Just Back from Grandeur Cruise

[Pattis_61]

We just returned from a 5 night cruise out of Tampa on the Grandeur. This was our 6th cruise with Royal Caribbean, and our third on the Grandeur. It was one of the best cruises we have had.

 

My husband and I were cruising alone, and we opted out of dining in the main dining room. Only late seating was available, and we didn't want to eat that late. We ate in the Windjammer, and I have to say I was very pleased. Both my husband and I enjoyed dining when we chose to, and could just run up and eat when we wanted to. It worked out better than expected, and I doubt we would ever to the dining room again because we really enjoyed the flexibility that dining in the windjammer allowed us. The food was good - not exceptional but good. The desserts were too good!!!!

 

The staff on the Grandeur was the best I have experienced. Everyone was pleasant and greeted you with a smile. Everyone took the time to talk to you and ask you how your day was. And service was outstanding. Bar service, windjammer service, pool service, room steward service - everything was top notch. We have cruised on a larger ship (the Voyager) and found that the personal service was lacking on that ship. Probably due to the size and the number of passengers. I prefer the smaller ships for that reason.

 

The Grandeur is older and showing some wear, but it is still in good shape and is beautiful.

 

Embarkation in Tampa was a breeze. We are platinum and used priority boarding. It took us 10 minutes from the time we entered the terminal to the time we were on the ship.

 

Debarkation was easy, once the non US citizens were cleared. They were supposed to report at 7:00 a.m. and - as usual- someone didn't show up. They were waiting at 8:15 for two staterooms to show up and had called over the intercom several times in several languages and clearly stated that no one could leave the ship until these people were cleared thru immigration. But apparently those people didn't care that they were holding up a whole ship of people. But that was finally resolved and debarkation took a total of 10 minutes. It was by far the smoothest debarkation I have done.

 

I know I have already mentioned this, but I can't say enough about the staff on this ship. They made the whole trip much more enjoyable for us.

[Gator0178]

Thanks for the quick review. We sail on her in March! What ports did you go to and what excursions if any did you do?

[Pattis_61]

We visited Key West and Conzumel. We opted not to do any excursions this time, but in the past we have snorkled in Cozumel. The water off Cozumel is crystal clear and great for snorkeling or diving.

[nesheiml]

I was also on this cruise with a girl friend and had a great time. The only complaint I had was our cabin. We were in junior suite 7150 aft corner cabin. We had black soot on the balcony and it was noisy - wind noise and noise from the lounge right below.

 

I thought the food in the dining room was very good. The staff was very friendly.

[geojobes]

Thanks for the review! She is also one of our favorites & we totally agree with you about the crew. Every crew member we met on her was friendly & caring. We'll visit her again in October & we can't wait. We like the way the Windjammer is laid out & no matter when we would eat there, it didn't seem crowded & we could always find a table. This isn't always true on some of the larger ships. We also loved the Solarium, a great place to hang out. I can not say enough good things about her.

 

This ship has a very large following. I think there are only a few others that have as large of loyal cruisers.

[Tanker4]

Enjoyed your comments about our favorite ship. We were on her a few weeks ago for a 10 day and as usual, hated to get off. We also feel that she has the best crew in the fleet, and how about her Master Captain Rob? Really neat guy and what a dry sense of humor.

[SheSailsFL]

We just returned from a 5 night cruise out of Tampa on the Grandeur. This was our 6th cruise with Royal Caribbean, and our third on the Grandeur. It was one of the best cruises we have had.

 

How was the Gulf crossing? It can go either way this time of year...smooth to very rough...

 

We leave Thursday for the 4-night to Cozumel and are looking forward to enjoying that ship!

 

Thanx,

[TennesseeTeachers]

nesheiml,

 

Tell me more about the corner aft cabin. I am in 7650 in a few months. What about the noise from the club below? wind and soot? Give me the details, thanks.

 

Darrell Duncan

[Tanker4]

We were also in 7650 back last Feb for a 5 day Western Caribbean and really liked it. Great view and didn't experiance any wind problems. There was a slight soot deposit on the balcony furniture a couple of times but no big deal. Just wiped them off with a towel. Very quiet and private in the aft cabins area. Did hear the faint sound of music drifting up from the lounge below us a few times but it only lasted and hour or so and didn't bother us. Would sail again in this cabin anytime.:)

[FL_Cruiser64]

Thanks for the review. We'll be on her in 2 weeks.

 

I was also on this cruise with a girl friend and had a great time. The only complaint I had was our cabin. We were in junior suite 7150 aft corner cabin. We had black soot on the balcony and it was noisy - wind noise and noise from the lounge right below.

 

I thought the food in the dining room was very good. The staff was very friendly.

 

Tell me all about 7150. we are booked into it in 14 days.

