coolcruiser777

Thanks for your post. I have booked that cruise for next May. It is my first Royal Caribbean cruise although have cruised with about 5 cruise lines and been round the world. Really looking forward to my RCI experience.

Good choice... but if you are coming all the way from the UK wouldn't you rather take a cruise on one of her sister ships from Florida?

Grandeur of the Seas has the Coke Freestyle machines, so buying the soda package gives the user access to many many many combinations of soda flavors, but also juice, water, flavored water, and gatorade or powerade or whichever -ade the machine has. $8.50 per person per day plus 18% gratuity.

Yes- the only disadvantage to this is that there is only one machine for the entire ship (located at Café Promenade) to use when the buffet is closed. They do keep on top of refilling the machines, though.

Looking to book last minute or day before for escape this sat. Want to get out before the storm. Unfortunately looks like no ships will be coming into any port in south Florida sat. I can't get out.

 

 

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See post below!

They actually had a sale for the ocean medallion back in June... and the cabins are still around the same prices. It was actually cheaper (for us, at least) because of the ocean medallion. We were able to switch from balcony rooms to mini-suites while saving a couple hundred bucks.

Hello,

I know Grandeur was in dry dock this year (in the spring I believe), and I wondered if anyone who has been on it since then can tell me if they have replaced the bedding. Are the mattresses still hard and the pillows flat?

Thanks so much!

They did not replace the bedding in regular cabins during the drydock. Yes, the beds were hard and I had to use two pillows (which I have never done in my entire life). They might have replaced the bedding in the balcony cabins, but I know it is a definite no for inside/oceanview cabins. If you are in a JS, you have new bedding for sure.

This year, I was on the Grandeur in February and In July. There was no difference in the number of people. Ships generally sail full or close to full at all times.

 

What was different was the energy in the air. In February, the crowd was definitely more sedate. People took their time, it was a very relaxing cruise. There didn't seem to have an urgency in the air. In July, you can definitely tell it was a younger, energetic crowd. There were way more roving bands of kids throughout the ship, but they weren't misbehaving. The Viking crown lounge in the evenings was slightly active in February, but in July, it was very busy.

 

My big *gripe* if you can call it that was that the menu's in the MDR were virtually identical to what I had in February. There MIGHT have been an omission or addition of a dish, but for the most part, the "theme" of each night was the same (I was on a 9 night cruise in both February and July, but different ports).

Yes, it was very "energetic" indeed. The ship had only five empty cabins when a checked before we left and it didn't feel crowded at all. Lines were not long in the WJ, although it was a bit of a challenge to find a table if you are in a large group. Other than that, we simply loved the atmosphere on our cruise. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

If you want a quiet spot outside, the outdoor promenade on deck five was mostly empty for our cruise. Nice and breezy and also in the shade.

If you have the time next Summer I would suggest booking a nine day because it has a much better value than the five day one (price per night for the Bahamas itinerary is much less). It was only about ~$200 more but totally worth it for four extra nights. The Canada itinerary was more, though. The only complaint I have is the timing for the ports.

If you want a Bermuda only itinerary, like the others said, either sail on the Summit out of Bayonne (very good ship, only slightly bigger than Grandeur) or even the NCL Dawn out of Boston (also a good smaller ship). If you are even slightly worried about crowds, the NCL Escape or Breakaway (from NYC) is not your ship.

I know there are many threads on the Medallion, and I have searched already and spent the last 45 minutes trying to find my answer, and I'm tired of looking :)

 

It sounds like the precruise website is different from the Cruise Personalizer. Is it already set up? We cruise on the Regal on November 19, and I'm looking for the settings and personalizing our medallion etc. Just wanted to find out when this becomes available if anyone knows!

 

Thanks!

I don't see you on our roll call :).

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2427248

Someone on our roll call said that they bumped up the ocean.com opening date to Sept. 18 and the medallion will be shipped 30-60 days prior to sailing, but you never know.

Be sure to ask on the NCL board, too. For us, the NCL Breakaway class was way too crowded (Bliss is part of the Breakaway class, but with two more decks of cabins). When we were on the Caribbean Princess the crowds were fine.

Do not feel limited by those two choices, either. If you want to try out NCL, the Pearl is a very good choice, it just leaves a day later instead. Pretty much every cruise line has some good ships based in Seattle, the only one I would not recommend is Holland America. If you are flying also be sure to check out cruises from Vancouver and Seward/Whittier (better itineraries, but one way north/southbound cruises). Seattle only does roundtrip cruises that require a stop in Canada.

