QV Grills

[SALAD MUNCHER]

Last November we were on the QE and booked a trip on the QV in the Queens Grills for Dec this year at a really really good price.  Last week we received an email from Cunard offering us an upgrade from Q5 to Q1 at a very reasonable price. We figured it would be the only chance we would have of sailing in Q1 so we decided to take up the offer. My question is this: are there any tangible advantages of sailing in  Q1 (Grand Suite) over and above sailing in a Q5?

[Jonboy1]

The only advantage is the big suite.

We had the same thing last year. How much extra did you pay.?

[zider]

28 minutes ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

Last November we were on the QE and booked a trip on the QV in the Queens Grills for Dec this year at a really really good price.  Last week we received an email from Cunard offering us an upgrade from Q5 to Q1 at a very reasonable price. We figured it would be the only chance we would have of sailing in Q1 so we decided to take up the offer. My question is this: are there any tangible advantages of sailing in  Q1 (Grand Suite) over and above sailing in a Q5?

My  Advice is Look at youtube  Cunard's Q.V Q1 REFIT   . 

[Victoria2]

You'll get a Cunard iPad with your favourite newspapers downloaded and priority tender tickets but then 4,3 and 2s get those tickets too.

 

We haven't stayed in one as we prefer Q3/2 midships but we've been to a few cocktail parties in two of them after their refurbishment. Go for it. The new Q1s are drop dead elegant and gorgeous.

[Lakesregion]

1 hour ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

Last November we were on the QE and booked a trip on the QV in the Queens Grills for Dec this year at a really really good price.  Last week we received an email from Cunard offering us an upgrade from Q5 to Q1 at a very reasonable price. We figured it would be the only chance we would have of sailing in Q1 so we decided to take up the offer. My question is this: are there any tangible advantages of sailing in  Q1 (Grand Suite) over and above sailing in a Q5?

 

If you live in similar fashion at home you may find it lacking if you do not live in similar fashion at home then you will be impressed. Always good to strive for more than one has in the pocket.

[laktex]

6 hours ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

Last November we were on the QE and booked a trip on the QV in the Queens Grills for Dec this year at a really really good price.  Last week we received an email from Cunard offering us an upgrade from Q5 to Q1 at a very reasonable price. We figured it would be the only chance we would have of sailing in Q1 so we decided to take up the offer. My question is this: are there any tangible advantages of sailing in  Q1 (Grand Suite) over and above sailing in a Q5?

 

Having the butler prepare your breakfast table whilst you are still in bed and the gentle knock to say that everything is ready is very pleasant.

Having the opportunity to have a gathering in your suite prior to dinner, especially if you are on a table of 8 is good fun.

Being on the aft of the ship is always the best place, in my opinion.

The wrap around balcony is a nice feature.

 

Personally I would not miss the opportunity. 

[safarigal]

It is so much easier to throw a soiree in a Q1 than it is in a Q5. Much more space and a prep area.

[SALAD MUNCHER]

14 hours ago, Jonboy1 said:

The only advantage is the big suite.

We had the same thing last year. How much extra did you pay.?

I am not going to say the exact cost, suffice to say it was a very good deal. However it was more than we would usually spend on one cruise trip but as we both recently celebrated our 65th birthday we thought we would treat ourselves!

[SALAD MUNCHER]

13 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

 

If you live in similar fashion at home you may find it lacking if you do not live in similar fashion at home then you will be impressed. Always good to strive for more than one has in the pocket.

Well our home is bigger than the Q1 suite but less luxurious and we don't have Butler, maid, cleaner etc. so hopefully we will enjoy being spoiled!

[exlondoner]

Quite a large selection of books in your cabin, in effect the pick of the tables in the restaurant, balcony facing two directions, lots and lots of space. I gather also you are supposed to get met when you first embark and escorted to your cabin, but this doesn't always work. Also you are slightly higher up than the Q5/6 so get less noise from the wake. According to a post on here, pink champagne on embarkation. But surely the wonderful amount of space is the thing.

