Just sheer greed from them at that point and just makes for a poor customer experience? They've already paid a price many times over the cost of including their drinks, wifi and tips...why on earth do they think nickle and diming people after that is acceptable.
Who would want to be on a stuffy british ship? Bunch of snobs and royalists are not a compay anyone with a brain would want to keep...As to the food - French, hence nothing Brits do worth a while...
I ran into you on board and I recall we held similar views of Queen Anne. In Princess Grill, where we were booked, the cabins were smaller than we have seen on the other Queens. The bathrooms were comparable in size to those found on an aircraft with the showers an exception. Over US$900 for wi fi for 14 days rankled since we had been on Viking earlier in the year where it was included. Viking also included access to their excellent nordic spa. Queen Anne charged extra. Drinks at meals are also an included feature with Viking ( cocktails excepted) The ship's food was excellent. One last thing was the rather dissappointing promenade deck, which has the ships lifeboats and tenders parked on it and therefore obscuring views and not allowing deckchairs. (I am biased, I guess ,towards Viking since I am also a shareholder.) The bottom line? All things considered that was probably our first and last sailing on Queen Anne.
yes, I thought aircraft bathrooms, though they are still perfectly functional and well kitted out...and you can clean your teeth whilst sitting on the loo... (no i didn't). the rainfall shower head was nice... except at 6ft tall I couldn't use it as rainfall
I just got home from an Alaska cruise on the Queen Elizabeth. We decided to splurge and accepted an offer to upgrade from Princess Grill to Queens Grill. It was wonderful! Our butler was so helpful in many ways, but not obtrusive. The food was great, and I really do enjoy having the same table and the same staff for every meal. (After a couple of days, they knew I'd want orange juice and English Breakfast tea in the morning, but Earl Grey after dinner.) It seems odd that the Grills Lounge on the Queen Anne doesn't have views or access to the deck. That was one of the great things about the Lounge on the QE, particularly when we were viewing the glaciers. The only problem is that now I am spoiled!
I actually didn't think that $15,000 was that bad for a 14 night cruise for 2. $500 p/night for a luxury experience sounds about right. That was until I heard you talk about what ISN'T included! I was actually shocked. And having the outdoor area be a walk-through? What were they thinking? And the Queen's Grill restaurant is very underwhelming.
We canceled the 2025 World Cruise as we realized that this ship was not for us. In Q4, our cost for the 81 nights was actually going to be $2000 a night for the two of us. As we are US residents, we would have had the Drinks package included and tips included for traveling in Grills, but that is still ludicrous.
Just completed a long cruise on Virgin Voyages, no kids, all specialty restaurants included, wifi included, no gratuities, best ever service, great entertainment and a fraction of the price of this trip. Different experience but even if money was no option I would still go with Virgin over Cunard.
No one mentions that these luxury sections on non-luxury liners still have kids running around in these sections (because either they're staying in these sections or these sections aren't card restricted).
I went on the QE2 in 1989 at the same level (Princess Grill) as you and your husband. For the two of us, it cost around $5,000 (I got a 50% off coupon from Hilton Hotels). This included a one-way Concorde ticket or first class on other airlines. We loved it. Times have changed!! When we went, caviar was complimentary. We also could order whatever we wanted given 24 hours' notice. In 1989, the only difference between the two restaurants was simply one word: Presentation. Queens Grill got a presentation at the table, while Princess Grill had the same food without the table-side presentation. We had a four-person table right beside the window. Our table mates were a British couple who just retired. They traveled from South Hampton to South Hampton via a Caribbean cruise on the QE2.
It is surprisingly not that crowded though. Just been on the fjords cruise which was I think full. The deck space is way better than QM2, apart from the promenade deck. Grills deck area way way better... (the promenade walk is actually slightly longer than QM2 as you walk closer to bow and stern)
Unfortunately, I find that price is silly. But I'm spam sucking trailer trash and do most of my cruises booking interior cabins so I can do another cruise. In the past 26 years I've been upgraded a few times to balcony and window but don't plan on it. To each their own
Very gracious of you. Thanks. I hope you continue to enjoy cruising. Think I'd rather travel every five years on a great ship and have an upgraded experience than annually shoveling coal in the engine room simply to get to my destination. But, as you said, to each his (or her) own.
I don't think I could get used to spending that much money, but over 14 nights that comes out to over 500 bucks a night for two people, but you're travelling for two weeks in a moving resort more luxurious than a Holiday Inn hotel room.
I looked at a cruise that said "starting at $19,000" then jumped to $58,000" when I asked for a quote. I could spend a year touring Europe for that kind of cash.
Thanks for giving us such a great insight to suite life on Queen Anne - I haven't seen much other content showing this so far! Really impressed with that Butler overview - seems like quite a good way of setting expectations with the customers. I also share your thoughts on that Grills Lounge - so unusual to have the highest paying guests on the inside of the ship, rather than offering them amazing views of the ocean, or looking into the ports. Great video, Gary!
Thank you for such an honest review. I’m 15 years from retirement & have begun saving for a once in a lifetime cruise. A Cunard suite was the goal, but perhaps another company would be better.
Well done, Gary. One other Cunard topic I would like to see explored is what differentiates Britannia Club from standard Britannia, especially as on Queen Anne Cunard reportedly has greatly increased the number of Britannia Club cabins.
Same cabin size, few small extra perks (coffee machine, bottled water). Main difference as you know is restaurant - same menu, but a la carte options, and fixed table anytime dining (as opposed to fixed table OR anytime dining in Britannia). And priority embarkation. That's it i think? BC CAN be almost PG prices at times...not sure it's worth more than about a 20% to 25% premium over Britannia. BC dining room on QA really quite big and poor location
Very interesting and professional video. I really enjoy watching videos of cruise type holidays even though I know I would hate every moment of being on one.
