Is Grill class worth it? Need to convince wife

Is a Princess grill cabin worth double I would pay for a regular balcony cabin. Need some input to convince wife. We have paid Grill class fares on Oceania, but have not done Grill class on any of the Queens. It will take some convincing. Thanks for your help in this matter.

Richard,

That's really an individual taste. Some here will say you should sell both of your grandmothers to get grill passage. Others will say save the money and take two cruises.

As for myself, I would not find it worth it. But that's my opinion.

I probably would not be able to go at all, if waiting to pay for a grill cabin.

I don't remember if you said QE2 or QM2, so that could make a difference, too.

Give it a couple of hours to let Matthew, Malcolm, Peter (Guernsey Guy Jon, (Sounds like the books of the bible) and a few others with more experience and fairly strong opinions on the matter chime in.

Also, try searching for grill or something There have been many threads that hotly debated just what you are asking.

Karie,

who thinks grill class is when you use a hibachi on your balcony

Is a Princess grill cabin worth double I would pay for a regular balcony cabin.

Hi

I take it that you're talking about QM2 (as QE2 only has balconies for the super rich). It depends on what you want from a voyage, the cabin will be larger (just) with a balcony half as long again (but no deeper) then a "regular" balcony. You (should) enjoy "enhanced" service from your room steward. Slightly wider choice on your menu. Access to the Queens Grill lounge.

However, other than the lounge, "Britannia grade" passengers will have access to all the same areas of the ship that you have. They get to dine in the (far more impressive than the Princess Grill) Britannia Restaurant. How much time will you spend in your cabin to enjoy the longer bacony? Could you spend the money saved by booking Britannia instead of Princess Grill on great wines with your meals, shore visits? Visits to Todd English? spa treatments? The casino? Another voyage?

In the end it's up to you. I wouldn't spend twice as much for so little extra.

Let us know how you enjoy your trip. We love reviews.

With very best wishes

I've done both, and if you can afford it, go for the Princess Grill. The whole experience is different and much better, I found. The cabins are bigger and nicer, the food and restaurant service is vastly superior, you're never, ever rushed at meals, you never wait on line for lunch, you get expedited embarkation and disembarkation, you get the services of the Grill concierge--other things, I'm sure, but can't remember right now, but I'll write after my Memorial Day Princess Grill voyage.

It's the experience I want and pay for when I go on a ship.

We were on the QM2 last fall to Eastern Canada in a balcony and enjoyed it. It was our first time on Cunard in 15 years since they down sized. My wife likes her balconies and hated the QE2. Unless I get some more ammo I guess on my next cruise if I want better food we could eat more of our dinners in the Todd English restaurant and be money ahead. May consider the QV if we see something we like.

Is a Princess grill cabin worth double I would pay for a regular balcony cabin. Need some input to convince wife. We have paid Grill class fares on Oceania, but have not done Grill class on any of the Queens. It will take some convincing. Thanks for your help in this matter.

We book PG mainly because we like to dine whenever we please. The extra room, walkin closet, tub, concierge, Queens Grill lounge, and expedited boarding/embarcation are nice too. Granted, the Princess/Queens Grills are downright dowdy compared to the Britannia Restaurant, but it's the price we are willing to pay to dine whenever we please.

Paul

Karie,

who thinks grill class is when you use a hibachi on your balcony

So, Karie, you are the reason they have sprinklers on all the balconies now.

Paul

So, Karie, you are the reason they have sprinklers on all the balconies now.

 

Paul

No, no, no!

It's all those smokers!

Karie,

Ducking before the full-fledged FIRE fight breaks out! <G>

This is very subjective, as I have done both. There is no comparison.

I went on a World Cruise and was totally spoiled by the service, the butler, the added personal ambiance. But you do pay for this. But that's the bottom line, do you want to pay for the suite and its services.

For me, the longer the Cruise, the more space I like to have. A shorter trip is quite comfortable in a regular stateroom, but on a longer voyage, just the extra closet space and large bath are wonderful.

At least once you might just want to splurge and indulge yourself..but it is hard to go back!

The idea of having to dine early or late every night, night after night , is anathma. We want to dine when we are ready - sometimes early, sometimes later! Then, cuisine in Princess grill is wonderful, your table awaiting you whenever you arrive! The PG cabin is so beautiful and comfortable - 5 large windows, including the door, onto a roomy deck overlooking the sea - fabulous. For us, we would rather go PG or QG once than Britannia twice. But - it is up to you - it all comes down to what do you want from the trip? There is no right or wrong. For us, the Grills are worth the extra. For others, it may not be. That is what's great about Cunard: a magnificent ship with varying ways to enjoy it. Not true with most other lines who offer one or the other.

I'm curious - for those whose main reason to book Grill Class is for the open dining, would the AA category Brittania Club, with the ambience of the Brittania Restaurant combined with open seating and a la carte ordering, be the happy medium? Why or why not?

I've never been on the QM2 but I have done all 3 Grills and both restaurants on the QE2. The Queens Grill was very good - although it's a long time since I've eaten there. I think the Princess is better than the Britannia, but neither are good enough on their own to warrant paying the increased fare. The big thing that you get with Grill cabins is the extra service - if you think that's worth paying for then go for it although the service elsewhere is still very good.

One thing that we find important is that we like to eat when we want - we don't want to be restricted to a sitting. QE2 offers that in Caronia; QM2 only offers AA club dining - something that's only got a luke warm reception on this board.

Is a Princess grill cabin worth double I would pay for a regular balcony cabin.

