pisces1

We just cruised on Grandeur of the Seas two weeks ago to Bermuda. We have sailed on Celebrity, Norwegian, Cunard, Holland America and RCCL. This was the smallest ship we have ever been on, but surprisingly it didn't matter one bit.

Everything was clean, updated, and as others said the staff was excellent - professional, jovial, helpful, and very committed to making our cruise an enjoyable experience. We were having our family reunion on this trip, so we decided to book the "Royal Suite" so that we could have a place where our family could gather in private. Of all the more higher end staterooms we have traveled in, this was our favorite. All the furnishings were understated and attractive (not garish) and the lay-out of the suite just made sense. We laughed at the "baby grand piano" that seemed to be a bit over the top, but when my sister-in-law sat down to play, we were overjoyed with our private concerts at sea. In the end it was a joy to have it in our room!

The concierge went far and beyond to make sure our family's trip was memorable and hassle free. Even though, many of the other staterooms we purchased were inside, or ocean view, he treated everyone as a VIP even allowing all of us to depart the ship together despite our varying disembarkation times.

The spa experience was excellent. The pools as good as the other ships. The outdoor movie screen was fun, and it helped to have it during the many competitions poolside, that were difficult to see because of the crowds. The aerial performances in the grand center of the ship were unique and interesting. The trivia games were fun, and many of our family members made it a point to get to every game.

One of my favorite activities was just sitting on the balcony and enjoying the endless shades of blue, looking out for whales and other sea life. We had terrific weather (only the first night/day) we rocked due to the remnants of Arthur. Even with it's small size, we never felt cramped, and ALL of the fellow passengers seemed to be having as good a time as we were.

Only slight negatives were the casino (new slot machines desperately needed) and the food which ranged from being a big hit or a serious miss. My sister-in-law received a baked potato in the dining room the first night that was rock solid. They graciously replaced it, but that one was rotten in the middle. Third time wasn't a charm either, as the spud was cold and hard. The staff was exceptional, the kitchen not so much. Many of the desserts were a one bite experience. The appetizers always seemed to taste so much better than the entrees. Their salads were excellent, the soups like Lobster Bisque a failure. Nevertheless, if one chose wisely, you could have a good dining experience.

All in all, we would not hesitate to sail on her again.

"Alcohol is not sold in Bermuda on Sunday"

The island of Bermuda passed a law that now allows establishments to sell liquor/beer/wine on Sundays.

We just returned from Bermuda and had a chance to visit Daniel's Head twice, once on Sunday after we arrived at the cruise ship dock in the afternoon, and then again the next day when we rented boats and decided to drop anchor there for awhile. You can absolutely snorkel and swim. We found the place absolutely delightful. For the most part, we had the beach to ourselves and a previous poster is incorrect about where the cabs drop you off. Our driver took us all the way down to the beach, so it was just steps to the sand. Only caveat taking a cab, is getting back. We made arrangements with our driver and had several numbers to call. (we had a working cell phone). We did end up waiting a bit for our ride, but never had taxi problems after that. In the end, we weren't too upset as we were able to watch an unbelievable start to a gorgeous sunset.

Suds is a food shack owned by a mother and son that is near the beach. Although the food was great, be prepared to wait and bring cash as it is not cheap. They prepare everything to order, so you know it's fresh. Fish sandwiches, reubens, burgers, hot dogs, bbq shredded chicken sandwiches, cod cakes etc all were in the $7 - $9 range. They were a joy to talk with as we learned much about the island and the people. It was so nice to get away from all the tourists and just hang with the locals.

We loved this place. It's no horseshoe beach, but it still has the magnificant turquoise, aqua and mint green waters that Bermuda is so known for. Best of all, it is in a protected area, so the seas are usually completely flat, which makes for great snorkeling and swimming.