Grandeur of the Seas, January 14-23, 2017

[rafinmd]

Thank you cruise pup, retiredgram and PhilNDebbieAtSea. That Benedryl I bought in Charleston has made a HUGE difference, although I forgot it this morning and still did well.

 

I've posted today's Compass and a number of menus, MDR through yesterday and the specialty restaurants, including a copy of the Chops Kids menu I found in the Diamond Lounge. Menus are here:

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.wordpress.com/menus/grandeur17/

 

Roy

[easyboy]

https://getawaysfrom21044.wordpress.com/menus/grandeur17/

 

Roy

Thanks for the share.

[MrsP_29]

Dumb question about Chops Grille. I noticed prices on some of the selections on your menu. Does that mean you are billed for that amount on top of the extra money you've already paid for Chops?

[DELTABLUE]

Even in Chops, which is already a for fee establishment, you are still subject to an up-sell for even pricier items.:rolleyes:

[rafinmd]

Dumb question about Chops Grille. I noticed prices on some of the selections on your menu. Does that mean you are billed for that amount on top of the extra money you've already paid for Chops?

 

That's correct, so with the $21 Roasted Lobster that would be a total of $56. Ouch! I could never eat that much and didn't pay a lot of attention.

 

Roy

[MrsP_29]

I toyed with the idea of surprising my husband during our cruise. We will be at sea on his birthday. I just can't justify an extra $60+ for a meal. I did arrange a spa appointment for him on his birthday. I know he will be a happy camper that day without Chops.

That's correct, so with the $21 Roasted Lobster that would be a total of $56. Ouch! I could never eat that much and didn't pay a lot of attention.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Thank you Annie, easyboy, and deltalblue.

 

It looked cloudy around sunrise but the weather turned out beautifully. We had Coco Cay to ourselves but I was surprised to see NCL Epic out my window and it spend the day with us in the harbor; it’s passengers visiting Great Stirrup Cay. Despite the clouds the sun came up quite nicely over NCL’s Island.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/dawn0120.jpg

 

The ship was cleared at 8 and I went up to the WJ for an omelet. I headed off on the large tender about 9. I’m not really a beach person so on arrival I took a little walk. It’s about a mile to the end of the island; there is some construction there. While there are nice beaches and other amenities, much of the island is untouched brush. Along the way there were remains of an old fort, probably dating back to the late 18th century.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/ruins.jpg

 

The complex is mostly about the beach, although there are courts for soccer and volleyball and a water slide. Cabanas and umbrellas are available for rent and there are many loungers. After my walk I perched on a lounger and read with my Ipad until lunch started at noon.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/beach.jpg

 

In addition to lunch in the WJ the crew prepares a barbecue lunch and serves it on the island. I think my last time at a private island (Labadee) there were long lines at the barbecue but things went very smoothly today; I walked right up to the line where a very nice selection of food was waiting.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/lunch.jpg

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/lunch.jpg

I returned to the ship after lunch, getting a good view of my room location.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/myplace.jpg

 

It was a generally relaxing afternoon on a near-empty ship including a quick visit to the hot tubs. The last tender was at 4:30 and Captain Thor reported we were leaving about 4:45. We need about 15 knots to be back in Baltimore on time.

 

At dinner we had the Dining Room staff presentation along with singing O Sole A Mia. I went for the Strawberry Bisque, Lasagna, and Tiramisu.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/dishes20.jpg

 

The featured entertainment was a new to RCI group called Rookie, 4 Canadian lads singing a variety of classic rock. They were pretty good.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/rookie.jpg

 

Later the Orchestra had a big band set in the South Pacific Lounge. I dropped by briefly. I passed Lora at the Schooner Bar piano on the way there. She seemed pretty good and I planned to stop by on my way back but she was on break.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/bigband.jpg

 

Today’s parting shot recognizes a new direction for America. This has been one of the most divisive election seasons in our recent history. May we find a time of healing.

 

Roy

[MrsP_29]

Thank you for the photos of Coco Cay. We will be there in March and it is nice to see that. We were in Freeport and Nassau on our first cruise but never went to a beach. I'm going to dip my toes in that turquoise water thus year. And I think I may even get a tall drink with an umbrella as well!

[rafinmd]

Thank you for the photos of Coco Cay. We will be there in March and it is nice to see that. We were in Freeport and Nassau on our first cruise but never went to a beach. I'm going to dip my toes in that turquoise water thus year. And I think I may even get a tall drink with an umbrella as well!

 

I didn't carry over all my pictures to Cruise Critic and a couple I didn't even post to the blog. Those will be CC attachments which will be a bit small. They may come up a bit bigger if you click on them.

