Britannia v princess grill

[Hoveto]

A question. Is it worth paying an extra 50%+ for a Princess Grill stateroom over the cost of a Britannia Balcony on Queen Elizabeth? David.

[north east girl]

I've not had a princess grill cabin on QE but have experience of princess grill on QM2. What I can say is I enjoyed it very much. The pluses for me was the larger cabin, walkin wardrobe, any time dining within the stated times. The grills lounge also the grills deck.

 

The dining area is not as big as Brittania which makes it less noisy, the food was amazing and the service was excellent. Although food and service are good in Brittania I thought princess grill was much better. Certain meals are cooked at your table, something Brittania doesn't do.

 

Forgot to mention you get a bath and shower in Princess grill, no bath in Brittania cabins.

 

You get priority boarding with the grills cabins as well.

 

Catherine

[Midsomer Madness]

We have done both and if I could afford it I would always book Grills!

[cunardaddict]

A question. Is it worth paying an extra 50%+ for a Princess Grill stateroom over the cost of a Britannia Balcony on Queen Elizabeth? David.

 

PG on QE and QV gives you a room as narrow as BR, only 50% deeper. So there is a noticeable difference.

[PunkiC]

We do like a balcony, but beyond that we don't much care. Personally, we prefer twice as many cruises in a Britiannia balcony.

 

Four or five cruises a year is our average and we would like to increase that :)

[Hoveto]

Thanks everyone for your comments, what I really wanted to know is is it really worth paying over 50% more for a Princess Grill cabin. I know that it is one sitting for dining and that you get access to the grill lounge and grill deck, better service but are these things worth the enormous hike in the cruise fare. David.

[north east girl]

Thanks everyone for your comments, what I really wanted to know is is it really worth paying over 50% more for a Princess Grill cabin. I know that it is one sitting for dining and that you get access to the grill lounge and grill deck, better service but are these things worth the enormous hike in the cruise fare. David.

 

I would say yes, some would say no. It's a personal thing, only you know can say if you want to spend that much money on one trip.

 

Catherine

[pmb1]

... but are these things worth the enormous hike in the cruise fare. David.

We have done both and if I could afford it I would always book Grills!

Of course you need the opinions of those who have experienced both Britannia and Grills; and so far that's one vote for Grills.

 

Our dozen cruises on QM2 have all been Grills so I can't contribute a comparison. But we booked a Britannia cabin for the May 10-June 3 cruise in 2015; what I expect to miss most then is not having the same table and staff for breakfast and lunch as well as for dinner.

[pepperrn]

Of course you need the opinions of those who have experienced both Britannia and Grills; and so far that's one vote for Grills. Our dozen cruises on QM2 have all been Grills so I can't contribute a comparison. But we booked a Britannia cabin for the May 10-June 3 cruise in 2015; what I expect to miss most then is not having the same table and staff for breakfast and lunch as well as for dinner.

Hi pmb1,

 

One of things I like (as an "always" Britannia passenger) is NOT having the same table for every meal.

 

Each morning (and some lunchtimes (when not in the Golden Lion)) I enjoy being shown to a different part of the lower level of the Britannia Restaurant (*). I've noted that they fill the window seats first, so I get there early. But I've also been seated under the central "nave" or well. Every day a different view, a new aspect.

 

New neighbours on nearby tables (so you can get away from the person with the loud voice on the next table you have to endure each and every night). Maybe one of your fellow table-mates is less than "interesting"; therefore you don't look forward to every meal with them. Simple, in Britannia you only have to endure them once a day, instead of three times ;) .

 

Each visit is a surprise; where will I be today? Sometimes, when travelling as a single, I ask to be seated at a 8-top, other days at a smaller table. When with three friends we ask for a four seater. "Variety" in a word, not the same old, same old.

 

And of course if your allocated "grills" table is in a rotten position... that is it, three times a day... :eek: . Not so in Britannia :) .

 

Anyway, those are my thoughts, I hope you enjoy BOTH Britannia and the Grills, and have the very best of voyages in May-June 2015.

 

((*) I always ask/get a table on the upper level of the Britannia for dinner, so having breakfast and lunch downstairs adds to the variety).

