P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

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Mervyn and Trish
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P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#1

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

We're soon off on an almost-back-to-back, seven nights on Azura and seven on Queen Victoria with just a day in a hotel in between.

We've splashed out this time on a suite on Azura (that wasn't a very big splash - the price when booking opened was so low it would have been rude not to) and a Princess Grills mini-suite on QV.

I will report back in due course.

We already know that the main benefits of the Azura suite are a bigger cabin, butler and priority boarding (though we get that anyway). We also know we get a different restaurant and some exclusive areas on QV, and again priority boarding.

But beyond that it's a blank canvas as we've not done either before (other than a 2 nighter in a similar suite on Ventura that we mostly spent unpacking and repacking so it passed as a blur and doesn't count).

So we only have 7 days in each. From those with more experience of this up market world what should we look out for in each to take full advantage? What mustn't we miss?


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#2

Post by anniec »

The PG suites on QV are ok - rectangular rather than square (as they are on QM2). However, the other perks are well worth having, in particular the excellent dining in the PG Restaurant and the private outside deck area. We don't use the Grills Lounge much (it's always been a bit like God's waiting room on our cruises) and much prefer the Commodore Club. Unlike most on this forum, we prefer a quick grab and go for lunch, so only use the restaurant in the evening, but gather you are allocated the same table for breakfast and lunch as well as dinner.

We always head for the restaurant a little while after boarding and check we're happy with the allocation. If not, they will try and accommodate you.

Last time we were on Cunard (last October) we rolled up to the terminal at about 11.00 and were on board by 11.20am. Lunch is usually served in the Grills, though we head for the smash and grab; it's most civilised at that time of day. Cabin (sorry...suite) should be ready when you board.

Have a wonderful time.

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david63
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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#3

Post by david63 »

Mervyn and Trish wrote: 18 Apr 2019, 11:24
From those with more experience of this up market world what should we look out for in each to take full advantage?
From P&O - never been with Cunard
Mervyn and Trish wrote: 18 Apr 2019, 11:24
priority boarding (though we get that anyway
In theory, and usually in practice, you have higher priority boarding than Caribbean tier - you will be on board by 12:15 (assuming you are at the terminal by that time). Also you will have the benefit of the exclusive "lounge" in the terminal (slightly better than the bun fight with free tea/coffee).

Other "perks":
  • You can have a civilised breakfast in the Epicurean
  • Room service is free - but should be ordered via the butler (one nice touch on our last cruise was that when we were on an excursion that did not get back until 13:30 the butler had sandwiches waiting for us upon our return)
  • You can have any MRD meals in your suite
  • Priority disembarkation at tender ports
  • Priority disembarkation at the end of the cruise
  • Canapés every night (not really a perk as most of them are not very good, but the chocolate dipped strawberries on the first formal night are well worth having!)
  • There are a few little touches that you would not be aware of, such a better tables in the select dining venues - especially if booked via the butler
One other point - the cabin steward looks after the cabin and the butler looks after the food and drink, so if no biscuits ask the butler not the cabin steward!
Last edited by david63 on 18 Apr 2019, 13:05, edited 2 times in total.


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#4

Post by Midlandslass »

Have not sailed with P&O for a while but when we had an aft facing suite on Arcadia the perks were 2 bags of Molton Brown toiletries (his and hers) afternoon canapes and a Butler. This was before they straightened the stern and the balcony was huge.
The best perk were the toiletries and the balcony, we didn't use the Butler and the canapes weren't memorable. No special dining.
On Cunard the dining is the main perk, you have a beautiful restaurant with your own pre-assigned table for all meals and vastly superior choices for meals, with evening dining between 6:30pm and 9pm
There is also the courtyard, an outside luncheon dining area which is lovely in warmer climes.
There is a grills lounge with a concierge and reserved decking on 2 levels where there are iced drinks available and also sun cream.
Deck stewards will bring round ice-cream to your sun bed on warm days,
In the cabin there is also a pod coffee machine, and you can get free coffees in the grills lounge during the day, cappuccino etc.
Afternoon tea is also served in the PG restaurant.
Priority boarding and disembarkation of course :)
Last edited by Midlandslass on 18 Apr 2019, 13:48, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#5

Post by david63 »

Midlandslass wrote: 18 Apr 2019, 13:45
the perks were 2 bags of Molton Brown toiletries (his and hers)
The White Company now, and one between the two of you.


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#6

Post by anniec »

Mervyn and Trish wrote: 18 Apr 2019, 11:24
We're soon off on an almost-back-to-back, seven nights on Azura and seven on Queen Victoria with just a day in a hotel in between.
If you're on QV to the Fjords on 12 May we're doing this one, so might see you on board. We're also doing a B2B, but staying on QV after the Fjords and going to the Baltic.

Anyone been to Gdansk, more specifically suggestions welcome for getting from Gydnia to Gdansk - Cunard do a trip, but not keen on being tied to their timings.

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#7

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

anniec wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 16:25
If you're on QV to the Fjords on 12 May we're doing this one, so might see you on board. We're also doing a B2B, but staying on QV after the Fjords and going to the Baltic.
That's the one! :thumbup:


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#8

Post by anniec »

Mervyn and Trish wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 17:06
anniec wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 16:25
If you're on QV to the Fjords on 12 May we're doing this one, so might see you on board. We're also doing a B2B, but staying on QV after the Fjords and going to the Baltic.
That's the one! :thumbup:
May see you in the Commodore Club; won't see you in the Grills - we're in the bilges for this one. :oops:

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#9

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

anniec wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 17:23
Mervyn and Trish wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 17:06
anniec wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 16:25
If you're on QV to the Fjords on 12 May we're doing this one, so might see you on board. We're also doing a B2B, but staying on QV after the Fjords and going to the Baltic.
That's the one! :thumbup:
May see you in the Commodore Club; won't see you in the Grills - we're in the bilges for this one. :oops:
Yes we're usually steerage! Special treat this time.

