Grandeur of the Seas March 13–31

Thanks so much for checking Roy! Enjoy the rest of the cruise and see you on Saturday.

Steve

Thanks so much for the updates. Im tempted to ask about the drink prices, but Im booked this saturday and have the ultimate drink package.., so no sense in going down that road.

Have a great couple of day and we'll see you Saturday.:)

I slept until about 5:45, when I went to the WJ for coffee about 6 we were between Marathon and Key West. Key West is famous for it’s sunsets, but this morning’s sunrise was picture perfect, by far the best of the cruise. It came up over the stern of the ship about 7:30. I got up to deck 10 a little early and walked 5 laps while waiting for the event. We picked up our pilot about 8:25. The crew held another liferaft drill this morning.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dawn0318.jpfg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/liferaft.jpg

This is the end of a flurry of visits to Key West. I was first here in the 70's on a family day trip when my brother lived in Miami and my parents in Central Florida. I didn’t return until 2012 and 2013 on the Crystal Symphony, and have been here on the Ryndam and Maasdam in the last 3 months.

There are 3 berths in Key West although one is available only to smallish ships. We came in past the AIDAvita, docked at the Navy Yard., and pulled up behind the Silver Shadow, which was at the small Mallory Square berth Ironically, I docked behind the Silver Shadow just over a month ago in Rio de Janeiro. We pulled alongside the dock at 9:15. We were originally scheduled for 9AM but changed to 9:30 because Immighration could not handle us until then.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/linesready.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/docking.jpg

Ships arriving from foreigh ports must clear Immigration at the first US port. The instructions for US Citizens were confusing. The video said “Go to the dining room deck 5, the printed sheet said “Go to the Palladium Theater”. As it turned out each was half right. We were summoned by muster station to the Palladium Theater where each muster station was assigned a certain section. My group (scheduled for 10AM and called at 10:10) was placed in the starboard section, FILLING the theater. Groups were called out by section and led by the outer deck to the dining room where we met the inspectors, our cards were punched, and we were free to leave the ship. Once our group was called to leave the theater the line moved at almost a steady walk. I finished the process about 10:35.

USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) was built in 1936, served in WW2 escorting convoys in the North Atlantic (Sinking one U-Boat), later served in thee Pacific and the Vietnam War. Ingham was withdrawn from service in 1988 after 52 years of active service. She is reportedly the most decorated naval vessel to serve the US. She is 327 feet long, had a crew of 240, and made 20 knots with dual 6.000 steam turbines.

The tour was primarily on one deck running the full length of the ship, looking down on the engine and boiler rooms, and viewing part of the deck above as well as the bridge deck. Quarters and dining arrangements for various levels from crew up to captain could be viewed. It was a small ship and a nice but not long tour.

After the tour I returned to the ship for my laptops and headed for the library with a stop at Wendys for a burger. The Key West library’s wifi is FAST and free with ample space at the tables. I spent about an hour there before heading back to the ship (and taking back a slice of Key Lime pie). I boarded the Grandeur for the next 2 days about 3:45. As I went up to the Park Café for coffee just after 4 the Aida ship was heading to sea. Our sailaway had originally been 5PM but was extended to 5:30. I knew I would miss sailaway for dinner but headed up to deck 5 about 5:10. Things were pretty much stowed but the gangway was still out with several crew members. The line handlers took their positions about 5:15. Finally, 3 people came running towards the ship about 5:20. With just 3 people I doubt they were on an RCI shore excursion so they were probably VERY lucky not to be left behind. Captain Trond gave his sailaway message as they were clearing the port guards and lines were just starting to drop as I headed downstairs to the dining room. We were visibly moving about 5:40.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/runners.jpg

The evening show was Bobby Arvon, best known as the singer of the Happy Days theme. He was quite good.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/arvon.jpg

As today’s parting shot I’m wondering about the Baltimore port staff and if they really know what they’re doing. I hold a NEXUS card which is good for all western hemisphere surface crossings. I registered with it in my online checkin, but it was refused both at the Baltimore Port Security and at the checkin desk. When I went through Immigration I held it out and asked “Is this Sufficient”? The Officer’s response was “CERTAINLY”. If it’s good enough for online checkin, and its good enough for online checkin, it should work at the port.

Roy

This is the first of 5 sea days in a 6-day period. I rose at 6 and went up to the WJ for coffee about 6:20 and stayed up for 10 laps around deck 10. It was totally overcast with a significant breeze and just a bit on the cool side. I finished my walk around sunrise but with the clouds it was a complete non-event.

