Bad Reviews for Grandeur of the Seas?????

[ohiopeople]

Had planned on booking a GS on the GOS in March of 2014. After reading numerous reviews...…not so sure. One review on Cruise Critic that is scaring me was from FANDANGO111, who was in an Owners suite 8004 on deck 8, in April 2012. Complaints of noise at night so loud that his wife and he were unable to sleep. Windjammer (and kitchen) on deck 9. Why RC would put their most expensive suites under a restaurant? This man also stated that they had problems with the toilets not working. “The toilet overflowed, it took 4 hours with 2 reminders to appear and repair it, and another 5 hours with constant reminders to clear its contents from the bathroom floor. It overflowed its contents on the floor twice more. Similar delays to clean it. They repaired it, but it continually noisily flushed in the middle of the night.” But the complaint that stopped me cold was the problems with bedbugs!!! Wife was treated by ships Doctor and room was dismantled during the day. It sounded like this man did everything that he could do, talked with the hotel manager and Guest Service Managers.

Should I go ahead and book the room, hoping that things will be better on this ship in 16 months? I have read other reviews from people that were in other rooms that reported no problems at all.

Perhaps I should book a JS and stay away from the bigger suites??

[ChipLondon]

I have recently sailed on The Granduer, and had a wonderful cruise. Sure I did not stay in the same cabin as the one you mention, nor did I experience any similar problems. Whilst I like to think that all reviews are fair and a true experience of the author, I find it hard to believe that it took a total of 9 hours to get a flooding problem solved and cleaned up afterwards. I would be one of those that would give the ship and crew rave reviews and go back tomorrow given half a chance to do so.

[R'man]

The Grandeur has always seemed to attract bad reviews...and good ones. We once considered cancelling a cruise on Grandeur after reading the same sorts of things. We went and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I bet you will, too. BTW: Grandeur is coming back to Baltimore and we will be happy to sail her again...and again!

[Room Service!]

We're willing to take the chance. Cruising on her next Nov. We are really looking forward to it.

We were on her a few years ago. NO complaints. I am looking forward to seeing the changes.

No one's review would sway me one way or another. I suggest you go and make up your own mind.

[Scotland01]

Was on Granduer Aug. 28 and had one of our best cruises. Staff brilliant and refurbishment made an excellent ship shame still problems with some of toilets but quickly fixed. Our 28th cruise and one of best.

[buffi001]

Wasn't the initial, damning review, quoted by the OP before the

recent renovation of the Grandeur? I would think, and hope, that

many of the issues mentioned have since been resolved. The renovated

Grandeur looks beautiful.

[MadManOfBethesda]

One review on Cruise Critic that is scaring me was from FANDANGO111, who was in an Owners suite 8004 on deck 8, in April 2012. Complaints of noise at night so loud that his wife and he were unable to sleep. Windjammer (and kitchen) on deck 9. Why RC would put their most expensive suites under a restaurant? This man also stated that they had problems with the toilets not working. ??

 

We were on that same cruise in April, in GS 8508, which is almost directly across the hall (and 2 cabins back) from 8004. So we, too, were located under the Windjammer. However, our experience was completely different. My wife is a very light sleeper, but neither she nor I had any issue with noise from above. We also didn't have any issue with bedbugs.

 

There was an issue with the toilets for a couple of days. We would go to flush the toilet and nothing would happen. Then, about two hours later, the toilet would flush on its own. We were told that the problem wasn't with our specific bathroom, but that there was some sort of obstruction further down the line.

 

We went on Grandeur knowing that it was an older ship and that it would be going into drydock following our transatlantic cruise, so we were expecting a very tired-looking ship in need of refurbishing. When we boarded, however, we were pleasantly surprised at how nice she appeared. I can only imagine that she is in even better condition now.

[philnpen]

We've been on the Grandeur four times, but never in a GS. Twice we booked balcony rooms and were upgraded to JS, once was an aft JS. The other two times we had booked JS. If you try hard enough you can find something on all shjips you don't like. Then if you give a bad review it may cause people to consider changing their cruise. I say go ahead and enjoy your cruise and try to overlook the minor things.

[tikif6]

No matter where you go or what you do, someone will always love it while someone will always hate it. That's just the way it goes.

 

Don't let negative reviews influence you. This is just how our society works now. If something is good or postive, most people will say nothing. But when someone didn't like something you can surely bet that they will say something. Most times they will embelish on things just to make it seem like they "suffered some hardship" to make a point.

