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Booking QM2 a mistake


steilkurve
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Hello. Got a deposit on the Queen Mary cruise this summer. Not too late to cancel and recoup my deposit. Really excited about going, but reading the reviews (including of the Grills which we booked) and we’re now having second thoughts. Is the ship really plagued with issues such as lack of hot water, bad WiFi and intermittent toilet system as well as bad food, even in the Grills (folks say it’s bland)? I mean the Grills is not inexpensive and I’m OK to put up with a few glitches but at that price point there is a minimum standard I am expecting. Thoughts welcome.

 

 

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All I can say is that people find it much easier to come here and grumble rather than praise. I guess that's just human nature. If Cunard is really as bad as some suggest then why are they investing huge sums for a fourth ship? This act alone suggests Carnival has belief in the Cunard brand.

 

Of course it's not perfect; nothing in life is. And yes, I've been disappointed with some aspects of the ship(s) but to cancel based simply on recent reviews would, in my honest opinion, be wrong. Take the cruise but go with an open mind and not what others have said and see how it is.

 

I accept it's not a cheap 'experiment' but I would hope you will sail and then come back and tell us how it went. If you hated it then chalk it down to experience and don't sail Cunard again.

 

Personally we've never had problems with the plumbing and actually also found the WiFi was more than adequate for our needs. Food is a different matter. Everyone has a different view. Never had a bad meal and ln the odd occasion I've left food (health issues often stop me finishing meals) the waiter has asked if there was anything wrong with the food and would I would like to try something else. Wouldn't happen in a restaurant .

Edited by babs135
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I really hesitate to advise anyone on how good or bad things are on a ship: everything is ultimately so subjective. And, of course, Grills travel (particularly on QM2) represents a sizeable investment of hard earned cash. We have done both Princess and Queens Grill, but not on QM2. In my view, the food is actually good. It is not Heston Blumental or Roux Brothers fancy. Think rather of traditional up-market hotel cuisine. If you look at the menus on line you will see that it is perhaps slightly "old fashioned". For example, duck a l'orange, sole meunière, beef wellington.

 

QM2 is, however, a proper ocean liner with lots of indoors spaces suitable for transatlantic crossings and, I think, a unique "grandeur" that one doesn't get anywhere else. Reviews clearly show that this is not to everyone's taste. Nevertheless, I think (and I am pretty sure all members of the Cunard board would agree with me) everyone should travel on QM2 at least once! I have in the past voiced reservations about some details (eg broken seats in the Planetarium area) but things were much improved after the last refit and, personally, I wouldn't hesitate to travel on QM2 again if the itinerary suited: in the Grills if I could afford it!! As it happens we are booked to travel Princess Grill on Queen Elizabeth next year for our next Cunard venture.

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We'll be 14 days in QG on QM2 in August and 13 days in QG on QE in November.

 

We have never experienced no hot water, nor bad wifi (bearing in mind you are at sea), nor toilet problems.

 

We've travelled in Queens Grills about 20 times and never had a bad food experience. Quite the contrary.

 

Over the years we have had one or two very minor issues which always were put right immediately, so please do not concern yourself with those who seem to think they have a duty to moan. I often wonder about their daily domestic situations and standards or do you think they are living in fantasy land?

 

Stewart

Edited by BigMac1953
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Hello. Got a deposit on the Queen Mary cruise this summer. Not too late to cancel and recoup my deposit. Really excited about going, but reading the reviews (including of the Grills which we booked) and we’re now having second thoughts. Is the ship really plagued with issues such as lack of hot water, bad WiFi and intermittent toilet system as well as bad food, even in the Grills (folks say it’s bland)? I mean the Grills is not inexpensive and I’m OK to put up with a few glitches but at that price point there is a minimum standard I am expecting. Thoughts welcome.

 

 

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Whilst not disrespecting other's comments, I have to say I have not personally suffered these reported problems (well the Wi-Fi could be a bit faster) and Queens Grill has usually met my expectations even if you do have to occasionally tell them if it is not to your total satisfaction. I'm in QG at the end of the month and sincerely hope and expect that all will be well.

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Just paid in full for our summer first experience in QG on QM2 with many of the same worries. For the price paid it should be up to expectations which have been lowered due to recent complaints. We also abhor the so called formal stuffiness but will hopefully enjoy our suite where it is not required! Such first world problems.😱

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Thank you. That’s reassuring. I do think the issue with reviews sometimes is that they can make you believe personal taste (especially on food) is fact...

