Grandeur of the Seas, Voyage of the Saints, November 10-22, 2018

[rafinmd]

14 hours ago, Pumbaamd said:

{"As a parting shot welcome aboard to new Hotel Director John Denton and best wishes to Adriana as she moves to the Independence.  You’ll be missed on the Grandeur. Roy"}

 

We will be sailing on Indy in January. Will be nice to sea Adriana again. Have sailed with John Denton many times. He loves to take care of his guests and enjoys helping them have a great cruise. He is much more than an HD. 

Roy, Thanksgiving here in MD is looking at a high in the low 30's. Welcome back to winter.

Rick and Deirdra

 

Thanks shipgeeks, piescruises, Krazy Kruizers, and R&D,  I hope you get to see Adriana but am not sure where she is on her contract/vacation schedule.  Since she left mid-cruise I am guessing she is going to Indy immediately but there might not be much time left in this contract.  May the schedule gods be with you.

 

Roy

[Merion_Mom]

On ‎11‎/‎14‎/‎2018 at 7:56 AM, rafinmd said:

 

 

Today’s 8:45 lecture was on the subject of water, its properties and its place in civilization, commerce, and world politics.

 

 

 

 

 

Roy, was Dr. Kumar the lecturer for this one, or was it someone else?

[rafinmd]

8 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Roy, was Dr. Kumar the lecturer for this one, or was it someone else?

Correct, it was Dr. Kumar:

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great report Roy.  I love your pictures.

 

Sadly the death toll keeps rising in CA and the fires are not completely out.  Some of the fire fighters have lost their own homes while trying to save others.

[bsblindab]

thank you for the review..You sound like my husband and myself..the actual cruising is the best...the sites are extras. Sadly he can't walk to far..but I would love to explore the ports themselves.  Is there a place on board where you can get stuff like fish and chips  or chicken wings pretty much anytime of day?

[Merion_Mom]

17 minutes ago, bsblindab said:

thank you for the review..You sound like my husband and myself..the actual cruising is the best...the sites are extras. Sadly he can't walk to far..but I would love to explore the ports themselves.  Is there a place on board where you can get stuff like fish and chips  or chicken wings pretty much anytime of day?

 

No.  Not on Grandeur.  I can't think of any place that you can get them at all, unless they turn up in the Windjammer by chance.

[Clarea]

3 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

No.  Not on Grandeur.  I can't think of any place that you can get them at all, unless they turn up in the Windjammer by chance.

 

Not free, but I thought that the new room service menu had wings now.

[Merion_Mom]

31 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Not free, but I thought that the new room service menu had wings now.

 

Ah.  I don't use room service.  You may very well be correct.

[rafinmd]

3 hours ago, bsblindab said:

thank you for the review..You sound like my husband and myself..the actual cruising is the best...the sites are extras. Sadly he can't walk to far..but I would love to explore the ports themselves.  Is there a place on board where you can get stuff like fish and chips  or chicken wings pretty much anytime of day?

Couldn't be sure if you were talking specifically about those things or if there is something to eat most of the day. Coffee is available 24-7 in alcoves outside the WJ and food available most waking hours.

 

 

Nothing:(except room service) 1AM to 6:30 AM  and 11AM to 11:30AM,

 

WJ: 6:30AM to 10:30AM, 11:30AM to 3PM, and 5:30PM to 8:30PM

 

Park Cafe is open 8-11AM, 1-5:30 PM, and 8:30 PM to 1AM, mostly hours that the Wj is closed but there are a few overlaps.

 

Here's a view of the counter of the Park Cafe at night:

 

 

Among the things I saw there were scones, cookies, sandwiches, and pizza.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Roy

.

Edited November 21, 2018 by rafinmd

[bsblindab]

10 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

No.  Not on Grandeur.  I can't think of any place that you can get them at all, unless they turn up in the Windjammer by chance.

😞  NCL had them at one of their complimentary eateries (Blue Lagoon) which I guess was sorta like the Park Cafe. and they were pretty good..

[sue2go]

Ray - thank you SO much for taking time to share your cruise with us.  It's a great read and we can't wait to board in January.  You  mentioned internet issues once, but has it mostly been "ok enough" for you?  

 

Hope you have some wonderful weather and relaxing sea days!

 

Sue

 

[rafinmd]

2 hours ago, sue2go said:

Ray - thank you SO much for taking time to share your cruise with us.  It's a great read and we can't wait to board in January.  You  mentioned internet issues once, but has it mostly been "ok enough" for you?  

 

Hope you have some wonderful weather and relaxing sea days!

