Grandeur of the seas

[lajim1030]

February 1, 2006

We sailed on the GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS on 5 JAN 06 ,The ship was great and beautiful this was our twelfth cruise on RCCL,However thing are changing at RCCL It used to be that when you came on ship you were escorted to your cabins that been gone for a while now but now they only deliver your bags outside your cabin and not inside(please imagine 80 yr olds struggling with those bags).Another thing that has changed for the worse is the mattress’s they are terrible and very noisy. When we arrived at our table for dinner our new tablemates (1st time cruisers) asked when was lobster night and they were politely told by the waiter that on less than seven night cruises no lobster would be served (I remember when even on 3 night cruises on RCCL you were served lobster) but times they are changing and now if you want service and dining excellence you have to look to Holland America or Celebrity(which belongs to RCCL). What a shame. Thanks for listening

[Schasz]

They had lobster on our December 17, 2005 Grandeur cruise. I thought the service we received from our waiter and asst. waiter was very good. I did not have any problem with the bed in our cabin.

[jillybabes]

We were on the Grandeur on Jan 9th 5 nt cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel. We had lobster on the next to last night of the cruise and it was paired with shrimp. The matresses were very comfortable and the cabin was very nice. The crew was one of the friendliest that we have had. We will be sorry that the Grandeur is leaving Tampa but happy for New Orleans.:cool:

[wolfcathorse]

Troll alert. Lajim obviously hasn't cruised with RCI for a long time! As far back as June 2005 on Vision we had none of those special touches(?). I'm not blind or stupid, I can find my own cabin, I don't need an escort. I don't overpack so hauling my WHEELED luggage thru a door is no problem, no issues with the mattresses, no smells, no rowdy kids, no babies in diapers in the hot tubs. As for missing the lobster...well...I may miss the treat, but my doc will be glad I missed it!

[johnlcruise]

12cruises and first time poster.

Make you wonder.

Will I hope you had some fun :)

[Rala]

I agree that the OP has not cruised RCI for a veeeerrryy long time. We having been cruising with RCI fairly regularly (about once a year) for almost 10 years and never were escorted to our cabin and our bags were always left just outside the door.

 

I can't comment on the lobster thing because all of our cruises have been 7 nights or longer except for one that was quite recent.

 

It kind of reminds me of the old days when we had to walk to school uphill BOTH ways barefoot in the snow!!!

[Cam6959]

I was just wondering: both of my RCI cruises my bags were in my room by the time I came back from my adventures around the ship. So it's not normal for the bags to be put in your room?

[nrdsb4]

I've only been cruising since 2000, but on the five cruises I've taken (4 different lines), I've never had my bags delivered into my stateroom. They've always been outside the room (Carnival, Disney, HAL, RCI).

 

Sorry you were disappointed.

[decruisers]

We were on the Grandeur for a 4 night on 1/19 and loved the ship so much, we booked another cruise while on her. My husband and I went to our room around 4pm to freshen up prior to wandering around for dinner. I noticed that our bags were not outside the room, but we figured that would be the case, as we rarely have our bags in time for the 1st dinner (main seating). We opened our door and to my wonderful surprise, our bags had been placed in our room. That really wasn't a surprise, as we have found our bags in our room before, the surprise was having them in time for the 1st dinner. So, to the OP, I guess it depends on your room steward, as I am sure, that the steward places them in your room and not the luggage handlers.

[suitecruiser2]

We were on the Grandeur Jan. 28 thru Feb. 1 and we had Lobster on the last night of the cruise.

[kenf333]

They serve lobster on 5 night and longer cruises. We sailed in December and our luggage was placed in our room before muster drill, service was great.

[cheezwhiz]

Cruised RCCL 8 times always have our bags inside our stateroom

[truffles2]

Just got off Enchantment with the fastest service ever. Got off the plane at FLL at 11:00 and got immediately on the RCI transfer bus and went immediately to the ship where we immediately boarded. In the Windjammer eating a very nice buffet by noon. Bags IN ROOM by 2:00 PM! Wow! No wonder they were voted top ship two years in a row (2002 and 2003? I think)

[teajak]

We were on the Grandeur on Jan 28. We had lobster tail with shrimp. I asked our waiter if I could switch the shrimp for another lobster tail, he said no but he would bring me another if I wanted. When my plate arrived it had 2 good sized lobster tails, no shrimp, thanks. The only bad thing was they don't serve real melted butter. I don't know what it was but it was dark orange and sure had no butter taste, just oil. I settled for lemon alone and it was fine. Great waiter Attila,loved to tease us, which was fun.We liked the Grandeur so much we booked the repo cruise to SJ on April 29. The beds appeared hard when sitting on them but were very comfortable for sleeping. Crew was great, entertainment only so so. The ship was beautiful and I agree I can find my way to my room without an escort.

[unforgiven]

Sorry to hear about your last trip, wasn't what you was expecting. According to the post of the years some small details have been overlooked on some sailings. During our last cruise bags arrived very early and delivered inside our stateroom. I bet since your a little older and have trouble with the heavy bags if you called or flagged down your room steward he/she would have helped you or gotten someone to get your bags inside of your room.

[Nliedel]

I think it depends on your steward, in October, on the Mariner, my bags were in my room. I also know that when I sail on Sovereign there is no lobster on formal night, that I remember and I have sailed several times on her.

[deora24]

We were on the Grandeur for a 4 night on 1/19 and loved the ship so much, we booked another cruise while on her. My husband and I went to our room around 4pm to freshen up prior to wandering around for dinner. I noticed that our bags were not outside the room, but we figured that would be the case, as we rarely have our bags in time for the 1st dinner (main seating). We opened our door and to my wonderful surprise, our bags had been placed in our room. That really wasn't a surprise, as we have found our bags in our room before, the surprise was having them in time for the 1st dinner. So, to the OP, I guess it depends on your room steward, as I am sure, that the steward places them in your room and not the luggage handlers.