[Host Hattie]

We were in a Q1 for a short trip only, apart from the increase in size the only things I can remember were -

an escort to the suite (nothing to get excited about, we ended up waiting in the terminal and it wasn't our butler who came to collect us)

a great table in the restaurant

 

Have a wonderful time

 

[orvil]

Stayed in Q6 on the QV.  The cabin was aft.  Two things I didn't like about the location.  One, we had a following sea most of the time and mal de mer was experienced.  Two, our balcony only had a view aft.  We couldn't see anything on the side or, of course, forward.  If the Q1 lets you see the side of the ship, it should be much better.  We did have a great view of the Captain's standard on the stern.

 

Q1 will give you the best table in the dining room.  I say, why not?  You only live once.  Enjoy it.

[SALAD MUNCHER]

Thank you for all the comments. looking forward to the dining room table allocation, having been previously spread around in so many tables that did not match our expectations of Queens grill which were disappointing. Will report back of how we get on!

[SALAD MUNCHER]

Home now from our trip on the QV  so thought I would just check in to give my opinion of Q1 - The Aquataine Suite.

 

Firstly we did get escorted to our suite but by another Butler as ours was on a break, and yes, there was a bottle of Rose champagne on ice waiting for us.

 

The suite itself is absolutely gorgeous and huge with 7 rooms in all, and we were really looking forward to the next 10 days in this suite.

 

However, on the first night when we visited the Grills Restaurant (we missed lunch on embarkation day due to late arrival at 3pm), we were both shocked and disappointed at the same time. We were shown to a table that was situated by a window on half a side and a large wooded pillar on the other half (the table was also round). Consequently we were sticking out into the 'walkway' of the waiters and my hb could only see the wooden pillar in front of him! We looked around at other tables and not one of the window tables had such an awkward position. Every other window table was square and was positioned one flat side against the window, with the two occupants seated facing each other with a side view of the sea. My hb went to see the Maiter'D, Mr Ranieri, who came across to the table and made excuses and apologised for its position (why would you seat a Q1 passenger in one of the worse positioned tables in the restaurant?) and said he would try and find us a better seat for the next day.  So our first meal in the Grills Restaurant was already spoiled for us. However true to his word at the end of the meal Mr Ranieri came over and said he had found us a better table and asked hb to take a look. Fortunately it was a table as I described earlier, placed with one side against the glass and the two occupants facing so he immediately agreed to take it. That first evening was actually ruined for us by this incident and we still cannot believe he initially choose to give us that first table. Ironically, we found out later that the couple sitting in the next window seat to us were the ones who had taken over our Q5 cabin when we upgraded to the Q1!

 

After dinner in our Suite on our first evening we settled down to go to bed but  the noise throughout the night was horrendous. The sea was slightly moving but not fiercely, however we were kept awake by the creaking and cracking and banging of 'things' in the suite. I seriously thought the 'pod' was going to come apart from the ship - I know that's not possible but when you are half asleep you do think these things. We mentioned it to the Butler next morning and he did supply a door stop for one door that was prone to open and close but otherwise nothing could be done. The sliding door covering the open hanging space next to the bathrooms was broken and also had to be wedged back by a stop, again the Butler said he had reported it on a few occasions but it had not yet been sorted.

 

The famous Ipad - we were told on arrival to choose which newspapers we would like to read and they would be downloaded onto the Ipad which would then brought to our suite each morning by the Butler, and taken away each night to be updated. No chance! The Ipad was not to be seen and when we asked the Butler he said there was a problem downloading onto it but he would check. Nothing heard for another day so we asked him again. He spoke to the Concierge (again) who repeated the same thing to him. We later that day also received a letter from her apologizing but we did not see the Ipad at all during our 10 days. Each time we asked the response was negative and no one seemed to bother too much!

 

On the plus side, our Butler Rom was fantastic, as was our Steward Severine - they were discrete and could not do enough for us, and as I said the size and splendor of the suite was amazing. As I am a very early riser I used the kitchen to make myself a coffee and went into the snug (a separate area from the main lounge with TV and large sofa) so I could catch up on the news without waking the hb. It was a good system for me.

 

I doubt we will ever travel in Q1 again but it was certainly an experience we won't forget. There were highs and lows but it was still worth paying the extra for the upgrade......

Edited December 31, 2018 by SALAD MUNCHER

[majortom10]

3 hours ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

Home now from our trip on the QV  so thought I would just check in to give my opinion of Q1 - The Aquataine Suite.

