Take A Bite From The Grill On Queen Victoria!

As some of you may or may not now, on the 24^th October I was luckily enough to get on board the Queen Elizabeth for the day.  After doing a 4 night cruise on the Queen Mary a couple of years ago, I was really interested to see how the ships differ.  Another thing I was really interested to see was that a few people I have spoken to in the past have actually said they do not like the Victoria and much prefer the Elizabeth. Now if you have spoken to me, you’ll know that my thoughts of any feedback is that you should try it yourselves and make your own opinion as what one may like, another may not.

I am going to break up the Queen Victoria write up as I wanted to focus on a particular area on board. Decks 11 and 12, the highest decks found on board, an area in which many will not know nor venture to on their cruise.

The Princess and Queen’s Grills on the Queen Victoria are very controversial, so much so that I have had people in the past that have said they won’t cruise with Cunard because they feel there is a class system. If you are someone who has possibly said this or thought this I ask you to bear one thing in mind.

Many Airlines offer Economy, Premium Economy and Business.  Why is this not thought of in the same light?  You get business lounges, better seats, better food… so the more you pay the more you get. If there was an airline, maybe a lower standard, would you fly with someone else if they only offered Economy out of principle?

Many hotels have private executive lounges. NCL Cruises have the Haven, MSC have the Yacht Club, and really all suites have benefits, so why is it looked down on so much on Cunard?

Looking at the quality of the ship in general, it’s not different, It’s not gold plated. You will receive the same high standard of outstanding service be it whether you are in an Inside or in a Queens Grill Suite. Everything is the same with the exception that if you pay a bit more you get more. Cunard have always had the Queens and the Princess Grill – these are designed for the guest that is willing to pay more to indulge in the most luxurious and intimate surroundings found on Cunard and many other competing cruise lines.  Lavish suites and delightful flourishes to enhance the sublime sense of style.

It all starts on deck 10 with a very low key staircase or you can put your card in in the lift to take you up to deck 11.  There’s not an elegant staircase so this does not give away what is going to greet you once you get to the top.

One of the main differences you will find is that on Cunard, it is all set dining. You have to choose early or late.  The Grills are open so you can dine when you want and sit with who you want.

It’s simply a matter of how much you want to pay.  If you are happy in an Inside or a Balcony then you are still going to have an amazing cruise, but the Grills are the suites -nothing more, nothing less, however these have the exception of coming with a lot more benefits such as private restaurants and decks so that the people who do want to pay more, can get more for thier money and hopefully after reading this you may give it a go?

As you go up to deck 11, you are greeted by an elegant reception area – it is simply stunning.  The Queen Victoria is a large ship with lots of large elegant beautiful places and the Grills are no different but it’s on a much smaller and intimate scale which does make it feel very luxurious.

To the front of you, you have the ‘Grill’s Lounge’ and this is where the Princess and Queen’s Grill guests can mingle in a stunning room with a small bar area and lots of seating.  There is a huge elegant coloured glass ceiling and it is fronted by a floor to ceiling glass window with a view over ‘The Terrace’  This is a private area where you can sit down and relax in the sunshine without the hustle and bustle of the main pool deck.  It’s surrounded by glass balconies offering great views over the below pool deck and out to sea. Firstly, it is extremely private and fairly hard to see up to from the below pool deck and secondly, the thing I really like is the way the sun beds are in sets of two with a table either side so it makes for a very relaxing afternoon sunbathing or reading a book in ultimate bliss.

On Deck 11, you have the two Grills – Princess and Queens Grill.  Depending on what stateroom you are in will determine which Grill you dine in.  I didn’t notice much difference other than the chairs – they were both extremely lovely Princess Grill is very similar to Queens Grill in facilities found on these decks – it’s the accommodation which sets them apart.

So the Queens Grill sits on the Port (Left) side…….

……and the Princess on the Starboard side.

They are set up with smaller tables of 2 and 4 although there are a few larger 6 and 8’s. I must say the views from here are outstanding with floor to ceiling windows all the way around making this a prime location.

Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth are the same as they are sister ships. However on the Queen Mary, the Grills are different with a ‘Grill Terrace’ on the back of deck 11 and the main Restaurant on a lower deck at the back.  I think this has much more appeal on the newer ships just to get that view!!

As a new addition on the newer ships you have ‘The Courtyard’. This is an open Al Fresco area set up with tables and chairs complete with parasols.  In the evening they will serve out here although you do need to book to get an outside table. There is no additional cost but it is extremely limited and definitely worth doing.  There are a few shaped trees, a water feature and even old time Victorian style lamps.

There is a couple of different ways to get to deck 12.  There is a staircase from the courtyard or from the main reception area you can take the stairs or the lift to the ‘The Grills Upper Terrace’. This is a large area on the highest part of the ship.  No passengers staying in any stateroom of a lower standard than a suite will get this high on board.  This has outstanding views over the bow and the forward parts of the ship, not to mention over ports and for long sea days. This acts as your very own private sun terrace where you can sit back and relax.

In addition to this, on the lower decks at the ‘Royal Court Theatre’, you will find boxes on both sides.  These are also reserved for suite passengers so this is another benefit to staying in a suite on board Cunard.

Looking briefly at the Princess Suites, some are bigger than others ranging from 335 feet to 513 feet.  These are like large mini suites with a bathroom complete with bath tub and shower, a walk in closet, a master bedroom and a separate living area leading on to the balcony.

The lead in Queens Grill (Q5) ranges from 505 up to 681 feet.  The Queens Grill Suites are laid out differently. You have a huge balcony, but the suite is more open plan and the bedroom and living area is complete as one large space.  You also have a dressing area with closet space and then a full bathroom complete with his and hers vanity unit.

Next up is the Q4 which is 508 square feet.  These I would say are the most popular on board.  They have a large bathroom complete with separate bath and shower, a master bedroom with a walk in closet and a separate living room leading on to the large balcony.

The very top suite is the Q1 and there are 4 of these on the very back of the ship.  These have a wonderful wrap around balcony and as you walk in you have a separate living area with a separate dining room.  You then have a master bedroom and separate bathroom complete with bath and shower.  At 1,375 feet to 2,131 feet, these are apartments at sea.

So what little extra’s do Princess Grill guests get?  You will get little touches such as in suite dining from the Princess Grill menu, Concierge Service, Bon Voyage bottle of Champagne and fresh strawberries with 24 hour room service.  You also get lots of little extras such as soft terry bathrobes and slippers, nightly turndown with chocolate and a pillow concierge menu.

With the Queens Grill, there is a huge difference as Queen’s Grill will receive priority disembarkation and luggage services, pre-dinner canapés, bar stocked with spirits or wines and soft drinks, fresh flowers, in suite dining from the Queens Grill menu, special ‘Sweet Dreams’ turndown on formal nights and most important of all, your very own butler.

At the end of the day, it’s all about ‘you get what you pay for’ but isn’t that the same in everything this day in age? Some choose to shop at Marks and Spencer where as others in Asda – it’s all about where you choose to go.

But one thing is for sure, if you want a fantastic cruise, be it in the Grills or an Inside stateroom, Cunard offer a fantastic cruising experience in ultimate style and comfort.

Have you done  the ‘Grills Experience’ or maybe have some thoughts? Please let me know – I would love to hear from you.

www.tomstravels.co.uk – 0800 408 6143 – [email protected]