| QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 |
| CUNARD |
QE2 TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY
DINING
CLICK ON PHOTOS FOR LARGER VIEWS
Above and left: The Princess Grill was originally an ala carte extra
tariff restaurant called the Grill Room but since 1972 it has been a
dining room. It is one of the few rooms on the ship that remains
substantially as it was when the ship entered service.
Below: The Britannia Grill is the most recent of QE2's main dining
rooms. It was created in 1990 and was called the Princess Grill
Starboard reflecting the fact that it is located in the same area as
the Princess Grill except on the starboard side of the ship.
tariff restaurant called the Grill Room but since 1972 it has been a
dining room. It is one of the few rooms on the ship that remains
substantially as it was when the ship entered service.
Below: The Britannia Grill is the most recent of QE2's main dining
rooms. It was created in 1990 and was called the Princess Grill
Starboard reflecting the fact that it is located in the same area as
the Princess Grill except on the starboard side of the ship.
The Lido is the ship's
purpose-built buffet dining
area. The area once
encompassed a swimming
pool and a nightclub.
Light buffet fare was
brought to the area at
lunchtime so that
passengers could lunch by
the pool (above left).
Gradually, this became so
popular that there was no
more swimming, just
dining (above right). As a
result, in 1994 the area
was made over into a
permanent buffet venue.
Once it was established,
the gala midnight buffet,
which had been in the
Columbia Restaurant was
moved to The Lido (right).
purpose-built buffet dining
area. The area once
encompassed a swimming
pool and a nightclub.
Light buffet fare was
brought to the area at
lunchtime so that
passengers could lunch by
the pool (above left).
Gradually, this became so
popular that there was no
more swimming, just
dining (above right). As a
result, in 1994 the area
was made over into a
permanent buffet venue.
Once it was established,
the gala midnight buffet,
which had been in the
Columbia Restaurant was
moved to The Lido (right).
The Mauretania Restaurant seats 530 and is two-seatings. It started out as the Britannia Restaurant, then became
Tables of the World and subsequently the Mauretania Restaurant. During a brief period in the mid-1990s, the line
decided to swap the rooms that housed the first class restaurant and the transatlantic class restaurant as part of a
scheme to increase revenue and to go to a one seating system. As a result, the room on Upper Deck that was the
Mauretania Restaurant became the Caronia Restaurant and the room on Quarter Deck that had been the
Columbia Restaurant became the Mauretania. It soon became clear that this scheme did not work and the
Mauretania returned to its old room and the room that had been the Columbia became the Caronia. One dividend
from the project was that the Mauretania room received an extensive face-lift that included the installation of a
large statue of horses in the surf - - a reference to the old sailor's tale that white capped ocean waves are the
heads of wild horses. It is by Althea Wynne.
Tables of the World and subsequently the Mauretania Restaurant. During a brief period in the mid-1990s, the line
decided to swap the rooms that housed the first class restaurant and the transatlantic class restaurant as part of a
scheme to increase revenue and to go to a one seating system. As a result, the room on Upper Deck that was the
Mauretania Restaurant became the Caronia Restaurant and the room on Quarter Deck that had been the
Columbia Restaurant became the Mauretania. It soon became clear that this scheme did not work and the
Mauretania returned to its old room and the room that had been the Columbia became the Caronia. One dividend
from the project was that the Mauretania room received an extensive face-lift that included the installation of a
large statue of horses in the surf - - a reference to the old sailor's tale that white capped ocean waves are the
heads of wild horses. It is by Althea Wynne.
THE RESTAURANTS
THE GRILLS
Accommodations is next.
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One of the most successful changes made during the 1994 refit was
the introduction of the Pavilion. Prior to the refit, there had been a
window that had opened out to the outdoor pool area through which
hamburgers and hot dogs were served during good weather. During the
refit, the area around Hamburger Haven was enclosed and made into a
delightful cafe with floor to ceiling windows looking out towards the pool.
As a result, the area could now be used in all types of weather.
the introduction of the Pavilion. Prior to the refit, there had been a
window that had opened out to the outdoor pool area through which
hamburgers and hot dogs were served during good weather. During the
refit, the area around Hamburger Haven was enclosed and made into a
delightful cafe with floor to ceiling windows looking out towards the pool.
As a result, the area could now be used in all types of weather.
ALTERNATIVE DINING
The Queens Grill (right) is the ship's top dining
venue. It is known for its service and excellent
cuisine. Passengers may order from the menu or
may make special requests. The unwritten rule
was that no request would be denied provided that
the passenger gave the restaurant sufficient lead
time. Some passengers took this as a challenge
and it resulted in orders for such exotic dishes as
rattlesnake and buffalo as well as for a caviar
sandwich.
Originally, the area was a bar and nightclub,
the 736 Club (named after QE2's shipyard
number). It then became Juliana's Discotheque
and then the Casino. When the first penthouses
were added in 1972, it became the Queens Grill.
venue. It is known for its service and excellent
cuisine. Passengers may order from the menu or
may make special requests. The unwritten rule
was that no request would be denied provided that
the passenger gave the restaurant sufficient lead
time. Some passengers took this as a challenge
and it resulted in orders for such exotic dishes as
rattlesnake and buffalo as well as for a caviar
sandwich.
Originally, the area was a bar and nightclub,
the 736 Club (named after QE2's shipyard
number). It then became Juliana's Discotheque
and then the Casino. When the first penthouses
were added in 1972, it became the Queens Grill.
There are two serving lines, one on either side of the room, where
passengers can obtain salads, main courses, vegetables and bread (see
left). If a sandwich is all you seek or if you want dessert, there is a station
in the center of the room (below left). While this is a self-serve venue,
waiters will bring ice tea, water and juices (below).
passengers can obtain salads, main courses, vegetables and bread (see
left). If a sandwich is all you seek or if you want dessert, there is a station
in the center of the room (below left). While this is a self-serve venue,
waiters will bring ice tea, water and juices (below).
The Caronia Restaurant, first called the Columbia
Restaurant, was the ship's original first-class
restaurant. It is still the dining venue for most of the
passengers in cabin categories just below the
penthouses and suites. The Caronia is a single seating
venue.
Left: The view from the captain's table. The
captain and staff captain alternate hosting tables in the
Caronia and the second seating in the Mauretania
Below left: Looking at the restaurant from the
raised entrance.
Below: A Midnight Buffet in the Columbia
Restaurant. Elaborate buffets were held each night on
a transatlantic crossing and were open to all
passengers. A special gala buffet was held usually on
the fourth night of the voyage.
Restaurant, was the ship's original first-class
restaurant. It is still the dining venue for most of the
passengers in cabin categories just below the
penthouses and suites. The Caronia is a single seating
venue.
Left: The view from the captain's table. The
captain and staff captain alternate hosting tables in the
Caronia and the second seating in the Mauretania
Below left: Looking at the restaurant from the
raised entrance.
Below: A Midnight Buffet in the Columbia
Restaurant. Elaborate buffets were held each night on
a transatlantic crossing and were open to all
passengers. A special gala buffet was held usually on
the fourth night of the voyage.
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CRUISE SHIP CENTRAL
CRUISE SHIP PROFILES
CRUISE LINKS
QUEEN VICTORIA PROFILE
QUEEN MARY 2 PROFILE
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 PROFILE
CUNARD PAGE
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 1
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 2
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 3
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 4
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 5
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 6
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 7
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 8
QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 TOUR 9