QV help Grill rooms vs Standard? Tuxedos? 1st timer

[ChipVA]

Hi, looking at taking a Cunard Mediterranean cruise this summer and trying to learn as much as I can. Are the grill rooms worth the extra money? Looks like you get private area of the ship for mingling and dining and better food? What about the formal nights? In the summer are men wearing the tuxedos? Hard to get motivated to pack and carry them from United States, but can be a team player. Which decks are best or specific rooms? Feel free to share any insight it all will be appreciated.:)

[Jim Avery]

Can't help with the Grills as we had a "normal" veranda cabin but QV is a formal ship. While I NEVER take the Tux on any other lines, I always take it on Cunard. It is just part of the experience and the evenings are much the better for it. And we have managed it in carryons.:eek: I am always amazed at those who book Cunard and then are not wanting to "dress up". Not pointing fingers at you as you are asking about the dress code but search this forum using "dress code" or "formal nights" and you will find an unreasonable amount of opinions on the matter. We enjoyed QV and I am sure you will as well. I recommend booking the private boxes in the theatre. The extras are fun.:D

[Lynnewob]

We're on the QV at end of August in the Med which should be lovely. tuxedos tend to be more common on most trips than dark suits but both are obviously acceptable.

 

The grills are great in sunnier climes as there's a separate deck(s) for sunbathing and they come round with afternoon tea and fruit during the day. It's nice having anytime dining and having a drink in the Grills lounge pre-dining but so is the commodore club.

 

Deck 8 can be a little noisier than other decks due to the public areas above.

 

If choosing QG go for the rooms on the back on the Vic as their balconies are longer than those on the Eliabeth so lots of sunshine.

 

I'm sure others will chip in with lots of other suggestions.

 

Hope this helps a little.

[laktex]

Hi, looking at taking a Cunard Mediterranean cruise this summer and trying to learn as much as I can. Are the grill rooms worth the extra money? Looks like you get private area of the ship for mingling and dining and better food? What about the formal nights? In the summer are men wearing the tuxedos? Hard to get motivated to pack and carry them from United States, but can be a team player. Which decks are best or specific rooms? Feel free to share any insight it all will be appreciated.:)

 

The Grills are indeed very nice, QG is particularly special and the aft suites are terrific. Your question was "are they worth the extra money" and my personal answer is that if you can afford the Grills then YES.

I would not personally travel without a Tuxedo (Dinner Jacket) on a Cunard cruise and in the summer would include a white jacket. I take mine even if air travel is involved.

Trust you will have a great cruise.

[ChipVA]

I guess I should clarify. It would be a princess grill room not queen or a standard balcony. I'm concerned about the limited number of people you would interact with in a Princess Grill room. We would be on the younger side 40's and realize the clientele is more seasoned which is fine, but would appreciate meeting contemporaries too and would a grill dining room isolate you? So I've been convinced if we go I will wear a tuxedo or white dinner jacket so no worries there. Is the ballroom dancing the big event in the evenings?

[Lynnewob]

No problem if you're in PG at all - we're similar in age and we have done both.

 

There's much more a mixed group in PG, usually people who have decided to treat themselves to celebrate something special, rather than those who can afford it without question and then find something to complain about. In QG we find that one or two tables monopolise the staff in the restaurant with constant requests, leaving the other tables left effectively to fend for themselves. It's happened to us a few times in QG and we got really fed up with it. It has never happened to us at all in PG and unless we want to be at the back of the ship for views or sunshine, we book PG now and we are treated really well.

 

The other advantage of PG is that the restaurant has less people in it and we have found the tables for 2 are not quite as close to each other than those in QG.

 

We very often get looks in the lift when putting our card into the lift slot to get to the grills deck by people who think we should not be there as we're a little younger than most but we just laugh it off. Once we're in the grills lounge though, the majority of the people are fine. Don't worry about feeling isolated, as long as you're polite and make conversation with others, you won't get shunned. We've met some wonderful people in the Grills lounge as it's a small area and people are often keen to share details of their day with you whether they're in QG or PG - within the lounge everyone is treated the same.

 

Regarding dining, you get the standard menu every evening but also a la carte choices which are wonderful. You can order (the previous lunchtime or breakfast) crepes suzette for example for dessert in the evening which is always nice when flambeed at your table.

 

If you can afford it, do it, we do feel it makes a difference.

 

PS. Sorry I can't comment on ballroom dancing as it's not something we do as we tend to be in the casino but when we walk past the Queens Room, it's always really busy with lots of people dancing.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Lynnewob

[JF - retired RRT]

I recommend booking the private boxes in the theatre. The extras are fun.:D

How much does a private box cost?

