Mariner vs Grandeur

[rngdfan]

My DH and I have sailed on the Mariner 3 times. We are thinking about taking a family cruise on the Grandeur out of Baltimore next year. My question is do you think we will be dissapointed with the Grandeur??? We love the Mariner, but we want to try a different ship. Plus it is closer to home and we would not have to fly to Fla.

 

I would appreciate any input from those of you that have sailed on both.

 

Thanks for your help!!

[Dolphin-dan]

will be dissapointed with the Grandeur???

 

Yes.

[bigreid07]

No. She is a beautiful ship...while she is smaller than the Voyager class ships, the Grandeur has a very good feel. I never felt crowded one time and there were always many activities going on.

Embarkation and Debarkation is a BREEZE in Baltimore as well. I recommend the cruise.

[Live_2_cruise05]

We love the Grandeur!! I have never been on a bigger RCCL ship...but the grandeur is a good ship!

[chotton]

I think you will be dispointed. The Granduer is a very nice ship, I have been on her twice, but she isn't a voyager (Eagle) class ship. You may want to try Voyager of the Seas from New Jersey.

[truffles2]

We have been on Mariner once and Grandeur twice and really prefer the smaller ships. We found Mariner to be "congested".

[superjerryw]

Wether you will be disppointed depends on you and what you are looking for in a ship. If you want the inline skating track, ice skating rink, royal promenade, Johnny Rockets, etc, you will be disappointed as the Grandeur does not have these things. On the other hand, if you think you might like a ship that's a little smaller and has fewer passengers and seems more like a ship than a mall you might just love the Grandeur. I've sailed on the Grandeur and had a great time and I have sailed on Voyager class ships and had a great time on them as well. It will really depend on what you are looking for.

[Drink-in-Hand/Toes-in-Sand]

What it really boils down to is what you like to do. If you enjoy the rock climbing wall, ice skating, and the Royal Promenade--then yes you'll probably be disappointed by the Grandeur.

 

However, if you're going to relax on a beautiful ship with most all of the other amenities (casino, great food, bingo--woo hoo!) then you'll have a great time without the hassle of traveling to Florida to get on the ship.

 

Just go with your eyes open to the unique experience that each voyage has to offer. I enjoyed both my cruises--regardless of the differences in the ship. If you're an avid cruiser then you probably will too! :)

[cindybythebeach]

I had the same concerns last year. I had been on Voyager and Adventure, but I live in Maryland so I didn't have to fly, and the price I got for Grandeur was so good I couldn't pass it up. I was worried I wouldn't enjoy the cruise as much. I went with three friends, all of us in our 30's. I had such a good time on Grandeur last June that I cruised the same itinerary again in September. The crew was the best of all my cruises. But as others have said, it does depend on what you enjoyed most on Mariner, as Grandeur is different.

 

Cindy

[TxKroozer]

Think about this......

 

A week crusing on either the Mariner or Grandeur

 

vs

 

A week not cruising and at work.

 

 

Does it really matter. You should experience them both so you know yourself if you like or prefer one over the other. We have done both and actually in 15 cruises we have crusied ships that would be classified as tugboats to the likes of the Mariner and we enjoyed those cruises as much as our last.

 

Its not the ship that makes or breaks a cruise, its your attitude and desire to have fun wherever you are or what ever ship your on.

[stillfrantic]

What it really boils down to is what you like to do. If you enjoy the rock climbing wall, ice skating, and the Royal Promenade--then yes you'll probably be disappointed by the Grandeur.

 

 

Grandeur has the rock climbing wall also. :)

[AggieCruiser03]

As you can see I've been on the Grandeur, Enchantment, and Rhapsody (all of which are identical) and the Mariner. While I absolutly loved the Mariner and will go on her again someday I am in no way disappointed about going on the Rhapsody in Oct after being on the Mariner. Its such a good deal living in Houston and being able to go out of Galveston and not fly. I also really like being on the smaller ships.

TxKroozer is definitly right....any cruise is better than a week at work.

[rngdfan]

thanks for all of your responses. I think we will give the Grandeur a try. My husband and I don't use the rock climbing wall or ice skating rink We really enjoy the shows, bingo and the Casino. Like someone said, we will be on a cruise so it has to be a good week. I was just afraid our grown children would be bored. They have only cruised on Golden Princess and I didn't want them to be dissapointed.

 

Thanks again!!

[TPKeller]

thanks for all of your responses. I think we will give the Grandeur a try. My husband and I don't use the rock climbing wall or ice skating rink We really enjoy the shows, bingo and the Casino. Like someone said, we will be on a cruise so it has to be a good week. I was just afraid our grown children would be bored. They have only cruised on Golden Princess and I didn't want them to be dissapointed.

Hi rngdfan,

 

Thanks for asking this question. I'm looking at the Grandeur Western for this fall. Most of the replies have been very helpful!

 

I grew up in Essex County, we could always tell when it was going to rain soon, when we could smell West Point blowing our direction!! :)

 

Theron

[rngdfan]

Hi Theron:

 

I know what you mean, we can pretty much tell what the weather is going to be by what end of town you smell the paper mill. I've gotten used to it over the years. Since my husband works at the mill, It smells like money to us!! My daughter in law is from Colonial Beach, not too far from your neck of the woods. small world.

[TPKeller]

Since my husband works at the mill, It smells like money to us!!

 

:) That would tend to make the aroma more palatable! Have you ever taken the cruise (ha, disclaimer: it's not a cruise like we talk about here!) from Reedville over to Tangier Island? You have to go right by the menhaden fish processing plants... money or not, that is one rank smell!

 

What time next year are you looking to sail on the Grandeur? I seem to be a fall cruiser.. I can't resist the reduced rates for Hurricane Season! :)

 

Theron

[rngdfan]

we are actually looking at October. We are already booked for the Mariner in May. (we love that ship!!) My son and daughter in law want to come with us on the Grandeur. She chose the ship because she doesn't want to fly with their little one and we can drive to Baltimore in a couple of hours. I have tried to talk them into the Freedom but she is adamant about not flying. I guess we will have to wait until 2007 for the Freedom.

[rngdfan]

forgot to answer your first question, we have not taken the Tangier island cruise. I have heard a lot of people say the menhaden plant in Reedville smells worse than the paper mill. That's one experience I will pass on.

[TPKeller]

forgot to answer your first question, we have not taken the Tangier island cruise. I have heard a lot of people say the menhaden plant in Reedville smells worse than the paper mill. That's one experience I will pass on.

:) I would agree the fish is worse. But it only lasts for about 20 minutes of the trip, well coming and going... But the rest of the trip is excellent!

 

Theron