I love older and smaller ships and old fashioned traditional cruising without waterparks, 100's of kids , crowds and 4000-5000 other people vying for the same activities, food lines etc . Grandeur needs to be marketed as an adults only ship similar to Virgin voyages ships.
Have sailed on Lady G numerous times and absolutely loved it. We are in our 70's and do not want to sail on an amusement park. I believe what makes a cruise special is the crew and the crew of The Lady G has consistently been one of the top rated in the fleet.
speaking of the crew, (i am only 11) i went on this ship recently, and i loved it. it had unlimited ice cream, and really nice staff. one of the staff's name was Eugene, he was my waiter for most of the cruise and he was super nice. we even took a picture with him which we never do with waiters. he gave us things to do while we waited for food, like games, and other things like magic tricks to entertain us. i loved it.
Been on this ship around three times. It comes down to great deals vs more amenities. If you want a chilled environment with great service this is the ship for you. It was older but not that bad :) Adjust your expectations and you may be surprised. 😊
We just took our first cruise on Grandure and we were absolutely stunned at what fantastic value for money she was, and even better than that was the crew, they were an amazing group of people. Ok so this was our first cruise so we had nothing to benchmark Grandeur against except ferries, but I’m still in awe at our trip, yes there are a couple of rust spots, however after 25 years in salt water she’s in great condition. All I can say is if you want a great short break, on a ship that’s not a shopping mall that looks like an amusement park, this is for you, plenty of space, awesome crew, great food, bar prices that are cheaper than downtown Tampa, I can’t say enough and can’t wait to go again. Tampa, Nassau, Coco Cay, thank you Grandeur.
I am booked on the Vision in February. No bells and whistles. Not insanely huge with 8000 passengers. And I can't wait. No crowds. Not many kids. Just a ship, some ports of call, and RELAXING. Bigger and newer isn't always better. Those reviews illustrated all comes back to one thing. People not doing their research for what it is they are looking for. Being catfished by saying it doesn't have flowriders, etc and then calling it a bad ship is rather unfair.
We loved vision. Did 9 nights to Panama and Columbia and Aruba. It was amazing! We had the aft corner JS and loved relaxing on the spacious balcony and seeing the back and side of the ship at the same time. Enough room on balcony for 6 people at least. Loved have very little kids on the ship as well!!!
As an older (60) disabled veteran, solo cruiser, for a destress only type cruise this sounds perfect!!! I've sailed up to Oasis class ships and have loved them all! I'm going to look into Grandeur for a cruise now! Thanks for the really informative vlog!!!
I have sailed on the Grandeur many time and loved it. Anyone who says they were catfished they did not do their homework and researched the ship prior to booking.
Thank you for your service! Im also a disabled veteran and love sailing solo! I'll be 60 this year! I agree sailing is a way to get away and just relax.
My family and I just got down from the Grandeur of the Seas early October 2023. It was my kids first cruise and we had an amazing time. The service and the staff are top of the line. And the food was absolutely wonderful.
@@Paterson340if you bothered to watch the video it was very complimentary and favorable to Grandeur of the Seas and she wouldn’t hesitate to book on her again. Watch the video as the title and thumbnail are very misleading.
Grandeur of the Seas holds a special place in my heart because it was my first cruise. We did a 7 day to Bermuda and Bahamas out of Baltimore and my husband and I loved it. It's true there's not much to do on board, so you wouldn't want to take kids, but we just wanted to relax and enjoy our destinations, and we got to do that. We love Grandeur and are glad they didn't sell it
I was on Grandeur over the summer with my family and we all had a blast. The ship is honestly in better condition than alot of carnival ships that are even 15 years newer. I really thought the staff was fantastic on this ship when I went on it which was probably what made it such a fun time.
Just before the pandemic my wife and I did a 7 or 10 night cruise on Grandeur, Baltimore to Miami and enjoyed it very much. We sail a lot on Celebrity Solstice class and Millennium class ships and the Quantum and Oasis class ships with RCI and find them very enjoyable but they are big and somewhat crowded. So the older, smaller ships can be a nice change from time to time. As to the condition of Grandeur we noticed no major issues and would happily sail on her again. Service and food quality were great.
My husband and I did a 9 night cruise on Grandeur for our honeymoon 6 years ago and had an amazing time, so Lady G will always hold a special place in my heart. Having said that, though, I wish RCCL would invest more money into refurbishing and refreshing their older ships. Not all of us want the mega ships. The beauty of the smaller ships is lower crowds and the ability to dock at ports that the mega ships cannot fit. The smaller ships need to be shown some more TLC!
We really liked the Sovereign class, Sovereign of the Seas was awesome. Whirpool on back of the ship, Wood, Brass & Glass everywhere. Cute Champagne bars, etc..
My stepson and his new bride are sailing over New Year’s end of this month. I’ve done the research and they are excited about the ‘classic’ ship design. The wanted cozy and romantic, not a mega ship and their itinerary is amazing. They love ballroom dancing - looking forward to dancing and other entertainment-- I wish we were going with them. 😂😂
@@aidenforster5892then you’re a kid…? I’m 20 and I still don’t complain about “children” 💀🤣 just learn to enjoy shi bro, makes you sound like a old ass man.
Being that we prefer to sail almost exclusively out of Baltimore, we've sailed on Grandeur & Enchantment several times, and Vision in just 16 days. We don't want bells & whistles, but LOVE the windowed Centrum for sitting with friends with a coffee or drink in hand. There are many like us who wish RC would put some money in some new small ships!! It's a shame they just ignore the need for smaller ships; considering the rate they are building the huge behemoths they've contracted. Smaller ships can go to some of the more interesting ports.
any tips re cruising from Baltimore? good itinerary? bad? live locally and eyeing up both short "date" and family trip with teenage boys....no airfare expense is very attractive!
A very fair review by Allie in my opinion. We sailed on the Grandeur on August 19, 2023 out of Tampa. We've been on her and several of her sister ships over the years. We like this size ship and sail on it because of what it doesn't have, like a wave rider, water park or ice rink. One of the nice things about cruising on a diverse line like RCCL is they have ships for all ages and types of people. This past cruise was number 71 on Royal and at 74 years young with careers, children and house payments behind us we are looking to cruise our way. We enjoy the smaller size, fewer cruisers, the Centrum and a more relaxed atmosphere and crew/staff. I recently wrote to the CEO of Royal asking for some new smaller venues and if that's not possible keep the current smaller ships. The current Vision Class ships are due for major dry docks and upgrades which I hope Royal will do. Great topic. Bill
Sailed on the Vision this summer and it looks almost identical to the Grandeur. As someone in their early twenties who hasn't been on a cruise for over a decade, I genuinely had a blast on board! Loved the Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme and Boogie Wonderland shows, 70's disco party, morning zumba, and all the talented musicians. Crew members were attentive, especially in the main dining room, and the specialty dining options like Giovanni's and Chop's Grille didn't disappoint. The intimate environment of the smaller ship made it easy to find friends too. It helped that I went dancing every night in the Viking Crown Lounge...
We love Grandeur of the Seas! We’ve sailed it more often than any other Royal Caribbean cruise ship. It’s small and intimate. We we like that. The crew is super friendly. Your report exactly matches our experiences on this wonderful ship.
My wife and I enjoyed 35 days on Grandeur of the Seas last year and look forward to cruising on her again in the near future. We have never met a Royal Caribbean ship we didn’t love.
I did a refit of the Grandeur in Cadiz Spain in 2012😊. We did flooring and tile work in restaurants.Did the same on the Mariner of the seas in Cadiz in 2018. Hello from British Columbia.
My wife and I just sailed on the Grandeur of the Seas in September and we loved it! It wasn't crowded, there was actually some style in the decor, and most importantly, lots of views of the sea. I feel like the larger ships don't have as many views of the water.
I enjoyed my cruises on Grandeur and the other "small" ships. I don't need to be constantly entertained. It's great to relax, read, and look at the water. There's always something to do. It's easy to get around. Being with fewer passengers allowed me to get to know the other passengers better.
I really appreciate this review of this ship, we have a cruise scheduled in February on Grandeur and was a bit skeptical because of it's age. We sailed on Brilliance in 22 and loved it. The lack of amenities that the newer ships have don't bother us mainly because they DO draw a larger and younger crowd. I'll post again after the trip and give you MY opinion. Keep up the great work you do with the blog!!
I’m booked to Sail in April on the GOS and I was a little concerned after reading some of the reviews. I got a great price and didn’t care about large water slides so I booked. I do care about entertainment so I was crossing my fingers. This vlog really really helped me. I feel more at ease and excited about what my husband and I will experience being new to cruising. I’ve been on one cruise 20 years ago and my husband has never cruised before. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll try to report back 😊
We just booked a 9 night cruise on the Grandeur of the Seas for March 2025, first time cruisers. The title "Worst ever cruise" had me worried for a minute, the review seemed honest and ended up with a pleasant review. Thanks for the reassurance.
