Are there any tips/tricks/neat things we should know admit Grandeur?

[wendyatpml]

We just got off the Grandeur last Sat. Feb. 4. We were on a 12 night Southern Caribbean cruise. We have been on the larger ships too. We wanted to try a drive to port and I can say that was terrific. No hassles with flights, and transfers. We did stay overnight at a park and cruise hotel and it was less expensive than parking at the port.

 

The day we left there was a Noreaster. The bad thing about a smaller ship is that it really Rocks a lot! Be prepared for a lot of this up and down the east coast. We do not get sick but it was really hard to walk.

 

Well yes it is an older ship. We had an OV cabin on deck 3 midship. We always get a balcony but the cost difference on this ship was high so we settled for an oceanview. The cabin was very spacious but the bathroom was really tiny. It also had shower curtain instead of glass enclosures so the bathroom did get wet.

 

Being out on the ocean the pool deck was very windy and the solarium was small and it was hard to get a seat. Many people stay there and play games so they take up the tables for a very long time. The one thing I didn't like about the solarium pool was that you had a ladder to get in and out of instead of steps which is much easier.

 

The average age of the passengers was about 90. Lots of scooters and wheelchairs. We did meet people that are younger and we had more in common.

 

There was lots of trivia is you have an interest in that. There are shows every night. If you have late dining the show for you is at 7PM.

 

We actually meet a great group of friends who were traveling together who adopted us into their group so we had a good time at the Diamond Happy Hour every night.

 

Yes, the ship is old, but not too bad. I would go on her again. We are going on the Anthem in May which is a whole different experience.

 

So if you want a nice easy drive port experience, the Grandeur is fine.

[rafinmd]

The perks of the smaller ships I guess :) do you just collect them when your room opens or so they deliver them?

 

We collected them. Sorry, no delivery.

 

Roy

[dixieva]

I have not! This sounds AWESOME!!! About how long is the transit to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel? We sail at 4:00, I really hope it's not too dark to see all of those things

 

The ship will sail under two bridges on the way out of the Bay. First is the Key Bridge which is about 45 minutes from the time you leave the dock. Second is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which is a double span bridge about two hours from the dock.

 

Best time to see the lights of the Bay Bridge Tunnel is on the way back. Around 9 pm.

[MrsP_29]

We've sailed from Baltimore twice but never went up for the sailaway. Do you remember roughly what time they go under the bridge, etc? We did a TA home from a Paris vacation and sailed into New York. I got up early so I could watch as we passed under the Verazzano Narrows Bridge. Very cool.

OP, have you sailed out of Baltimore before? It's very cool to be on an upper deck, midships, for sailaway and the following hour or two. As well as seeing Fort McHenry and other historic sites, approaching and going under the bridges is a fun experience.

Grandeur has a very nice promenade deck, and the South Pacific Lounge is one of our favorite public rooms on a ship. The artwork in passenger cabin hallways is very well done.

[rafinmd]

We've sailed from Baltimore twice but never went up for the sailaway. Do you remember roughly what time they go under the bridge, etc? We did a TA home from a Paris vacation and sailed into New York. I got up early so I could watch as we passed under the Verazzano Narrows Bridge. Very cool.

 

Roughly 1 hour for Francis Scott Key Bridge and 2 hours for William Preston Lane Bay Bridge. There's also supposed to be a buoy near the Key Bridge marking the spot where the Star Spangled Banner was written, but I've never spotted it.

 

Roy

[R_i_c_h]

I have not! This sounds AWESOME!!! About how long is the transit to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel? We sail at 4:00, I really hope it's not too dark to see all of those things

 

You'll definitely be able to see the Key Bridge. Make sure you're on deck 10 when the ship passes it. As you near the bridge, it'll feel like you could almost touch it.

 

Rich

[bananawindnj]

We have been on the Grandeur 7 times and love everything about it, BUT, the MDR meat entrees have been terrible, and I am not a fussy eater. We like to sit and eat in the MDR due to meeting people and the nice table setting and ambiance. Just don't have high expectations in the MDR.

[Soramor]

You'll definitely be able to see the Key Bridge. Make sure you're on deck 10 when the ship passes it. As you near the bridge, it'll feel like you could almost touch it.

 

Rich

Neat! We sailed out of Vancouver (northbound Alaska) on Radiance and felt that way going under the Lions Gate Bridge

[Soramor]

We have been on the Grandeur 7 times and love everything about it, BUT, the MDR meat entrees have been terrible, and I am not a fussy eater. We like to sit and eat in the MDR due to meeting people and the nice table setting and ambiance. Just don't have high expectations in the MDR.

