A confirmed Britannia Cruiser tastes the Princess Grill

[Jim_Iain]

I have to admit that all of the wonderful pictures Roy has posted are very exciting to me.  

 

I know all of our tastes differ but wondering how the fish in Queens Grill is.   Would love to have Dover Sole - one of my favorites. 

 

Celebrity server 3 or 4 different types of Sea Bass (with different names - Black Sea Bass, Baramundi  etc)  I enjoy it but they taste pretty much the same to me.

[NE John]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

I have to admit that all of the wonderful pictures Roy has posted are very exciting to me.  

 

I know all of our tastes differ but wondering how the fish in Queens Grill is.   Would love to have Dover Sole - one of my favorites. 

 

Celebrity server 3 or 4 different types of Sea Bass (with different names - Black Sea Bass, Baramundi  etc)  I enjoy it but they taste pretty much the same to me.

Fish/seafood from Princess Grill, and certainly assume QG, was excellent. Turbot superb. English Chalk Stream trout, wild Scottish salmon, Cornish crab - all top shelf. 
Many choices are not usual cruise ship food options. You’ll love it if you’re ready for really good fish. 

[Jim_Iain]

1 minute ago, NE John said:

Fish/seafood from Princess Grill, and certainly assume QG, was excellent. Turbot superb. English Chalk Stream trout, wild Scottish salmon, Cornish crab - all top shelf. 
Many choices are not usual cruise ship food options. You’ll love it if you’re ready for really good fish. 

Sounds incredible.   Many more choices than I had expected.   I will have to read some of the menus.    I can't believe how excited I am and won't be sailing for another year.

[MadisonBay]

Ray, 

 

As a lifelong 'rower', we have just booked a QM2 Princess Suite for a 30-day 2025 cruise. Your posts have been enlightening.  Do Princess Grill Suites include complimentary alcohol and specialty coffees?

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip,

 

Elaine

[rafinmd]

9 minutes ago, MadisonBay said:

Ray, 

 

As a lifelong 'rower', we have just booked a QM2 Princess Suite for a 30-day 2025 cruise. Your posts have been enlightening.  Do Princess Grill Suites include complimentary alcohol and specialty coffees?

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip,

 

Elaine

I'm actually not sure about that.  I got a complimentary drinks package and some of my tablemates thought it was included with every Grills booking but I'm not sure about that.

 

Roy

[NE John]

14 minutes ago, MadisonBay said:

Ray, 

 

As a lifelong 'rower', we have just booked a QM2 Princess Suite for a 30-day 2025 cruise. Your posts have been enlightening.  Do Princess Grill Suites include complimentary alcohol and specialty coffees?

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip,

 

Elaine

US Grills promo includes Drinks package up to $12 and grats paid. Drinks package includes specialty coffees, hot chocolate etc. 

[MadisonBay]

Thanks John.

[Pushpit]

Thank you Roy for the all too brief séjour on QM2, I hope you are safely back home and back in your community after the Crystal stage of your travels.

 

One off topic area that interested me is this chilled fruit soup - which they seem to have laid on for you everyday. I feel it's a bit of cultural history which may not be well known, at least I've not heard of it. In the Mediterranean areas then chilled gazpacho and similar is well known, something to have on a hot day where the tangy flavours are brought out by having the soup served chilled, and when the weather is bit too warm to enjoy a hot dish. But the fruit aspect is a new one on me. Is there any more light you can shed on that?

Edited October 5, 2023 by Pushpit

[rafinmd]

Day QM2-5, Wednesday October 4, Saguenay, Quebec

Crystal Serenity arrives in Quebec (Pier 30) this evening.

I was up a little before 5.  With the door ajar to allow the signal in the internet was fairly decent and I got my daily post done about 6:15, then went up to the Grills Deck to check things out.  We were probably 10 miles from the port and the sun would not rise until 6:45.  I went back out then and the sky was quite bright although the sun was hiding behind the hills.

We docked about 7:30 and had our first gangway out about 8.  Breakfast this morning was french toast and English Bacon.  

There was a strong, chilly breeze throughout the morning.  I left the ship about 10.  I thought I knew the most likely place to find a cane and the tourist information desk I looked briefly and it should work but is back in the carrying case.

Tim Hortons was right next to the Pharmacy, and it was a good time for lunch.  It was crowded inside but the outdoor tables were well sheltered from the wind.  Kind of ironically, a couple asked to share the table with me and we checked back and forth and they were on QM2, and they actually live within about 10 miles from me.  Small world.

