Talk of replacing Grandeur in Baltimore?

[iheartbda]

I just don't think sailing from Baltimore has been that successful, I would say that once the agreement with the port expires they are out,

I, too, would surely like to know why you think that. Just thinking something doesn't cut it.;)

[maureencruiser]

I loved my Grandeur cruise (well, truthfully, I love every cruise). :o

 

I took Amtrak and it was so much better than flying, more comfortable. I do think my next cruise has to have a promenade, though. ;)

[buck7]

I cruised Grandeur in August and had the easiest and fastest embark/debark experience of any ship I've sailed. I just can't beat the convenience of an easy two hour drive to port. I wish Grandeur could get farther south than the Bahamas on a seven day cruise. Then I wouldn't have to fly to Florida to cruise any more.

[BND]

Sailing out of Balimore has been very successful. We've done it 4 times (twice on EN and twice on GR) and will be back on GR in two months. The ships ALWAYS sail full and the port is very, very easy to get in and out of. Those saying that are naysayers just want a port closer to them or the more common pot-stirrer.

 

As for sailing down the bay, you don't lose anything. If anything, you gain a nice easy transition, with first night's dinner and shows being held in smooth seas.

 

You'd think that a couple of poeple are being forced to sail out of Baltimore. You still have other choices for embarkation ports and a lot of us love Baltimore for ease. We're about 1 hour and 15 min from the port and it works great. We've met more people from MD, VA, PA, NJ, OH onboard.

Edited September 6, 2014 by BND

[RSLeesburg]

I never even thought about sailing out of here... because vision class ships aren't my thing.

 

 

 

But man you guys have been pretty convincing. It's a very easy direct flight for us, and I'd love to get to Bermuda.

 

 

Bermuda is beautiful and well worth a trip up to Baltimore :). Although, if you have to have a bigger ship, Liberty will be doing 5 day cruises to Bermuda next summer.

 

 

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[14Terry]

I cruised Grandeur in August and had the easiest and fastest embark/debark experience of any ship I've sailed. I just can't beat the convenience of an easy two hour drive to port. I wish Grandeur could get farther south than the Bahamas on a seven day cruise. Then I wouldn't have to fly to Florida to cruise any more.

 

 

I agree it's easy to embark/debark. Also nice to be able to drive (3 hrs for us) instead of having to fly.

 

 

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[KeywestK]

Will my 11 and 13 year old like it??

 

Absolutely! All RCI ships have Adventure Ocean, various kids programs, that should work well for your children. The ship, however, does not have all the bells 'n whistles that the larger ships have. That said, they'll have a blast!

[KeywestK]

I never even thought about sailing out of here... because vision class ships aren't my thing.

 

But man you guys have been pretty convincing. It's a very easy direct flight for us, and I'd love to get to Bermuda.

 

Just book it. You will not regret it. Our Bermuda cruise last year was outstanding. Being docked at King's Wharf for 2.5 days is a very unique cruising experience. You come and go from the ship as you please, you buy a multi-day transit pass, and you really have time to explore Bermuda:)

[Thetrail]

I just don't think sailing from Baltimore has been that successful, I would say that once the agreement with the port expires they are out,

What would you base your statement on, just curious?:confused::confused:

[Lokip53]

I just don't think sailing from Baltimore has been that successful, I would say that once the agreement with the port expires they are out,

 

Not likely. RCI just signed a 5 year contract with Baltimore in 2012. If their numbers weren't strong I imagine they would have just cut out then.

 

According to the Maryland Port Commission's 2012 annual report, over 250,000 passengers cruised out of Baltimore in 2011 and both cruise lines (Royal and Carnival) reported that cruises were all sailing at over 100% capacity.

 

They're not going anywhere.

 

Page 12

http://www.mpa.maryland.gov/_media/client/port-commission/MPCAnnualReport.pdf

[PSCruiser]

I never even thought about sailing out of here... because vision class ships aren't my thing.

 

But man you guys have been pretty convincing. It's a very easy direct flight for us, and I'd love to get to Bermuda.

 

But, looking at your cruise list, you haven't done RC yet on a non-Promenade ship.

I think you'll have a better idea once you try the Serenade. The Grandeur is not quite up there with a Radiance-class, but they are similar in many ways. If you like Serenade you will probably also like Grandeur.

