When booking a cruise with Cunard, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the cabin options, ranging from standard Britannia staterooms to the ultra-luxurious Grill Suites.
But if you’re aiming for a true luxury cruise experience, it’s the Grill Suites you’ll want to consider.
These suites come with exclusive perks, elegant dining options, and private areas—but there’s a decision to make between Queens Grill and Princess Grill.
On my recent Queen Mary 2 sailing, I had the chance to explore both of these Grill Suites and their exclusive spaces.
While both classes offer incredible luxury, there are a few key differences between the two that could sway your decision. Let’s break them down.
What Are Cunard Grill Suites?
Cunard Grill Suites are the top-tier accommodations on Cunard’s ships, offering an elevated cruising experience that goes far beyond the standard stateroom.
The name “Grill” originates from the early 20th century when Cunard offered grilled meats to first-class guests, and that tradition of luxury and distinction continues today.
There are two primary Grill Suites categories:
- Princess Grill: The entry-level Grill suite, a significant upgrade from the Britannia staterooms, but not as luxurious as the Queens Grill.
- Queens Grill: The most exclusive suites on Cunard, offering the highest level of luxury with expansive space and personalized services.
Both classes provide exclusive areas and fine dining, but the level of service, suite sizes, and extra amenities vary between the two.
List of Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suites
Cunard offers a variety of Grill Suites across its fleet, with Princess Grill Suites serving as the entry-level option, and the Queens Grill Suites offering the highest level of luxury.
The Princess Grill Suites, simply referred to as Princess Suites, are available across all four ships in Cunard’s fleet: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and the new Queen Anne.
However, the Queens Grill Suites vary depending on the ship, with some suite types exclusive to certain vessels.
Here’s a breakdown of the different Queens Grill Suites available across Cunard’s fleet:
| Queens Grill Suite Type | Queen Mary 2 | Queen Elizabeth | Queen Victoria | Queen Anne |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Suite | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Master Suite | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grand Duplex Suite | Yes | No | No | No |
| Duplex Suite | Yes | No | No | No |
| Royal Suite | Yes | No | No | No |
| Penthouse Suite | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Queen Suite | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cunard Grill Suite Sizes: Space to Relax and Unwind
One of the most notable differences between the Princess Grill and Queens Grill suites is the amount of space you’ll have to relax, entertain, and enjoy your cruise.
If you’re looking for an expansive, luxurious environment where you can truly unwind, the Queens Grill suites offer much larger spaces compared to the Princess Grill suites.
Here’s a breakdown of the suite sizes across both categories to help you compare the amount of space you’ll get in each suite type:
| Suite Type | Suite Size (Square Feet) | Balcony Size (Square Feet) |
|---|---|---|
| QG – Grand Suite | 1,240 to 2,130 | 205 to 970 |
| QG – Master Suite | 850 to 870 | 140 to 220 |
| QG – Grand Duplex Suite | 1,600 | 645 |
| QG – Duplex Suite | 1,345 | 220 |
| QG – Royal Suite | 800 | N/A |
| QG – Penthouse Suite | 370 to 680 | 135 to 175 |
| QG – Queen Suite | 350 to 770 | 125 to 350 |
| PG – Princess Suite | 245 to 420 | 50 to 100 |
| B – Britannia Club Balcony | 180 to 250 | 50 to 80 |
Princess Grill Suites: Affordable Luxury
Princess Grill Suites are designed for guests who want an upgrade over the standard Britannia rooms but aren’t looking to splurge for the ultimate luxury.
These suites are available on all four Cunard ships: Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and the new Queen Anne.
Suite Sizes & Space
The Princess Grill suites offer generous space but are smaller than Queens Grill suites. Here’s the breakdown:
- Princess Suite: 245 to 420 sq. ft.
- Balcony Size: 50 to 100 sq. ft.
While they don’t have the immense space of the Queens Grill suites, the Princess Grill suites are still much larger than the standard Britannia rooms and provide a luxurious upgrade for those who prefer extra space and exclusivity without going all out.
Exclusive Perks of Princess Grill
When you stay in a Princess Grill Suite, you enjoy many exclusive perks designed to make your stay more relaxing and luxurious.
Here’s a closer look at what you get:
- Reserved dining: A table is waiting for you each night in the Princess Grill Restaurant for a personalized dining experience.
- Welcome amenities: On arrival, enjoy a bottle of sparkling wine and luxury chocolates as a gesture of Cunard’s hospitality.
- Sleep in comfort: A pillow menu allows you to select the perfect pillow to ensure a good night’s rest.
- Tea & coffee facilities: Enjoy specialty tea- and coffee-making facilities in your suite for those relaxing mornings.
- Complimentary bottled spring water replenished throughout your cruise.
- Fresh fruits are delivered to your suite daily.
- 24-hour room service, meaning you can enjoy meals or snacks at any time of day or night.
- Grills Afternoon Tea: A special service served in the Grills Lounge, which is an elevated version of Cunard’s renowned afternoon tea tradition.
- Access to Grills Lounge and Grills Terrace: These exclusive areas are available only to Grills Suite guests, offering a quiet space to relax, drink, or read.
- Priority embarkation and disembarkation: Skip the queues for a smooth start and end to your cruise.
Dining and Exclusive Areas for Princess Grill Guests
One of the highlights of staying in a Princess Grill Suite is the access to exclusive dining and private areas designed specifically for Grills guests
Princess Grill Restaurant
When you book a Princess Grill Suite, one of the standout benefits is access to the Princess Grill Restaurant.
This is where you’ll enjoy a personalized dining experience, with a reserved table for every evening of your cruise.
The Princess Grill restaurant offers an upgraded dining experience compared to the Britannia restaurant, with a refined menu that delivers an elevated level of luxury.