 

Sue

 

Thank you.  I really think it was just that one day that was a problem.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Day 10, Tuesday, November 20, 2018, At Sea

When I went on deck about 5:15 we were about 570 miles due east of Port Canaveral.  It was still warm but a bit windier than Monday but I was able to walk 4 miles on deck 10 with little difficulty.  It was cloudy but the sun found a space to show through about the 2 mile mark.  

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dawn1120.jpg

As I rounded the bow on the same lap a section of rainbow was staring me in the face as I turned towards the port side.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/rainbow2.jpg

I completed my 5th mile on deck 10 just after starting my breakfast at 8.  The wind had gotten stronger and it was a bit of a struggle getting around the bow.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/deck10.jpg

While most of the days there has been more of interest for me in the morning than the afternoon that flipped today.  After breakfast the only thing I really did was check out a new event in the Centrum.  For the Great Egg Toss contestants were given an egg and an envelope of materials to make a packaging system for the egg to be dropped from deck 8 down to the Centrum on deck 4.  I did not stay for the whole event but I understand that those whose eggs survived (roughly half) went on to additional rounds until there was a last survivor.  Captain Thor led things off and his egg survived.  I was a bit surprised about how many kids there were; they must have been kept pretty busy and I had really not noticed how many there were.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/eggdrop.jpg

In his noon update Captain Thor made it official that our arrival in Baltimore will be a frigid one with a temperature of 23 on our arrival. I expect to pack away my shorts tonight.  At noon we were approximately abreast of Jacksonville but our closest land was Bermuda, 350 miles away.

Dr. Kumar’s penultimate lecture came at 12:15, this one on the value of history and the benefits of apology.  After the talk I went up for lunch (salad, skim milk, and pizza).  Royal long had a partnership with Make a Wish and sponsored a Walk for Wishes each cruise until the relationship ended a couple of years ago.  They announced a new partnership with World Wildlife Fund but I had not seen any evidence of it meaning much.  As I crossed the pool deck I noticed a T-shirt sale going on and discovered that it was a WWF event and that there would be a “Walk for Turtles” a little later.  I bought a shirt but did not go on the walk.  I do wish the event had been highlighted a bit more; I might have become more involved.

 

I attended a Next Cruise talk on “World Wide Cruises”.  There were some nice options but I don’t think any really grabbed my interest.

With the hour gained sunset once again came before dinner time.  It wasn’t one of the better ones but was worth a walk up to deck 5 for a look.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dusk1120.jpg

For the second formal night I thought people dressed up quite well; I only saw a very few men at dinner without jackets.  There is a lot of talk on cruise lines about cutbacks.  When I was on the Grandeur last year the second formal night the prime rib had been replaced by a strip steak but it must have been a one-off because the prime rib was back.  One of the things I used to really love about Royal was the nightly chilled soups.  They are now quite rare but tonight was the night and the Strawberry Bisque was marvelous.  I finished the night off with the Baked Alaska.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dishes1120.jpg

The featured entertainment was a female vocal trio, Unique 3, each with different styles and performing both individual and as a trio.  They were quite good.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/unique.jpg

A favorite event on Crystal that I haven’t seen much on Royal was the Liars Club.  It was 10:15 in the South Pacific Lounge and I normally wouldn’t stay up that late but did catch a little bit of it.  Cece was host and a panel of “liars”, Mike, comedian Don Barnhardt, and 2 members of the activity staff.  They were given a series of words that each would try to define with comedic answers, only one of which was true.  The word I saw was butwink which is an obscure species of bird.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/liars.jpg

After leaving the Liars Club I went up to the Park Café in response to a Cruise Critic about what was available as late night snacks (sandwiches, cookies, scones, pizza , and some other items).

I walked across the pool deck and down the forward stairs and found that the staff was decorating the entry to the WJ for Halloween.

Since I will probably run behind on posting my last couple of days my parting shot will be a wish for a Happy Thanksgiving for all in the US.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/thanksgiving.jpg[/IMG]

Roy

 

Edited November 21, 2018 by rafinmd

[rafinmd]

Sorry, my last picture didn't work.  Here it is:

 

 

Roy

[oakridger]

Hi Roy.  I had noticed that you like the cold fruit soups and thought of you when I was in Alaska last July on the Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam.  They no longer had cold soups in the main dining room.  I rarely ordered them but wish that they were still available for you!  You may need to speak to HAL about that! 😉 Thank you for your blog and I'll be reading along on your next Crystal Cruise trip!  Happy Thanksgiving!

