We are about to embark on our second cruise in Princess Grill Queen Victoria and I thought I might add my oar because we had a Med. cruise last year on this ship that we enjoyed very much - hence again. The ship was gorgeous and transported us to a by-gone era in the grand and elegant style. It was a spotlessly clean, sophisticated ship and after reading some reviews here I think it’s sometimes a matter of personal taste which sort of ship/holiday one chooses to be happy on.
On Queen Victoria few children were a bonus for us and it was pleasantly quiet in the public areas. It is a ship that attracts adults, with over 40s being the norm, which we like.
The staff were polite and helpful. The staff in the PG restaurant always greeted us by name and nothing was too much trouble. After a few days, our waiter anticipated things we might like and made suggestions. Service was efficient and friendly without being intrusive, the food good and plentiful, if not ‘nouvelle haute cuisine’. The Grills Lounge for afternoon tea and before/after dinner was pleasant, and if you travel Grills you have access to an outdoor (competitive!) courtyard for meals as well.
The PG rooms were nice and the wardrobe spacious - could have done with more hangers. The bathroom (shower/bath) was very small - just adequate. Televisions are very small and the selection of movies was limited to tv-style time slots.
There is a laundry on each deck of the ship but there are only three washing machines and dryers in each. So it gets competitive, especially on sea-days. Laundry service is otherwise pricey.
OMG this was disappointing! The ship docked at a further away port than advertised and it was a longer trip to the start point by bus. The 'boat trip' along the coast was very overcrowded, hot, stuffy and unairconditioned, no water offered - with many people unable to find a seat and forced to swelter standing. The small deck outside had few seats and no shelter from the hot sun so most suffered inside. The train trip back was also very overcrowded with people standing.