Grandeur of the Seas

[Cruzmama2]

My family and I are cruising on the Grandeur of the Seas March 31-April 5.

Has any one been on the GOS since it's been dry docked and moved to port in Tampa? Just curious about the condition of the ship and the quality of the food?

[darla723]

Hi, everyone

I'm new to cruise critic and have been enjoying lurking for about a month!!

I also wonder about the Grandeur, as my DH and I will celebrate our 25th anniversary on her in July.

 

Any input will be appreciated to the OP and myself!!!

[wolfcathorse]

I don't know why people ask these kinds of questions. All of RCI's ships are kept in pristine condition. It makes business sense to make the ships last long. You'll see them painting the hull in port, you'll see them chipping and repainting the supports and railings, you'll see them washing the windows, you'll see a cleaner polishing the handrails all day, and so on and so on and so on. My sister liked the artwork on Grandeur the best. We had a waiter named Bally (Balasz) and an ass't called Matey. The head waiter was Mary. All were wonderful, I hope you have them if they're still on Grandeur. I don't know if Grandeur has changed pastry chefs but the applie pie is terrible. Other than that food is relative, one person may be fussy and say the food is terrible whereas someone else may love it. I'll eat anything except that apple pie. I can make a better crust and filling myself. Don't be afraid to order more than one entree, or send one back if you don't like what you ordered, they'll be happy to make you happy. We had good comedians and shows when we were on board, I don't know who the entertainment is for you. The acts do rotates amongst the ships.Here's the link to my webshot pictures of Grandeur, it includes the daily Cruise Compasses

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/549305374GASQWQ

[Tanker4]

We were on the Grandeur for a 5 day week before last (our first time on this ship). We've sailed quite a bit over the years mostly with RCL and although we've enjoyed all of our past cruises, we enjoyed Grandeur as much if not more than any of our other cruises. The ship is in great shape, the food ranged from good to excellent and the crew was the friendliest we've ever encountered. In fact, we enjoyed the ship so much we've booked a 10 day on her for Dec-08.:D

 

I've been working on a review of the trip and hope to get it posted within the next few days but during the interium, I'll try to answer any questions you might have.

[Cruzmama2]

Thank you for your feedback.

I assumed all would be great, but most of the online reviews I have read are older ... and not very positive.

 

We are taking our kids (6 and 9) on their first cruise and they are so excited! Our ports of call are in Cozumel and Progresso.

 

What excursions do you recommend?

 

The one thing I know I want to do is re-visit Diamonds International in Cozumel. :D My hubbie and I have been there once before. Then, maybe a cab to the Paradise Beach? The kids won't tolerate shopping for too long.

 

In Progresso, we are thinking of booking the cenote excursion through the ship. I'd appreciate any advise based on your experiences!

[Tanker4]

Thank you for your feedback.

I assumed all would be great, but most of the online reviews I have read are older ... and not very positive.

 

We are taking our kids (6 and 9) on their first cruise and they are so excited! Our ports of call are in Cozumel and Progresso.

 

What excursions do you recommend?

 

The one thing I know I want to do is re-visit Diamonds International in Cozumel. :D My hubbie and I have been there once before. Then, maybe a cab to the Paradise Beach? The kids won't tolerate shopping for too long.

 

In Progresso, we are thinking of booking the cenote excursion through the ship. I'd appreciate any advise based on your experiences!

 

Paradise Beach is nice and your kids will probably enjoy it. As for Progreso, our visit the other day was our first to that port and we didn't book any excursions. Wandered around town and spent most of the day at the beach and shops along the Malacon.

[Rancher Dave]

We enjoyed our time on GOS a couple months ago. It is in nice shape and the crew was nice.

 

I'd say the ship is in as good of shape as any of the RCCL ships we were on in 2007. As a smaller ship there is a more intimate feel than Voyager class and that was nice since we got to know some of the crew, where on Explorer we didn't know as much of the staff as well...and feeling that there was a good relationship with several staff members was very nice for us on GOS.