I had no specific morning activities but the day still passed quickly. I stopped down at guest services around 9 to check on my bill, and found that I had about $125 in non-refundable onboard credits left and just $10 in spending plans. Before the cruise I had also been interested in the All Access Tour of the ship but dropped the idea because of the way I felt embarkation day. I’m not 100% yet but very much improved and inquired about the tour. It is $150, 9AM Friday morning, and space was available. OBC problem solved.

The Walk For Wishes was scheduled for 11:45, and set off in quite stiff winds. I dropped off at about the 2 ½ lap (of 4) mark to listen to Captain Trond’s midday update. My feeling about the wind was no illusion, it’s something like 37 knots, and expected to increase overnight. He thought Friday’s weather may be still a bit more challenging. As I resumed the walk and started lap 4 I heard the main group of walkers give out a cheer at finishing. Today’s walk raised about $2,600 for Make A Wish.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/wishes2.jpg

There was a pretty busy afternoon. A chilly cookoff had been planned for 12:30 but was cancelled due to the winds. The belly flop competition went on despite the wind with 9 men and 1 woman and ended with a tandem jump. As usual, the winner was well endowed in the belly department.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/rachel.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/thechamp.jpg

At 3:15 the Rosario Strings gave a classical concert in Centrum, lightly attended but well received by those present. Finally, the Crown and Anchor “Top Tier” event was held in the South Pacific Lounge before dinner with snacks, free drinks, and many officers present. While I’m so booked up with cruises I’m unlikely to partake, the Grandeur plans discussed are very attractive, with Baltimore Cruises to Barbados, to combined Bermuda-Bahama itineraries, and to summer New England and Canada cruises.

People looked very nice for the cruise’s second formal night. Prime rib and lobster were the primary attractions at my table and my prime rib was delicious. At the conclusion of the meal we had a parade of the galley staff. When I returned to my cabin after dinner there was a “consecutive cruiser” packet sitting on my bed.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/primerib.jpg

The evening entertainment was the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers in “Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme”, probably the cruise’s best show so far. I turned in for the night about 10, as we were passing Savannah.

Today’s parting shot is a wish for healing in Tunisia, and a word of thanks to the security forces who interrupted the attack before explosives some of the terrorists had could be detonated.

Roy

Roy, enjoying your posts and pics. Your review is jam packed with info beyond the usual. Thanks! :)

I have a question for you. Are you able to get on line in your stateroom? I'll be on Grandeur next month and plan on purchasing the unlimited internet package and hope that I can get on line in our room.

Thanks for the great review.

I have a question for you. Are you able to get on line in your stateroom? I'll be on Grandeur next month and plan on purchasing the unlimited internet package and hope that I can get on line in our room.

 

Thanks for the great review.

got off a few weeks ago and i got it in my stateroom on deck 3... actually got it everywhere i tried it...

That's good to know! Thanks so much. Now I know for sure that I will be purchasing the package!

Grandeur seems to be ahead of schedule. She's been visible on marine traffic for a couple of hours at least (that's when I first looked) and is now due east of Chesapeake which she usually isn't til closer to 8 or so. She appeared earlier and was visible farther south than she usually does as if the Captain is keeping her closer to shore for some reason. She usually doesn't even appear at all until around 8-8:30 pm.

I'll look more at the questions later but we're pretty much on schedule, perhaps a half hour earlier than forecast at Key West. We JUST picked up our bay pilot. I wonder if our line of approach is different coming from Key West vs Labadee, making us closer to shore because of that.

As mentioned in the last post I signed up for the All Access Tour and I think this will get it’s own post. Instructions came last night about 8PM. The key points in the instructions were that closed toed shoes and long pants were required as was a waiver, and that cameras were permitted but video was not.

