The M/S Queen Victoria

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[AriesDW]

Has anyone seen or heard much about the latest of the Cunard Queens - the new M/S Queen Victoria. She is nothing more than a modification of the Holland American Oosterdam class design - tailored to fit a variety of Cunard details, including the new trademark funnel, of course.

[[RWP]DJM]

I must admit, that's the first time I've seen it.

Is it me, or does she kinda look a little 'generic' ?

Regards.

DJM.

[AriesDW]

I must admit, that's the first time I've seen it.

Is it me, or does she kinda look a little 'generic' ?

Regards.

DJM.

For a Queen yes, she is very generic . . .  I am really disappointed.

[[RWP]DJM]

For a Queen yes, she is very generic . . .  I am really disappointed.

Indeed, seems kind of a let down to be honest.  Maybe I'm just being my usual fussy self, but I would have expected something extra special.....ah well 

[AriesDW]

Indeed, seems kind of a let down to be honest.  Maybe I'm just being my usual fussy self, but I would have expected something extra special.....ah well 

I would not mind if she was based on an existing design, however, I would expect a lot of touch ups and modifications to take her design to the next level . . . . Something that has become a signature of the Queens. It looks like Mickey Arrison of Carnival has trashed and torn down one of the last great sea going traditions in terms of liner design and prestige.

[[RWP]DJM]

I would not mind if she was based on an existing design, however, I would expect a lot of touch ups and modifications to take her design to the next level . . . . Something that has become a signature of the Queens. It looks like Mickey Arrison of Carnival has trashed and torn down one of the last great sea going traditions in terms of liner design and prestige.

Exactly, considering we are well into the first decade of the 21st Century.  Maybe we just get spoiled too often and we expect, or even demand greatness all the time

Then again, maybe not

[AriesDW]

Exactly, considering we are well into the first decade of the 21st Century.  Maybe we just get spoiled too often and we expect, or even demand greatness all the time

Then again, maybe not

I do not think so. Look at all the Queens of the past, all so different. Look at QM2s popularity rival, the Freedom class, they show such a huge difference in style. The possibilities are practically endless. I do not think we are spoiled, I think Mickey Arrison got lazy. They did not hire Steve Anderson to do the design work. I will admit, I am not the biggest QM2 fan, but he did do some very, very nice work. This ship is just an obvious spin on an already existing, which kind of kills the concepts of the Queens.

[[RWP]DJM]

I do not think so. Look at all the Queens of the past, all so different. Look at QM2s popularity rival, the Freedom class, they show such a huge difference in style. The possibilities are practically endless. I do not think we are spoiled, I think Mickey Arrison got lazy. They did not hire Steve Anderson to do the design work. I will admit, I am not the biggest QM2 fan, but he did do some very, very nice work. This ship is just an obvious spin on an already existing, which kind of kills the concepts of the Queens.

Hmm, very good point.  I never thought of it quite like that

[AriesDW]

I feel that ship will not have the greatest future.

[[RWP]DJM]

I feel that ship will not have the greatest future.

You're probably right.  I guess it's a case of the usual, 'times change'....not always for the better if you ask me.  I reckon new designs, not re-works of older ones, are the way to go, but like I say....I'm very fussy

Granted, if a design is popular, the old addage may apply, 'If it's not broken, why fix it', but who's to say really 

[AriesDW]

You're probably right.  I guess it's a case of the usual, 'times change'....not always for the better if you ask me.  I reckon new designs, not re-works of older ones, are the way to go, but like I say....I'm very fussy

Granted, if a design is popular, the old addage may apply, 'If it's not broken, why fix it', but who's to say really 

Indeed, wonderful point. However, I feel the Queens are the exception to that rule. Sure, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were obviously sisters, but they had a lot of differences between them. Tonnage, length, funnels, lack of forward well deck, etc. I think the Queens should always stand apart from the crowd. For every other ship, yes, I believe what you say is true.

ANd yes, some changes are not for the better . . . It has taken away some wonderful sea-fairing traditions.

I actually hope that Cunard learns a hard lesson from the 'Victoria. I am sure if they were not run by Carnival, what we are seeing would not be happening.

[[RWP]DJM]

I actually hope that Cunard learns a hard lesson from the 'Victoria. I am sure if they were not run by Carnival, what we are seeing would not be happening.

Very true

I think I should clarify something here.  I do prefer the classic ships/designs, but if it's new ships we're talking about, new designs are best.  As an example, if anyone were to try to remake a classic ship with todays engineering standards, in my opinion, that would be a sin and should be frowned upon (i'm frowning right now, just thinking of it ).