I would kindly suggest you consider another cruise. I've sailed on her twice and didn't like either time. The entertainment was geared toward a senior crowd (and i mean 80-90-100 years old!), there were world war veteran's on the cruise. It may not be too bad for you being a first time cruiser but I wouldst want to spend 9 days on this ship.
I actually cruised on Grandeur of the Seas in 2013 when it caught fire in the middle of the night on Memorial Day so I have a lot of memories with Grandeur. I will say for as cursed as that cruise was, the crew was nothing short of amazing. The people who led the muster stations were great about communication and went above and beyond to be helpful. I started my period literally in the middle of the fire, and they raided the gift shop to give me the products I desperately needed. And of course the crew who fought the fire were heroic. They came up covered in soot and fought the fire for hours. All that to say to me great service and a great experience makes a great cruise. I also much prefer a more relaxing environment than one with more to do but overflowing with people. So I have a soft spot for the smaller and older ships. That said, given my history not sure I'd go back on Grandeur. Seems like tempting fate too much!
Enjoyed a 7 night cruise on Grandeur this past August and enjoyed every minute of it. I really appreciated the smaller crowd, fewer kids and even though there aren't a lot of activities on board, I read a couple of books in different parts of the ship with great views. I would definitely book again.
7nts on Grandeur last month (sept '23). Loved the ship/staff/service/food. Vision and Radiance class seems to give me more of the "cruising" feel. Anything bigger than Freedom class, well, to me feels more like a theme park or Mall of America experience!
This was the very first ship on which I sailed 20+ years ago, and I've repeated that experience numerous times since, including a sailing within the past year. Is she a bit long in the tooth? Absolutely! Does she sport water parks, water slides, iFly, a surf simulator, etc.? Absolutely not! But she still has a good deal of character and I think she still has some life left in her. Sailing on the Grandeur is pretty much forced relaxation, and what many say about the smaller ships is, in my opinion, true when it comes to the crew. Since you encounter the same crew members repeatedly throughout the cruise you come to know them a bit, and they come to know you. It fosters a more intimate experience than I get on larger (think Quantum and Oasis Class) ships. I still enjoy cruising on larger ships, but if variety is truly the spice of life, the Grandeur offers it in abundance. Plus, because of her size she can dock at my favorite port - Key West!
I rarely go on the older, smaller ships, but I have and I've enjoyed them. I really prefer larger, newer ships, but I do love the ostentatious way the old ships are decorated.
When i was a teen in the 00s, the only fun thing we had on a cruise was shuffleboard and a basketball court that closed at sunset. The internet was in the librar, but you had to pay per hour. No mini golf, waterslides, floerider, ect. I remember playing a lot of card games with friends i met. Its amazing all the things cruise ships have now.
Grandeur of the seas was my first Royal Caribbean cruise back in 2004 and I’ve been cruising royal ever since. The services and experience were awesome. ✅
We love the Grandeur of the Seas and all of the Vision Class ships. Small, fun, easy to navigate and get from place-to-place. Our last cruise was on Serenade of the Seas - a Radiance class ship - which just seemed like a slightly larger version of the Vision class. And, I actually preferred the smaller ships. It seemed to me on the Serenade that they were understaffed - which may help explain why there were long lines at the bars. Thanks for the review.
Completely agree with the last opinion shared on the video. If you find a vision class ship with a great itinerary, book it! I recently got off a Mediterranean cruise last month on Enchantment. 7 night itinerary, 6 destinations (turned to 5 destinations due to a last minute cancellation) only 2 full sea days. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this cruise more than my 7 night cruise on Odyssey of the Seas. Sure Odyssey has more to do ship wise, but not having to wait forever to get an elevator, less packed venues, less packed bars, and no reservations required for shows, overall gave me a much more relaxing itinerary. Would 1000% book Enchantment again if it offered a great itinerary, even though its not the nicest looking ship because honestly I had a better, more relaxing time.
Grandeur was our first cruise and we loved it. We still have a soft spot for her though we recognize she could use a bit of love. Enchantment is the only Royal Caribbean ship we would NOT consider sailing on again.
@@jimloth6091 our last two cruises on Enchantment had strong smells of sewage in many of the common areas and in the cabins on the lower decks. Several hallways had wet carpet, it was quite a problem for the maintenance crew; they were working hard on it without much success. The plumbing seems inadequate for the number of passengers and crew. Maybe lengthening the ship caused the challenge.
We did a 6 day cruise on Grandeur in April! We loved it. The ship is older and it shows but the staff was absolutely amazing! The food was great! It was very relaxing! It was the best cruise we’ve done. We have done 10 RC cruises.
I love the Grandeur. I sailed on her in october 2019 when i found out about the move and really took in the ship and fell in love. I can't stand big ships myself and lady G was perfect. She felt new with little specs of classic ship feel sprinkled in just the right places. The gimmicks and activities on mega ships never get me. I love enjoying a nice meal in a lovely dining room then walking on deck with a cigar in a nice suit. Grandeur helps me imagine what it might have been like on an old liner and since I'll never really know it's nice to imagine. Something i couldn't do on a mega ship. I was so overjoyed to hear she wasn't leaving and hope she is around for a long time.
Sailing on Grandeur this weekend and very excited to experience an older ship. Don't need all those bells and whistles...just a nice relaxing trip in a more classic style. Can't wait!
We sailed on the Grandeur of the Seas in late August, and we loved it!!!! We don't need all the bells and whistles, and I loved not having to fight for a pool chair. The staff was great and so were the ports. Yes, it's an older cruise ship, but it definitely has heart! It's Royal Caribbean, so you can't go wrong!
I was on Grandeur of the Seas last October. I’m a Diamond member, and I loved it! No complaints about the food, service, or condition of the ship. It was a wonderful cruise!
Just off Grandeur (sept 2nd-9th) we had 3 cabins for our party of 6, loved it. Yes its a bit tired at the edges, but apart from that it was great. To expect the glitz of the big ships is unfair, you know what you are booking when you book it. Id be happy yo travel on her again.
Grandeur was our first royal cruise, which we took this past July. It was not too bad because we were on an itinerary we had already gone to so we just wanted to enjoy and relax. My son came with/ & they don’t have a lot of things for the teens to do, but he made friends during the teen meet & greet so he ultimately enjoyed himself along with a few excursions we took. That being said, the ship is a little old & I feel there are a few things Royal can do to update at low cost. What made our experience great was the service, the food and each other. We wanted to spend time with one another & this was our first cruise experience since the cancel of our cruises in 2020. So overall, we were so happy that we booked on Wonder coming up next year. Can’t wait to see and experience their newer ship line.
Our first cruise was on Grandeur last October, so we don't have anything to really compare too but we had a great time. The ship is older, but we had a Junior Suite and the room was very comfortable and nice. The staff was great and the waiters in the main dining room were exceptional. Our small group was pretty outgoing, and the waiters jumped right in and gave back as much as we dished out making diner a show in itself. I am sure there is less to do on this ship than the newer larger ships but we found plenty to do and had a great time. There was no issue getting seating in the shows or finding a place to sit and enjoy the music. You could also find plenty of places to go and just relax. I would definitely go on this ship again.
Fantastic review. I appreciate the objectivity. The wife and I sailed Rhapsody about a year ago and it was very much the intimate cruise. We enjoyed the hectic days in port and the quiet times on board; feet up ... sipping a Caramel Latte near the Café Latte-tudes overlooking the Centrum. Plus the specialty restaurants were great.
We did a 12 night repositioning cruise on Grandeur in 2022, and loved it. The service was top notch and none of the venues ever felt crowded. Had we gone with our kids, we probably would have been disappointed, but since we were hoping for a quieter, relaxed time, we were quite happy. It's definitely less of a family ship then the bigger ones. I will say we had to send some food back to the kitchen on the 1st night of the cruise, which I've never done on a RC ship before. I wouldn't mind at all cruising on the Grandmother of the Seas again, but I know what to expect.
We sailed on Grandeur several years ago to Bermuda from Baltimore. It was a 9 night cruise and we were in a junior suite. The itinerary was great, but we experienced poor service and food quality in the MDR (it was obvious that our waiter and assistant were not getting along). We were celebrating our anniversary and not traveling with our children and noticed kids playing in the stairwells, etc., which made us comment that we’d never take our kids on that ship. This summer we sailed on Enchantment and it was probably our favorite cruise experience. The staff was amazing and so happy that it sold us back on this class of ship.
