Holmie

My husband and I will be on Majesty over our anniversary in 2021. It’ll be our first cruise as diamond. Is there any special coffee for Diamond and above on board? Not a big deal if not; we’ll just get him a refreshment package like always, but just wondering so we could maybe save a few bucks 

Thompson is Mike’s last name (Grandeur) 

That’s the understanding I have too, which isn’t a problem. We have 2 rooms but because the two girls going with us are only 19, my husband and I are booked in separate rooms with the girls booked in separate rooms. We don’t plan on actually staying in our assigned rooms, but we should be set for any pictures because they’ll either be of all of us, the two girls, or my husband and I.

4 minutes ago, rs45thompson said:

When are you able to purchase these photo packages? I don’t see anything about it in cruise planner. Sorry if it’s a stupid question first time with Royal.

We bought ours in January for June cruise. Packages aren’t available yet for our December cruise. I just check in periodically because there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason for when they open things up

I purchased the All Prints photo package for Grandeur next month, and I was just wondering if anybody can let me know how it works. Do I need to go check photos every day and pull the ones I want or will they automatically be pulled? Just want to make sure we get every possible picture. We’ve got two first time cruisers with us that I want to have a bunch of photos for souvenirs, so I don’t want to miss out on any. 

1 minute ago, GigiK said:

 

Yes. When we switched it (well, them as there are two), it went gray. We switched because we thought a TA would help us to watch for price drops, which never happened. I mean there might have been, but our price didn't change.

 

And if anybody knows - Because we used a TA, will we also not be able to use the check in online feature as well?

 

I read these boards sometimes, so I know you guys *hate* all these newbie type questions, but I really appreciate any answers or perspectives. Thanks!

I’ve never used a TA but I do remember my parents sending all our info to theirs when we were kids, so I’m pretty sure they have to do the check in too

3 hours ago, cello56 said:

I think that I am going to start asking if they are required to ask for these 10's since the cruise survey asks us to name those who ask for them. Perhaps even ask if I can take a quick cell phone photo of their name tag so I can be sure to spell their name correctly! Ask them this with all sweetness and sincerity in your voice. Bet that puts a stop to this annoying practice right away quick!

I doubt it. We asked our waiter and assistant waiter on our last cruise about that question. They asked their head waiter. It was a total surprise to all of them that that question was even on the survey. 

Also, if I get an email every time I make any kind of payment. I would assume going through a Ta, he/she should have gotten the email and should be able to share with you. 

In my experience, when it’s gray and can no longer be clicked, it’s paid off. 

We are on Rhapsody right now (just boarded) and brilliance is right next to us currently. Not sure if they’re always in same positions or not, but itd be an easy walk  (we are at terminal 6) 

Grandeur Feb 2000

As early as I know we will have the time, we book. As of now, we have cruises booked for spring break this year, summer break, over New Years this year, summer 2020, and over New Years 2020-2021. We like to be able to pay off over time. 

1 hour ago, Tk10 said:

Thank you for the information. I’m fine with an older crowd honesty I’m not even 30 yet but I def get along with the older crowd and I’m old at heart so haha. I was just looking for a more laid back cruise and sounds like this may be the ship. 

Same here. I’m in my late 20s and my husband in his early 30s. I preferred the environment on Grandeur over Liberty (which were our last two cruises) Liberty was a younger crowd with more families, but also more drunk obnoxious adults. I love just being able to relax without being annoyed by loud obnoxious other cruisers and Grandeur provides lots of a lot of opportunities for that. The live music everywhere is great too

As a teacher, my two cents are as follows:

if your kids are decent students, have good attendance normally, and are motivated enough to get the work and get caught up upon returning, go for it. (As long as you give the school/teachers ample warning if expecting work before leaving) 

If their attendance is not good already, you don’t want to risk truancy for pulling them out for vacation.

