do_not_spindle

11 hours ago, edrussell said:

Enjoyed another night listening to Fresh Beat, hush dance party and our daily casino donation.

Glad there is live as well as recorded dance music in the lounges.  "Hush dance" is everyone wearing headphones?  

Enjoy the rest of your trip.  

On 3/28/2019 at 6:43 PM, hucifer said:

Okay, so I have no idea if you'll see this since you posted last year, but I am going solo again this October on the Grandeur. I wonder if I should start a "Grandeur solo traveler takeover" thread.

You should.  Wife & I have been on GoS several times.  Baltimore is very convenient for us (1hr drive) and we seem to prefer the smaller ships.  It will be a very different experience than the Allure.  We find the crew to be extremely friendly.  Also, IMO, more make your own entertainment and less waiting for the cruise staff to entertain you.  An advantage for us is there seems to be more at sea days which we like.  The 1st and last days can be inside days depending on the weather.  Enjoy!

We had an inside cabin roughly across from your cabin on our 12-day GoS.  Agree, it's a very convenient location.  We're also on the 1/24 trip, looking forward to your reports.

Early December trip on GOS.  The wives wanted a simple beach day.  We negotiated a cab ride outside the port area and spent a few hours at Marigot Bay.  $1 or so water taxi ride from where the taxis wait to the resort area.  Excellent calm beach and several large catamarans came in & out also one of the faux pirate ship rum cruises.  Taxi driver waited for us and other than the STEEP & NARROW roads, no issues with ground transportation.  Do allow  extra time for coming back as traffic or an accident can back up the roads quite a bit (not as bad as what we've experienced on Dominica but enough to think about it).   

18 hours ago, George C said:

Always carry on, you most likely be called to naughty room if it’s in checked luggage.

On last cruise, I packed one bottle of wine in carry-on and our 2nd in checked (brain fade on my part, I knew the policy says in carry-on).  That checked bag showed up at the cabin rather late (during dinner) with a polite note reminding us of the policy.  

4 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

(I have also heard from reliable sources that they no longer permit the dropping of carry ons in the Lounge)

 

Can confirm.  On our 12/1 cruise, they were not checking carry-on bags in S.Pacific (or anyplace else). I had used it previously and specifically asked several cruise staff.  However, cabins were made accessible approx 1:00PM.  

10 minutes ago, cementhands said:

Is there any Zumba or dancing in the centrum?

Will there bean adult Quest game.

How are the music bands onboard?

We loved all of the Grandeur of the Seas back in 2017. Going again soon. Loved our recent visions of the Seas.

On our 12 /1 cruise:  There was some sort of daily morning class to music in Centrum, also several line dance and ballroom classes used Centrum on at-sea days, also a "Learn Michael Jackson's Thriller" class.  There was an adult Quest game.  

Music & dancing:  A section of the daily Cruise Compass will list all the performance times & locations for live & recorded music.  Real Time Band (singer + 3 instruments) I think is on until March, expanded song list from 2017 and playing more requests, also hosting "rock-aroke" sing with the band sessions.  Calypso band is decent, ship's orchestra put on a big band dance and a jazz show in Centrum.  Strings duet was enjoyable for listening, and the piano player/soloist in Schooner I'm told was a hoot.   Viking Crown seemed vacant for dancing late when we bothered to check (we preferred Real Time). 

21 minutes ago, RETCOL said:

 I do have a question -- did you notice if anyone brought flat of water on board at embarkation?  My husband and I always used to but I have read it is no longer allowed. Am wondering if the rule is being enforced in Baltimore.  

Don't know about water 1st-hand [I bring reusable bottles, the filling of which is another issue entirely!] , but Baltimore does scan carry-on AND checked luggage (last cruise I erred in packing a permitted bottle of wine in a bag I checked at arrival, resulting in delayed delivery of that bag to our cabin and a polite gentle reminder to use carry-on next time).  Our travelling companions brought a 12-pack of small cans of coca-cola (for digestive relief) without any problems.  Bottled water in sealed containers *should* be OK; I'd call RCCL to verify if you can check the bag with the water  or need to carry it aboard.  