Great vlog Gary. We're off on a 22 day Med cruise on 5th Aug in a Princess Grill suite, a first for us, and I am now definitely going to the restaurant for lunch on Day 1. I assume your comments about checking out the table allocation and changing if not the best applies to the Queen Vic as well.
Have a great trip. Yes very much the same on QV and lunch on embarkation day as early as you can to then get a different table if you don't like the ones allocated. I did that on my last QE trip as the tabbed then was also not great and they gave me a fab one by the window as I was there right as lunch opened!
Just been in QA PG. We did make sure we went to embarkation lunch for the reason you said - check the table. We were really lucky and had a window table assigned anyway (we are only silver, but we paid Cunard Fare, booked on day cruises released, P1 cabin, and OH is a Doctor... so not sure what counts!). Service was fantastic (and Mark appears in your video). Grills Deck was great
Our very first cruise (almost 40 years ago) was in a Penthouse Suite on the QE2; we dined in the Queen's Grill. It was an amazing experience and definitely the most elevated of all the subsequent cruises we went on (although we enjoyed every cruise.) Since my husband passed away, I have been unable to face the idea of traveling, but to be honest at this point in my life i would never be able to afford another experience like this. Singles supplements are outrageous and some lines are offering special singles cabins but obviously they are not the best cabins on the ship.
Really like the look of Anne. We are sailing Princess Grille in 2026 on her. Can’t understand why the grills terrace on deck 11 is not key card controlled otherwise non grills customers will be enjoying this area that we have paid extra for. The likes of Celebrity manage to keep their Retreat area exclusive. Why can’t Cunard? Good video again Gary. Thank you
Just been on QA to Norway. The grills deck was never busy (even on good sea day weather) and there could have been interlopers but it didn't seem to be an issue - there would be some people walking through but it seems less of an issue that I thought it would be. A very nice area. I guess there will be a key card option if needed as there are doors, but maybe a safety issue if evacuation needed?
When you’ve got twice as many people in the upper classes, it becomes less exclusive but it does afford more space. It looks wonderful. The afternoon tea looks much better. I wonder how the assigned restaurant compares to speciality dining?
Always interests me that a big part of the very wealthy passenger experience is the fawning and grovelling that goes with it ( that list of services the butler provided only just seemed to stop short of personal cleaning). For myself I would actually feel really uncomfortable having a butler hovering over me and I certainly would prefer to unpack and pack my own case etc. As others have pointed out, a similar price tag gets you access to Seabourn or Silver Seas where absolutely everything is included for everyone (so no ‘them and us’ elitist atmosphere)
I’m sticking to QM2 and QV ; I really like the possibility of lunch outside which is an option on Cunard Vista class if you’re Grill grade , but which doesn’t appear to be an option on the Queen Anne
Gary, you are sugar coating this by quoting the "bare" Cunard fare for the suite.. Once you add wifi, drinks, Shore excursions etc then add gratuities the real "all up" price is not just eye watering it is out of sight.
To pay £20,000 for a queens grill suite and have to pay for your drinks , might as well pay a bit more for an all inclusive deal on one of the premium cruise line with far less people.Should be all inclusive on queens grill class .Crisps and nuts
Having done 5 Cunard voyages (but only in Britannia) I would love to try out the Grills. But it generally comes in at about 3.5 - 4 times what a standard balcony cabin costs so I'm not sure I'll be doing it any time soon. But the daily rate is probably still less than the luxury lines (Silversea, Regent etc) but then they do include more (drinks, gratuities etc) (Although I assume you got a good chunk of OBC to at least reduce some of your on-board spend?) The cabins looks good (especially QG) and the food looks amazing, but the vast majority of the ship and facilities are open to all passengers, and even though I coveted the Grills Terrace on Queen Anne when I was on her a couple of weeks back (and I admit I did take a sneaky walk through, but blame the Cunard weird upper deck ship design for that!) I think I'd rather be in the position on taking 3 Cunard cruises in Britannia for the price of just one in Grills. But never say never, and I do love to see (through RUclips bloggers such as yourself) what I would be getting - when that lottery ticket comes up!
Gee, thanks for allowing the rest of us to live and spend our money as we feel best for us. Or, are you another Democrat imposing your singular views on the rest of the world? There is a market for it. Some even enjoy it. You want to legislate it away in the name of DEI, equity, and because you cannot afford it? I can't afford it either. But, I say leave them alone to do whatever pleases them and is legal.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm take a chill pill dude. I shared my opinion that’s all. You do you and I’ll do me. I lead a humble life on the prairies of Canada, so yes I like my free healthcare, but also we are a tolerant people who respect others opinions. But hey you can go back to being an egalitarian troll with lack of common sense.
@@jenniferkneller1228 Congratulations. Not surprising. A rich person who dislikes the rich and their life style. That is a very popular stance these days. Seems a bit self-hating to me but I understand the Democrats may be looking for a new presidential candidate. Want to throw your hat in the arena?
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pmwhy are you all over these comments being a immature sensitive little baby? Leave politics out of it. You must be a Maga cultists. The OP didn’t tell anyone how to live or what not to do.
Have you ever seen the little velvet cushion with the Cunard crest in the middle for sale anywhere? Ive looked on eBay and on the internet and found nothing. I’ve been on Cunard twice and would have loved one , next time I think I’ll just ask them to add it to my bill and leave with one
For that price point it feels cheap on them to not include drinks, wifi, or tips. Are they trying to compete with Silver Sea or something at that price point because seems extremely stingy for 15k to not include anything extra.
I was such a lucky girl. I had many trips, both Atlantic crossings, and cruises on the QE2. We had suites, and ate in the Queens Grill. I never took it for granted. Thank you Pa x
Wow! Very good video (as usual). It makes no sense to pay that kind of $$ for a standard “big ship” cruise. Yes you get perks BUT you still have crowds crowds & more crowds. All Common space areas have crowds. For that kind of money I’d choose Silversea or Seaborn. Free drinks, no gratuities, no crowds, dock closer to city center (in many ports). That price makes ZERO sense to me. Happy cruising !
