QV Theatre Private Boxes

[AussieVoyager]

What are the arrangements for booking a private box in the theatre on QV, what is the cost and what is served?

[Cruachan]

What are the arrangements for booking a private box in the theatre on QV, what is the cost and what is served?

 

OK, I'm replying from (rapidly failing) memory here, but hopefully someone who has been on board QV more recently can confirm or deny what I say.

 

The boxes can only be booked for certain specific production shows. The rest of the time you just find a suitable vacant box and take up residence - totally free. If you decide to book one on one of the nights when pre-booking is in operation I think it costs somewhere around $20-$30, and you will be served with champagne and I think some small snacky things such as you would get at a finger buffet - by the way, being a tight fisted, miserable, Scots git, I've never actually spent money on booking one, so I can't swear to the fact that what you get is genuine champagne or whether it's that well known and much "loved" Cunard substitute P*l Ack*r :eek:. Again, based on zero experience of booking them, I think the bookings are made through the Purser's Desk.

 

On the odd occasion that we have used the boxes (without booking) we found them to be fine. However, be aware that, for safety reasons, the front of the box consists of a curved, safety-glass screen that can pick up reflections from the small lights on the stairs leading into the boxes. This isn't really a big deal but it can be a little distracting until you get used to them. The boxes are comfortable and quite spacious and generally have good lines of sight to the stage.

 

Hope this helps.

 

J

[Dorchester]

What are the arrangements for booking a private box in the theatre on QV, what is the cost and what is served?

 

Cruachan has already given you a reply - his memory cannot be failing that rapidly as his reply is mostly correct!

 

The charge made by Cunard for the box is $50 (or it was last November). Some boxes are larger than others, accommodating from 2 to 4 persons. Boxes are located on both the Lower Level and the Upper level, the larger boxes on the Upper Level (Two boxes each side toward the centre of the auditorium.

 

Reservation is essential (for Show Nights), and this can be done via your Concierge (for Grills Passengers) or at the Purser's Desk (for others). An Invitation Card will then be delivered to your cabin, and this must be presented when you arrive at the Theatre (at the rear of the auditorium on Deck 3).

 

Here you are met by 'White Star Bellboys' who will escort you to the pre-show lounge for 'drinks canapés and deserts'. On our visit, this consisted of hand made chocolates and Champers (Yes J, it was NOT the dreaded PA!). You are then escorted (again by Bellboys) to your box for the show, where there is a further half bottle of champers awaiting in an ice bucket, together with a further plate of chocolates - just to make sure that you do not feint due to lack of nourishment during the performance!). One word of caution here; the stairway leading down to each box is rather steep and quite narrow, and those passengers with impaired mobility may experience some difficulty negotiating these.

 

As mentioned, the 'Health & Safety' curved screens in front of each box are made from fairly thick polycarbonate, and due to these there is a little distortion, although this is barely perceivable.

 

Hope that this helps,

 

Regards,

David

[lord of the seas]

Dorchester,

would the wearing of 3D glasses eliminate the distortion?

[Ray66]

OK, On the odd occasion that we have used the boxes (without booking) we found them to be fine. However, be aware that, for safety reasons, the front of the box consists of a curved, safety-glass screen that can pick up reflections from the small lights on the stairs leading into the boxes. This isn't really a big deal but it can be a little distracting until you get used to them. The boxes are comfortable and quite spacious and generally have good lines of sight to the stage.

We tried two or three boxes on the free night and also found reflections on the curved glass screen to be distracting. We gave up and went and sat elsewhere.

[AussieVoyager]

Thank you all for your replies - I'm much enlightened!

[Dorchester]

Dorchester,

would the wearing of 3D glasses eliminate the distortion?

 

That is a solution that we did not try - but an extra bottle of champers seemed to make the slight screen distortion somehow pale into insignificance!

 

Regards,

David

[lord of the seas]

That is a solution that we did not try - but an extra bottle of champers seemed to make the slight screen distortion somehow pale into insignificance!

 

Regards,

David

 

I assume that the screen is put there to stop guests from throwing the Champagne bottles at the acts.

[Dorchester]

I assume that the screen is put there to stop guests from throwing the Champagne bottles at the acts.

 

Oh gosh no! - It's only the corks that are thrown!

 

The real reason for the screen is that when the inebriated occupants of the box are refilling their champers glasses for the seventh time, it prevents the inevitable spillage from cascading onto the poor unfortunate patrons below.

 

Regards,

David

[lord of the seas]

Oh gosh no! - It's only the corks that are thrown!

 

The real reason for the screen is that when the inebriated occupants of the box are refilling their champers glasses for the seventh time, it prevents the inevitable spillage from cascading onto the poor unfortunate patrons below.

 

Regards,

David

 

That's the problem with sitting in the cheap seats.

[LongTimeTvlr]

We were on the QV in December and went into the Theater one day when there was nothing going on and tried out several of the boxes.

 

We could not find one that allowed a decent view of the stage without standing up.

 

Perhaps if you moved the chairs to the very front of the box?

 

My wife is 5 foot 9 inches tall and I am 6'1".

 

Because of this we never considered reserving one.

 

Is there a secret to using these boxes that we missed?

[Chet63]

Hi

 

We booked one of the boxes for 4, last summer whilst on QV and it was an exceptional experience for my family. The plastic screens were only an issue with distortions for a few minutes until the real 'champers' takes effect. The cost for 4 was $100 from memory and was the best $100 we spent on board other than drinks !! Shows on QV were superior to QM and our past QE2 shows.

 

My advice would be to give it a try and then you know. Too many people seem to find it easy to seek out and find faults rather than relax and enjoy the experience. For me I would do it every time i go on board. Well a few times anyway....

[LDVinNC]

We were on the QV last week. The boxes could be reserved for the production shows at a cost of $50, including champagne and desserts. For the other shows, they were free for the using. We used them 3 nights when the shows were singers or comedians and a good view was not essential. Nice to have a little table and a little privacy.

[Slipper of the Yard]

Is there a secret to using these boxes that we missed?

 

Theatre boxes are to be seen in, not from.

 

I have occasionally taken a box at the opera. It is never my first choice, and sight lines are always compromised.

 

I cannot see the point of the boxes, beyond the champagne. And one can order champagne in any of the bars.