Grandeur of the Seas Solo review - March 18-27 - Cabin 3552 Video

Cruising Solo this time around, and having a wonderful time!

I am a Carnival cruiser who ventured out on the Allure with 3 couples in October. Having health concerns, I decided to try a smaller ship. The Grandeur does not have enough reviews, so I decided to write one myself. There are no exciting excursions in my review, mostly ship-related experiences.

Day 1... Embarkation

Baltimore port is the easiest I have experienced. I was dropped off at about 12:15. The long lines were gone, and I was processed quickly. Before I could even go to have lunch, the announcement came that the cabins were ready. I am on deck 3 ocean view. Here is a video of my cabin, because I could not find any 3rd floor cabin videos from the Grandeur.

After dropping off my bags, I walked to the front elevators, which took me directly to the Windjammer for lunch. If I wanted to go to the Centrum, which is the main center of activities, I have to go left out of my cabin, and take the back elevators. After lunch, I returned to my cabin and unpacked.

I purchased the BOGO Specialty dinner package, and made my reservations at a table on my way to the ship. I chose Giovanni's the first night, and Chops on formal night. Both were wonderful, with excellent staff. The food was great, but note that you can not get lasagne for dinner. This is a lunch only entree.

I stopped by the Centrum to do a couple of line dances after dinner. I then went to the showroom and saw a cool comedian. The casino does not open on the first night because the ship was not on international waters. The Casinos and shops all close when we enter ports of call for anyone who has never cruised.

Awesome. Enjoy your cruise!!

Day 2...Sea Day and formal night

I started my day with breakfast in the Gatsby dining room. Everyone was so nice. My breakfast was nice and hot.

After eating I explored the ship, taking pictures of things that caught my interest. I relaxed this day to prepare for formal night.

Dinner at Chops was Filet mignon 9 oz. it was delicious. They packed my Carrot cake dessert to go, and I carried it to my cabin for later.

I then made my way to the Production show, which was awesome. I practically ran to the Viking Crown Lounge, where they had a Motown hour from 10-11pm. I love Motown, and proceeded to sing every song that he played! After that hour was the disco time, so this old lady left the place for the young crowd. I ended my night listening to Nexus 4 in the Centrum. They can sing and play everything!

Thank you so much for the review! We are looking forward to Grandeur in May, and your updates are just what we need. Looking forward to hearing more!

Day 3... Charleston, SC

Caught the elevator to the Windjammer for breakfast. I had purchased online a city bus tour with Greyline. I called and informed them I was not physically able to walk to the meeting place, which is several miles. They said they could pick me up at the pier, right at the customs building outside of the pier! They do not advertise this, so if you consider doing a tour with them, have them pick you up. When I got there, a bus pulled up about 10 minutes and asked if I was Gloria. They had all the info, and a lady called the driver d asked him if I had been picked up. We then drove to the building to pick up all those people that walked there. He dropped me off right back there coming back. I can not for the life of me remember his name, but he was the best tour guide I have ever had!! It was cool that day, so long pants and a light jacket or sweatshirt was seen everywhere.

When I got back, I had lunch and relaxed until we left. Dinner tonight was in the Great Gatsby Dining room. I have My Time 7:30 dinner, and asked to sit alone. The Matre D is sitting me with the same wait team each night, at a nice table by the window. He is going to sit me with them for the rest of the cruise! They are the best!

The show in the Palladium was a funny comedian.

I went to the casino and lost $20!! I brought (3) $5 scratch off tickets, and won $25. This made me down by 20 on the slots, and up by $10 on the scratch offs! This big-time spender was done for the night in the casino!

I ended the evening listening to Nexus 4.

Day 4...Port Canaveral, Fla

Windjammer breakfast late in the morning, because we were not scheduled to arrive until 10:30am

I had purchased the beach transfers thru RC for $19 rt. My purpose was to ride down to the beach and walk around the pier. When we were traveling there, it occurred to me that this is really not the place to hang out alone. I don't do beaches, and the stores were spaced apart, not together. I decided to just go back to the ship. There are no shops at this port, so I headed back onto the ship.

Had my wonderful wait team for dinner in the Great Gatsby.

