Happy Birthday Grandeur of the Seas!

[tahqa]

Grandeur of the Seas made her maiden voyage 13 years ago today, December 14, 1996! She was the second of the Vision class ships and was built in Kværner Masa-Yards Hietalahti shipyard in Helsinki, Finland.

 

Grandeur of the Seas was initially deployed on 7 night cruises from Miami, Florida, to the Eastern Caribbean from 1996 - 2000, when the Explorer of the Seas was launched and took over the Grandeur's run. Since 2000, Grandeur has been deployed in Europe as well as back in the Caribbean homeported in cities such as Tampa and New Orleans. Summers have been spent in Eastern US ports such as Norfolk, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, visiting the Caribbean, Bermuda and the North East of the US and Canadian Maritimes.

 

Ship Facts

Maiden Voyage: December 14, 1996

Passenger Capacity: 2,446

Godmother: Aviva Ofer

Gross Tonnage: 74,000

Length: 916'

Beam: 106'

Draft: 25'

Cruising Speed: 22 knots

[FLOATMYBOAT01]

Thanks for the 411 on Grandeur. Have been on one of her sister ships: Enchantment, Oct. 2009; recently sailed the grandest lady of the seas, Oasis, Dec. 1st, 2009. Will sail Grandeur, Mar. 11, 2010 and then head back to Independence or Freedom in June! Sad that all I do is sail...but damn I'm worth it.

[Martini Sampler]

Happy Birthday Grandeur. We had the pleasure of sailing on her during the first season's New Years cruise. We still remember our conversation with the Ass't Cruise Director, Nicole Sipos, who went on to a management position in the Miami office before leaving the line. We still think the Grandeur has some of the most attractive artwork along the halls and public spaces. We will miss her when she moves from Baltimore.

[Firefighterhoop]

Actually, Grandeur was the 3rd Vision class ship ;)

 

Legend was 2005, Splendour was earlier 2006

[BroncosFan2010]

I think it is neat to learn more about the ships.

[tahqa]

Actually, Grandeur was the 3rd Vision class ship ;)

 

Legend was 2005, Splendour was earlier 2006

Oops. :o I wonder if I can correct the original post....

 

Thanks for the catch! :)

[eddiesgal]

Happy Birthday to a ship that has seemed to maintain all of her charm over the years.

[amybeth4]

Cruised the Grandeur in March or April of 1998 and to this day, that was by far the most fun cruise I've ever had. Love that ship!

[SamFritz]

I'm sailing on Grandeur this Spring. I've sailed mostly on vision class ships so far, (Speleour, Legend, and post-stretch Enchantment) Maybe I'll work my way up the classes.:)

[albertiger]

Many happy memories on Grandeur, Happy Birthday old girl!;):D

[4everafter]

Happy Birthday Grandeur. We had the pleasure of sailing on her during the first season's New Years cruise. We still remember our conversation with the Ass't Cruise Director, Nicole Sipos, who went on to a management position in the Miami office before leaving the line. We still think the Grandeur has some of the most attractive artwork along the halls and public spaces. We will miss her when she moves from Baltimore.

 

Enchantment is moving to Baltimore :( and Grandeur is moving to Ft Lauderdale