The Port of Dover is a cross-channel ferry, cruise terminal, maritime cargo and marina facility situated in Dover, Kent, south-east England. It is the nearest English port to France, at just 34 kilometres (21 mi) away, and is one of the world's busiest maritime passenger ports, with 11.7 million passengers, 2.6 million lorries, 2.2 million cars and motorcycles and 80,000 coaches passing through it in 2017, and with an annual turnover of £58.5 million a year.
▸Getting ashore in Dover
About the MS Queen Victoria
Rated 4.2 out of 5. Sample score from the demo catalog, not a guest rating — reviews written on Sail Away are listed, counted and credited separately.★★★★★★★★★★4.2· sample score
MS Queen Victoria is a cruise ship operated by Cunard Line, 90,049 GT, carrying up to 2,014 guests. Specifications sourced from Wikidata (CC0).
Nobody has reviewed this sailing here yet. We only show reviews written by real travellers — we don't generate them, and we don't score a sailing until at least 3 people have had their say.
Zeebrugge (Dutch pronunciation: [zeːˈbrʏɣə] ; from Brugge aan zee [ˌbrʏɣə ʔaːn ˈzeː], meaning "Bruges-on-Sea"; French: Zeebruges, pronounced [zebʁyʒ]) is a village on the coast of Belgium and a subdivision of Bruges, for which it is the modern port. Zeebrugge serves as both the international port of Bruges-Zeebrugge and a seafront resort with hotels, cafés, a marina and a beach.
▸Getting ashore in Zeebrugge
Day 4Amsterdam· Netherlands
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
The port of Amsterdam (Dutch: Haven van Amsterdam) is an inland seaport in Amsterdam in North Holland, Netherlands. It is the 14th busiest port in Europe by total cargo tonnage.
▸Getting ashore in Amsterdam
Day 5Hamburg· Germany
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
The Port of Hamburg (German: Hamburger Hafen, pronounced [ˈhambʊʁɡɐ ˈhaːfn̩] ) is a seaport on the river Elbe in Hamburg, Germany, 110 kilometres (68 mi; 59 nmi) from its mouth on the North Sea.
Known as Germany's "Gateway to the World" (Tor zur Welt), it is the country's largest seaport by volume.
▸Getting ashore in Hamburg
Day 6Kiel· Germany
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
The Port of Kiel (German: Kieler Hafen) is a port for passenger and cargo shipping located in Kiel, Germany. It occupies the inner part of the Baltic Sea inlet Kieler Förde and includes the approach to the locks at the eastern end of Kiel Canal.
▸Getting ashore in Kiel
Day 7At Sea
Day 8Invergordon· United Kingdom
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
Invergordon (; Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Ghòrdain or An Rubha) is a town and port in Easter Ross, in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. It lies in the parish of Rosskeen.
What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.
Your one sea day
The pool loungers and the shaded spots go early on a sea day — by eight in the morning on a full ship, and this one carries 2,014 guests. Reserving one and leaving it is against the rules on most lines and crew do clear them, so send someone early rather than at ten.
Save the balcony money
8 port days and one sea day — you are ashore in daylight and asleep the rest. An interior cabin costs about $1,000 less per person, which is most of a shore excursion budget.
6 port days back to back
Early tenders and late returns, several days running, with no sea day to recover in. Pick the two ports you actually care about and let one of the others be a lie-in — the itinerary is not a checklist.
Day one and the last day are half-days
A 9-night cruise is really 8 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.
Money on board · Cunard Line
Already in the fare
Accommodation in your chosen stateroom or suite.Meals in the main dining rooms, buffets, and select casual eateries.Most on-board entertainment, including shows, live music, and enrichment lectures.Traditional Cunard Afternoon Tea, served daily with white-gloved service.Access to the main pools, fitness center, and basic gym classes.
The drinks package
Cunard's 'Beers, Wines & Spirits Option' typically costs around $79-85 USD per person per day, including the automatic service charge. This price can vary and should be confirmed when booking.
Break-even: It usually takes about 5-6 standard drinks a day, such as cocktails, glasses of wine, or premium beers, to make the package economical.
This package suits guests who plan to enjoy several alcoholic beverages daily, but may not be cost-effective for light drinkers or those who prefer non-alcoholic options.
Gratuities
An automatic daily service charge, often around $14.50-16.50 USD per person per day for Britannia staterooms, and about $17.50-18.50 USD for Princess and Queens Grill suites. This charge can typically be prepaid at the time of booking, or adjusted onboard by speaking with the Purser's Office.
Wifi
Connectivity costs vary by package and duration; a basic internet package for messaging and email might be around $12-18 USD for 24 hours or cheaper when purchased for the full cruise. Faster tiers suitable for streaming and video calls are more expensive, and prices should be checked with the line or onboard.
Costs that surprise people
◆Specialty Dining. Restaurants like The Verandah or specific dining events carry an additional cover charge or à la carte pricing.
◆Shore Excursions. Organized tours and activities in port, if booked through the ship, are an extra cost.
◆Spa and Salon Services. Treatments, massages, and salon appointments are not included in the base fare.
◆Premium Room Service. While basic room service is complimentary, certain menu items or after-hours orders may incur a small charge.
◆Retail Purchases. Items from onboard shops, including clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs, are charged to your account.
◆Casino and Arcade. Gambling in the casino and games in the arcade are additional expenses.
Ways to spend less
◆Book Packages in Advance. Drinks and internet packages are sometimes offered at a slightly reduced rate when purchased pre-cruise rather than onboard.
◆Dine in Included Venues. Utilize the main dining rooms, buffets, and complimentary casual eateries for all your meals to avoid specialty dining charges.
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AI-written guidance, not a quote. Prices and policies change and vary by sailing — confirm anything that matters with the cruise line before you book.
Bring Permitted Beverages. Cunard typically allows guests to bring a limited amount of non-alcoholic beverages and a bottle of wine or champagne onboard; check current policies for specifics.
◆Use Free Drinks. Complimentary beverages include water, iced tea, selected juices at breakfast, and regular tea and coffee available in various locations.
◆Go Ashore Independently. Exploring ports on your own, using local transport or walking, can be more economical than booking ship-sponsored excursions.
◆Utilize Onboard Activities. Attend the many complimentary lectures, shows, quizzes, and dance classes to maximize value from your fare.
