Live from the Grandeur of the Seas

[hds249]

The GOS was one day late sailing out of Baltimore due to hurricane Ophelia blocking the bay. We were able to board at 11 AM Saturday and we were very excited to be on our first cruise. This ship is very impressive, very well kept and absolutely beautiful.

We are headed to Key West full speed ahead however it appears we will not be able to dock there due to TS Rita. We have already been cancelled for our first two scheduled ports, Freeport and Coco Cay. We are not sure what port will be in store for us at this point.

I personally have heard NO COMPLAINTS from anyone on board, it is an awesome group that is well aware that we booked in hurricane season and we are going with the flow. The ship is rocking a little more the closer we get to Key West but nothing to really write about. My vacation was about the ship and not the ports so I have no complaints where ever we go. The staff and crew are totally awesome, very friendly and very hard working.

My room steward is Lincoln, head waiter is Alexandra and assistant waiter is Linden, great team work. Amazing how they remember everything about you and you never have to ask twice for anything. My special request the first night was for iced coffee and it was brought to me again tonight as soon as I was seated!

Tomorrow is day three, I will try to update as to where we are headed at some point in the day.

To anyone booked on this ship, you will not be disappointed!

Our CD is Ashley and our activities director is Skippy, who will be joining the Enchantment next week and remain there until December.

What a totally awesome vacation, regardless of the weather! I am out there and I am loving it!

[Fury1995]

Just got off on Saturday.... was about 80 miles away from Ophelia....how are the waves??

[NC Native]

HI- We just got back from Bermuda on the Grandeur on Saturday. You really would not have wanted to be out there on Friday, especially if this is your first cruise. It was rough!

But the ship really is beautiful, and the staff is great! Did you see the Almost Village People?

 

While we did get another day of vacation, there were quite a few people that had weekend and travel plans disrupted. The cruise lines was really great about helping them change their flight connections and allowing free phone calls.

 

I hope Rita does not disturb your cruise too much! Happy cruising! :)

[Fury1995]

This is what it looked like from deck 5 on friday:

[Bcoll]

What happened to Drew Devine, the former cruise director, he couldn't have been transferred to another ship already his first cruise began on August 5...If you find anything out please let me know! Anyway have a good cruise and if you get a chance ask the Captain where the response to my letter is????

[Coolcruise02]

Glad that you are enjoying your cruise despite changes to your itinerary caused by the vagaries of hurricane season. We look forward to your reports on changes that occur on your cruise. We thought the captain did a good job of keeping us informed of changes on our past Grandeur cruise.

[ChoosinCruisin]

Our first cruise was also on the Granduer many years ago, you picked a beauty for your first adventure.

 

Are you a casino fan? If so, please say hello to my friend Sheneen, a dealer. Tell her she looks Mahhhhvelus from her Gorgeous Skinny friend. She'll understand. Tell her I wish her and Martin smooth sailings.

 

Enjoy your travels and thanks for keeping us posted.

[mymk4u]

Thanks for the great update! We're leaving on the 30th for this very same cruise. Have to admit, I'm getting a little nervous since this is our first time but hey, I'm just looking for a nice vacation relaxing. Gee, if they run out of names for hurricanes does that mean there won't be any more this year ;) ?

 

Hope you have a great time!

 

Linda

[suncruiserj]

Does RCCL still have a nightly chat room? Can anyone get into it? Just trying to find the best way to stay in touch while on the ship.

[Katharsys]

My wife and I also had the pleasure of cruising through Ophelia on the Granduer. When the Capt made the announcement that our arrival back to Baltimore would be delayed 24 hours, a cheer erupted around the ship. However, what most didn't realize was that it would be an extra day of rocking and rolling on the high seas. Sitting up in the Viking Crown Lounge was almost like riding on a mini rollercoaster. I made a call from my stateroom to notify friends and family that we would be arriving back a day later. A whopping $24 for a three minute call. After finding out the were letting folks call free from the Pursers, I asked for a credit to my account and they gave it to me with no problems. Very good ship and crew. Here is a shot during our approach to Ophelia...

 

 

By the way, I have discovered Nirvana... in the form of Bermuda Fish Chowder!

[ziggydaddy]

We are sailing on the Grandeur 10/14/05 and can't wait. I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your cruise. See if you can find out who the cruise director will be on our cruise. Tell Skippy we hope his family is doing well in with all the Hurricanes

[peekskillny]

I was on the GOS in August and I loved Skippy (Bingo Boy). I remember him saying that he lived in New Orleans. Has he made any comments about his home or family due to Katrina. Enjoy your vacation

[hds249]

posting from Cozumel, Senior Frogs. Thanks for all the replies. The water has been smooth sailing for the most part. Linda going on the 30th, do you have a daughter named Karen, if so I am Pat. You will love this ship and it´s crew, totally awesome!

