The Grandeur - Yes or No

[atthebuzzer]

We have been on the Explorer 8 times and due to the Quantam high prices and dining, we are thinking about taking the Grandeur on a Western Caribbean cruise.

 

Will we be disappointed ? Is their enough to do on the Grandeur ? Is the ship too small ? Is their an open deck with Shuffleboard ?

 

Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

:)Tom

[Janet524]

If you want bell and whistles, Grandeur if not for you. It is one of the smallest ships in the RC fleet and does not have any of the amenities of the larger ships. We enjoy the Grandeur for its more intimate feel. You actually get to see some of you fellow cruisers more than once, and the crew has always been great.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

I have sailed the Explorer once and the Grandeur 3 times. Your take on the GOTS will depend on your level of activity. Did you use the inline skating area? Did you ice skate? etc. Are you looking for lots of active things or do you want to lounge by the pool? Are you bringing kids along? They may miss the bells and whistles.

 

The crew is good and the ship is easy to get around. The Captain is good and the ship had been updated recently.

 

There is no ice rink--so, no ice show. However, the Grandeur has a Tango show and an aerial show that are pretty unusual. The solarium on the GOTS is indoor [with a retractable roof] this is very nice during rainy or cool days.

 

We just took the W. Caribbean itinerary from March 8-18. We really enjoyed it.

[cruisin4kicks]

Just booked the Grandeur yesterday. Royal had a crazy weekend JS sale for the cruise we'll be on the end of May.

 

This will be our 1st time on the Grandeur and have never cruised out of Baltimore. Lack of bells & whistles will absolutely not be an issue with us. It looks like the port is around 10 or 11 miles from BWI. Is that about right? $25 or $30 cab ride maybe? Thanks.

 

Tim

[jp30338]

Just booked the Grandeur yesterday. Royal had a crazy weekend JS sale for the cruise we'll be on the end of May.

 

This will be our 1st time on the Grandeur and have never cruised out of Baltimore. Lack of bells & whistles will absolutely not be an issue with us. It looks like the port is around 10 or 11 miles from BWI. Is that about right? $25 or $30 cab ride maybe? Thanks.

 

Tim

 

Taxi will run about $30, they are all flat rates to the cruise port I think.

[red devil]

Hi Red Devil here we have sailed Ex 16 times with two more coming.

We have canceled our QOS cruise and have book two cruises on the Grandeur.

I think the smaller ship will fine. We are looking forward to our sailing.

Hello DOS.

[Germancruiser]

Grandeur was my very first " Megaliner" ( she was considered a " Megaliner" back then) and ingnited my heavy cruise addiction. I still have kind of a " soft spot " for the now old Lady! From Voyager onwards they are to big for my taste and to many public rooms are indoors! So, since Grandeur got a nice refit latley I would highly recommend it!

[Merion_Mom]

We have been on the Explorer 8 times and due to the Quantam high prices and dining, we are thinking about taking the Grandeur on a Western Caribbean cruise.

 

Will we be disappointed ? Is their enough to do on the Grandeur ? Is the ship too small ? Is their an open deck with Shuffleboard ?

 

Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

:)Tom

 

Just booked the Grandeur yesterday. Royal had a crazy weekend JS sale for the cruise we'll be on the end of May.

 

This will be our 1st time on the Grandeur and have never cruised out of Baltimore. Lack of bells & whistles will absolutely not be an issue with us. It looks like the port is around 10 or 11 miles from BWI. Is that about right? $25 or $30 cab ride maybe? Thanks.

 

Tim

 

Tom, give it a try. I am, thanks to the sale that Tim mentioned.

 

I have been on most of the ships in the RC fleet, and am looking forward to a taste of Grandeur.

 

:)

[Kroozen]

I'm booked on the Grandeur for a cruise to Bermuda in May. While I think I'll miss some of the activities and features that the bigger ships have, I'm really looking forward to lounging by the pool, having some umbrella drinks, and not cooking my own meals. If you're someone that has to be on the move constantly, then the Grandeur may not be what you're looking for.