[PSCruiser]

Every time a Baltimore thread gets started, the question comes up about whether a Radiance-class ship will fit under the bridge.

Its my understanding that they will fit, but its close and may depend on the tide. However, I assume if a ship were committed to Baltimore in the future that changes could be made to the antennas, radar, etc. to gain a few more feet of clearance.

[luv2cruiserccl]

But, looking at your cruise list, you haven't done RC yet on a non-Promenade ship.

I think you'll have a better idea once you try the Serenade. The Grandeur is not quite up there with a Radiance-class, but they are similar in many ways. If you like Serenade you will probably also like Grandeur.

 

Been on a few cruises with promenade adventure freedom explorer and going back to grandeur couple weeks ago was nice it was a easy day drive from michigan and the easy of luggage and check in was awesome much better then florida or san juan check in process I will be sailing out of baltimore again and on grandeur not having promenade was not a big deal

 

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[MedicKen]

We love Baltimore but, unfortunately, are not happy with Grandeur. Not for the reasons you may think. She is probably the most handicapped UN-friendly ship in the fleet and my DW requires those adaptations for normal day to day living. Although accommodations were made. She just can't hold a candle to the rest of the fleet in this department. Other than that, she is a pretty ship with a great crew. We miss the Enchantment but understand why she was re-deployed to the 3-4 day schedule.

 

Royal, we will be back in Baltimore in a heartbeat if a more accessible ship is deployed to this great port. But, for now, I guess we drive 2 extra hours to Cape Liberty.

[B-52]

Sailed out of Baltimore once on the Enchantment...loved it.

Three hour drive, we arrive a day early and stay at a nice hotel in the inner harbor, maybe catch a game at Camden Yards, and enjoy a crab dinner!!

 

We have a deposit on the Grandeur this summer....also have a deposit on the liberty the same time...

Can't make up our minds which one to cancel.....

 

Lots of pros and cons both ways....

[JMG]

I just don't think sailing from Baltimore has been that successful, I would say that once the agreement with the port expires they are out,

 

On our last cruise on the Grandeur there were people that drove/flew from Florida to take the cruise! Yes, the ship tends to sell out. The demographics are different cruising from Balt. Lots of people from the NE do drive to the port and for those with special needs and the extras they need, like wheelchairs and even dogs, this is a blessing.

 

1 ship from Balt versus how many cruise out of Florida a week. Prices can therefore be higher in Balt than Florida. Supply and demand economics. For us...the price of the plane ticket versus the price out of Balt makes it worthwhile cruising out of Balt. The Balt port is very easy to access by car.

 

The down side for the NE is that there are fewer ports that can be reached during a 7 day cruise. In the winter, the first & last day can be on the cool side....but we are used to that and enjoy being a ship!

[chengkp75]

Be prepared to enjoy a very easy and painless embarkation, a lovely reburbished ship, and a very pleasant crew.

 

 

 

Even the long trek down the Bay doesn't really impact anything. Sailing under the twin Bay Bridges is a beautiful sight, and if I remember correctly, that's the point when the casino opened;) I also remember being within cell range that whole first evening before we hit the open ocean:) Same on the return:) As far as I see it, sailing out of Baltimore is a win-win. Might even try to sneak one more in before we move to FL....lol.

 

Actually, the long trek down the bay does impact a lot. Given the new US ECA requirements that will take place January 1st, requiring 0.1% sulfur fuel while within the ECA, this is why Carnival left Baltimore last year (more time spent in the ECA than a coastal port like Miami). Grandeur has had scrubbers installed in the diesel exhausts (at about $1-1.5 million per engine) to allow her to remain on high sulfur heavy fuel while in the ECA, and RCI has not retrofitted all of their ships with scrubbers yet, so I would find it unlikely that the Grandeur is going anywhere, and there would be a limited number of ships (both height and scrubbers) to replace her.

