Live Grandeur 10/28/17- 12 day Baltimore/S. Caribbean

[DaisyL]

Nice photos Gwen! Feel free to post any other pix you may have. Love seeing them.

 

 

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[breezy_carol]

a lot of men in my family wear caps all the time, including my husband, but not to dinner....it's called RESPECT....Not sorry.

I agree with you, and so would my husband.

[Chimamashouse]

Does anyone else find it odd that we will be porting in St. Maarten yet Celebrity (Royal company) is still cancelling port calls there into January???

 

 

 

We are porting in Saint Thomas but have Saint Maartin switched our for Martinique on Grandeur, boarding Saturday.

[cruzinlady1947]

Nice photos Gwen! Feel free to post any other pix you may have. Love seeing them.

 

 

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Thanks Daisy, but, I just wanted to show that you do pass the Pitons while sailing into St. Lucia. It's just that you do it early in the morning. Last Dec. we had a balcony, so didn't have to get up and dressed when we passed them. This time we had an inside cabin and I had to get dressed before I went up on deck to take the picture. I was already too late, but, you could see them in the distance.

I was following your thread while I was on the cruise. I posted most of my pics on the FB Grandeur group. I didn't get off the ship, except for Antigua. I had to use a walker for a back problem when leaving the ship, so just decided to stay on. Antigua was not walker friendly. We returned back to the ship within a half hour.

We are doing this same cruise on Dec. 9th, so will try to get off the ship then. We will be going to our original ports from this cruise....St. Thomas and St. Maarten. And hopefully we will be docking at the good ports when we get to our scheduled ports. We had some not so nice docking areas on this cruise. But, that just made me stay on the ship and get some needed rest. Still had a great cruise. I love the Grandeur. This cruise was our "lucky" 13th time on her. She's our second home or our time share....;p

You did a nice review....was nice seeing the same cruise from another perspective......

Gwen :D

[londongal796]

Thanks so much for your live review, it is much appreciated!

 

 

You mentioned that you had kept the Cruise Compass from each day -- could you let us know if there were any 'themed' nights beyond the usual formal / smart casual / casual attire? Sometimes they do 'all white' or '70s theme' etc. It just helps to know what to pack, and/or when to wear something (ie. don't wear your white dress the first day of the cruise if there's a white-night later on!)

[DaisyL]

Thanks Daisy, but, I just wanted to show that you do pass the Pitons while sailing into St. Lucia. It's just that you do it early in the morning. Last Dec. we had a balcony, so didn't have to get up and dressed when we passed them. This time we had an inside cabin and I had to get dressed before I went up on deck to take the picture. I was already too late, but, you could see them in the distance.

 

 

I was following your thread while I was on the cruise. I posted most of my pics on the FB Grandeur group. I didn't get off the ship, except for Antigua. I had to use a walker for a back problem when leaving the ship, so just decided to stay on. Antigua was not walker friendly. We returned back to the ship within a half hour.

 

 

We are doing this same cruise on Dec. 9th, so will try to get off the ship then. We will be going to our original ports from this cruise....St. Thomas and St. Maarten. And hopefully we will be docking at the good ports when we get to our scheduled ports. We had some not so nice docking areas on this cruise. But, that just made me stay on the ship and get some needed rest. Still had a great cruise. I love the Grandeur. This cruise was our "lucky" 13th time on her. She's our second home or our time share....;p

 

 

You did a nice review....was nice seeing the same cruise from another perspective......

 

 

 

Gwen :D

 

Thanks Gwen...sorry we didn't get a chance to meet on board.

 

I didn't know there was a FB Grandeur group. Can you post a link or hint so I can find it? When I did a search, only found the page with 4K + likes but no pix other than one of the ship and old reviews.

 

Please feel free to post any info here about the cruise, answer questions, or Grandeur in general. I love your advice and experience.

Thanks,

 

TTYL... Dianne

 

 

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[DaisyL]

I have yet to go through the newsletters but will soon and try to answer any questions. I took note of those asked already and should do it by tomorrow.

 

A while ago, someone asked what cabin we had; JS 8560, without the pole and my brother had 8526, with the pole at the foot of the bed, right where the chair to the vanity/desk is.

 

I'll be back...thanks all.

 

 

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[rpmljm]

Thanks Gwen...sorry we didn't get a chance to meet on board.

 

I didn't know there was a FB Grandeur group. Can you post a link or hint so I can find it? When I did a search, only found the page with 4K + likes but no pix other than one of the ship and old reviews.

 

Please feel free to post any info here about the cruise, answer questions, or Grandeur in general. I love your advice and experience.