 

Here's the tender over to the island:

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/tender.jpg

 

Arriving at the island:

 

 

An undeveloped area along the road:

 

 

The end of the road:

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/theend.jpg

 

The water slide:

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/slide.jpg

 

Add the buffet food:

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/picnic.jpg

 

I will also mention that one of my table mates was in the water and found it chilly. Hopefully it will warm up by March.

 

Roy

[caseythegr]

Oops, I thought I posted this earlier. Thank you all and a lot of people can look forward to upcoming cruises on Lady G.

Rooms on the Grandeur open at 1PM. A nice service on this ship is a staff member in the South Pacific Lounge who will check carry on bags until the rooms open. Roy

 

Thanks for the review. We sail her for the 3rd time in September. I'm curios about the bag check, is this something new? I don't remember it from our Bermuda cruise in Sept.

Laurie

[retiredgram]

Thanks for the review. We sail her for the 3rd time in September. I'm curios about the bag check, is this something new? I don't remember it from our Bermuda cruise in Sept.

Laurie

 

In case he doesn't get back to your question right away, see his post #46. I was interested this also. I think it might be new since I never heard it mentioned previously.

[Janet524]

In case he doesn't get back to your question right away, see his post #46. I was interested this also. I think it might be new since I never heard it mentioned previously.

 

Last time we were on Grandeur was May 2015. Bag check was offered at that time.

[coneyraven]

Thanks for the review. We sail her for the 3rd time in September. I'm curios about the bag check, is this something new? I don't remember it from our Bermuda cruise in Sept.

 

Laurie

 

 

Yeah Laurie, it was offered on our cruise. We just didn't take advantage of it. I wished I would've though because lugging around a gym bag, and drinks, was no fun.

[rafinmd]

Thanks for the review. We sail her for the 3rd time in September. I'm curios about the bag check, is this something new? I don't remember it from our Bermuda cruise in Sept.

Laurie

 

The post number 46 retiredgram mentioned:

 

I just walked into the South Pacific Lounge towards the stage and a staff member approached me and gave me a littlebag check. The conditions were to pic the bags up by 12:50; rooms open at 1.

 

Have a great cruise, a very nice itinerary. I would love to have extended but I board the Konigsdam 1 month from today and need a little time at home.

 

Roy

 

The service is listed on the 3rd item right side of the page.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/boarding.pdf

 

This is apparently a generic boilerplate handout not specific to any individual cruise. The blurb says "new" but that Boarding Edition itself may have been around for quite a while.

 

Roy

[BND]

In case he doesn't get back to your question right away, see his post #46. I was interested this also. I think it might be new since I never heard it mentioned previously.

 

We were on GR Oct 31st and the bag check was going on then. We went to the DL after lunch on boarding day and there were signs and bags there.

[caseythegr]

The post number 46 retiredgram mentioned:

 

 

 

The service is listed on the 3rd item right side of the page.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/boarding.pdf

 

This is apparently a generic boilerplate handout not specific to any individual cruise. The blurb says "new" but that Boarding Edition itself may have been around for quite a while.

 

Roy

 

Thanks I did see that post, just was curios if it was a new service or not. Will definitely use it this time around.

[caseythegr]

Yeah Laurie, it was offered on our cruise. We just didn't take advantage of it. I wished I would've though because lugging around a gym bag, and drinks, was no fun.

 

Guess we were in too much of a hurry to get to the R bar! Definitely use it this time around.

[Hydrokitty]

I just walked into the South Pacific Lounge towards the stage and a staff member approached me and gave me a littlebag check. The conditions were to pic the bags up by 12:50; rooms open at 1.

 

Have a great cruise, a very nice itinerary. I would love to have extended but I board the Konigsdam 1 month from today and need a little time at home.

 

Roy[/quote

Roy, is the bag check open to everyone or limited to cabin category or loyalty level? I read the compass and I'm still not sure because it doesn't say anything about restrictions but all of my trip experiences has had them.

Edited January 21, 2017 by Hydrokitty

[Cruisin'4Us]

Thank you for posting. We will be on Grandeur in April and are in the process of booking an independent excursion. We would like to be back on board in time for dinner. :)

 

Would you please tell me what time Early Seating is in the MDR (5:30, 6:00, 6:30)?

 

Thank you!

[Hydrokitty]

Thank you for posting. We will be on Grandeur in April and are in the process of booking an independent excursion. We would like to be back on board in time for dinner. :)

 

Would you please tell me what time Early Seating is in the MDR (5:30' date=' 6:00, 6:30)?