New ships should be an innovation, something that makes you stand back and say, 'WOW, that looks fantastic!', similar to the effect Ship Sim had on me when I first saw it

The Victoria just doesn't do that for me

[AriesDW]

Very true

I think I should clarify something here.  I do prefer the classic ships/designs, but if it's new ships we're talking about, new designs are best.  As an example, if anyone were to try to remake a classic ship with todays engineering standards, in my opinion, that would be a sin and should be frowned upon (i'm frowning right now, just thinking of it ).

New ships should be an innovation, something that makes you stand back and say, 'WOW, that looks fantastic!', similar to the effect Ship Sim had on me when I first saw it

The Victoria just doesn't do that for me

HA HA HA (to the first part).

Over all, bravo, well said. All ships, especially the Queens, regardless of how fussy we are, should make us say Wow!

[[RWP]DJM]

All ships, especially the Queens, regardless of how fussy we are, should make us say Wow!

Absolutely

Seems to me like innovation in recent years has declined, not just in shipping, but most other areas too 

Except housing maybe, but new 'fancy' houses remind me of hospital waiting rooms

that's another story though

[Stuart2007]

But doesn't ship design go in distinct phases, just like cars.

ie in days gone by they all had long forecastle with the bridge set right back and raked in decks, each narrower to the top.

Then they became square boxes with a point on the front and big square sterns.

Have you noticed how many design similarities there are with P&Os old Canberra? The first to have lifeboats stored 'inboard' with a streamline design, shape of bow, transmission etc. You can trace a lot back to that ship.

Stu

[[RWP]DJM]

But doesn't ship design go in distinct phases, just like cars.

ie in days gone by they all had long forecastle with the bridge set right back and raked in decks, each narrower to the top.

Then they became square boxes with a point on the front and big square sterns.

Have you noticed how many design similarities there are with P&Os old Canberra? The first to have lifeboats stored 'inboard' with a streamline design, shape of bow, transmission etc. You can trace a lot back to that ship.

Stu

I guess so, but the phases seem to be rather slow to emerge.  Other areas of design seem to have 'spurts', or major leaps....not very often, but it does happen

[AriesDW]

Absolutely

Seems to me like innovation in recent years has declined, not just in shipping, but most other areas too 

Except housing maybe, but new 'fancy' houses remind me of hospital waiting rooms

that's another story though

You are very right. Even competing cruise lines have rooms that are an identical layout, just slightly modified furnishings with different colors fabric. It is ridiclous!

And regarding the houses, I will forward that do my father who is an architect and owns his own firm . . .  HA HA! Maybe he will see things the way we do, because I keep showing him some of my conceptual sketches and he thinks they are too this or that . . . HA HA!

The Queen Mary 2 was a bit of a radical shift. Only from the tip of the forecastle to just behind the bridge area of the super structure as well as just near the tip of the stern. Otherwise, she has the sides of a modern cruise liner . . . TISK TISK!

To me, a ship that is very radical in design, in most respects, are the Disney vessels. Two funnels, MASSIVE glassed bridge and observation deck, observation bulges with glass coverings, re-using the old fashioned livery style, making the second funnel a multi-floor functional centre . . . I love those ships. They are beautiful in evey way . . . Except the mouse.

[AriesDW]

I guess so, but the phases seem to be rather slow to emerge.  Other areas of design seem to have 'spurts', or major leaps....not very often, but it does happen

I do see your point, gentlemen. There are design phases, certainly. Of course, I toss that up to evolution of both design and technology. And yes, these phases transend all ships of the period. However, there was always a few ships of the era that pushed the envelope of those design trends and those were usually the Queens, no?

[[RWP]DJM]

And regarding the houses, I will forward that do my father who is an architect and owns his own firm . . .  HA HA! Maybe he will see things the way we do, because I keep showing him some of my conceptual sketches and he thinks they are too this or that . . . HA HA!

oops, there are times when I only open my mouth to change feet

[[RWP]DJM]

However, there was always a few ships of the era that pushed the envelope of those design trends and those were usually the Queens, no?

Most definitely, I couldn't agree more with that

[AriesDW]

oops, there are times when I only open my mouth to change feet

HA HA HA! It is alright, he got a good laugh out of it. I honestly think homes could be better. Of course, ships could be even more exciting though.

IF ANYONE FINDS MORE IMAGES OF THE VICTORIA, PLEASE POST THEM HERE! I only found one real photo and the stupid press image Cunard puts out . . . I would love to see more construction shots of her.

[[RWP]DJM]

Not sure if you've seen this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gErcfPwt374

[AriesDW]

No, watching now . . .

[AriesDW]

Hrm . . . Great video. She is still far from being a Queen, although I do see some mods the the design. It looks like it was being film from one of the Carnival Valor class vessels.

[[RWP]DJM]

When I want info on something, I use Wikipedia

Example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Queen_Victoria

I also found this site which has some internal pictures

http://www.scotlandscruisecentre.co.uk/cruisev2_shipdetails.phtml?shipid=57&session=E21544F6-2743-400D-88E8-504AB1D34080