Somesail_wecruise

Thanks for checking all the same.  

On 8/19/2019 at 5:48 PM, MEcruzr said:

Tickets TO the islands include your return trip to Portland... most people don't stay on the boat to return on the same run, but you can.

The website says "Round trip passage is defined as transportation to an island with return on a different boat." but are you saying that that is not heavily enforced?  I'd like to save the few bucks but I fear that my family might freak if they hear that they'll have to get back on a later boat.  I'd be willing to risk it, but I'd love to hear what others have experienced.

4 hours ago, spookwife said:

2: technically it is accessible.  Realistically, there will be times where she would need to break away from the group to take the elevator and there is not a whole helluva lot of room in some parts to easily ride one between the giant tray holder thingies.

Okay, that is really good to know.  Thank you.

1 hour ago, atb said:

I have seen a few Red Hat Groups in full regalia.  Over the winter, I saw another group (not Red Hat) but something similar.  They were seated in the MDR, so I would say - it's not a problem.

Yes!  I think I've seen them as well.  Okay, just wanted to make sure that I wasn't crazy.  Thank you!

5 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

If you are flexibile with your schedule and go to a specialty restaurant as soon as you board, you should not have a problem booking your dining package.

Did you go to the booking desk or the restaurant itself when you get on-board?  I just don't want to stand in line for a reservation only to find that I'm in the wrong place.

Have 3 (hopefully quick) questions about Grandeur.

1.  I know that the standards of dress in the MDR is a constant source of frustration for some, but I just called RC and they said that ALL HATS, even women's hats which might go with their evening outfits, are not allowed in the MDR.  I know that I've seen both men and women wear hats or headwear on formal nights, but has anyone seen women wearing hats on other nights and getting into trouble for it?  Just need to know how much of a risk I might run if we try to do something with hats.

2.  Has anyone done the Bottomless Galley Tour?  One of our group is interested, but she is also the one that is in a motorized scooter.  (Between you and me, I think she's most interested in the bottomless drinks part, not so much the Galley tour but what can you do? 🙂 )  Again, called RC and they said that the tour is accessible, but wondering if anyone who has actually gone on it has more info or insight; didn't feel confident with RC's answer.

3.  Does anyone know/have an idea on how many tables are in the Specialty restaurants?  We have the 3 night package, but we're trying to figure out how much of a hassle it might be to book them, especially if they only seat like 30 tables or something.  

Thanks in advance!

My sister and I did it on the Oasis in 2014.  It was very fun but not that well attended; there were maybe 14 of us.  Yes, people dressed up; mostly a lot of feather boas for the women.  And the drinks were very strong.

Thank you! Thank you!  Thank you!  You have been an amazing reviewer!  Thank you times a million and three!

3 hours ago, cliftoncruiser said:

I will upload them in pieces (by day) as I get the time.  Day 1 is attached.  If this works, I figured it out,

2019-07-18_194902.pdf 3.23 MB · 1 download

You did it! It's perfect!  Bless your heart.  Thank you.  

And I do plan to write a review with a focus on accessibility options (because one of our party is in a scooter and I think this place could use a bit more info on how the disabled cruise/get around.)  Thank you again!

I know it's a pain but did you happen to keep the cruise compasses?  I know, I know; it's one of the top ten most annoying requests but we're sailing this itinerary this fall and there are no Grandeur compasses.  It seem like Allure does this run (or did) but Allure has different features. Would love to have more current info.

Regardless, your review was great and we've already made some adjustments to our schedule based on your report so thank you for the time and your attention to detail!

18 hours ago, legaljen1969 said:

I knew what you meant.  For example, a new cruiser might not know that when they get the email with the arrival time- that is a suggested time. They might think they have to arrive at exactly that time- maybe not before or after.  
I would also wonder about this sort of thing since the demographic might be older/more experienced cruisers who know their way around the climate of the ship. 
And yes, without breaking "rules" there are definitely things you can get a different answer for depending on who you ask.   You can call twice to get information on a deposit or some other aspect of your cruise and get wildly different answers. Both people are probably technically correct, and it may be just how the person knows to input the information to get the outcome they desire.