 

Thank you![/quote']

 

5:30 p.m. and we had no problem being back for dinner, although day we went to National Park it was close!! If your servers are Celia and Ivan tell them previous cruiser was raving about them. They were marvelous. There is one snag, if it's important to you. We didn't finish eating most nights until 7:15 to 7:30 p.m. which meant that the early evening show was impossible to make because people start going to theater around 6:30. We didn't care because we don't go to the shows anyway, but keep it in mind if it's important to you

Edited January 21, 2017 by Hydrokitty

[rafinmd]

I just walked into the South Pacific Lounge towards the stage and a staff member approached me and gave me a littlebag check. The conditions were to pic the bags up by 12:50; rooms open at 1.

 

Have a great cruise, a very nice itinerary. I would love to have extended but I board the Konigsdam 1 month from today and need a little time at home.

 

Roy[/quote

Roy, is the bag check open to everyone or limited to cabin category or loyalty level? I read the compass and I'm still not sure because it doesn't say anything about restrictions but all of my trip experiences has had them.

 

The guy didn't ask to see my card and I'm in an ordinary oceanview room.

 

Roy

[teacher2cruiser]

I'm enjoying your review and your blog. Do you think you might add the menu from the Specialty Coffee area? Thanks so much for sharing your cruise experience! We will be on the Grandeur for a nine night New England cruise in June.

[Hydrokitty]

 

The guy didn't ask to see my card and I'm in an ordinary oceanview room.

 

Roy

 

Thanks...good to know for next time.

[rafinmd]

I'm enjoying your review and your blog. Do you think you might add the menu from the Specialty Coffee area? Thanks so much for sharing your cruise experience! We will be on the Grandeur for a nine night New England cruise in June.

 

Is this the menu you're looking for?

 

 

If it is, I'll try to get a clearer copy.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

I was up soon after 5 and it was a good morning for walking, walking 14 laps on deck 5 before breakfast. We had a lovely sunrise just before 7. At that time we were the same latitude as Port Canaveral, about 250 miles off our port side.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/dawn0121.jpg

 

Breakfast was a combination of baked ham from the WJ and a fresh, hot English muffin at the Diamond Club. There were lots of activities in the morning but none of special interest to me and it was a pretty relaxing morning.

 

At noon I walked one more lap around deck 5. While the sign says “4 laps per mile” it says that on deck 10 as well and deck 5 is substantially longer. I think 15 laps is about 5 miles. At noon Captain Thor indicated we would have rain on Sunday. I guess today’s walk will be a one time event. As of noon we were as far north as St. Augustine.

 

Lunch was a 3-cheese Panini from Park Café. It was good but still not my “must do” lunch choice.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/panini.jpg

 

The afternoon was busy on the pool deck. The Sexiest Man contest was held while I was at lunch and the belly-flop contest at 1:30.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/bellyflop.jpg

 

Somewhat strangely, music performances are often not shown on the schedule of events. There’s a separate little box called “Music and Dancing” which I assumed was all evening activities but it had a set by the Rosario Strings at 3:30. I would call it “standards”, things like “Charades”, and a few people were dancing.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/rosario.jpg

 

There have been some changes to the menus. Tonight we had the Jasmine menu. I compared it with my Allure transatlantic and Prime Rib and Giant Shrimp have been replaced with Beef Striploin and Lobster Tails. It has also been reported that Lamb has been dropped. I haven’t seen it at dinner but it was on today’s lunch menu. At dinner tonight I went for the Peach Soup, Striploin, and Baked Alaska. The wait staff sang again tonight and were joined by the Galley staff.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/dishes21.jpg

 

The evening show was the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers with Tango Buenos Aires. Bobby said it was brand new but table mates reported seeing it last year.

 

https://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/tango.jpg

 

I did go up to the Schooner Bar for a while for Lora at the piano. I thought she was good but not one of the great ones. I did not stay up for the Quest.

 

As a parting shot I’m wondering how hard it can be to have a well working cruise line web site. I was curious about prices after noticing that the windows on deck 3 were bigger than mine and did a test booking for next year. I chose my date (4/26/18) and the published pricing was “from $675 per person”. I changed the party size to 1 and the price shot up to “from $3.061". Wow! But then at the bottom of the same page we had “Ocean view from $1,540". When I select Ocean View the price becomes “from $1,294 (taxes included) and finally a display with “Add $15" for deck 3. Confused yet? Well, Royal’s not alone in this; it seems most cruise lines are having difficulty keeping a coherent web site, right on up to Windstar and Crystal. Call me baffled.

 

Roy