Thanks,

 

TTYL... Dianne

 

 

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It's called "Grandeur of the Seas Fans"

[DaisyL]

It's called "Grandeur of the Seas Fans"

 

Thank you...will look it up.

 

 

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[DaisyL]

Thanks so much for your live review, it is much appreciated!

 

 

 

You mentioned that you had kept the Cruise Compass from each day -- could you let us know if there were any 'themed' nights beyond the usual formal / smart casual / casual attire? Sometimes they do 'all white' or '70s theme' etc. It just helps to know what to pack, and/or when to wear something (ie. don't wear your white dress the first day of the cruise if there's a white-night later on!)

 

Day 2 is Formal night

Day 3- 50s & 60s Rock n Roll Dance Party, 10 pm Centrum

Day 4 -Halloween for us, but 80s Dance Party, Rock n Roll

Day 5 - Island Night Deck Party, 10 pm, poolside, Tropical

Day 6, 7, 8 - Casual

Day 9 - 70s Disco Inferno Dance Party, 10:15 pm Centrum, 70s Disco

Day 10- 2nd Formal night

Day 11- Casual

Day 12- can't find the Compass but Casual

 

Hope that helps ....

 

 

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[DaisyL]

What day was the drink card advertised in the compass?

I’m planning on asking at the first bar that opens but just incase, I was wondering.

 

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Advertised in the Day 4 Compass.

 

But thought I saw it on a sign at the Pool Bar before that. Certainly ask!

 

 

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[sea shepherd]

Who was the pool band?

 

 

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[DaisyL]

Do you know where the suite breakfast was held, Chops or Giovanni's? Thanks for all the positive remarks. We are doing Canada New England this summer and have not been on this small a ship in many years. Sounds like Grandeur has a lot going for it regardless of its relatively small size.

 

 

Don't know since we didn't have a 'real' suite, just a Junior Suite. It's not in the Compass.

 

I can honestly say this may have been our most favorite RCCL cruise but we loved them all. Negatives/Positives for each but we just make the most no matter what ship we're on.

 

Have you been on a Canada/NE cruise yet? Although we haven't cruised this itinerary with RCCL yet, but have been on several with other cruise lines. This is one of our favorites and wanted to cruise it again this year with RCCL, but the consensus of our family and friends was this 12 day. Another time I'm sure!

 

 

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[DaisyL]

Who was the pool band?

 

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Mega 4

 

 

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[DaisyL]

Certainly, I love to make comparisons. We love every cruise we've been on but they are all different.

More bar options on Anthem. We liked the Pub before dinner in the Atrium, drinks and people watch.

Like the Music Hall...went there every night after dinner. Good music, bands, dancing or just watching. Also a pool table for fun.

Schooner bar depends on the performer. Didn't like those on Anthem, reminded us of old vaudeville type humor with 40s, 50s music. Love JR in Schooner now, 60s, 70s up to current music and he's really good.

Better shows on Anthem but you need to make reservations.

Dining room food much better on Grandeur and service also. Windjammer food quality and selections better on Anthem and both get crowded.

 

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Chimamashouse, Sorry, I never finished...

 

Because Anthem has more bars and venues, they tend to have many options available each night at the same time, rather than everything in a few public areas on Grandeur. For instance, Strings in one bar, Piano in another, Guitar player or Jazz in the Pub, Karaoke, Rock, Cover Bands, Dance Party in Music Hall, Spectrum, Quest, Newlywed, and Dancing with the Stripes in Two70. Production shows in the theatre... Plus others I'm forgetting. Love this more than Grandeur.

 

More for kids on Anthem, and there were only a few in May but 1200 Thanksgiving week but never felt overly crowded or problems with the kids. With bumper cars, IFly, surfing pool, North Star, plus more. Kids and adult pools, separate indoor pool, and Solarium excellent on Anthem. Prefer the pool seating on Grandeur though. We like to sit in the shade and it actually had more chairs than on Anthem. Sun chair availability about the same on both ships.

 

The Windjammer was crowded on both ships so timing and patience is critical.

 

As I think of other things, I'll add to this.

 

 

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[Chimamashouse]

Advertised in the Day 4 Compass.

 

But thought I saw it on a sign at the Pool Bar before that. Certainly ask!

 

 

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That’s where we also saw it on our last cruise! Thanks for letting me know

 

 

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[londongal796]

Day 2 is Formal night

Day 3- 50s & 60s Rock n Roll Dance Party, 10 pm Centrum

Day 4 -Halloween for us, but 80s Dance Party, Rock n Roll

Day 5 - Island Night Deck Party, 10 pm, poolside, Tropical

Day 6, 7, 8 - Casual

Day 9 - 70s Disco Inferno Dance Party, 10:15 pm Centrum, 70s Disco

Day 10- 2nd Formal night

Day 11- Casual

Day 12- can't find the Compass but Casual

 

Hope that helps ....

