The Port of Tyne welcomed 2,000 visiting passengers and 981 crew on-board Cunard’s Queen Victoria this morning (Tuesday 13 August) – a maiden stop on her 12-night voyage around the British Isles.
The visit marks the first call from Cunard since the QE2 in 2008 on its farewell tour.
Arriving in-bound from Southampton, the Port of Tyne is Queen Victoria’s first port of call, offering visiting passengers the opportunity to explore all that the North East has to offer, including Segedunum in Wallsend; Beamish Museum in Durham, and the landmarks of NewcastleGateshead – all within easy reach of the Port.
Elegant and opulent, Queen Victoria is reminiscent of the golden age of cruising; the 294m long ship, which had a £34million refit in 2017, offers plenty of space for relaxation across 12 passenger decks.
Designed as a classic Cunarder, Queen Victoria features Cunard’s renowned White Star service. The ship boasts a museum containing Cunard memorabilia, and the Hemisphere Club with its 270-degree aspect.
There’s a wide variety of options for evening entertainment, including the three-deck Royal Court Theatre, the Queen’s Room ballroom, a traditional English Pub and a Champagne Bar.
During days at sea, passengers can enjoy the Cunard Health Club and Spa, the Lido Pool and large sunning area, and an incredible 6,000-book library.
Andy Foster, Commercial Manager, Port Services, stepped on-board to welcome the Ship’s Captain and Crew, saying: “We’re delighted to welcome Cunard’s Queen Victoria, almost 20 years after we welcomed Cunard’s Royal Viking Sun, our first ever cruise call, on 30th August 1999.
In celebration of Queen Victoria’s maiden call, the Port of Tyne arranged for a Northumbrian Piper to welcome her arrival, alongside the traditional plaque exchange on-board.”
Queen Victoria will set-sail from the Port of Tyne’s Northumbrian Quay (North Shields) at 7.30pm bound for Edinburgh