Cunard v Princess

[Painter]

I would like anyone who has been on a Princess cruise to compare it to a Cunard cruise. How do they differ?

Also... are there any areas reserved for higher paying guest?

 

Thanks.

[Kindlychap]

I would like anyone who has been on a Princess cruise to compare it to a Cunard cruise. How do they differ?

Also... are there any areas reserved for higher paying guest?

 

Thanks.

 

Not sure what Princess do, but in Cunard ships there is a clear demarkation between First Class (Grill) and Steerage (the lower decks) ;)

 

I'm pulling your leg of course, but if you pay for a better suite you get to eat in a better restaurant.

 

Everywhere else you'll mix with everyone else.

[lannp]

As to service for the general masses I don't really notice much difference. Sometimes I think I see a little more polish in the performance but being on that particular ship might also give me that feeling. Cunard has Grill class which means they have a separate dining room, a lounge and a small deck set aside for their use. Full suite passengers also have a butler.

Otherwise they use the same public rooms as everyone else, e.g. theater, bars, casino, etc.

[Kindlychap]

As to service for the general masses I don't really notice much difference. Sometimes I think I see a little more polish in the performance but being on that particular ship might also give me that feeling. Cunard has Grill class which means they have a separate dining room, a lounge and a small deck set aside for their use. Full suite passengers also have a butler.

Otherwise they use the same public rooms as everyone else, e.g. theater, bars, casino, etc.

 

Assuming you mean "full suite" to be "a suite of rooms" then 60% of "full suite" cabins don't have a butler on QE2. However 23 non full suite cabins. do.

 

No separate deck for Queens Grill on QE2.

 

Why does everyone always assume that Cunard has only the Queen Glitzy?

[Shogun]

Hi There,

 

You are looking to compare different styles of ship rather than cruise lines,

 

if you want butler and white glove service you can on a Princess ship, like wise the adult only parts on the newer ships.

 

I have cruised both, but prefer the Princess grand class ships because of the choice of things to do.

 

You will get a different mix of people depending on the ship and where it is cruising from.

 

If you want a detailed reply then pleae ask some questions.

 

yours Shogun

 

Sun Princess in Dec 2006

Emerald Princess Dec2007

Emerald Princess Jan 2008

[Linerguy]

Go on Cunard,...unless you like to be nickel and dimed to death, then go on Princess.

 

Go on Cunard,...unless you want to sail in a ship that looks like a militant pelican armed with cannons, then go on Princess.

 

Go on Cunard,...unless you're looking for bland interiors straight out of a shopping mall, then go on Princess.

 

Go on Cunard,...unless you like to pay for half the restaurants, then go on Princess.

 

I could go on and on but, you get my drift.

 

-Russ

[Therapst]

Go on Cunard,...unless you like to be nickel and dimed to death, then go on Princess.

 

Go on Cunard,...unless you want to sail in a ship that looks like a militant pelican armed with cannons, then go on Princess.

 

Go on Cunard,...unless you're looking for bland interiors straight out of a shopping mall, then go on Princess.

 

Go on Cunard,...unless you like to pay for half the restaurants, then go on Princess.

 

I could go on and on but, you get my drift.

 

-Russ

 

A militant pelican armed with cannons??? :rolleyes:

[Guest Anorak33]

Hi all, I have been on longish trips on QE2 in an M cabin and a Q, and lots of different Princess ships as well as many others.

I don't tend to cruise when there are many kids on board so am spared the grief which may occur then so thats out of the equation, could be a problem on Princess at holiday times.

If I had to compare the Qe2 and Princess I would say that Cunard just ain't fun. Some of the pasengers are full of their own importance and are of an older age group. The European element of the crew is a bit standoffish and think they are of a higher class than the passengers, especially when we were in a Q stateroom they looked down their noses at us because, frankly, we are common as muck.

Princess is more fun, there's more to do for us, we are just not highbrow enough I guess for georgian chanting, harp recitals and all that stuff on Cunard.

The service on Princess is fine, the food is fine, not so fatty and fancy as the Queens Grill and much the same as the Mauretania.

And at least the ac works on Princess, don't have to sleep in your tiny M cabin with the door open all night like we did for several weeks on QE2, and there was no hot water.

I liked them both in their ways but I'd rather be on Princess, except its an experience I treasure to have been on deck in the spray on QE2 in the South Atlantic doing 32 knots through enormous waves, couldn't do that on any other ship.

[Taryn and Sarah]

Just imagine the difference when there really were different classes on the QE2 aside from just the dining rooms! My mother remembers that the 1st class not only had their own dining room, but pool area and entire decks of the ships.

 

I think it's a very English thing to have the class structure, I've noticed it even on Virgin airlines and the like. Not that I'm belittling my heritage, I guess I'm just jealous I'm not a peer!

 

I wouldn't compare Princess to Cunard because they really are an entirely different world. You won't hear anyone on Princess being introduced at the Captain's cocktail party as "Lord and Lady..."

[Louise D]

It probably depends on what each person is looking for.

 

For me, the QE2 affords my annual "complete rest" with good food, sea air and a few interesting sights thrown in. I would not be attracted to a "party" atmosphere.