If you ask me, I would recommend any ship that sails to Alaska except for the Bliss, Island Princess, and HAL ships. Have fun!

I have a question. I was under the impression you could order food to go to take back to your room. I am going to be on BA for Superbowl next year and was dreaming of getting an order of Nachos to go and taking them down to O'Sheehans/Atrium to share with my boyfriend while we watch the game on the big screen. Anyone know if this would still be possible and if so, how they would charge it. Hopefully this nonsense is done with by then! TIA.

If you want nachos, you can get them right there at O'Sheehan's for free!

Can you FaceTime for free?

 

 

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No, just regular iMessage. Audio messages might have worked, but I don't remember. I know pictures and videos through iMessage do not work for sure.

I just stumbled onto this thread, as we are sailing the last cruise before the Medallions kick in, you comment got my attention about them being mailed three weeks before the sail date. "What about those coming from non US countries, we have a few folks sailing that are coming from the UK and from Australia, those from Australia are leaving the middle of Sept for a tour of the US before they get the cruise...five weeks. I wonder how they will handle that.

That's what I am wondering, too... they probably have something figured out for those people (including the ones who forget them at home).

Someone on my roll call called Princess about the medallions and they said that the ocean.com will open in the middle of October and medallions will be mailed about three weeks before your sail date(s).

Yes, one is "supposed" to be able to put in custom information on the OCEAN site. I just keep waiting for that site to have anything other than totally generic jive. It's supposed to replace your personalizer but there is still nothing there. I will keep checking as the first Medallion cruise gets closer. Our Medallion cruise isn't until March 18 which is the first Medallion cruise for Caribbean Princess.

Yep... even worse for us because we are on the first real voyage...

You should be able to go on ocean.com, customize your medallion, and then they will mail it to you sometime before the cruise. If you are not elite yet I doubt you will be able to order an elite medallion to be sent to you before the cruise. If you were to "lose" your medallion and got a replacement, I'm not sure if they would have every color, it would probably just be blue.

They probably put the date and ship on the medallion so "it is a treasured memory that you can keep forever" or something like that. I am not sure why they have November 26 as the poster date (it is the second full voyage date, not the first), but it is very possible that it could be the disembark date.

Bowling alley was removed on the refurb but rock wall is still there. Aft overlooking the bball courts. Also little known fact you can eat at O'Sheehans for breakfast also. It's never crowded! We did lunch there one day too. The Reuben and wings are great!

 

 

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Wow, I can't believe they would do that! That was something that made the ship fun and unique!

Here is another (pre-refurb), O'Sheehan's picture.

As mking said, the dress code is resort casual for any dining room (except for Le Bistro)- you just need a shirt and shoes and you're good. Grand Pacific is the "fancier" dining room, but Magenta is smaller. Grand Pacific has an awkward entrance. It is in between deck five and six. It is listed as being on deck six, but it is actually on deck five.

If you have the dining package, great, if not, its not worth going to a specialty restaurant. If you do have the package, avoid Moderno. The Orchid Garden Asian restaurant (free) is also worth a try one night.

Little known buffet breakfast secret: they open up La Cucina every morning for breakfast seating (they might for lunch too, I forget), it is across from the buffet through the aft elevator area on the port side. It was almost completely empty every morning. The buffet itself is long and narrow- all the food is crammed in to one place, which can get crowded and very hot sometimes. Here is a panorama, it looks weird (the hallway is actually straight).

I haven't been on the ship since the refurb, but there is bowling and rock climbing on the ship. The pool area is decent (although you can sneak into the haven pool with very minimal effort ;)).

I did enjoy the ship, and I'm sure its even nicer now after the refurb. Have fun on your cruise!

great song for the video!

;)

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Hi, I have eaten at almost every type of restaurant except Brazilian steak house. I just couldn't justify the $70 price tag. I don't eat that much meat. I have been to this type of Japanese restaurant. I will probably eat a little rice some meat and a lot of veggies. Just making sure it's unlimited. I love good steak houses. Is it comparable to Ruth's Chris? Good to know they have an omelette station.

No restaurant on any ship even comes close to Ruth's Chris, but Cagney's is still pretty good.

As a side note, if you have the dining package, every restaurant is pretty much "unlimited". I'm not sure about entrees, but you could go to Cagney's (or any specialty restaurant included in the package), order all the appetizers, all the sides, and all the desserts, and still not get charged a dime more.