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#10

Post by Stephen »

Mervyn and Trish wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 18:41
anniec wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 17:23
Mervyn and Trish wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 17:06


That's the one! :thumbup:
May see you in the Commodore Club; won't see you in the Grills - we're in the bilges for this one. :oops:
Yes we're usually steerage! Special treat this time.

Your a brave woman Anniec :D
Last edited by Stephen on 25 Apr 2019, 07:59, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#11

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

Stephen wrote: 25 Apr 2019, 07:58
Mervyn and Trish wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 18:41
anniec wrote: 24 Apr 2019, 17:23


May see you in the Commodore Club; won't see you in the Grills - we're in the bilges for this one. :oops:
Yes we're usually steerage! Special treat this time.

Your a brave woman Anniec :D
She recognises class when she sees it......

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#12

Post by Stephen »

with Trish yes.....


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#13

Post by anniec »

Stephen wrote: 25 Apr 2019, 07:58

Your a brave woman Anniec :D
At least I know we have similar views on B***it - checked before outing myself. :lol:

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#14

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

I never discuss Brexit in polite company. And have avoided the thread on here since it became increasingly vicious.


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#15

Post by anniec »

Mervyn and Trish wrote: 25 Apr 2019, 14:08
I never discuss Brexit in polite company. And have avoided the thread on here since it became increasingly vicious.
Which nicely sums up our "similar views".

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#16

Post by Jan Rosser »

anniec wrote: 25 Apr 2019, 15:10
Mervyn and Trish wrote: 25 Apr 2019, 14:08
I never discuss Brexit in polite company. And have avoided the thread on here since it became increasingly vicious.
Which nicely sums up our "similar views".
On my recent trip on Oriana the B word was brought up once or twice but I politely said It was a banned subject while on holiday and most people were ok - few exceptions but I just ignored them and refused to get drawn into the conversation - the same as on the forum really :crazy:
Janis

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

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Post by Stephen »

We were on a table of six on our recent cruise and the B word came up with one chap. Well, this chap was away like a dog with two tails quizzing everyone what their views were :thumbdown: . Bu99er me if we didn't get him and his wife again on a table for six. His wife must have said something to him as the B conversation didn't arise again. Of course, I was on my best behaviour :angel:
Last edited by Stephen on 25 Apr 2019, 17:08, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

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Post by GillD46 »

I believe they have removed the option to order off menu in PG but the a la Carte menu is still there. Nevertheless, the restaurant is of a higher standard.

The PG suites are pretty much identical to the Superior De Luxe cabins on Ventura and Azura but you receive water daily, there is an Illy coffee machine and you are (un)lucky enough to get TWO bottles of the awful Pol Acker on boarding. I think there may be a fruit bowl too.

Make good use of the Grill’s Lounge - the Concierge has a desk in there too - and make friends with Lucia if she is running the bar, she’s a star.
Gill

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#19

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

GillD46 wrote: 25 Apr 2019, 19:02
I believe they have removed the option to order off menu in PG but the a la Carte menu is still there. Nevertheless, the restaurant is of a higher standard.

The PG suites are pretty much identical to the Superior De Luxe cabins on Ventura and Azura
but you receive water daily, there is an Illy coffee machine and you are (un)lucky enough to get TWO bottles of the awful Pol Acker on boarding. I think there may be a fruit bowl too.

Make good use of the Grill’s Lounge - the Concierge has a desk in there too - and make friends with Lucia if she is running the bar, she’s a star.
Thanks Gill. That's how they looked on the website but I wasn't sure. Will suit us that's our usual cabin choice on Azura/Ventura. We've only gone up a step on Azura this time as the price was just silly cheap.

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#20

Post by GillD46 »

Mervyn, Life is too short not to take advantage of an opportunity. Enjoy.
Gill

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#21

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

GillD46 wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 12:20
Mervyn, Life is too short not to take advantage of an opportunity. Enjoy.
:thumbup:

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#22

Post by Stephen »

Mervyn and Trish wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 14:58
GillD46 wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 12:20
Mervyn, Life is too short not to take advantage of an opportunity. Enjoy.
:thumbup:

Don't worry about that Gill, he knows how to do that when it come to getting a round in ;) :D

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#23

Post by GillD46 »

Stephen wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 16:46
Mervyn and Trish wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 14:58
GillD46 wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 12:20
Mervyn, Life is too short not to take advantage of an opportunity. Enjoy.
:thumbup:

Don't worry about that Gill, he knows how to do that when it come to getting a round in ;) :D
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Gill


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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#24

Post by anniec »

Stephen wrote: 26 Apr 2019, 16:46

Don't worry about that Gill, he knows how to do that when it come to getting a round in ;) :D
Thanks for the tip off, Stephen :lol:

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Re: P&O Suite v Cunard Princess Grills

#25

Post by Mervyn and Trish »

Phase 1 begins. Arrived Mayflower terminal 12.10. Barely sat down in exclusive waiting area before we were lead to boarding. We would have been first to board if not for the dozy woman at the door to security who hadn't got the message it was opening and held us up while others diverted and used the other door. Nonetheless on board and sat down in the Medina Restaurant for Cava and curly canapés by 12.30. I have to say the offering was much better than the only time we've done it previously on a 2 nighter on Ventura. Cabins ready by 1.15. Just been visited by the Butler.
Last edited by Mervyn and Trish on 04 May 2019, 16:12, edited 1 time in total.

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