Just Back From Grandeur 11/20 - 12/03

[CruisinCouple]

Any questions? It was a great cruise. We missed Bermuda due to the weather but we got an extra day in St Martin. Our CD was Jill Tasker. She was ok but did not impress me much. We have had much better.

[grandsix]

How was the Food, Service & Entertainment?. Was the Assistant CD any good?. What bands are playing in the lounges. Did you get to the Disco?

thanks

[CruisinCouple]

The food and service was excellent. We had no problems with that. The internet cafe was down for the first week. Once it was fixed we had one day free use. Then the next day they started charging again. The entertainment was very good. Several comedians and singers. They had 3 of the RCL shows. Two of them we had seen before and were very good. They had a new one that they said had just come out and we did not care to much for it. I do not rember the name of the show. As for the bands we had our 3 year old so we did not get to the lounges to much for bands. However in the one lounge we went to a trivia contest and the rock band was playing and they were very good, but they stated they were leaving with us when the cruise ended and that another band would be coming aboard. They do not have an assistant cruise director or did not call her that. Her title was activities director. Her name was "JACKPOT JEN" she was the bingo queen. She was excellent but the CD was average to below average. Not really energetic about anything. She went through the motions. The adventure ocean staff was awsome. They really do a great job up there.

[PSCruiser]

Hi Allen - I'm assuming this is Allen with son Carter?

Anyway, we were also on this cruise and had a fantastic time, so I'll throw in some comments. I agree with Allen, I thought CD Jill was below average - by the last show I could not stand to hear her voice during the intros - she did each one identically, she is not an ad-libber. Asst. CD? Jen appears to have great potential as a future CD. The captain onboard was a temp for the vacationing regular captain, and seemed to be very serious, but I understand he is very good to the crew and is well liked by them.

I thought the food was outstanding. Head chef is Indian, and curries etc. were often available, especially in the Windjammer. Our tablemates thought the food was too exotic, but I love the ethinic choices- steak etc, is always available as an alternative. Service was great in all departments. Sorry to have missed bermuda, but what can you do. Rented a car in St. Maarten - jewelry city!, but once you get away from the tourist areas, much poverty. Curacao was a Sunday, and most of town shopping closed. Rented a jeep in Aruba, highly recommend this, there are some interesting drives. Loved Grand Cayman and the Stingray/Snorkel we did with Nativeway. Costa Maya - Mexico's newest tourist trap! So sorry we didn't do an excursion, as we hated the port area, however others told us they loved it - to each his own.

Entertainment - thought most of the shows were great, they dig up some great acts. The 3 production shows were Broadway theme, Jive theme, and Romance theme, which I think was the new one. All were worth seeing. The house rock band was good, but tended toward more recent stuff, I would like to have heard more oldies. Didn't hang much in the piano bar, but from what I saw the piano players were way below average, and never seemed to gather a crowd, even though it would be packed for trivia, etc. Karaoke was a big draw in the lounge, and there was some great talent onboard. Late nights in the disco lounge were mixed - some nights, like when they did the "Village People" were packed and a blast, others were dead.

Lastly, wanted to mention that this cruise had a very active group from meet and mingle, and it was just great to know so many people onboard. Highly recommend doing this.

[wolfcathorse]

The captain onboard was a temp for the vacationing regular captain, and seemed to be very serious, but I understand he is very good to the crew and is well liked by them.

 

Each ship has 2 masters, both fully in charge when they sail, so there really isn't a "regular" captain and a "temp" captain; just 2 captains that relieve each other. Which leads to my real question; I maintain the thread called Current Captains and I don't know who the reliever is. The last info I had for the chart was Capt Haaken Admarker commanding as of 9-25-05. Who was the captain on your cruise?

[CruisinCouple]

Sven Stienmoen probably not spelled right!

[kenf333]

Wife, myself and two boys 7/10 are sailing 12/22. GS 8008. Do you have any photos of ship.

Thanks

Ken

[sj25]

Oh please give me all the ins and outs of this ship...we're going 3/06/06

We had to take this time of the year because of my daughter going to college and it's her senior cruise for her like we did our son..anyways...we did this short notice..just booked and ended up with a Grand Suite ..sure hope we like it...We've only been on the Mariner with a PR and a balcony.

Do you think the ship had enough to do?

Was this a 5 day or 7 day out of tampa?

if so did you stay pre cruise?

I am happy to hear you liked the food...was the diningroom 2 floors?

Have any pictures from inside the boat...just so anxious once again to cruise.