Thank you Gary. As expected good review. I would be annoyed with the table too. We have a Q3 in August, but unfortunately not the corner ones. It does however have a walk-in wardrobe. Even though I’ve book two voyages on QA, I think I’m still going to prefer the other ships decor.
A friend of mine who owned what was then called a "cabin cruiser" desribed a boat as "a hole in the water that you poor money into"! Today's cruise industry is taking that adage to new highs!!! (I've backed off cruising until the madness curtails)
We take window view cabins @ circa £800 - £1000pp for 14 nights, usually P&O UK. Have 90% of the benefits that $15k passenger have. Same ports, same decks and swimming pools. Food and fluffy things are not worth the insane extra costs. On ships with this excess division between passengers, the upper class punters tend to resent the other people on board.
There were celebrities on board who need grills privacy. We are now old need the calm and spend for our one holiday of the year. However , I do not think celebrities will be travelling on the Anne. A few examples. 'Does she want coffee?'. Eating early waiting for the menu three waiters were talking football. The head waiter came up, looked at us, joined the conversation,turned, looked at us and left. Two wealthy Americans talking said the food was hit and miss. The sauce on the chinese dish was the sauce that comes with Chinese takeaway. I was not sure all main dishes were cooked on board but may well be wrong. We were never spoken to by name. If a passenger left during a meal they returned to find the table napkin in exactly the state it was left. Staff transferred from the Mary were superb..
We have cruised Norwegian a couple of times, both cruises in The Haven. They also "ding" you for Wifi and soft drinks. For the price of a cabin in The Haven, you can cruise on a luxury cruise line like Seabourn, Silversea and Regent where WiFi and sot drinks are including along with much more. The Haven is not worth the money. I would rather cruise on a more upscale cruise line.
Gary, we paid more than that for a standard veranda suite on the Oceania Vista for the 19-day Canal repositioning transit last Nov. That fare was even more than Seabourn but in a much smaller cabin. If you paid $15K for two on a 14-day cruise - just over $500/pp/pd - that's a bargain. Or, is that for each of you? That would be a rip.
Don't be in a hurry! We were on the maiden voyage and the service was outrageously bad. Even the Captain apologised at her cocktail party. Lovely ship tho' so we booked for a future trip in the knowledge that it could only get better. We've been ten-or-so times with Cunard, if they don't get it right next time, it will be the last. What a shame, fingers crossed.
For me, it seems like Cunard have kept "oldworld cruicing" grade system. More moderne lines hav classdifferences on cabin but also have more mix communal mealsareas. "Oldworld cruising" were more a means of transpotation than holiday in a time where holiday for the most of us did not inklude travelig or time longer than a week. Todays expertations for the fare is so different from "oldworld cruising" that Cunard seems like a low budjett company on high budjett fareprize. Cunard can remove this impression by simply cange their meal-system to be a 2-class-system. Queen-class can still ceep its own lounges/areas I hope my text is easy to understand and sorry about any misspellings. 🇧🇻
Hello Gary, I enjoy your videos! Can you please direct me to that website where we sign up, inputting our upcoming cruise information, and it will tell us if your cruise price goes down? Thank you!
IDK, I just hate the return to what shipping was 50 years ago. 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class and of course 'steerage' class. I really hate the 'Elitist' aspect of modern cruising. Now they're more like a moving high-rise apartment block with propellers attached. So it would be a 'no' for me. I like smaller ships anyway.
Odd how Elitists always hate the elitist aspects of modern life. Steerage class today? Whips and chains? 12 hours shoveling coal in the engine room for your passage? Really? Get a life you can live with and leave the rest of the world to the rest of us fools.
I love your editing with the words embedded into the video. And the transitions between the plates of food. So clever. Curious. Do you do your own editing? If so, curious what program you use. Thanks for showing us how the first class does it. 😊🛳️🚢😎
I refuse to go on another cruise until things like Wi-Fi and tips are included. It’s irritating to know that staff are constantly having to try to impress me so that I’ll leave them cash at the end of my trip. I want to pay for my cruise and know that staff are earning good wages from the cruise company. Also, extra fees for Wi-fi are ridiculous. Just include them in the overall price since 99% of people need to use the internet.
I did a segment of the QM2 World Cruise in 2023 and felt like I was in a geriatric ward. I blame myself for not thinking it through. It was a window to my future in 20 years. In one level, I give Cunard some credit to being so accommodating. On the other hand, there were a good number of passengers with serious health issues and mobility issues. Covid was the least of the issues.
It is not a stereotype. Who else can afford to throw around $15 k on any cruise? Some retirees can afford it. Those in their 20s and 30s with young families probably cannot and if they could, traveling with mostly geriatric fellow cruisers might not appeal to them so it gets even more geriatric.
We just said we didn’t want to sit there. We didn’t give a reason. But if have refused in past just said we don’t like the location. We’ve found they don’t usually ask specifics.
Serious question…. With the four separate “classes” did this, in effect, feel like four separate small ships? Or was the space larger with ample shared spaces?
The Grills Lounge is disappointing as it has no ocean view. I was on Queen Victoria in Princess Grills and the Lounge had spectacular ocean views. Adding, I did get tips and drinks included in my sailing.
Great advice but a first world problem. Drinks should be included when paying that amount. It's a bit like the old days of sailing. First class, second class and steerage like the Titanic. Enjoyed your review.
I'm way too cheap to ever pay that, even if I had the money. Also I like to be low-key, I don't want the staff to know me and I certainly don't want a butler who unpacks my underwear, to me that sounds like a proper nightmare 😅
Is it 15k pp or total for you and your partner? We cruise Regent and Seabourn and it often feels like we are wasting money, not being regular drinkers. Also we tend to miss out on the "free" shore excursions because we have to book less than 6 months out and the good ones are always gone. I don't even think I would miss the wifi since it would force us to unplug from the world. In that case, the nickel & diming might make sense?