 

Regards, Louise

[Guest Anorak33]

Louise it would be actual Carnival for a real party atmosphere, not Princess. We like it quiet but entertaining, Princess, especially on the fast disappearing smaller ships, is more middle class rather than for those with aspirations of grandeur which Cunard are so good at talking up.

But lets face it Cunard is only Carnival with a different pr image, as is Princess. Carnival are good at keeping all their brand names separate.

However when push comes to shove and say just for example one line has a problem in the dining rooms on a new big ship Carnival soon transfer experienced staff from Princess to that other line to sort out the problem.

You will pay nearly double on QE2 compared to Princess ships per day, if its worth it to a stuffed shirt then let them or anyone else pay it, but I don't think its really worth the extra.

Anyway as a Carnival stockholder I am pleased they do, the stock has recovered well recently after the big dive when thr oil price went skyhigh.

[Mixed Up]

The only cruise I've tried was on the QM2. My experience of that is that the ship is big enough that passengers take whatever experience they want from it. If they want a cruise formal "QE2" style then that's how they'll occupy themselves. If they want a cruise "Carnival style", then they can do that. Personally, it was middle of the road for me. I liked the formal evenings and the shows, but I also enjoyed having a pint watching the Karioki - if that's how it's spelt - (hilarious!) in the pub. Most of all, I liked spending hours on the observation bridge.

 

My wife is keen for the next cruise asap, but as much as I enjoyed it (and I did) I can wait. There's other things I want to do.

[Painter]

I think I get what you are all saying.

Not sure an "Aussie" would fit in too well. I don't intend trying to impress but just be friendly happy-go-lucky self.

Mmmmmm...will have to think about this.

[Linerguy]

"But lets face it Cunard is only Carnival with a different pr image, as is Princess."

 

Not so. I've been on all three many times and know that there is a distinct difference between them...and it has nothing to do with PR image. I've yet to have a waiter on a Cunard ship do magic tricks at my table or ask if I would like to buy a receipe book. None of my Cunard trips have ever included a "Mr. Legs" contest by the pool; and I can't recall a topless deck on either QE2 or QM2,.....thankfully.

 

And on Cunard, there's only one extra tariff restaurant; on Princess, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one. I've also never been charged for ice cream on Cunard.

 

Give me Cunard anyday.

 

BTW, Painter, an "Aussie" would fit in just fine,...the same "stuffed shirts" you'll find in the higher priced accommodations on Cunard aren't stuffed any more than their counterparts on Princess.

 

-Russ

[Painter]

I was thinking of the Queen Victoria cruise from Singapore to Dubai.(2008)

There is a good "special" on it here and it would go places I have never been.

I have cruised on the Sapphire Princess and a few Aust P&O cruises.

I have buttons to the reviews via my website

 

http://home.iprimus.com.au/marleneann/

 

One Cunard review said they have powdered scrambled eggs ....

is that correct?

 

Marleneann.

[Guest Anorak33]

Don't know about the eggs but we ran out of milk on QE2 the second time we sailed on her, and fruit tea bags which were a major job to get every time anyway, we were in Queens Grill and you would have thought it was something really weird to ask for the fuss they made every dinnertime and the time they took to get a fruit tea bag. We bring our on on board now.

 

They kept them locked up somewhere and could only get one at a time. Then they ran out.

 

I know Americans don't like it and think its a joke food but I really used to like the wonderful cherry fruit cake served at teatime on QE2. Just full of delicious cherries.

Then one cruise there wasn't any. When I asked the waiter why a more senior member of staff came over and told me that it wasn't cheap.

All I could splutter was that nor was my cruise ticket on Cunard.

 

Anyway I guess all I am trying to illustrate from my own experiences is that even Cunard have cut down on the food expenses, sometimes in a way which may cost them repeat bookings, and if scrambled eggs are not freshly broken then don't be surprised, its something a passenger is unlikely to see as its done behind the scenes.

 

I have seen scrambled eggs made with liquid eggs poured out of a plastic bag, that was on Princess. And no, it wasn't that wonderful. And if thy do it on one Carnival owned line then they probably do it on another..............

[cusyl]

I have been on both Princess and Cunard several times and I think the experience is similar. I'm sure you will enjoy whichever one you decide on. Being on a brand new ship is very special too, I would definitely suggest the Queen Victoria, although I understand she will be smaller than the QM2.

[Louise D]

I am sure that Cunard have cut back on a few of the luxuries, but on the other hand, the price of a ticket on QE2 is now quite a fair bit less than it was 10 years ago and I think it is good value for money.

 

However, I would have liked to enjoy one trip on the old-style QE2 to experience the difference. When I was in Hong Kong in 1984 I happened to be there at the same time as QE2 docked midway through the World Cruise. Of course, at that time, members of the public could get quite close to the ship and I spent some time observing the comings and goings because I had never seen such a ship before. I was amazed to see many older ladies in furs strutting along accompanied by young men (definitely their toy boys). It made a great impression on me. The first time I went on QE2 many years later, I looked around in vain for such persons, but alas, I have never yet seen fur swaddled ladies with toy boys. Now I see a lot of wheelchairs and walking frames. How times have changed.

 

Regards, Louise