Queen Anne Grills Terrace access

[rog747]

Here's the thing, whether you like it or not, Cunard does have an upgraded class of cruise travel (In fact they have 2 'upper' classes, being BC Britannia Club, and the PG/QG Grills) and as such they have sold the Grills class upgrade for many many years now since QE2 days.
The Grills cabins also give you various perks in the Suites (as does BC too).
 
The perks and upscale of booking these upgrades then gives you exclusive dining rooms, with A' la Carte food options, a Grills lounge with your own Concierge, plus a dedicated Grills outdoor/Sun Terrace deck area.
Apart from that, along with everyone else on board you all have the run of the ship.

Cunard's upscale Grills offering is really no different to the upgraded class offerings on MSC or Celebrity - both of which have segregated sundecks, pools, spa/other bar lounge and dining areas.

The MSC Yacht Club and The Retreat on Celebrity the sundecks/pools have keycard entries.
In fact when you read all their info, those lines' are actually offering more private and exclusive areas than Cunard!

Thus I have no idea why anyone would or should get upset over 'Class' segregation these days on a Cunard ship, save for the fact that the Cunard Line brand is an old fashioned name and some will automatically and perhaps foolishly think of the old days of class systems...

To put it this way:
If you board a BA or Virgin flight with an Economy class ticket, you cannot then expect to go and sit down in the Premium or Club Business/Upper Class Cabins and eat and drink your way through their offerings, nor does it give you the right to use the dedicated toilets in the Business Class section.

Thus why do or would some folk have any issue with the dedicated private Grills Terrace on board QA >?

TBH, I (jokingly) wished I had not brought up subject now re the Grills Terrace free-for-all that occurred on the H418 28th July 2 week cruise LOL!
As it happened the key code door entry locks were eventually fitted so frankly I cannot see what anymore fuss is about. 

IT WAS a very busy cruise with almost 2900 pax on the ship, and many were of a much younger crowd, with lots of Teens and kiddies (that was OK and all were pretty well behaved and it was nice to see them enjoying themselves).

I do not normally choose to cruise in peak School Hols times but this was for me just a getaway after recent Surgery.

My only caveat is that on QA I would prefer the aft Pavillion Pool/Bar could be Adults Only.

 

[buchanan101]

Also @rog747 I expect it's the upgraded classes that give Cunard the profit on a cruise (and given QAs doubling of BC and PG numbers, they are probably the real cash cows given that the cabins are not really any bigger - PG cabins longer, but same pitch along the ship). The actual expense of provided a more comprehensive and sometimes more expensive menu items, plus a few fairly limited cabin perks cost way less than the price differentials between Britannia and grills*. Indeed, as you say, Cunard "exclusivity" is less than on other lines, and I like it just the way it is (travelling/booking PG mostly)

 

I guess in time they *could* make the Grills deck not the full width on QA with a corridor along one side... but...

 

[exlondoner]

3 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

Also @rog747 I expect it's the upgraded classes that give Cunard the profit on a cruise (and given QAs doubling of BC and PG numbers, they are probably the real cash cows given that the cabins are not really any bigger - PG cabins longer, but same pitch along the ship). The actual expense of provided a more comprehensive and sometimes more expensive menu items, plus a few fairly limited cabin perks cost way less than the price differentials between Britannia and grills*. Indeed, as you say, Cunard "exclusivity" is less than on other lines, and I like it just the way it is (travelling/booking PG mostly)

 

I guess in time they *could* make the Grills deck not the full width on QA with a corridor along one side... but...

 

I thought it was supposed to be the booze they sold that made the profit, and I suspect that may not be mainly Grills passengers.

[buchanan101]

On 8/30/2024 at 11:20 AM, Victoria2 said:

We can all be armchair ships' architects can't we and deck 11 could have been given more thought but the fact is QA isn't bad at all.

 

There are a couple of real howlers [thinking touch button door opening for adapted cabins, drop down loo rail and the thoroughfare by the casino  to the theatre from a wheelchair/scooter perspective] but all in all, she's different and we quite like her, caveat being of course...she's not Victoria!!!!😅

That thoroughfare is too narrow really for anyone, let along scooters. Just to get another fruit machine in...