One could live a life of luxury for six months for that amount of money in any number of countries. When I work out price per day of travel, I don't see the value in most cruises.
I don't understand Garry's insistence on calling it a "class based" system. Using the same logic, air travel uses a "class based" system, serving passengers different meals in separately allocated areas of the plane. But that's ridiculous because nobody refers to airline seating allocation as operating a "class based" system. Therefore, it's similarly inaccurate to refer to Cunard's cabin and associated restaurant allocation system as "class based". The vernacular meaning of "class based" and the class system suggest restricted access based on social standing and/or family history. It's unfair and misleading to pretend that this has anything to do with purchasing a Cunard ticket. Cunard does not operate a class-based system. Social standing and family history is not requested when purchasing a ticket. You get the cabin & associated dining room allocation you pay for. It's disappointing to think that people who may have enjoyed a Cunard cruise might refrain from buying a ticket under the misapprehension that Cunard operates a class-based system.
Although dark wood is often thought of when thinking of Art Deco. Art Deco can be pastels contrasted with dark colors like black with lots of geometric shapes. Gold accents, and patterns, with statement lighting fixtures. Therefore just because this ship doesn't have the dark wood you are used to doesn't mean it isn't Art Deco. When I think of Art Deco I think of Erte` and the likes. There is an opulence, what I don't normally think of is dark wood, because that is not the Art Deco that I have been exposed to in my artist training. Probably because I am a Fine Artist and Fashion designer. Therefore I didn't study Art Deco from the sheer perspective of interior design. One of the biggest parts of Art Deco that I love is the pastels juxtaposed with a dark color and a splash of Gold or ten. The ship definitely has more of that type of Art Deco look, and I wouldn't call it "more modern". All they did was take it away from the dark dingy wood and bring out the bright and cheerful raging 1920s. To me it has that light Cha Cha feel and look of the 1920s versus the F. Scot Fitzgerald dark cigar smoking room in a dark maroon velvet smoking jacket. Just thought I would add this here!
These ship in ship concepts are a two edged sword. The exclusive areas are most of the time not much better then the rest of the ship and the it just alienates from the majority of other passengers. If I want to be on my own, why don’t I stay at home? On cruises were I do see a benefit or at least want the option the suites are already sold so far in advance that you do stand a chance of getting one.
When Cunard (aka Carnival) becomes all inclusive I may consider paying $15000 for Queens Grill. At this level Gratuities and Drinks Packages should be consigned to history. Note also that 'Champagne' has now become 'sparkling wine'. How much more greed can American cruise operators inflict on their long suffering customers? By the way, $15000 for TWO is not unreasonable in this day and age.
How come I get free wifi on a Norwegian Air Service 737 included in the air fare, but, in the most expensive cabin on a ship, you have to pay extra? WTF?? and, screw the exclusivity.
What I like about Gary is that when he is critical, it's matter of fact and never over the top or comes across as whiny.
It is a very good service he is providing us.
He’s not a noisy American.
If I’m paying $15000 I expect drinks wifi and tips included
You know it
yea agree !!
Just sheer greed from them at that point and just makes for a poor customer experience? They've already paid a price many times over the cost of including their drinks, wifi and tips...why on earth do they think nickle and diming people after that is acceptable.
Who would want to be on a stuffy british ship? Bunch of snobs and royalists are not a compay anyone with a brain would want to keep...As to the food - French, hence nothing Brits do worth a while...
Certainly wifi and drinks for SURE
When you showed the table they had originally assigned to you, I immediately thought, "Nobody puts Gary in a corner." 😂
Same.
You literally couldn't pay me enough to take ANY cruise on a ship with 3000 passengers, but I thoroughly enjoy your reviews!
Exactly how I feel.
15000 Buckaroos!
I would expect Louis Vuitton life jackets and a non-smoking Life raft for that.
Thanks Gary for looking after us.Cheers
You could sail on Silversea, Regent, Seabourn, etc for far less where the entire ship is an "exclusive area."
Not to mention Crystal and Explora Journeys where the only thing that costs more is a bigger cabin. Cunard is so behind the times.
And the drinks would be included
Or Hapag if you want the best of the best.
@@MrToryhereOn Regent, anyway.
I ran into you on board and I recall we held similar views of Queen Anne. In Princess Grill, where we were booked, the cabins were smaller than we have seen on the other Queens. The bathrooms were comparable in size to those found on an aircraft with the showers an exception. Over US$900 for wi fi for 14 days rankled since we had been on Viking earlier in the year where it was included. Viking also included access to their excellent nordic spa. Queen Anne charged extra. Drinks at meals are also an included feature with Viking ( cocktails excepted)
The ship's food was excellent. One last thing was the rather dissappointing promenade deck, which has the ships lifeboats and tenders parked on it and therefore obscuring views and not allowing deckchairs.
(I am biased, I guess ,towards Viking since I am also a shareholder.)
The bottom line? All things considered that was probably our first and last sailing on Queen Anne.
AUD $1350 for wifi for 14 days is a massive charge.
yes, I thought aircraft bathrooms, though they are still perfectly functional and well kitted out...and you can clean your teeth whilst sitting on the loo... (no i didn't). the rainfall shower head was nice... except at 6ft tall I couldn't use it as rainfall
I’ll take vacations I can’t afford for $15,000 Alex ( Jeopardy game show reference)
Thank you Gary for letting me live through your cruises.
I just got home from an Alaska cruise on the Queen Elizabeth. We decided to splurge and accepted an offer to upgrade from Princess Grill to Queens Grill. It was wonderful! Our butler was so helpful in many ways, but not obtrusive. The food was great, and I really do enjoy having the same table and the same staff for every meal. (After a couple of days, they knew I'd want orange juice and English Breakfast tea in the morning, but Earl Grey after dinner.)