 

I was relieved to see your positive comments. We're on the Grandeur 3/30 for a 4-nighter...our very first. I've been very worried reading a variety of boards with negatives about this ship. We knew nothing about any cruise line...just booked this one because it was short, during my school break, from Tampa, and had a balcony. I was thinking we'd made a boo-boo. Would be interested to hear any other hints you might have.

[Nliedel]

Much of what people post, good and bad, tends to be about attitude. I was recently stuck in "The Parking Lot Nightmare", which consisted of 35 wonderful and kind people being abandoned by RCI for over 2 and a half hours in searing heat (and yes it was RCI's fault and they have stated so) during a boarding mess on The Mariner of the Seas. Not one of those people was threatening to sue (although a small gesture of goodwill on RCI's part would have been a kindness). These people were kind, generous in helping one another and have chalked it up to a funny bungle and a good story.

 

Others there, mostly small groups, all familial, have been screaming blue blazes on another forum about it. It was not personal in any way. It was, as all things are, what you make of it. One wag stated his entire vacation had been ruined. He, btw, waited in an air conditioned car while my compatriots were in the hot sun. The point I am trying to make is this, and no it's not that there is anything wrong with RCI. An experience is largely what you make of it. Good or ill, even in times of great sorrow. Do you learn or do you complain? Yes, sometimes things are horribly unfair and then you need to stand up and let your voice be heard. On occasion, however, the bleating over the insignificant (and no I am NOT stating the OP's experience was in any way insignificant) becomes so loud we all begin to believe the simplest honest mistake is deserving of a "free whatever"..

 

Is RCI as it was when I cruised them in the early 80's? No, no way, no how. It's not as personal, enchanting or privileged. It's more fun now, there are more people from all walks of life on board and the faces are of many colors and races. That's a good thing. The "help" does not treat me like I am a queen, but I am not a queen. I am a woman with four kids who wants to have someone make my bed for a week. If I want queenly treatment there are more expensive lines but I cannot afford them till I get these little Cheeto eaters out of college. If I am in anything but sackcloth after that.

[Lisa141]

My husband and I were on a 9 night cruise on Grandeur Oct 28, 2005. It was our first cruise and we LOVED it! We had a slight problem getting our bags but that was due to them upgrading us from a a balcony room to a junior suite, so our bags were delivered to the wrong room. Since we went to the wrong room as well, it was not that big of a deal! And the hassle was worth getting the upgrade!

There was definitely a night with Lobster and many other nights with seafood (too many for me :p ) but there were so many choices it was not an issue.

Teajack, we also had Attila and he was great. The dining room service was unbelievable.

We slept great on the ship. The bed was a little harder than I like but it did not effect my sleep one bit!

The ship is smaller and older than some but it still had a ton of things to do and we would certainly go back.

[decruisers]

I was relieved to see your positive comments. We're on the Grandeur 3/30 for a 4-nighter...our very first. I've been very worried reading a variety of boards with negatives about this ship. We knew nothing about any cruise line...just booked this one because it was short, during my school break, from Tampa, and had a balcony. I was thinking we'd made a boo-boo. Would be interested to hear any other hints you might have.

go to Roll call for 10-27-06 on the Grandeur. I gave a review to a fellow cruiser there. You will enjoy this ship. Have a blast!!

[decruisers]

My husband and I were on a 9 night cruise on Grandeur Oct 28, 2005. It was our first cruise and we LOVED it! We had a slight problem getting our bags but that was due to them upgrading us from a a balcony room to a junior suite, so our bags were delivered to the wrong room. Since we went to the wrong room as well, it was not that big of a deal! And the hassle was worth getting the upgrade!

There was definitely a night with Lobster and many other nights with seafood (too many for me :p ) but there were so many choices it was not an issue.

Teajack, we also had Attila and he was great. The dining room service was unbelievable.

We slept great on the ship. The bed was a little harder than I like but it did not effect my sleep one bit!

The ship is smaller and older than some but it still had a ton of things to do and we would certainly go back.

We are on this year's halloween cruise. Did the Grandeur do anything special for halloween??

[DFritz]

We were on the Grandeur on Jan 9th 5 nt cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel. We had lobster on the next to last night of the cruise and it was paired with shrimp. The matresses were very comfortable and the cabin was very nice. The crew was one of the friendliest that we have had. We will be sorry that the Grandeur is leaving Tampa but happy for New Orleans.:cool:

 

Jillybabes: Do you happen to have cruise compasses from your recent trip that you would be willing to share information from?

[mohendry]

I agree that the OP has not cruised RCI for a veeeerrryy long time. We having been cruising with RCI fairly regularly (about once a year) for almost 10 years and never were escorted to our cabin and our bags were always left just outside the door.

 

I can't comment on the lobster thing because all of our cruises have been 7 nights or longer except for one that was quite recent.

 

It kind of reminds me of the old days when we had to walk to school uphill BOTH ways barefoot in the snow!!!

 

 

My luggage has always been placed inside our cabin, never outside the door. We were just on the Radiance last week and our luggage was placed in our cabin.

[Rala]

I guess it depends on your cabin steward. Of course I am always looking for the luggage so I can get everything put away, so maybe I just grabbed it before somebody could put it in the cabin! My DH accuses me of making the bed when he gets up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. LOL!!!

[Kaluha and Cream]

How did the 80 year olds get their bags to the airport???? If they got their bags to the airport, the can certainly drag their bags into a room.:confused: