Solo on the Grandeur - Semi-live

[maureencruiser]

Greetings from Nassau, Bahamas! I have finally managed to obtain internet access. So, let me tell you what you missed. Just to recap a bit, let's go back to the hotel in Baltimore just for a second, shall we? When last we left, it was 65 degrees at BWI. Not so on Friday! It was cold, windy and rainy and would remain so all through the day.

 

 

But, I did manage to have a nice breakfast of Eggs Benedict, one of my all-time favorites!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look, did the hotel give me my first towel animal? Is it a clam? Tom Turkey with his head chopped off? I sent in a couple of experts, one said it was a panda and the other said it was a dinosaur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the first time, I was going to try a little bit of smuggling this cruise.

 

 

 

Dear Royal Caribbean, THIS!!

 

[maureencruiser]

Turtle and I took a cab to the port, still cold, wet and miserable.

 

 

I took two pictures in the terminal before I got yelled at.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since we left late, our cabins were ready when we boarded. Prepare yourself for the decadent opulence of an inside guarantee on Deck 3.

 

 

 

Notice my luxurious bathroom only had one shelf. I didn't feel deprived until I went on the cabin crawl and everyone else had 4 shelves. Don't they know who I am ?!? So, of course, step one was ditch the water glasses. Does anyone actually use those- Ewww!!

 

You will also notice they have the short fauceted sinks that we all love. Let me tell you, I have the smallest hands I have ever seen on an adult and mine keep bumping into the sink, I don't know how you men do it at all! Do you wash one finger at a time?

[maureencruiser]

The Grandeur still has the "I think I love you" shower curtain that wraps around you in a big bear hug while you're trying to shower. OMG, I have never noticed it as bad as this one - maybe it is because my bathroom is smaller than other ships I have been on? Or, maybe it is because I am bigger? Nah, that can't be it!

 

Yeah, that's what I think of the Jets as well.

 

 

 

 

My desk, along with my two allowable bottles of wine. As you can see, Lady G does not have mini fridges, so, everything is on the desk. This does not bode well for the cheese I brought to enjoy with crackers in my cabin. If anybody can google how long cheddar cheese stays fresh at room temperature please let me know. Oh, if you can also travel back in time to tell me last Friday, that would be super awesome!

 

I took this picture to document that there were only 5 cans of soda in my room, not six. Now, why I think that would matter since I could have removed the soda one second before I took the picture, I don't know. But, it just made me feel better. I did notice there was no welcome aboard gift in my cabin. I usually get a gift basket with Key Lime cookies and dried fruit mix and a bottle of water. Maybe they didn't bring it because they knew I was going to Key West and would get better Key Lime everything there.

10 minutes later, a knock on the door, I needn't have worried!

 

 

 

 

007, I've got a license to cruise!

 

 

 

 

Yeah, my smuggling made it, including my doomed cheese!

[maureencruiser]

Off to explore the ship a little before sailaway, not too much exploring because of the weather, everyone is inside.

 

 

 

 

 

[maureencruiser]

 

The sailaway party was moved indoors. Look at the lady with the big Oasis sweatshirt!

 

 

 

This couple sure could dance! They wore matching outfits every day and knew every dance, including the newer ones, the Cupid Shuffle, the Wobble! I think I might have cruised with them before.

 

 

I decorated my cabin door with $1 magnets from the Dollar Store. That way, if they get stolen, it won't be a big deal. My cabin steward helped me punch out the magnets. Hey, believe it or not, his name is Stewart! Finally, after 50 some odd cruises , I meet Stewart the Steward!

 

[dixieva]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us! I'm enjoying the pics!

Don't you wonder who in the world designed those new sinks?? We had them in our bathroom on Enchantment and we had to wash our hands in the bath tub!:eek: And no way could you wash out your bathing suit in there. They look very nice but are totally useless. Give us back the old sinks please!