There was still a chilly wind on the way back but it was mostly behind me, and the grade was down rather than up.

On the approach to the port I stopped for a photo of the ship and also got a look at the position of my cabin.

 

One thing I have found very poor on this voyage is the ship exit and entry.  Both getting back on in Halifax and both directions in Saguenay have been very SLOW and they should not have been peak times.  Cunard, you can surely do better.

We share the port today with Explora1, tendering in the harbor.

I did as much of my packing as I could after returning to the ship as well as stepping out for the Kings Court version of Afternoon Tea, buffet food and a waiter coming around with the tea.

 

Sailaway was at 6 with the chilly wind back.  I met 3 of my tablemates on the Grills Deck and caught a nice sunset before we dropped our lines.

I watched with them as we started backing to our turnaround spot but the chill became a bit much for me and I bid them farewell about 6:15.

I was the only early bird at table 118.  My final dinner was Chilled Mango Banana Soup, Ribeye, and Strawberry Ice Cream.

The evening was spent in a combination of organizing photos, a little bit of writing, and a lot of packing.  I settled in bed just after 10,

Today’s parting shot will be about the word Grill.  It conveys so many different meanings, from Cunard’s premier restaurants to Crystal’s Trident Grill (equivalent to QM2's Boardwalk Café or HAL’s Dive-in) to the neighborhood Bar and Grill, kind of like I suppose a British Pub.  It also is used as a verb, as to be grilled at a police station.  I guess the common thread is heat whether physical or in some cases emotional.  One word, so many and such different meanings.

 

And the Daily Programme for those staying on the ship overnight.

 

https://morethangetaways.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/programme1005.pdf

 

As I wrap up this post we are near the southern tip of Orleans Island,

Roy

 

[rafinmd]

1 minute ago, rafinmd said:

At terminal 30.with a Crystal coffee with an hour until embarkation.  Not an easy transfer but much better than expected.

 

 Roy 

 

[Host Hattie]

Thank you for sharing the Cunard part of your journey with us. I look forward to reading about the rest of your trip on the Crystal board.

[NE John]

4 hours ago, rafinmd said:

It also is used as a verb, as to be grilled at a police station.

I hope the only thing “grilled” onboard during your Grills experience were some nice meats and seafood!  Your etymological study of the word Grill was a nice summary of your voyage. 

[techteach]

@Jim_Iain My DH has Dover Sole in QG twice during a 7 day cruise and fish at least once on every other day. The sole is cooked, boned, and warm plated table side. Request it the day before and he has never been told no.

[techteach]

Did anyone else notice the weird French Toast again? @rafinmd We want to know how your French Toast tasted? Was it toasted on all sides? What was it served with? @exlondoner @Victoria2 @NE John @Host Hattie Joke from another thread here, was it mediocre or better? (Tee Hee Hee)

[exlondoner]

11 hours ago, techteach said:

@Jim_Iain My DH has Dover Sole in QG twice during a 7 day cruise and fish at least once on every other day. The sole is cooked, boned, and warm plated table side. Request it the day before and he has never been told no.

I think lunch time is fine for a Dover request.

[BigMac1953]

32 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I think lunch time is fine for a Dover request.

 

Lunchtime IS fine. I had Dover Sole twice whilst on board QM2 in August for our TA round trip.

 

Ilven, the Maitre d' came to our table every lunchtime and asked if there was anything we would like off menu for the evening. He even suggested Caviar as a starter.

 

Stewart

[exlondoner]

9 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

 

Lunchtime IS fine. I had Dover Sole twice whilst on board QM2 in August for our TA round trip.

 

Ilven, the Maitre d' came to our table every lunchtime and asked if there was anything we would like off menu for the evening. He even suggested Caviar as a starter.

 

Stewart

After all, Dover isn’t really off menu, it’s just on the alc. The only thing is that, if you aren’t there for lunch, you have to remember to ask earlier, though I suspect, if one were prepared to wait a bit, they could rustle you one up in the evening. 

[Victoria2]

4 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

After all, Dover isn’t really off menu, it’s just on the alc. The only thing is that, if you aren’t there for lunch, you have to remember to ask earlier, though I suspect, if one were prepared to wait a bit, they could rustle you one up in the evening. 

Or do as we do, ask the butler or concierge to make a request if you’re not present to do it yourself.