 

I'd imagine you will have a great time on her.

[looneytunes31419]

we were on her on Jan 31 threw Feb 4, she is well taken care of and really looked good for her age. The wait staff was good we had a slow waiter his name is Mario in the great gaspy dinning room upstairs on the right. he must have been new cause he kept getting orders mixed up poor guy we felt sorry for him. we had a great room attendent his name was martin he kept up our room very well and as for the food it was good nothing to complain about. MY husband said carnival has better deserts. the wind jammer is small sometimes you have to look for a table and when you find one they were really good at cleaning it off real quick. It is almost better to get your food and go out to the pool deck or take it back to your room instead of looking for a table. I hope this helps if you have any questions please feel free to email me at looneytunes3419@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

My family and I are cruising on the Grandeur of the Seas March 31-April 5.

Has any one been on the GOS since it's been dry docked and moved to port in Tampa? Just curious about the condition of the ship and the quality of the food?

[Barbiegator]

Cruised Grandeur in January. Very,very friendly crew.May of them love to talk to you individually at different events.Edit -our head waiteress on table 81 was the best we have ever had.Maybe because our table was near kitchen but we got our food sooo fast. We were leaving when some were getting their entree.We had a table for 6 but only had 4.Food was OK but desserts were better than other cruises.We enjoyed both dance productions.Casino slots were fun to play and saw lots of winners.But leave the machine after you win as it will then take it away. The story of slots. lol

[vandy]

What were the shows when you were on board? Were there any special evening activities--deck parties, etc.?

[nstr]

My family and I are cruising on the Grandeur of the Seas March 31-April 5.

Has any one been on the GOS since it's been dry docked and moved to port in Tampa? Just curious about the condition of the ship and the quality of the food?

 

My family & I will be on the same cruise - can't wait ! Thanks for the thread - sounds like we will have an amazingly fun trip !!

[cruise8693]

My family & I will be on the same cruise - can't wait ! Thanks for the thread - sounds like we will have an amazingly fun trip !!

 

 

Hey!! We're on the same cruise, too!! Be sure to check out the roll call thread for this on the Grandeur Roll Call Board!!!

 

Deb

[nstr]

Thanks :)

[PH8]

We were on the GR Jan 31st.......while it was a nice trip,it wasnt my top favorite ship.......nothing really all that wrong with her,except several areas that needed repair esp in the Solarium.......but they were walking around making note of everything that needed fixing........

 

We enjoyed the food.........we didnt eat in the MDR.just the WJ....in fact, I liked the food better on the GR than the Jewel in Nov..

 

It was just something about the ship that just didnt feel like the others........I didnt walk off with a WOW feeling,but then again,I didnt walk off complaining about anything........

[philnpen]

DW and I were on her for a 9 day back in Oct, then a 5 day in Jan, and will be on her again for a 10 day in Nov. While the ship is far from the largest or newest we have found her to be in great shape. Except for times in the WJ it didn't feel crowded. Food was almost always excellent in the MDR. The solarium has the place for the best french fries ever. You can get pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, and freshly baked cookies. One lady even got a chicken sandwich.

 

In Oct our waiter (Ali) was not the best. I ordered the Black Angus from the alternative list and found it to be dry. This latest cruise we had Ana from Peru and she was absolutely the best wait person we've ever had.

 

As far as excursions go in the two ports I can't shed any light other than what you've already read. We've been to Cozumel a number of times and done the snorkle tours, horseback riding on a ranch, glass sided boat over a reef, and shopping. The only thing we did this trip was DW wanted to buy a bottle of vanilla. Purchased that in the shopping area at the foot of the pier and back on ship. In Progresso we were met by my brother and his wife who just retired from New Jersey and moved to Merida last summer. We had our own private tour guide and had lunch at their house before returning to the ship

[HockeyMom44]

We LOVED our cruise on her back in January. We sailed with our 8 yr. old. We took her to Chitzen Itza! She wants to do it again. We're thinking of sailing her in June! It was the best cruise in a while!:D