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In response to a question on another thread, I promised to respond to the reality/impression that Cunard has "classes" like in the old days of ocean liner travel.
The easy answer is no.
But it's not that simple (oh, when is it ever?)
As on all cruise lines, if you book a higher category stateroom, you get, well, a higher category stateroom! Bigger, larger verandah, maybe some nicer amenities, and, in suite categories, a butler.
Unlike most cruise lines, if you are in one of the Princess Grill staterooms or Queen's Grill suites, you also dine in another dining room with a single seating. You can arrive at any time during the open hours of the dining room, and your table is waiting (lovely feature!) The menu has, in addition to regular choices, an a al carte menu that is always available. And, in Queen's grill, you can pretty much ask for what you want, and, if at all possible, they'll prepare it for you. Also, on both QE2 and QM2, there is a small bar area near the dining room for your exclusive use. A tiny percentage of the passengers...maybe 10 people out of the nearly 2000 on QE2...perhaps a few more on QM2 actually hide out in these two places exclusively. You DO pay a higher per diem for this. They don't just provide it to some out of the goodness of their hearts...
But wait, didn't I just say that there was no class system?
Here's my explanation, but to do it properly, let me cut and paste a bit of anther post about the gang we met on our last crossing:
"A former tv reporter-turned Episcopal minister...and his bride, 25 years his junior, a gay undertaker from NY, a Romanian emigre from Miami, a woman attorney from Indiana, a 'wild' LA divorcee traveling with her dowager-esque aunt from Switzerland, a cast of nice 'boys', and some very funny Brits..."
Those folks were all in the different dining rooms of the QE2. Some were Princess, some were Queen's Grill, we were Britannia Grill (ident. to Princess) some were Caronia (another single seating level available on QE2) and many were Mauritania (equivalent of Brittania Restauarant on QM2, with two seatings)
We would meet every night for a drink, and then go off to our various dining rooms, and then meet up afterwards for gambling, dancing, nitecaps, karaoke, whatever. The only time we weren't able to be together was meal time, but there was no snobbery about accomodations or dining room (Well, o.k., we did joke with our Romanian friend that her stateroom was the size of our walk-in closet! But's that's only on QE2. On QM2, the cabins in most grades are very similar in size) With the flexibility of the single seating dining, those who had this usually ended up timing their departure for dinner based roughly on the times when everyone else was going to the late seating in the main restaurant. (O.k., you found me out...I'm a snob....about late seating dining...never had main/early seating in 25 plus cruises! Mybe those folks felt like second class citizens...make they thought we ate their leftovers....who knows..)
There were no differences in any other activity. Yes, you could choose to have tea in the Grill lounge if you were a grill passenger, but they didn't have the harpist or violinist playing, so we'd all meet at the larger tea. Shore excursions, entertainment, spa facilities, gym, pools, library, theatre, casino all had 'equal access.'
As far as the '10 folks' who spent their entire day in the Grill lounge, and then dined, and returned to their stateroom, several of those folks were infirmed, and moving around the ship was harder. The other few that I talked with were, yes, snobs. Dreadful. But no worse than the few snobs on Celebrity, or Princess, or Crystal. That's life, snobs exist. And, as I often say, isn't it nice of Cunard, at least, to give them a place that's out of the way of most of the rest of us? Don't even have to deal with them!
O.k, so there's occasionally the other end of the spectrum....the guy with the chip on his shoulder. "Why should THEY get more. I paid good money to be here, and I shouldn't be denied access." Whatever...if you can't stand the idea that someone else pays more and gets more, then let's do away with all fancy cars, we'll all live in Soviet block appartments, and dress in brown sacks.
I have to add that the only time I really feel the separation is when looking at the website, or looking at the brochure. On board, I never notice it particularly. And isn't that the brochure's job? Just like a car brochure, you pick out the model you want, but don't they always show you what you could get for a few $ more? It's sales. When I'm on the ship, if it comes up, which is rarely, and I notice that I don't get something, if I stop and ask myself, "is that worth $200 per day, PER PERSON more?" the answer is always "no, not to me, not at this time."
The other thing to add is that the snob/chip on his/her shoulder types are around in the same percentages as on every other cruise ship I've ever sailed on. Same number of braggarts, same number of snobs, same number of quiet folks who are nice, and you find out they're 'aristocracy' Same number of folks who are blue collar, white collar, etc. It's the same slice of life....honestly.
So, while I don't find the dining thing to be a big deal, you should consider if it would bother you... 99% of the people on board aren't bothered by it. And that's great. It's o.k. if it bothers you, though. But I'd choose a different line. Cunard is more formal, as far as dress, and perhaps more intellectual...with Royal Acadamy of Dramatic Arts putting on workshops, and rather esoteric lecturers (but fascinating!) But the disco often get hopping, people do let loose a bit, people have fun, even get a little loud...they're just generally better dressed while doing it!
Most folks that wouldn't like Cunard are those who hate formal dress, as they equate what you're wearing with the class system, and with snobbery. But if you're comfortable in your own skin, I've never seen it to be a problem. People DO wear casual clothes during the day. Not everyone wears a tux on formal night, and they are not treated differently. And there are even those folks, just like on other lines, who follow the letter of the dress code, and look awful! Whatcha' gonna do?
Also, the service is a tad more formal, but every time we've been relaxed with the staff, they've been relaxed with us....not our best buddies (Well, except for Oliver that time in the Queen's Grill!) but efficient and pleasant. Treated with appropriate respect, you should not have any problem with staff on board. (Don't be like many Americans, though, as assume a Brittish accent equals condescension. That's just their accent! And their formal training)
Cunard does, however, market this impression a little, so it's understandable that folks feel this way. And, with QV coming out, they have 'upped the ante' with an outdoor terrace for grill passengers, and private boxes in the theatre....hmmm, still not worth the extra per diem to me, but glad if someone else can have that...Just as I love a concert at a concert hall even if I don't have the best seats, I don't begrudge those that do...
Me, I like fun cruises with interesting people...those are my two main requirements. Food and drink availability and quality come next, and entertainment/ports last. I LOVE Tranatantic crossings. These are the things that make Cunard a good fit for me. How about for you?
Like the old Love Boat song,
"Come aboard, we're expecting you!"
(No, I don't work for the company!)
Andrew
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Originally Posted by blazerboy
& Future Ya Ya Princess Stick Shift
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