We met at the foreard landing on deck 8 at 8:45. The tour was led by an assisgant to the Cruise Director; she was accompanied by 2 security officers, and greeted the 12 participants. We were scanned with wands by the security team and headed to our first stop:

The Bridge:

Entering the bridge we were welcomed by a Second Officer, on duty along with a First Officer and a lookout. Unlike most bridges I have seen, the Grandeur has what looks like a nice lounge on the starboard side. The ship is normally on autopilot and the 3 people on duty are pretty much there to take care of any unusual situations that arise. The ship can be manually controlled by a center console with all the functions duplicated on the bridge wings (used to see the side of the ship while docking; we went out on the port wing). The officer explained the radar displays and the operation of the auto pilot, then took us by some monitors which display any alarms sounded on a deck plan of the ship and a table with a deck plan that serves as the command center in an emergency (or in the weekly or more drills). Electronic navigation charts are now the standard but they are still compared with the paper charts.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/bridge.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/mainpanel.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/portwing.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/emercontrol.jpg

We headed down to deck 1 on one of the crew elevators and visited some crew facilities on our way to the laundry. There was an internet café with about a dozen stations, a day room, the crew dining room, and a crew (might have been just officers, I’m not positive) bar.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/crewmess.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dayroom.jpg

The Laundry:

The laundry is massive and efficient. All incoming laundry is sorted and placed in washing machines with a 90kg capacity. In the photo with the dryers the washers are on the right side but a bit hard to see. Sheets are removed a bit damp and processed in a machine which presses them, detects the size (single or double), and folds them appropriately.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/laundry.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/pressing.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/folding.jpg

After the laundry room we were split into 2 groups of 6. My group went first to the trash room where ALL trash is sorted, and everything possible is recycled. The process is pretty complete, down to crushing fluorescent tubes and recycling the glass and the gas inside separately. Money obtained from recycling sales pays for crew activities. The trash room was on “tween deck”, a little below deck 1. We did not go any lower but there was a deck 0, and below that the deck plan showed the next level as the top of tanks. The trash room had a shaft leading down and it looked like quite a way down to the bottom.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/trash.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/downdeep.jpg

Engine control room

When the 2 subgroups swapped it was out turn to visit the engine control room, where the Chief Engineer Ian greeted us. We learned that the 2 propellers are electrically driven (we were told the electric motors were as big as the room we were in). There are 4 diesel engines creating the electricity used, 12 cylinders each. At all times there are 2 people on duty in the engine control room and 2 more in the actual engine rooms. While the ship rarely goes the full speed of 23 knots, the power to do so requires just 3 of the engines. When we were down there we were travelling about 17 knots which normally calls for 3 engines but we were using 2 due to favorable currents. The ship does not have exhaust scrubbers but they are being installed at sea and should be in service in about 8 months. Ian highlighted the fact that the Vision Class ships are not exact twins indicating that on his last ship, the Vision, the engine control room was on the opposite side of the ship, and after 2 months on the Grandeur, he still turns the wrong way when he leaves the room.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/econtrol.jpg

Backstage

The group reassembled we went up to deck 5 and backstage in the Palladium Theater. The cast comes on as a unit and leaves together. Certain cast members have extra duties (with additional pay), including cleaning the costumes and wig care. When a cast member is ill (currently) the line captains will reblock the shows to adjust the routines to look natural with fewer people. The costumes stay with the show, being altered as necessarily when a new cast comes aboard,

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/backstage.jpg

Galley

Our final stop was the galley. I was a bit surprised; I think on most ships the galley is on a single level and food is all prepared on that level and taken to the other dining room as needed. We entered the dining room on deck 5 (I’ve only been there for immigration), and then headed back to the galley. Special points of interest were the bakery (dinner rolls are made at 4:30 and are REALLY fresh, the station where entrees are completed and (deck 4) the bakery where they were peparing tonight’s apple strudel in long rolls which will be baked and then cut up into individual servings. As we left the dining room we were given tote bags as mementos of our tours.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/bread.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/strudel.jpg

The tour was interesting, bug it seemed a bit more comprehensive on the Radiance.

Roy

I think the line of approach is definitely different. Not because of Key West, but maybe because of something else. The ship usually isn't visible on marine traffic until at least 8 pm and it was visible before 6 pm today. You do seem to be on schedule now. We've cruised in and out of Baltimore 4 times plus I watch the arrival at least once per month so I'm pretty familiar with the track and timing. We have two different friends onboard who don't know each other so I pulled it up to check on status earlier today, not expecting to see anything that early.

Roy, very nice tour of Grandeur you had there. We are enjoying your postings, as we always do. Have a great turn around day and hope the process runs smoothly. Enjoy your second leg!

Rick and Deirdra

Grandeur just passed over the Bay Bridge Tunnel and headed for Baltimore at 17.1 knots. Arrival at Baltimore in 7 1/2 hours.

