Questions about cabin categories....

[merela]

My father got a special email offer from Princess for one sailing Cunard's QE2--from Hong Kong to Dubai. There were two prices offered. One for category M4-M6 and the other price for category C3-M3. He's never been on QE2 before and would love to go on this sailing. He has heard that depending on the category of cabins one is in, he may be restricted to going to certain restaurants or areas of the ship--similar to the old British class system. He is used to Americanized cruises where even if you buy inside cabins, you get to use the same facilities and restaurants as people in penthouse suites. Is this true?

 

Our question is are there restrictions for people staying in M4-M6 category rooms and C3-M3 category rooms?

 

TIA.

[eroller]

In general, all public rooms (bars and lounges) are open to all passengers regardless of category booked. The exception is the small Queen's Grill Lounge which is for Grill passengers only. What you will NOT find on QE2 are barriers or gates that separate the various areas. That doesn't exist on any passenger ship any longer. The only thing to keep you out of the Queen's Grill Lounge is a discrete sign at the door. Certainly you can walk in and have a quick look if you like.

 

QE2 does assign your restaurant depending on what category of cabin you book. Again, you can go to any of the restaurants to see what they look like (they are not closed off), but you will be assigned to one particular restaurant for the duration of your voyage on QE2.

 

Generally the most expensive suites are assigned to the Queen's Grill restaurant. This is considered the best onboard, and is single sitting.

 

Luxury cabins are assigned to the Princess and Britannia Grill. These two small restaurants are considered equals, and again are single sitting.

 

Next comes the Caronia Restaurant. If you cabin category begins with a "C", this is the restaurant you will be assigned to. All cabins in Caronia Class are outside, and many offer a bathtub. The Caronia Restaurant is a large restaurant, but is still single sitting.

 

Last is the Mauretania Restaurant. If your cabin grade begins with the letter "M", you are assigned to this restaurant. The Mauretiania is a large restaurant, and has two sittings (early and late) like most cruise ships have. This restaurant is considered the least desirable on QE2, mainly because it does have the two sittings instead of a single sitting. None the less, it's perfectly acceptable and you won't be looked down upon for dining in Mauretania. Cabins in "M" class range from half decent in size to very, very small. Most are shower only and there are many inside cabins.

 

Cabin sizes on QE2 vary greatly in size and layout even within the same category. There can be larger cabins in lower categories, so just by booking a higher category doesn't necessarily mean the cabin will be larger. QE2 is one of those ships where it's best to hand pick your cabin if you can.

 

I hope this puts a little of the QE2 "class" mystery to rest. When you sail onboard QE2 you don't feel like you are on a ship with class restrictions, because really there aren't any. You can walk freely to any public area on the ship, and it's only at meal times that people separate and go to their respective dining room. There is also a Lido buffet restaurant that all passengers on QE2 can dine in, and this is similar to buffet restaurants on most typical cruise ships.

 

Good luck with your decision ... and if you can book Caronia Class (C Grade) or higher I would recommend it. You will typically end up in a superior outside cabin, and also dine in the comfortable single sitting Caronia Restaurant or better. If you don't want to spend the extra money, no problem. Nothing wrong with the Mauretania restaurant or the cabins, just keep in mind the cabins will be smaller, and you will have two sittings at dinner. You will still be able to enjoy all the facilities this classic ship offers.

 

Ernie

[travel-to-go]

I have not been on the QE2, but yes, the cabin class is related to which restaurant you are assigned to.

M = Mauritania

C=Caronia

 

Mauritania is the level that most people and most cabins are associated with. Caronia class is a bit "higher". The Princess and Queens Grill restaurants are much smaller and reserved for those in the P and Q class cabins (suites).

 

You can go to this page:

http://www.cunardline.com/OnBoard/default.asp?OB=QE2&sub=ac

And click on the book in the middle entitled QE2s' Guide to accomodations and Dining.

 

Don't worry. You won't be served cold gruel and stale bread if you dine in the Mauritania class!

 

While QE2 has the reputation of being more "class-oriented" than other ships, including the QM2, and there are areas of the ship which are reserved for the use of only the higher cabin class guests, it's not as though you will be down in some dank windowless oil-smelling bowels of the ship. It is no difference, for instance, than Holland America's special lounge for their deluxe suite passengers, or hotels which have a floor which can only be accessed by certain guests. The difference here is that you are assigned to a restaurant along with your room. The food is marvelous in all of the restaurants.

 

Tell your father to go and enjoy!