It seems odd that the Grills Lounge on the Queen Anne doesn't have views or access to the deck. That was one of the great things about the Lounge on the QE, particularly when we were viewing the glaciers.
The only problem is that now I am spoiled!
For $15,000 wifi should be included as well as a lot of other things. This makes me lean even more towards Viking.
I actually didn't think that $15,000 was that bad for a 14 night cruise for 2. $500 p/night for a luxury experience sounds about right. That was until I heard you talk about what ISN'T included! I was actually shocked. And having the outdoor area be a walk-through? What were they thinking? And the Queen's Grill restaurant is very underwhelming.
They seem like average prices for any Cunard ship for us Australians. We are ripped off for cruising and flying.
We canceled the 2025 World Cruise as we realized that this ship was not for us.
In Q4, our cost for the 81 nights was actually going to be $2000 a night for the two of us.
As we are US residents, we would have had the Drinks package included and tips included for traveling in Grills, but that is still ludicrous.
I cannot believe drinks and Wi-Fi and tips are extra 😂
Just completed a long cruise on Virgin Voyages, no kids, all specialty restaurants included, wifi included, no gratuities, best ever service, great entertainment and a fraction of the price of this trip. Different experience but even if money was no option I would still go with Virgin over Cunard.
No one mentions that these luxury sections on non-luxury liners still have kids running around in these sections (because either they're staying in these sections or these sections aren't card restricted).
I’ll never be able to afford Queen or Princess status, but it’s fun to watch your videos!
I went on the QE2 in 1989 at the same level (Princess Grill) as you and your husband. For the two of us, it cost around $5,000 (I got a 50% off coupon from Hilton Hotels). This included a one-way Concorde ticket or first class on other airlines. We loved it. Times have changed!! When we went, caviar was complimentary. We also could order whatever we wanted given 24 hours' notice. In 1989, the only difference between the two restaurants was simply one word: Presentation. Queens Grill got a presentation at the table, while Princess Grill had the same food without the table-side presentation. We had a four-person table right beside the window. Our table mates were a British couple who just retired. They traveled from South Hampton to South Hampton via a Caribbean cruise on the QE2.
Cunard need to start making grills an all inclusive fare. It’s crazy when you look at competitors
Paying for a Butler that hasn’t been on a cruise and has never been a Butler?? I guess you had to train him!!
It's like bringing your car to be fixed and getting the 16-year-old apprentice.
I think the person had experience as a butler, but not necessarily on a ship or with Cunard. At least that's what I got from the video.
Thank you Gary for your videos. I can live through you. I can avoid expensive mistakes.
FYI, QM2 remains Cunard's largest ship. QA can carry more passengers than QM2, but QA is a much smaller (shorter, narrower, lighter) ship.
It is surprisingly not that crowded though. Just been on the fjords cruise which was I think full. The deck space is way better than QM2, apart from the promenade deck. Grills deck area way way better... (the promenade walk is actually slightly longer than QM2 as you walk closer to bow and stern)
Good to see how the other half lives! Perhaps something on the lower decks next time?
Unfortunately, I find that price is silly. But I'm spam sucking trailer trash and do most of my cruises booking interior cabins so I can do another cruise. In the past 26 years I've been upgraded a few times to balcony and window but don't plan on it. To each their own
Very gracious of you. Thanks. I hope you continue to enjoy cruising. Think I'd rather travel every five years on a great ship and have an upgraded experience than annually shoveling coal in the engine room simply to get to my destination. But, as you said, to each his (or her) own.
Nobody is shoveling coal anymore.🤣🤣
@@DemiB5030 But if you shovel coal, you don't have to pay extra for exercise equipment.
I don't think I could get used to spending that much money, but over 14 nights that comes out to over 500 bucks a night for two people, but you're travelling for two weeks in a moving resort more luxurious than a Holiday Inn hotel room.
Especially with no drinks or wifi
I looked at a cruise that said "starting at $19,000" then jumped to $58,000" when I asked for a quote. I could spend a year touring Europe for that kind of cash.
Thanks for giving us such a great insight to suite life on Queen Anne - I haven't seen much other content showing this so far! Really impressed with that Butler overview - seems like quite a good way of setting expectations with the customers.
I also share your thoughts on that Grills Lounge - so unusual to have the highest paying guests on the inside of the ship, rather than offering them amazing views of the ocean, or looking into the ports.
Great video, Gary!
Thank you for such an honest review. I’m 15 years from retirement & have begun saving for a once in a lifetime cruise. A Cunard suite was the goal, but perhaps another company would be better.
Try the Queen Mary 2 instead.
Well done, Gary. One other Cunard topic I would like to see explored is what differentiates Britannia Club from standard Britannia, especially as on Queen Anne Cunard reportedly has greatly increased the number of Britannia Club cabins.
Same cabin size, few small extra perks (coffee machine, bottled water). Main difference as you know is restaurant - same menu, but a la carte options, and fixed table anytime dining (as opposed to fixed table OR anytime dining in Britannia). And priority embarkation. That's it i think? BC CAN be almost PG prices at times...not sure it's worth more than about a 20% to 25% premium over Britannia. BC dining room on QA really quite big and poor location
Very interesting and professional video. I really enjoy watching videos of cruise type holidays even though I know I would hate every moment of being on one.
Gary is the best cruise reviewer by far!
Great vlog Gary. We're off on a 22 day Med cruise on 5th Aug in a Princess Grill suite, a first for us, and I am now definitely going to the restaurant for lunch on Day 1. I assume your comments about checking out the table allocation and changing if not the best applies to the Queen Vic as well.
Have a great trip. Yes very much the same on QV and lunch on embarkation day as early as you can to then get a different table if you don't like the ones allocated. I did that on my last QE trip as the tabbed then was also not great and they gave me a fab one by the window as I was there right as lunch opened!
