Grandeur out of Baltimore - need to hear from ya'll

[Littlegoo75]

Hi. Thinking about the 10 day cruise out of Baltimore on the Grandeur of the Seas. Has anyone done this cruise before? The itinerary sounds great and I am in the D.C. area, so it would be great to just drive to the pier rather than have to fly somewhere.

The main thing that I am worried about is the gamble of sailing during hurricane season. This cruise is in September if I remember correctly. I was originally thinking of cruising in November to avoid Hurricane season for the most part, but now I am not sure if I want to wait that long.

So, could you guys tell me about the Grandeur? I know she is an older ship ( 8 yrs old?) The last ship I was on was a brand new one, will I be disappointed or has she been well maintained. ANyone who has been on her lately, please tell me what you thought, and how is the food?

 

??????????? November 2004

Carnival Pride 4/27/02

Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[Honey's Gal]

We sailed on the Grandeur repositioning cruise last year out of Boston. We had a great time. the Grandeur is a beautiful ship in spite of its age. She is well kept and the crew was wonderful. We have sailed her 3x's already and wouldn't hesitate to sail her again.

 

Also, regarding hurricane season. We have sailed in October about 9 x's already and we have never ever had a problem. Don't worry about hurricane season, they will always sail around it. If you are concerned about getting to the ship, then you should purchase insurance. It is difficult anytime of the year, we are from the northeast and it is either hurricanes or snow storms, etc.

 

Go and have a great time, you won't regret it.

 

Grandeur 10/99

Monarch 10/00

Rhapsody 8/01

Voyager 10/02

Grandeur 10/31/03

Serenade 10/18/04

[Littlegoo75]

That's why I figure it would be better to sail out of Baltimore since we can drive there in an hour. The thought of just being able to drive home after disembarking sounds grrrrreat! It's a 10 day cruise, so it will be nice to not have to take the extra vacation days for travel to and from the ship.

I don't think we would ever not by the insurance. We were all set to sail on the Legend ( Carnival) last year, and a month before the cruise there was a family emergency and there was no way we could be out in Panama in case something happened, so we were able to cancel and get a complete refund ( except for the airfare that we purchased on our own). SO they extra $100 we spent for the insurance was sure worth it!

I am really liking the idea of sailing out of Baltimore because it will be a chance for the husband and I to meet other couples from the area. We just moved here 6 months ago, and have had a really hard time meeting child-free couples like ourselves.

 

??????????? November 2004

Carnival Pride 4/27/02

Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[SeaUThere]

My husband and I are sailing on the Grandeur out of Baltimore on September 4th. (I will post a review when we return) This will be our second cruise out of Baltimore. (The first was on Celebrity Galaxy) The port is about 50 minutes from our house so it is great! I now look for all cruises out of Baltimore. No more flying!

 

I think you will like the port. Once you sail from Baltimore, you may never sail from anywhere else again.

 

I'm not too concerned with Hurricane season, as I've heard that the ships will detour to avoid the bad weather. I've never heard of any problems yet.

 

Grandeur of the Seas-September 4, 2004

Galaxy-June 7, 2002

Fascination-March 17, 2001

 

 

[Mike&Lorraine]

We just got back on Friday from an 11 day Eastern Caribbean on the Grandeur out of Baltimore. It was great. It was our first cruise, so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but the service was great and the ship is really pretty. We had no complaints whatsoever and driving to the port is wonderful. We're also in the DC area and it took all of 45 minutes to drive to the port. Parking is easy and reasonable. It's really cool sailing under the Bay Bridge after driving over it so many times.

 

I don't think you can go wrong. We're actually toying with doing another seven day Bahamas cruise on her in early August. My DH is going to be tied up for work from Mid-August through next May and we won't be able to get away, so it's really tempting to do one more while we can.

 

One more note. When I said the service was great - I meant it. We took our 3 and 4 year olds with us. My 3 year old daughter uses a stool at home to go potty and had a hard time with the "high" potties. Would you believe the ship's carpenter came into the cabin, took measurements, and made a beautiful wooden stool for her, complete with non-slip tape! We dragged it from the cabin to the kids club every day. We left it there for any other kids with same problem!