I sailed her about 10yrs ago and she was in great condition. A good fit for those who don’t want to pay for bells and whistles they’ll never use (I don’t need slides). I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and the service was very good. A nice bargain for those looking for a quick, inexpensive getaway.
I did a quick 4 day cruise on Grandeur of the Seas out of Galvestion last October and it was a great cruise. A cruise is what you make of it. I enjoy an older style of cruising though and don't do the zip lines, water slides, roller coasters, or other wild things. Crew was great and I really didn't notice anything wrong with the condition.
We LOVE Grandeur! She's small, but that's what I loved. The crew was amazing and we loved the entertainment. I think it's a great ship for those who want smaller crowds andca more relaxing cruise. I can't wait to sail on Grandeur again someday
We love the older ships. Have been on Oasis and Allure. Much prefer Brilliance, Enchantment, Navigator, etc. Older and smaller is much more comfortable for us.
My family sailed on Grandure in Oct 2022 … it was our first sailing with our 2 yr old and we had a blast!! Our little one found friends at the pool and it was a great adventure for her. We were able to take her to the nursery one night so my wife and I could have a date night. The ship was short staffed but this was due to it being post covid. Also the US and Texas had just lifted its vaccine mandates for cruises so I am sure getting the ship staffed was a challenge. All in all yes it was an old ship … yes she showed her age but none of it deterred us from having a great time!! I agree with all that was said on this review and would emphasize you do not want many sea says on h to is ship as there is little to do onboard compared to newer ships.
I couldn't agree more with your review. We sailed in September, 7 nights and really enjoyed the trip. One additional comment I have: the staff was A1 fantastic!
This actually sounds like my kind of cruise. I prefer the “smaller” ships. I spent years cruising on the Monarch of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas. I don’t need all the bells and whistles. I’m happy there’s still a few of these older ships around.
I loved Grandeur! We love relaxing, so worth no bells and whistles, we were able to do just that. Didn't have to worry about seeing everything on the ship. Maybe a little shine here and there would be good, but we truly enjoyed the cruise.
I worked on Granduer of the seas and it was a great experience. I would recommend couples and old age people to broad because we don't have as much activities on board but we make sure every guest safe and we give good customer service. SEE YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR GODS WELL THANK YOU
We've sailed on Grandeur at least a half dozen times. We love that little ship and she actually has a large following. If you're not looking for all the hyped-up extras and just want to relax, this is the ship for you. You obviously can't compare this little gem to the newer larger ships because it's just not the same. Truth be told, we had better service and better dining on the Grandeur then on our recent Symphony of the Seas experience. Plus, she's easier to navigate and less crowded.
I enjoyed my August 2022 cruise on Grandeur. Just like this video says, it's a slower paced trip than the larger ships, but every ship, including Grandeur, has its charms. In the case of Grandeur, it was a relaxing voyage in a ship that is easy and quick to navigate. The decor is dated, but still tasteful and comfortable. I really like the oversized seats in the main theater and the forward looking view in the Windjammer. For anyone considering this ship, I'd emphasize that she doesn't have many of the gee wiz features that set Royal Caribbean apart. What she has is nice and in good shape. It is best for a port intensive itinerary.
My and I are sailing on the Grandeur next May out of Tampa. We first sailed on her almost 20 years ago in in July 2004 and several times since then. She is by far my favorite ship. I am so much looking forward to this cruise she is my favorite! In three weeks we are sailing on Liberty OTS and I am already looking past this cruise to the Grandeur in May! She is not perfect but not far from it!
We love smaller ships, even when we have done all the Oasis class. In between we did Freedom and we had done many of the smaller ships before, and they are great .
Wondering what will happen when all of these older ships are retired. How will RCCL be able to service the smaller ports? Tampa as an example can’t accommodate the larger ships. I believe Baltimore is in a similar situation.
Was on the Oasis last month and we pulled into port next to the Grandeur at Coco Cay. it was tiny in comparison to the Oasis. Already booked for the Symphony next fall 2024.
while my comments are 3 months after this blog....we were on grandeur last feb. 2022. we did an interior room for first time just to try it. while it is true the room is smaller (and we will never do an interior again), the amenities fewer and the ship smaller, i have many + and some - to share.... what entertainment there was was great, staff in dining room were experienced, friendly and excellent, other staff such as bar tenders, next cruise, "help desk", coffee kiosk, really all staff were excellent. the only one that was not was our cabin steward and to be kind, the impression was that he was new and learning the job and he tried very hard. the cabin was not that clean. the major problem was the maintenance of the ship...the aft pool and whirlpool had paint peeled off the walls, out side railings has varnish worn off and bare wood faded. it looked as if the ship had not had regular maintenance. our impression was that since it was 10 years since major work (revitalization, ot enhancement), that rcl was going to sell/retire this ship
I said on Granduer of the Seas in May of this year and it wasn’t a bad experience at all. It’s definitely geared towards the older crowds because there wasn’t a lot of tricks and ponies like the newer ships. However the service was spectacular and similar if not the same as the newer ships !
My wife and I loved the Grandeur and we have sailed on two Oasis class ships. We are in the MDR every night and for the most part we enjoyed the meals. We did have internet connection problems in our stateroom. We would definitely cruise on her again. Our next cruise is actually on the Vision OTS. So we will see how that goes
We done a similar cruise on Celebrity Equinox a couple of years ago and your review could be ours. Whilst the ship was older and lacked a LOT of the Edge class luxury, it still had a charm all of its own and the staff were all so lovely too. Can honestly say we never met one member that was negative.
She is exactly right about setting expectations. Granduer is a pleasant ship to sail, but it’s unfair to compare her to a Quantum or Oasis class. If you’re someone who prefers to be entertained most of the day or craves thrills like big water slides, Granduer may disappoint you. However, if you prefer to relax by the pool with a few cold drinks and a few nice meals then Granduer will keep you smiling. Again, if you expect an Oasis class experience, Granduer cannot deliver, but sea lovers of a certain age will enjoy themselves for sure.
My Husband and I went on this cruise ship grandeur of the sea period and we enjoyed ourselves immensely!!! The ship is old and needs some work and may not have much to do, but it was perfect for us. If it's your first time cruising that would be a good ship to start with. It wasn't crowded. You get to sit by the pool. We enjoyed it and would go again.
Thank you for the review. We are booked on Grandeur for an 11 day cruise in December. We were beginning to be concerned with all of the negative reviews.
Honestly before the pandemic when I would look at a cruise I was sort of like a cat chasing a shiny ball on a string around. I wanted to go on a ship that had all the latest & greatest amenities and the ports of call were secondary. Now that I'm wanting to travel again the ports are significantly more important than the ship. I recently booked a cruise on the Radiance of the Seas for next September specifically because it's hitting two ports (Seattle & San Francisco) & is departing from Vancouver which are three places I've always wanted to go but have always said I'll get there one day. Being in my early 50's now the pandemic just made me realize I don't want to have any regrets and not visit places I want to go to. It's also the reason why booked a Panama Canal cruise on Carnival which is also an older ship. I had originally booked that one as a birthday present for my mom before she passed and I wanted to make sure I did it if only to honor my mom. I do still want to go on some of the new ships no matter the cruise line but at least for my first few back I'm choosing itineraries that have ports of call to places I've never been or want to go over the ship.
My wife and I were looking at that Pacific coast cruise. We were just on Brilliance this Sept to Alaska, and were considering her sister ship down to LA. Despite other people complaining, I really enjoyed Brilliance of the Seas. I never felt bored, and the service was top notch.
Was just on a Celebrity cruise that left for Alaska out of Vancouver. Just a warning about Vancouver's port...it sucked. They had three ships, all leaving at the same time, and there were literally 10K people trying to get onto their respective ships. My wife, who'd had her hip replaced and my Dad (who is 75) had a very difficult time standing in line. The whole process took about 2 hours. It was a much easier process getting off, but just be warned that unless they (Port of Vancouver) change anything, it sucks to embark.
I never understand what people mean by "dated." The cabins look like cabins. If the cabin is the focus of your cruise, you're cruising wrong. The _only_ reason for the cabin, and the _only_ reason to visit it is the change or to sleep. Our first two cruises were on the Rhapsody. Absolutely loved that ship. We were out 7 days each cruise and were never bored. The next 2 cruises (which were back to back) were on the Radiance. Loved that ship, too. Both had outside seating for the 'Jammer on the stern, which is where we always ate. Nothing like dining in the sea air. The Radiance had a small inside movie theatre, so we didn't have to try to hear the garbled sound on the pool deck. That, by the way, is an awful experience. The last cruise we were on was 5 days on the Voyager. Sure, it had a Flo-rider, a water slide, blah blah blah. We don't do those, so we don't care about them. If I want to go to Disneyland, I'll go. Don't need it on the ship. Voyager did not have outdoor dining at the 'Jammer. BIG NEGATIVE! And, there were just too many people. Nothing seemed particularly more spacious, there were just more cabins. So everything seemed more crowded. On the Jewel next year to the S. Caribbean. _Glad_ to be back on the smaller ships. Just wish it had a pub.
