Grandeur of the Seas - need a review

[CruizinTigers]

It does! Thank you!

[CruizinTigers]

Thanks for the feedback, Mad-Dog74. This was a concern of mine as my wife and I would be traveling with our (then) 14 year old daughter. The cruise would be to New England and Canada which I'm thinking might be less interesting for our daughter as well (as opposed to the sun and fun in the Caribbean).

[CruizinTigers]

Thank you Bow Tie. Lots of GREAT information. Really appreciate it.

[Merion_Mom]

CruizinTigers, I posted a review of the Enchantment of the Seas out of Baltimore here:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=103298

 

I have done a number of reviews of a diverse group of ships so you can see a bit of a comparison if you click on my name there and see how it compares to my other reviews. A high rating from me requires a spectacular ship so my three stars is a pretty good rating. I did not do a formal review of the Grandeur but it is a twin of Enchantment so all my comments there would apply equally to the Grandeur. I'll add that one special character of the Grandeur is that she does an amazing variety of itineraries for a mass market ship based in a small port. I'll be back onboard Grandeur in January,

 

BowTie, you should probably bookmark this site:

 

http://www.thecatholictravelguide.com/

 

The only lines regular carrying priests are HAL, Crystal (Ocean ships, not yacht or river boat), and Queen Mary 2. A few carry them on holiday or world cruises but no others on routine cruises.

 

Roy

 

Roy, you know full well (I assume) that Grandeur is NOT a twin of the Enchantment.

 

1. Enchantment was stretched, added 70-some cabins and no additional theater, WJ or dining room space.

 

2. Enchantment has features like the sky bridges and bungee trampoline that Grandeur does not.

 

3. Grandeur's most recent drydock gave her three specialty restaurants, where Enchantment has only one.

 

That's just what popped into my head in a minute.

 

:)

[bananawindnj]

Roy, you know full well (I assume) that Grandeur is NOT a twin of the Enchantment.

 

 

 

1. Enchantment was stretched, added 70-some cabins and no additional theater, WJ or dining room space.

 

 

 

2. Enchantment has features like the sky bridges and bungee trampoline that Grandeur does not.

 

 

 

3. Grandeur's most recent drydock gave her three specialty restaurants, where Enchantment has only one.

 

 

 

That's just what popped into my head in a minute.

 

 

 

:)

 

 

That Roy, he better get with the program. What was he thinking?

 

 

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[John Reid]

I just got off the Grandeur. I was on the cruise from Baltimore that went to New Jersey instead of Bermuda.

 

The ship itself was fine. I can't compare it to other RCCL ships, since I have not been on any others, but it is the smallest and oldest ship.

 

They did not enforce the dress code in the dining room or the non-smoking policy in the casino. On formal night, only about half the folks I saw were dressed up.

 

Don't stay on deck 8. The pool area will be above you and you will hear the scraping of deck chairs every morning at 6:00 a.m. as the staff cleans the floor. And again throughout the day as passengers move the chairs.

 

At 2000 passengers, I did not have the experience of seeing people I met again and again, other than the folks I dined with. It did not feel like a small ship to me.

 

The cabin staff and dining room staff were excellent. The folks at guests services were lame. Even before "disaster" struck they were completely useless.

 

If it matters to you, please be aware that there are no religious services on board, even if you are at sea on a Sunday. I was surprised by this. I had expected an least an interdenominational service.

 

The WiFi was extremely slow and did not work at all on some days, but that seems to be true on all ships and you may have a better service provider than mine.

 

They charge for every last little thing on this ship. So if you are a snacker, bring your own snacks on board!

 

The ship is definitely showing its age in the decor and lack of deep cleaning.

 

I can't think of anything else to say about the ship itself. If you have a specific question, please ask.

 

Some clarifications for those interested.

- The casino is not smoke-free. There really is nothing much to enforce other than the small smoke-free sections.

-They do not charge for extras any more than any other line I have been on.

-There are free baked snacks at Latte-Tudes. Try the cheesecake pops.

-There are free sandwiches, salads, chips, nachos, hot dogs, bad pizza, and baked goods at the Park Cafe. Not all cruise lines have those options.