 

Firstly we did get escorted to our suite but by another Butler as ours was on a break, and yes, there was a bottle of Rose champagne on ice waiting for us.

 

The suite itself is absolutely gorgeous and huge with 7 rooms in all, and we were really looking forward to the next 10 days in this suite.

 

However, on the first night when we visited the Grills Restaurant (we missed lunch on embarkation day due to late arrival at 3pm), we were both shocked and disappointed at the same time. We were shown to a table that was situated by a window on half a side and a large wooded pillar on the other half (the table was also round). Consequently we were sticking out into the 'walkway' of the waiters and my hb could only see the wooden pillar in front of him! We looked around at other tables and not one of the window tables had such an awkward position. Every other window table was square and was positioned one flat side against the window, with the two occupants seated facing each other with a side view of the sea. My hb went to see the Maiter'D, Mr Ranieri, who came across to the table and made excuses and apologised for its position (why would you seat a Q1 passenger in one of the worse positioned tables in the restaurant?) and said he would try and find us a better seat for the next day.  So our first meal in the Grills Restaurant was already spoiled for us. However true to his word at the end of the meal Mr Ranieri came over and said he had found us a better table and asked hb to take a look. Fortunately it was a table as I described earlier, placed with one side against the glass and the two occupants facing so he immediately agreed to take it. That first evening was actually ruined for us by this incident and we still cannot believe he initially choose to give us that first table. Ironically, we found out later that the couple sitting in the next window seat to us were the ones who had taken over our Q5 cabin when we upgraded to the Q1!

 

After dinner in our Suite on our first evening we settled down to go to bed but  the noise throughout the night was horrendous. The sea was slightly moving but not fiercely, however we were kept awake by the creaking and cracking and banging of 'things' in the suite. I seriously thought the 'pod' was going to come apart from the ship - I know that's not possible but when you are half asleep you do think these things. We mentioned it to the Butler next morning and he did supply a door stop for one door that was prone to open and close but otherwise nothing could be done. The sliding door covering the open hanging space next to the bathrooms was broken and also had to be wedged back by a stop, again the Butler said he had reported it on a few occasions but it had not yet been sorted.

 

The famous Ipad - we were told on arrival to choose which newspapers we would like to read and they would be downloaded onto the Ipad which would then brought to our suite each morning by the Butler, and taken away each night to be updated. No chance! The Ipad was not to be seen and when we asked the Butler he said there was a problem downloading onto it but he would check. Nothing heard for another day so we asked him again. He spoke to the Concierge (again) who repeated the same thing to him. We later that day also received a letter from her apologizing but we did not see the Ipad at all during our 10 days. Each time we asked the response was negative and no one seemed to bother too much!

 

On the plus side, our Butler Rom was fantastic, as was our Steward Severine - they were discrete and could not do enough for us, and as I said the size and splendor of the suite was amazing. As I am a very early riser I used the kitchen to make myself a coffee and went into the snug (a separate area from the main lounge with TV and large sofa) so I could catch up on the news without waking the hb. It was a good system for me.

 

I doubt we will ever travel in Q1 again but it was certainly an experience we won't forget. There were highs and lows but it was still worth paying the extra for the upgrade......

Sorry but if I was cruising in a Q1 whether it be an upgrade or paid I would expect better service and wanted some answers from a higher authority and not fobbed off by the concierge. Being in a Q1 you would expect to have the best table in the restaurant or a choice at which you would be happy with. Sorry but the cost of Q1 suites you should expect and get first class service and not  to receive things that are clearly advertised as a benefit of booking such a suite. I would have been very disappointed.

[SALAD MUNCHER]

14 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Sorry but if I was cruising in a Q1 whether it be an upgrade or paid I would expect better service and wanted some answers from a higher authority and not fobbed off by the concierge. Being in a Q1 you would expect to have the best table in the restaurant or a choice at which you would be happy with. Sorry but the cost of Q1 suites you should expect and get first class service and not  to receive things that are clearly advertised as a benefit of booking such a suite. I would have been very disappointed.

