To upgrade or not to upgrade.........

[cclarke12]

I am considering upgrading and would love a view on whether it is worth doing or not. At present, my husband and I have an A1 booked for 9th December on QV. It is a 2 night break which is part of a longer 10 day cruise round Northern Europe. I am really excited about the trip as grandma is babysitting so we get 2 nights away together without children in tow, which is a rarity. I am debating whether to upgrade to Princess Grill or Queen’s Grill (the total difference would be c£300 or c.£500 on top of what we have already paid). I have heard of lots of people being upgraded recently, e.g. from balcony to Princess or Princess to Queens Grill. Therefore, I am slightly cautious as I wonder if there is any chance we might get upgraded to Princess Grill anyway as we now have an A1. The 10 day sailing (which this mini cruise is part of) doesn’t seem to have sold that well and there are loads of cabins left in every category, so not sure what this means for potential for an upgrade(less or more likely?).
I guess the real question is whether people think either upgrade would be worth us purchasing? We don’t have money to throw away, but would be prepared to splash out if it really was for something special. In practical terms we are unlikely to be able experience the Grills again in the short term as it would normally be way too expensive if we are travelling with the children (as we are on QM2 next year), and we don’t get that many opportunities to go away for a couple of days without the children. I know I would really love to upgrade to Princess or Queens Grill but I am worried it won’t live up to expectations, or that it isn’t worth it if we are just going for 2 nights.
Sorry about the long ramble.....any thoughts?

[capnpugwash]

The cabin you have is very good but it is rare to have the opportunity to experience the Queens Grill for a little over £100 per day per person. Never having done it myself I would certainly seriously consider it in your position. No I wouldn't, I would book it.

[SeaMatesNYC]

Originally Posted by cclarke12

I am considering upgrading and would love a view on whether it is worth doing or not. At present, my husband and I have an A1 booked for 9th December on QV. It is a 2 night break which is part of a longer 10 day cruise round Northern Europe. I am really excited about the trip as grandma is babysitting so we get 2 nights away together without children in tow, which is a rarity. I am debating whether to upgrade to Princess Grill or Queen’s Grill (the total difference would be c£300 or c.£500 on top of what we have already paid). I have heard of lots of people being upgraded recently, e.g. from balcony to Princess or Princess to Queens Grill. Therefore, I am slightly cautious as I wonder if there is any chance we might get upgraded to Princess Grill anyway as we now have an A1. The 10 day sailing (which this mini cruise is part of) doesn’t seem to have sold that well and there are loads of cabins left in every category, so not sure what this means for potential for an upgrade(less or more likely?).
I guess the real question is whether people think either upgrade would be worth us purchasing? We don’t have money to throw away, but would be prepared to splash out if it really was for something special. In practical terms we are unlikely to be able experience the Grills again in the short term as it would normally be way too expensive if we are travelling with the children (as we are on QM2 next year), and we don’t get that many opportunities to go away for a couple of days without the children. I know I would really love to upgrade to Princess or Queens Grill but I am worried it won’t live up to expectations, or that it isn’t worth it if we are just going for 2 nights.
Sorry about the long ramble.....any thoughts?

PG, yes. Two dinners, 1 lunch and 2 breakfasts in the Grills. Larger stateroom. Tea in the Grills Lounge. For 300 pounds (total, not per person?) you would likely enjoy the upgrade...as you say, this opportunity may not present itself for some time.

On the other hand, this 2-nighter appears currently priced at "full boat" rates, to my eye, at $500 per person per night for PG, at least on the US website for past passengers (or at least my CWC number). Prices may yet come down, if bookings stay slack. Looks like only the 2 P4s are non-waitlisted. You may end up with a higher P or even a Q!

If it were I, I would go for the PG upgrade (but not the QG). Just one passenger's opinion (have never been on QV but have been Britannia, Britannia Club and PG on QM2).

[SeaMatesNYC]

Originally Posted by capnpugwash

I would book it.

Me too, Capn!

[YorksLady]

Have to agree with the Cap'n on this one.

We were in QG on Victoria earlier this year and it was fabulous, don't forget you will get your choice of alcoholic beverages in QG along with a butler.

It's only two days, go for it and have a great time.

