There were only two tours that I had booked prior to departing from Australia. Both were cancelled! Weather and train strikes caused the cancellation of the tour to the Cinque Terra ( not such a big deal as I had visited there previously) and then really strong winds prevented us from being able to dock in Trieste. This meant that the much anticipated day trip into Slovenia, Lubjana and Lake Bled was cancelled. Very disappointing. For the next 12 hours we just sailed, swayed and bobbed our way in the strong winds around the Adriactic sea.
So we gained an extra sea day and decided to take part in the ship board activities. Bingo with our much coveted, special 175th anniversary dabbers, proved to be very profitable for Jen and Josie winning 2 of the 4 games played.
Then we decided to join in Chairobics with Cordelia thinking it would be an easy little session. Well it was an absolute hoot even though for the next hour she worked our upper bodies and had us clenching our gluts into exhaustion. All good training for those thousands of steps!!!
When we got to the lovely venue of the Hemisphere nightclub for Chairobics, there wasn't a walking frame in sight.
Lunch in the traditional English style Golden Lion pub was delicious Mussels in Cider. A very different flavour from the usual tomato and garlic sauce and just as scumptous.
Of course no voyage on Cunard would be complete with enjoying the white glove service of the formal afternoon tea. This was a far more civilised option than the do-it-yourself version in the Lido Buffet.
The string quartet was a delightful accompaniment.
The boys would occasionally get more energetic with a game of deck tennis. 
We also had some fun dressing up for the formal nights. There was a Royal Ascot night, Black and White and Venetian Masked Balls as well as the Cunard 175th Anniversary Ball each week.
Black and White night.
Our overnight stay in Venice provided plenty of opportunity to go shopping for masks. Lots of fun trying them on. Guests at the ball looked fabulous.
It was the only night we girls put on our long frock!
The whole Cunard experience has been wonderful. From opening the cabin door to find a welcome bottle of bubbles, to the food, entertainment and service. Of course I don't really have anything to compare it too as it has been nearly 20 years since I was on a proper cruise (expedition voyages on Russian ice breakers to the Antarctic don't quite meet the cruising brief!). Being on the Queen Victoria is more formal than other cruise lines but that's half the fun. Getting dressed up for dinner was only required if we were dining in the restaurant. If you wanted a more relaxed time you simply opted for the buffet.
My very comfortable cabin.
The beautiful grand foyer - this is only the top two floors. It was three storeys high.
We were delighted to be given a window table in the Britannia restaurant for the entire voyage. It provided a great opportunity to watch the spectacular lightning show over the ocean as we sailed away one night. We could see the waves when it was a rougher sailing and felt the ship tilting with the horizon a little higher up the window than usual! But our waiters were always superb and handled things with great aplomb!
Dani, Chris, Jen, me, Josie and Michael with our waiter Brian and sommelier Mirche.
Behind the scenes of the working of the kitchens is incredible. And as if they didn't already have enough to do the chefs came out to show us their skills in carving.
Monaco - above and below photos.
Venice - of course
Our final night at the Veuve Cliquot bar. Time to farewell the QV after three fantastic weeks.
Until the next time! (Hopefully!)
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