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[maureencruiser]

Since we got on so late, we didn't eat lunch and Turtle and I agreed to meet at Chops for dinner. It is $5 off if you eat there the first night. They also told me Giovanni's is 2 for 1 the first night, so, look into that if you are interested. I'm saving Giovanni's for lunch because I LOVE the lasagna and they don't have it at dinnertime.

 

 

 

Me, in my $20 Black Friday dress from JCPenney. I thought it would be good for cruising because it has portholes on it!

 

 

 

Turtle and I both ordered the same things, cause we're cool like that!

 

Shrimp Cocktail.

 

 

Caesar salad - they actually bring you two big chunks of Romaine lettuce, like they just pulled it out of the ground!

 

Filet Mignon - Don't get saucy with me, Bernaise!

Look, there is even a little Christmas tree coming out of my tomato!

[WetToes]

The matching outfits couple - we've sailed with them before too.

[maureencruiser]

The sides are served family style, the waiter recommended we order 3 since there were two of us. We ordered four! - Green beans with feta cheese, roasted potatoes with cheddar and proscuitto, mashed potatoes and baked potato. Hey, what can I say, I'm Irish! I'm not sure what Turtle's excuse is. She loved the green beans so much she said she could just eat a plate of them for her dinner. Note to single , male cruisers - Turtle is a cheap date!

 

 

For dessert, she had the Creme Brulee and I had the Mississippi Mud Pie. The mud pie was fabulous.

 

 

 

 

It did take us three hours to eat, but, we had plenty of laughs and good conversation as we got to know each other. After dinner, we went out into the Centrum and listened to music for a while before we both hit the hay early.

 

Saturday was a sea day so I slept in. I finally stumbled my way up to the Park Cafe for a breakfast burrito and an Egg McMuffin, Oops, I mean a breakfast panini with egg, ham and cheese.

 

 

Today was a busy day with a lot of scheduled activities. The Meet and Mingle was at 10:15. On the Allure, they talked about the company and upcoming news and had a trivia contest to win prizes. Not so on the Grandeur, it was come on in, get some coffee and they immediately started giving away prizes. I did not win. After that, we had the gift exchange. I received a gift from the French couple I was worried about flying in , apparently they made it!

 

Next up was the cabin crawl. Guess whose cabin they showed first? The lowest of the low! The worst cabin with only one lowly shelf in the bathroom. The cabin with 5 sodas instead of six. Now, during the crawl, we discovered Stompy and his wife had not made it to Baltimore from Dallas due to the storm. They would be joining the ship in Port Canaveral. The significance of this to me is that Stompy and I had been teasing back and forth on the roll call about him trading his Royal Family Suite for my illustrious cabin. One of the women on the cabin crawl pointed out to me that I could have had the suite for the first two nights. All it would have taken, Stompy, was a single phone call. Humph, thanks for nothing! I wonder how many shelves they have?

[maureencruiser]

One thing that I planned to do on this cruise was my 26 acts of kindness. For those that don't know, this started after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You do one act of kindness for each of the 26 victims. After the Boston Marathom bombing, they changed their name to 26.2 Acts of Kindness, the number of miles in a marathon. I plan on doing 4 additional acts for the four who lost their lives in Boston. I am from the Boston area and grew up dreaming about running the marathon one day.

 

I wanted to do this last year, but, there was too much going on then. The day we get off the ship is the first anniversary of the shooting, so, it just seemed appropriate. I have little ornaments and magnets that I made and candy to go in the little gift bags.

 

Here is the first batch, ready to be hung on the door handles. I hope people appreciate it, at least the thought. If they throw it in the trash, that is OK, too.

 

OK, so on to happier thoughts - what' s for lunch?

 

I hit the Windjammer for Waldorf Salad, Filipino Macaroni Fiesta Salad, Fried fish and French Fries.

 

 

After lunch was the last of our scheduled activities until the Slot pull next Thursday. We did a Poker Pub Crawl, organized by Hugo. We each put in $5 then went to 5 different bars, where we pulled one card at each to see who had the best total hand. We started at the R Bar, or Aaaaah Baaaah, as I call it.

