laktex

I am wondering if she will do a few more Alaska cruises before returning to the UK, making it unlikely they will sell Melbourne/Southampton. From what I can see this QE 2019 voyage will not be sold as a world cruise (ie Southampton/Southampton) - just individual sectors will be sold as already announced.

Now that is an interesting thought that she may do a few Alaska trips or even return to Southampton via the Arctic route!

We just got back from the 3-25-17 sailing of the Crown Princess to the Eastern Caribbean. We had a marvelous time. The MDR was amazing, ports of call were beautiful and almost all staff were really nice. We loved the ship and feel Princess did a good job. EXCEPT FOR the Clown (Crown) Grill. What a disappointment! After all the positive input on the Crown grill on this site, You Tube, and other sites we were most excited about going. We went early in the cruise and early in the evening (6:30 PM) so they were only about 1/3 full. It was a terrible experience. The waiter almost demanded that we order certain dishes. We ordered what we wanted. The food was overcooked, the service was non existent, and when we did encounter our waiter he was rude. We feel it began when (since we do not drink wine, only Ice tea) we did not order wine or designer water for the table. The waiter was pushy and since he was not going to make anything from additional purchases rude and non responsive. We had to wait 30 minutes for our table to be cleared of dinner dishes. Once we ordered coffee we had to wait for it. Our Waiter demanded we ordered desserts and had a verbal altercation with a member of our group because he wanted something different. We sat and watched our desserts on a table by the kitchen for 15 minutes while we waited for a coffee refill. I asked to see the Maitre D' of the dining room and the minute I told the waiter I wanted to see the Maitre D' our desserts were practically thrown on our table. The Maitre D' was very apologetic. I told him we were not looking for a refund. You don't go on a cruise and worry about $29. I told him I wanted changes so the next guest would not be treated like crap. I did not tell him but I expected maybe a hand written note later in the cruise no notes came. We all felt we were just handled and nothing would happen so at the end of the cruise I sought out Neville Saldanha, Head Maitre D' for the Ship and told him what had happened. He sent a bottle of wine to our cabin. I don't think he was listening because I told him that we don't drink wine and we felt that was the basis for the whole problem.

 

This was my first time on Princess and I will go on Princess again. I will NEVER eat at their upscale dining venues and I will always tell this story. If I failed to answer any questions let me know I will be glad to fill in the blanks. In the questionnaire received from Princess on my return I told them I was going to post this on Cruise Critic. I mentioned Cruise critic in all my discussions. Believe me they have all heard of this great site.

My inclination would have been to ask (almost demand) a refund - as you say, it may not be the money, but it certainly is the principle.

The US site says the same today that it has said for the past week: "Q915A is no longer available on this website." (It never was:).)

 

 

Although we have seen reference to the 10-day Vancouver based Alaska cruise known as Q915B, the Cunard US site says today that it "isn't a cruise number that we have on record." Last week it gave the same message as for Q915A.

 

I have never booked any holiday so far in advance, but the mysterious Q915B is tempting.

Yes, me too. I just don't understand the logic it of it not being released yet - but we know we can never comprehend cruise line logic!!

Hi all,

 

I am wondering your thoughts. We booked an obstructed OV on QE, deck 4 and were upgraded to a Deluxe Inside, deck 8; which would you prefer? Anyone with this experience?

 

Secondly, if you had the Deluxe Inside, and were to be upgraded, what do you think an upgrade from that would be? Regular OV? or what?

 

Trying to decide what to keep or what to try for. I know that it is hit or miss and can never be truly figured out but I thought I would ask your opinions. This cruise is far enough away that I like fantasizing about possibilities....I know, I know....but it makes the time go by.

 

Thank you for your input!

Upgrades (I suppose) are based on the cost of the cruise and indeed Deluxe Insides GA GB GC can be more expensive than Obstructed Ocean views FB FC for example. Deluxe Insides are very good and pretty spacious, personally I have booked one in the past and been upgraded to a BE balcony which of course was very nice, (thank you Cunard).

Deluxe Inside or Ocean View Obstructed ? It is a close call and may depend on the specific cruise for me.

May I please disagree with you here. Twice I have spent 2 months on board each time on half world cruises with a lot of formal nights and it never diminished at all. Was great fun and everyone looked brilliant.

Now there is a Cunarder speaking. I agree entirely.

I don't think it's being offered anywhere yet as it appears only 'world cruise' or 'world voyage' segments are available so far. If I'm wrong I hope some-one will correct me.

 

I have seen Vancouver-Vancouver listed on a US based travel site hinted at on threads on CC. I e-mailed them to ask for prices but just received non-specific sales junk in reply. But the good thing I take from that is a Vancouver departure to Alaska will be offered.

 

I am watching for it as we think we will take it with my brother and sister-in-law who live just outside Vancouver. We've thought of doing an Alaska cruise for years and doing it on the QE is just the excuse we need.

Just hope it gets released here in the UK - although my daughter lives in BC so I guess I will ask here to keep checking.

I have never understood the British obsession with "tea and coffee making facilities" when staying in a hotel/floating hotel. It always conjures up this type of image for me:

 

I suppose for many it is that sort of independence of making your own coffee/tea exactly when you want it and knowing that it will be hot. As a solo business traveller I would never be without my own tea/coffee facilities.

Do you' date=' or does anyone else, have a rough idea of how many seats are in Brittania Club on QVic and of those how many are at tables for 2, please?[/quote']

 

If it follows the QE pattern (which I would imagine it will) they are pretty flexible on tables for two but sometimes the tables for two are quite close to the adjacent tables for two - as is often the case in the Grills. Personally, I find it much more fun on a large table for 8.