[cruiselovers]

We are going back on this beautiful ship 12/22 also...We sailed on her in 2000 and had a great time..here is a link with great photos of Grandeur

 

http://yuyi64.photosite.com/Grandeur2004/

[BLUEICE]

My family and I (DH and DD (10)) are also booked on the Grandeur in April 06.

 

I understand that you can fly into Tampa airport but there is also another airport in the area. Which one did you fly in and out of (assuming you had to fly - did not notice if you were a FL resident).

 

Anyway, how did you find the motion on the ship. We have only sailed on Voyager class ships and I am a little concerned that motion might bother DD although on the Mariner she was fine.

 

Any recommendations as to what to do in Costa Maya?

 

Sounds like you had a good cruise and thanks for sharing your info with us.

[kruisecat]

My family and I (DH and DD (10)) are also booked on the Grandeur in April 06.

 

I understand that you can fly into Tampa airport but there is also another airport in the area. Which one did you fly in and out of (assuming you had to fly - did not notice if you were a FL resident).

 

Anyway, how did you find the motion on the ship. We have only sailed on Voyager class ships and I am a little concerned that motion might bother DD although on the Mariner she was fine.

 

Any recommendations as to what to do in Costa Maya?

 

Sounds like you had a good cruise and thanks for sharing your info with us.

 

I live in the Tampa area and there is another smaller airport here. It is the St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport. I know that there are not a lot of carriers that use this airport but it is also convenient to the port. Probably adds another 15 minutes or so onto the trip.

 

We're booked on Granduer in Feb and am looking forward to not needing to fly or drive any signinficant amount! What a treat to be at the port in 45 minutes!:D

[PSCruiser]

This was our 2nd cruise on the Grandeur, and we think its a beautiful and elegant ship, and in pretty good shape for a ten-year old. The cruise was actually the 13 day repo from Baltimore.

Some assorted answers:

Yes, the dining room is a 2 levels. The seas were high enough (8-13 feet at max) that we had to scrap entry into the Bermuda harbor, but ship movement was minimal and I saw no one seasick.

Costa Maya - people I've talked to enjoyed the excursion to ruins about an hour bus ride away. Also, a $3 taxi ride gets you to the nearby village, which has a beach, and also you can get boats there that will take you to snorkeling. There is a beach right at the pier, but you can't swim! Also a saltwater pool, but didn't look clear like those on the ship.

I thought there was plenty to do on the ship - the rock wall was available most of the time (did it 4 times) , the Solarium was our favorite hangout, and no problem getting chairs. Usual evening was dinner, nap, main show, casino, lounge show or schooner bar, Viking Crown disco, cheese plate from room service, in bed by 1. Main problem was fitting in enough sleep!

Grand Suite - didn't see but attended a party in RS, and very nice, so assume the GS will be also.

Tampa - only on the back end, since this was a repo. However, I thought the Tampa port was well organinzed, and easy to get ground transportation. We stayed one night after the cruise, and I realized that a 1 day car rental was just as cheap as a limo. If you rent from National (and I assume others), from the airport location, they will pick you up at the port. Then, you return to the ariport, easy as can be! We stayed at a place called the Sailpoint Resort. Good price, big suite, no complaints - only thing don't expect resort hotel atmosphere, its more like residential condos. Spent our extra day with a short drive to Tarpon Springs - this is touristy town, but cute - center for the sponge diving industry, mostly Greek. This place is paradise if you like Greek food!

[sj25]

Thanks for all the answers....

Did they have putting green?

did you like the cruise director and captain?

Was the shows nice?

I am really looking forward to this...

Try not to think of to many questions...I just know this site really help me on my first cruise on RCCI last Oct. on the Mariner.

Did they have the ice cream at the pool?

Is there many shops on board?

[PSCruiser]

Putting green - no golf at all

CD- her name was Jill, she was English, only on a short time, found her below average, but that's just my opinion. Thought the real energy was with "Jackpot" Jen, the asst.

Captain - only spoke with him briefly, he is rather quiet (can't remember his name), but he was relieving the other captain for only a short period. When asked about the dent in the ship, etc., he would always say - "I didn't do it!"

Went to all 13 shows, and there was not one I was sorry about - some of the best: comedian Max, comedian John Joseph, El Gaucho (a unique act). There were others but I forget the names.

Don't know about ice cream.

Shops, jewelry, liquor, clothing, RC items - that's about it.

[MariTenor1]

Hi...also just off Grandeur (Hi Bill!)

 

Captain was Sven Steinmoen. This is actually the 3rd time we've had him. He was also on Grandeur last June. He did keep us well informed in regard to Bermuda and the addition of the extra day in St. Maarten.