Do you book on the ship? Where?

Is it for the whole cruise or per night?

 

First Cunard cruise in January.:D

[BobBranst]

Is the ballroom dancing the big event in the evenings?

I don't think I would say that ballroom dancing in the Queens Room is "the" big event in the evening, but it is certainly very popular and it is a good idea to get there early especially on formal nights. We usually go dancing in the QR before or after going to one of the evening shows in the theater.

 

Bob

[Victoria2]

I guess I should clarify. It would be a princess grill room not queen or a standard balcony. I'm concerned about the limited number of people you would interact with in a Princess Grill room. We would be on the younger side 40's and realize the clientele is more seasoned which is fine, but would appreciate meeting contemporaries too and would a grill dining room isolate you? So I've been convinced if we go I will wear a tuxedo or white dinner jacket so no worries there. Is the ballroom dancing the big event in the evenings?

 

We have never seen senior wait staff monopolised by a few tables in QG. and although we haven't dined in PG, I would imagine the same superb care will be taken with diners there as in QG.

Yes there may be a wait sometimes if you are later in to dine and some tables have already put in their orders, but you'll never be denied a speciality, if pre ordered, because the Maître'd or the Head Waiters are too busy elsewhere.

 

The Grill's lounge is small but perfectly formed and age isn't an issued when talking and mingling with others. It can be as sociable an occasion as you want as you'll always find other passengers to chat to.

[Jim Avery]

How much does a private box cost?

Do you book on the ship? Where?

Is it for the whole cruise or per night?

 

First Cunard cruise in January.:D

 

Charges tend to change but I recall it not being that much. You book on the ship per night. Book at the help desk or maybe by phone in your cabin.

[Host Hattie]

You only have to pay on the nights of the production shows, you get champagne and desserts. They usually only charge for half the boxes even then.

[Jim Avery]

You only have to pay on the nights of the production shows, you get champagne and desserts. They usually only charge for half the boxes even then.

 

Thanks Hattie. I forgot to put in that it was only charged on Show Nights. All other nights they are first come basis. We just enjoyed the little extra attention and the bubbly/sweets. Like we needed them.....:eek::D

[Host Hattie]

We only used them when they were free - cheapskates that we are !

[JF - retired RRT]

Thanks for the replies about the boxes, sounds like fun.

Edited May 29, 2015 by JF - retired RRT

[Normandie_Nostalgic]

We are not big fans of Cunard entertainment, and never bothered with booking a box, but isn't the plexiglass shield a major nuisance for enjoying the experience ? Judging by the peek I had from the second level of the theatre on both QV and QE, the plexiglass sort of distorts the view, it seems.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Normandie_Nostalgic

[Host Hattie]

It doesn't bother us, we don't usually go to the production shows anyway.

We enjoy the extra space and privacy and find the shield bearable.

If you think it might be a problem for you, check it on a free night first.

[ChipVA]

We are not big fans of Cunard entertainment, and never bothered with booking a box, but isn't the plexiglass shield a major nuisance for enjoying the experience ? Judging by the peek I had from the second level of the theatre on both QV and QE, the plexiglass sort of distorts the view, it seems.

 

What is the shield you are referring to?

[Jim Avery]

What is the shield you are referring to?

 

Sort of intended to keep you, after imbibing, from falling on those in seats below.:eek::D

[Normandie_Nostalgic]

This one:

 

Depending on where you sit, it may be in your line of sight, and distort the view, especially on the top (third) level, where your angle of view will make you look down to the stage.

 

Considering the large proportion of passengers with mobility issues, and the fact that this is a theatre at sea, it is a very sensible protection, but I feel it may spoil the 'West End' experience a bit.

[ChipVA]

looks like a big show!

[Mysticalmother]

I guess I should clarify. It would be a princess grill room not queen or a standard balcony. I'm concerned about the limited number of people you would interact with in a Princess Grill room. We would be on the younger side 40's and realize the clientele is more seasoned which is fine, but would appreciate meeting contemporaries too and would a grill dining room isolate you? So I've been convinced if we go I will wear a tuxedo or white dinner jacket so no worries there. Is the ballroom dancing the big event in the evenings?

