Well, it has been an exciting day here in Southampton. It’s 1 AM here and the festivities are just starting to fade; jet lag and all I managed to stay up for all the pomp and circumstance. Queen Victoria is a classy ship and will delight guests who expect more enlightenment from a cruise vacation. Look for the review next week. In the meantime, I’ve managed to upload some quick videos on to YouTube. I hope you enjoy!

“I name this ship Queen Victoria. May God bless her and all who sail in her,” declared Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in time-honored manner, before the backup jeroboam of Veuve Cliquot champagne (first bottle didn’t break) smashed against the spotlit starboard side of its black bow. The ship’s horns blew in celebration, and the 2,000 invited guests, including Camilla’s husband HRH Prince Charles, broke into a triple chorus of “hip, hip, hurrah!”