 

If you were called Anne not Victoria you may think differently. 

[buchanan101]

Just now, exlondoner said:

I thought it was supposed to be the booze they sold that made the profit, and I suspect that may not be mainly Grills passengers.

A 7 day cruise costs ~£5.5k in PG and ~£2k(?) in Britannia, say...

 

The service provided doesn't cost £3k, even allowing for extra staff, somewhat better food and a few free bottles of water

 

Why do you think they more than doubled the size of BC and PG on QA relative to the other ships? (yes QA takes more PAX, but even allowing for that).

 

So, I'd suggest it's those cabins AND the booze. If you are a teetotaller in Britannia you have a bargain....

 

(Also given the lower crew/PAX ratio on QA, if they can fill QA it'll be their most profitable ship IMO)

[exlondoner]

5 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

That thoroughfare is too narrow really for anyone, let along scooters. Just to get another fruit machine in...

 

If you were called Anne not Victoria you may think differently. 

I think it is the other way round. If she thought differently, she would be called Anne not Victoria. 😀

[rog747]

3 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

That thoroughfare is too narrow really for anyone, let along scooters. Just to get another fruit machine in...

 

If you were called Anne not Victoria you may think differently. 

Indeed - I have just done a helpful post on just that, plus added the Casino ''pinch point''.

QA for folk with some mobility issues
 

[buchanan101]

1 minute ago, exlondoner said:

I think it is the other way round. If she thought differently, she would be called Anne not Victoria. 😀

Are you saying it’s not Victoria’s real name…?

[exlondoner]

2 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

Are you saying it’s not Victoria’s real name…?

I couldn’t possibly comment, but it might be an easy inference.

[DukeBeetle24]

11 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

A 7 day cruise costs ~£5.5k in PG and ~£2k(?) in Britannia, say...

 

The service provided doesn't cost £3k, even allowing for extra staff, somewhat better food and a few free bottles of water

 

Why do you think they more than doubled the size of BC and PG on QA relative to the other ships? (yes QA takes more PAX, but even allowing for that).

 

So, I'd suggest it's those cabins AND the booze. If you are a teetotaller in Britannia you have a bargain....

 

(Also given the lower crew/PAX ratio on QA, if they can fill QA it'll be their most profitable ship IMO)

 

There are 127 Princess Grill cabins onboard, and 1,146 Britannia (including balcony, oceanview, deluxe oceanview and inside - but excluding club).

 

They make more money from the balcony cabins alone than they do with Princess Grill based on those numbers, even if you were to reduce the estimated cost of Britannia inside to £1,500 it's not that far off.

 

Part of the fare will also be positioning of the cabin - Grills get the best locations unless I'm much mistaken so whether it were called Grills or not, there is a premium whether you believe the size of the cabin is any bigger or not. I also believe there are more perks: dedicated table available any time, pillow menu, specialty tea & coffee making facilities, water, fruit, elevated afternoon tea, dedicated lounge, terrace and a concierge. Those sound like perks that add up in cost. The difference of £3k between Britannia and Princess Grill isn't quite fair to make!

 

There is also an assumption that those of us in Britannia will pay for the speciality dining which isn't as likely in Grills. 
 

Basically, we're all cash cows - regardless of whichever grade of cabin we're in!

[Victoria2]

56 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

That thoroughfare is too narrow really for anyone, let along scooters. Just to get another fruit machine in...

 

If you were called Anne not Victoria you may think differently. 

Don't know what name has anything to do with liking a ship. Victoria could be called Doris and I'd still think her the best cruise ship at sea although Queen Doris doesn't quite seamlessly roll off the tongue [sorry any Doris's here].🙂

[exlondoner]

19 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Don't know what name has anything to do with liking a ship. Victoria could be called Doris and I'd still think her the best cruise ship at sea although Queen Doris doesn't quite seamlessly roll off the tongue [sorry any Doris's here].🙂

Doris would not be inappropriate as the name of a sea nymph, according to Homer. 