 

Just thought I would add my fourpenneth ( as we say in the UK!) - although you do have the lovely grills deck to relax on and the PG dining room, there is nothing to stop you mingling with the rest of the people on the ship through various onboard activities and / or excursions. You are not "confined "to the grills areas! It's just nice to have access to them. There is no pool for example on the grills sun deck, and if it is windy it can get very windy up there. We found that the grills lounge on QE (same as QV) was actually rather small and so we quite often had pre and post dinner drinks elsewhere - often the Commodore club which was rather nice.

But i would go for PG every time .....if I could afford it!

[Camgirl]

No problem if you're in PG at all - we're similar in age and we have done both.

 

There's much more a mixed group in PG, usually people who have decided to treat themselves to celebrate something special, rather than those who can afford it without question and then find something to complain about. In QG we find that one or two tables monopolise the staff in the restaurant with constant requests, leaving the other tables left effectively to fend for themselves. It's happened to us a few times in QG and we got really fed up with it. It has never happened to us at all in PG and unless we want to be at the back of the ship for views or sunshine, we book PG now and we are treated really well.

 

The other advantage of PG is that the restaurant has less people in it and we have found the tables for 2 are not quite as close to each other than those in QG.

 

We very often get looks in the lift when putting our card into the lift slot to get to the grills deck by people who think we should not be there as we're a little younger than most but we just laugh it off. Once we're in the grills lounge though, the majority of the people are fine. Don't worry about feeling isolated, as long as you're polite and make conversation with others, you won't get shunned. We've met some wonderful people in the Grills lounge as it's a small area and people are often keen to share details of their day with you whether they're in QG or PG - within the lounge everyone is treated the same.

 

Regarding dining, you get the standard menu every evening but also a la carte choices which are wonderful. You can order (the previous lunchtime or breakfast) crepes suzette for example for dessert in the evening which is always nice when flambeed at your table.

 

If you can afford it, do it, we do feel it makes a difference.

 

PS. Sorry I can't comment on ballroom dancing as it's not something we do as we tend to be in the casino but when we walk past the Queens Room, it's always really busy with lots of people dancing.

 

We have been cruising with Cunard since our early forties though never in the grills. I have never seen anyone get odd looks when putting their grills card in in the lifts, whatever their age. Obviously I can't speak about within the grills area, which is only a very small portion of the ship, but elsewhere, throughout the rest of the ship, everyone is treated the same, grills or Britannia. The dancing varies from cruise to cruise but we are dancers and have always found there to be plenty of others dancing with us. It is lovely to dance to a live band every night in the Queens Room. There tend to be more people in there on formal nights, when it can be quite crowded.

[Queenie1603]

Hi, looking at taking a Cunard Mediterranean cruise this summer and trying to learn as much as I can. Are the grill rooms worth the extra money? Looks like you get private area of the ship for mingling and dining and better food? What about the formal nights? In the summer are men wearing the tuxedos? Hard to get motivated to pack and carry them from United States, but can be a team player. Which decks are best or specific rooms? Feel free to share any insight it all will be appreciated.:)

 

We are cruising on the QV in August. This will be my 6th Cunard Cruise and I have stayed in Britannia, Princess and Queens. We have booked Princess this time as we like the Resturant size (I was in Queens on the Queen Mary 2 on a TA in May and found the experience much less personal than in Princess on the QE last year but that may be due the size of the QM2). The QE and QV have a similar layout. The Grills lounge is quite small but also nice to take afternoon tea in as well as pre dinner drinks. The deck area is great for taking in the views and the sun as it is high and not over crowded when you leave Venice or pass Stromboli etc. the out door eating area is available to a Queens and Princess passengers but can be in high demand on sea days. The commodore Club is one of my favourite places during the day. Fantastic views. Practically lived in there when we cruised to Norway. The Golden Lion pub is also very popular especially for quizzes.

The concierge service is brilliant fro booking trips, printing boarding passes etc.

 

Re the tux. Most people dress for the formal nights. It gives the ship a sophisticated atmosphere. Please check but I think there is a hire service on Cunard ships where you can hire a tux for the duration of your trip - saves bringing one with you. Dark suits are also worn as is national costume, the Scots look fantastic and Mess Dress if you are in the forces. You can also where and medals/awards if you want to.

 

The P And Q grills passengers also get to meet the Captain and officers at a cocktail party usually in the night club before dinner on a formal night.

 

Have a great cruise.

[keithm]

We are not big fans of Cunard entertainment, and never bothered with booking a box, but isn't the plexiglass shield a major nuisance for enjoying the experience ? Judging by the peek I had from the second level of the theatre on both QV and QE, the plexiglass sort of distorts the view, it seems.

The plexiglass just makes it all that much harder for your spouse to give you the ol' heave ho out of the box.