[Lady Hudson]

We have been on Grandeur once and Enchantment (sister ship with extension) 3 times and love both. Grandeur was our first RCI ship. I remember a casino manager at the time telling us when we were on Grandeur,"Try Explorer. You will really like that ship - much more to do". But we like both. We have not been on Oasis or Allure and really have no desire to do so.

 

Try Grandeur. I think you will like her. We board her again very soon.

[londongal796]

I have mostly sailed on Voyager-class ships but I've been on Grandeur once.

 

Benefits to Grandeur:

*More eateries!!! Nearly every restaurant style is available on this ship, despite it's small size. I've missed Izumi ever since I've been there

*Quieter feel, more intimate, never really felt crowded. It was much easier to join and participate in activities, and when they played music in the Atrium I always found a seat. I also got to know quite a few people.

*Fantastic aerial performance (I've missed this ever since as well!), I think for me it was a toss-up between the aerial show and the ice show that you get on Voyager-class ships. I love both of them and wish there were more shows per cruise (only one 'show' per cruise, although usually more than one performance of the same show)

*Wii in the Schooner Bar (not sure if this is still there or present on other ships but I LOVED playing the Wii in the Schooner Bar!)

*Solarium -- the best pool I've been in!! And with the retractable roof, it's ALWAYS a good time to swim!

 

The ONLY thing I missed on Grandeur was the large Royal Promenade, and that was solely for 'killing time' before going to dinner (I am always early to everything). I do enjoy a stroll down the Royal Promenade before dinner, doing extensive 'window shopping' and trying on jewelry I'll never buy, trialing perfumes etc.

 

Other than that, Grandeur was fantastic, and I hope to go on it (or a sister ship) again someday!

[KeywestK]

We had a terrific cruise to Bermuda on Grandeur last summer, and enjoyed the smaller, intimate feel of the ship. If you require all the bells 'n whistles that the larger ships offer, you might not be happy on Grandeur.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to sail on her again.

[MommaBear55]

I have mostly sailed on Voyager-class ships but I've been on Grandeur once.

 

Benefits to Grandeur:

*More eateries!!! Nearly every restaurant style is available on this ship, despite it's small size. I've missed Izumi ever since I've been there

*Quieter feel, more intimate, never really felt crowded. It was much easier to join and participate in activities, and when they played music in the Atrium I always found a seat. I also got to know quite a few people.

*Fantastic aerial performance (I've missed this ever since as well!), I think for me it was a toss-up between the aerial show and the ice show that you get on Voyager-class ships. I love both of them and wish there were more shows per cruise (only one 'show' per cruise, although usually more than one performance of the same show)

*Wii in the Schooner Bar (not sure if this is still there or present on other ships but I LOVED playing the Wii in the Schooner Bar!)

*Solarium -- the best pool I've been in!! And with the retractable roof, it's ALWAYS a good time to swim!

 

The ONLY thing I missed on Grandeur was the large Royal Promenade, and that was solely for 'killing time' before going to dinner (I am always early to everything). I do enjoy a stroll down the Royal Promenade before dinner, doing extensive 'window shopping' and trying on jewelry I'll never buy, trialing perfumes etc.

 

Other than that, Grandeur was fantastic, and I hope to go on it (or a sister ship) again someday!

 

I agree 100% and would add that the large windows give you a wonderful feel for being at sea. The only thing I miss on this smaller ship is an open air area in the Windjammer. There are still lots of activities, great music, fun bars, parties.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Hi Red Devil here we have sailed Ex 16 times with two more coming.

We have canceled our QOS cruise and have book two cruises on the Grandeur.

I think the smaller ship will fine. We are looking forward to our sailing.

Hello DOS.

 

Red Devil--Hello! DragonOfTheSeas here. The only time I sailed Explorere was when you were kind enough to give we directions when they closed the Bayonne bridge. You are still my hero. :p:D:o

 

I have mostly sailed on Voyager-class ships but I've been on Grandeur once.