R&D

I was up about 5:20; when I went up to the WJ for coffee about 5:40 we were passing Moorehead City NC. I returned to deck 10 about 7 and walked 12 laps (about 3 miles). Sunrise was 7:17 but was completely invisible. It was a bit on the cool side with a breeze which became stronger during the day. By the time I stopped walking it was starting to drizzle. I had thought I might come back later for another couple miles but the All Access Tour with 3 hours on my feet was a bit draining and the weather got progressively wetter.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/drearyam.jpg

The All Access Tour (separate post) took most of my morning, and I actually missed the 10AM consecutive cruiser’s meeting and was back stage during part of the Captain’s Corner. The tour ended at 11:45.

In his noon updare Captain Trond reported a temperature of 64F, although it felt cooler. The ride would be smoother in the afternoon as we would be changing course and have a following sea. We are due to pick up our pilot at 8:15 (we did), pass the Bay Bridge at 4:30AM and the Key Bridge at 6 and be alongside the pier by 7.

I took a lazy afternoon until going down for a Centrum performance by the Rosario Strings at 4:15. At the conclusion of our final dinner we has “an international parade” of the waiters and said our fond farewells. I hope to be back with Ajay and Alroy next cruise but have no promise that it will happen, We were out just in time for the 7PM farewell show which was the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers in All Access. We don’t normally have a production show the final night but there was a schedule swap when some dancers fell ill earlier in the cruise. When I returned to my room there was a day 1 compass on my bed, much preferred to the usual luggage protector. I am hoping to be up in time for our passing of the Bay Bridge and will retire extra early this evening while others are still packing.

As today’s parting shot I’ve been following my next cruise’s roll call on Cruise Critic and see that winter is doing it’s best to hang on. Spring officially arrived while I was in the dining room tonight. Welcome Spring!

Roy

PS: Rick and Dierdre, the new staff bio sheet was delivered with tomorrow’s compass. There are no staff changes for this cruise.

I think the line of approach is definitely different. Not because of Key West, but maybe because of something else. The ship usually isn't visible on marine traffic until at least 8 pm and it was visible before 6 pm today. You do seem to be on schedule now. We've cruised in and out of Baltimore 4 times plus I watch the arrival at least once per month so I'm pretty familiar with the track and timing. We have two different friends onboard who don't know each other so I pulled it up to check on status earlier today, not expecting to see anything that early.

After you posted before I took a look at our track as posted on Channel 40:

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/ourtrack.jpg

It does show a more inland track on the return trip than we had going to Port Canaveral. The Chief Engineer mentioned that we were making our needed speed with 2 engines due to favorable currents so perhaps we deviated closer to land to find the best currents?

Roy

Good Morning Roy

 

Hope you are having a blast.

 

Question asked many a time. How did security check the # of wine bottles you brought on board? Is it possible for each person to bring 2 if they go through the scanner at different times or do they have a table to check in your wine to match it to the total bottles allowed for that room? How was the weather when you woke up on the ship the 1st day at sea?

Yes.

Thanks for taking the time to post. It is nice to have someone elses point of view. We love the Grandeur and do B2B's on her in the winter. Keep the review coming and the pictures.

I have a question for you. Are you able to get on line in your stateroom? I'll be on Grandeur next month and plan on purchasing the unlimited internet package and hope that I can get on line in our room.

 

Thanks for the great review.

Thanks all, particularly philly steve, retiredgram and all the cruisers I'll sail with later today. Used up my last 20 minutes if internet time early this morning and am currently in Federal Hill Laundromat with a load of wash half complete.

I used the internet almost exclusively from my room (3050) and had a problem only once, but I think it was my ISP (for mail) rather than the wifi. It may be faster from a designated hot spot but definitely works from the rooms. Someone should test that with a speed test but I don't know how.

I was happy with the hourly plan where I had 3 ports with good wifi but plan to try the unlimited when I get back on the ship.

Roy

Love reading all of your posts. The information is invaluable. Looking forward to hearing re: your 2nd leg, as that will be our sail in the end of November.

Thanks for the information on the internet access. I am excited to hear that it works in the staterooms. I was afraid that would be a problem.

Enjoy the next leg of your journey!