The Palladium lounge had an excellent juggler this night. He had us cracking up at his funny routine.

Back to the casino where I put $40 into the slots, and totaled out at $55! I was done for the night! I took my $15 and left out of there! Hey, don't judge me! I have 4 more days to stretch my money. :)

Day 5.... Grand Bahamas aka...Freeport

I was not expecting to enjoy myself here, because I first came about 30 years ago, and decided not to come back. I had no tours scheduled, just hung out at the port. I talked to several of the ladies who live here. It was great listening to music, and feeling the breeze . Right now I am sitting on the Lido deck, poolside relaxing and typing my report. I will report back later. In the mean time, here are a few things I wanted to share.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY JUST MADE: The captain just came on the intercom and announced that we will NOT be going to CoCoCay tomorrow. Extreme winds and swells will prevent safe travels. We will now be going straight to Nassau, where we will arrive tomorrow morning, spending the night and all of the next day there.

A couple of things to share until tonight or tomorrow:

The ship is just right in size. I thought it would be teeny-tiny, but it is not. There may not be 4 or 5 decks of cabins only, but that means less passengers to work around. No reservations needed for the shows, and the chairs are staggered in the Palladium showroom. Cup holders are in the seats, and the shows are so much fun.

If you have a meet and greet planned thru RC, and you are supposed to get the info in your cabin as to the date and time, that may not happen. Many of us on our group got no notice! I wrote on our M&G page, asking if anyone knew, and your cruise friend here Cruzaholic told me to go to guest services. I never thought about it, so I wanted to let you know.

I have the soda package, and the machines are 2 at the end on both sides of the Winjammer. There is 1 on 6, beside Ben and Jerry, but it has been out of order since I've been here, and this is the 5th day.

There is also talk going around the boards about a fee for room service. After midnight until 5am 
, there is a $3.95 charge. However, there is no fee before then yet on this ship.

Gloria: doing a great job. Excited to board Lady "G" Monday. Say hi to Reeve for me.

Who is your wait staff? We have MTD also. We had Taniesha who was great and of course my favorite Carlos.

Just read about your M & M. Can you do me a favor and ask at the desk for ours next week. I would be most appreciative. Don't want that to happen to us.

Evie

Sent from my SM-G900T using Forums mobile app

Gloria: doing a great job. Excited to board Lady "G" Monday. Say hi to Reeve for me.

 

Who is your wait staff? We have MTD also. We had Taniesha who was great and of course my favorite Carlos.

 

Just read about your M & M. Can you do me a favor and ask at the desk for ours next week. I would be most appreciative. Don't want that to happen to us.

 

Evie

 

Sent from my SM-G900T using Forums mobile app

Hi. I just came back to my cabin from dinner. It was great as usual. I was just thinking that I will have to write down their names. When I give extra tip envelopes on the last night, I will have their names.

Did you know you can get a banana split for dessert? I will get another tomorrow.

I don't know who Reeve is, since I missed the M&G. There is only 1 person I talked to from the group. I often wonder who everyone is.

I can to go to the front desk now, so I will ask. This is the night of the deck party, so I might go up at 10. I'll come back later.

Hi Cruzoholic. The front desk could not tell me anything. She said you would get the notification in your cabin for the first sea day. I tried to tell her that some of us this week never got it. Sorry, but she did they don't know until the last minute.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Forums mobile app

Thanks for your review.

I couldn't open your cabin video. It says it's private.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Thanks for your review.

 

I couldn't open your cabin video. It says it's private.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Also private for me.

 

There is also talk going around the boards about a fee for room service. After midnight until 5am 
, there is a $3.95 charge. However, there is no fee before then yet on this ship.

It's not just "talk". The fee hasn't gone into effect yet, but it's going to. The only exception is continental breakfast so those that order coffee as their wake up can still get that for free. The fee is $7.95 per order and begins on sailings after 27 March 2017. Grand suites and above do not have to pay for room service. We get to see how people react in a couple of weeks. I'm sure there will be a line at guest services of people saying they didn't know about it. I also cant' open the video. You need to make it public.

We also didn't get our M&M notice on our last GR trip (Oct 31, 2016).