I’m booked on November 24,2023 And this video was very helpful because 12 night on a cruise has me nervous. I always book a balcony but this time I booked a ocean view guarantee which also make me nervous. Hopefully I’ll get a Mid ship cabin.
That’s what I loved the most about vision, all the ocean views, the natural light. One big wow on icon, loved they added that beautiful feature in the newest ship class.
I went on Grandeur in August for my birthday and it was my first cruise. I really loved it since I didn't really have high expectations. I think if I had already been on much better ships, I may have found it a bit disappointing for a 7 day trip but I would definitely go on again.
Thanks for the nice review! This was the first ship I cruised on 20 years ago and it still looks nice. Been on oasis class ships but I am going to relook going back to this ship.
In the end, it's all about what *you* personally enjoy. When I'm on vacation, I'm typically looking to do things I can't do within driving distance of my home - simply hanging out by a pool is not my idea of a good time. The one cruise I've taken was on the Norwegian Bliss, and if I do it again it would be on a ship of equal or larger size.
I’ll join the chorus: my first cruise last year was on Grandeur. I loved it. It is smaller and more intimate, and isn’t crowded overrun by kids. The staff really gets to know you. I couldn’t care less about surf simulators and many of the amenities others look for. I’ve since been on two larger ships, Royal Princess and Navigator of the Seas. I enjoyed them, too. But Grandeur was a wonderful experience.
Thanks for the review! I've avoided Vision class ships like the plague since an awful experience on Enchantment, but I just may give Grandeur a shot now.
We did a 9-night southern Caribbean cruise on Grandeur this past February. Although the ship is older, it was in excellent condition. I do agree, without all the bells and whistles, this ship might not be everyone's cup of tea. For the most part, the meals in the main dining room were good. Other than a quick breakfast or lunch, however we typically stay out of Windjammer on most cruises. We had a balcony stateroom, family opted for an inside stateroom. Our room was more than acceptable. Our family members did have A/C issues, but ship maintenance resolved them fairly quickly. We'd definitely sail on Grandeur again. It was a quiet, low key cruise.
I just cruised on grandeur of the sea in may of 24. We loved it. Yes it is an older ship and you can tell, but was very well maintained. Service was excellent. we did an 8 day cruise with only 2 sea days. If you are looking for a ship with very few kids this is the ship for you. No water slides no bells or whistles for the kids to speak of.
First, I’m not sure why people complain so much about cruising, and I take reviews with intense complaints and rants with a grain of salt. How on earth can people be so unhappy after a cruise?? People are good and bad, happy and sad, kind and jerks, that’s just life. I go on cruises to relax and have a great time and that’s happened on every single cruise that I’ve taken. Every sailing has their quirks, no two sailings are the same for the ship and no two people on the sailings will have the same experience. There’s bound to be a reviews, from that same sailing critiqued, where someone will completely trash it and someone will believe it’s the best cruise they’ve ever had. That’s just people and that’s just life.
Because people are paying ever increasing amounts of money to cruise, and they deserve to have their experience be (at least) as advertised. Not saying the cruise line has to razzle dazzle everyone but people with legitimate complaints and substandard experiences deserve to be heard.
I totally agree with you! This vlog came about due to previous rants about the poor quality of a ship that this vlogger says is not so bad. Bottom Line: It’s all subjective, but I guess we all know that. I get that sometimes they vent and rant on social media just onto let off steam. I just leave it at that and I don’t expect to have the same experience based on someone’s complaints, and I’ve never had such a terrible experience that I trash a whole ship.
We have been on Grandeur more than any other ship (any line) and we are Diamond + and see Pinnacle not too far away, so we have sailed a little bit... My wife likes the small ship more than me. I love when we would sail on Grandeur 4 or 5 times a year and crew (and other guests) would run up to give us a hug as those ships are like old family you haven't seen in a while. But yes, they do miss the amenities of the bigger ships. We just finally sailed on an Oasis class. And we docked next to Grandeur and I couldn't believe the size difference. While we don't take advantage of all the activities one can partake in on the new ships, I do like these new ships though. There's always a different place to go check out and visit. Although, the viking crown lounge is gone and I'm taking my Dad in less than 3 weeks so will have to find a quiet place for him and his book... We haven't been on Grandeur since she departed from Baltimore where she was home ported for quite some time. After some of the bigger ships, I'm not sure how I will feel about being on one of the older ones. But like I said, we don't take advantage of all the things they put up these days, but dining options and lounges and such are nice, and the old ships are limited. But as Matt always says, if you set your expectations, you won't be disappointed. And we have never been disappointed on Grandeur or radiance class either. And our expectations will be set for Grandeur (or Enchantment since she is out of Baltimore now) when we head that way again.
I love the Grandeur. I sailed on it frequently when it was based in Baltimore. Yes, it’s old, a bit rusty in places and needs some love. But when I sailed on it in January, the crew was much more passionate and service oriented than on other RC ships that I had sailed on in the past year. I’m pleased that she is based nearby for the season so that I can enjoy her again. All of the food on RC ships is becoming subpar except in the specialty restaurants.
I've been on Grandeur twice...and love her! Yes she is old and small, but you have to think...the small ships can get to ports that others can't get to. The small ships don't have to tender...big ships sometimes do.
This ship sounds enjoyable. Thank you for the review. I am pleased that it was overall well maintained and the service was good. I suppose some people are hard to please.
Great review ladies. For someone like me. This is a great ship to go on. I really cannot stay awake into the wee hours of the night. I am not a partier, and relaxing is just what I want to do with a bit of Karaoke. Yes, it did look like Carnival in the dinning room shot. Fun. Like you, I like the glass shower rooms not the curtain. Just like anything. Everything is what you make it.
Grandeur of the seas was my honeymoon cruise. We had a great time and really got to know the cruise directors staff, something that is basically impossible on a mega ship. The thing that I miss the most on Oasis and Quantum class ships is that none of the major venues and bars have views of the ocean. Vision and Radiance class don't have this issue. Every deck and venue except for the theatre has great views of the ocean. It really makes you feel like you are at sea. The biggest disadvantage about the cabins on Grandeur is that there are not that many balconies and they have a steep premium. We were fortunate enough to book a Panarama View cabin which really made a difference.
I love older and smaller ships and old fashioned traditional cruising without waterparks, 100's of kids , crowds and 4000-5000 other people vying for the same activities, food lines etc . Grandeur needs to be marketed as an adults only ship similar to Virgin voyages ships.
Yeah same I loved ovation but kidsssss 😂 . Prefer smaller less kids .
Have sailed on Lady G numerous times and absolutely loved it. We are in our 70's and do not want to sail on an amusement park. I believe what makes a cruise special is the crew and the crew of The Lady G has consistently been one of the top rated in the fleet.
Good point. I just looked at Icon Of The Seas their newest ship, and its designed like a kid's playground.
speaking of the crew, (i am only 11) i went on this ship recently, and i loved it. it had unlimited ice cream, and really nice staff. one of the staff's name was Eugene, he was my waiter for most of the cruise and he was super nice. we even took a picture with him which we never do with waiters. he gave us things to do while we waited for food, like games, and other things like magic tricks to entertain us. i loved it.
Been on this ship around three times. It comes down to great deals vs more amenities. If you want a chilled environment with great service this is the ship for you. It was older but not that bad :) Adjust your expectations and you may be surprised. 😊
This ship has a special place in my heart because it was my only cruise I took with my grandma 👵 😢
🫂
We just took our first cruise on Grandure and we were absolutely stunned at what fantastic value for money she was, and even better than that was the crew, they were an amazing group of people.
Ok so this was our first cruise so we had nothing to benchmark Grandeur against except ferries, but I’m still in awe at our trip, yes there are a couple of rust spots, however after 25 years in salt water she’s in great condition.
All I can say is if you want a great short break, on a ship that’s not a shopping mall that looks like an amusement park, this is for you, plenty of space, awesome crew, great food, bar prices that are cheaper than downtown Tampa, I can’t say enough and can’t wait to go again.
Tampa, Nassau, Coco Cay, thank you Grandeur.
I am booked on the Vision in February. No bells and whistles. Not insanely huge with 8000 passengers. And I can't wait. No crowds. Not many kids. Just a ship, some ports of call, and RELAXING. Bigger and newer isn't always better. Those reviews illustrated all comes back to one thing. People not doing their research for what it is they are looking for. Being catfished by saying it doesn't have flowriders, etc and then calling it a bad ship is rather unfair.