 

I had a frozen pink lemonade with vodka, so pretty!

 

We had 16 people playing, so, a total of $80 and guess who won? Turtle! She had three tens, I came in second with three sixes. Ah, 666, my lucky number! She bought me a drink to celebrate her winnings, cause she's cool like that.

 

After both those drinks, there was only one thing to do, go to my cabin to watch the news!

 

After I woke up, I mean, after the news was over, I was a bit hungry. It was formal night, which I would not be participating in, so, I headed to the Park Cafe for a little pre-dinner.

 

 

[maureencruiser]

Things were sparkling down in the Centrum. I stayed up high, so as not to offend in my t-shirt and capris. I did manage to partake of a few glasses of champagne, though.

 

 

 

The cruise director, Jeffrey and the Activities Director, Darryl.

 

Who's that, hiding back there?

 

 

My cabin, after the festivities were over.

 

 

Now, it was time for real dinner- Shrimp Ravioli, and some yummy bread.

 

 

 

It was so good, I went back for more, the ravioli was gone, so, I got some penne, instead with the same bread!

[maureencruiser]

Don't you wonder who in the world designed those new sinks?? We had them in our bathroom on Enchantment and we had to wash our hands in the bath tub!:eek: And no way could you wash out your bathing suit in there. They look very nice but are totally useless. Give us back the old sinks please!

 

The sinks are pretty, just make the faucets one inch longer, please!

 

The matching outfits couple - we've sailed with them before too.

 

I bet somebody out there knows their names. After some of the dances, he throws her over his shoulder and carries her off the floor! :eek:

[maureencruiser]

Poop, Starbucks logged me off, so I lost a post. Let me try again!

 

The show that night was Carl Banks, a comedian. After that, Darryl ran the Finish that Lyric game show in the Centrum. Both were great fun. I knew I would have a long day Sunday, since I was going to Universal Orlando, so, I went to bed early.

 

 

My first towel animal.

 

 

 

Some folks sure are friendly.

 

 

 

Next, Geoffrey and Rusty? (Maybe Darryl?) (Maybe Nutcracker? ) had to play I'm the King of the World! with the little shelf over the bed.

 

 

 

 

One last peek at the Centrum before I went to bed.

 

 

[MrFunInTheSun]

Wow...awesome start to your cruise. Nice act of kindness with your bags of treats. So thoughtful and nice gesture! :-) Your pictures are great too!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - Please excuse any errors.

[Bookish Angel]

I am really enjoying your posts, particularly after such a rainy, dark and cold day here in the Mid-Atlantic. That frozen lemonade with vodka is a must-do for me.

 

Hubby and I will be in our first interior cabin when we sail Grandeur next yearas the price on interiors just couldn't be beat. It looks cozy but I am thankful that we are carry-on, light packers. : )

Edited December 9, 2013 by Bookish Angel

[maureencruiser]

Wow...awesome start to your cruise. Nice act of kindness with your bags of treats. So thoughtful and nice gesture! :-) Your pictures are great too!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - Please excuse any errors.

 

Thanks, I know some people won't approve, but, it was in my heart to do it. The funny thing is one of my bags came back to me. No one saw me do it, so, was it just a random door that someone put it on? Or, did they somehow know it was me? Maybe they thought the door with Santa on it would like a bag? Funny! :confused:

 

By the way, I just checked our roll call. Stompy never made it, he has rebooked for March, so, an aft RFS is sitting unused! :eek: And me, with only one shelf! And, maybe being charged for a can of Coke I didn't drink. Woe is me!! But, just kidding, I really feel bad for Stompy, there is so much planning involved and then something like this happens. :mad:

[maureencruiser]

I am really enjoying your posts, particularly after such a rainy, dark and cold day here in the Mid-Atlantic. That frozen lemonade with vodka is a must-do for me.