14 minutes ago, mspect462 said:

Day 2 was nice and relaxing. We have a priest on board who did a Sunday service and will be doing a midnight mass for Christmas.

The At-sea days are among my favorites on the Baltimore sailings because I can just relax! 

My experience is RC does a good-to-excellent job supporting services for religious groups.  For Jewish observances, they've always been good about supporting Hanukkah observances (latkes, jelly donuts, and having a rabbi to lead services each night).  On our last cruise, they moved the services to a larger space to accommodate a larger then they expected turnout.  On other cruises, Friday night Shabbat service have been lay-led.  The ship provides a usable xerox'd set of prayers, as well as wine and an excellent challah for Kiddush.  Usually a passenger who can lead services well takes charge.    

If having a priest lead services and the special Mass is important to you, I'd say that to Guest Services and in your post-cruise feedback so they're encouraged to keep on doing it.  Enjoy your cruise and the special midnight Mass tonight.

20 hours ago, HardyVA said:

We are booked on Grandeur spring 2020.  I've had concerns about the gym.  My husband is one of those gym rats, me not as much.  What are the gym hours?  We are. We are not interested in the classes.  Did you use the jogging track?  How was that?  We have found on past cruises that the gym is busy the first day or two and then it tapers off.  

  

In comparison to larger ships (your experience, and RC's Freedom of the Seas class, etc.) Grandeur has a minimal gym as described.  Spin bikes available only with the cla$$ .  Besides treadmills, the running track on Deck 10 is claimed 1/4 mile per lap.  Promenade (Deck 5) is a bit longer, but running discouraged and the bow area will be closed off at times.   I don't recall the gym hours and don't have my Cruise Compass that I kept handy to check.  I recall the gym was closed on 2 (?) at-sea days due to rough weather (ship's rolling and pitching more noticeable where the gym is located on Deck 10/aft).  It will be pretty empty on port days.  If I were your husband, I'd plan my workouts so the cruise is a recovery or cross-train (walking, stair climbing (Centrum repeats from Deck 2 to 11!), use port days for a run or ocean swimming?) period and not worry about losing fitness.   Maybe enter the "belly flop" contest in the trim & ripped division?

We were recently on GoS (12/1 12 night S Carib.) and after some serious issues in MDR (another thread) had several dinners in the 3 specialty restaurants.  I have to say the service in all 3 was excellent, and the food quality significantly superior (arguably as good or better as we've experienced in MDRs on multiple lines going back to 1990s).  Worth the upcharge?  YMMV.

They were hawking the specialty dinning throughout the cruise, and had some special deals (esp. on the port days) and on the last 3 at sea days.  Never saw any of them crowded, either.  

10 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Maybe spend 7 days sailing in circles around the Statue of Liberty? Sail up and down the Hudson river between the George Washington and Verrazzno Bridges.

I was thinking "sails up the scenic Hudson River to the Poughkeepsie Bridge where it turns around..." (old Circle Line Alexander Hamilton TV ad...)  Although the Tappan Zee bridge might also be in the way!

We received something similar in our stateroom on GoS 12/1 sailing.  

No problem zooming in (on desktop monitor) to readability (and I need reading glasses).

Thanks all for the feedback.  Points:

- I think we started cruising RCL approx late 1990s, so we missed the "glory days" while experiencing the economizations of the last decade or so.  Comparing Dec '18 to Dec '17 and earlier was night vs day, sadly. 

- Our table did escalate to the (Acting?) HD and we got some resolution.

- WeatherFix - nice to know some of the MDR issues remains dependent on who's working your table (we saw some of that too esp. with the different staff you get at lunch over the week).  

Now considering MyTime for Jan cruise.  Maybe a few specialty nights (helps RCCL's plan to separate us from a few more shekels and shillings).  

Just back from Dec 1 12-day on GoS.  Is it just us, or has the quality of service in MDR, especially 1st-seating dinner, collapsed?  We've always expected breakfast and lunch to be sedate; breakfast is becoming glacial.  Our experience with dinner service until now has been excellent - capable and efficient without feeling rushed; even a late return ship's tour did not prevent us from making the 7PM show (yes I know that is for 2nd seating but we like having our dinner, show, and evening free).  