Went to lunch day 1 as already knew this tip... wasn't needed as we were allocated a window table in PG which in the fjords was absolutely fantastic
Just been in QA PG. We did make sure we went to embarkation lunch for the reason you said - check the table. We were really lucky and had a window table assigned anyway (we are only silver, but we paid Cunard Fare, booked on day cruises released, P1 cabin, and OH is a Doctor... so not sure what counts!). Service was fantastic (and Mark appears in your video). Grills Deck was great
Our very first cruise (almost 40 years ago) was in a Penthouse Suite on the QE2; we dined in the Queen's Grill. It was an amazing experience and definitely the most elevated of all the subsequent cruises we went on (although we enjoyed every cruise.) Since my husband passed away, I have been unable to face the idea of traveling, but to be honest at this point in my life i would never be able to afford another experience like this. Singles supplements are outrageous and some lines are offering special singles cabins but obviously they are not the best cabins on the ship.
We are in a PG suite in October. Drinks were part of the deal for Grill suites
Really like the look of Anne. We are sailing Princess Grille in 2026 on her. Can’t understand why the grills terrace on deck 11 is not key card controlled otherwise non grills customers will be enjoying this area that we have paid extra for. The likes of Celebrity manage to keep their Retreat area exclusive. Why can’t Cunard? Good video again Gary. Thank you
Just been on QA to Norway. The grills deck was never busy (even on good sea day weather) and there could have been interlopers but it didn't seem to be an issue - there would be some people walking through but it seems less of an issue that I thought it would be. A very nice area. I guess there will be a key card option if needed as there are doors, but maybe a safety issue if evacuation needed?
When you’ve got twice as many people in the upper classes, it becomes less exclusive but it does afford more space.
It looks wonderful.
The afternoon tea looks much better.
I wonder how the assigned restaurant compares to speciality dining?
I love the eye-watering animation
Always interests me that a big part of the very wealthy passenger experience is the fawning and grovelling that goes with it ( that list of services the butler provided only just seemed to stop short of personal cleaning). For myself I would actually feel really uncomfortable having a butler hovering over me and I certainly would prefer to unpack and pack my own case etc. As others have pointed out, a similar price tag gets you access to Seabourn or Silver Seas where absolutely everything is included for everyone (so no ‘them and us’ elitist atmosphere)
Thanks Gary. Great insights. Although this feels outside of my wheelhouse from a budget standpoint.
I’m sticking to QM2 and QV ; I really like the possibility of lunch outside which is an option on Cunard Vista class if you’re Grill grade , but which doesn’t appear to be an option on the Queen Anne
Gary, you are sugar coating this by quoting the "bare" Cunard fare for the suite.. Once you add wifi, drinks, Shore excursions etc then add gratuities the real "all up" price is not just eye watering it is out of sight.
To pay £20,000 for a queens grill suite and have to pay for your drinks , might as well pay a bit more for an all inclusive deal on one of the premium cruise line with far less people.Should be all inclusive on queens grill class .Crisps and nuts
Having done 5 Cunard voyages (but only in Britannia) I would love to try out the Grills.
But it generally comes in at about 3.5 - 4 times what a standard balcony cabin costs so I'm not sure I'll be doing it any time soon.
But the daily rate is probably still less than the luxury lines (Silversea, Regent etc) but then they do include more (drinks, gratuities etc)
(Although I assume you got a good chunk of OBC to at least reduce some of your on-board spend?)
The cabins looks good (especially QG) and the food looks amazing, but the vast majority of the ship and facilities are open to all passengers, and even though I coveted the Grills Terrace on Queen Anne when I was on her a couple of weeks back (and I admit I did take a sneaky walk through, but blame the Cunard weird upper deck ship design for that!) I think I'd rather be in the position on taking 3 Cunard cruises in Britannia for the price of just one in Grills.
But never say never, and I do love to see (through RUclips bloggers such as yourself) what I would be getting - when that lottery ticket comes up!
We paid $12,000 each for airfares with Singapore Airline to the UK and return and it was atrocious so a couple of weeks on a cruise is a bargain !!
I don’t mind the ship within a ship concept, but the class system a la Cunard goes over the top. But hey there is a market for it.
Gee, thanks for allowing the rest of us to live and spend our money as we feel best for us. Or, are you another Democrat imposing your singular views on the rest of the world? There is a market for it. Some even enjoy it. You want to legislate it away in the name of DEI, equity, and because you cannot afford it? I can't afford it either. But, I say leave them alone to do whatever pleases them and is legal.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm take a chill pill dude. I shared my opinion that’s all. You do you and I’ll do me. I lead a humble life on the prairies of Canada, so yes I like my free healthcare, but also we are a tolerant people who respect others opinions. But hey you can go back to being an egalitarian troll with lack of common sense.
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm by the way I can afford it!
@@jenniferkneller1228 Congratulations. Not surprising. A rich person who dislikes the rich and their life style. That is a very popular stance these days. Seems a bit self-hating to me but I understand the Democrats may be looking for a new presidential candidate. Want to throw your hat in the arena?
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pmwhy are you all over these comments being a immature sensitive little baby? Leave politics out of it. You must be a Maga cultists.
The OP didn’t tell anyone how to live or what not to do.
I would love to see you do a video on Grills vs. Celebrity Retreat
OMG, I can not believe you spent that much!
Thinking of this cost pains me, enormously.
I hope your experience was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Have you ever seen the little velvet cushion with the Cunard crest in the middle for sale anywhere? Ive looked on eBay and on the internet and found nothing. I’ve been on Cunard twice and would have loved one , next time I think I’ll just ask them to add it to my bill and leave with one
For that price point it feels cheap on them to not include drinks, wifi, or tips. Are they trying to compete with Silver Sea or something at that price point because seems extremely stingy for 15k to not include anything extra.
Great video, made me hungry! Your graphics also look terrific!