 

And to the OP... You'll simply have to do trips in Princess Grill and then in Britannia... and then tell us your thoughts and findings ;) :D Have a great time whatever you do.

 

Happy sailings to all :) .

Edited June 10, 2014 by pepperrn

[pepperrn]

I would say yes, some would say no. It's a personal thing, only you know can say if you want to spend that much money on one trip. Catherine

Excellent answer Catherine :) .

[bkecky]

I have been in both grills (QG) and Britannia. If you budget allows, I say go for grills on the basis of the dining.

 

Once I did a back to back going from grills on the first segment to Britannia on the second and then I really did notice a difference in the food. However the times I have been in Britannia for my entire voyage, I have never had any complaints about the food.

 

Personally I prefer the grills dining rooms aesthetically because wherever we have been sat we have always been able to see the sea from our table. The menu also has a lot more of my favourites such as beef wellington and rack of lamb on a regular basis. It's also very convenient to be able to dine whenever, particularly if tours are coming back late.

 

I'm not sure about comparing princess grill cabins and balcony cabins though.

 

Either way I'm sure you will have a great time because I have found both to be great. But the grills are that little bit more special :)

[pmb1]

Hi pmb1,

 

One of things I like (as an "always" Britannia passenger) is NOT having the same table for every meal.

 

Each morning (and some lunchtimes (when not in the Golden Lion)) I enjoy being shown to a different part of the lower level of the Britannia Restaurant (*). I've noted that they fill the window seats first, so I get there early. But I've also been seated under the central "nave" or well. Every day a different view, a new aspect. ...

Thanks for that observation, Pepper. The only thing I dislike about the grills restaurants on QM2 is that the view of the sea is limited and often interrupted by the pedestrians on Deck 7.

 

Paul

Edited June 10, 2014 by pmb1

[safarigal]

A question. Is it worth paying an extra 50%+ for a Princess Grill stateroom over the cost of a Britannia Balcony on Queen Elizabeth? David.

 

As you have seen from the other replies, there is no easy answer. I love the BC restaurant on QE, and thought that the food and service were excellent. Our cabin was also fine, and I have absolutely no complaints about BC.

 

However, I personally love to have a bath tub, sunbathing on the terrace under the funnel, al fresco lunch in the courtyard, and to have afternoon tea in the Grills Lounge. So for me the extra expense is worth it at the moment when we have very limited time to go on vacation.

 

If we were able to do more trips a year, then I would probably opt for more ship time in Britannia than less ship time in PG. But as I said, it is all very personal. The main thing is I don't think you can go wrong with QE, she is such a beautiful ship where ever your cabin is :)

[Hoveto]

Again, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my question.

I was offered a Princess Grill cabin or a mid-ships deck 6 Britannia balcony for Christmas 2015. The difference in price was enormous. Although I liked the idea of being able to dine any time between 6.30 and 9pm I decided to go with the Britannia and give it a try. Reading your posts I am sure that I will enjoy it as I love being on board ship. Was just wondering which sitting is preferable. David

[pepperrn]

... Was just wondering which sitting is preferable...

Hi David,

 

Again you'll get differing opinions on that as well!

 

Early seating is more popular it appears, requests to dine then are often wait-listed. Many people travelling with children, and also many people "more advanced in years" tend to prefer early seating. Sometimes people have medical reasons for not eating just before bedtime (as they may have to when on late seating). If you've a favourite spot/seat in one of the bars, it is easier to find it vacant because second seating passengers are at dinner just when you are looking for a post-dinner drinkie.

 

I prefer late seating. Late seating means that there is no rush at the end of the meal "to get you out" so the stewards can lay the table for second seating. You can linger over coffee and conversation. If you're a regular at afternoon tea then you can enjoy it, you don't have to remember that "dinner is in a couple of hours". If you're been on a shore excursion (not on a TA!) then you don't have to rush, rush, rush to get changed once back on the ship. I find I've more time to linger on deck in the late afternoon/early evening soaking up the atmosphere. Then a leisurely shower and change and time for a pre-dinner cocktail.

 

I hope this helps. I know others here will have different views ;) .

 

Have a great time on board :) .

