TOPNET

Just got off Oasis this past Sunday, August 13th. Cigar smoking was was allowed on the port side, Deck 15 (Pool Deck - enclosed) and Deck 16 near the bar. As previous posters stated, is was very windy at times, so that may or may not have an impact on your decision.

Excellent Post! We are going on Oasis in August, and this is providing us with some really great info!

We just got off Grandeur of the Seas a couple of weeks ago, My recommendation is: Don't waste your time and money! Booking in advance through RCI, the cost is $30/PP. Booking on the ship, (in my case Grandeur of the Seas) the cost was $40/PP. So for a party of four the cost would have been between $120/$160. Included in the cost were unlimited Rum Swizzles, and SMORES. Anything else had to be purchased.

When we arrived in Bermuda, (in our case Sunday afternoon) entrance to Snorkel Park was free, and the cost of the Bonfire was free! :mad:

The bonfire is not sponsored through the ship, but is put on by Snorkel Park. The only thing you get for booking through RCI is the unlimited Rum Swizzles and SMORES, everything else can be purchased in the park.

Note: on days other than Sunday, I think the cost to enter Snorkel Park was $5.00.

We met a couple on the trip who had paid in advance for the bonfire and said the Rum Swizzles were the most watered down drink they had ever had! The really sad part about this was it rained the entire time of the Bon Fire, so after about 15 - 20 minutes, they shut down! :(

Anyway, that was our experience with the Snorkel Park Bonfire. Other folks may disagree, but my advise would be to save your money!

How about Bermuda? What did you do? Any recommendations? We sail to Bermuda on the Grandeur in less than a month.

Bermuda is quite possibly the best place I have ever visited. Unfortunately GOS pulls into the Dockyard on a Sunday afternoon, when most shops and transportation to Hamilton and St. George's are closing down for the day. But fear not! Most shops and attractions at the Dockyard are open well into the evening. One of our favorite spots, the Frog and Onion brews their own beer, and it is quite tasty! Also Snorkel Park host a free Bon Fire Sunday Evening. If you decide to go, I do NOT recommend signing up on the ship! It cost $40 per person for watered down rums sizzles, and s'mores! I recommend simply walking in for free and buying drinks form the bar at Snorkel Park.

Monday morning, or whenever you decide to go ashore, I recommend getting a Bus/ferry pass. Ultimately cheaper than taxis, they provide a quick and scenic way to St. George's and Hamilton.

Bon Voyage!

We just got off her last week, and I agree with about 95% of what the OP stated! This was (is) a great cruise and I can highly recommend it! It is ashame RCI is not going to offer 7 night cruises to Bermuda out of Baltimore next year! :mad:

Dining, service, (except Outside on deck 10, on one waiter for the entire deck!) and entertainment were outstanding!

Hint: if you are going on this ship, sign up for the roll call and the Meet and Mingle! It was a lot of fun and we met some really nice people!

Finally, (and here is where I disagree with the OP) embarkation disembarkation were the easiest we ever experienced! We were standing on the ship 15 minutes after we got to the terminal, and for disembarkation, once they called our number we strolled down the gang plank, found all our our luggage,(and we had a lot!) in five minutes - a first!

Bon Voyage!

Just off Grandeur of the Seas Friday. The first evening dress shorts (for gentlemen) are permitted in the Dining room owing to the fact luggage is still in the process of being distributed to staterooms. Afterwards, for the duration of the cruise, the no shorts rule was strictly enforced. I did in fact see several men turned away on more than one occasion!

Thanks! We will probably head over to St. Georges the second day we are there. If I find a shop that has a selection of his prints I will post the location.

I will be travelling to Bermuda in July 2015, and wanted to know if anyone knows of a location in Hamilton that sells prints of noted Maritime Artist Captain Stephen J. Card?

I know he was at one time located in Bermuda and quite a few of his prints are of vessels that called in Bermuda along Front Street.

Captain Card is one of the worlds foremost maritime artist, and the addition of any work of his would be treasured!

Thanks! I thought something seemed fishy! I guess we'll keep checking back!:)

I have another question, (may be slightly off topic) I would like to add to this thread related to the Grandeur of the Seas.

I have just booked my family and myself on the July 17 - 24 cruise to Bermuda from Baltimore.

Two quirky items I have noticed; No one has set up a roll call for this cruise, (I just set one up myself). On all of my previous cruises, I noticed roll calls have been set up - some as many as a year in advance. No big issue, but I found there were roll calls for the week before and the week after.

The second item I find odd, this cruise is over five months away and we were wait listed for first seating dinner. Again no big issue, but I have to wonder if this is normal for RCI or perhaps, just maybe a large group has partially chartered the vessel for this particular cruise. If so, id there a way I could find out about this? :confused:

Jerked Chicken: excellent! Rum flowed like water!

The walk over? No problem!

It's the walk back that gets ya!!!! :D:D:D

I sailed Mardi Gras twice in 1984 and 1985. Twelve cruises later, she remains my all time favorite ship! She was PERFECT! A true classic, nothing today compares!