Thanks, dixieva and mustangjoe.With the predicted passing of the William Preston Lane Memorial (Bay) bridge predicted for 4:30 I set my alarm for 4AM and actually was up then. I headed upstairs about 4:15, finding deck 5 (and apparently all the automatic doors) roped off. It was quite windy on thr pool deck, and my GPS inidcated we were still 5 miles off. I waited just inside the deck 10 door under the Viking Crown Lounge, and headed out into a frigid wind when we were about a half mile from the bridge. We glided smoothly under the bridge and I retreated back to my cabin and wrapped up my final internet minutes. I went back up for our 6AM passage under the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This time the prediction was right on target and I almost missed it. I hung out with coffee in the WJ until we approached the terminal. The first lines went out at 6:40 and word came the ship had been cleared just after 7.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/baybridge.jpg

There were some times of confusion about how my B2B was supposed to work. The instructions I got said my new key would be delivered this morning, actually just about everything was in my room when I came back from breakfast EXCEPT my new seapass. My stateroom attendant thought it would be at the front desk. Checking there I was told I would get it when the B2B group met in the Schooner Bar, but I was planning to leave earlier. The lady went back to the office and reappeared with my new card. Perhaps part of the confusion can be traced to the fact that I missed the B2B orientation, it was right in the middle of my All Access Tour.

I left the ship a little after 8. There was a long line at customs but it moved extremely quickly and soon I was off the ship and headed up Key Highway to Fort Avenue with evidence of fresh snow just a day ago. I arrived almost perfectly timed to the bus from Fort McHenry and was soon at the Federal Hill Laundromat. Soon I had a load in the washer and was busy with their wifi. A little over an hour later I left, $3.75 poorer but resupplied with clean clothes.

The Charm City Circulator took me in to the inner harbor where I stopped by Panera for lunch and then headed back for the ship. I made a couple of stops at the shopping center at Key Highway and Fort Avenue and then began the half mile walk back to the ship.

At the port I was approaching the bag drop when one of the porters called to me with “is that all you have, I can drop that on this cart that’s ready to go to the ship. Giving him my laundry but keeping my laptop I joined the security line about 12:25. It was still pretty long but moved faster than last time and I was back onboard about 12:45 with a couple of things to take care of. I had only been able to get My Time Dining on my reservation and wanted early fixed. I thought my head waiter had taken care of things but my letter and seapass both said “My Time Dining”. My first stop was at the Maitre’ D, where I was assigned an early seating table. I stoped by the Crown and Anchor Desk when it first opened up and got my frequent cruiser status upgraded from Platinum to Emerald. The benefits are not that different, but this will be my only cruise as Emerald so I wanted to get it. There was someone ahead of me who seemed to have difficulty making a decision, but once my turn came it was done quickly. My laundry was sitting outside my door and was put away soon after I returned from C&A.

Royal Caribbean seems to make no special allowance for B2B cruisers on the muster drill. We are all attended to attend. It seemed to go a little longer than last time; people seemed to be talking more making it harder to clear up the people whese cards were not scanned on entry. Sailaway was set for 4PM but there was some delay, and we actually left about 4:35. I had just time to watch us go under the Key Bridge before heading off to dinner.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/keybridge.jpg

I am at a 5-top near the back of the center of deck 4. Service seemed a bit rough today althought that may be becauuse it was the first day. We have a couple from Virginaia and a local lady with her father. These two seemed very hard to please and I really don’t expect to see them again. The Bay Bridge slid past as desert was starting, and there was a decent sunset around 7:15. Tonight’s menu was similar to the last embarkation day menu but there were significant differences.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/dusk0321.jpg

This evening’s opening show featured comedian Collin Moulton. I didn’t go but caught the TV rerun. We gain an hour tonight which I quite feel I need as sleepiness is setting in.

As a parting shot today, welcome home to the USS Constellation. I passed it today and it looks great and is wonderful seeing visitors on her again.

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/constellation.jpg

Roy

I enjoyed the first half of your B2B. The Grandeur crew is my favorite in the fleet.

Looking forward to the second half.

I, too, am ready for the second half. Glad you let us all cruise along with you.

Can you purchase your internet plan on embarkation day? I would think so but just checking.

Can you purchase your internet plan on embarkation day? I would think so but just checking.

You can. After I boarded and looked at the plans. I delayed because the Loyalty desk had not yet opened and was wondering if I could get a better deal as Emerald than as Platinum. It turns out that the difference was minimal with no difference to me. Platinum is a flat 15% while Emerald is 15% with a $10 minimum, so there's a difference if you buy 1 or 2 hours but on anything more the 15% overrides the $10 minimum. When I bought the package this morning they had updated the rates from 189.95 (8-day cruise) to $225.95 (10-day cruise). I'm wondering if I bought right away if I could have gotten 10 days for the price of 8. Of course, if you are on an 8-day cruise after a 10-day jumping in early could be a problem.

Roy