Grandeur of the Seas Family Review 9/11/10 - Captain Rob's Last GOS Sailing

[Wilda]

Had a little snicker at the "Pool rules sign" that said "no glassware or food in the pool'. While the lady with baby was being escorted away, there was a guy lounging on the side of the pool with a glass (making an assumption here) beer bottle in hand. :D

 

Enjoying your review, looking forward to more. You've had enough sleep now.:)

 

I noticed that too. Or are the beer bottles made of plastic?

[Constance331]

Hi Michelle, can you tell me which sailing will be Capt. Rob's last one on Grandeur?

[ImmortalxKiss]

The one she went on, was his last. 9-11-10

 

How were the seas? Calm, I hope!!

[crusinmama06]

Wilda - YES, we had to flip the bed up during the day just to get out onto the balcony. It was a very tight squeeze. And at night when the kids were sleeping, it was even worse.

 

I saw the picture of your coffee set up. Just have to ask-folks have said that the coffee provided doesn't fit in the pot. Have they now got the correct coffee?

 

I didn't try the coffee, sorry I don't know. That's interesting though.

 

Had a little snicker at the "Pool rules sign" that said "no glassware or food in the pool'.

 

You're right! It does look like a glass bottle -- good catch! I know they have plastic BUD bottles but that looked like a glass bottle.

 

you didnt by chance run into a lovely woman in the dining room by the name of Ava did you? i did a 6 day on the GOS out of Tampa and it ranks up there in the top 3 ive sailed. beautiful ship, fantastic crew...

 

Nope, I didn't have the pleasure of meeting her. And you're right, the crew was wonderful. :D

[crusinmama06]

C&A events/gifts --

 

For the Platinums/Diamonds - there was a Welcome Back party held one night in the South Pacific Lounge. They had free wine (red/white and zinfandel), rum punch and champage -- free muchies. Then there was entertainment. The event was held on Day 4 - 7:45 - 8:30pm, Attire was Smart Casual

 

Diamonds/D+ - received a "Diamond Only Ammenity" -- it was a plate of chocolate covered strawberries, petifores, cookies.

 

Diamonds/D+ - received a blue Royal Caribbean logo bag

 

D+/suite guests - there was a D+/suite guests only event held -- this one was more exclusive

 

Diamonds/D+ (probably suite guests too but I didn't notice) - breakfast in the Main Dining Room ANNEX was held -- complimentary specialty coffees were served along with the regular main dining room menu. The letter I received said that a "staff member would also be available to provide assistance with onboard activities and other services" -- it seems like they just stop short of calling this person a "concierge". I never saw this "staff member" in the dining room Annex.

 

Diamonds and D+ -- Exclusive Nightly Diamond Event -- 5pm - 8pm, Champagne Bar on Deck 4 Centrum, complimentary wine, champagne and fountain soda -- 25% off beer and liquor. One drink per member per order.

[lovelife]

Captain Rob is absolutely the best!! Too bad he won't be on Enchantment yet on October 30 for my cruise. :(

[Priusprof]

Captain Rob is absolutely the best!! Too bad he won't be on Enchantment yet on October 30 for my cruise. :(

We loved the times that we sailed with Capt. Rob on Grandeur and will look forward to a trip on Enchantment with him at the helm.

[ImmortalxKiss]

How were the seas? Calm, I hope!! :D

[LBcruzman]

I saw the picture of your coffee set up. Just have to ask-folks have said that the coffee provided doesn't fit in the pot. Have they now got the correct coffee?

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise!

 

The coffee provided now on the Granduer fits the coffee maker just fine. When pouring water in though, be careful, there are two holes in the upper part of the back of the coffeemaker and if you put too much water in it spills all over.

[evlwman]

Thanks for all the great info Michele! We sail on the Grandeur October 18, and we're looking forward to reading the rest of your reviews. :)

[ImmortalxKiss]

:( Want to hear more!!

[weary traveler]

I think of you often..... how are you??????? lets ketchup??????????

[dixieva]

The coffee provided now on the Granduer fits the coffee maker just fine. When pouring water in though, be careful, there are two holes in the upper part of the back of the coffeemaker and if you put too much water in it spills all over.