~Nancy

[rafinmd]

12 minutes ago, oakridger said:

Hi Roy.  I had noticed that you like the cold fruit soups and thought of you when I was in Alaska last July on the Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam.  They no longer had cold soups in the main dining room.  I rarely ordered them but wish that they were still available for you!  You may need to speak to HAL about that! 😉 Thank you for your blog and I'll be reading along on your next Crystal Cruise trip!  Happy Thanksgiving!

~Nancy

Same to you Nancy.  I'm afraid you'll have a bit of a wait for my next Crystal trip.  Right now my reservations start out all my 2019 HALcruises (Prinsendam Grand South America and Nieuw Statendum Eastbound Transatlantic), then all my Cunard (Westbound  TA returning from the Nieuw Statendam and then Eastbound TA in October, and then my Crystal (first a river cruise, then Transatlantic, and ending in the Caribbean.

 

I hope to sneak something in between my 2 Cunard TA's, either New England on the Grandeur or something with Blount Small Ship Adventures.

 

Roy

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have noticed that the chilled soups have been gone from HAL since 2015 -- I really miss them.

 

Great report -- love your pictures.  Glad you were able to capture a rainbow.

[sue2go]

11 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Thank you.  I really think it was just that one day that was a problem.

 

Roy

OOOPS - so sorry I got your name a bit wrong.  Thank you ROY!  🙂

 

[DC2OC]

Great thread Roy.

  We sailed her 4 years ago and will again in January which will be our first cruise as Diamond . We'll be interested in checking out the Diamond Lounge and its perks.

        ………………………..Frank and Deidra

[rafinmd]

Thank you Frank & Dierdre, Krazy Kruizers, and sue2go (no worry about the name).  Just back from my first round of grocery shopping with afternoon errands right after lunch.  I'll post my entry for Wednesday momentarily and finish off with disembarkation and home probably this evening.

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Day 11, Wednesday, November 21, 2018, At Sea

The weather forecast in the Compass called for 50-kt winds.  They didn’t materialize but conditions did not look good up on deck 10 so I walked about a half hour down on 5.  There’s a nice deck that goes all the way around the ship but it seems that most of it are closed for maintenance

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/deck5.jpg

November 22 is Thanksgiving in the US and Mike acknowledged it by doing his morning show dressed as a turkey.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/amturkey.jpg

I went up to the WJ for coffee around the time of sunrise.  It was almost totally cloud covered but when I returned from the WJ the sun had found a small hole to make an appearance.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dawn1121.jpg

Dr. Kumar had his final presentation at 9AM, called “New Banquet Table of History”, his optimistic view of our status compared to the past, citing things like increased life expectancy and growing literacy world wide.

He was followed at 10 with the Captains Corner with a panel of Captain Thor, the new Hotel Director, and Chief Engineer fielding a variety of questions.  I believe all 3 genuinely love the Grandeur, and when the time for her retirement comes it will be a sad day for them as well as for us.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/capncorner.jpg

In his final noon update Captain Thor reported we were cruising 17 knots off Cape Hatteras and had traveled 1212 miles from St. Maarten with 272 to go.  The temperature was 59F but felt cooler with the wind.  We will pick up our pilot at 8PM and pass under the Bay Bridge about 4:45 and the Key Bridge about 7.  It will be 21F in the morning, eventually climbing to a high of 30.  (A fact sheet on the Grandeur was distributed which I’m posting as an attachment)

Most of my afternoon was spent packing, although I also made time watching the Celebrity Edge sail from Ft. Lauderdale with the HAL sailaway addicts.  I guess I am a true addict as I photographed the sunset through my dirty window rather than going up on deck.  Several minutes after sunset the sky still had a nice red glow.    Sadly, I had to go to dinner before my ships, the Koningsdam and Crystal Serenity left.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dusk1121.jpg

Many people on the ship are either traveling on Thanksgiving or going home to empty refrigerators.  I don’t know if it was just the rotation of the menus or a deliberate plan but the traditional turkey dinner was on the menu and turned out to be a great choice, followed by apple pie.  Service was quick and I was done by about 6:30.  I opted to head immediately to the Palladium Theater for the show, “Broadway Rhythm and Blues”, arriving midway through the first number.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dishes1121.jpg

My final foray out of my room was for the “Parade of Flags”, a procession of crew members representing the 57 countries that they called home.  Several of the country delegations put on short impromptu performances.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/flags.jpg

I had finished packing before dinner with the exception of my dental with the exception of my dental stuff and morning meds.  I closed up my checked bags and put them out in the hall just before 9.  I had become extremely drowsy and semi-dozed at my computer before accepting reality and getting in bed about 11.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/bagsout.jpg

My parting shot will be a note of thanks to my fellow Grandeur cruisers.  Royal Caribbean is not really my style but variety is the spice of life and it is wonderful to have something like this 12-day opportunity practically at my doorstep.  Thank you to the cruisers who come back to the Grandeur time and again and make it possible for Royal to keep this opportunity going.

