Grandeur of the Seas questions

Sailing on GotS early Jan. Since it is a Baltimore departure, should I bring warmer clothes since the first day or 2 will be colder and we want to use the balcony? Going to E Caribbean. How far is the port from the BWI airport? ( cost of cab? ) In the casino, does one use cabin card to get funds for slot machine play like Carnival or is it like NCL where you just put in bills? Sorry if this is a repeat as I didn't see the post I made from last night.

Sailing on GotS early Jan. Since it is a Baltimore departure, should I bring warmer clothes since the first day or 2 will be colder and we want to use the balcony? Going to E Caribbean. How far is the port from the BWI airport? ( cost of cab? ) In the casino, does one use cabin card to get funds for slot machine play like Carnival or is it like NCL where you just put in bills? Sorry if this is a repeat as I didn't see the post I made from last night.

We always wear warm clothes for the first 2 days out of Baltimore in the winter.

Never have to use taxi but I think it is a $30 flat rate from BWI to Port terminal. Maybe someone else can update answer.

In the casino, we always bring cash. You know as much as we play the slots, you would think I could remember how we cash out. Do not know if we get receipts or set up a players account. It is one of them. :o Not sure but I think if you draw cash off your cabin card for casino, there is a 5% charge. Not sure about this. Might want to ask in casino or GS.

We are sailing again in Jan. & Feb of 2016 on the Grandeur. Do it almost every year.

It's gonna be quite chilly.....layers are best.....

I've gone out of Baltimore many times in January and it's a little more of a packing challenge. I tell people you almost have to pack for all 4 seasons.

As far as the casino, it is cash/ticket in, ticket out. To get cash from your card, add earlier poster stated, it will cost you 5%. ATM'S on board run about $6.50 per transaction and sometimes are out of order towards the end of the cruise.

Sailing on GotS early Jan. Since it is a Baltimore departure, should I bring warmer clothes since the first day or 2 will be colder and we want to use the balcony? Going to E Caribbean. How far is the port from the BWI airport? ( cost of cab? ) In the casino, does one use cabin card to get funds for slot machine play like Carnival or is it like NCL where you just put in bills? Sorry if this is a repeat as I didn't see the post I made from last night.

Do not plan plan on using the balcony until you hit warmer climes. As others have said, pack accordingly, think in terms of dressing in layers, and keep your expectations regarding the weather realistic. January in Baltimore can be frigid, and you might be greeted by icicles on your balcony. Baltimore is one of the easiest ports of embarkation. Have a wonderful cruise. Grandeur is a terrific ship.

Does the Grandeur have Mahjong sets ?

Yes, it will be chilly for at least the first couple of days and maybe even the first three if it's cool down to FL. I usually wear jeans to board and to leave in Baltimore and we tend to stay inside until it warms up. The problem with trying to use the balcony in Jan until you get to warmer weather is not just the temps, but the wind and sea spray. It will be cold. We have been onboard in Nov and Mar out of Baltimore on GR and EN and it's usually so cold and windy that the outside decks are closed. That's not to say you can't go out on the balcony, but you won't want to.

Does the Grandeur have Mahjong sets ?

They don't have Mahjong sets. My friends that play bring their own set.

When you are on board and thinking about the January weather, just stop and think how you have avoided the hassle and aggravation and cost of flying. You can bring extra luggage and not pay extra $$$. And, you can bring extra stuff (booze) home and not worry about the luggage weight.

We've done some cold weather cruises where the seas were rough and the temp's cold, and the outside decks closed for a day or two (Cape Horn, TA's). Never a problem. RCCL provides plenty of indoor activities! And, if you don't like theirs, you can find your own.

Enjoy your GR cruise in January. We'll be on her in February!

Rick and Deirdra

Just one caution. If you drive to the port DO NOT leave your coats in the car and dash to the ship. Grandeur's muster drill is outdoors. Be prepared for that and get ready to enjoy the solarium for a day or 2. With a bit of preparation it's a great cruise.

Roy

They don't have Mahjong sets. My friends that play bring their own set.

Thank you

Last few times I have sailed out of BWI it has been a 35 dollar flat rate, but some of the airport hotels offer a 30.00 flat rate cab to pier.

As others have said, at least bring a jacket. ALL Muster stations are outside, and I have seen it decently warm cruising out of BWI In January, and I have seen them shoveling several inches of snow off the ship.

Just one caution. If you drive to the port DO NOT leave your coats in the car and dash to the ship. Grandeur's muster drill is outdoors. Be prepared for that and get ready to enjoy the solarium for a day or 2. With a bit of preparation it's a great cruise.

 

Roy

Not to mention there have been several times when the ship has returned to snow that has to be scraped off the car (as well as digging the car out).

Use Uber to get to the port. We had to get to an Inner Harbor hotel from BWI at 2 am - long story - and we used Uber app on the phone. The charge was only $17.