 

 

Thanks! Finally they got it right. I love being able to make a cup of coffee as soon as I wake up while I'm waiting for room service.

[skyw]

Can't wait to read the rest. I have a 7 year old. So I looooovvvvveeeee reviews that have kids in them.

[PH8]

I think of you often..... how are you??????? lets ketchup??????????

All good here.....just cruising and wishing I was cruising more:p

 

Sorry Michelle that I got OT with Paul..:o Sometimes you see a name you haven't seen in forever!

[Queen of Oakville]

We sailed the next sailign after you. I guess we didn't have Captian Rob - but he was pretty nice. We heard him far more often than the cruise director. I think it would be fair for me to say that John Blair was the worst cruise director we've ever had. Granted, we've only been 6 cruises .... not to say that he was terrible (he wasn't) but we certainly had 5 better cruise directors. I'll further qualify this by saying that John Heald was my last CD.

 

You liked the food in the windjammer? Our day 1 food was indeble!!!! We left home on Thursday at 4AM and I didn't eat breakfast. I nibbled on a few lays chips on the plane. We were at the windjammer about 10 to noon. I had a full blate, and picked at the food. EVERYTHING was dry and overcooked and underseasoned. I didn't eat more than a few bites. By 3 or so, I had a massive headache starting to build. I didn't feel hungry, so i didn't associate the headache with hunger. We had late seating and by 7 or so, my head was pounding (again I didn't feel hungry). I went to the infirmary and got some ibuprofen. Took it on an empty stomach (not too bright) and felt soooooo queasy after that. I spent the rest of the night sleeping in the cabin (it was our 10th anniversary) and sent DH off to the MDR by himself!

[skyw]

more...more....more....

[ali_cat]

So..... if Rob isn't on the Grandeur anymore, who is? And does anyone know anything about him?

[crusinmama06]

Queen of Oakville - yes, actually for the first time EVER on a RCI ship I have to say that I LOVED the food. I have been complaining about the food on RCI ships ever since I sailed on Freedom back in 2007. I thought all RCI ships were cursed with bad food and that I was destined to love the ships and despise the food.

 

I have to say that the food on Grandeur was DELISH! I have to take the time to say that I am SOOO SORRY for all of the food bashing posts that I have written over the past few years. I am now convinced that the problem may not be fleetwide -- it may just be Freedom Class wide. :eek:;)

 

Every night in the MDR, we were served one delicious meal after another. And what was amazing to me is that the same dishes DID NOT taste the same on Freedom and Independence.

 

They did serve lobster but it wasn't on formal night.

 

If anyone has any specific menu questions, let me know and I will try to answer it. I will be scanning and posting the NEW KIDS MENU this weekend. It has changed.

 

One thing in the dining room -- as far as the "free drinks", you can have iced tea, cofee, milk, water and ONE SERVING of JUICE (like apple) -- the waiter told a member of our party that a refill of juice would be a charge.

 

After the first day, the soft serve frozen yogurt was open. Flavors were chocolate, vanilla and twist. There was never any need for us to go to Ben and Jerry's. Actually, the kids didn't realize there was a Ben & Jerry's onboard until the last night. ;)

 

 

Self Proclaimed Ice Cream Eating Champ!

 

[crusinmama06]

Day 1 Compasses

 

 

 

 

[Poorplaya]

Great review, thanks for all the pictures you posted. Sorry to hear about the problems with the room, glad they took care of you though.

[crusinmama06]

Kids Menu

This has changed since we sailed on Indy and Freedom. They have eliminated the ravioli off the kids menu. The kids ended up ordering steak every night off the main dining room menu.

 

 

It was two sided - they could color on the other side.

 

[crusinmama06]

Great review, thanks for all the pictures you posted. Sorry to hear about the problems with the room, glad they took care of you though.

 

Oh I am not done, just getting started. ;) I am on Day 1. Stay tuned....My reviews tend to take days to complete. :D

[Poorplaya]

Oh I am not done, just getting started. ;) I am on Day 1. Stay tuned....My reviews tend to take days to complete. :D

 

Sweet can't wait!!!!!!!!!

[cruisenfever]

Thanks for the update Michele, we booked the Enchantment for December 27 so we are looking forward to meeting Captain Rob.