Edited June 11, 2014 by pepperrn

[jimmybean]

My experience is that Americans prefer early seating (in general) and Europeans/British/non-Americans often prefer later dining in the Britannia.

 

Of course, this is NOT all Americans nor all Europeans/British strictly fitting into one category or the other (just a generalized observation).

 

We have been on Cunard ships where the early-seating was waitlisted and we have been on a Cunard ship where the late-seating was the time waitlisted.

 

Really, I think popularity of a particular mealtime depends on the mix of passengers. The mix of passengers depends on where the ship is sailing...

 

I understand the captain has dinner in the Britannia during the second-seating. We typically request first-seating, so we have never observed this ourselves.

 

I don't think all the "fun and interesting people" dine during one mealtime vs the other.

 

I agree with Pepper about personal preference. When do you prefer to eat when you are at home?

 

DH and I have had late-seating on non-Cunard ships a couple of times, once because that was all that was available and once because it was what our traveling companions wished. It worked out fine for us. Shipboard dinners are always relaxed and a pleasant point of ship-life for us.

 

Have a wonderful time, David. You will be happy with the Queen Elizabeth.

[maina]

From our "vast" experience (one eastbound transatlantic, on QM, two years ago), I'd say I really liked Britannia. We had early seating, at our request, and our table were all "colonials"--my husband and I (Americans), a couple from Canada, and one from Australia. We got on famously and had a really good time at dinner. I obviously can't speak for the food and service in the Grills, or about the Grills cabins, but the Britannia space on the QM is spectacular, in my opinion, and way more attractive than the Grills dining areas. In the Grills you are not looking directly out at the ocean but have the promenade deck in between, with people walking by so not so private. Britannia food was good--some of it excellent--and we had very good service, though I gather that can vary.

 

If someone offered us free passage in a Grills cabin we wouldn't turn it down :D, but if we had a lot of our own money I'm still not sure I'd go for the Grills. (If we had more money I might choose to spend it onboard on other things, e.g., spa). But, I obviously can't really be a good judge since we haven't had the experience. Britannia Club might be a good compromise in terms of cabin locations, dining experience, and cost, but that may not be available for the trip you want.

[bkecky]

For me I feel early sitting means that I have to get ready too early. On formal nights when I want to do my hair and make up it means that it cuts into my day getting ready around 4.30. Also on some port days it has meant missing dinner completely. However for second sitting, to attend any of the evening events at 9.30 is a bit tight. So I think it depends on your priorities. If you aren't bothered about the scheduled evening stuff or you prefer "longer" days, then late sitting will be a better option IMO.

 

As a previous poster mentioned, you may want to consider the time you prefer to eat at home too.

[electra2008]

Again, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply to my question.

I was offered a Princess Grill cabin or a mid-ships deck 6 Britannia balcony for Christmas 2015. The difference in price was enormous. Although I liked the idea of being able to dine any time between 6.30 and 9pm I decided to go with the Britannia and give it a try. Reading your posts I am sure that I will enjoy it as I love being on board ship. Was just wondering which sitting is preferable. David

 

As you are saving by going B i would recommend that you eat in the alternative dining room at least once we have eaten in the Italian one on two trips both times the food was really good and for $ 10 each really reasonable. The 2 nights italian 2 asian and 2 indian. There have been good reports on the asian. You book by phone from room and choose your time, book early in the day if you want a window.

[Latorre]

Of course you need the opinions of those who have experienced both Britannia and Grills; and so far that's one vote for Grills.

 

Our dozen cruises on QM2 have all been Grills so I can't contribute a comparison. But we booked a Britannia cabin for the May 10-June 3 cruise in 2015; what I expect to miss most then is not having the same table and staff for breakfast and lunch as well as for dinner.

 

Hi pmb1!

 

You're the first person I checked that will be cruising on QM2 at the same time we'll be, we got a garantee BZ sheltered balcony stateroom for the westbound TA may27th to june 3rd. Very Nice to hear from a fellow cruiser! This will be my first cruise, very excited!

 

Best regards!

[pmb1]

Hi pmb1!