 

Benefits to Grandeur:

*More eateries!!! Nearly every restaurant style is available on this ship, despite it's small size. I've missed Izumi ever since I've been there. The Park Cafe in the Solarium has good breakfast and lunch options. That is particularly true if you do not have much time for the meal. I find the Windjammer crowded and did not always want to spend the time in the MDR. There is a Diamond section in the MDR for breakfast that we used half the time on our last cruise. It was our first as diamond.

*Quieter feel, more intimate, never really felt crowded. It was much easier to join and participate in activities, and when they played music in the Atrium I always found a seat. I also got to know quite a few people.The only area that feels crowded is the Centrum during events. Get there early if you want a seat or standing area. But, I remember the Royal Promenade was crazy crowded during the parade.

*Fantastic aerial performance (I've missed this ever since as well!), I think for me it was a toss-up between the aerial show and the ice show that you get on Voyager-class ships. I love both of them and wish there were more shows per cruise (only one 'show' per cruise, although usually more than one performance of the same show) It is excellent--but, do not miss the Tango show. They have a Tango couple from Argentina and they are fantastic.

*Wii in the Schooner Bar (not sure if this is still there or present on other ships but I LOVED playing the Wii in the Schooner Bar!) It was still there 2 weeks ago.

*Solarium -- the best pool I've been in!! And with the retractable roof, it's ALWAYS a good time to swim! Yes, it is very nice, but crowded. I got a shock the first time I visited the Explorer Solarium and realized it was outdoors. :p

 

The ONLY thing I missed on Grandeur was the large Royal Promenade, and that was solely for 'killing time' before going to dinner (I am always early to everything). I do enjoy a stroll down the Royal Promenade before dinner, doing extensive 'window shopping' and trying on jewelry I'll never buy, trialing perfumes etc.

 

Other than that, Grandeur was fantastic, and I hope to go on it (or a sister ship) again someday!

 

One thing no one mentioned is the ease of cruising from Baltimore. It is located immediately off I-95. The ship is visible from the interstate. You can park right by the ship and walk on. For those that need it they are able to board form the crew entrance on deck 1. [walkers, wheelchairs, COPD, etc] The ramp to deck 4 is steeper than on some ships. Parking is $15 rather than $19/day.

Edited April 1, 2014 by DragonOfTheSeas

[leaveitallbehind]

If you want bell and whistles, Grandeur if not for you. It is one of the smallest ships in the RC fleet and does not have any of the amenities of the larger ships. We enjoy the Grandeur for its more intimate feel. You actually get to see some of you fellow cruisers more than once, and the crew has always been great.

 

Not sure what amenities are not on Grandeur. As comparison, for instance to Explorer, in addition to the standard theater entertainment, bars and lounges, Grandeur has the following that Explorer does not have:

 

Izumi

Chef's Table

Giovanni's Table

Chops

Park Cafe

Centrum Aerial Act

Pool deck big screen

Diamond Club

Retractable roof solarium

Royal Tots Nursery

 

Explorer has the Royal Promenade, Johnny Rockets and a Connoisseur Club (indoor cigar lounge) that Grandeur does not.

 

We've been on Grandeur twice and will be on her again this July, and while she is a smaller ship without some of the bells and whistles of some of the large ship classes, she is well appointed and IMO offers attractive amenities, especially for one of the smaller ships.

Edited April 1, 2014 by leaveitallbehind

[spookwife]

We have been on the Explorer 8 times and due to the Quantam high prices and dining, we are thinking about taking the Grandeur on a Western Caribbean cruise.

 

Will we be disappointed ? Is their enough to do on the Grandeur ? Is the ship too small ? Is their an open deck with Shuffleboard ?

 

Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

:)Tom

 

we love her but she definitely DOES NOT Have the bells and whistles. we go on cruises to chill/veg and not do tons of stuff on or off the ship.

 

she does feel cramped in a couple of areas, notably the outside pool deck and the CL. Great view, lousy configuration.

 

one of the gentlemen we struck up a friendship with was bored out his skull the entire time and made no bones about his heavy preference for Celebrity or the larger Royal ships.

[PuterMonkey]

I think we will be debating Grandeur next time too. My H has sailed on her twice. As a younger cruiser, the pace might be a little slower than you'd like. But if what you really want is to relax I think she would do just fine.