 

Now that I have a bunch of Cunard experts here, we’re booked in Princess Grills. Is the difference with the Queens Grill that obvious, on food especially?

 

 

Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Forums

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Wouldn't let a few bad reviews on here put you off cruising on QM2 taking into account how many cruise on her. No ship is perfect we have done 5 maiden cruises on brand new ships and there were problems there isnt a ship afloat that doesnt have issues occasionally. We have roundtrip TA booked for October 2018 and same again in November 2019 and cant wait as we love the ship albeit not in QG so cannot give a view of standards in there.

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Is the difference with the Queens Grill that obvious, on food especially?

 

Both restaurants share the same chefs, but what they do is put all the bad cuts to one side for PG and keep the best for QG.

 

Of course they don't, so because it's the same kitchen and the same staff there should be no difference.

 

Only the menu differs, with QG having a slightly larger choice and staff encourage special orders. We have our favourite dishes that we always order in advance.

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Oh what a debatable virtue the worldwide web and e-mail is! It's all convenient, instantaneous and informative. It's also completely lacking in nuance, forethought and balance. One person's nightmare, amply shared, can become the norm for everyone. If you let it.

 

People should speak as they find. And if someone had a miserable time on a ship or any other experience, that's valid. For them. Then. It doesn't mean it's valid for others later. Or indeed at the very same time. I read reviews here for a ship and a cruise I was aboard and imagine we were sailing in parallel universes. And yes, people love to grumble and there's nothing worse than having your precious holiday prove a disappointment. And the internet gives them ample opportunity to vent. Or indeed to "get even".

 

So relax.... and take all of it with a grain of salt. This is supposed to be fun and if you make yourself miserable reading all of this before you even set aboard, it will probably be way more enjoyable than you could have imagined. It can't be any worse now can it?

 

Finally, a lot of this is up to YOU. Cruising is still a personable experience and so much depends on the give and take between you and the staff. I find miserable people get back what they put out. We had a delightful time on QE mainly because of the crew members we got to know and made the effort which was amply rewarded by personable, excellent service that makes the difference.

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Hello. Got a deposit on the Queen Mary cruise this summer. Not too late to cancel and recoup my deposit. Really excited about going, but reading the reviews (including of the Grills which we booked) and we’re now having second thoughts. Is the ship really plagued with issues such as lack of hot water, bad WiFi and intermittent toilet system as well as bad food, even in the Grills (folks say it’s bland)? I mean the Grills is not inexpensive and I’m OK to put up with a few glitches but at that price point there is a minimum standard I am expecting. Thoughts welcome.

 

 

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every cruise line forum will have their share of negative comments QM2 is as others have said an unique experience

 

from time to time all cruise ships will experience problems indeed I have experienced them on Cunard but other lines also

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bad WiFi

 

I don't have any insight into any of the reviews - I'll be doing my first crossing this August, but the bad WiFi is actually a plus for me - I'm looking at my 9 days at sea as a good opportunity to disconnect - I haven't been on vacation where I haven't taken my computer with me, and worked (in addition to having a full-time job, I also own a small online business). I don't plan on accessing the internet at all for those 9 days. If our teenage son (age 18) needs to reach us in an emergency, he can call the ship's satellite number (but it would have to be a true emergency).

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If you have read the reviews at various places you should come to the conclusion that Cunard is a mainstream cruise line. People debate where it lies in relation to the other mainstream cruise lines like Princess, Celebrity, etc. Where it fits is completely subjective and depends on what one considers important.

 

There are also the luxury lines, e.g., Crystal, Seabourn, Regent. People I know swear by these as they find it better value to them for the money.

 

Personally, I would not book Grills. I do not fly first class either. However, I will sometimes spend money on a very nice restaurant or for an unusual experience. I once pent over $500

(not including travel costs to get there)

to stay in a bunk room on the top of Mount Washington, New Hampshire in the middle of winter (extremely cold and windy, Google it). For me that was very good value, others may think it a total waste of money.

 

Also tastes differ even comparing somewhat similar things. I once went to the US Grand Canyon and another US National park called the Petrified forest (both in Arizona). My friend who had been to both told me before I went that the Petrified forest wasn't worth the trip. Personally, I thought both parks were somewhat equivalent in enjoyment. I might even give the Petrified Forest a small edge.

 

For what you are probably spending on Grills you could probably get a Britannia Club balcony, go to Verandah every night and still have significant money left over. You could probably also fly somewhere and have a very nice vacation.

 

 

On this website you will see reviews from multiple people for the exact same cruise (independent of cruise line) where some people loved it and some thought it the worst cruise ever.

