Back from the Grandeur .... any questions?

[Ladydee]

I see there's an abundance of talk about the "Hole," :rolleyes: but aside from that (or that too) I'd be happy to answer any questions about the cruise ...

[cpristash]

I am thinking about booking it for next spring break...a couple of questions please if you don't mind...

1. I like to run at 6:30 in the moning..was this a problem w/RCCL

2. After dinner/show we like to have a bite of dessert before retiring for the evening...any thing available

3. Is there an "open air dining area" on the back of the ship

4. At sea days....any fun "pool side" games/activities

Thanks so much for your help...!

[truffles2]

1. no prob

2. yes in Windjammer or poolside or various venues

3. yes, I believe so--behind the Windjammer

4. yes, yes--a lot apparently depends on the CD. If it is Tom Canosa, there is quite a lot going on. Our second CD on Grandeur apparently did not care for a lot of games, etc.--a disappointment:(

[bevo]

We are considering it,too, since we are just a 3 hr. drive from New Orleans.

1. Was the ship showing her age, in YOUR opinion?

2. How was the food?

3. Have you been on other cruises? How does Grandeur compare, if so.

4. We loved the Solarium on the Mariner...quieter and cushions in the chairs. Is it available on the Grandeur?

Thanks for your input and feel free to add any other comments that come to mind.

[Ladydee]

I think you'll love it....

 

I am thinking about booking it for next spring break...a couple of questions please if you don't mind...

 

1. I like to run at 6:30 in the moning..was this a problem w/RCCL

 

Deck 10 is perfect for an early morning walk/jog

 

2. After dinner/show we like to have a bite of dessert before retiring for the evening...any thing available

 

There is a Ben & Jerry's as well as a coffee bar with some cookies/cake. These are both "extra" charges. Also Room Sevice is always available. There were also a couple of nights (might have been every night) that waiters were walking around with trays of small pastries. This was very late - after 11:30 I think.

 

3. Is there an "open air dining area" on the back of the ship

 

The Windjammer has some tables outside near the pool

 

4. At sea days....any fun "pool side" games/activities

 

There was always something going on at the pool - Men's Sexy Legs Contest, Team Pool Games in the water, etc.

 

Thanks so much for your help...!

[Ladydee]

We are considering it,too, since we are just a 3 hr. drive from New Orleans.

1. Was the ship showing her age, in YOUR opinion?

2. How was the food?

3. Have you been on other cruises? How does Grandeur compare, if so.

4. We loved the Solarium on the Mariner...quieter and cushions in the chairs. Is it available on the Grandeur?

Thanks for your input and feel free to add any other comments that come to mind.

 

1. Well, to be honest yes, I think the ship was a bit worn in areas.... some carpeting, the draperies - things like that.

 

2. The food was usually very good but not excellent in the dining room for dinner and just okay for breakfast (we never ate lunch in there). I thought the Windjammer could've been better though

 

3. I have only been on the Serenade previously and that was last year. On that cruise, the ship was definitely nicer. We sailed her when she was only 6 months old and everything was shiny and new. However, both my husband and I agree that neither the food nor the entertainment was as good as on the Grandeur. The service was equally excellent on both cruises.

 

One big difference to me was that the Serenade had state-of the-art stabilizers. We barely felt any motion at all. On this cruise, there was alot more movement and several in our group got seasick.

 

4. The Solarium was very nice - the quiet and the cushions were both present. I have two children though, so the only time I was in there was to get cheeseburgers from the snack bar.

 

Overall, it was a wonderful cruise and I would definitely sail on the Grandeur again.

[Tankminder]

1. Well, to be honest yes, I think the ship was a bit worn in areas.... some carpeting, the draperies - things like that.

 

2. The food was usually very good but not excellent in the dining room for dinner and just okay for breakfast (we never ate lunch in there). I thought the Windjammer could've been better though

 

3. I have only been on the Serenade previously and that was last year. On that cruise, the ship was definitely nicer. We sailed her when she was only 6 months old and everything was shiny and new. However, both my husband and I agree that neither the food nor the entertainment was as good as on the Grandeur. The service was equally excellent on both cruises.

 

One big difference to me was that the Serenade had state-of the-art stabilizers. We barely felt any motion at all. On this cruise, there was alot more movement and several in our group got seasick.

 

4. The Solarium was very nice - the quiet and the cushions were both present. I have two children though, so the only time I was in there was to get cheeseburgers from the snack bar.