[buchanan101]

22 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Don't know what name has anything to do with liking a ship. Victoria could be called Doris and I'd still think her the best cruise ship at sea although Queen Doris doesn't quite seamlessly roll off the tongue [sorry any Doris's here].🙂

Or Queen Camilla... that doesn't sound right. Next Cunard may be Queen Katherine...?

 

I think @exlondoner was hinting that your handle here was based on the ship you liked...how dare he...

 

Booked QE for next Sept - only been on QM2 and QA so far... surely QE is 99% as good as QV? What is the main thing that makes QV better than QE? Thought they were very similar?

 

QV is mainly Med fly cruises these days and sailing round the med visiting places that I'd rather spend a long weekend at rather than a few hours doesn't really appeal to me, so not sure if and when I will sail on her

[exlondoner]

2 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

Or Queen Camilla... that doesn't sound right. Next Cunard may be Queen Katherine...?

 

I think @exlondoner was hinting that your handle here was based on the ship you liked...how dare he...

 

Booked QE for next Sept - only been on QM2 and QA so far... surely QE is 99% as good as QV? What is the main thing that makes QV better than QE? Thought they were very similar?

 

QV is mainly Med fly cruises these days and sailing round the med visiting places that I'd rather spend a long weekend at rather than a few hours doesn't really appeal to me, so not sure if and when I will sail on her

I actually prefer QE, the decor just seems slightly lighter, in both senses. But they are very similar.

[buchanan101]

1 hour ago, DukeBeetle24 said:

 

There are 127 Princess Grill cabins onboard, and 1,146 Britannia (including balcony, oceanview, deluxe oceanview and inside - but excluding club).

 

They make more money from the balcony cabins alone than they do with Princess Grill based on those numbers, even if you were to reduce the estimated cost of Britannia inside to £1,500 it's not that far off.

 

Part of the fare will also be positioning of the cabin - Grills get the best locations unless I'm much mistaken so whether it were called Grills or not, there is a premium whether you believe the size of the cabin is any bigger or not. I also believe there are more perks: dedicated table available any time, pillow menu, specialty tea & coffee making facilities, water, fruit, elevated afternoon tea, dedicated lounge, terrace and a concierge. Those sound like perks that add up in cost. The difference of £3k between Britannia and Princess Grill isn't quite fair to make!

 

There is also an assumption that those of us in Britannia will pay for the speciality dining which isn't as likely in Grills. 
 

Basically, we're all cash cows - regardless of whichever grade of cabin we're in!

My point is that the price minus costs will be a lot higher for grills and BC. Much of the cost per passenger will be the same. My 1/3000th of the Captain’s salary etc, my share of the theatre actors etc. 
 

Of course part of the fare is cabin positioning, and the investment in Grills cabins is higher (but not that much for PG and virtually nothing for BC). But there’s a good reason why QA has hugely increased BC and PG numbers. They can make a lot of money on these cabins. 
 

Good point about speciality dining. We tried it once on QA (the Aji Wa which was slightly underwhelming) 

[steeler33]

To be fair, it was only our recent experience of the Britannia open dining that's led us to contemplate Club next time. I'm not sure it's worth it to use really, but Open dining for us was variable between okay at best (but not the Cunard service we've had on all the other ships) and a car crash at worst, so we have to decide now between Britannia 2nd sitting + some use of the speciality restaurants, versus Club. 

[Planning to cruise]

Club dining on QM2 and QV / QE is more intimate with speedy good service by a waiting team that gets to know the limited number of diners. 

QA Club dining room is larger with more diners to be served.  More akin to Britannia.  We found speed and efficiency of service variable.  Wait staff whilst good often seemed under more pressure to get around everyone.  As in Britannia, there were long waits if more people turned up.  Tables are close together, it was difficult to get cheese and flambe trolleys close to a table when service was sometimes further away with the plate then being carried to the table.  Very first world, but not Club as we know it.   