This sailing was totally different (not in a good way).  MDR service felt haphazard, overall slow, with a lot of extra effort and a dinning room captain pitching in required to get back to something tolerable.  We (us and 2 other cruise-experienced couples)  thought MDR seemed understaffed.  I wonder if more experienced and capable staff are now in My Time.  Typical errors - long delays between ordering and meals arriving, incomplete orders (when ordering 2 appetizers or a 2nd dinner as a side), long delays for expected/requested condiments, beef consistently under-cooked (did I hear a "moo" just now!).  And the coffee at dinner sucked (WJ or Park Cafe were always better).    The dinner menu continues to shrink, but we expected that. On paper it wasn't bad (kitchen had a problem with poor-quality sole and switched fish dinners after the 1st time).  Execution was where they had problems.  We discussed the service with dinning room management and we saw some incremental improvement on last few nights, but it remained sub-par compared to prior experience.

Specialty (Chops, Giovanni's, Izumi) had EXCELLENT selection, food quality, and service.  Get a steak in Chops, lamb chops or veal in Giovann's, and the "rolls" and sashimi in Izumi.  Come hungry. Worth the up-charge?  Maybe. YMMV.

I'd appreciate hearing from recent repeat GoS cruisers in particular if they also think MDR service has deteriorated unacceptably, or if we just had an earnest (they worked their tails off) wait staff who would benefit from more experience and mentoring.  Also wondering if My Time is now preferable.  We have another GoS cruise booked in late January so we'll get to see if any improvements made.  

Other than the MDR dinner service, the cruise was excellent and we had a great time!

Giovanni's and Chops both serve lamb chops (12/1 12-day),  I'd recommend Giovanni's.  At Chops, the LC portion is/feel smaller  vs the beef dishes.  Veal at Giovanni's also excellent, but come hungry!

Our preference is Deck 3, either between the forward and aft stairs, or just aft of the aft stairs.  We had a problem with 3111 on 12/1 cruise - some light leaks through closed connecting door to 3109 and relatively louder neighbors resulting in more noise than we expected (masked at bedtime by playing music from iPad).  Friends on Deck 4 exterior forward experienced a lot of up/down movement on days with rough seas (Day 11 on our 12/1 12-day).  

Based on experience on Enchantment, I'd avoid interior cabins on 3 directly under the Centrum - you will hear the big party nights; it will get quiet as soon as they end.  So an issue if you go to bed early/have children with you.  

On 10/2/2018 at 11:04 AM, dutchclogs said:

Thank you! Also wondering if there is a difference in bed heights? I have recollection that we could not fit large suitcase under the bed on Splendour TIA

A 24" roller fits under the bed. (you may have to lift the bed up to get it under, soft-side helps).  It was on my side and I did not notice any "bump" in the mattress.  A 26" does not and it may end up taking up a corner of the closet. [1-st hand experience from 12/1 sailing.]

Wife & I enjoy GoS (and previously EoS when it was sailing from Baltimore). Much has to do with ease of getting to/from (1 hr drive) vs a flight to FL. More laid back and traditional vs. the mega ships and floating amusement parks (although a 5 day on Regal Princess last year was IMPRESSIVE for what a newer ship can offer). But not for everyone - I think you have to take more initiative to "have fun" vs. the ship delivers it to you, and relax and enjoy the experience. We've gotten to know some of the regulars and it's becoming a "same time next year" trip for us.

From reading you went to Victoria, I’m gathering you left from Seattle. So you chose a cruise that went to Alaska, not an Alaskan Cruise.

 

What’s the difference? When you start in Seattle, you are gonna have more sea time just to get to AK ports. You at best get two Alaska ports and maybe a turn around at a glacier. That’s called a cruise that went to Alaska.

 

For those thinking about an Alaskan Cruise, choose one that DOESN’T Start in the US. Choose one that has at least 4 Alaskan ports. That’s an Alaskan Cruise, not one with a couple of ports there.