 

Whether or not Grills is worth the money depends on what YOU value and what other options you have for similar amounts of money. It is all completely subjective. The taste of food (unless it is really bad/defective) is also subjective. The best recommendation is, if you have a friend who's taste you know is very similar to yours and who has traveled on the QM2, ask them and ignore everything you see on any of the boards.

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I don't have any insight into any of the reviews - I'll be doing my first crossing this August, but the bad WiFi is actually a plus for me - I'm looking at my 9 days at sea as a good opportunity to disconnect - I haven't been on vacation where I haven't taken my computer with me, and worked (in addition to having a full-time job, I also own a small online business). I don't plan on accessing the internet at all for those 9 days. If our teenage son (age 18) needs to reach us in an emergency, he can call the ship's satellite number (but it would have to be a true emergency).
Good for you!

 

DW and I have made it a habit of only using the ship's internet email for family comunications even though we get 8 hours of free (Platinum) internet service between us . We also avoid watching news networks onthe TV while on board. We used to bring a computer with us, but now just an iPhone and that is usually more for the camera than communications. You can always go down to Connections if you absolutely need a computer. There are more than enough good and interesting activities on the ship to keep us occupied. This is a time for disconnect.

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Hi,

 

I have sailed aboard the QM2 six times and always had a wonderful time. Most recently, I did a short segment of the World Cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore in April 2017. Fortunately, I have never experienced any of the problems noted above on the QM2.

 

Chuck

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Thanks! Can you get special orders in PG?

 

 

 

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I don't think you can order completely off menu, but they do have some excellent special items that must be ordered the day before.When we were in PG last year, we would look at the next night's menu to decide when to order the special items. Almost every night someone at our table would have a special. Duck, Chateaubriand, rack of lamb. One of the men, who traveled in PG a lot, bullied the waiters into giving us lots of extra lamb. Flambed tableside, it was delicious. Lots of desserts flambed tableside, too. We were the pyromaniac table. If it could be flamed, bring it on!

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Hello. Got a deposit on the Queen Mary cruise this summer. Not too late to cancel and recoup my deposit. Really excited about going, but reading the reviews (including of the Grills which we booked) and we’re now having second thoughts. Is the ship really plagued with issues such as lack of hot water, bad WiFi and intermittent toilet system as well as bad food, even in the Grills (folks say it’s bland)? I mean the Grills is not inexpensive and I’m OK to put up with a few glitches but at that price point there is a minimum standard I am expecting. Thoughts welcome.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Ignore the complainers and go and experience for yourself. If you have a positive attitude you will find the QM2 will be up to the standard that you expect. Go and enjoy, for you will and then come and tell us all about it. Bon voyage and enjoy! Regards, Brian

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We have been in Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill. The last two are very nice but not really value for money unless you have lots to spare. The best for value is the Britannia Club as you have a separate dining room, attentive waiting staff and you can dine when you like.

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Please read the review thread by Jack E Dawson "Lessons Learned by a Newbie". Although it's nearly a year old its still spot-on about the timeless quality of the Cunard service. This should set your mind at rest! :)

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Just paid in full for our summer first experience in QG on QM2 with many of the same worries. For the price paid it should be up to expectations which have been lowered due to recent complaints. We also abhor the so called formal stuffiness but will hopefully enjoy our suite where it is not required! Such first world problems.😱

 

Not everyone equates formal dress with stuffiness. Just because people dress in the traditional first class manner does not mean the atmosphere is stuffy. Cunard's current definition of "formal" is not necessarily formal. While most people, especially in the Grills, will be in real formal wear on the few formal nights, no-one will look down their nose or pass comments at those who are dressed according to the current minimal definition of formal.

 

We have been fortunate to have travelled in all four restaurant categories on the QM2. Two of our nine voyages have been in Queen's Grill and we have never laughed so much in any ship's restaurant. We had a jovial group at our table for eight and, with the exception of one man who didn't go to lunch, all of us were at table for all meals on that seven-night crossing.

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Our first cruise with Cunard was in the Queens Grill on QM2.

Very nice experience.

The dining experience was one of the best we have had at sea.

The ship is unique and we enjoyed it.

Lots to do and to enjoy.

Keith

 

I just re-read your very favorable review of your QM Queens Grill experience. Thanks blogging about your crossing and all the food porn.

Fortunately we will be able to enjoy dinner in our suite on not optional formal nights .

We know this is not going to be a Crystal experience but hope a good one in it’s own way.

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