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Fine, I'll Try a Small Ship - Live GRANDEUR Review (July 2, 2016)

Yorkvillain
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Yorkvillain

Yorkvillain

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FINAL THOUGHTS

 

-For the past few years, I hemmed and hawed about trying a Radiance class ship. However constant thoughts such as “I can’t go on a ship anymore unless it has a Royal Promenade” kept me from pulling the trigger. Trying a Vision-class ship wasn’t even a thought in my head. Boy am I glad I gave this great class of ships a chance. I just hope there are still some of these beauties around in the years to come.

 

-I will definitely stay at the Best Western Elkridge again. Nice hotel with free cruise parking and a free reliable shuttle to/from the pier. Throw in a bar next door and you have the whole package for a one-night stay. They’ll even shuttle you to the Inner Harbor or local casino if you ask.

 

-Cruise Maryland is outstanding! Check-in was very quick and leaving was pretty efficient as well.

 

-Some people think Horseshoe Bay is overrated. Some people are also insane.

 

-All three of our specialty restaurant dinners were very good (Chops, Giovanni’s, Izumi).

 

-Did I mention how much I love the Schooner Bar on the Vision-class?

 

-I wish I could have experienced the original Viking Crown Lounge on this class.

 

-If you don’t see the drink card advertised, just ask a bartender if you can purchase one. You never know. It worked for me and saved us a few bucks.

 

-VOOM surf/stream was pretty reliable and I will definitely buy it again every cruise. It wasn’t as great as the wifi on the Oasis last year but it was still good.

 

-We didn’t miss the fridge at all since the little cooler I picked up actually kept my bottled water colder than any cruise ship fridge could.

 

-Not having a balcony for the first time since 1998 was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I might sound like a lunatic but I’m actually debating between an oceanview room and a Junior Suite if we do the same trip next year. The reason being is that an OV room is about $1000 a person right now. A balcony is about $1600 and a JS is about $1700. I think $1600 per person is a little too much for a balcony on a 5-day cruise but $1700 for a JS doesn’t seem bad. Am I weird for thinking that?

 

-Now as for the dreaded shower curtain: Courtney didn’t have much of a problem with it. It was the size of the shower that she couldn’t stand. She was swearing like a sailor the first day or two as she got used to it. The shower curtain for me wasn’t that much of an issue. See the photo below. I just pushed the nozzle all the way to the top and tilted it up so it was shooting water at the curtain the whole time. It did a decent job of keeping the curtain back. An added bonus with the curtain: no black & blue elbows from banging them into the shower door.

 

 

cb8e3c110c4458bb739749ef89d601cb.jpg

 

 

-Doing a Live review with the Cruise Critic or Tapatalk app is light years better than doing it with a photo sharing website like photobucket. In February I used an image sizing app to re-size my photos and export them 800x600. This time I skipped the image sizing app and just uploaded the photos 640x480. They were a little smaller but it made my life easier.

 

-Attention Radiance class ships - You’ve been put on notice. I’m coming for you (finally).

 

 

Up Next: Anthem of the Seas in October. Thanks for following along.

 

 

54dcc56656f03255ecf256dd8bd5fe94.jpg

Edited by Yorkvillain
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A&L_Ont "Live from...." Rare

A&L_Ont

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JS VS balcony for a $100 is a no brainer for me. Double points and a larger room wins. I don't know on this class if their closet is larger though. From what I read of your embarkation process I don't think suite priority really makes a difference as you boarded so quickly.

 

As for the picture resizing did you just use the edit feature in photos on your iPhone? I see they have different ratios like 2:3 for example. I'm curious because if I can save some time on a cruise review that would be amazing. More fun cruising and faster photo posting.

 

I'm sure even though the drive home seemed to take a while I get it was way better than a flight for many reasons. Next year the boarding ramp should be functional again, unless a Carnival ship wipes the next one out again.

 

Great review Tim.

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Yorkvillain

Yorkvillain

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Thanks Andrew.

 

I would be fine if they never fixed the boarding ramp at Cruise Maryland. It was that seemless.

 

As for the photos, I just clicked the "Medium 640x480" option when uploading the picture. I think the "Best" option is too big for people viewing it on a desktop. I used the Cruise Critic app all week.

