful, inspired and eager to do it all over again.”