[silentbob007]

You definitely do get little bit of the club thumping from below on those aft JS (I had 7654 once). You know ... I know Tampa is an easier port when compared to Miami, etc, but I am really starting to dislike ports that require all non-US citizens to declare themselves for on the ship before debarkation can begin ... there's ALWAYS one family or so that just doesn't show up.

[kidless]

We were also on this cruise and agree with the op. Getting on and off the ship were a breeze as we are also platinum. Also booked late and could only get late dinner, which is too late for us so we had all our meals in WJ and throughly enjoyed them. Ship is lovely, staff was excellent!!!!!

This was also our first cruise as platinum and thought the party held was done nicely. The Captain spent a lot of time speaking with us which we enjoyed.

We met so many wonderful people on this cruise and hope to cruise again with them!

We also did the Mexican Cuisine tour in Cozumel and it was fabulous! Definitely would recommend this tour.

Only thing we didn't like was the casino was really tight!!! It seemed no one was hitting anything!

Grandeur is our favorite ship so far as we tend to like the smaller ships and have already booked her again! :D

[Pattis_61]

We just returned from a 5 night cruise out of Tampa on the Grandeur. This was our 6th cruise with Royal Caribbean, and our third on the Grandeur. It was one of the best cruises we have had.

 

How was the Gulf crossing? It can go either way this time of year...smooth to very rough...

 

We leave Thursday for the 4-night to Cozumel and are looking forward to enjoying that ship!

 

Thanx,

It was smooth sailing most of the time. A little wavy at one point, but nothing that seemed to bother anyone.

[Laurie12820]

We were just off this cruise and I'm sad to say that this was our least favortie cruise so far. Embarkation in Tampa for us lowlings (Gold Status) was a pain! They used the number system and proceeded to skip right over our number, and we are honest people so we waited and waited and waited. We weren't on the ship until after 1PM and we were there since 11:30. It was the worst embarkation I have ever witnessed! The ship was definitely showing her age, but with a few touch ups here and there I think she'd look great!

 

The one thing we truly enjoyed on this cruise was the staff. Our waiter and assistant waiter were the best by far in comparison to our previous cruises.

 

I hate to sound like such a Debbie Downer, but I don't think this cruise was up to par with our previous Royal cruises. It won't stop us from cruising with them again, that's for sure! There were definitely some really great things on this sailing. I'll try to post my review within the next week.

[SheSailsFL]

It was smooth sailing most of the time. A little wavy at one point, but nothing that seemed to bother anyone.

 

 

Was it warm enough to sit outside at the pool deck during days at sea?

[Laurie12820]

 

 

Was it warm enough to sit outside at the pool deck during days at sea?

 

The first day at sea it was. The last, it was so-so. It was really windy so there was a bit of a chill.

[SheSailsFL]

Thanks Laurie. Appreciate the info...think I will pack a hoodie just in case ;)

[Laurie12820]

Thanks Laurie. Appreciate the info...think I will pack a hoodie just in case ;)

 

I used mine quite a bit in the evening hours!

[nesheiml]

Cabin 7150 has a wonderful walk-in closet and the balcony is really large. I heard that the corner afts are the only junior suites with walk-in closets. At least I looked at the room next door and they had a regular closet not a walk-in.

 

There wasn't a lot of black soot, but you could see it on the chairs and floor. The noise bothered June more than me - she's a light sleeper. I felt the beat more than I heard it. The stereo system in South Pacific Lounge is right below 7150 - so the other corner aft would be quieter.

[chickaroonie]

We'll be sailing on her Jan 19- also Key West & Coz. This will be our 2nd time aboard, but first time in a JS. DD is joining us for her first cruise to celebrate her 24th bd. Can't wait to embark! Be it fast or slow.

[hcat]

Does the ship tender or dock in Cozumel?

[Laurie12820]

Does the ship tender or dock in Cozumel?

 

We docked at the International Pier.

[wraithe]

Cabin 7150 has a wonderful walk-in closet and the balcony is really large. I heard that the corner afts are the only junior suites with walk-in closets. At least I looked at the room next door and they had a regular closet not a walk-in.

 

There wasn't a lot of black soot, but you could see it on the chairs and floor. The noise bothered June more than me - she's a light sleeper. I felt the beat more than I heard it. The stereo system in South Pacific Lounge is right below 7150 - so the other corner aft would be quieter.

 

I loved 7150 last October/November for the repo to Tampa. The noise was never an issue for me, although it did bother my wife a little. No soot, or smoke, and the balcony was truly awesome. Only the corner JS's (7150 and 7650) have the walk in closet, the 4 or 6 JS's in between do not. I had the opposite side, 7652, on a previous cruise. I think you can tell that we love Grandeur based on 6 previous cruises and 1 upcoming, planning to book the April'ish 2010 repo from Tampa to Baltimore when it's available.