I was such a lucky girl. I had many trips, both Atlantic crossings, and cruises on the QE2. We had suites, and ate in the Queens Grill. I never took it for granted. Thank you Pa x
Just got back from 2 weeks on Queen Anne , absolutely hated everything about ….service was good , that’s it !
Wow! Very good video (as usual). It makes no sense to pay that kind of $$ for a standard “big ship” cruise. Yes you get perks BUT you still have crowds crowds & more crowds. All
Common space areas have crowds. For that kind of money I’d choose Silversea or Seaborn. Free drinks, no gratuities, no crowds, dock closer to city center (in many ports).
That price makes ZERO sense to me.
Happy cruising !
QA was surprisingly uncrowded last week. there's really loads of space inside and on deck
Thank you Gary. As expected good review. I would be annoyed with the table too. We have a Q3 in August, but unfortunately not the corner ones. It does however have a walk-in wardrobe. Even though I’ve book two voyages on QA, I think I’m still going to prefer the other ships decor.
I won’t be wasting my money on QA. The other ships are too dated for my tastes. Viking is my style.
I can't imagine a more hellish experience on this planet than going on a cruise.
A friend of mine who owned what was then called a "cabin cruiser" desribed a boat as "a hole in the water that you poor money into"! Today's cruise industry is taking that adage to new highs!!! (I've backed off cruising until the madness curtails)
We take window view cabins @ circa £800 - £1000pp for 14 nights, usually P&O UK. Have 90% of the benefits that $15k passenger have. Same ports, same decks and swimming pools. Food and fluffy things are not worth the insane extra costs. On ships with this excess division between passengers, the upper class punters tend to resent the other people on board.
@@stephanguitar9778 I agree! as part of the "unwashed masses" I stay away from Cunard, Viking, etc.
Nice to keep the 'help' in business
There were celebrities on board who need grills privacy. We are now old need the calm and spend for our one holiday of the year. However , I do not think celebrities will be travelling on the Anne. A few examples. 'Does she want coffee?'. Eating early waiting for the menu three waiters were talking football. The head waiter came up, looked at us, joined the conversation,turned, looked at us and left. Two wealthy Americans talking said the food was hit and miss. The sauce on the chinese dish was the sauce that comes with Chinese takeaway. I was not sure all main dishes were cooked on board but may well be wrong. We were never spoken to by name. If a passenger left during a meal they returned to find the table napkin in exactly the state it was left. Staff transferred from the Mary were superb..
Thank you for the video!
We have cruised Norwegian a couple of times, both cruises in The Haven. They also "ding" you for Wifi and soft drinks. For the price of a cabin in The Haven, you can cruise on a luxury cruise line like Seabourn, Silversea and Regent where WiFi and sot drinks are including along with much more. The Haven is not worth the money. I would rather cruise on a more upscale cruise line.
Gary, we paid more than that for a standard veranda suite on the Oceania Vista for the 19-day Canal repositioning transit last Nov. That fare was even more than Seabourn but in a much smaller cabin. If you paid $15K for two on a 14-day cruise - just over $500/pp/pd - that's a bargain. Or, is that for each of you? That would be a rip.
Lovely insight to the haves. Unfortunately like Simply Red song for me Money's too tight to mention.
Very excited to try Queen Anne
Don't be in a hurry!
We were on the maiden voyage and the service was outrageously bad. Even the Captain apologised at her cocktail party.
Lovely ship tho' so we booked for a future trip in the knowledge that it could only get better.
We've been ten-or-so times with Cunard, if they don't get it right next time, it will be the last.
What a shame, fingers crossed.
For me, it seems like Cunard have kept "oldworld cruicing" grade system. More moderne lines hav classdifferences on cabin but also have more mix communal mealsareas.
"Oldworld cruising" were more a means of transpotation than holiday in a time where holiday for the most of us did not inklude travelig or time longer than a week.
Todays expertations for the fare is so different from "oldworld cruising" that Cunard seems like a low budjett company on high budjett fareprize.
Cunard can remove this impression by simply cange their meal-system to be a 2-class-system. Queen-class can still ceep its own lounges/areas
I hope my text is easy to understand and sorry about any misspellings. 🇧🇻
Hello Gary, I enjoy your videos! Can you please direct me to that website where we sign up, inputting our upcoming cruise information, and it will tell us if your cruise price goes down? Thank you!
IDK, I just hate the return to what shipping was 50 years ago. 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class and of course 'steerage' class. I really hate the 'Elitist' aspect of modern cruising. Now they're more like a moving high-rise apartment block with propellers attached. So it would be a 'no' for me. I like smaller ships anyway.
Odd how Elitists always hate the elitist aspects of modern life. Steerage class today? Whips and chains? 12 hours shoveling coal in the engine room for your passage? Really? Get a life you can live with and leave the rest of the world to the rest of us fools.
Hello Gary, ❤ What is your filming gear that makes the pole disapear on video? TKS love all your good job. Safe Travel ! 🚢 Josée from Québec
I love your editing with the words embedded into the video. And the transitions between the plates of food. So clever. Curious. Do you do your own editing? If so, curious what program you use. Thanks for showing us how the first class does it. 😊🛳️🚢😎
I refuse to go on another cruise until things like Wi-Fi and tips are included. It’s irritating to know that staff are constantly having to try to impress me so that I’ll leave them cash at the end of my trip. I want to pay for my cruise and know that staff are earning good wages from the cruise company. Also, extra fees for Wi-fi are ridiculous. Just include them in the overall price since 99% of people need to use the internet.
I know it is a stereotype, but it seems there are mostly elderly on this ship. The ship also feels so empty.
not only elderly but one's that hardly walking and expect poor staff to change their dippers...one of many reasons not to be on a Cunard ship
I did a segment of the QM2 World Cruise in 2023 and felt like I was in a geriatric ward. I blame myself for not thinking it through. It was a window to my future in 20 years. In one level, I give Cunard some credit to being so accommodating. On the other hand, there were a good number of passengers with serious health issues and mobility issues. Covid was the least of the issues.