-Room service (until midnight) is free. Not the case on all items on all lines.

 

-Agree that Voom on Grandeur is horrible.

 

-The actual gym is the smallest I have experienced on any ship. They have taken space for other uses.

 

-Actually, Grandeur is one of the few ships that does somewhat enforce a dress code. Formal night is always a suggested dress requirement. Personally, I do wear a tie. Four cruises on Grandeur and they have never allowed me to wear shorts in the dining room for dinner. I try once each cruise.

 

-It is not RCCL's smallest and oldest ship. Small compared to Oasis; yes. Old compared to Anthem; yes. But not the smallest and oldest.

 

I'll be back on in 41 days. Can't wait.

[John Reid]

Roy, you know full well (I assume) that Grandeur is NOT a twin of the Enchantment.

 

1. Enchantment was stretched, added 70-some cabins and no additional theater, WJ or dining room space.

 

2. Enchantment has features like the sky bridges and bungee trampoline that Grandeur does not.

 

3. Grandeur's most recent drydock gave her three specialty restaurants, where Enchantment has only one.

 

That's just what popped into my head in a minute.

 

:)

 

And it has two pool deck bars and an extra lounge, Boleros.

[John Reid]

Other clarifications ;

The daily Cruise Compass does give a very complete outline of all the activities run by staff. The message board activities are privately arranged.

 

Lunch on boarding day is busy in Windjammer. As previously stated, so is breakfast on debarkation day. Still, I have never been unable to find good seating within one walk-around. It might get more crowded on part days with people eating at the same time to get ready for excursions, but the dining room is not open on those days anyway. Grandeur Windjammer puts the one on Oasis to shame.

[boscobeans]

It's like I'm on an old Charlie Chan movie ship.

 

We also like the smaller ships and love the Grandeur for not only its size but layout and staff.

 

When I get the shakes waiting for our next cruise I pop in one of the following:

 

Dangerous Money

Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise

Charlie Chan in Honolulu

And that helps take the edge off.

 

A visit with Charlie and Tommy and of course,

George Zucco and Lionel Atwill is a temporary cure.

 

I would love to have been on one of those cruises back then, without the murders of course.

 

Enjoy the ship it has less wrinkles than me, but then what doesn't? LOL

 

bosco

[cruisecrazybmore]

Love Grandeur. Crew is awesome.

 

For whatever reason I didn't have an issue with the internet. I used their computers as well as my own computer and phone.

 

Last October on a Canada/New England itinerary, there were 4 (I believe) kids on board. I know it was definitely less than 10. They were in the same family and very well behaved.

[lenquixote66]

Some clarifications for those interested.

- The casino is not smoke-free. There really is nothing much to enforce other than the small smoke-free sections.

-They do not charge for extras any more than any other line I have been on.

-There are free baked snacks at Latte-Tudes. Try the cheesecake pops.

-There are free sandwiches, salads, chips, nachos, hot dogs, bad pizza, and baked goods at the Park Cafe. Not all cruise lines have those options.

-Room service (until midnight) is free. Not the case on all items on all lines.

 

-Agree that Voom on Grandeur is horrible.

 

-The actual gym is the smallest I have experienced on any ship. They have taken space for other uses.

 

-Actually, Grandeur is one of the few ships that does somewhat enforce a dress code. Formal night is always a suggested dress requirement. Personally, I do wear a tie. Four cruises on Grandeur and they have never allowed me to wear shorts in the dining room for dinner. I try once each cruise.

 

-It is not RCCL's smallest and oldest ship. Small compared to Oasis; yes. Old compared to Anthem; yes. But not the smallest and oldest.

 

I'll be back on in 41 days. Can't wait.

 

I was on the Grandeur last December . There was no mandatory dress code .I wore chinos (black) ,khaki's and either button down knit shirts or long sleeve button down shirts .

This is exactly what I will be wearing on the cruise in 42 days.

In fact ,people on my last Grandeur cruise were admitted into the main dining room in jeans .