Exactly!  Thank you.

13 minutes ago, Paulette3028 said:

Veteran cruisers have insight for sure on things like 'boarding time'....as they know that they will get an email with a time for boarding for their deck or cabin type, but it is merely a suggestion, and if you arrive earlier and boarding has begun you will be allowed to board.

 

What other "RULES" are you implying that veteran cruises can 'get around'?  I consider myself a veteran having done 27 cruises and don't consider myself a 'rule breaker' in any way. 

Yes!   The boarding time email conversations were confusing me as well.  The last time I cruised on RCL was in 2014 and I don't recall having a set boarding time, but I saw recent cruisers talking about it and how they (basically) ignored the stated time and got to the pier/dock whenever they wanted.

And I didn't mean to imply that veteran cruisers are rule-breakers.  I meant it more along the lines of "veteran cruisers will know (or have a better idea) about which statements/answers from cruise staff are set in stone and which can be malleable if you ask the right person"  AND "veteran cruisers will/might know which games/activities/on-board events give the best entertainment/prizes/enjoyment and that I might need to prepare the family that those are not to be missed and book/schedule early".  

13 minutes ago, PelicanBill said:

The main effects of a crowded ship:

Buffet gets full (go early or late)

Pool area is often standing room only

Longer waits for dining rooms (go early or reserve)

Family entertainment gets crowded in low capacity venues

Yes!  Thank you!  This is the type of advise I was looking for!  Any advice or info about room service times (like maybe a bit longer than normal)?  (My mother loves to get the morning room service.)

The family is sailing on the October 3rd Grandeur of the Seas New England and Canada route (departing Baltimore).  Currently, the cruise is "Sold Out" of every room category except interior cabins.

So my question is what should I expect/be aware of when sailing on a Sold Out cruise?

Here's what I know (or think I know):

• The Grandeur attracts an older crowd and there aren't as many amenities on it as Anthem or Adventure.
• This itinerary attracts a nature-loving/leaf-peeping crowd so the excursions are mostly history and nature-related.
• The "Sold Out" status is bound to change as we get closer to (and past) the final payment due date.

Here are my guesses/assumptions:

• There will be many Diamond and Diamond Plus members aboard.
• There will also be quite a few veteran cruisers who can be particular or are "in the know" about certain aspects (like boarding times or how to get around certain RC rules or processes).

I guess I just want to do my best to ensure that the family doesn't miss out on too much because we just didn't know about it or didn't know it would be so popular that we needed to have booked it in February.  Any advice or information would be great.  Thanks in advance.

These are so awesome! Thank you for letting us all tag along! Can you/will post some pics of the daily compass? Our family is taking this cruise next year and I'm interested to see what changes between the spring and fall sailings.

Yes! Very interested! I'm doing the same cruise next year and there isn't much new/updated info about the Canada cruise.

Last summer, my family cruised on Grandeur. We got the soda package, which we ultimately felt wasn't worth it because

1) they didn't have the Freestyle machines (which meant that we had to go to the bar every time for a soda), and

2) the ship had cups of water, ice tea and lemonade available at all times. It also had coffee and hot water for teas, which were open for all.

What we're curious about is whether this will be the same on the Oasis. I know that the Oasis has the Freestyle machines, so the soda would be much easier. But what about the water, coffee and tea?

(And I apologize in advance because I'm SURE that this question has been asked (and answered) a hundred times on this site, but I just couldn't find a clear comparison when I spent about an hour searching.)

Thanks in advance!

YES and PLEASE

1. It's their job to serve you. If anything, the success of the machines make it likely the company will cut back on staffing if they find the machines are cost effective.

 

2. LOVE THOSE MACHINES, they are in 5 Guys and Firehouse Subs. I love Lime Cokes. Cherry Cokes. and Orange FANTAS.

 

3.I am now more apt to purchase a soda package now that the selection is greatly expanded.

 

are they on the Grandeur?

They weren't last summer.