I agree with you somewhat and we did pay quite a bit for the upgrade. However we did not want to complain more than we did, after all it was our holiday and we just wanted to enjoy it without hassle. Yes we could have made a lot more fuss and maybe we should but at the time we just wanted to enjoy the holiday. 

[majortom10]

3 minutes ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

I agree with you somewhat and we did pay quite a bit for the upgrade. However we did not want to complain more than we did, after all it was our holiday and we just wanted to enjoy it without hassle. Yes we could have made a lot more fuss and maybe we should but at the time we just wanted to enjoy the holiday. 

Whilst I agree you are on holiday and want to enjoy yourself you are paying a considerable sum of money to cruise in a Q1 suite and you should expect it to be top class without any hitches as you are cruising in the best suites on the ship. I would write to Cunard telling them your issues and it is not what you expected or should have got in a Q1.

[SALAD MUNCHER]

5 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Whilst I agree you are on holiday and want to enjoy yourself you are paying a considerable sum of money to cruise in a Q1 suite and you should expect it to be top class without any hitches as you are cruising in the best suites on the ship. I would write to Cunard telling them your issues and it is not what you expected or should have got in a Q1.

Maybe you are right, for the sake of others booked in that suite as it's too late for us. I will definitely discuss this with my Hb and take action by writing to Cunard. After all, they are probably unaware of these issues. Thanks for your input. 

[Mickb]

Must agree with other posters. It matters not what you paid for the suite, you were in the best accommodations on board and the service should have been commensurate. Not acceptable to have broken wardrobes and doors wedged shut in a Q1.

Happy New Year!

[Victoria2]

20 hours ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

Home now from our trip on the QV  so thought I would just check in to give my opinion of Q1 - The Aquataine Suite.

 

Firstly we did get escorted to our suite but by another Butler as ours was on a break, and yes, there was a bottle of Rose champagne on ice waiting for us.

 

The suite itself is absolutely gorgeous and huge with 7 rooms in all, and we were really looking forward to the next 10 days in this suite.

 

However, on the first night when we visited the Grills Restaurant (we missed lunch on embarkation day due to late arrival at 3pm), we were both shocked and disappointed at the same time. We were shown to a table that was situated by a window on half a side and a large wooded pillar on the other half (the table was also round). Consequently we were sticking out into the 'walkway' of the waiters and my hb could only see the wooden pillar in front of him! We looked around at other tables and not one of the window tables had such an awkward position. Every other window table was square and was positioned one flat side against the window, with the two occupants seated facing each other with a side view of the sea. My hb went to see the Maiter'D, Mr Ranieri, who came across to the table and made excuses and apologised for its position (why would you seat a Q1 passenger in one of the worse positioned tables in the restaurant?) and said he would try and find us a better seat for the next day.  So our first meal in the Grills Restaurant was already spoiled for us. However true to his word at the end of the meal Mr Ranieri came over and said he had found us a better table and asked hb to take a look. Fortunately it was a table as I described earlier, placed with one side against the glass and the two occupants facing so he immediately agreed to take it. That first evening was actually ruined for us by this incident and we still cannot believe he initially choose to give us that first table. Ironically, we found out later that the couple sitting in the next window seat to us were the ones who had taken over our Q5 cabin when we upgraded to the Q1!

 

After dinner in our Suite on our first evening we settled down to go to bed but  the noise throughout the night was horrendous. The sea was slightly moving but not fiercely, however we were kept awake by the creaking and cracking and banging of 'things' in the suite. I seriously thought the 'pod' was going to come apart from the ship - I know that's not possible but when you are half asleep you do think these things. We mentioned it to the Butler next morning and he did supply a door stop for one door that was prone to open and close but otherwise nothing could be done. The sliding door covering the open hanging space next to the bathrooms was broken and also had to be wedged back by a stop, again the Butler said he had reported it on a few occasions but it had not yet been sorted.

 

The famous Ipad - we were told on arrival to choose which newspapers we would like to read and they would be downloaded onto the Ipad which would then brought to our suite each morning by the Butler, and taken away each night to be updated. No chance! The Ipad was not to be seen and when we asked the Butler he said there was a problem downloading onto it but he would check. Nothing heard for another day so we asked him again. He spoke to the Concierge (again) who repeated the same thing to him. We later that day also received a letter from her apologizing but we did not see the Ipad at all during our 10 days. Each time we asked the response was negative and no one seemed to bother too much!