[Littlegoo75]

SOunds great!

See U there - It is interesting that I read that you have been on both the Grandeur and the Galaxy - I am having a hard time deciding between the two. How do you think they compare? Both ships are going pretty much the same itinerary a week apart in September, price is about the same, etc. So I'm not sure which one would be a better choice.

 

??????????? November 2004

Carnival Pride 4/27/02

Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[Littlegoo75]

Yeah, The husband and I just spent the weekend in Rehoboth/Dewey Beach. When we drove over the Bay Bridge, I had to wonder if it was tall enough for the ships to pass under. I guess it has to be, otherwise I don't know how the ships would make it to the Atlantic.

 

??????????? November 2004

Carnival Pride 4/27/02

Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[gambler]

We were on the same cruise with Lorriane. I looked for you at the M&M but did not see you. There was a good turn out. So glad to hear you enjoyed you first cruise. I knew the kids would love it. Good luck on booking another one.

This was my 5th cruise on the Grandeur and it was great as always. I think the Grandeur has one of the best crew going. I will try to put together a review this weekend.

 

Monarch of the Seas 09/92

Majesty of the Seas 11/93,11/95

Sovereign of the Seas 09/94

Grandeur of the Seas 11/99,11/00,06/01,02/02,05/04

Navigator of the Seas 12/02,11/04

Rhapsody of the Seas 06/03

Radiance of the Seas 11/03

 

 

[Coochuck]

Grandeus was our first cruise back in 97...have been sailing every year since. What kind of shape is the ship in?

 

Thanks, Chuck

[elliecall]

Hey Chuck, any teenagers going on the cruise with you?? I will have 2 girls 14+15 with my husband and I. Maybe we'll see you on the ship.

[checkard]

Are you doing Eastern or Western? We were on the 10-day Western route out of Baltimore on May 21-31. I love not having to fly to cruise.

 

We're not worried about going during hurricane season - We're going on Voyager out of Bayonne, NJ in October this year. The ships go around the bad weather.

 

----------------------------

Explorer 11/2001

Explorer 12/14/02

Serenade 10/13/03

Grandeur 5/21/04

----------------------------

 

Until Voyager 10/8/04

 

<MARQUEE>Won't Be Long Now till we'll be cruisin'</MARQUEE>

 

<center>

<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">

</center>

[lwchocygrl]

I am also heading out of Balitmore Sept 4 and it will be my first cruise and I have no idea what to expect. I don't know what to wear (formal?) I don't know what to do when we get to the destinations shop or enjoy the sites? My boyfriend is celebrating his b-day and i want to get him something to do on the ship. can i pre-buy something from the ship or should i wait till we are on the ship? How early should be there for boarding? Is everyone going to have a passport? I need to so much help!!!!!!!!

[Coochuck]

Ellie, sorry .. no teanagers.

[Mike&Lorraine]

Gambler -

 

We were at the M&M, but we got there a few minutes late. I was the one chasing the little blond girl around the Crown & Anchor lounge. We didn't stay long. The kids had just gotten out of kid club and they were hungry and restless. I wish I could have stayed longer, but it just wasn't in the cards.

 

We all had a great time (absent the inevitable "toddler moments" that we were expecting.) They both cried getting off the ship.

[PJnVA]

I will be on the grandeur Sept 24th sailing. Couldn't pass up the price. Even sailing solo.

 

Carnival Sensation 09/99

Carnival Victory 12/01

Carnival Sensation 05/02

Carnival Pride 12/02

Carnival Spirit 12/03

Celebrity Galaxy 3/04

Grandeur of the Seas in ...

Carnival Conquest in ...

<IMG SRC="http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;12;12;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600>[/img]

Adventures of the Sea in ...

Adventures of the Sea in ...