I believe that on Dec.3,2015 ,RCI stated mandatory formal attire was no longer followed.

[John Reid]

I was on the Grandeur last December . There was no mandatory dress code .I wore chinos (black) ,khaki's and either button down knit shirts or long sleeve button down shirts .

This is exactly what I will be wearing on the cruise in 42 days.

In fact ,people on my last Grandeur cruise were admitted into the main dining room in jeans .

I believe that on Dec.3,2015 ,RCI stated mandatory formal attire was no longer followed.

 

My experience, also. I was only referring to them not allowing shorts at dinner.

I will see you at the Meet and Greet in 42 days!

 

Oceanside, if I remember in one of your posts. My first four years of teaching were at Oceanside Junior High School on Merle Ave.

[John Reid]

Love Grandeur. Crew is awesome.

 

For whatever reason I didn't have an issue with the internet. I used their computers as well as my own computer and phone.

 

Last October on a Canada/New England itinerary, there were 4 (I believe) kids on board. I know it was definitely less than 10. They were in the same family and very well behaved.

 

For two days, there was no Internet service at all. I did see a deduction on my bill which was fair.

 

On the 9/29/16 Canada/NE, there were 8 under 18. I saw a toddler and an infant. They were doing some work in Adventure Ocean because it didn't seem to be in use!

[lenquixote66]

My experience, also. I was only referring to them not allowing shorts at dinner.

I will see you at the Meet and Greet in 42 days!

 

Oceanside, if I remember in one of your posts. My first four years of teaching were at Oceanside Junior High School on Merle Ave.

 

That school is currently an elementary .The middle school is about 1 mile south.

 

Looking forward to conversing with you at the Meet and Greet.

 

Lenny:):)

[CruizinTigers]

Thank you, everyone, for your candid and informative feedback! Really appreciate it!

 

Two of you recently commented about there being few children on board your sailings, but I'm guessing this may be because these were September and October sailings when kids are in school. I believe someone else felt that the Adventure Ocean and kids programs on board were sub par (I'm paraphrasing). Has anyone sailed GOTS during school breaks or during the summer months, and did you find this to be true (few children, and/or sub par activities for them)? This is a concern of mine as I would be sailing with my wife and 14 year old daughter.

[deladaff]

I suppose the biggest draw for us is short driving distance to the Port of Baltimore; however, of the two brands that sail out of Baltimore, the Grandeur is by far our favorite.

 

We've been on the bigger ships and have enjoyed them, but Lady Grandeur has a charm all her own, already described very well in the preceding posts.

 

When I go to sea, I want to feel the ship moving in the water. I want to look out the windows when I am walking in the public spaces and see waves. I want to be rocked to sleep at night. I want to hear the swish of the water on the bow when we stay in ocean-view cabins on Deck 4. I want to get to know our waiters--their families, where they come from, how long they have been at sea, etc. On the Grandeur, I have all of that and then some. Even for My Time Diners, it's possible to request the same waiter and table each night. The staff is very friendly and will do all they can to please the guests.

 

The Atrium on Deck 4 is the hub of the daily entertainment on board during sea days. Here you will find line dance classes, battle of the sexes contests, cooking demos (hilarious), great dancing at night, and relaxing pre-dinner music for enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine. It almost never feels crowded except for 1) the Fabulous Disco Fever Party and 2) the Exquisite Aerial Show.

 

The Schooner Bar is one of the most pleasant I have seen. Rather than being situated in a windowless alcove above a noisy Promenade (a la Oasis and Allure), it's located on the way to the Pacific Lounge and is full of windows. All the trivia games are played there. It's a nice place to relax and watch the waves. Speaking of relaxing and watching the waves, the Viking Crown Lounge on the top deck is a perfect spot for quiet reading and people watching during the day. At night, that's a different story, but it is a disco. :)

 

Spending time in the Solarium is a favorite pastime of ours, from eating breakfast or lunch in the Park Cafe, to lounging in the chairs reading and people watching. The pool is pretty small, but deep enough that a person can do some serious water aerobic exercises if desired.

 

I didn't mean this to be a review as such, but I did want to write down why we like the Grandeur and plan to sail her often.