I loved the ship we did a 11 Night around leaving Panama the waves didn't treat us well
Agree! Why would you complain there no Flowrider? You should know that when you book
Going on the Vision in March. looking forward to our cruise on this ship.
We sail on Vision in 16 days & can't wait!
We loved vision. Did 9 nights to Panama and Columbia and Aruba. It was amazing! We had the aft corner JS and loved relaxing on the spacious balcony and seeing the back and side of the ship at the same time. Enough room on balcony for 6 people at least. Loved have very little kids on the ship as well!!!
As an older (60) disabled veteran, solo cruiser, for a destress only type cruise this sounds perfect!!! I've sailed up to Oasis class ships and have loved them all! I'm going to look into Grandeur for a cruise now! Thanks for the really informative vlog!!!
I have sailed on the Grandeur many time and loved it. Anyone who says they were catfished they did not do their homework and researched the ship prior to booking.
Thank you for your service! Im also a disabled veteran and love sailing solo! I'll be 60 this year! I agree sailing is a way to get away and just relax.
@angelaburke9451 thank you for your service as well! If I could retire on a cruise ship I would!
My family and I just got down from the Grandeur of the Seas early October 2023. It was my kids first cruise and we had an amazing time. The service and the staff are top of the line. And the food was absolutely wonderful.
THAT IS ALL I HEAR TOO. IT IS GREAT!! Really dislike this video. Nonsense
@@Paterson340if you bothered to watch the video it was very complimentary and favorable to Grandeur of the Seas and she wouldn’t hesitate to book on her again. Watch the video as the title and thumbnail are very misleading.
Grandeur of the Seas holds a special place in my heart because it was my first cruise. We did a 7 day to Bermuda and Bahamas out of Baltimore and my husband and I loved it. It's true there's not much to do on board, so you wouldn't want to take kids, but we just wanted to relax and enjoy our destinations, and we got to do that. We love Grandeur and are glad they didn't sell it
I was on Grandeur over the summer with my family and we all had a blast. The ship is honestly in better condition than alot of carnival ships that are even 15 years newer. I really thought the staff was fantastic on this ship when I went on it which was probably what made it such a fun time.
Oh yeah, Carnival’s ships are all engine room fires in the making. 😂
Literally. Royals old ships look more up to date than Carnivals brand new ships.
I did the refit in Cadiz Spain on the Grandeur back in 2012,we did tile work in restaurants and other flooring around the ship😊
Just before the pandemic my wife and I did a 7 or 10 night cruise on Grandeur, Baltimore to Miami and enjoyed it very much. We sail a lot on Celebrity Solstice class and Millennium class ships and the Quantum and Oasis class ships with RCI and find them very enjoyable but they are big and somewhat crowded. So the older, smaller ships can be a nice change from time to time. As to the condition of Grandeur we noticed no major issues and would happily sail on her again. Service and food quality were great.
Same here. Just before covid, my wife and I did the Grandeur from Baltimore to the Carribbean. It was fantastic.
Grandeur was our first RC ship in 2010, we have an amazing time! She will always have a special place in our hearts.
My first cruise was on Majesty of the Seas. Personally… I like the smaller more intimate ships verses the floating resort hotels. IMO
My husband and I did a 9 night cruise on Grandeur for our honeymoon 6 years ago and had an amazing time, so Lady G will always hold a special place in my heart. Having said that, though, I wish RCCL would invest more money into refurbishing and refreshing their older ships. Not all of us want the mega ships. The beauty of the smaller ships is lower crowds and the ability to dock at ports that the mega ships cannot fit. The smaller ships need to be shown some more TLC!
As awesome as that sounds to refurbish the ship , if they did price goes way up
YES, AMEN TO EITHER REFURBISHING OR CREATING NEW, SMALLER VESSELS WE BOOMERS PREFER!!!!
We really liked the Sovereign class, Sovereign of the Seas was awesome. Whirpool on back of the ship, Wood, Brass & Glass everywhere. Cute Champagne bars, etc..
My stepson and his new bride are sailing over New Year’s end of this month. I’ve done the research and they are excited about the ‘classic’ ship design. The wanted cozy and romantic, not a mega ship and their itinerary is amazing. They love ballroom dancing - looking forward to dancing and other entertainment-- I wish we were going with them. 😂😂
@@wendymeuret1158 Congrats to the newlyweds! They will have a fabulous time!
As I am getting older I am enjoying the smaller class ships. Less children, shorter distance to walk, less crowded.
Agreed. The kids on ships always make it miserable
@@aidenforster5892 Ok boomer
@@Stelletti bro I’m 16
@@aidenforster5892then you’re a kid…? I’m 20 and I still don’t complain about “children” 💀🤣 just learn to enjoy shi bro, makes you sound like a old ass man.
Fewer children*
Being that we prefer to sail almost exclusively out of Baltimore, we've sailed on Grandeur & Enchantment several times, and Vision in just 16 days. We don't want bells & whistles, but LOVE the windowed Centrum for sitting with friends with a coffee or drink in hand. There are many like us who wish RC would put some money in some new small ships!! It's a shame they just ignore the need for smaller ships; considering the rate they are building the huge behemoths they've contracted.
Smaller ships can go to some of the more interesting ports.
any tips re cruising from Baltimore? good itinerary? bad? live locally and eyeing up both short "date" and family trip with teenage boys....no airfare expense is very attractive!
@@captcompaq we just pick by the itinerary & go. We've done Canada & NE, Bermuda & Caribbean. All great cruises. You'll fall in love!
Following
A very fair review by Allie in my opinion. We sailed on the Grandeur on August 19, 2023 out of Tampa. We've been on her and several of her sister ships over the years. We like this size ship and sail on it because of what it doesn't have, like a wave rider, water park or ice rink. One of the nice things about cruising on a diverse line like RCCL is they have ships for all ages and types of people. This past cruise was number 71 on Royal and at 74 years young with careers, children and house payments behind us we are looking to cruise our way. We enjoy the smaller size, fewer cruisers, the Centrum and a more relaxed atmosphere and crew/staff. I recently wrote to the CEO of Royal asking for some new smaller venues and if that's not possible keep the current smaller ships. The current Vision Class ships are due for major dry docks and upgrades which I hope Royal will do. Great topic.
Bill
Sailed on the Vision this summer and it looks almost identical to the Grandeur. As someone in their early twenties who hasn't been on a cruise for over a decade, I genuinely had a blast on board! Loved the Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme and Boogie Wonderland shows, 70's disco party, morning zumba, and all the talented musicians. Crew members were attentive, especially in the main dining room, and the specialty dining options like Giovanni's and Chop's Grille didn't disappoint. The intimate environment of the smaller ship made it easy to find friends too. It helped that I went dancing every night in the Viking Crown Lounge...
We love Grandeur of the Seas! We’ve sailed it more often than any other Royal Caribbean cruise ship. It’s small and intimate. We we like that. The crew is super friendly. Your report exactly matches our experiences on this wonderful ship.
My wife and I enjoyed 35 days on Grandeur of the Seas last year and look forward to cruising on her again in the near future. We have never met a Royal Caribbean ship we didn’t love.
I did a refit of the Grandeur in Cadiz Spain in 2012😊. We did flooring and tile work in restaurants.Did the same on the Mariner of the seas in Cadiz in 2018. Hello from British Columbia.
@@Whateva67 i was on the grandeur 4 yrs ago and will be on the mariner in a few days. thanks for your hard work!
@@Catchyalater_Fishing_Co you will probably walk all over the flooring we did😎
My wife and I just sailed on the Grandeur of the Seas in September and we loved it! It wasn't crowded, there was actually some style in the decor, and most importantly, lots of views of the sea. I feel like the larger ships don't have as many views of the water.
I enjoyed my cruises on Grandeur and the other "small" ships. I don't need to be constantly entertained. It's great to relax, read, and look at the water. There's always something to do. It's easy to get around. Being with fewer passengers allowed me to get to know the other passengers better.
I really appreciate this review of this ship, we have a cruise scheduled in February on Grandeur and was a bit skeptical because of it's age. We sailed on Brilliance in 22 and loved it. The lack of amenities that the newer ships have don't bother us mainly because they DO draw a larger and younger crowd. I'll post again after the trip and give you MY opinion. Keep up the great work you do with the blog!!