 

On the plus side, our Butler Rom was fantastic, as was our Steward Severine - they were discrete and could not do enough for us, and as I said the size and splendor of the suite was amazing. As I am a very early riser I used the kitchen to make myself a coffee and went into the snug (a separate area from the main lounge with TV and large sofa) so I could catch up on the news without waking the hb. It was a good system for me.

 

I doubt we will ever travel in Q1 again but it was certainly an experience we won't forget. There were highs and lows but it was still worth paying the extra for the upgrade......

 

 

In slight defence of table planners everywhere, ''best'' tables are subjective. What is best for one is not for another. No two top would be ''best'' for us, whatever grade of cabin we were in and I know for a fact due to discussions over the years, our favoured table isn't the choice of some others.

 

Victoria's QG restaurant table layout is slightly tweaked for each cruise depending on how many large or small tables are required but if I'm correct about the position of your first table, I know a couple who always sit window side by the central large window pillar so I assume it's by choice and therefore I suppose it's their ''best'' table. You got your two top. It wasn't a bad table as such [and there are tables I wouldn't choose to sit at],  you just didn't like the position.

 

Luckily, It's obvious from your reallocation, there was room for adjustment and it seems you were happy with the new position. Good.

 

With regards to your cabin niggles, unacceptable in any cabin in my opinion regardless of cabin level,  the ship has carpenters and other craftsmen on board and I would have expected at least a professional attempt to fix all the problems for you. As they weren't resolved to your satisfaction, I would have escalated the problem to the Hotel General Manager [if it was James Cusick, he's marvellously approachable] for his consideration.

 

With regards to the iPad, was it just yours that had the problem or were the rest of the 1s and 2s out of action too? Just yours then I would have definitely added it to the list to be sorted whilst you were onboard.

 

It might be worth a letter to HQ highlighting  your problems in order for future occupants to benefit from your experiences.

 

[SALAD MUNCHER]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

 

 

In slight defence of table planners everywhere, ''best'' tables are subjective. What is best for one is not for another. No two top would be ''best'' for us, whatever grade of cabin we were in and I know for a fact due to discussions over the years, our favoured table isn't the choice of some others.

 

Victoria's QG restaurant table layout is slightly tweaked for each cruise depending on how many large or small tables are required but if I'm correct about the position of your first table, I know a couple who always sit window side by the central large window pillar so I assume it's by choice and therefore I suppose it's their ''best'' table. You got your two top. It wasn't a bad table as such [and there are tables I wouldn't choose to sit at],  you just didn't like the position.

 

Luckily, It's obvious from your reallocation, there was room for adjustment and it seems you were happy with the new position. Good.

 

With regards to your cabin niggles, unacceptable in any cabin in my opinion regardless of cabin level,  the ship has carpenters and other craftsmen on board and I would have expected at least a professional attempt to fix all the problems for you. As they weren't resolved to your satisfaction, I would have escalated the problem to the Hotel General Manager [if it was James Cusick, he's marvellously approachable] for his consideration.

 

With regards to the iPad, was it just yours that had the problem or were the rest of the 1s and 2s out of action too? Just yours then I would have definitely added it to the list to be sorted whilst you were onboard.

 

It might be worth a letter to HQ highlighting  your problems in order for future occupants to benefit from your experiences.

 

 

Thanks for the points you raise. However our first table was not a "top table" at all, here is the one we were originally allocated: https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/photos/ships/queen-victoria-376/queens-grill-371633/queens-grill--v16923253/ you can see the chair my hb had was sticking out into the walking area and he was not facing the window, but facing into half a wood pillar and half a curtain.

This is the one we were reallocated to the next day, table 40, the one by the window:   https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/photos/ships/queen-victoria-376/queens-grill-371633/queens-grill--v16924916/.

 

The table behind number 40, number 39 was where the new occupants of our original suite booking (Q5) were seated. When we made the original booking in November 2018 we booked on board the QE and had specifically requested a window seat - it seemed to us that the table had already been allocated to our previous cabin Q5 but had not been moved over along with us when we upgraded to a Q1. 