Not me but I hope you get what you want, there are some interesting itineraries available.

I am a bit surprised that for the Queen Elizabeth in May 2019, Cunard are not offering a Vancouver to Vancouver (Inside passage) as a separate cruise. Is it being offered in other countries?

In many instances it is surprising just how quickly the suites are sold out on many ships. I'm a Cunarder at heart and I just checked the Queen Elizabeth's 2018 World Cruise and it is showing Sold Out in Queens Grill already. So if you are offered an upset I would say take the opportunity whilst it is there.

A couple of weeks ago I booked the last suite available on the Crown for a sailing later this year. They often get "snapped up" very quickly.

Oh my, the Alaska leg is certainly mouth watering, but what are the benefits of booking so early? We've just booked for January next year but just can't imagine booking for 2019!!!

 

In the meantime I've been out and bought a lottery ticket. A girl can dream :D

I am a bit surprised that on Cunard the Princess Grills suites don't have butler service. On Oceania, Crystal, and even Celebrity suites like this do have butlers (which is perhaps where they have all gone). Our butler would make sure we got our room service breakfast timely and hot, and canapes and champagne in the afternoon. And that our formal wear was pressed and shoes polished. I certainly can unpack and pack myself, but did enjoy these other services. My question is: do we get any kind of personalized service in a Princess Grills Suite to arrange for such things?

I presume there needs to be some differential between the two types of Grills accommodation - there are plenty of QG suites if one does require a butler.

I see the Vancouver to Vancouver inside passage sector is not listed separately at the moment - I presume this will happen. I guess this could well be a quick sell out, although I see Viking Ocean are adding Vancouver sailings into their 2019 schedule. Glad to see Vancouver is increasing its sailings - great place to see cruise ships close up.

Same room service menu for the suites though they can order of the MDR menu as well during the dinning room hours. There is an expanded breakfast menu for suites though, I think I have a pic somewhere.

 

Here they are:

Thank you for this.

You can order other room service items all day. The menu is inside the small blue folder you'll find inside your cabin. It's not very big but there's sandwiches, salad, hamburgers and a few desserts. You can also order tea, coffee, cookies and a small choice of beers and wines any time of day. Everything is free except pizza which costs $3-5 I'm not sure. The hamburger with fries and a caramel flan (creme caramel) are my favourite items from the room service menu.

Woops! everything is free except the alcohol of course!

Is the menu any greater for those in suites.

Thanks for the replies, but it looks like I need to clarify that it is either Balcony OR connoisseur tour. We would do obstructed ocean view not balcony if picking connoisseur tour.

I guess the quality of the tour is important. Last time we did this a couple on the tour had an inside cabin so they spent a good amount of time on our aft balcony! As already said, when on board you can always be on deck.

Personally I found the balcony very useful on the Alaska cruise but if the budget rules then I would say the better tour is the best value option.

We're going in May 2018 - Fjords cruise for 7 days on the Victoria. It would cost £1000 more for me to upgrade to Britannia Club. Any opinions on whether it would be worth it? thanks :)

There is always the possibility of an upgrade to Princess Grill - its happened to me.

Love the avatar! SS France holds a special place in my heart. :)

Yes, another one they should have tried to save.

Encouraging photos - thank you. We will be in that suite for the Fijords trip in July and have friends on board so the 4 chair table will give us opportunities for socializing.

Thanks for the replies

I wonder if anyone can advise if this suite's balcony has a dining table with four chairs. I have seen photos of some suites with this arrangement but would be keen to know if A751 specifically has this set-up.

Thanks

Hi, could anyone please assist. I am taking my wife on a surprise first ever trip on QM2. We will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary whilst cruising and I was wondering if I should spend the extra for the Verandah restaurant on the anniversary night or if I should stay with the Queens Grill as it would be just as good and not worth the extra expense? From what I have read, the Queens Grill restaurant is quite special but I have not read much about the Verandah restaurant.

 

 

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If u have a table for 2 in QG then maybe remain in QG and, as suggested speak with the Maitre 'd - maybe even look over the Verandah menu to get some ideas.

That said, as an extra special evening the Verandah can be truly excellent and it will be a change from the "routine" on QG on your trip.

Hi everyone,

 

we are checking out a forward cabin on deck 4 right next to Illuminations. Do you feel a lot of movement in these cabins and are they very noisy or should we be fine? TIA.

I had 10005 on a very rough TA and was surprised how stable it was but midships will always be better as far as movement is concerned.

Cunard used to offer a sail / fly package but apparently not now. The problem now is to get a return air ticket that is affordable -- or do I have to buy a RT ticket and throw away the return portion? Any advice. I'll be flying London-NY.

I have always found this possible but always done it by telephone with Cunard to arrange specific timings and days and indeed upgrades from economy. I have never had a problem and often arranged different airports e.g. arrive into Fort Lauderdale by ship and fly back from Orlando. The prices are usually very competitive - I can imagine Cunard have a very significant flight department.

10:40 and Captain made an anouncement about the bad weather ane warning passengers to take care, use handrails and not worry about the creaking noises. 12:00 announcement indicated an possible improvement but 3 hrs later it is just the same. Restaurant not that busy at lunch and we were 3 don in numbers. Some of the smaller vessels around are pitching quite profoundly.

Our steward has moved all the terrace furniture to safety and brought in the glass topped tables.

Decks are open and a few (very few) are braving the elements.