Granduer 1/21 Review

[HockeyMom44]

We are both 51 yrs young, traveling with our youngest daughter who is 8 yrs old. This was our 11th cruise, our daughters 6th.

 

Since we live in Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa is only a 3 1/2 hour drive we left home around 7:30 am. Stopped for breakfast and still arrived at the port about 11:30! We valet parked our car, which made things extremely easy for boarding and departing. It was an extra 15 dollars, and worth every penny!

 

Embarkation was way to easy. From the time we arrived at the port to the time we boarded the ship was about 15 minutes. No one was allowed to go to the rooms until 1 so we went to the Windjammer and had some lunch .

 

The ship was clean, shiny and very welcoming. The staff was friendly and extremely accommodating. Even to our DD!.

 

About 1 PM we went to our room it was in perfect condition and stayed that way the entire trip.Our room steward introduced himself, asked if we had any questions at which time we'd asked to have the ice bucket filled all the time, and for an ashtray. After that we never saw him again, but our wishes were granted,and never did he deviate. The ice bucket was always filled with a bottle of water in it ,and my ashtray was always clean. (smoking only allowed on the balcony).We started to call him our fairy godfather. He was one of the best stewards we have had. Extra tip was given! Of course!

 

The a/c didn't work correctly in our room the first night, The room was sooo HOT. I had to out on the balcony to cool down. When we left the room that AM our steward was in someone else's room, so I told another steward on our floor, well lo and behold by the time we returned from breakfast it was fixed, and really cool!

 

The quartet played in the Centrum every day, The music floated up the Centrum to our floor .I would sit in the computer area and enjoy the music. There was always couples dancing. It was really nice. To bad my DH has 2 left feet.

 

I was a bit surprised to see that about 80% of our fellow cruisers were senior citizens. Don't get me wrong I am a proud member of AARP! The majority of the cruisers were way older than me.They were always nice and were interested in talking about cruising to our DD. Thanks to the couple who sat with her while my DH and I took turns at the slot tournament!

 

We only ate in the dining room the first night; we were on the ship for some R&R, (to us that means NO formal wear) so the Windjammer is where we ate every night. The food was wonderful,with lots of different selections to choose from. and the staff was also.They even cut my 8 yr olds meat. On the last night the head waiter in charge of the Windjammer was going around giving everyone plates with chocolate covered strawberries, and finger cookies, Yummy!!! We just had to have a cheeseburger and or pizza from the solarium pool area before we retired to our room every night. Breakfast was eaten in the dinning room. Lunch in the Windjammer.

 

Our ports were Cozumel and Progresso. In Cozumel we shared a taxi to town with 2 other couples(left our DD on the ship). We ate at our favorite restaurant, bought some vanilla and made our way back to the ship.

In Progresso we took the ship sponsored tour to Chichen-Itza.The bus ride was a bit long, but worth every minute. Our guides Jose and Pablo were really knowledgeable about the ruins and even kept our DD interested. WE bought her a book in the bookstore,and myself a really pretty blanket on the way out.It seems like we didn't have enough time there, but it was Amazing! A once in a lifetime trip.

 

We never made it to any of the shows as we were giving the casino all our money every night.;)

 

Adventure Ocean was a big hit for our DD, she was up at the crack of dawn every AM, just so she could be the first one there when they opened. The Adventure Ocean staff was one of the best we have encountered!

Our best to Bubbles Becky from Dolphin Face Faith! She was leaving the ship for a few months, her contract was up and she getting married to someone who also works on the ship! When she returns in May she'll be a married women. It was really funny at the talent show when the rest of the Adventure Ocean staff slimed her.

 

The spa was another joy. I had an 80 minute hot stone massage. It was given by the girl who we talked to on deck the first day.She was immediately drawn to my DD! Well to say the least I had THE BEST massage on a ship to date. If you booked it on the first day, and booked it for a port day it was 30 bucks cheaper!

Disembarkation was a breeze. We waited in the casino for our color to be called and in about 10 minutes we were sitting in our car heading home. That was in part due to the fact that we valet parked our car.

 

We, and I mean ALL of us had a wonderful time and would go again in a heartbeat!

[Rancher Dave]

Glad you had a good time.

 

I don't recall Faith in OA, maybe she borded recently. I do recall Becky and my DD really liked her as well. There were several others as we were aboard during NYE celebration with more kids.

 

Nice ship given the size. I am sure one day I will ride her again.

 

My first RCCL was Explorer...I am excited that in just under 6 weeks I am on Navigator. :D

[Coralc]

Thanks for the great review. We'll be on Grandeur in November, I'm glad to hear that folks are enjoying her. Did you win anything at the slot tournament? :D