[buchanan101]

Just now, Planning to cruise said:

Club dining on QM2 and QV / QE is more intimate with speedy good service by a waiting team that gets to know the limited number of diners. 

QA Club dining room is larger with more diners to be served.  More akin to Britannia.  We found speed and efficiency of service variable.  Wait staff whilst good often seemed under more pressure to get around everyone.  As in Britannia, there were long waits if more people turned up.  Tables are close together, it was difficult to get cheese and flambe trolleys close to a table when service was sometimes further away with the plate then being carried to the table.  Very first world, but not Club as we know it.   

Location of BC dining room on QA not great either

[Planning to cruise]

Just now, buchanan101 said:

Location of BC dining room on QA not great either

Agreed.  It is convenient, midships, but some tables are up against the window onto the atrium.  I was glad not to be there, a bit goldfish bowl and feeding time viewing.  Our own table was in a corner, up against 2 walls.  We had refused one next to a noisy service station.  The plus of being tucked away was the lack of constant passing traffic in a too cramped space   

[buchanan101]

3 minutes ago, Planning to cruise said:

Agreed.  It is convenient, midships, but some tables are up against the window onto the atrium.  I was glad not to be there, a bit goldfish bowl and feeding time viewing.  Our own table was in a corner, up against 2 walls.  We had refused one next to a noisy service station.  The plus of being tucked away was the lack of constant passing traffic in a too cramped space   

Have I ever mentioned how lucky we were with our table on QA to the fjords on only our second Cunard cruise 😉 

 

Good amount of room in QA PG, unlike QM2 QG

 

It is unlikely to be this good again unfortunately...  

Edited September 3 by buchanan101

[Pear Carr]

On embarkation day, whilst waiting to be allocated our table in PG, the couple in front were blah blahing about where they would like their table (window). Stanley advised that allocation was based on how early you had booked the cruise, finding this was the fairest, thus terminating any further discussion on his part but not their’s unfortunately.  We were very happy with our table and noted the couple in question were seated furthest from a window against a wall.

[exlondoner]

7 minutes ago, Pear Carr said:

On embarkation day, whilst waiting to be allocated our table in PG, the couple in front were blah blahing about where they would like their table (window). Stanley advised that allocation was based on how early you had booked the cruise, finding this was the fairest, thus terminating any further discussion on his part but not their’s unfortunately.  We were very happy with our table and noted the couple in question were seated furthest from a window against a wall.

I don’t think this can be the whole story or, even granting priority for Q1s and 2s, at some stage over the last 15 years of booking cruises on release day, we might have been given a window table.

[Victoria2]

7 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I don’t think this can be the whole story or, even granting priority for Q1s and 2s, at some stage over the last 15 years of booking cruises on release day, we might have been given a window table.

Right or wrong, I think it helps to be known as a frequent flyer for your preferences to be noted.

A choice wouldn't take precedence over a Q1 or Q2 but there are quite a few choice tables in any QG restaurant for example.

We now have  two certain tables we like on QV and QA and I would hope they would be assigned to us when boarding.

[exlondoner]

Just now, Victoria2 said:

Right or wrong, I think it helps to be known as a frequent flyer for your preferences to be noted.

A choice wouldn't take precedence over a Q1 or Q2 but there are quite a few choice tables in any QG restaurant for example.

We now have  two certain tables we like on QV and QA and I would hope they would be assigned to us when boarding.

So, I should have been taking more cruises. And been more memorable. Perhaps you are right

[buchanan101]

22 minutes ago, Pear Carr said:

On embarkation day, whilst waiting to be allocated our table in PG, the couple in front were blah blahing about where they would like their table (window). Stanley advised that allocation was based on how early you had booked the cruise, finding this was the fairest, thus terminating any further discussion on his part but not their’s unfortunately.  We were very happy with our table and noted the couple in question were seated furthest from a window against a wall.

That could make sense; I booked the QA cruise on the day of release - and got a window. Also Cunard fare and P1 not P2.

 

Just booked Alaska Sep 25 on QE and hardly any PG suites sold... and a few months ago booked a fall 2026 QM2 - so - fingers crossed!