TheCalicoCat

Just checked, our C&A numbers are there & the special meal request has been added too!:)

Thanks for all of the responses & the links to videos.

I'm going to try to get seats on 4. An hour ahead enough time?

My husband & I have both sailed on RCCL once before. Will there be a welcome back party?

Will my son be able to attend, he was not around to join us on the last trip or he would have our status & I would not be asking. (He is 5 & has been to a welcome back party on Carnival.)

If it matters we will be on a 10 night cruise on the Grandeur.

Thanks for more information on the dancers/hosts, etc.

When I was last on the Pride, there was a couple who fell into the "Loved to Dance" category. They were dancing every chance the got. Even at the "Welcome back" party.

thanks. Are there any chairs in the 6, 7, 8 area?

Grandeur

great to hear. I just let my TA know & she is adding my request to our reservation.

I enjoy eating on the MDR.

I'll be on a 10 night trip. How many times will there be an Aerial Show?

Where is the "best" (In your opinion, rational appreciated) viewing location?

I'm traveling with a 5 year old & I think that he would love to see this. (If seats on the ground level is the best spot let me know, I am willing to hold our seats for the recommended hour+ prior.:D)

What are the dining options on formal night for "undressed" passengers on the Grandeur?

Thanks for your help!

since you said "undressed" (in quotes no less) instead of under-dressed, I'd like to suggest room service.

Thanks for the preparation information. I visualized the food prep differently.

Sure wish that veal dish didn't have the crab meat.:mad:

I don't eat either, but I've read about crab being stuffed into quite a few meats.

a number of cruise lines used to have "Gentlemen Hosts". Not paid, but the cruise line gave them a free room (but the management company that coordinated had a modest charge paid by the Gentlemen Hosts); essentially the same deal as offered to "Enrichment Speakers" on ships (but a few of the better known speakers are paid). Many lines have dropped Gentlemen Hosts, but still present on some sailings of Silverseas, Cunard, etc. Luxury lines often have significant numbers of wealthy widows.

 

Thom

Good point - I am "never" speaking for the luxury lines. :) Also I tend to lump Carnival, NCL, RCCL, & HAL together. I find them to be more similar than not. Just my humble opinion.

I just sent an e-mail to RCCL thanks for that tip.

Sure you could get plain vegetables or fish.

Don't know what you'd want things plain but its no problem

Plain equals far fewer calories, less sodium, less fat, less risk of contamination with allergens (shell fish & pork - since you asked). Plain just tends to be healthier & I like the taste of fish & vegetables - IMHO that can be lost in the sauces.

Can you get it prepared plainly in the MDR? An example: Plain steamed vegetables, plainly baked fish, plain baked potato.

Should I talk to someone on the ship early about my desires?

From many past cruises it appeared that most people seem to wear the clothing they boarded the ship in to dinner the first night. So "nice casual" I'm thinking (I've not cruised in six years). I'm hoping no tank tops for men are allowed in the MDR? Sorry guys if that seems rude on my part, but at least a regular T-shirt for dining in the MDR's (hopefully).

From my experience this sounds right - some people don't have their bags by dinner time - so they wear what they boarded the ship wearing. (If that happened to me, I'd be freaking out wondering where my bags were. ;)) As for the attire, we leave from Baltimore in less than two weeks, so we will all be well covered up. (Maybe in a sweat suit.:o)

Since we were on the same cruise, I have a question for you.

 

There was an elegant couple who danced every night in the Centrum to the music of the Evergreen trio (who I enjoyed listening to very much). They looked like they belonged in one of those ballroom dancing competitions. I saw the man one morning in the Windjammer and he told me they weren't professional dancers, but they'd taken lessons and converted a bedroom in their house into a dance studio where they practice every day.

 

However, because they rarely smiled when they were dancing, and looked "too professional", my husband thinks they work for Royal Caribbean and just pose as passengers to make people want to get up and dance. I don't agree with him, but he got me thinking.

 

Did you notice them? What do you think? I think they looked great, frankly, and regardless they were entertaining to watch. What's your take on them? :confused:

I wasn't on that cruise, but I seriously doubt that any cruise line hires dancers to get people to dance. They know that people mostly want to watch/listen.

Now if you husband is right, I wish that they would put that salary money/room space towards more service attendants. (Room stewards take care of more rooms now that they did in the past & the wait staff appears to be on the thin side too.)

Just my thought/opinion.

The qwest that I went to was pretty much - "meh?" I guess it depends on the crowd.

Those ports should be able to handle it.

Always pay attention to your surroundings & the time.

welcome back & thanks for day 3, you had me worried for a day or two.;)

Tabbi, I took a pic with every single character I saw. (I'm 50 :o).

Thanks for pointing out your Grandeur review. I just took two of those binder clips out of my drawer & threw them in my bag. Hopefully that will help with the shower curtain.

We just cruised this past Sep with our son, who was one month shy of 4. Here is my review of the Grandeur...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1924684&highlight=grandeur

 

Unless your 5 year old has been spoiled on one of the bigger, newer ships, he/she should enjoy the Grandeur.

No, my son has only been on Carnival Pride & HAL's Volendam. (& we don't have TV, so I'm not sure that he would be that intrigued by the characters.) Thanks for the link to your review.

The convenience of driving to the port makes the Grandeur an attractive option for many :). I can drive to the port, check in, board the ship, and start my vacation faster than I can go to airport and fly to Florida... lol

ditto. & over pack to my hearts desire without worrying about airline limits.

I am looking at different options other than Carnival for cruising. The Royal Caribbean cruises out of Florida look like they encourage kids to be on them. Are they the ones that have characters from kids movies on them?

 

When I was reading the reviews of the Grandeur sailing out of Baltimore, it didn't seem like people were talking about parades of children's characters or crazy activities like rock climbing, a rope course or a water park that kids would like. Does the Grandeur not have these activities on it? It would actually be a plus for me.

Grandeur will welcome my 5 year old in 14 days. With that said we do not cruise for the character's etc. & I have not been on this ship, so I don't know if there are any on board or not.

FWIW most if not all cruise lines "encourage" revenue generating passengers of all ages.

Do they have snack time (3 to 5) on Grandeur? Does it have bread pudding? (my weakness.):o