Differences between grades?

[Jimsgirl]

I travel solo and have always taken inside cabin D8 or D7 (sometimes get upgrade to D5 or 6)

However I read so often that the Grillls are so very good, but I wonder if anyone on the boad has been in the Grills as a SOLO passenger.
Do you sit in solitary splendour? I like having the same table companions (I can eat alone at home).
I usually go into the Golden Lion or the Chart room for a glass of wine before dinner, but hate the fact that once again I sit alone. People come and go always as couples, or a foursome, and no one invites a solo passenger to their table. Is tis the same in the Grill lounges?

I am too conservative to just walk up to a table and ask "may I join you" Going on teh Carribean cruise for 13 nights in November, not looking forwrd to those lonely evenings.

[Time Will Tell]

Seating works in the same way as steerage.

I have been on a table for one in the Queens' Grill, and enjoyed it very much.

I have been on a table for seven in the Queens' Grill, and enjoyed it very much.

[lannp]

I too travel solo.
In the Britannia dining room dinner is at 6 pm or 8:30 pm. I prefer tables for six and your tablemates will have to show up by 6:30 or 9:00 pm in order to be served. And most are considerate and arrive when the dining room opens or shortly after.
In Britannia Club, Princess & Queen's Grill it is assigned seating as well but the dining room is open 6:30- 9 pm and you may come in anytime during that time period.
So the problem is if you are seated with others, they will come when they choose which doesn't necessarily match you. You could be finishing dinner by the time they wander in.
I have a friend who keeps saying wouldn't it be great if you were upgraded. Yeah, but......I could eat a lot of meals alone.
I also like the open seating arrangement at brk. and lunch because you can join others at a large table.
I prefer being served in the dining room and rarely eat in King's Court (buffet) because unless you run into somebody you know you will be eating alone. I can do that the rest of the year at home.

[carlmm]

Like you I enjoy the company of the same table mates every night and was always fortunate to have great tables in the Grills.
I asked for a table of eight and got everything from 5 to 8. Somehow it always worked out that we dined together. Sometimes we would agree upon a time for dinner, most often it just came out naturally that we gravitated to a common arrival time - not exactly but maybe within 20 minutes - and stayed all together until the laast person had finished. Common courtesy and the excellent service of the stewards, who ajdusted the service speed if necessary, made a leisurely common dinner possible. On some evenings we met for drinks before dinner.
Thus my experience as solo traveller in the Grills was very positive.

Yet, I do start to share you fears due to some posts on the forum when people asked if they would "have to" arrange with their tablemates, "have to" wait for them etc. or, even worse, when they stated they of course come and go whenever they want regardless of their fellow passengers because these people were not ready to take their tablemates into any consideration.
Too sad for those who enjoy the social aspect of the meals.

In the lounge, I am afraid, most people would not invite strangers, yet easily someone they know.

[BritNavyGal]

That is too lonely. Now we know this, if any of you singlies are on the QM2 5th aniversary voyage around Britain we wouldn't hesitate to come over and ask you to join our group, the more the merrier, and it is no fun being alone!

[Time Will Tell]

Originally Posted by BritNavyGal

That is too lonely. Now we know this, if any of you singlies are on the QM2 5th aniversary voyage around Britain we wouldn't hesitate to come over and ask you to join our group, the more the merrier, and it is no fun being alone!

I actually enjoy the peace of crossing solo. Although I enjoy good company too.

[sullaRaffaello]

I have travelled solo in the Queens Grill on the QM2 and QE2, and in the Princess Grill on the QV. I have requested a table for 8 and always got it. For breakfast and lunch, I have eaten alone since many of my table mates like room service and/or buffet for breakfast or lunch. At dinner I usually arrive as late as possible, 8:45PM-8:55PM and have had table mates already gone, on dessert, or at the beginning of their meal. While socializing is enjoyable, the grills are ultimately about excellent food and service. If those two things mean little to you, and socializing means a lot, save your money and go Britannia.

[Cornus]

Originally Posted by BritNavyGal

That is too lonely. Now we know this, if any of you singlies are on the QM2 5th aniversary voyage around Britain we wouldn't hesitate to come over and ask you to join our group, the more the merrier, and it is no fun being alone!

Come on over and join the roll call for the QM2 5th Anniversary sailing!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...758033&page=13

[Jimsgirl]

Thank you everyone who answered. I know now that I should stick to Britannia for dining . Having company is important to me (Not only do I cruise alone , I live alone, and being very much a senior my socialising is very restricted - which is why I love cruising) .

Have a D8 Gty for Nov 17th Caribbean, and have deposits on TA/Europe/TA for May 2010 and again Caribbean for Nov 2010.- providing I do not rust away before then!

[SeaMatesNYC]

Originally Posted by Jimsgirl

providing I do not rust away before then!

And yet another use for Pol Acker!

[cferro514]

I am booked in a D5 for November 17, 2009.

[Bigmike911]

You might ask for a solo table and its likely you will be in an area with other two or four person tables. I have found its easy to make friends that way, and if some of the persons near by don't want to be friendly, its no big deal. That way you can dine when you want to and enjoy the meals.

If you go into the Grills Lounge, there is a nice bar with stools. I have found often that there are singles having a pre or post dinner drink, who are friendly and wish to chat.

The really nice thing about the grills, is that you can be as friendly as you want to be, and you can dine at your leisure. You come for the food and the food choices. Don't hesitate to ask for a special dessert or main course even if its not on the menu, they usually try to oblige.

I have found that ordering a flaming dessert is a good way to start a conversation.