It is not a stereotype. Who else can afford to throw around $15 k on any cruise? Some retirees can afford it. Those in their 20s and 30s with young families probably cannot and if they could, traveling with mostly geriatric fellow cruisers might not appeal to them so it gets even more geriatric.
What reason did you give for refusing the corner table? I never know how to approach these things.
We just said we didn’t want to sit there. We didn’t give a reason. But if have refused in past just said we don’t like the location. We’ve found they don’t usually ask specifics.
@@tipsfortravellers Thanks Gary I will have to be braver in future!
Serious question…. With the four separate “classes” did this, in effect, feel like four separate small ships? Or was the space larger with ample shared spaces?
I think not including even basic alc drinks for grills is absolutely ridiculous. Wifi and gratuity I can bend on.
With that said the food looks great
Just bring your own caviar.
Was it 15k each? If it’s for both it’s not too bad a price for 14 days
The Grills are the way to go on Cunard. Otherwise, it's just like Princess/HAL (exception the dress codes)
Please compare Regent and Queens Grille for value. Remember we have to fly and Regent air is included . Thanks😊
The Grills Lounge is disappointing as it has no ocean view. I was on Queen Victoria in Princess Grills and the Lounge had spectacular ocean views. Adding, I did get tips and drinks included in my sailing.
Great advice but a first world problem. Drinks should be included when paying that amount.
It's a bit like the old days of sailing. First class, second class and steerage like the Titanic. Enjoyed your review.
I'm way too cheap to ever pay that, even if I had the money. Also I like to be low-key, I don't want the staff to know me and I certainly don't want a butler who unpacks my underwear, to me that sounds like a proper nightmare 😅
Is it 15k pp or total for you and your partner? We cruise Regent and Seabourn and it often feels like we are wasting money, not being regular drinkers. Also we tend to miss out on the "free" shore excursions because we have to book less than 6 months out and the good ones are always gone. I don't even think I would miss the wifi since it would force us to unplug from the world. In that case, the nickel & diming might make sense?
Thank for a very informative video. Cunard is fast turning into an absolute rip off.
PT Barnum was correct. There’s a sucker born every minute. 15 k for a cruise? Wow!
$15000 is cheap, would cost that for 2 people to fly 1st class from London to New York and it over in 8 hours, not 14 days.
If that fare did not cover literally everything, I would NEVER pay it.
No bath in princess grill :(
So 254 Princess Grill passengers implies 127 double occupancy cabins?
One could live a life of luxury for six months for that amount of money in any number of countries. When I work out price per day of travel, I don't see the value in most cruises.
I don't understand Garry's insistence on calling it a "class based" system. Using the same logic, air travel uses a "class based" system, serving passengers different meals in separately allocated areas of the plane. But that's ridiculous because nobody refers to airline seating allocation as operating a "class based" system. Therefore, it's similarly inaccurate to refer to Cunard's cabin and associated restaurant allocation system as "class based".
The vernacular meaning of "class based" and the class system suggest restricted access based on social standing and/or family history. It's unfair and misleading to pretend that this has anything to do with purchasing a Cunard ticket. Cunard does not operate a class-based system. Social standing and family history is not requested when purchasing a ticket. You get the cabin & associated dining room allocation you pay for.
It's disappointing to think that people who may have enjoyed a Cunard cruise might refrain from buying a ticket under the misapprehension that Cunard operates a class-based system.
Hi Gary
Although dark wood is often thought of when thinking of Art Deco. Art Deco can be pastels contrasted with dark colors like black with lots of geometric shapes. Gold accents, and patterns, with statement lighting fixtures. Therefore just because this ship doesn't have the dark wood you are used to doesn't mean it isn't Art Deco. When I think of Art Deco I think of Erte` and the likes. There is an opulence, what I don't normally think of is dark wood, because that is not the Art Deco that I have been exposed to in my artist training. Probably because I am a Fine Artist and Fashion designer. Therefore I didn't study Art Deco from the sheer perspective of interior design. One of the biggest parts of Art Deco that I love is the pastels juxtaposed with a dark color and a splash of Gold or ten. The ship definitely has more of that type of Art Deco look, and I wouldn't call it "more modern". All they did was take it away from the dark dingy wood and bring out the bright and cheerful raging 1920s. To me it has that light Cha Cha feel and look of the 1920s versus the F. Scot Fitzgerald dark cigar smoking room in a dark maroon velvet smoking jacket. Just thought I would add this here!
Why do they use the term “Grill”?
Why does Cunard, not "Comp Drinks & Gratuities for Gills," like it does for Americans?
These ship in ship concepts are a two edged sword. The exclusive areas are most of the time not much better then the rest of the ship and the it just alienates from the majority of other passengers. If I want to be on my own, why don’t I stay at home? On cruises were I do see a benefit or at least want the option the suites are already sold so far in advance that you do stand a chance of getting one.
Is that the correct link to your 'I wasn't welcome' video in the comments? it went to someone else's channel
I pay for RUclips premium NOT to see ads!
Cunard caved, that's a cruise ship, and one with major kinks to iron out.
Wow… that much extra $ and no drinks included??? They’ve lost their minds!!!
When Cunard (aka Carnival) becomes all inclusive I may consider paying $15000 for Queens Grill. At this level Gratuities and Drinks Packages should be consigned to history. Note also that 'Champagne' has now become 'sparkling wine'. How much more greed can American cruise operators inflict on their long suffering customers? By the way, $15000 for TWO is not unreasonable in this day and age.
How come I get free wifi on a Norwegian Air Service 737 included in the air fare, but, in the most expensive cabin on a ship, you have to pay extra? WTF?? and, screw the exclusivity.
I don’t know why my comments are duplicated. I’m not trying to do that.