 

If you are going to spend out for an Alaskan Adventure, do one that begins or ends on Vancouver. It’s worth the wait to also add at least four nights on land before or after the cruise. Go to Denali National Park. Spend a night and day in Talkeetna. Ride the train on the interior of AK. If you don’t choose an RC land tour, rent a car or RV and do it yourself.

 

Even if you save an extra year to do it, wait. Yes, it’s pricey, and don’t skimp on excursions (there are some great independent ones).

 

Have an Alaskan experience, not a cruise with a couple of ports in AK. I wouldn’t take ANYTHING for our experience there. PS The AK experience was my husband’s idea. I was so surprised at how much I loved it.

MOD THIS UP! We did Seward-Vancouver with HAL a (more than a ) few years ago with our pre-teen/teen kids. The land portions at each end (rolled out own and it is a LONG drive from Anchorage to Denali NP and WORTH IT) made the trip, and we saw several fiords and glacier fields on the way south. IMO, you go for the land portions as much/more than the sea days. We used a "Great Alaska Coupon" book (may no longer exist) to book a ski plane trip (Talkeetnah), visits to several sights in AK, and a kayak trip in Kethcikan (same as what ship had but cheaper and we had guid to ourselves) that were highlights of the vacation. Then a few days to relax in Vancouver before flying home. Yes, AK is more $$ than Caribbean, deposits for shore events may be non-refundable (short season), and is better for active vacationing vs. watching world go by. So not for everyone but remains one of our top vacations ever.

I'd test it out first with a really long trip - round-world or a portion of. If the thought of doing it again is with you at the conclusion, living aboard full time might be for you. We met a couple on last cruise who had been on a smaller (500 pax?) round-world trip (total duration in 4-6 months?) with extended stays in several ports. They enjoyed it, but were glad to be back home when over. The husband's career (ER physician) let him basically work on contract part year and they could travel the rest or chill at home. Wife & I have discussed the cruise ship vs. elder home option, since we know well how many $K/mo it costs from experience of close relatives. Problem we see is when you need to go into the more advanced and expensive care levels, the cruise line's wouldn't take you any longer because you're now a health risk for them (and yourself). It might be a good alternative at least part year to active senior/1st-level assisted living communities.

How do you pack your sport coat without messing it up if you don’t bring a garment bag where it’s packed away neatly on the hanger? We’ve always brought a garment bag that fit multiple jackets and dresses on past cruises, but trying to avoid that this time so it’s easier to carry off our luggage when we return.

I picked up a bag (I think I caught a sale at Container Store) designed to hold a sport coat that folded and fit inside my ~19" carry-on. Worked well enough, hanging in bath while showering a few times steamed out the wrinkles before formal night. The large zip lok and dry cleaner approaches work, too. Worst case is if the jacket is in the bag all day and gets hot sun so any creases or wrinkles get baked in and have to steamed out or pressed out (cabin steward should be able to handle).

I'm almost to the point where packing a jacket and tie and 2 dress shirts for the 2 formal dinners isn't worth it to me, but my wife likes me dressed well for formal photo ops. For that matter, a tux is basically the same amount of clothing for the same number of meals.

You are late in the season for Alaska and early for Canada IMO. And two completely different itineraries. We've cruised Alaska on HAL, and New England on NCL. I'd pick Alaska and plan a foliage trip next season. Princess I understand does a great job in Alaska and the scenery in world-unique - particularly the glaciers. And fresh wild salmon in the ports is to die for. A plus would be if it's a 1-way itinerary. You get to see much more vs. spending several days heading back to where you started.

Ship will be well-decorated for Christmas. The tree and other large decorations will be a very popular background for pro and amateur portraits. Many of the shows will have a holiday theme, particularly week of Christmas and more kids aboard. If cruise is during Hannukah, there will be a menorah as well and nightly Hannukah services before dinner (often led by a rabbi or volunteer lay leader on the cruise, with the ship providing wine & latkahs), at least that has been our experience on GoS on several sailings.

RCI is not shutting down Coco Cay, but they are limiting it to one ship at a time.

I don't think I have ever been to Coco Cay when there has been more than one ship. I think it'd be more than slightly crowded with 2 in port.