 

Overall, it was a wonderful cruise and I would definitely sail on the Grandeur again.

 

Just another opinion :D

1) I did notice a little of Grandure showing her age - but only when I looked for it, and didn't find it distracting. I found it at least as good as most hotels - even high end ones - that are more than a year old. In fact, considering it is 10 years old, I found it quite impressive. It also seemed to depend on cabin and location. For instance - in our room on deck 3 outside, our room looked virtually new, with only a sticking drawer as a problem. But when we were moved to a jr suite the evidence of usage was MUCH worse. Probably because those rooms are more heavily used, and since they sleep 4 are probably full of families (just a guess) opting for the balcony vs 2 suites.

 

2) I thought the food was only average to be honest and showed signs of the chronic skimping going on industrywide. We tried "sides" of the pastas every evening they were offered and never got beyond a taste. Cuts of meat were just bland with the exception of "filet night" - which - as a steak eater, just wasn't the real deal. I don't eat fish but DW said only that it was "OK". Don't get me wrong, I'm just blown away that they can do what they do at ALL - 2000 meals a night is amazing! Desserts were fine. I think the fact that they're offering "upscale" restaurants (not on Grandeur) is a sign that it's not high-end restaurant quality. SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL though, didn't want to forget that.

10 years ago we sailed and had a Head Wine Steward (Smolier sp?) and assistants... when did they leave?

 

3) sorry to hear about your seasickness. Just to alay any concerns, I personally didn't experience any, nor my kids or party of 10, but I know how unpleasant that can be. You have my sympathies - hopefully it didn't last long.

 

4) Solarium was quite nice - I found the pool area a bit too loud for reading/sleeping at times. I found the band particularly loud even on the opposite corner - and I used to play in bands! Anyway, nice to see the Solarium option. Tom Canosa and crew were out there constantly with games - plenty to get involved in there.

 

ENJOY! I'd be amazed if any of the above detracted from your trip! Heck we loved it even with a hole in the boat! :D

[stillfrantic]

I've got a couple of questions.

 

Do the balcony staterooms, D1, have small refrigerators in the rooms?

 

I asked and it was reported from a previous guest that the stairwells on the deck plans between the upper decks aft were marked crew only. I'm just hoping that maybe they have been changed to guest use also? We are in a room at the very back of deck 7. It sure would be foot friendly to have stairs available right there.

[Ladydee]

I've got a couple of questions.

 

Do the balcony staterooms, D1, have small refrigerators in the rooms?

 

I asked and it was reported from a previous guest that the stairwells on the deck plans between the upper decks aft were marked crew only. I'm just hoping that maybe they have been changed to guest use also? We are in a room at the very back of deck 7. It sure would be foot friendly to have stairs available right there.

 

Yes, we had a D1 room and it did have an empty refrigerator.

 

Regarding the stairs, do you mean inside the ship? Those were all open to guests. Outside, I did see some of the stairs between decks roped off.

[Pumbaamd]

Do you know if any D1's have obstructed views?

[stillfrantic]

On the deck plans there seem to be steps inside te ship at the very end of the hallways. On deck 7 it looks like they run behind the 2 interior connecting rooms just past the verandah rooms. This is the very back of the ship, but from the line drawings they are interior staircases that run from maybe decks 6 to 9.

[vision8300]

1. Well, to be honest yes, I think the ship was a bit worn in areas.... some carpeting, the draperies - things like that.

 

2. The food was usually very good but not excellent in the dining room for dinner and just okay for breakfast (we never ate lunch in there). I thought the Windjammer could've been better though

 

3. I have only been on the Serenade previously and that was last year. On that cruise, the ship was definitely nicer. We sailed her when she was only 6 months old and everything was shiny and new. However, both my husband and I agree that neither the food nor the entertainment was as good as on the Grandeur. The service was equally excellent on both cruises.

 

One big difference to me was that the Serenade had state-of the-art stabilizers. We barely felt any motion at all. On this cruise, there was alot more movement and several in our group got seasick.

 

4. The Solarium was very nice - the quiet and the cushions were both present. I have two children though, so the only time I was in there was to get cheeseburgers from the snack bar.

 

Overall, it was a wonderful cruise and I would definitely sail on the Grandeur again.

We are taking our two children (girl 7, boy 4) any hints or suggestions on entertainement and preparing them?

[Ladydee]

Do you know if any D1's have obstructed views?

 

I do not know. Our cabins were 7534 thru 7550 and we did not have any obstructions.

