LadyLion_AP

Understood, but chewy beef and mushy lobster is not subjective. They were using a poor quality beef. We do about 3 to 4 cruises a year. None were close to last year's food in the MDR ON grandeur. We go in 2 weeks, I 'll let you know if it improves. We like the Grandeur, especially local port of Baltimore, so the food won't stop us rom returning. I could always be satisfied in the Windjammer, but my wife likes the MDR dining experience.

 

 

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Very true (mushy lobster or chewy beef is never good). Lobster was great. I only had beef in Chops. Unfortunately I wasn't happy with the quality.

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I would like to know how the food was in the MDR this trip. We leave August 24th. This will be our 6th Grandeur cruise, but last October the beef was always tough and chewy (no matter what recipe or form it was in) and the selections were really poor, considering past cruises. The lobster was mushy also on last formal night. I am not a finicky eater or complainer about food,, but I don't want to send food back and try something else as they alway suggest. I am usually full by then. Part of a fun cruise is eating entrees that we don't usually have the rest of the year, so I am looking forward to decent food without having to pay extra in a specialty restaurant.

As you know...food preference is quite subjective. We ate at Chops, Giovanni's, & in the main dining room on our Grandeur cruise. I felt the food was pretty good overall. My lobster was prepared perfectly. As far as Chops, I had my least favorite Chops meal of all of my cruises. I usually prefer the specialty restaurants but my Grandeur cruise was the first in which I felt I could have skipped the specialty dining. I'm sure quality & service also varies cruise to cruise. I hope your next dining experience is a better one!

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Congrats! [emoji322]

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Thanks so much for posting, we leave on the Grandeur two weeks from today! Can I ask what your wife's dietary needs are? My daughter has celiac disease and I'm a little antsy about them preparing her meals safely and that there will be enough she'd like to eat. Glad to hear this all worked out for your wife!

 

 

 

Also, how crowded did the pools get on days at sea? :)

I don't have a personal experience with having very strict dietary needs but I met a lovely couple on board this past July...the wife has Celiac disease. The waiter brought her the dinner menu every night for the following evening. She ordered her food in advance and they prepared the food according to her dietary needs. I'm not sure how they handled the first dinner or other meals.

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Sailed her this past July. Loved the ship. The lounges were great, entertainment good, and the crew was phenomenal! I was very pleasantly surprised & will most likely sail on her again!

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I'd probably go with 150 Central Park, at that is the next most expensive restaurant onboard. Don't get me wrong, Giovanni's is excellent, and it you are only going to one specialty restaurant, that would be my choice. But if you are going to more than one, then I'd make 150CP the free one.

Agree...100%

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I've done Chef's Table on several ships. As others have said it is not considered a specialty restaurant. It is a dining experience that is double and even triple what you would pay for a specialty restaurant. It is sometimes held in one of those venues like Chop's Grille. It is a fantastic dining experience and I highly recommend it. I would, however, be completely shocked if Costco included this experience in their "specialty dining" offer.

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I am sure there are a large number of cruisers where only one partner drinks. My husband always buys the drinks package, I drink water the majority of the time or maybe a coke or other drink in the D or Concierge lounge in the evening. There is no way I am paying double for his drinks, so we will be giving that a miss.

Same here! I'm a water & tea drinker. I may have a glass of wine a couple of nights but I pay for them! Hubby gets the drink package. If this is true we'll no longer get the package. I'm not sure hubby gets his money worth but he generally spends $250-$350 per cruise on alcohol. I prefer not having to monitor so generally buy the package for him!

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Following...Will be sailing with you! I feel so lucky! [emoji4]

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My cruise leaves October 1. I have already made my final payment. The shows have not opened up for booking yet. Does anyone have any info. about when / what time frame they open up the entertainment booking for the shows?

We're cruising on Allure in December and entertainment bookings opened up today.

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We cruised over Christmas this past year on the Oasis. I really did not want to be away from home for Christmas but this was the only time my son could get away from graduate school. Also a good time for my teen daughter to not miss more than a few days of school.The ship was decorated so pretty and it made the cruise extra special. Also it was nice getting away during winter. I really didn't notice a lot of kids on board although I'm sure there were boatloads (lol). We spent most of our time on cruise days in the Solarium anyway. Plus I don't find children offensive as I have had 3 of my own! We loved the cruise so much we are returning this year for the week just prior to Christmas. This time on the Freedom of the Seas. I could see us cruising every year for the holidays $ permitting.