[rafinmd]

Day QM2-6, Thursday, October 5, 2023, Arrive Quebec, Queen Mary 2

 

Queen Mary 2 is at Pier 22 and Crystal Serenity is at Pier 30.

I was up early and spent the first hours writing and packing.  I checked my GPS early and decided it would be close to 9 when we got to Quebec.  I headed into Princess Grill for a quick breakfast (mainly an omelet) and said farewell to my waiters.

I watched from the promenade deck as we approached the port, getting views of the waiting Crystal Serenity as we went past her berth.

Captain Hashmi came on the PA just after 9 and indicated the gangway would use Stairway B&C from Deck 3.  I did a little reconnaissance and noted that it would actually be much closer to the B elevators.  

I left my room about 10.  Dragging heavy bags across a carpet is a challenge so I had a plan for the easiest way of getting it done.  I started with one bag at a time for the C elevators, leaving the big bag in sight at the elevator landing while I went back for the rollaboard.  I left the big bag halfway in the car while I grabbed the rollaboard and did the same leaving the car as I got off on deck 7.  It was much easier to pull the bags across the hard floor of Kings Court than it would have been on the carpets of Deck 3, and I arrived relatively easily at the B elevators.

There were people already on the B elevator car who took care of the door while I entered and exited.  From the B landing to the actual gangway was just a short distance but I sat and rested for a while anyway.

Despite my rant about the gangway operations at Halifax and Saguenay this one was a breeze.  There was virtually no line and once physically off the ship Security rolled the big bag down the ramp to the terminal where the walk was level.

There remained a fairly long walk to  the terminal, about the distance from Stairway B to Stairway D and I could have managed but a helpful passenger took care of the big bag for that stretch.  Once in the terminal another short rest, followed by the elevator to the street.

 

A half mile away I could see my destination but it was across a channel and no easy pedestrian  walkway.

It turns out that I was very fortunate with QM2 as she is at the favored spot for her entire 3 day stay.  Other ships seem to have Pier 30 for just a day at a time, and we had to leave for a distant pier at 7PM.  I caught just a glimpse of the lit up Queen Mary 2 as we made our way to Pier 102,

The taxi ride was not long but quite a roundabout route.  A representative met me, asked some questions and then said “follow me”.  Only problem was in all the confusion I had not paid for the taxi but the driver got our attention and the issue was finally cleared up.  

On through security and then up to the first stage of checkin  with some preliminary questions.    By 11 I was at a waiting area sipping a cup of Crystal coffee but boarding would not begin until noon.  Once onboard, registration was in the area formerly used by the Casino and I was told my room was ready.

 

Then on to lunch.  Despite it being a turnaround day I think all the usual venues were open, Waterside, Marketplace, Trident Grill, and Tastes.

I went first to Marketplace for a bowl of greens, then to Trident for my usual Grilled Ham and Cheese, much the favorite I remembered.

 

I'm sure there will be followup comments and I am hoping to post one more photo of QM2 as we head past her this evening.

 

Roy

 

 

[techteach]

So happy you’ve made it @rafinmd. I hope you have a wonderful voyage.

[Jim_Iain]

Roy

Thank you for taking the time to write such a good live report.   I'll be switching over to the Crystal Board and continue following.

 

Jim

[Covepointcruiser]

Why did you have to drag your heavy bags to disembark??   As a grill passenger your bags would have been unloaded first and you could have left the ship early.   Is this how they do it on the new Crystal, you have to drag you bags with you instead of having the porters do their job?

[Pear Carr]

Thank you for your detailed report on your Princess Grill experience on QM2 - in comparison can you confirm if you felt it was worth the upgrade from Britannia?

[D&N]

@Covepointcruiser

Back in August in a "Quebec disembarkation" thread he explained that he was leaving QM2 the day before official disembarkation to join Serenity. I assume there were no baggage facilities in place due to that.

[rafinmd]

3 hours ago, D&N said:

@Covepointcruiser

Back in August in a "Quebec disembarkation" thread he explained that he was leaving QM2 the day before official disembarkation to join Serenity. I assume there were no baggage facilities in place due to that.

Correct.  I had to leave the day before official disembarkation.  Once I got to Pier 30 on Serenity's official turnaround day, the porters were ready and waiting. 

 

@Pear Carr I'll say more later, but for me, I think Britannia is a better fit for my lifestyle.

 

Roy