A sea day, Dubrovnik and Lokrum

This was our first time aboard Queen Victoria so we spent the sea day exploring her and comparing her to Queen Mary 2. To our surprise, we felt there was a difference to the atmosphere on the two ships, with Queen Victoria feeling closer to Princess or even Marella cruise ships while being very much a Cunard vessel. Having spent time in Dubrovnik in 2019 we didn't take an excursion but took the shuttle bus and 'did our own thing'. Although we were there early in the day it was already busy and getting hot inside the walls. While wondering what to do we came across signs for trips to Lokrum Island, a nature reserve just off the coast. The price for the trip, €30, was the same as the entry fee alone so we tried something new for us. Much of the island is heavily wooded so it was much more pleasant to walk there but, as the morning progressed, we reached areas that were developed and had much less shade. By 13.00 it was well into the mid 30sC (mid 90sF) and we were beginning to struggle. By the time we had taken the ferry back to Dubrovnik, walked back to the bus stop and waited for a bus it must have been pushing 15.00 before we reached Queen Victoria again. We were completely drained so spent time in the Chart Room, drinking coffee, before getting ready for dinner and the show. It was a magician, Philip Hitchcock, and he was excellent.