 

You're the first person I checked that will be cruising on QM2 at the same time we'll be, we got a garantee BZ sheltered balcony stateroom for the westbound TA may27th to june 3rd. Very Nice to hear from a fellow cruiser! This will be my first cruise, very excited!

 

Best regards!

See you next year, Latorre. Westbound crossings are the best because of the 25-hour days. I'm sure you won't have any trouble staying excited until then.

 

Bon voyage, Paul

[bananavan]

I posed a similar question earlier this year.

We had sailed Britannia in 2012 and whereas it was fine, we were not thrilled with the service nor the food in general.

The price differential for the Princess Grills to the Sheltered balcony worked out to $135 pd for the cabin for the Grand Norwegian Adventure.

For us, the difference was worth it.

We liked the extra space in the cabin. We liked eating in a smaller, more intimate restaurant where the quality was exceptional almost all of the time. Our service was fantastic. We were recognized and our preferences were acknowledged immediately. There were a few hiccups but in general everything was wonderful. We had a table for two but had wonderful conversations with other tables on all three legs of the trip.

It depends on what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend to get it. For some spending money on a drink package means enjoying a better holiday, that is not so for us. Some people spend in the casino, that is not how we spend either.

We enjoyed the Concierge lounge, the Grills terrace (although I think a lot of non Grills people also enjoy it) and the Queens Lounge for tea and after dinner performances.

I do not wish to disparage anyone else's opinions but for us the quality of the trip is more important than the length of the trip.

Edited June 18, 2014 by bananavan
blew the math on the differential. ;-)

[Salacia]

I posed a similar question earlier this year.

We had sailed Britannia in 2012 and whereas it was fine, we were not thrilled with the service nor the food in general.

The price differential for the Princess Grills to the Sheltered balcony worked out to $135 pd for the cabin for the Grand Norwegian Adventure.

For us, the difference was worth it.

We liked the extra space in the cabin. We liked eating in a smaller, more intimate restaurant where the quality was exceptional almost all of the time. Our service was fantastic. We were recognized and our preferences were acknowledged immediately. There were a few hiccups but in general everything was wonderful. We had a table for two but had wonderful conversations with other tables on all three legs of the trip.

It depends on what you are looking for and how much you are willing to spend to get it. For some spending money on a drink package means enjoying a better holiday, that is not so for us. Some people spend in the casino, that is not how we spend either.

We enjoyed the Concierge lounge, the Grills terrace (although I think a lot of non Grills people also enjoy it) and the Queens Lounge for tea and after dinner performances.

I do not wish to disparage anyone else's opinions but for us the quality of the trip is more important than the length of the trip.

 

Yes, I couldn't agree more with your statement that the quality of the trip is more important than the length of the trip. BTW,

$135 per cabin to upgrade from a sheltered balcony to a Princess Grill category is indeed quite a bargain! Or was it per person per day, double occupancy?

Edited June 19, 2014 by Salacia

[bananavan]

Salacia,

I sat bolt upright in the middle of the night and realized that I had, once again, incorrectly done the math. :D

It was actually $270 per day for the cabin, double occupancy.

In other words, $135 x2.

Thanks for helping me clarify as I did realize that I was misleading. :)

[oskidunker]

On 6/10/2014 at 1:26 PM, bkecky said:

I have been in both grills (QG) and Britannia. If you budget allows, I say go for grills on the basis of the dining.

 

Once I did a back to back going from grills on the first segment to Britannia on the second and then I really did notice a difference in the food. However the times I have been in Britannia for my entire voyage, I have never had any complaints about the food.

 

Personally I prefer the grills dining rooms aesthetically because wherever we have been sat we have always been able to see the sea from our table. The menu also has a lot more of my favourites such as beef wellington and rack of lamb on a regular basis. It's also very convenient to be able to dine whenever, particularly if tours are coming back late.

 

I'm not sure about comparing princess grill cabins and balcony cabins though.

 

Either way I'm sure you will have a great time because I have found both to be great. But the grills are that little bit more special 🙂

I am doing the same thing. Was wondering what the chances for annupgrade to Princess Grill might be. Then they would not have to move all my stuff to the new room. Do you have to get off the ship at the end of the first cruise or can you stay on?