I’m booked to Sail in April on the GOS and I was a little concerned after reading some of the reviews. I got a great price and didn’t care about large water slides so I booked. I do care about entertainment so I was crossing my fingers. This vlog really really helped me. I feel more at ease and excited about what my husband and I will experience being new to cruising. I’ve been on one cruise 20 years ago and my husband has never cruised before. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll try to report back 😊
We just booked a 9 night cruise on the Grandeur of the Seas for March 2025, first time cruisers. The title "Worst ever cruise" had me worried for a minute, the review seemed honest and ended up with a pleasant review. Thanks for the reassurance.
I would kindly suggest you consider another cruise. I've sailed on her twice and didn't like either time. The entertainment was geared toward a senior crowd (and i mean 80-90-100 years old!), there were world war veteran's on the cruise. It may not be too bad for you being a first time cruiser but I wouldst want to spend 9 days on this ship.
I'm booked on this cruise too, departing 7th March. For what I paid I'm not expecting 5 star.
I actually cruised on Grandeur of the Seas in 2013 when it caught fire in the middle of the night on Memorial Day so I have a lot of memories with Grandeur. I will say for as cursed as that cruise was, the crew was nothing short of amazing. The people who led the muster stations were great about communication and went above and beyond to be helpful. I started my period literally in the middle of the fire, and they raided the gift shop to give me the products I desperately needed. And of course the crew who fought the fire were heroic. They came up covered in soot and fought the fire for hours. All that to say to me great service and a great experience makes a great cruise. I also much prefer a more relaxing environment than one with more to do but overflowing with people. So I have a soft spot for the smaller and older ships. That said, given my history not sure I'd go back on Grandeur. Seems like tempting fate too much!
Enjoyed a 7 night cruise on Grandeur this past August and enjoyed every minute of it. I really appreciated the smaller crowd, fewer kids and even though there aren't a lot of activities on board, I read a couple of books in different parts of the ship with great views. I would definitely book again.
7nts on Grandeur last month (sept '23). Loved the ship/staff/service/food. Vision and Radiance class seems to give me more of the "cruising" feel. Anything bigger than Freedom class, well, to me feels more like a theme park or Mall of America experience!
This was the very first ship on which I sailed 20+ years ago, and I've repeated that experience numerous times since, including a sailing within the past year. Is she a bit long in the tooth? Absolutely! Does she sport water parks, water slides, iFly, a surf simulator, etc.? Absolutely not! But she still has a good deal of character and I think she still has some life left in her. Sailing on the Grandeur is pretty much forced relaxation, and what many say about the smaller ships is, in my opinion, true when it comes to the crew. Since you encounter the same crew members repeatedly throughout the cruise you come to know them a bit, and they come to know you. It fosters a more intimate experience than I get on larger (think Quantum and Oasis Class) ships. I still enjoy cruising on larger ships, but if variety is truly the spice of life, the Grandeur offers it in abundance. Plus, because of her size she can dock at my favorite port - Key West!
The guy's shirt at 14:43 LOL "You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning." 😂😂😂
Hilarious!!! 🤣
I rarely go on the older, smaller ships, but I have and I've enjoyed them. I really prefer larger, newer ships, but I do love the ostentatious way the old ships are decorated.
When i was a teen in the 00s, the only fun thing we had on a cruise was shuffleboard and a basketball court that closed at sunset. The internet was in the librar, but you had to pay per hour. No mini golf, waterslides, floerider, ect. I remember playing a lot of card games with friends i met. Its amazing all the things cruise ships have now.
Grandeur of the seas was my first Royal Caribbean cruise back in 2004 and I’ve been cruising royal ever since. The services and experience were awesome. ✅
We love the Grandeur of the Seas and all of the Vision Class ships. Small, fun, easy to navigate and get from place-to-place. Our last cruise was on Serenade of the Seas - a Radiance class ship - which just seemed like a slightly larger version of the Vision class. And, I actually preferred the smaller ships. It seemed to me on the Serenade that they were understaffed - which may help explain why there were long lines at the bars. Thanks for the review.
Agreed completely on the megaships - after one sailing on the Oasis it's small ships all the way for us.
We love cruising on Grandeur. She is a relaxing ship that allows you to sit back and enjoy the sea.
Completely agree with the last opinion shared on the video. If you find a vision class ship with a great itinerary, book it! I recently got off a Mediterranean cruise last month on Enchantment. 7 night itinerary, 6 destinations (turned to 5 destinations due to a last minute cancellation) only 2 full sea days. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this cruise more than my 7 night cruise on Odyssey of the Seas. Sure Odyssey has more to do ship wise, but not having to wait forever to get an elevator, less packed venues, less packed bars, and no reservations required for shows, overall gave me a much more relaxing itinerary. Would 1000% book Enchantment again if it offered a great itinerary, even though its not the nicest looking ship because honestly I had a better, more relaxing time.
Grandeur was our first cruise and we loved it. We still have a soft spot for her though we recognize she could use a bit of love. Enchantment is the only Royal Caribbean ship we would NOT consider sailing on again.
We have been on Grandeur 6 times and we really enjoyed the cruises. I also agree with your take on Enchantment.
We sailed on Enchantment, probably 13-14 years ago and loved it. What's happened to her?
@@jimloth6091 our last two cruises on Enchantment had strong smells of sewage in many of the common areas and in the cabins on the lower decks. Several hallways had wet carpet, it was quite a problem for the maintenance crew; they were working hard on it without much success. The plumbing seems inadequate for the number of passengers and crew. Maybe lengthening the ship caused the challenge.
@@Winter_Boomershine I'm pretty sure it was extended by the time we sailed on her, but that does sound really bad.
Yes, it’s a shame. I hope they can figutre out how to fix it. @@jimloth6091
We did a 6 day cruise on Grandeur in April! We loved it. The ship is older and it shows but the staff was absolutely amazing! The food was great! It was very relaxing! It was the best cruise we’ve done. We have done 10 RC cruises.
I love the Grandeur. I sailed on her in october 2019 when i found out about the move and really took in the ship and fell in love. I can't stand big ships myself and lady G was perfect. She felt new with little specs of classic ship feel sprinkled in just the right places. The gimmicks and activities on mega ships never get me. I love enjoying a nice meal in a lovely dining room then walking on deck with a cigar in a nice suit. Grandeur helps me imagine what it might have been like on an old liner and since I'll never really know it's nice to imagine. Something i couldn't do on a mega ship. I was so overjoyed to hear she wasn't leaving and hope she is around for a long time.
Sailing on Grandeur this weekend and very excited to experience an older ship. Don't need all those bells and whistles...just a nice relaxing trip in a more classic style. Can't wait!
We sailed on the Grandeur of the Seas in late August, and we loved it!!!! We don't need all the bells and whistles, and I loved not having to fight for a pool chair. The staff was great and so were the ports. Yes, it's an older cruise ship, but it definitely has heart! It's Royal Caribbean, so you can't go wrong!
We cruised on Grandure last year and really enjoyed it.There were no problems at all and the food was wonderful
I was on Grandeur of the Seas last October. I’m a Diamond member, and I loved it! No complaints about the food, service, or condition of the ship. It was a wonderful cruise!
Just off Grandeur (sept 2nd-9th) we had 3 cabins for our party of 6, loved it. Yes its a bit tired at the edges, but apart from that it was great. To expect the glitz of the big ships is unfair, you know what you are booking when you book it. Id be happy yo travel on her again.
Grandeur was our first royal cruise, which we took this past July. It was not too bad because we were on an itinerary we had already gone to so we just wanted to enjoy and relax. My son came with/ & they don’t have a lot of things for the teens to do, but he made friends during the teen meet & greet so he ultimately enjoyed himself along with a few excursions we took. That being said, the ship is a little old & I feel there are a few things Royal can do to update at low cost. What made our experience great was the service, the food and each other. We wanted to spend time with one another & this was our first cruise experience since the cancel of our cruises in 2020. So overall, we were so happy that we booked on Wonder coming up next year. Can’t wait to see and experience their newer ship line.
Our first cruise was on Grandeur last October, so we don't have anything to really compare too but we had a great time. The ship is older, but we had a Junior Suite and the room was very comfortable and nice. The staff was great and the waiters in the main dining room were exceptional. Our small group was pretty outgoing, and the waiters jumped right in and gave back as much as we dished out making diner a show in itself. I am sure there is less to do on this ship than the newer larger ships but we found plenty to do and had a great time. There was no issue getting seating in the shows or finding a place to sit and enjoy the music. You could also find plenty of places to go and just relax. I would definitely go on this ship again.
Fantastic review. I appreciate the objectivity. The wife and I sailed Rhapsody about a year ago and it was very much the intimate cruise. We enjoyed the hectic days in port and the quiet times on board; feet up ... sipping a Caramel Latte near the Café Latte-tudes overlooking the Centrum. Plus the specialty restaurants were great.