[luv2cruiserccl]

Thought I would post this really nice video of grandeur

 

Watch "Aerial view Grandeur of the Seas in Bermuda" on YouTube

 

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[Tony O]

Actually, the long trek down the bay does impact a lot. Given the new US ECA requirements that will take place January 1st, requiring 0.1% sulfur fuel while within the ECA, this is why Carnival left Baltimore last year (more time spent in the ECA than a coastal port like Miami). Grandeur has had scrubbers installed in the diesel exhausts (at about $1-1.5 million per engine) to allow her to remain on high sulfur heavy fuel while in the ECA, and RCI has not retrofitted all of their ships with scrubbers yet, so I would find it unlikely that the Grandeur is going anywhere, and there would be a limited number of ships (both height and scrubbers) to replace her.

 

I believe the new emission requirements are worldwide as mandated by the IMO which affects all ocean going vessels within 200 miles of any coastline.

As far as Carnival they left because the State of Maryland would not put political pressure Washington to have them exempt from the regulations

[RCCL Fan]

But, looking at your cruise list, you haven't done RC yet on a non-Promenade ship.

I think you'll have a better idea once you try the Serenade.

 

I've sailed both Monarch and Empress several times. Monarch has always been one of my favorites.

 

I'm looking at either trying Liberty in October (cheaper than grandeur, and better for kids) or waiting to see if Anthem will do Bermuda in 2016. Hoping to find out soon, so I can book now.

[chengkp75]

I believe the new emission requirements are worldwide as mandated by the IMO which affects all ocean going vessels within 200 miles of any coastline.

As far as Carnival they left because the State of Maryland would not put political pressure Washington to have them exempt from the regulations

 

No. There is a world wide sulfur limit of 3.5% that is met by burning heavy fuel oil. The Baltic and North Sea ECA's (emission control areas) were put in place several years ago, that cover ships operating anywhere within those waters, and limits sulfur to 0.1%. The US ECA was established about 3 years ago, and limited sulfur content to 1% (also capable of being met by burning slightly more expensive low sulfur heavy fuel oil) for all ships operating within 200 nm of the US and Canadian coastlines, including Hawaii. This year, the US ECA extended to include Puerto Rico and the US Virgins. In January, the sulfur limit drops to 0.1%, which mandates using diesel fuel, but once outside the US ECA limit, ships can switch back to burning high sulfur heavy fuel oil. The IMO has mandated a worldwide sulfur limit of 1% starting in 2020, providing that studies show that the fuel will be available worldwide in sufficient quantities to meet demand.

 

Carnival's ploy was to try to get lower port fees from Baltimore, using the excuse of the long bay transit within the ECA as their reason. There was no way that Carnival could get the state of Maryland to grant an exemption for one company, when every cargo ship that calls at ports like Baltimore, and Philadelphia must make similar transits using expensive fuel, and they knew it.

[Philly Steve]

Also hoping that Grandeur stays put in Baltimore and am quite happy she was not stretched like Enchantment.

 

For us, embarking from Baltimore is almost as convenient as sailing out of Philadelphia, years ago.

[KeywestK]

I've sailed both Monarch and Empress several times. Monarch has always been one of my favorites.

 

I'm looking at either trying Liberty in October (cheaper than grandeur, and better for kids) or waiting to see if Anthem will do Bermuda in 2016. Hoping to find out soon, so I can book now.

 

Those bookings should be available in spring of '15:)

[B-52]

Many people are saying how easy embarkation is at Baltimore, and I agree...

But I have to ask....did they ever cover the area where you drop off your luggage??

Years ago, on the Enchantment, we got their early and were on our balcony watching the line of cars coming in...and there was a torrential thunderstorm and downpour....everyone's luggage got soaked...that's all people talked about all week...how everything got wet.

 

It won't deter me from sailing from Baltimore, just wondering if they ever made that improvement.

[JMG]

Many people are saying how easy embarkation is at Baltimore, and I agree...

But I have to ask....did they ever cover the area where you drop off your luggage??

Years ago, on the Enchantment, we got their early and were on our balcony watching the line of cars coming in...and there was a torrential thunderstorm and downpour....everyone's luggage got soaked...that's all people talked about all week...how everything got wet.

 

It won't deter me from sailing from Baltimore, just wondering if they ever made that improvement.

 

As of August there was no cover in that area. It is still just a roadway with luggage bins on either side of the road. The cargo bins have sides and covers but the front is open so it depends which way the rain drops are angled as to how wet the luggage might get. Good reason to use plastic bags for the clothing.