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Hi everyone. I'm sorry the video was private. I have fixed it. Don't mind my voice, because I had throat surgery recently.

Day 6 & 7... Nassau, Bahamas

I was not feeling very well today. A headache had me down for a good part of the morning.

I ordered room service breakfast this morning. I made the mistake of writing down (2) orders of bacon on my form, thinking there were about 3 pieces in an order. I wanted to make a bacon sandwich. I kid you not, I had about 12 pieces of bacon!!! So know that you get a LOT of bacon.

I Went back to sleep until about noon, and my headache was gone. (Probably all that bacon. :) jk, I didn't eat all that.

Since I was not hungry,(I wonder why) I decided to walk out onto the pier, and decide when I got out there what I wanted to do. We parked right close to the pier. The Anthem of the Seas, Carnival Pride, and Equinox were all further away, and needed a bus to transport the passengers that could not walk that far.

They have closed down the main buildings at the port for construction, so there were booths in front, not the air conditioned buildings I'm used to. The weather was beautiful today! 73 degrees and sunny.

Watch those taxi drivers out front, because they will try to take you if they can get away with it. I decided on just riding around the island to see how much had changed in the area. The driver of this van took me, and he already had a young couple in there that were going to a beach over by the Atlantis. Do Not let them do this to you! When we got to the toll booth, he had the young man pay the $2 toll. What??? Oh no. Unless you are taking that off of my charge, I'm not doing it. When they got there, he charged them the regular price plus the toll. I knew what I was working with when he tried to charge me $50 for a tour!! What?? Are you out of your mind??? I told him never mind, and the bargaining began. 45? 40? 35? 30? 25? I said that I would give him $20, and no more. If there had been others in the van he would have gone lower anyway. Being late afternoon, the rush was gone, so they were looking for riders. Off we go for $20, and a nice ride. I did not let him ride me thru the streets of the city. I wanted to go to the areas where I had stayed years ago on land. I had a nice day except the driver had a bad cold!! I told him if I catch his cold, I would hunt him down!

Back to the ship and an early dinner. I knew I was not going to want to go to the dining room, because I just did not feel like dressing up. I went to the Windjammer where they had Lasagne today! Yeah! Grabbed me some dinner, and headed back to my cabin to rest. I have one of those RTIC aluminum cups which I love! I filled it with ice at about 6pm yesterday evening at the soda machine. Then I filled my soda cup without ice and poured it into my RTIC cup. Plenty of ice still in my cup at 3am!

So nothing else to tell today. I will post a few pictures also. My pictures are not uploading properly, so I will wait until I get home to finish. Thanks for reading.

:(Me on formal night. I didn't take any pictures, so I just snapped this in the cabin.

http://email.photobucket.com/wf/click?upn=71gpQnDR9yiZ1TWxBLkRot5nqbm4s8nHv0vs7Zx5C5V25ziIA0BtQLBRzS6QsFA6SJgO5-2Fhe7ROc0WD4vyQuDTTSGuQzqyvC6OUxkZeMxHeZO835vLZFVLT8H-2By-2B6paVh5w6HYuV9GLbnlmB9nlVkRwej1gtreTv5XVacggRJO1-2Fv9WQUA0KDfnqL8NARp-2FJ_uTtip2KqzJoh9WWL8np0Yj544VFJeIT8K-2F-2F4MzuzBDeb2YWbFRWpevkDG452jSN9l-2F5Y-2FNSi2uVaT78Gtw-2Ffl-2BocZlDiMHBCgrQlHvMrcJCkDebPrM1kNDWXInDE-2FN8r86M26vtwefDTYSSk8DqsAjO0Sz7c8LaYeT44QEQPQddaJ5JS9SpWh22bfn3WaEroFrMshCcx06TG13gk4o74nV6c-2B3dhhuE28ELA4I8l6PFB0n8x3ZwqwMHMmQH-2Fv8S5