[signman]

Is that whiff of sewage still floating around?

[Ladydee]

We are taking our two children (girl 7, boy 4) any hints or suggestions on entertainement and preparing them?

 

My kids (nearly 8 and 10) had all their cousins on this cruise, so they did not spend a lot of time in the Adventure Ocean programs. However, they really enjoyed it when they did. I found the evening kids' programs were best for us in the evening because the adults all wanted to go to the shows or casino after dinner.

 

Also FWIW, my girls have done much traveling in their short and somewhat spoiled little lives and when they were the ages of yours, we always had scheduled nap time on our trips - drapes closed, eyes shut, no talking so that even if they didn't actually fall asleep, they had some "down time" each day.

 

Hope that helps...

[Ladydee]

Is that whiff of sewage still floating around?

 

Yes, occasionally but not enough to affect our vacation in any way.

[Tankminder]

We are taking our two children (girl 7, boy 4) any hints or suggestions on entertainement and preparing them?

 

My son 8 LOVED it! And we travelled with two other "youngers" - an 8 and a 5 - they were all crazy for the kids programs! (we had a few "tweenagers" as well). But by mid week my son was waiting for them to open the doors to the club at 9 and DYING to make the "one o'clock" (am) club - which we let him accomplish one evening. They have tons of activities - all age appropriate. The younger ones - more your daughter's age - came in during the 8:30 dinner, all made up as pirates, and stopped the dining room cold with a "call and response" script they had just learned about being pirates. It was adorable!

 

One note: there is a charge of $5 per HALF HOUR after a certain hour - 11pm I believe. They will actually have activities for them (movie night, talent show, science stuff, etc) so it's not just babysitting But I thought you should know. Also, it must be CASH - no seapass (which I thought was odd).

 

One other thought - though you probably will anyway given their ages - disable their seapasses so they can't purchase. Our children are not and have never been much for video games, but they learn quickly when other children who are - and who have disabled seapasses - show them the ropes! :D It was the only thing they purchased all week and while it wasn't much thank goodness, but they did speak of the "come on, just buy us one game" pressure from new friends. It's funny how they wouldn't think of going into a ship's store, or purchasing a virgin daquari from the bar without asking, but video games somehow seemed different. Oh well!!!

 

ENJOY!

[bobbie0253]

 

One note: there is a charge of $5 per HALF HOUR after a certain hour - 11pm I believe. They will actually have activities for them (movie night, talent show, science stuff, etc) so it's not just babysitting But I thought you should know. Also, it must be CASH - no seapass (which I thought was odd).

 

 

ENJOY!

 

 

Yikes, when did they change that? It has always been $5 per hour, not $10. That's a bit steep per child.

 

I have never put a hold on the kids seapass cards. I just give them a $25 limit per cruise. It gives them a little freedom to "pay" for things be it a video game, a fun virgin drink, or something from the ships store.

 

One night we were buying our photos and two teens came up and tried to buy a bunch of pictures. It was funny to see the look on their faces when the clerk told them they couldn't buy them. Obviously their parents didn't discuss that with them.

 

Now you all have we wanting to book another kids cruise. Too bad soccer starts this week. Now it will be almost impossible until August.

 

And my twin sister is due with her second baby any day :)

 

Bobbie

[mtchg]

How does Grandeur compare to the Rhapsody?

 

Mitch

[wallie5446]

How does Grandeur compare to the Rhapsody?

 

Mitch

 

We have been on both, 4 years apart, with the Rhapsody being last year. Other than << IMHO >> the Crew on Rhapsody << IMHO >> being better, the only difference was the configuration of the stairs in the Atrium.

[PAFamily]

Thanks for all the info! We are going in June with our kids 3 and 5. Glad to hear adventure ocean is fun- mom and dad are looking forward to late dinners without the kids.

 

Anything you would recommend as can't miss on the boat? Did you try any spa services?

 

 

 

Thanks:o

[saranade]

Do people bring their own rafts for the out island? I guess the itinerary from NO doesn't stop at an out island. Hmmm....anybody? Thanks.

 

Sara

[Kenna]

Going on her in Jan. in JS 8032. Any information about that category or that cabin will be welcomed. thanks

[Phamer55]

You can buy "I Survived The Grandeur Crash of '05" T-shirts at the following web site.

 

http://www.cafepress.com/phamers

 

It even has a picture of the hole!

[Phamer55]

Did anyone get off the boat and take the bus trip and flight back to New Oleans instead?