 

I for one have a tendency when planning vacations to read tons of reviews to the point where a few times i've almost scared myself away. I'm so glad that I didn't pay attention to these "bad" reviews because each time we had such a great time!

 

A vacation/cruise is what you make of it, not what others think.

[ohiopeople]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and personal experiences, booking a GS this afternoon for February 2014 (OMG…doesn’t that seem forever!)

I guess that I was surprised by a few reviews (after the refit) that complained of noise from above. Hubby is a light sleeper, I could sleep standing up watching a rock concert…but if he is awake then I am awake!

We usually cruise in a Voyager class because I have a problem with motion sickness. But in September there was this cruise that cost wise was just too good to be true on the Monarch of the Seas. Read all of the reviews (always do)…seems everyone loves this ship! We had such a good time. Best cruise we have been on. Staff was so friendly/helpful, never seemed like the ship was full, no waiting or pushing anywhere….even the elevators (we take stairs whenever we can anyway, almost have to on the larger ships) and get this….no problems with motion sickness!! We live in Ohio and would rather drive than fly if possible to our ports. Was looking at cruises out of the East coast when I found the Grandeur of the seas coming to Baltimore in the summer/fall of 2013. Hey, we enjoyed the Sovereign class so much let’s try the Vision Class!

[motherof]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and personal experiences, booking a GS this afternoon for February 2014

The 18th? I'll be there. There is a meet and mingle thread already started.

[ohiopeople]

Western Caribbean on the 8th

[awboater]

I always take reviews with some skepticism. We all see things differently, have different expectations, and that reflects our opinion, and ultimately what we put on paper. What one person finds patently offensive may be just a minor inconvenience to others.

 

Thing is, these ships are in constant use, and you just about have to expect some issues along the way. Overall, I have been impressed over the years of how well they are maintained given their constant use.

 

And any ship can have specific problems - which might affect one or several cabins. But what I would be most interested in is whether or not the crew did it's best to remedy it.

 

Reports of bedbugs do seem a bit troubling, but that has probably as much due to the previous occupants as anything else, and can occur in a hotel as well. Unless they begin conducting hygiene tests on boarding day, not a lot can be done to prevent it.

 

I was on the Grandeur, but it was in 2009, so it does not really apply today. However, I did like the ship, and thought it was clean.

[uamazme]

We went on GOS January 2009. It's a wonderful smaller ship. We had a great time. I can't remember, but I think we had a small bathroom issue, but it was solved almost immediately. A couple we sat with at dinner were on a B2B, B2B, B2B, B2B for the entire month on this ship. It was their 3rd week and they were enjoying every moment, and she because very ill and had to seek medical attention back in Florida. RCCL escorted her off the ship upon arrival and provided transportation to her both ways. I would like to sail on Grandeur again since the rennovations.

[joe6666]

I always take reviews with some skepticism. We all see things differently, have different expectations, and that reflects our opinion, and ultimately what we put on paper. What one person finds patently offensive may be just a minor inconvenience to others.

 

Thing is, these ships are in constant use, and you just about have to expect some issues along the way. Overall, I have been impressed over the years of how well they are maintained given their constant use.

 

And any ship can have specific problems - which might affect one or several cabins. But what I would be most interested in is whether or not the crew did it's best to remedy it.

 

Reports of bedbugs do seem a bit troubling, but that has probably as much due to the previous occupants as anything else, and can occur in a hotel as well. Unless they begin conducting hygiene tests on boarding day, not a lot can be done to prevent it.

 

I was on the Grandeur, but it was in 2009, so it does not really apply today. However, I did like the ship, and thought it was clean.

 

Are we to be ok with bedbugs?

If you had bedbugs in your guest room at home, would you allow guests to sleep there?

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1211

[motherof]

Western Caribbean on the 8th

Over Valentine's Day! Enjoy. :)

[ohiopeople]

LOL

 

Did not even notice that!!!!

[earn]

Please don;t be concerned. I sailed on grandeur last September and just returned from a Greek Islands cruise on her on Monday. She is a fantstic ship with a fantastic crew. You will have a great time.

[awboater]

Are we to be ok with bedbugs?

If you had bedbugs in your guest room at home, would you allow guests to sleep there?

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1211

 

I don't think I said that.

 

But the connotation seemed to be that it was somehow the cruise line's fault there were bedbugs in the room. But the article you referenced:

 

Q: How do they get onboard cruise ships?

 

A: "Bed bugs typically are brought on board via guests' hand bags or luggage,"

 

Seems to suggest, like Norovirus, that guests bring them aboard.