The cabin before bed separation, and after

http://email.photobucket.com/wf/click?upn=71gpQnDR9yiZ1TWxBLkRot5nqbm4s8nHv0vs7Zx5C5V25ziIA0BtQLBRzS6QsFA6SJgO5-2Fhe7ROc0WD4vyQuDTTSGuQzqyvC6OUxkZeMxHekR0t0Ed6tTZYR2m8Zf6Sfe-2Fn1Zz0OfxgFK3Nwsa3WrgxouRb3n7ss9pUrCRYOxHVsrcq0Gq7gV6LUD9AhQd-2Bi_uTtip2KqzJoh9WWL8np0Yj544VFJeIT8K-2F-2F4MzuzBDc-2FIAQrP-2B-2Bs-2B44NbJy-2B1kIZMzNniKu6UpWGPWF6EHLjwg8Ltxm02GfR5h405C9QmR7GGqC2ehtqGCGL7lXHfSFIIk-2Fr6VsFxtDmHp54XSTwVrHlY3RMDX31tJ1jDkn0bnpWadU48Rjfvw0lNzZq3uI0AmQ22XBo92jUsJbCGLxD88E5kQnwrBqLrGSzkMqj2p9JJCYrmZPyvjERgmRR6VTN

http://email.photobucket.com/wf/click?upn=71gpQnDR9yiZ1TWxBLkRot5nqbm4s8nHv0vs7Zx5C5V25ziIA0BtQLBRzS6QsFA6SJgO5-2Fhe7ROc0WD4vyQuDTTSGuQzqyvC6OUxkZeMxHe6ea34EseBkcPu104DFoCNCq1mWD6wZ2DpTh-2F87MPm7c8TPTXuPXf3hCtN3tN-2Fm3Y4QjUxgTVBj7df2m24zT-2BK_uTtip2KqzJoh9WWL8np0Yj544VFJeIT8K-2F-2F4MzuzBDd6OKwTKuZZCIM-2FID8ZGTEFRyQ5HJqd-2FoQmlcQndm7GKZf2y9h7GpeB6QnQaGLeb4VU3MYVbDp8VDOIMycdMdguoi4lGfVMtUWNXkkrg2LMrLAg2d0edpbUA9Y9TQE7PILHoDW-2FQfNoPwNJkc9ofOR51YhKYVfWHxgurkU13fNSpx2Tg4puW5A1UjQZuBpLRG4frVYvzvcVLZHNR47MSFgU

I'm going to wait until I get home to try more pictures. It's taking too long to upload them.

Thanks for the update & pics! We're really looking forward to our upcoming Grandeur cruise!!

Video working for me now, thanks!

:(Me on formal night. I didn't take any pictures, so I just snapped this in the cabin.

http://email.photobucket.com/wf/click?upn=71gpQnDR9yiZ1TWxBLkRot5nqbm4s8nHv0vs7Zx5C5V25ziIA0BtQLBRzS6QsFA6SJgO5-2Fhe7ROc0WD4vyQuDTTSGuQzqyvC6OUxkZeMxHeZO835vLZFVLT8H-2By-2B6paVh5w6HYuV9GLbnlmB9nlVkRwej1gtreTv5XVacggRJO1-2Fv9WQUA0KDfnqL8NARp-2FJ_uTtip2KqzJoh9WWL8np0Yj544VFJeIT8K-2F-2F4MzuzBDeb2YWbFRWpevkDG452jSN9l-2F5Y-2FNSi2uVaT78Gtw-2Ffl-2BocZlDiMHBCgrQlHvMrcJCkDebPrM1kNDWXInDE-2FN8r86M26vtwefDTYSSk8DqsAjO0Sz7c8LaYeT44QEQPQddaJ5JS9SpWh22bfn3WaEroFrMshCcx06TG13gk4o74nV6c-2B3dhhuE28ELA4I8l6PFB0n8x3ZwqwMHMmQH-2Fv8S5

 

 