 

Hubby and I will be in our first interior cabin when we sail Grandeur next yearas the price on interiors just couldn't be beat. It looks cozy but I am thankful that we are carry-on, light packers. : )

 

Thanks! The frozen lemonade is usually yellow, but, if you ask for a splash of Grenadine in it, VOILA!

 

By the way, with limited access, I don't have time for spell checking, so, I apologize in advance for any errors. I am usually a stickler for that type of thing. :o

 

Do you have any questions about Lady G? Or picture requests? I've got about 10 minutes of internet left, haven't had lunch yet. :(

[maureencruiser]

Hey, Something else. I don't have time to search the boards, but, I hadn't seen this before I left. I suppose you guys know all about it, already. But, if not. Royal is having a sweepstakes for all Diamonds and above who cruise in December. You are entered into a sweepstakes to win a balcony cabin on any Quantum cruise in 2014. I will post the letter the next time I have access, maybe Key West Wednesday. They will draw the winner, winners?? on January 7th. Sorry if this is old news, I hate not having internet!! :mad:

[S&Slovecruises]

I am really enjoying your review. Love your sense of humor.

 

The dancing couple in matching outfits are worth talking with. We met them at our neighborhood clubhouse when they came to perform at one of our events. When the husband retired one of the things on his bucket list was to dance the jitter bug in every state. They actually did it in 18 months. :)

[joand452]

Just discovered your thread today, maureencruiser! Love your writing style. I'm trying to convince DH into trying the Grandeur, since we live only an hour away. He's a big ship kind of guy.

 

Just a quick comment about winning a cruise on Quantum. Only a cruise in 2014? Not many to choose from, if you ask me! Maybe this is their way of not having to actually host a free cruise for someone. ;)

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[Cruzin-K]

 

 

I almost had a stowaway.

 

 

 

:eek:

 

We have the same luggage! I'll have to be careful if I ever go on a cruise that you're on. I might end up bringing home an extra nightgown, and a cat :p

 

It sure was easy to spot when I got off my cruise this weekend. One of the cases had been crushed and had a large dent, but it popped back out when I pushed it on the inside.

[hansolosmom]

Maureen - I love your review - you are cracking me up with that 1 shelf & Stewart the Steward. Now find me a bartender named Isaac and you're golden (we had a Julie the cruise director once)

 

I'm glad you found a good group to sail with & enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

BTW - I like Mr. Chompy for the Dino, or jaws, it's those teeth that strike me

[hansolosmom]

I am really enjoying your review. Love your sense of humor.

 

The dancing couple in matching outfits are worth talking with. We met them at our neighborhood clubhouse when they came to perform at one of our events. When the husband retired one of the things on his bucket list was to dance the jitter bug in every state. They actually did it in 18 months. :)

 

That's amazing

[Ocean Air]

Enjoying your review, pictures and fun spin on everything you write. We board the Grandeur next.

 

Sent from my DROID4 using Forums mobile app

[A&L_Ont]

One thing that I planned to do on this cruise was my 26 acts of kindness. For those that don't know, this started after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. You do one act of kindness for each of the 26 victims. After the Boston Marathom bombing, they changed their name to 26.2 Acts of Kindness, the number of miles in a marathon. I plan on doing 4 additional acts for the four who lost their lives in Boston. I am from the Boston area and grew up dreaming about running the marathon one day.

 

I wanted to do this last year, but, there was too much going on then. The day we get off the ship is the first anniversary of the shooting, so, it just seemed appropriate. I have little ornaments and magnets that I made and candy to go in the little gift bags.

 

Hi Maureen. Nice to see you reporting live from on board a ship again. I look forward to the rest of your review.

 

It is even better to see your acts of kindness. You have made me smile through your acts of kindness which have been paid in the highest cost, the loss of life. If your acts effect the cruisers that you surprised half as much as it would me, you will have accomplished a wonderful thing. :)

 

Wishing you smooth waters, warm weather and great times.

Andrew