What would you recommend we try there? We planned to eat in the MDR every night

[Soramor]

Will they point out points of interest as we sail out toward the Atlantic?

[MrsP_29]

I don't remember anyone doing that but maybe they do.

Will they point out points of interest as we sail out toward the Atlantic?

[rafinmd]

Will they point out points of interest as we sail out toward the Atlantic?

 

Captain Gus did on Enchantment, but sadly, l haven't seen it since Grandeur returned.

 

Roy

[shipgeeks]

What would you recommend we try there? We planned to eat in the MDR every night

I eat mostly vegetarian items, and they were all delicious. The chicken and turkey dinners I had were similarly good.

[bowler15547]

Have been on the Grandeur four times (will be five next month). All total between Grandeur and Enchantment we have sailed from Baltimore six times. Baltimore is by far the easiest port I've been in. The new terminal at Port Canaveral was a close second.

 

Grandeur is an older ship and like others have said it doesn't have the fancy bells and whistles. We have not sailed anything larger than Voyager class, so I don't see the need for all of the different things going on. They pack in the sea days with stuff to do, so you can do as much or as little as you want. We typically hang out by the pool and watch the world go by.

 

The sail away from Baltimore is a neat one. It is unique because of the amount of time you have to travel to actually hit the Atlantic. You will go past the fort (birthplace of the National Anthem) and sail out under the Francis Scott Key Bridge. There is a bouy in place during the summer months where the anthem was written. Shortly after the bridge you will exit the Patapsco River and enter the Bay. After about two hours you will go under the Bay Bridge spans (double span). It usually hits during early dinner or about two hours after sailaway. Sailing the Chesapeake takes about nine hours, but it is neat because there are a bunch of container ships that usually pass very close to you. It is really neat to watch. On the way out, you will go over the Bay Bridge Tunnel around 1AM (way back is usually around 9PM). After that, the pilot leaves the ship and you go past VA Beach and out into the Atlantic!

 

For what its worth, I find the reviews are teeming with people that only sail on the latest and greatest. Grandeur is a fantastic ship!

[bananawindnj]

What would you recommend we try there? We planned to eat in the MDR every night

 

 

Stay away from the beef entrees including steaks. Fish and chicken acceptable. We check the dinner menu on the electronic board in front of the elevators every day, and go up to the oceanview cafe before dinner and see what the entrees look like. Usually they have the same items in both places.

 

 

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[dixieva]

I don't order steak but one of my favorite dinner items is the sliced beef tenderloin. It has always been delicious.

Hopefully it is still on the menu.

[SausPud]

It has been mentioned alot and in this thread, that she is an old ship and is looking old.

Well the good news is she is having a refurbishment done soon (end of April, beginning of May) and all the rust spots will be removed and she will look ship shape and brand new again.

I sail on her in July this year.

[Rogueperson]

Stay away from the beef entrees including steaks. Fish and chicken acceptable. We check the dinner menu on the electronic board in front of the elevators every day, and go up to the oceanview cafe before dinner and see what the entrees look like. Usually they have the same items in both places.

 

 

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I just got off the Granduer on Monday. My priority of foods in the MDR is as follows.

 

Beef, Lamb, Pork, Shrimp, Chicken and Fish for entrees.

 

Beef, this is a first for me, but this time (unlike previous cruises i've taken), they only offer two ways. Medium rare, or medium well. Medium rare was closer to rare, which i like, but I found it disappointing that they've stopped cooking to order. However, I found beef to be the hardest to mess up with them.

 

Lamb was rare, but good, but since I like lamb, i listed it higher. Pork was overall good as well. Chicken is hit or miss. Sometimes, it was good and tender, and other times it was dry and flavorless. Shrimp, i listed, but was rare as an entree, but it was decent when served. Fish, I generally avoid on cruises as they tend to be dry, but I heard this cruise it was good from my tablemates. I might try it again in July when i sail on her again.

 

I did not list lobster because its a one night only thing or you had to pay extra, nor did i list escargot, as that's not a entree. This was an entree priority. Appetizers on the other hand were quite good all around. I routinely had as many as 6 appetizers at night. But two of them were always Escargot.

[ETski]

Some things/tips on our recent Grandeur cruise Feb. 13. They offered $1 mimosa's at the casino bar most mornings. YaYa and Mary/Lola Casino Bar are the best bartenders on the ship. There were also several non smoking nights at the casino. Also at the dining room they offered the Chops filet at a reduced price. As the 12 day cruise went by the price of the filet went down. Cheapest price was BOGO for $10. Well worth it if you love filet.

[breezy_carol]

I think I;ll need to check out the mimosas. Thanks.