Is the cabin worth it? Almost certainly not - the advantage is the restaurant that goes with it - single sitting dining being the main advantage for some. I have not travelled in the Grills on either Queens - those who have generally have very favourable reports on food and service - but I have had 'single sitting' dining on the QE2 and view this as a mixed benefit. If you are at a table for two, its perfect - show up when you want and enjoy your meal at your own pace. Personally I tend to be a creature of habit, so set dining times don't bother me - in any case you have a half hour window in an 'early/late' sitting restaurant. If you are at a single sitting on a larger table however, there may be disadvantages to single sitting, unless the table agrees on meeting at a certain time each evening - so you are effectively back to 'set dining times'. If the table does not agree to a set dining time, then 'fine dining' flies out the window. My idea of fine dining does not have me on my starter as someone tucks into desert - or vice versa - and that's what you can get at single sitting large tables.....with people showing up between 7 and 9........

It is said that if you ask the price you probably can't afford it.

If the extra you pay for Grill is of no consequence to you go for it.

David.

Did your wife enjoy the QM2? You didn't say.... And did you not like the food in Britannia?

Is it a bugeting decision? What would / could you spend the difference on?

Pre-cruise hotel, champagne, excursions, cocktails, spa treatments, champagne, new shoes, cocktails, new luggage, champagne....

Perhaps keep for the Grill for a very special occasion?

I think that you know what you want to do - but are fighting the 'can I really justify it' gremlins in your head !!:p

Having only ever travelled in Mauretania grade, l would never consider paying the vast extra sums for the grills experience, the fact that lm a tight fisted scotsman doesnt come into either! Iv only ever gone late sitting in Mauretania and then only on a table for 8., as a solo traveller its very enjoyable to arrive at the table and for everybody to order at the same time rather than have people come and go through out the meal. Granted to be able to order off the menu might be interesting,But the Menu in Mauretania l have always found to be very acceptable,The odd time l fancied something slightly different l only asked and it was provided. Had lunch in the Britannia grill between cruises and the presentation was superb, but the service was stuffy However the chilled soup was to die for!

The benefit of a larger size cabin would of course be very nice,12 people in a 3006 MO for a party can be a bit tight on space.

I was was once asked uptop to a suite a number of years ago and wasnt impressed, the whole place looked like it was due a refurb.

So l guess no l wouldnt pay the much higher fares for the Grills, Im happy enough in Mauretania, However should l win the lottery, that would be a different matter;)

Myles

I'm curious - for those whose main reason to book Grill Class is for the open dining, would the AA category Brittania Club, with the ambience of the Brittania Restaurant combined with open seating and a la carte ordering, be the happy medium? Why or why not?

From recent reports in these boards, AA dining in the Britannia Restaurant does not occur in the "ambience" area of that grand space.

This is very subjective, as I have done both. There is no comparison.

I went on a World Cruise and was totally spoiled by the service, the butler, the added personal ambiance. But you do pay for this. But that's the bottom line, do you want to pay for the suite and its services.

For me, the longer the Cruise, the more space I like to have. A shorter trip is quite comfortable in a regular stateroom, but on a longer voyage, just the extra closet space and large bath are wonderful.

 

At least once you might just want to splurge and indulge yourself..but it is hard to go back!

I agree. In my early (single) cruising days back in the late 1960's and 1970s I travelled in every conceivable type of cabin, from inside 4-berth sharing with strangers (imagine that today - but remarkably I'm still in touch with some), to outside 2-berth - all with no facilities. In more recent years, my wife and I have shared an outside 4-berths with our two teenage children, 2-beds with balcony and more recently Queens Grill suites on QM2 and QE2, the most recent for nine unforgettable weeks. We're fortunate to have more to look forward to and never take this for granted. Yes, on a shorter cruise your cabin grade may not matter to you much but I agree with the thought that the longer the voyage the more worthwhile it is to have a suite, which becomes your home and you find yourselves spending longer in there and on the balcony. Where else but on a ship would you have so much choice as to how much to spend and how to travel?

K.

Please ask your wife to post her specific questions and concerns here. It would help focus the return advice (at least for a while, maybe).

 

Paul

We did like the QM2. We have done a world cruise on the Oriania over 10 years ago. We have done minisuites on Princess, Celebrity and HAL on our last 5 cruises. These cabins do sell out early. I have spent the extra $300 per person for a future cruise credit on a future Cunard cruise. It is only worth a $100 extra per person in Grill class. Princess grill cabins are similar to cabins we have booked lately. My wife likes the quick embark we get on the other lines due to our repeater status. I am mulling over a Grill class offer sheet from Cunard presently and that is the reason for the questions. My review of our QM2 cruise is on this website from last November. I appreciate your comments, even from the tight Scot's. If I don't do it this year, maybe next year when I retire. Some of us will be retired comfortably.

Mr. Stein, you and your wife are experienced cruisers (far more experienced than we are). You really don't need advice about how to convince your wife to spring for PG accomodations. The simple statement, "Darling, the new diamond earings that I'm getting you for your birthday will look so much better in the intimate ambience of the Princess Grill", will do the trick.

Bon voyage, Paul

Mr. Stein, you and your wife are experienced cruisers (far more experienced than we are). You really don't need advice about how to convince your wife to spring for PG accomodations. The simple statement, "Darling, the new diamond earings that I'm getting you for your birthday will look so much better in the intimate ambience of the Princess Grill", will do the trick.

 

Bon voyage, Paul

Ahem. My birthday is coming up. Can you point your magic this way? (I kid). :p

Ahem. My birthday is coming up. Can you point your magic this way? (I kid). :p

Lady, help yourself. My "magic" is as omnidirectional as it is efficacious (as my wife's vast collection of diamond earings will testify).

Thank you all for your advise. The wife does not bring diamonds on a cruise due to some lost luggage. I may do a splurge on Princess Grill next year if I get an offer similar to the one in hand. If we enjoy it I will pat myself on the back and if the wife hates it she will kick me in the -ss.