Jackie

[cclarke12]

Thanks everyone – all sounds like good advice. I am very tempted. I have paid in full already but may wait until the final payment date for this cruises comes around for everyone (next week I think) to see if it affects prices. The prices have already come down a little, e.g. it was over £700 for a QG yesterday but it has gone down to £578 per person today, or £483 per person for Princess – you can only get guarantees in either. The 10 day sailing is still showing lots of availability in all cabin grades but they keep changing what is available for the 2 night segment.
Slightly off topic but does anyone know what time we are likely to be able to disembark if we arrive in Hamburg at 8am? I have booked flights for 11.30am but have had a sudden panic this may be too early (although I understand the airport is close). I have to confess that in my excitement I didn’t look closely enough at the times as on previous cruises we have been off fairly early – I forgot that this is just one port of a longer cruise and not disembarkation day for everyone.

[SeaMatesNYC]

Originally Posted by cclarke12

Thanks everyone – all sounds like good advice. I am very tempted. I have paid in full already but may wait until the final payment date for this cruises comes around for everyone (next week I think) to see if it affects prices. The prices have already come down a little, e.g. it was over £700 for a QG yesterday but it has gone down to £578 per person today, or £483 per person for Princess – you can only get guarantees in either. The 10 day sailing is still showing lots of availability in all cabin grades but they keep changing what is available for the 2 night segment.
Slightly off topic but does anyone know what time we are likely to be able to disembark if we arrive in Hamburg at 8am? I have booked flights for 11.30am but have had a sudden panic this may be too early (although I understand the airport is close). I have to confess that in my excitement I didn’t look closely enough at the times as on previous cruises we have been off fairly early – I forgot that this is just one port of a longer cruise and not disembarkation day for everyone.

My advice - don't wait for another price drop if it has just dropped that much. Grab it.

Re: the flights, apply for "self help" at the front desk and disembark with the first group (get your breakfast in as soon as the Grills open). I have no idea how far the airport is, nor what the advance arrival guidance is locally, but I would bet you can make it with time to spare. I presume you would not be checking any luggage (baggage).

[cclarke12]

Well I couldn’t resist it. I rang and have upgraded to Princess Grill with the hope we might be upgraded to Queens Grill (well the Cunard agent did say there were plenty of Queens Grill cabins left!). Although it was tempting to pay for the Queens Grill upgrade I think I would rather spend the extra money on cocktails as I am sure we will enjoy the Princess Grill restaurant. I can’t wait

[capnpugwash]

Good for you and I do hope you have a wonderful time on board, of course you won't have a Butler so you'll have to unpack your own underwear, but use the cash wisely in the Commodore Club on martinis.

[Bigmike911]

Originally Posted by cclarke12

Well I couldn’t resist it. I rang and have upgraded to Princess Grill with the hope we might be upgraded to Queens Grill (well the Cunard agent did say there were plenty of Queens Grill cabins left!). Although it was tempting to pay for the Queens Grill upgrade I think I would rather spend the extra money on cocktails as I am sure we will enjoy the Princess Grill restaurant. I can’t wait

CClarke 12. That was a wise move. The percentage of QG and PG on the Victoria, is far smaller than on QM2 so getting an upgrade is iffy. Having said that, the likely hood of getting from PG to QG is far higher.

In January of this year, a couple sitting next to us who booked PG, were upgraded to QG on the 17day first segment of the QV's world cruise, so it happens.

I think you will enjoy the little extras that come with the Grills, especially the Grills Lounge on 11 deck and freestyle dining. It the weather is nice, sit out on the Grills Patio for lunch or dinner and enjoy the fresh air.

Enjoy your travel

Mike

[cinta]

Originally Posted by cclarke12

Well I couldn’t resist it. I rang and have upgraded to Princess Grill with the hope we might be upgraded to Queens Grill (well the Cunard agent did say there were plenty of Queens Grill cabins left!). Although it was tempting to pay for the Queens Grill upgrade I think I would rather spend the extra money on cocktails as I am sure we will enjoy the Princess Grill restaurant. I can’t wait

Well done!! You've done the right thing. The PG restaurant, food & service is every bit as good as the QG & the Grills lounge is lovely. You never know, you might even get upgraded again to QG. We were in January.
Have a wonderful time.

[cclarke12]

Thanks everyone. I think I will be obsessively checking for my cabin allocation every day now. I really am very excited now and glad we have upgraded. The only problem will be that we have booked a 4 berth inside cabin on QM2 next year, and I am not sure will enjoy it as much after the Princess Grill experience.

[SeaMatesNYC]

Originally Posted by cclarke12

The only problem will be that we have booked a 4 berth inside cabin on QM2 next year, and I am not sure will enjoy it as much after the Princess Grill experience.

You'll have the "little darlings" with you, so that should make up for any feeling of want.