I'm not sure if cayman is tender anymore (all I've done but it's been awhile). Maybe spend some time in port section looking into excursions want to do and that would help steer.

 

Never been to Ocho rios and not all about Falmouth but have liked a zipline excursion not too far away and a walking food tour that you'll spot in positive reviews.

 

Maybe read some reviews from both ships doing that itinerary (if done previously).

 

Or book both and decide closer to finally payment in case any price drops make one look better than another.

 

 

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It is, and they have no plans to build a dock anytime soon.

Ours did. The issue is more with the specialties.

 

And it wouldn't take much effort to have a different kids menu/coloring sheet for each restaurant, that's the part I don't understand. It would still be the same across all the ships.

If you have the dining package, everything is already covered. If not, I can understand, but the a la carte prices for the restaurants are ridiculous to begin with.

The only variation in the itinerary seems to be Roatan and NOLA vs. Port Canaveral and GSC. GSC is by far the worst private island I have been to (out of four). I would save yourself a tender port and definitely revisit Roatan if you loved it so much. As for Port Canaveral vs. NOLA, Port Canaveral is an hour's drive from Orlando, whereas NOLA ships leave from NOLA. I have not been on the Epic, but we loved the Gem. I would choose the Gem without a doubt in my mind.

Five ports in a row is not that bad, either. You could always stay onboard during a port and enjoy the empty ship.

Hi there

I'm having a major dilemma in picking an itinerary for our March 2018 cruise and have come in search of expert advice ;). We have cruised the Mediterranean the past 2 years on the NCL Epic and have decided to try the Caribbean next spring. We're thinking of the Western Caribbean however can't decide between Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas or NCL's Epic (3rd time I know). Both trips cost roughly the same. On one hand we really would love to try a RCCL Mega-ship and would love seeing new shows etc. however I'm unsure about the itinerary. RCCL travels from Port Canaveral to Labadee (Private island in Haiti), Falmouth (Jamaica), and Cozumel (Mexico). NCL on the other hand has an extra port day, travelling from Port Canaveral to Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Great Stirrup Cay (Private Island in the Bahamas), Georgetown (Grand Cayman) and Cozumel (Mexico).

 

Does anyone have any advice regarding the itineraries? How is Falmouth vs Ocho Rios? Will we be missing much in Georgetown??

I'm posting this in both the NCL and RCCL subforums but if it could be better located just let me know!

 

Many thanks!

Great Stirrup Cay is the worst private island out of the four that I have been to (I have not been to Labadee yet). Keep in mind that it is also a tender port along with Grand Cayman (the reason why Oasis ships do not stop in Grand Cayman on their way to Cozumel). For Jamaica, it depends on what you want to do. For our Western Caribbean cruise coming up (Regal Princess), Falmouth is actually the stop that we are looking forward to the most. We did an all inclusive land vacation there at the Hilton Rose Hall and loved it. We are going there for the day when we stop there. Keep in mind that Royal Caribbean is also planning to pull out of Falmouth soon. I can see why you might want to try Grand Cayman, there seems to be a lot to do there.

You seem to be a loyal NCL cruiser, but I would definitely give Royal Caribbean a try for this cruise and see how you like it (you could always give the Carnival magic a try, too). I wouldn't become loyal to a single line without trying another one first, but as always the choice is up to you.

Do Cagney's twice and skip Moderno. It is 1000% better. More variety, better meat, and just better in general. Unless you like to eat raw meat off a skewer, I suggest you change.

I cannot give advice for Le Bistro or Teppanyaki, but La Cucina was pretty good.

Why couldn't they just order off the regular MDR menu? There is usually a pasta, fish, chicken, steak, some potatoes, veggies - most nights I ordered a protein off of the menu. Since it's free, it's the perfect time to try new things.

I completely agree and was just about to say the same thing before reading your post. They can order anything they want from the adult menu. Just because something is listed on the adult menu and not the kids menu does that mean they aren't allowed to order it? They have plenty of variety to choose from each night in the dining rooms, and if that is such a problem, there is always the buffet. I don't think paying 2x the fare on DCL is worth it for a rotating kids menu (or frankly, for anything).

The first time we sailed on Mercury was certainly our last... but only because we were on its last sailing ever. It's too bad I can't speak German. We absolutely loved the ship and all the staff on it. I wish Celebrity had stayed in Baltimore, but I also love the Grandeur.