 

We were told by the Concierge that all the Ipads were out of use - whether that was the case or not I cannot say.

 

I have decided to write to Cunard HQ and will be informing them of our 'problems'.

 

Thanks for you input.

[Victoria2]

20 minutes ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

 

Thanks for the points you raise. However our first table was not a "top table" at all, here is the one we were originally allocated: https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/photos/ships/queen-victoria-376/queens-grill-371633/queens-grill--v16923253/ you can see the chair my hb had was sticking out into the walking area and he was not facing the window, but facing into half a wood pillar and half a curtain.

This is the one we were reallocated to the next day, table 40, the one by the window:   https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/photos/ships/queen-victoria-376/queens-grill-371633/queens-grill--v16924916/.

 

The table behind number 40, number 39 was where the new occupants of our original suite booking (Q5) were seated. When we made the original booking in November 2018 we booked on board the QE and had specifically requested a window seat - it seemed to us that the table had already been allocated to our previous cabin Q5 but had not been moved over along with us when we upgraded to a Q1. 

 

We were told by the Concierge that all the Ipads were out of use - whether that was the case or not I cannot say.

 

I have decided to write to Cunard HQ and will be informing them of our 'problems'.

 

Thanks for you input.

That's precisely the position I assumed you were referring to and that is the table preferred by a couple we meet periodically. It's their favourite table. Their top table, but not yours.

 

Sandro got it sorted for you so all was well in the end.

 

[tv24]

Thanks for all of your comments.  I was not aware that such a large sumptuous suite was available.  Your service was not commensurate with your accommodation.  

[Glenndale]

Sue, I've read your review of the shortcomings in your Q1 and find it appallingly bad customer service by the Cunard staff on your voyage.

To be in a top suite and have to put up with banging doors and have them remedied by a door stop?!!

We've just returned from a TA/Caribbean cruise on Oceania Riviera and had a couple of issues with our cabin, the balcony door didn't close properly and was prone to whistle and the bathroom door didn't shut completely at times unless you gave it a really strong pull, otherwise it would spring open.

We reported both of these problems and within hours people arrived and sorted them. This is how it should have been for you, especially so as you were travelling in the top suite.

If they promise an Ipad then one should have been available, no ifs, no buts, no excuses.

I'm sure you enjoyed your cruise in spite of this but really once you reported these problems they should have been sorted, to be honest your butler sounds pretty feeble and ineffectual. 

We're of to Iceland in the summer with Cunard and hope we don't experience any problems. We have also booked 3 cruises with Saga on their new ships which look absolutely wonderful. Happy sailing, maybe we'll catch up with you on another cruise 😃

Good luck with your complaint

[SALAD MUNCHER]

5 hours ago, Glenndale said:

Sue, I've read your review of the shortcomings in your Q1 and find it appallingly bad customer service by the Cunard staff on your voyage.

To be in a top suite and have to put up with banging doors and have them remedied by a door stop?!!

We've just returned from a TA/Caribbean cruise on Oceania Riviera and had a couple of issues with our cabin, the balcony door didn't close properly and was prone to whistle and the bathroom door didn't shut completely at times unless you gave it a really strong pull, otherwise it would spring open.

We reported both of these problems and within hours people arrived and sorted them. This is how it should have been for you, especially so as you were travelling in the top suite.

If they promise an Ipad then one should have been available, no ifs, no buts, no excuses.

I'm sure you enjoyed your cruise in spite of this but really once you reported these problems they should have been sorted, to be honest your butler sounds pretty feeble and ineffectual. 

We're of to Iceland in the summer with Cunard and hope we don't experience any problems. We have also booked 3 cruises with Saga on their new ships which look absolutely wonderful. Happy sailing, maybe we'll catch up with you on another cruise 😃

Good luck with your complaint

Hi, how are you? Seems a long time since we crossed paths! I have now written to customer services with a complaint so I will see what they have to say. Don't know if you have cruised Iceland before but you will love it, we did it a couple of years ago. Saga cruises sounds interesting, you'll have to let us know how you get on. However, we're upset with Saga at the moment, booked a river cruise next June 2019 with them on the Volga, but they have already cancelled due to lack of uptake! Best wishes and keep in touch!