Exclusive Grills Areas
Guests in the Grill Suites have access to exclusive areas designed just for them.
- Grills Lounge: This intimate, quiet space is perfect for reading a book or enjoying a drink. You’ll find it with a cozy atmosphere, soft lighting, and a well-stocked bar, providing the ideal place to unwind.
- Grills Terrace: This outdoor sundeck is reserved for Grills guests, offering luxurious sun loungers where you can relax while soaking in the views.
- Grills Courtyard: Available on Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, this beautiful alfresco dining terrace is an ideal space for outdoor meals in a charming, elegant setting.
Enhanced Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea is a Cunard tradition, and guests staying in the Princess Grill suites enjoy an even more refined version.
Served in the Grills Lounge, this upgraded afternoon tea service allows you to indulge in elegant surroundings, adding an extra touch of luxury to your day at sea.
Grills Concierge Service
Guests staying in the Grills Suites have access to a dedicated Grills Concierge, a special service designed to assist with onboard requests such as restaurant reservations, shore excursion bookings, and more.
This personalized attention ensures a seamless and worry-free cruise experience.
Queens Grill Suites: The Pinnacle of Luxury
If you want to experience the ultimate luxury cruise, then the Queens Grill suites are what you’re looking for.
These suites represent the best of Cunard, with additional services, larger suites, and luxury touches that you won’t find in the Princess Grill.
Suite Sizes & Space
The Queens Grill Suites offer much more space, and some suites come with separate dining rooms and even walk-in wardrobes.
Here’s the breakdown of suite sizes in Queens Grill:
- Grand Suite: 1,240 to 2,130 sq. ft.
- Penthouse Suite: 370 to 680 sq. ft.
- Master Suite: 850 to 870 sq. ft.
- Royal Suite: 800 sq. ft.
- Grand Duplex Suite: 1,600 sq. ft.
- Queen Suite: 350 to 770 sq. ft.
As you can see, Queens Grill suites are significantly larger than their Princess Grill counterparts, offering an exceptional amount of space to relax and entertain guests.
Exclusive Perks of Queens Grill
The Queens Grill suites take luxury to the next level, with more expansive suites and additional exclusive services.
Here’s what you get when you book a Queens Grill Suite:
- Reserved dining in the Queens Grill Restaurant, with an elevated menu and extra gourmet options.
- Pre-dinner canapés are delivered to your suite each evening for a little added indulgence.
- Complimentary mini-bar stocked with your choice of two bottles of wine or spirits and a selection of soft drinks.
- Fresh flowers in your suite, making the space feel even more special.
- Personalized service with a dedicated butler and room steward to ensure your suite is perfect and to assist with anything from laundry services to arranging private parties.
- Priority tender services (select suites), ensuring you can disembark smoothly at any port of call.
- An iPad available for use throughout your cruise (select suites only).
- Binoculars and a world atlas to enjoy the vistas during your voyage.
Is the Upgrade to Queens Grill Worth It?
Choosing between Princess Grill and Queens Grill comes down to personal preference and how much you’re willing to pay for additional luxury.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’re getting for the price:
- Princess Grill offers a fantastic experience for a more affordable price, giving you exclusive dining, a larger suite than standard cabins, and many premium perks.
- Queens Grill, on the other hand, provides a massive step up in luxury, with larger suites, a personal butler, and exclusive access to even more high-end experiences.
Value for Money
If you’re looking for a premium experience but don’t want to break the bank, the Princess Grill provides the best value for money.
If you’re willing to splurge for the most exclusive Cunard experience, the Queens Grill will deliver a once-in-a-lifetime cruise with unmatched luxury.
What Sets the Queens Grill Apart?
As you can see in the above size table, Princess Grill Suites are larger than Britannia Club Balcony staterooms, but the difference in space is not significant, except for around 60 square feet of extra room.
The Princess Grill suites offer more luxury and exclusive access compared to Britannia rooms, but they don’t have the massive space of Queens Grill suites.
Why Choose a Queens Grill Suite?
The Queens Grill suites provide an impressive amount of extra space for guests looking for the highest level of luxury.
As you move up the tiers of Queens Grill suites, you’ll notice significant increases in room size and more private features, such as:
- Separate dining rooms and lounging areas, perfect for hosting guests in style.
- Expansive balconies that allow you to enjoy the views in absolute comfort.
- Walk-in wardrobes provide ample space to organize your personal items with ease.
So, if you’re looking to stretch out and enjoy the luxurious environment of a Cunard cruise, the Queens Grill suites provide more than enough room to make your experience feel like a private retreat.
Exclusive Amenities
| Feature | Princess Grill | Queens Grill |
|---|---|---|
| Butler Service | ❌ | ✅ |
| Complimentary Bar | ❌ | ✅ (stocked with wine, champagne, or spirits) |
| Pre-Dinner Canapés | ❌ | ✅ |
| Priority Tender Service | ❌ | ✅ (Q1–Q4 suites only) |
| Welcome Amenities | Sparkling wine and chocolates | Champagne and chocolates/strawberries |
| Access to Grills Lounge & Terrace | ✅ | ✅ |
Which Suite Should You Choose?
Both Princess Grill and Queens Grill offer luxury, comfort, and exclusive perks—but ultimately, it comes down to your preferences and budget.
If you value extra space, personalized service, and a high-end experience, Queens Grill is the way to go.
But if you’re happy with luxury dining, a reserved table each night, and excellent service, then the Princess Grill might be your perfect fit.
Remember, no matter which suite you choose, Cunard’s Grill Suites will provide you with an incredible cruising experience that combines traditional luxury with modern comforts.