Save

[John Reid]

That school is currently an elementary .The middle school is about 1 mile south.

 

Looking forward to conversing with you at the Meet and Greet.

 

Lenny:):)

 

 

I guess they combined with Boardman Junior. At least that's what its name was from '74 to '78.

[dakacz]

Thank you, everyone, for your candid and informative feedback! Really appreciate it!

 

Two of you recently commented about there being few children on board your sailings, but I'm guessing this may be because these were September and October sailings when kids are in school. I believe someone else felt that the Adventure Ocean and kids programs on board were sub par (I'm paraphrasing). Has anyone sailed GOTS during school breaks or during the summer months, and did you find this to be true (few children, and/or sub par activities for them)? This is a concern of mine as I would be sailing with my wife and 14 year old daughter.

 

We were on the Grandeur for the Aug 4 Canada New England cruise and there were 350 children on board. We were told the previous cruise to Bermuda had 500 children. They were well behaved and many used the adventure clubs. I believe it just depends if they are out of school.

[lenquixote66]

I guess they combined with Boardman Junior. At least that's what its name was from '74 to '78.

 

 

Boardman Elementary and Middle School are combined at the new location ,close to Oceanside Park .

[John Reid]

Boardman Elementary and Middle School are combined at the new location ,close to Oceanside Park .

 

I guess 38 years will bring some changes! My former students from then are AARP eligible now. Frightening.

[judymag]

Had a love time on the ship in may yes it's small but we had a busy iternery doing Canada and New England so we didn't miss the bells and whistles crew were lovely and food was good I'd have no problem sailing on her again

 

 

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[judymag]

I suppose the biggest draw for us is short driving distance to the Port of Baltimore; however, of the two brands that sail out of Baltimore, the Grandeur is by far our favorite.

 

We've been on the bigger ships and have enjoyed them, but Lady Grandeur has a charm all her own, already described very well in the preceding posts.

 

When I go to sea, I want to feel the ship moving in the water. I want to look out the windows when I am walking in the public spaces and see waves. I want to be rocked to sleep at night. I want to hear the swish of the water on the bow when we stay in ocean-view cabins on Deck 4. I want to get to know our waiters--their families, where they come from, how long they have been at sea, etc. On the Grandeur, I have all of that and then some. Even for My Time Diners, it's possible to request the same waiter and table each night. The staff is very friendly and will do all they can to please the guests.

 

The Atrium on Deck 4 is the hub of the daily entertainment on board during sea days. Here you will find line dance classes, battle of the sexes contests, cooking demos (hilarious), great dancing at night, and relaxing pre-dinner music for enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine. It almost never feels crowded except for 1) the Fabulous Disco Fever Party and 2) the Exquisite Aerial Show.

 

The Schooner Bar is one of the most pleasant I have seen. Rather than being situated in a windowless alcove above a noisy Promenade (a la Oasis and Allure), it's located on the way to the Pacific Lounge and is full of windows. All the trivia games are played there. It's a nice place to relax and watch the waves. Speaking of relaxing and watching the waves, the Viking Crown Lounge on the top deck is a perfect spot for quiet reading and people watching during the day. At night, that's a different story, but it is a disco. :)

 

Spending time in the Solarium is a favorite pastime of ours, from eating breakfast or lunch in the Park Cafe, to lounging in the chairs reading and people watching. The pool is pretty small, but deep enough that a person can do some serious water aerobic exercises if desired.

 

I didn't mean this to be a review as such, but I did want to write down why we like the Grandeur and plan to sail her often.

Save

 

 

Totally agree with your description

 

 

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[boscobeans]

Totally agree with your description

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

I second that.

 

 

bosco

[toras]

Spending time in the Solarium is a favorite pastime of ours

 

I would have enjoyed the Solarium more if not for the smell of old plastic plants.

[lenquixote66]

I guess 38 years will bring some changes! My former students from then are AARP eligible now. Frightening.

 

 

By any chance did you go to high school in Brooklyn ? A guy who graduated in my year was named John Reid .I did not know him but I remember the name.