[Mid43]

To the OP, I was right there with you, having been on the Explorer 3 times, I was concerned on the size and amenities of Grandeur, but we liked the Western Caribbean intinerary; having done the 3/8 - 3/28 cruise recently, we enjoyed ourselves. While my wife and I did say we enjoyed the Explorer more mostly due to it's size and a few more places to hang out, we had a real nice vacation on the Grandeur. Would I sail her again? Not too sure about that, but the port of Baltimore is convenient, the folks at the port and on the ship were very nice, so we were glad we took the trip.

[kleo30]

We've sailed Explorer twice and are booked on Grandeur in November. This sailing we mostly want to relax by the pool and on our balcony.

 

I am hoping there are dancing options in the evenings. Other than that, we are looking forward to doing nothing.

[Leslie K]

Have sailed EOS many times but sailed Grandeur this year as we were bored of the same itinerary & GOS offered the Western option. I loved the ship. As one w mobility issues it was so easy because of the size that I didn't use the scooter I rented. All the venues I use on EOS were available on GOS although some were smaller which is not necessarily a bad thing. The activities were still there and I actually like Quest better when not in studio B. We enjoyed the large screen movies on pool deck at night. Crew were friendly & helpful. Ok windjammer is smaller and I couldn't always find items that were available on the larger ship-but I found other things instead. And it took most of vacation to get used to windjammer being forward and solarium to the rear so I frequently took off in the wrong direction. Loved people watching at the centrum but couldn't see any of the shows there because of the crowds (get there very very early to save space). We had a great cruise!

 

The ease at getting to the port, parking & boarding beats Bayonne. I would do it again. However we live close to Bayonne so will be trying Quantum only because it saves us travel time-and the itinerary is slightly different than the Eastern route we've done.

 

 

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[Billz1979]

To the OP, I was right there with you, having been on the Explorer 3 times, I was concerned on the size and amenities of Grandeur, but we liked the Western Caribbean intinerary; having done the 3/8 - 3/28 cruise recently, we enjoyed ourselves. While my wife and I did say we enjoyed the Explorer more mostly due to it's size and a few more places to hang out, we had a real nice vacation on the Grandeur. Would I sail her again? Not too sure about that, but the port of Baltimore is convenient, the folks at the port and on the ship were very nice, so we were glad we took the trip.

 

We are sailing this itinerary in November. Did you by any chance save some of the Cruise Compasses? I am having a hard time finding any for this itinerary. Thank you in advance! We have mostly sailed large ships but went on the HAL Westerdam (about the same size of GOTS) and really enjoyed its "coziness"

[dz9yvr]

We have been on the Explorer 8 times and due to the Quantam high prices and dining, we are thinking about taking the Grandeur on a Western Caribbean cruise.

 

Will we be disappointed ? Is their enough to do on the Grandeur ? Is the ship too small ? Is their an open deck with Shuffleboard ?

 

Any info or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

:)Tom

 

Although I like the ship, no way will I ever sail on the Grandeur again. The plumbing and sewage smells continue to plague this ship. Sorry, I think you can do better.

[FloGaleRNTX]

Although I like the ship, no way will I ever sail on the Grandeur again. The plumbing and sewage smells continue to plague this ship. Sorry, I think you can do better.

 

Thank you for addressing this issue. I am considering a fall New England cruise and the Grandeur is one of the ships offered. I would just hate to have some of the plumbing problems I have read about.......what a horrible way to spend a week.

 

Barb

[MAHA]

We have sailed on Grandeur 4 times as well as her sister ship Enchantment once and have never experienced the sewer smell or plumbing issues. This was both pre-revitalization and after. We have had cabins on both Deck 7 Forward and Deck 8 Aft. Love the size of the ship. We have never been bored on a ship this size as we don't need some of the bells and whistles. Grandeur does have a rock wall, solarium pool & hot tubs, outdoor pool & hot tubs, many restaurants, the Quest game show, etc. It does not have a Royal Promenade, an Ice Rink, or Mini Golf.

 

Mary Anne

[myhouseofmouse]

Have the Grandeur booked this summer. Can not wait.