Very helpful, thank you!

[Jasonmom]

Thank you for taking the time to do this review. I will be on this cruise April 14th with my Mom. The pictures of food were great.

 

 

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[DaisyL]

Thank you for taking the time to do this review. I will be on this cruise April 14th with my Mom. The pictures of food were great.

 

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Thank YOU for following my live review! I had so much fun doing it and since it was my first live review with pix l Iearned so much, too.

 

I like seeing the menus ahead of time and food porn also. My husband teases me because I need to know everything before a cruise but he wants to be surprised. lol.....

 

I was just searching the April 14 cruise, hmmmm.... love the Grandeur so much! Maybe we can swing it, who knows. Did you join the Roll Call?

[CruiseAddict8354]

This was a super-helpful thread, thank you!! I'm SO excited for this trip!!!!

[DaisyL]

This was a super-helpful thread, thank you!! I'm SO excited for this trip!!!!

 

Most reviews of this ship are positive, as well as the responses of everyone we spoke to on board. There was one woman, on the ship, who complained about everything and was well known by others.

 

I must admit, the first day, we weren't so enamored though. The weather was very bad from the tropical storm and the outside decks were closed. Everyone was indoors and there was literally, no place to sit and have a drink unless you wanted to go to your cabin...ugh. The Atrium was filled, the schooner bar was filled with trivia players and the South Pacific lounge was reserved for diamond and above although it was almost empty. We weren't happy campers and wanted to be on another ship.

 

As it turns out shortly thereafter, it became our favorite ship and cruise, with Anthem a close second. Liberty and Explorer were excellent and Majesty was very good for a 4 day cruise, which is our total experience with RCI so far. Just the right combination of relaxation and fun for us with outstanding ports of call, that I'm considering cancelling our cruise, with very dear friends on NCL Escape next year, when it cruises out of NYC. I would rather cruise on Grandeur instead....maybe I can convince them to switch...[emoji57]

 

I'm hoping you love your cruise as much as we did ours, Lewis Family. I'm sure you will and most important, have fun! Thank you for your kind words.

 

 

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[DTMandM]

Thank you Daisy for the great review and pictures. You've made the last few weeks fly by!! We will be boarding tomorrow for our Grandeur Adventure. Celebrating our 45th Anniversary along with our 2 adult children. We've been on the Grandeur before and enjoyed it very much and it helps that the port is only a little more than an hour drive away.

Again THANK YOU!

Donna

[DaisyL]

Thank you Daisy for the great review and pictures. You've made the last few weeks fly by!! We will be boarding tomorrow for our Grandeur Adventure. Celebrating our 45th Anniversary along with our 2 adult children. We've been on the Grandeur before and enjoyed it very much and it helps that the port is only a little more than an hour drive away.

Again THANK YOU!

Donna

 

DTMandM,

Wow...Congratulations on your special Anniversary! Have a wonderfully memorable time.

 

You're very welcome and please post back on what a great time you're having and a few pix of your own.

 

 

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[DaisyL]

To close out this post, I want to say thank you all for taking the time to follow this post and all the positive feedback I received. I think I learned a lot and certainly had fun while doing it. I'm sure you can tell we love this 'grand old gal'!

 

Having said that, for all the Grandeur lovers and those that will be cruising on her for the first time, I plan on doing a live review again, but hopefully with improvements.

 

Since we loved the Grandeur so much we booked another cruise on her, 4 months from now, March 15, 2018! My plans are to post about the differences between the 2 cruises, 12 day vs 9 day, deck 8 JS vs deck 2 window cabin, Oct vs March, entertainment, menus, passenger mix....etc.

 

What do you think? Feel free to post your suggestions and comments.

 

Thanks again! This was the first time ever we became so engaged with wonderful crew and fellow cruisers: we enjoyed that most of all. Hope to 'meet' you all again, whether here on CC, at a M&M, or onboard a cruise.

 

TTYL... Dianne

 

 

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[breezy_carol]

Since we loved the Grandeur so much we booked another cruise on her, 4 months from now, March 15, 2018! My plans are to post about the differences between the 2 cruises, 12 day vs 9 day, deck 8 JS vs deck 2 window cabin, Oct vs March, entertainment, menus, passenger mix....etc.

TTYL... Dianne

Sounds like a wonderful idea. I will look forward to reading your review and comparisons.