We did a 12 night repositioning cruise on Grandeur in 2022, and loved it. The service was top notch and none of the venues ever felt crowded. Had we gone with our kids, we probably would have been disappointed, but since we were hoping for a quieter, relaxed time, we were quite happy. It's definitely less of a family ship then the bigger ones. I will say we had to send some food back to the kitchen on the 1st night of the cruise, which I've never done on a RC ship before. I wouldn't mind at all cruising on the Grandmother of the Seas again, but I know what to expect.
THANKS for the video. I travel on Grandeur in 26 days. Port intensive trip so I don't need bells and whistles. Excited for the chill vibe!
We sailed on Grandeur several years ago to Bermuda from Baltimore. It was a 9 night cruise and we were in a junior suite. The itinerary was great, but we experienced poor service and food quality in the MDR (it was obvious that our waiter and assistant were not getting along). We were celebrating our anniversary and not traveling with our children and noticed kids playing in the stairwells, etc., which made us comment that we’d never take our kids on that ship.
This summer we sailed on Enchantment and it was probably our favorite cruise experience. The staff was amazing and so happy that it sold us back on this class of ship.
Great job Allie and team! Great video! 🚢💕
agreed
I sailed her about 10yrs ago and she was in great condition. A good fit for those who don’t want to pay for bells and whistles they’ll never use (I don’t need slides). I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and the service was very good. A nice bargain for those looking for a quick, inexpensive getaway.
I did a quick 4 day cruise on Grandeur of the Seas out of Galvestion last October and it was a great cruise. A cruise is what you make of it. I enjoy an older style of cruising though and don't do the zip lines, water slides, roller coasters, or other wild things. Crew was great and I really didn't notice anything wrong with the condition.
We LOVE Grandeur! She's small, but that's what I loved. The crew was amazing and we loved the entertainment. I think it's a great ship for those who want smaller crowds andca more relaxing cruise. I can't wait to sail on Grandeur again someday
We love the older ships. Have been on Oasis and Allure. Much prefer Brilliance, Enchantment, Navigator, etc. Older and smaller is much more comfortable for us.
My family sailed on Grandure in Oct 2022 … it was our first sailing with our 2 yr old and we had a blast!! Our little one found friends at the pool and it was a great adventure for her. We were able to take her to the nursery one night so my wife and I could have a date night. The ship was short staffed but this was due to it being post covid. Also the US and Texas had just lifted its vaccine mandates for cruises so I am sure getting the ship staffed was a challenge. All in all yes it was an old ship … yes she showed her age but none of it deterred us from having a great time!! I agree with all that was said on this review and would emphasize you do not want many sea says on h to is ship as there is little to do onboard compared to newer ships.
We went on our first cruise on Grandeur, had a great time. Going on the Anthem in March so we’ll get to compare the bigger ship.
I couldn't agree more with your review. We sailed in September, 7 nights and really enjoyed the trip. One additional comment I have: the staff was A1 fantastic!
This actually sounds like my kind of cruise. I prefer the “smaller” ships. I spent years cruising on the Monarch of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas. I don’t need all the bells and whistles. I’m happy there’s still a few of these older ships around.
I loved Grandeur! We love relaxing, so worth no bells and whistles, we were able to do just that. Didn't have to worry about seeing everything on the ship. Maybe a little shine here and there would be good, but we truly enjoyed the cruise.
I worked on Granduer of the seas and it was a great experience. I would recommend couples and old age people to broad because we don't have as much activities on board but we make sure every guest safe and we give good customer service. SEE YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR GODS WELL THANK YOU
We've sailed on Grandeur at least a half dozen times. We love that little ship and she actually has a large following. If you're not looking for all the hyped-up extras and just want to relax, this is the ship for you. You obviously can't compare this little gem to the newer larger ships because it's just not the same. Truth be told, we had better service and better dining on the Grandeur then on our recent Symphony of the Seas experience. Plus, she's easier to navigate and less crowded.
I enjoyed my August 2022 cruise on Grandeur. Just like this video says, it's a slower paced trip than the larger ships, but every ship, including Grandeur, has its charms. In the case of Grandeur, it was a relaxing voyage in a ship that is easy and quick to navigate. The decor is dated, but still tasteful and comfortable. I really like the oversized seats in the main theater and the forward looking view in the Windjammer.
For anyone considering this ship, I'd emphasize that she doesn't have many of the gee wiz features that set Royal Caribbean apart. What she has is nice and in good shape. It is best for a port intensive itinerary.
That’s the same time my wife and I was on the grandeur, during August 17. Really enjoyed it.
Grandeur was my first cruise ship I sailed on and I will always love her !
My and I are sailing on the Grandeur next May out of Tampa. We first sailed on her almost 20 years ago in in July 2004 and several times since then. She is by far my favorite ship. I am so much looking forward to this cruise she is my favorite! In three weeks we are sailing on Liberty OTS and I am already looking past this cruise to the Grandeur in May! She is not perfect but not far from it!
We love smaller ships, even when we have done all the Oasis class. In between we did Freedom and we had done many of the smaller ships before, and they are great .
Wondering what will happen when all of these older ships are retired. How will RCCL be able to service the smaller ports? Tampa as an example can’t accommodate the larger ships. I believe Baltimore is in a similar situation.
Great video. After watching, I’ve decided to book a nine night cruise on the Grandeur of the Seas.
Hope you enjoy it!
Our first cruise is on this ship in November. Looking forward to this!
Thank You for the comments of this ship we are going to Greenland at September 2024 from Boston and looking forward to relax on board.
Was on the Oasis last month and we pulled into port next to the Grandeur at Coco Cay. it was tiny in comparison to the Oasis. Already booked for the Symphony next fall 2024.
while my comments are 3 months after this blog....we were on grandeur last feb. 2022. we did an interior room for first time just to try it. while it is true the room is smaller (and we will never do an interior again), the amenities fewer and the ship smaller, i have many + and some - to share.... what entertainment there was was great, staff in dining room were experienced, friendly and excellent, other staff such as bar tenders, next cruise, "help desk", coffee kiosk, really all staff were excellent. the only one that was not was our cabin steward and to be kind, the impression was that he was new and learning the job and he tried very hard. the cabin was not that clean. the major problem was the maintenance of the ship...the aft pool and whirlpool had paint peeled off the walls, out side railings has varnish worn off and bare wood faded. it looked as if the ship had not had regular maintenance. our impression was that since it was 10 years since major work (revitalization, ot enhancement), that rcl was going to sell/retire this ship
I said on Granduer of the Seas in May of this year and it wasn’t a bad experience at all. It’s definitely geared towards the older crowds because there wasn’t a lot of tricks and ponies like the newer ships. However the service was spectacular and similar if not the same as the newer ships !
My wife and I loved the Grandeur and we have sailed on two Oasis class ships. We are in the MDR every night and for the most part we enjoyed the meals. We did have internet connection problems in our stateroom. We would definitely cruise on her again.
Our next cruise is actually on the Vision OTS. So we will see how that goes
We done a similar cruise on Celebrity Equinox a couple of years ago and your review could be ours. Whilst the ship was older and lacked a LOT of the Edge class luxury, it still had a charm all of its own and the staff were all so lovely too. Can honestly say we never met one member that was negative.
She is exactly right about setting expectations. Granduer is a pleasant ship to sail, but it’s unfair to compare her to a Quantum or Oasis class. If you’re someone who prefers to be entertained most of the day or craves thrills like big water slides, Granduer may disappoint you. However, if you prefer to relax by the pool with a few cold drinks and a few nice meals then Granduer will keep you smiling. Again, if you expect an Oasis class experience, Granduer cannot deliver, but sea lovers of a certain age will enjoy themselves for sure.
I spent 7 days on Royal Caribbean and everything was absolutely gorgeous!
Really good review. We did a port intensive 9 day cruise on Grandeur in March 23 and had a great time.
My Husband and I went on this cruise ship grandeur of the sea period and we enjoyed ourselves immensely!!!
The ship is old and needs some work and may not have much to do, but it was perfect for us. If it's your first time cruising that would be a good ship to start with. It wasn't crowded. You get to sit by the pool. We enjoyed it and would go again.
Thank you for the review. We are booked on Grandeur for an 11 day cruise in December. We were beginning to be concerned with all of the negative reviews.