 

[Bonster]

Littlegoo75, we sailed Galaxy last year out of Baltimore and going under the Bay Bridge was wild, I didn't think we were going to clear it! I also am considering Grandeur for my next cruise. Thanks to all for the feedback!

 

 

Nordic Empress 1995

Radiance of the Seas 2001

Galaxy 2003

Explorer of the Seas 2004

[soulpony]

just booked aboard the Grandeur for 9/4. Surprised that I could not find a Roll Call for the departure date. Were planning another cruise but prices got so low could not restrain myself.

This will be our first cruise with RCL and looking forward to it! have a ton of questions so looking for people who will be traveling with us.

 

I snorkel, wife shops and MAYBE wades on the beach. I like blackjack, she slots. Both like music and the shows!

 

Are there movies on board? what about robes? Met with crusiecritic people last year on Carnival's Paradise and really enjoyed meeting everyone.

 

looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Soulpony

[iluvcruzin]

aww.. Soulpony.. Did you change your mind on the Maasdam? You will have a good time on the Granduer. I didn't sail out of Baltimore but out of New Orleans. It was a nice cruise. Yes to the question on Robes. Just ask your cabin attendent (they go by this name since there's lots of women who are staff members).

 

A few pics from my April sailing..

 

Granduer pics

 

Maureen

 

MS Maasdam 10/30/2004

Princess Sun 2/27/2005

Mariner of the Seas 10/16/2005

[soulpony]

Sorry, Maureen, but I got an offer I could not refuse- hundreds less than the Maasdam. Thanks for the pictures. and thanks for the info. If you have other pearls don't hesitate. I jumped on this cruise knowing less about the ship than usual but I am looking forward to studying options.

 

Soulpony

 

Fascination 10/98

Paradise 9/03

[TimmyII]

Now all you fine northern cruisers keep good care of that ship, and send it back nice, neat, and with a happy crew. I am gonna stress out enough waiting until November!!!!

 

 

 

Grandeur 11/13/04 FantaSea Cruise click here

 

Grand Princess-11/27/2004-Click Here

 

JOHN MENDENHALL

[psw]

I sailed on the galaxy out of baltimore and there is no compasison between the two IMHO in esthetics. The service on the galaxy was awesome but I was a bit dissapointed in the ships look. Maybe because I am used the the grand foyer on RCCL that was non exsistant on the Galaxy. Well it was there but I missed it the first few days. LOL was just a winding staricase mid ship. Also maybe because of the ships size the foyer was small. Dont get me wrong had a great time. Couldnt have asked for better service. We went the beginning of November and the weather was less than wonderful but not awful. Atlantic seas are choppier than the carr seas so expect a little more rocking and rolling (love to be rocked to sleep). You cant go wrong leaving from Bmore, the terminal leaves a bit to be desired but that too will be improved on in the future. But anything within driving distance that saves on airfare is a good thing. trade the price of the airfare for a better cabin. If I hadnt just done this iten last year would have booked again this year, but decided to do a land vacation this year instead. Will cruise again next year on the granduers sister ship the legend. Waht ever you decide you will have a great tiem, because IMHO there is no such thing as a bad cruise.

 

Till we sail

 

Legend of the Seas 03-2005

Celebrity Galaxy 11-2003

Carnival pride 12-2002

Costa Romantica 03-2000

Dolphin 1997

Monarch of the Seas 06-1992

Carnival Ecstacy 07-1991

Soverign of the Seas 11-1990

[Robby2299]

Hey Chuck, any teenagers going on the cruise with you?? I will have 2 girls 14+15 with my husband and I. Maybe we'll see you on the ship.

We're going on the 7/25 Grandeur from Balto with 7 kids (11-22), 5 adults...looking for a group for M & M.

[mskaufman]

We live between Balt and DC. Two years ago we took Galaxy out of Baltimore and last year we left from Miami. Not having to fly was so worth it that the only cruise we considered for this year was Grandeur. We left our house at 11:30 and were on the boat by 1:00. Also, when the cruise is over, you get right home and do not have to deal with airlines, connections, etc.