 

e7cad164c7aeaf0caba8bcd32ac6577a.jpg

Edited by Yorkvillain
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Clarea

Clarea

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... I don't know on this class if their closet is larger though ...

There may be a very small number of JS staterooms with walk-in closets, usually aft, but the vast majority don't have walk-in closets.

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A&L_Ont "Live from...." Rare

A&L_Ont

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There may be a very small number of JS staterooms with walk-in closets, usually aft, but the vast majority don't have walk-in closets.

 

Thanks Bob. I guess I was spoiled by my JS Allure experience. :)

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mspamela

mspamela

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We both had the beef tenderloin with special lobster tail tonight (i.e. dining room lobster tail).

 

 

685177288da3ee2b95aca2bff1bb0c58.jpg

 

 

Side of pasta with shrimp

 

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Is there an up-charge for the lobster tail? Or do you just request one from the MDR? Looks great!

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A&L_Ont "Live from...." Rare

A&L_Ont

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Thanks Andrew.

 

I would be fine if they never fixed the boarding ramp at Cruise Maryland. It was that seemless.

 

As for the photos, I just clicked the "Medium 640x480" option when uploading the picture. I think the "Best" option is too big for people viewing it on a desktop. I used the Cruise Critic app all week.

 

e7cad164c7aeaf0caba8bcd32ac6577a.jpg

 

Cruise Maryland really seems to have their stuff together, even without their proper gangway.

 

I checked the photo sizing for the branded CC app and that's perfect. I don't remember it for my live Allure thread, as I used the same photo app for residing as you previously did. As a trial I posted a pic in all 3 sizes on the test forum and even at largest size it did not skew the page on the Safari version of CC. This is great with no more having to resize pics prior to posting. More time for cruising and not photo adapting for live threads.

 

I will also add your Anthem cruise will help my September post cruise withdrawal. It will keep me sane to my Harmony cruise in November.:)

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sandebeach

sandebeach

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Thank you for your great review, it made me laugh but also had lots of good info. My Dear Hubby wants to go back to Bermuda, but play some golf this time, so I have been looking at possible cruises for 2017.-2018. Your review made me think, perhaps the Grandeur versus Anthem? We shall see!

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Fenwick

Fenwick

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Great review Yorkvillain! You had me laughing and your photos were wonderful.

 

I have sailed on the Grandeur three times. Other ships might be newer and bigger, but the convenience of port of Baltimore can't be beat. Sorry you had slow uncaring service. We have always had great service on the Grandeur.

 

Radiance class is nice, too. We sailed on the Serenade of the Seas for the first time in November and enjoyed the cruise and the ship.

 

Thanks again for your review even if you are a New York fan!!

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FLSteve11

FLSteve11

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Cruise Maryland really seems to have their stuff together, even without their proper gangway.

 

I was on the same June 23rd cruise. Two things about the port that get an asterisk. First, thank god we were D+ and we had the priority check-in. There was a separate line at both the security line, and for the actual check-in. Both lines were otherwise looooooong, so we skipped right by them. If you're not D or so, it may take a lot longer to get in.

 

Leaving, you went through customs before you picked up your luggage. I don't recall doing this anywhere else.

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Robb

Robb

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I guess it is a matter of perspective and past experience but I do not consider Grandeur a small ship. We have sailed on at least 10 cruises where the passenger total is less than 750, two of them only 300 passengers. I do not think we could handle any of the behemoths.............:D:D:D:D

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cruzinlady1947

cruzinlady1947

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Has always been just the opposite for us on Grandeur...the DL and the CL are never ever crowded? We sail March, April and August on Grandeur.....K.O.:)

You are very lucky. I have never been on the Grandeur that there wasn't a large overflow into the South Pacific Lounge. I think I sat inside the actual lounge only one time. Of course, we get there early when it starts. We usually only go to the Concierge Lounge during the day. Love the views!

 

I'd also like to commend Yorkvillian for an awesome and very entertaining review. I will be back on the Grandeur next month. Can't wait! Maybe I'll see you on there some day. It's our "go to" ship. Second home for us.:p

 

 

Gwen :)

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