Comments on: Queen Mary 2 Queens Grill versus MSC Preziosa Yacht Club

By: cruisetrail

cruisetrail — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 03:25:32 +0000

Hello Gary,
I have been attracted by the picture you posted.
What I know about the class system on cruise ships is that just two mega ship cruise lines have class system: MSC and NCL – a demonstrative insulting segregation.
RMS Queen Mary 2 does not have class system. Suite guests on the liner have privileges like a dedicated dining room and a small deck facing aft. Lounges for suite gusts is a norm on all ships. Besides that, all the areas of this magnificent ship are accessible for everyone.
The YC on MSC occupies a separated premium part of the ship. What is Yacht Club other than the Top Sail Lounge, a separate dining room and a sun deck (with no views)? Other than that the YC is what the rest of the Preziosa is: low price mass market ship (3500 pax + “kids sail free” vs 2600 on the larger QM2), no proper promenade deck, no observation deck, nothing like afternoon tea on Cunard, no live music in the theatre at all (think of QM2 orchestra), no hydropool in spa, nothing like the Queens Room, no free alternative dining venues, poor buffet food…
These two ship are two different worlds. I have sailed in both classes on MSC.
I would prefer an inside cabin on Cunard to a YC suite on MSC any time.
I see very little base for comparison.
I agree that theater shows (a few of them, not all) on MSC Fantasia class ships really stand out.
I like the water slide on the Preziosa.

Thank you for the post and best wishes!

By: Laura Barnett

Laura Barnett — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:24:02 +0000

Does look like a great ship. I quite fancy NCL breakaway.
My kids will love it

By: Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com

Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:25:07 +0000

I have only come across Cunard and now MSC with Yacht Club having the “class system” on-board. On other cruise lines, like P&O, suites have the same arrangements for dining etc as everyone. Not seen any others doing it differently. Be interesting to see if any others follow the approach.
On your point about attracting a younger crowd, clearly Cunard need to do that. Suspect they struggling to figure out how to do that and finding how they need to be unique and different (and not alienate their loyal followers – especially QG / PG premium ones). Going to be interesting over next few years.

By: Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com

Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:20:39 +0000

Yes, I am sure that MSC Preziosa Yacht Club would win for you over QM2 Queens Grill. I think (not only because of the great trip we had!) but the style and facilities are a much better fit for your passions and interests. I think you would find QM2 Queens Grill a bit too stuffy / formal for your liking.

By: Crazy sexy fun traveler

Crazy sexy fun traveler — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:49:25 +0000

I haven’t been on Queen Mary but MSC Preziosa for me is still the winner anyway

By: Laura Barnett

Laura Barnett — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:21:56 +0000

Agree with you last point. Perhaps a better comparison would be the ship as whole vs msc yacht. The QG /PG experience is so unique that it is actually hard to find a comparison. I’m not sure there are other ships that operate an on board “class system” like Cunard.
Cunard do need to up their game (queens grill aside) and look at ships like solstice celebrity, the new NCL and princess ones which really have moved with times in terms of aesthetics, entertainment, and culinary experience. The cruise market is becoming much younger and Cunard would be stupid not to follow suit

By: Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com

Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:30:37 +0000

Thanks for the comments. I understand your initial reaction completely.

I would have thought I was being asked to do a rather bizarre comparison, if MyTravelMoney.co.uk had asked me to consider writing it before going on the trip. I had never ever expected that I could ever compare a mass market, and more value line, with it on any front. My experience shook that expectation on a few fronts.

I have been choosing to cruise only in Cunard QG for the last 5 cruises I have done and am heading off happily on my 15th QG trip soon (5 weeks on QM2). But, the experience in MSC Yacht Club made me realise how the competition is changing, and the need for all lines to keep evolving and changing to stay ahead.

By: Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com

Gary Bembridge of tipsfortravellers.com — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:45:52 +0000

Indeed! Was not one of the questions asked but a really key one! Should be included.

MSC Yacht Club is a lot cheaper than Queen Grills, which is I think is a key factor in the size of the cabins and space. This is the big benefit on Cunard ships – the main price difference even on-board is about the size of the suite you get.

By: Laura Barnett

Laura Barnett — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:33:54 +0000

It’s a ridiculous comparison. The ships are not in the same class nor are the restaurants. Given the the price, luxury and exclusivity that comes with a queens cabin, better off comparing it to the restaurant on crystal OR comparing it to a speciality restaurant on a p&o, royal Caribbean or NCL

By: Marc Abrahams

Marc Abrahams — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:33:01 +0000

You didn’t compare the most important bit – price.