 

Can´t wait to book my next one, this was our first cruise and both my husband and I are so addicited. We missed Key West due to Rita and went straight for Cozumel. We will hit Key West Thursday<

Gotta go catch excursion.

GET OUT THERE

[Bones]

Glad to hear you are okay sailing in stormy seas this week.

We sail on the GOS next year on her repositioning cruise out of Baltimore to NOLA.

Hope the rest of your cruise is smooth sailing.

Dan and Ken

[mymk4u]

Hi Pat

Looking forward to the cruise on the 30th. Glad to hear the trip is going ok..in spite of the changes. We have no children but I do have a couple of friends named Karen. Does that count :D . Can't wait for the next update!

Have fun!!!

 

Linda from the 30th

[ziggydaddy]

Hi hds249

 

I See you have a grand Suite. We are booked in cabin 8022 a Juinor Suite. Please tell me if you feel that the Grand suite is worth the upgrade. I can get it for $800 more then the junior. How is your balcany laid out? Is there any other advantage of having the grand over the junior? Thanks for your input. Have a great cruise.

[hds249]

Good morning all, we are scheduled to leave here in two hours headed for Key West! Not sure about the storm in the gulf.

 

Keep the JS Ziggy, not worth the upçgrade at 800.00. You will be pleased with the JS.

 

Linda, I have a friend named Linda sailing with you, she has the daughter Karen, thought this might be her!

 

Anyone going on the Grandeur, awesome ship and crew. The captain is very informative!

 

Loving my first cruise! I will be so sad to leave the ship. Who is in 8514 next and do you think I could just sleep in the tub, it is huge? LOL!

 

Good day, happy sails! :D

 

Pat

[hds249]

By the way Ziggy, if you play bingo, lots of suite upgrades were given as prizes.

 

AND SKIPPY IS AWESOME! We renamed him Spanky! LOL! :D

[KatWag]

Thanks so much for doing this. One of our office mates is onboard and we've been wondering how she's faring. I've been sharing your updates with the gang on a daily basis.

 

Don't suppose you've run into Howard and Eileen from Philadelphia? That would be way too much of a coincidence. :)

 

Kathy

[Kong99]

I was on the 09/02/05 cruise and Drew was headed home to Toronto for his six week contract break. He didn't say where he was going after that. He was great on the drums during the fairwell show, almost sounded like Phil Collins, almost. He is very good.

[hds249]

Hey everyone, it was tough getting back to this post from sea and unfortunately I got the change of climate illness and this is my first time on line since returning.

 

Ziggy, Kewlguy had your exact suite and invited me in for a tour. You will love it. The GS is a bigger suite but there was a lot of room we didn't use, including half of our balcony believe it or not. We only used one side the whole trip. I am thinking my next cruise will be the minimal balcony room, it will be all we need.

 

I think this cruise was the best vacation I have ever had and I will sail again for sure, and would not hesitate to go back to the Grandeur. She is a perfect size and I was in good, no great hands.

 

I will post a full review soon and will offer a link to my photos, I took over three hundred. I have to weed out the ones no one cares about seeing, like the ones just focused on me and my husband.

 

I must say though that our Cruise Critic group were so positive, upbeat and friendly it made the trip that much more enjoyable! :D

[Host Kewlguy]

I was on the GOS in August and I loved Skippy (Bingo Boy). I remember him saying that he lived in New Orleans. Has he made any comments about his home or family due to Katrina. Enjoy your vacation

 

Skippy left Grandeur on Sunday and will be moving to the Explorer.

[Host Kewlguy]

Hey everyone, it was tough getting back to this post from sea and unfortunately I got the change of climate illness and this is my first time on line since returning.

 

Ziggy, Kewlguy had your exact suite and invited me in for a tour. You will love it. The GS is a bigger suite but there was a lot of room we didn't use, including half of our balcony believe it or not. We only used one side the whole trip. I am thinking my next cruise will be the minimal balcony room, it will be all we need.

 

I think this cruise was the best vacation I have ever had and I will sail again for sure, and would not hesitate to go back to the Grandeur. She is a perfect size and I was in good, no great hands.

 

I will post a full review soon and will offer a link to my photos, I took over three hundred. I have to weed out the ones no one cares about seeing, like the ones just focused on me and my husband.

 

I must say though that our Cruise Critic group were so positive, upbeat and friendly it made the trip that much more enjoyable! :D

 

It was a pleasure meeting you. Thanks for the tour of your Grand Suite. Very impressive. We were very happy with our Junior Suite (8022) and also had a great stateroom attendant. She kept our large collapsible cooler filled with ice everyday. The cruise was very enjoyable and interesting. :D

We look forward to sailing on Grandeur again in 2006.