Honestly before the pandemic when I would look at a cruise I was sort of like a cat chasing a shiny ball on a string around. I wanted to go on a ship that had all the latest & greatest amenities and the ports of call were secondary. Now that I'm wanting to travel again the ports are significantly more important than the ship. I recently booked a cruise on the Radiance of the Seas for next September specifically because it's hitting two ports (Seattle & San Francisco) & is departing from Vancouver which are three places I've always wanted to go but have always said I'll get there one day. Being in my early 50's now the pandemic just made me realize I don't want to have any regrets and not visit places I want to go to. It's also the reason why booked a Panama Canal cruise on Carnival which is also an older ship. I had originally booked that one as a birthday present for my mom before she passed and I wanted to make sure I did it if only to honor my mom. I do still want to go on some of the new ships no matter the cruise line but at least for my first few back I'm choosing itineraries that have ports of call to places I've never been or want to go over the ship.
My wife and I were looking at that Pacific coast cruise. We were just on Brilliance this Sept to Alaska, and were considering her sister ship down to LA. Despite other people complaining, I really enjoyed Brilliance of the Seas. I never felt bored, and the service was top notch.
Was just on a Celebrity cruise that left for Alaska out of Vancouver. Just a warning about Vancouver's port...it sucked. They had three ships, all leaving at the same time, and there were literally 10K people trying to get onto their respective ships. My wife, who'd had her hip replaced and my Dad (who is 75) had a very difficult time standing in line. The whole process took about 2 hours. It was a much easier process getting off, but just be warned that unless they (Port of Vancouver) change anything, it sucks to embark.
I never understand what people mean by "dated." The cabins look like cabins. If the cabin is the focus of your cruise, you're cruising wrong. The _only_ reason for the cabin, and the _only_ reason to visit it is the change or to sleep.
Our first two cruises were on the Rhapsody. Absolutely loved that ship. We were out 7 days each cruise and were never bored. The next 2 cruises (which were back to back) were on the Radiance. Loved that ship, too. Both had outside seating for the 'Jammer on the stern, which is where we always ate. Nothing like dining in the sea air. The Radiance had a small inside movie theatre, so we didn't have to try to hear the garbled sound on the pool deck. That, by the way, is an awful experience.
The last cruise we were on was 5 days on the Voyager. Sure, it had a Flo-rider, a water slide, blah blah blah. We don't do those, so we don't care about them. If I want to go to Disneyland, I'll go. Don't need it on the ship. Voyager did not have outdoor dining at the 'Jammer. BIG NEGATIVE! And, there were just too many people. Nothing seemed particularly more spacious, there were just more cabins. So everything seemed more crowded.
On the Jewel next year to the S. Caribbean. _Glad_ to be back on the smaller ships. Just wish it had a pub.
I’m booked on November 24,2023
And this video was very helpful because 12 night on a cruise has me nervous.
I always book a balcony but this time I booked a ocean view guarantee which also make me nervous. Hopefully I’ll get a Mid ship cabin.
That’s what I loved the most about vision, all the ocean views, the natural light. One big wow on icon, loved they added that beautiful feature in the newest ship class.
I went on Grandeur in August for my birthday and it was my first cruise. I really loved it since I didn't really have high expectations. I think if I had already been on much better ships, I may have found it a bit disappointing for a 7 day trip but I would definitely go on again.
Thanks for the nice review! This was the first ship I cruised on 20 years ago and it still looks nice.
Been on oasis class ships but I am going to relook going back to this ship.
In the end, it's all about what *you* personally enjoy. When I'm on vacation, I'm typically looking to do things I can't do within driving distance of my home - simply hanging out by a pool is not my idea of a good time. The one cruise I've taken was on the Norwegian Bliss, and if I do it again it would be on a ship of equal or larger size.
I’ll join the chorus: my first cruise last year was on Grandeur. I loved it. It is smaller and more intimate, and isn’t crowded overrun by kids. The staff really gets to know you. I couldn’t care less about surf simulators and many of the amenities others look for. I’ve since been on two larger ships, Royal Princess and Navigator of the Seas. I enjoyed them, too. But Grandeur was a wonderful experience.
Thanks for the review! I've avoided Vision class ships like the plague since an awful experience on Enchantment, but I just may give Grandeur a shot now.
We did a 9-night southern Caribbean cruise on Grandeur this past February. Although the ship is older, it was in excellent condition. I do agree, without all the bells and whistles, this ship might not be everyone's cup of tea. For the most part, the meals in the main dining room were good. Other than a quick breakfast or lunch, however we typically stay out of Windjammer on most cruises. We had a balcony stateroom, family opted for an inside stateroom. Our room was more than acceptable. Our family members did have A/C issues, but ship maintenance resolved them fairly quickly. We'd definitely sail on Grandeur again. It was a quiet, low key cruise.
I just cruised on grandeur of the sea in may of 24. We loved it. Yes it is an older ship and you can tell, but was very well maintained. Service was excellent. we did an 8 day cruise with only 2 sea days. If you are looking for a ship with very few kids this is the ship for you. No water slides no bells or whistles for the kids to speak of.
We sailed on Grandeur of the Seas and loved the staff & service. Everyone was wonderful to us and treated us as if we were their top priority.
First, I’m not sure why people complain so much about cruising, and I take reviews with intense complaints and rants with a grain of salt. How on earth can people be so unhappy after a cruise??
People are good and bad, happy and sad, kind and jerks, that’s just life. I go on cruises to relax and have a great time and that’s happened on every single cruise that I’ve taken. Every sailing has their quirks, no two sailings are the same for the ship and no two people on the sailings will have the same experience. There’s bound to be a reviews, from that same sailing critiqued, where someone will completely trash it and someone will believe it’s the best cruise they’ve ever had. That’s just people and that’s just life.
Because people are paying ever increasing amounts of money to cruise, and they deserve to have their experience be (at least) as advertised. Not saying the cruise line has to razzle dazzle everyone but people with legitimate complaints and substandard experiences deserve to be heard.
I totally agree with you!
This vlog came about due to previous rants about the poor quality of a ship that this vlogger says is not so bad. Bottom Line: It’s all subjective, but I guess we all know that.
I get that sometimes they vent and rant on social media just onto let off steam. I just leave it at that and I don’t expect to have the same experience based on someone’s complaints, and I’ve never had such a terrible experience that I trash a whole ship.
We have been on Grandeur more than any other ship (any line) and we are Diamond + and see Pinnacle not too far away, so we have sailed a little bit... My wife likes the small ship more than me. I love when we would sail on Grandeur 4 or 5 times a year and crew (and other guests) would run up to give us a hug as those ships are like old family you haven't seen in a while. But yes, they do miss the amenities of the bigger ships.
We just finally sailed on an Oasis class. And we docked next to Grandeur and I couldn't believe the size difference. While we don't take advantage of all the activities one can partake in on the new ships, I do like these new ships though. There's always a different place to go check out and visit. Although, the viking crown lounge is gone and I'm taking my Dad in less than 3 weeks so will have to find a quiet place for him and his book...
We haven't been on Grandeur since she departed from Baltimore where she was home ported for quite some time. After some of the bigger ships, I'm not sure how I will feel about being on one of the older ones. But like I said, we don't take advantage of all the things they put up these days, but dining options and lounges and such are nice, and the old ships are limited. But as Matt always says, if you set your expectations, you won't be disappointed. And we have never been disappointed on Grandeur or radiance class either. And our expectations will be set for Grandeur (or Enchantment since she is out of Baltimore now) when we head that way again.
I love the Grandeur. I sailed on it frequently when it was based in Baltimore. Yes, it’s old, a bit rusty in places and needs some love. But when I sailed on it in January, the crew was much more passionate and service oriented than on other RC ships that I had sailed on in the past year. I’m pleased that she is based nearby for the season so that I can enjoy her again. All of the food on RC ships is becoming subpar except in the specialty restaurants.
I've been on Grandeur twice...and love her! Yes she is old and small, but you have to think...the small ships can get to ports that others can't get to. The small ships don't have to tender...big ships sometimes do.
This ship sounds enjoyable. Thank you for the review. I am pleased that it was overall well maintained and the service was good. I suppose some people are hard to please.
Great review ladies. For someone like me. This is a great ship to go on. I really cannot stay awake into the wee hours of the night. I am not a partier, and relaxing is just what I want to do with a bit of Karaoke. Yes, it did look like Carnival in the dinning room shot. Fun. Like you, I like the glass shower rooms not the curtain. Just like anything. Everything is what you make it.
Sailed on GOS this past February. Had a great time. Loved the ship.
Grandeur of the seas was my honeymoon cruise. We had a great time and really got to know the cruise directors staff, something that is basically impossible on a mega ship. The thing that I miss the most on Oasis and Quantum class ships is that none of the major venues and bars have views of the ocean. Vision and Radiance class don't have this issue. Every deck and venue except for the theatre has great views of the ocean. It really makes you feel like you are at sea. The biggest disadvantage about the cabins on Grandeur is that there are not that many balconies and they have a steep premium. We were fortunate enough to book a Panarama View cabin which really made a difference.