 

Ice cream was available in the Windjammer during the afternoon snack period (3-5). I didn't notice it any other time.

 

Staff every friendly. CD was so-so. Unfortunately, she totally ruined Quest for us. She just rushed right through it as if it was a big bother.

 

Our first time sailing into Tampa. We were pleased with the port and ease of transportation to the airport to pick up rental car. We used Avis, but I noticed buses for National/Alamo and Dollar as well.

[marthatravels]

This is our first trip on RCCL and Grandeur of the Seas 12/26 Tampa departure - so we have a few questions: My nephew wants to know whether they show any current movies on board? My niece wants to know if anyone used an internet hookup in room and how was it? How about the wine, etc situation... on Celebrity we were able to bring our own wine on board and were just charged a corkage fee at dinner...sounds as though everyone generally agrees that the boat is very nice...thanks for your help.

[sj25]

Thanks for all the answers really appreciate it...

Did you have a nice waiter? Did you have ealry or late seating?

Did you have bingo?

I loved the quest on the Mariner with Ken he was a blast!

Couldn't believe he even took his pants off and ran around in his boxers with the other guys!

He is going to the Freedom to start it up.

Does your capitain talk to you every day over the intercom?

Is the port easy to get to do you think in tampa?

I will be driving in and also need to find a place...

[sj25]

We are going back on this beautiful ship 12/22 also...We sailed on her in 2000 and had a great time..here is a link with great photos of Grandeur

 

http://yuyi64.photosite.com/Grandeur2004/

 

I loved the pictures and got me really excited about it...now question is what ports did you do during these pictures??

 

Well you will have to let me know how you liked it also now in Dec...if it was still up to you liked before.

what room do you have...if you some how could get a pictures of a grand suite...would love to see...that is what we're going to have on the 8th floor.

Before how many days was your cruise?

[sj25]

We are going back on this beautiful ship 12/22 also...We sailed on her in 2000 and had a great time..here is a link with great photos of Grandeur

 

http://yuyi64.photosite.com/Grandeur2004/

 

I really liked your pictures...how many days was this cruise when you did it...also what ports did you go to?

 

Have to let us know if you thought the same after this one in Dec that you take...so are you going to be on it for Christmas?

Have to let me know if they had lobster night? I was told on 5 day cruise they don't have it..

 

If you get a chance and can get any pictures of a grand suite would love to see them..we're going to have one on the 8th floor...we just felt do that because we couldn't get 2 inside cheap rooms n/a so suites we're the only thing left....see we was really going to cruise in Dec 06 but decided it wasn't going to work for my daughter in college.

So was my first time to make a quick change and leave in less then 90 days away.

Will you stay in tampa the night before...if so let me know where you stay...I am looking for somewhere to park that lets you park your car there while your gone and will shuttle you over to the port.'

[sj25]

I noticed the first one did go through didn't think it did I was having computer trouble....

[cruiselovers]

I found the photos under the Photos Board on this web site...not mine, but they are great.

 

I noticed RCCL changed the itinerary a little on the Dec 22nd sailing. I thought we were in Cozumel until 1:00 am, but now the RCCL web site says 2 days at Sea and 1 Day in Cozumel until 7:00 pm...can anyone else confirm who has been on this 4 day cruise recently?

 

thanks:) :)

[PSCruiser]

Assorted Answers:

 

Movies - yes, on in-room TV. Movies were similar in recentness to what's showing on the airlines. Didn't watch much but seemed to have around 3 movie channels, with a new movie added per day.

Internet - The Intenet Cafe was closed for a day or so, and my understanding is that it was for the installation of wireless access, so it should be working, but don't know how it is.

Wine - No problem bringing on alcohol in Baltimore, but I think there is no longer any mechanism for serving your own wine in the dining room, as all non-ship wine/liquor is now "under the table". Also, liquor can no longer be bought on the ship for in-room use.

Waiters - all staff (Head waiter, waiter, asst, waiter, room steward) were just great. We were early seating.

Bingo - played once, they have it almost every day. Cost was about $25. On our cruise they had a special session with a 7-day cruise prize, and a progressive jackpot, which wasn't won till the last session and was over $6000. At that time Jackpot Jen became just plain Jen.

Quest - as Marilyn (Hi Marilyn!), said Quest was not the greatest with Jill, but still entertaining.

Port of Tampa - don't know since we just took a rental car shuttle out of there. The port is part of an entertainment/restaurant complex called Channelside, and the port building is right next to the Florida Aquarium. Bet that the port, or Chennelside has a website.

Lobster - wasn't that great anyway (we had it twice on the 13-day cruise), so you really shoudn't worry about it.