If they struggle in school and won’t be able to catch up quickly and easily, don’t do it. I had one my seniors’ parents pull him for a week for a cruise this past October. They told us on the Friday before they left and expected work before school ended that day. Of course, that didn’t happen, as I don’t have the whole next week of copies ready that early. This student is also not a very good student. He lacks motivation and didn’t make up any of the work when he returned. His C- dropped to a D- from the lack of makeup work and being behind when he returned. He almost failed the semester, which would have meant he couldn’t graduate.

Unless it’s a situation like that, no harm in pulling your kids. My parents did that when my siblings and I were in middle and high school and we all got caught up easily because we gave advance notice and got the work before we left, enabling us to stay up to date on assignments. 

Love Grandeur. Been on twice, with two more booked over the next two years. Generally attracts an older crowd, but plenty to do for all ages. We do exclusively interiors. Been on decks 2 and 3. Our next is on deck 8 and the one after that we booked a guarantee so we don’t have an assigned room yet. There’s live music going on at pretty much all times. Nightly shows vary. They don’t have big broadway productions like the huge ships, but I’ve been pleased with the shows we’ve seen

You should be able to see them when you log into your account and view your past cruises. I believe it tells you how many points earned on each cruise. 

You just have to be aware that if any of your cruises were before they changed the way they awarded points, your total might not match exactly.

You should be able to see them when you log into your account and view your past cruises. I believe it tells you how many points earned on each cruise. 

1 hour ago, matj2000 said:

Your trip is almost 1 year away.

 

There will be plenty of time.

 

Why do you have to do this now??

 

Some people like to have things done early... gives you the best chance of getting the best deal. I tend to book my drink package as early as I see them and then keep an eye out for cheaper prices to cancel and rebook. Booking early and checking often has saved me a ton. 

I have 5 cruises currently booked. Only the two coming up next have beverage packages open. New Years cruise this December is still giving me the message that it’s unavailble and to purchase on board. It’s totally normal. It’s annoying, because I’m a planner and like to have things paid for early so I can keep an eye on price changes and get the best deal, but it is what it is. 

My husband and I have traveled exclusively in interiors. We are literally only in the room to shower, change, and sleep. Otherwise, we are out enjoying the ship. For us, spending more money for a bigger room doesn’t make financial sense. We can cruise way more often because we stick to interiors

On 1/25/2019 at 9:30 PM, DonnaK said:

Thank you.  She was the CD the last time I was on Anthem, and she only used the name Tornado Tanya.

I’m glad you had it as Tornado Tonya. We had her as activities director on Grandeur in 2017. I never would have known it was the same person if you had just had her real name. She only ever called herself Tornado Tonya. And our CD was Cruisin Susan... she always called her Tornado Tonya too. Glad to see she’s a CD now. She was amazing as activities director. My two ~2 y/o nieces loved her, even the one who never liked any new people. She’d pick them up and play with them. 😊 I liked her waaaay better than Susan. 

1 hour ago, SamTimeDining said:

I would do an uberXL for 4 plus luggage. Still the most cost effective way to go and it's a private ride.

When we were planning our cruise I priced this out and it ended up being twice as expensive as Galveston Express Shuttle that we ultimately went with. 

9 minutes ago, Pianogrl44 said:

 

Most importantly, have fun and don’t sweat the small stuff, you’re on vacation and cruising is the best!!

 

This is the most important tip here! Our airline lost one of our bags before our last cruise so we only had 2 shirts each and my husband only had 1 pair of shorts and some swim trunks for the whole 7 night cruise. We also didn’t have any toiletries, but we bought new stuff, which was inconvenient, and got reimbursed from airline. Didn’t let it put a damper on our cruise at all. It’s vacation: any day on a cruise is better than a day at work 😂

Not necessarily a cruise hack, but something we do on most vacations. We always pack a febreeze scented trash bag for our dirty clothes. We hand wash a lot of stuff, but the bags prevent the closet/room from getting stinky from stinky clothes we don’t want to wash. 

I can’t imagine that would be a problem. As long as your name matches and the info matches what you filled in to get your set sail pass, I think you’re good