Reader Note: We met Brian and Mo, a lovely couple from Bath, England, on board the Queen Victoria on a voyage to the Panama Canal and the four of us became fast friends. Brian has graciously consented to share their cruising adventures here in Cruising Squared. Here is his account of a voyage they took last year from Venice to Rome. Enjoy!
Venice – La Serenissima
By Brian Wilson
My wife, Mo and I
wanted a late summer break – we have had a very hectic summer – we wanted to
revisit Venice and Istanbul – we wanted lots of things to do, rather than time
at sea.
We remembered our
marvellous voyage around the Caribbean (where we met some very nice American
couples from Florida) – well, we wanted to go with Cunard again.
So, trawling
through the Internet I found a 12 day trip, with The Queen Victoria covering
Venice, Split (Croatia) Corfu, Athens, Istanbul, Rhodes, Santorini and back to
Rome – and flights out and back home were included!
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| Venice - the Grand Canal winds its way between these group of islands. |
I tracked the
prices and found some very “interesting” offers. So, we thought we would jump
at this chance to find out what the Princess Grill “experience” was really
like.
We knew that the
“Grills Experience” meant that our stateroom would be larger and situated
amidships – that we could dine at any time in the evening (well up to 9.30 start
anyhow) – that we would have priority check in – that we had a welcome meeting
with the Captain – and that we could have afternoon tea – and lots more.
Where we about to
be disappointed? – let’s find out!!
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| The Queen Victoria |
Day 1 of our
voyage was to fly Heathrow to Venice – well someone has to do it!!
We took off at
12.50 (British Airways (chartered by Cunard) – what a civilised time – and we
landed at Marco Polo, Venice at 16.00hrs (don’t forget Italy is 1 hour ahead of
the UK).
The highlight of
the flight was flying over the Alps – the sky was blue, there were no clouds
and the sun was shining, so the mountains were as clear as a bell (many still
with snow on their tops).
You felt you could
reach out and touch them.
We left an
autumnal day in London and arrived at a balmy 24 degrees Centigrade in Venice –
oh the delights of warmth!!
Once we had
cleared Customs we were on our way to The Queen Victoria – the “booking in”
procedures were very slick.
Soon we were
resting in our stateroom, it was everything that the brochure said it would be,
we had plenty of room – and a larger bathroom with bath and a shower!
There was a bottle
of sparkling wine waiting for us – this is the life!!
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| Our Princess Grill Stateroom |
We were soon at
our table for 6 guests at 7.30 pm
Greeting us there
was a couple from Florida – yes, yet another couple from Florida! – and a
couple who live just 80 miles from us in the UK! – the other 2 people could not
make the trip (I hope that all was well with them).
So let’s start
with the food.
We remembered from
our March cruise, (where we had a Balcony stateroom) – that the food in the
Britannia Restaurant was excellent – as was the company.
But this time – in
The Princess Grill – we could choose what time we ate – we were not tied to
6.30/8.30.
The Service was
attentive and, as for the food, well what can we say.
The choices facing
us were worthy of the best of restaurants – and the cooking and presentation
could not be faulted.
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| The Princess Grill Restaurant - our table was by the windows. What a view! |
I had one of the
best steaks I have ever had and Mo, who chose the Dover Sole, was lost for
words (well almost!!)
So far so good –
we settled down for our night’s sleep.
Day 2 was a full
day in Venice
Now, we have
visited Venice a number of times, so, after paying ”homage” to San Marco, we
struck out. away from the crowds.
Now here’s a tip –
if you want to see the less crowded parts of Venice, do not follow the crowds.
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| Looking from Grand Cabal to San Marco |
When we came to a
junction in the pathways, or a side street comes into view, look at which
direction are the crowds going, then strike out in the opposite direction!!
As long as you
have a map, you cannot get lost in Venice but, if you follow our “rule of
thumb”, you’ll find less people – and cheaper shops, café’s etc – the Venice of
the Venetians.
We took a
“waterbus” or Vaporatti along the Grand Canal – it is the only way to see the
beauty of this unreal world.
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| Mo outside the Doge's Palace |
But a warning – if
you want to stay in a flat or rent a room in one of the big Hotels on The Grand
Canal, be prepared to pay a high price.
A market in Venice
– you go shopping on foot, or by boat.
If you are a
typical tourist and do not mind the cost – try a gondola – we gave it a miss.
These boats are
made to an age-old design that isn’t symmetrical, as the Gondoliers stand at
one side of the boat to “paddle” and steer.
Lots of tourists,
especially people from Japan, were being ferried by Gondola – and some had
Venetians singing “O Solo Mio” as the barcarolle (the correct term for a song
by Gondoliers).
Those with a
“musical bent” will know that “O Solo Mio’ is a Neapolitan song – ah well you
cannot have everything.
Gondoliers have to
take care when navigating around Venice.
We then went onto
the other islands in the lagoon – Murano – you know the one that produces all
that lovely glass.
Ok we had to have
yet another coffee and just enjoyed our favourite pastime – watching the world
go by.
Back to The Queen
Victoria for one of the highlights of our trip – the leaving of Venice.
Now I know it may
seem a bit silly to highlight the leaving of Venice - but wait – we left our
berth at Marittima and sailed majestically along the Canale della Guidecca
until we came upon the heart of Venice: - St Marks Square (Piazza and Duomo San
Marco, the Doges Palace and the Main Waterfront. Our Stateroom was
on the 7th floor on the port side, so we could see all this while
drinking a “G and T” - we thought of you both and raised a glass.
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| Goodbye to Venice |
We then steamed
out across the Venetian Lagoon and onwards to Croatia.
If our trip had
stopped there we would have been “very happy bunnies” – but we knew that more
was to come.
© B. Wilson 13/10/11
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