We cruise over Christmas, in three generations, every other year. This year we'll be on Allure of the Seas. We've found it to be such a lovely tradition for our family. So...as for now it's my favorite time of year to cruise!

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Awesome ship! Have fun. I know you're super excited. I would be too!!!

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A woman sitting on the steps with art supplies spread all around her, copying the painting on the landing. And yelling at anyone talking while passing by for disturbing her.

I got a good laugh from this one. An then I wondered if she was mentally ill....and maybe even the guy I saw eating the boogers [emoji33]

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During the All Access tour on the Indy...A young adult male digging in his nose & then eating what he pulled out...Over & over again. I believe the older gentleman he was with was his father.

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Let's not kid ourselves into equating relaxation with New York City. IMHO, cruising is relaxing...large cities are stressful.

 

 

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When did I equate NYC with relaxation? Sorry...You misinterpreted that.

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I love the fact that different ships offer different experiences. I LOVED Anthem. Hubby and I are in our early forties and sometimes just want to relax. We've been able to do this on every ship we've been on! We've tried 8 different ships so far. I didn't try most of what has been called "gimmicks" on the Anthem but thoroughly enjoyed the Music Hall & 270. I will be cruising on the Grandeur in July so I cannot compare the two. To be honest....I wouldn't even try, as I realize they are supposed to offer different experiences. With that said...if you want a different ship experience, go with Anthem & consider extending your vacation in NY (if cost isn't an issue). If you want a vacation where, for the most part, you know what you're going to get...stick with Grandeur.

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Happy Anniversary! I've thoroughly enjoyed following along. I'll love to go on Anthem again soon!

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Thanks for doing this. I love this ship! ❤️

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I have teens & loved both! They're the perfect ships for families with teens. They'll both have plenty of activities to keep all of you occupied and entertained. There is a very large area that really caters to teens (Sea Plex) on the Quantum class that isn't on Oasis; however, there is plenty of activities on the Oasis class ship. Harmony has water slides & all Oasis class have a zip-line which are not on Quantum class. They have other features in common that are easy to look up. Both classes will have things for you to do together & apart. I can answer more specific questions if you need.

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We sailed Anthem in July. I believe we sailed at capacity. The terminal was the only crowded area. To be transparent...We rarely ever use go to the buffet (Windjammer).

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Hubby & I are in our early 40s. We've sailed Carnival as well as Celebrity Reflection & RCCL Oasis & Anthem (Somewhat merge the 2 to get Harmony). I think you'll have more "fun" things to do on Harmony. The RCCL ships never felt crowded with the semi-exception of the muster drill. Celebrity will be more relaxing and upscale but you can achieve a more "upscale" experience on Harmony by throwing in a couple of specialty restaurants. I would personally choose Harmony but hubby prefers Celebrity because he LOVES to just relax! Can't really go wrong here but the experiences will feel quite different. If you go wit Harmony, Get as many reservations as possible & thing just "wing" it! FYI...There are no other ships like the Oasis class!

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I do agree and see your point. But he was given many chances and chose the do nothing, fail, let's look at my iPad ,iPhone approach instead .. mom gave him a month to turn it around they laid down the law , they talked they negotiated so thry gave him the month , he promised and did nothing. He does need someone to follow through. It does seem harsh and I feel horrible I don't want to alienate him but summer school is now his only hope. School is way more important so he can get his diploma next year then some cruise. It will probably crush him, he lives for vacations but honestly he goes and he takes off on us an argues with us when we ask for him to simply have dinner on the trip with us. He only wants us when no one else does and he's also very entitled thinking. It might be a wake up call and the reward could be when he graduates we will repeat the trip? Idk like I said I am torn..

Entitlement is an epidemic many of our young ones suffer! I applaud you for fighting this now! Hats off to you!

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Not sure if the offer is combinable or if the offer is transferable after the promotion ends. Would love to know.

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I believe the double OBC is being offered due to the current Oasis class promotion. Book now and receive $100 OBC.

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Thanks for your fantastic review. My husband and I will be on this cruise next year. We've been to Hawaii once (land vacation) & can't wait to cruise so we can see more of these beautiful islands!

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