Roy

 

lgfacts.pdf

[Pumbaamd]

Roy,

Thanks for all of your postings from Grandeur. We have a few  cruises scheduled before we sail on her next August. Would love to sail again with Capt. Thor and HD John Denton.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rick and Deirdra

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have found last full days on HAL ships are quite boring -- no activities.  But your days seem to offer some things to do.

 

Love your pictures.

[rafinmd]

Thanks Krazy Kruizers and R&D and I hope your Thanksgiving was great.

 

Day 12, Thursday, November 22, 2018 (Thanksgiving), Disembark and home

I’m going to flash back a bit.  On the last sea day I did buy a couple of photos taken by the ship starting with the one on boarding.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/boarding.jpg

The other one I bought was with Captain Thor.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/withthor.jpg

We returned to a real winter day.  In anticipation of passing the Bay Bridge I set my alarm for 4:15 and was up on the Lido deck about 4:30.  It was not just brutally cold but also windy and the main outer decks were closed, so I watched from the Viking Crown lounge and came out for a photo just as we approached the span.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/baybridgeback.jpg

The weather settled a bit as we approached the harbor and the Francis Scott Key Bridge but I still
 watched from inside on deck 10 and stepped out at the last minute.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/keybridge.jpg

Sunrise was at 6:56, just as we were due to arrive.  I walked to the back of deck 5 just in time for one of the nicest sunrises of the day.  At the time we had a tag line on the dock and the mooring lines were about half way to shore.  Our final tally for the cruise was 3641 nautical miles.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/dawn1122.jpg

Next it was up to the WJ for an omelet, my final meal on the Grandeur.

http://getawaysfrom21044.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/lastmeal.jpg

I was due to be out of my cabin by 8:30 and spent most of  the time until then working on the computer.  I had actually finished my post for Wednesday but when I went to send it the wifi was not working.

My waiting area for disembarkation was the Palladium Theater but I wasn’t there long.  My disembarkation group 24 was estimated at 9:15 but was actually called at 8:50.  The lines for disembarkation and Immigration were both pretty long and moved quickly.  In Baltimore we go through Immigration before getting our bags, so once we have our bags we can go right off.  Unfortunately, one of my bags lost it’s tag and it took me a while to find it among other untagged bags. I was out of the terminal and in the Airport Shuttle about 9:40 and home about 10:15.

Much of the day went to restocking the kitchen, first a couple of grocery stores to the east, and after lunch a couple to the west and visits to the fire house and UPS store.  I was home to stay about 2:30.

My next major trip will be a circumnavigation of South America (along with Antarctica) in January to March on the Prinsendam, but there will be a true getaway December 1, a day trip to New York and Come From Away.

My future with Royal is a little uncertain.  I’ve had several other favorite cruise even before my first Royal Cruise (2011) and am heavily booked through 2020.  I think I have a little window next August and will likely plan for either something with Blount Small Ship Adventures or the Grandeur to New England/Canada.  If that doesn’t happen it might be late fall in 2020 or perhaps even Radiance to Alaska.  While the Baltimore offerings have been my Royal “Niche” they are actually only about half of my Royal cruises so I expect something will come up.

 

My parting shot will include a trip down memory lane for me.  I hadn’t realized when I booked this cruise that it ended on Thanksgiving day, and this is not what I had in mind for the holiday.  If I had known I would likely have gone anyway because it was the first time the itinerary was offered in the season and 3 weeks later would have put me out of town too close to my January trip.  Probably unavoidable but still not my idea of what a Thanksgiving might be.  As I was thinking about it my experience 48 years ago came to mind.  I settled on my house the day before Thanksgiving and really had no time for shopping or moving much stuff out of storage.  At that time all stores were closed on Thanksgiving and I think even closed early Wednesday.  Some of the details escape me but I remember getting a packaged ham slice at a 7-11 Wednesday night and baking it in a Boy Scout mess kit, then probably eating it in a folding chair next to a folding table.  I feel fortunate today; how times have changed since then.

 

Roy

 

[Wildcatfish]

Thanks for a wonderful review!  We looked forward to your daily updates.

 

Have a happy holiday season, and enjoy your upcoming cruises.