The cabin before bed separation, and after

 

http://email.photobucket.com/wf/click?upn=71gpQnDR9yiZ1TWxBLkRot5nqbm4s8nHv0vs7Zx5C5V25ziIA0BtQLBRzS6QsFA6SJgO5-2Fhe7ROc0WD4vyQuDTTSGuQzqyvC6OUxkZeMxHekR0t0Ed6tTZYR2m8Zf6Sfe-2Fn1Zz0OfxgFK3Nwsa3WrgxouRb3n7ss9pUrCRYOxHVsrcq0Gq7gV6LUD9AhQd-2Bi_uTtip2KqzJoh9WWL8np0Yj544VFJeIT8K-2F-2F4MzuzBDc-2FIAQrP-2B-2Bs-2B44NbJy-2B1kIZMzNniKu6UpWGPWF6EHLjwg8Ltxm02GfR5h405C9QmR7GGqC2ehtqGCGL7lXHfSFIIk-2Fr6VsFxtDmHp54XSTwVrHlY3RMDX31tJ1jDkn0bnpWadU48Rjfvw0lNzZq3uI0AmQ22XBo92jUsJbCGLxD88E5kQnwrBqLrGSzkMqj2p9JJCYrmZPyvjERgmRR6VTN

http://email.photobucket.com/wf/click?upn=71gpQnDR9yiZ1TWxBLkRot5nqbm4s8nHv0vs7Zx5C5V25ziIA0BtQLBRzS6QsFA6SJgO5-2Fhe7ROc0WD4vyQuDTTSGuQzqyvC6OUxkZeMxHe6ea34EseBkcPu104DFoCNCq1mWD6wZ2DpTh-2F87MPm7c8TPTXuPXf3hCtN3tN-2Fm3Y4QjUxgTVBj7df2m24zT-2BK_uTtip2KqzJoh9WWL8np0Yj544VFJeIT8K-2F-2F4MzuzBDd6OKwTKuZZCIM-2FID8ZGTEFRyQ5HJqd-2FoQmlcQndm7GKZf2y9h7GpeB6QnQaGLeb4VU3MYVbDp8VDOIMycdMdguoi4lGfVMtUWNXkkrg2LMrLAg2d0edpbUA9Y9TQE7PILHoDW-2FQfNoPwNJkc9ofOR51YhKYVfWHxgurkU13fNSpx2Tg4puW5A1UjQZuBpLRG4frVYvzvcVLZHNR47MSFgU

 

I'm going to wait until I get home to try more pictures. It's taking too long to upload them.

Actually, after clicking on one of the links above, we can look through the pictures that you have there on photobucket. I can't wait to board on 8 April.:cool:

Once you get to the link, you can see some of the other pictures. I will be deleting some because I only put them there because I was trying to clear up space on my camera phone. I'm not a good photographer, and I'm really not taking many pictures on this trip.

The main thing I wanted to show anyone going on this trip was the cabin layout. I don't have food pictures, but I'll put what I have when I get home. My interest has been sparked by this beautiful blue Lurssen Yacht that is parked over by the other ships! I am going to walk over there to get pictures of it up close if they are still here this afternoon!

PS...Please be careful of your skin in regards to too much sun. I'm seeing a lot of people with really bad burns. Remember that it is still your winter skin, so treat it gently! Don't forget the sunblock, please!

It's not just "talk". The fee hasn't gone into effect yet, but it's going to. The only exception is continental breakfast so those that order coffee as their wake up can still get that for free. The fee is $7.95 per order and begins on sailings after 27 March 2017. Grand suites and above do not have to pay for room service. We get to see how people react in a couple of weeks. I'm sure there will be a line at guest services of people saying they didn't know about it. I also cant' open the video. You need to make it public.

 

We also didn't get our M&M notice on our last GR trip (Oct 31, 2016).

Thanks for the Information! I only saw the original posts back on March 13, and I never followed up on it. I thought all ships were changing then, so I was prepared for this. So I can get my 12 slices of bacon without a charge! :D I'm just kidding, I ordered 1 order of bacon this morning, so I will see if it's 3 pieces, or 30! :D It's getting overcast here right now, but I know how the weather changes in the Caribbean.

Day 3... Charleston, SC

 

Thanks for taking the time, I can see us taking this ship/cruise someday.

The cabin before bed separation, and after

Seems roomier with the beds separated

Thanks for the Information! I only saw the original posts back on March 13, and I never followed up on it. I thought all ships were changing then, so I was prepared for this. So I can get my 12 slices of bacon without a charge! :D I'm just kidding, I ordered 1 order of bacon this morning, so I will see if it's 3 pieces, or 30! :D It's getting overcast here right now, but I know how the weather changes in the Caribbean.