Originally Posted by Randeman

At the risk of beating a dead horse, allow me another thought or two about your particular situation, i.e. putting in for upgrades. Princess Grille is a perfectly lovely experience. You are unlikely to be disappointed sailing in that class. As previously stated, on QM2, all PG suites are on the same deck and are the same size. Queen's Grille suites are usually occupied by people who can afford throwing money at Cunard or are booking them as a special treat. They easily run $750-$1000, per person, per day. Price differential in PG is due to the fact that some suites are aft and some suites are forward and might feel movement in rough seas. Don't be discouraged, however. Queen Mary 2 is an ocean liner, not a cruise liner. The difference is, she was built to take what the Atlantic can throw at her. That isn't to say you won't see a ripple or two in your martini glass in the middle of a Force 8 gale, but it's nothing like what her same named predecessor (a slow roller), or a cruise ship would be like in a similar storm. I've heard some passengers book a January crossing in hopes of hitting a storm just to experience it.

Bottom line, I suggest trying the Princess Grille first and then try a Queen's Grille after--if you're okay with the fare. You'll enjoy a delightful and classic experience in both classes.

Originally Posted by Global Adventurer

Thanks a bunch for all your advice. I agree with you and I doubt I would ever cough up that amount of money to sail in the Queens category. I rather take an all inclusive luxury cruise.

Originally Posted by Global Adventurer

I doubt I would ever cough up that amount of money to sail in the Queens category.

Originally Posted by mahasamatman

We usually sail Britannia Balcony, but we're sailing Princess Grill in September and I'm considering putting in a low-ball bid for an upgrade Queen's Grill.

Originally Posted by Randeman

You're spot on. We're fans of Seabourn and Regent with an occasional Silversea for cruising, but prefer Cunard for Transatlantic.

Originally Posted by henry999

I've been thinking that getting from one side of the ocean to the other on a ship might be an enjoyable change from flying but I certainly can't see spending 12 or 14 days, let alone 27 or 45, afloat. Is Cunard the only line left that still does a more-or-less direct transatlantic passage?

Originally Posted by TATLTAIL

This may be a very redundant question, but "formal"??? It leave much to interpretation - will a dress suit + tie. (i.e. what one would wear to a wedding/funeral or very important business event) do the work, or is it really the über American "prom for adults" black tuxedos (what we call a smoking jacket) and bowtie? [...]

Originally Posted by henry999

I've been thinking that getting from one side of the ocean to the other on a ship might be an enjoyable change from flying but I certainly can't see spending 12 or 14 days, let alone 27 or 45, afloat. Is Cunard the only line left that still does a more-or-less direct transatlantic passage?

Originally Posted by Randyk47

On a regular or semi-regular basis Cunard is pretty much it. There are trans-Atlantic cruises at the season changes but as you pointed out the crossings are longer than Cunard’s schedule.

Originally Posted by oopsz

Anyone have thoughts on cruising transatlantic on the Queen Anne? It’s leaving Southampton January 9th for a nine day cruise to New York, and currently is far cheaper than comparable business class airfare. $800 pp for an indoor, $1100 pp for a balcony obstructed. I understand the obstructed view balcony isn’t ideal but it’s also guaranteed to be deck 4 midships, which seems like excellent positioning.

It’s just not an ocean liner like the QM2 which is my biggest concern for a North Atlantic crossing in January.

Originally Posted by Randeman

IMO you're unlikely to need a balcony, obstructed or otherwise, in January

Originally Posted by mahasamatman

I had to look to see where you live. That explains it.

Originally Posted by Randeman

IMO you're unlikely to need a balcony, obstructed or otherwise, in January, so that wouldn't be a factor--at least for me.

I'm assuming you're looking at categories DB and DC which are obstructed by lifeboats. I think the ones closer to the midship elevator bank would be nicest. Just keep in mind that the crew may be maintaining the lifeboats at times and can be climbing around them while they're in their davits. I had a cousin in a lifeboat-obstructed view balcony room on a different ship come almost face to face with a crewman working on one of the boats. She was in her bra and panties at the time, (sort of) fortunately.

Originally Posted by Global Adventurer

I'm booked in a single ocean view and was sent an upgrade to several type of cabins, including balconies that were sheltered and obstructed, and no way would I book any of them. Single Ocean View cabins on the deck 3 have two huge windows and secluded from other decks with cabins. Neither of those would be better than my ocean view cabin because you can't see outside (full-view) unless you go outside, which I don't plan to do in the cold. I also received an upgrade bid on one of my other cruises which is on deck 2 (single ocean view) with one window, so I ended up only bidding on the Club Balcony for the extra perks, and I can use the balcony glass like an ocean view cabin from the inside. I doubt I would be selected and will gladly stay in my comfortable ocean view. It's not an upgrade to go into a sheltered/obstructed view cabin to me, especially in windy/cold conditions.

But, I'll see what they offer me for my QM2 Caribbean cruise, since it will be a lot warmer outdoors.

Originally Posted by Randeman

As far as balconies go, if you're one of those people who spend a lot of time outside your room, I could see where a balcony of any kind would not be a priority. We like to have breakfast or, if that isn't an option, at least coffee/tea on our balcony in the morning (on sea days at least) and aren't in any hurry to venture out until around lunchtime. This is weather permitting, or course. That's why I need a balcony. If you have a single OV with two large windows, that's a pretty good-sized room. What category is that? I have to confess, I know almost nothing about Queen Anne. I know she is the same class as Holland America's Nieuw Statendam, called Pinnacle Class, but that's the extent of my knowledge. As I said before, I am pretty knowledgable about QM2 for the transat, but know little about the other three.