Live from the Grandeur by a Newbie to RSSC

[taxman1]

Our last port of call yesterday was Tortola.  We passed on a tour an instead ventured out on our own and did I score big.  One of the local liquor stores just received a shipment of Blantons, Blantons Gold and Blantons Strait from the Barrel.  I immediately secured a bottle of Gold.  Again, we found the island residents extremely friendly and fun.  
 

The Celebrity Ascent was docked on the same pier as us.  I don’t miss the large cruise ships albeit their innovations are somewhat catchy.  I snapped a couple photos of the Ascent as we were lounging at the pool yesterday afternoon.  I attempted to capture the pool with its glass walls hanging slightly over the ships edge and then the “lounge” which sits over the side of the ship and moves amongst the various decks.  
 

As yesterday was Valentine’s Day we poked in on afternoon tea. What a delight.  We managed to leave with a pink heart and pink rose dessert which was to die for.  I am so sorry was stomach was several steps ahead of the brain and did not think about snapping a photo.  However, I did snap a shot of the dessert special at CR last night.  Aside from the dessert dinner last night was just ok.  The CR has just not yet found its consistent groove … a hit and miss.   We were really expecting a special menu offering considering it was Valentine’s Day. What I will say is food is always hot and being seated at a table for 2 in the 7:15-7:30pm timeframe has never been an issue.  
 

Phil Tag performed his second show last night.  After a very slow start he really kicked it into high gear and seemed to find his pocket.  You could hear some hearty belly laughs throughout the theatre.  His second show was much better than his first show.  
 

Today was the Seafood Extravaganza at the pool grill for lunch.  The tuna sashimi was outstanding!  Aside from the tuna I pretty much followed my normal lunch routine with the green mussels, shrimp and the special rice offering for the day.  My wife always explores the new tastes for the day and thoroughly enjoyed the paella.  Boy I am going to miss lunchtime next week! A couple quick photos from lunch today as the team was setting up.  
 

For my fellow bourbon drinkers - the pool bar had the most bourbon offerings I have seen on the ship the entire trip.  Elijah Craig small batch, Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, Evan Williams, and Jack.  
 

Tonight we are going to try Sette Mare again and take the advice of a fellow poster and try the half bowls of pasta.  Will give you our thoughts on how that goes tomorrow along with my final impressions of the cruise and ship.  
 

 

[taxman1]

I want to send a big thank you to GMIAC - your 1/2 portion samples of the pasta at Sette Mari was perfect!  Last night was one of favorite dining experiences.  We are thinking about giving it another go tonight.   We may tweak the line-up slightly by skipping the antipasti and start directly with salad/apps.   I really enjoyed the squid and octopus dishes last night.  My wife loves the anchovies being served with the salad fixings.  And I will also stick with just pasta as a main.  Yum.  Question is what pasta to choose?

 

We enjoyed Krew Kapers and pleasantly surprised when we walked directly into Sette Mari at 6:50pm with no line.   The line at CR as we walked past from deck 5 was beyond the elevator banks, so we were nervous about what was to be encountered at Sette Mari.  The wine being poured last night at Sette Mari was outstanding.  I captured a snapshot below so we (ok me) don’t forget.  

The show last night was really good and certainly show cased the technical capabilities of the dancers.  
 

The 501c3 organization down on deck 4 (the casino) did something highly unusual and actually refunded a portion of this trip’s contribution.  This time my hand actually did hit the cash out button although my brain was saying the big one is coming on the next spin!   Collection on your tickets is no longer done at the cage and instead is done via an ATM next to the cage.  You insert your ticket and after rounding off for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation cash is ejected out.  Also - a big win for us is no smoking in the casino!!  OMG - to enjoy time gambling without smoking a pack of lucky strikes non- filters is so enjoyable.  Bravo to Regent!!!

 

Be back a little later for a final wrap!

[GMIAC]

28 minutes ago, taxman1 said:

I want to send a big thank you to GMIAC - your 1/2 portion samples of the pasta at Sette Mari was perfect!  Last night was one of favorite dining experiences.  We are thinking about giving it another go tonight.   We may tweak the line-up slightly by skipping the antipasti and start directly with salad/apps.  

 

I don't know if I'd have the willpower to skip the fried zucchini. Or the parmesan chunks with balsamic. Or.... You get the idea. 

 

Some years ago I tried the "low-carb" diet for a while, and then blew it all during a trip to NYC where Babbo was offering a 13-course pasta tasting menu. That's what inspired me to create my own pasta tasting at Sette Mari. Their pastas are expertly done. Sette Mari was the big surprise of our recent sailing. We get to go back in April for the NYC-Barcelona transatlantic. 

 

Can you find out if the same crew will still be onboard in April? We had several favorites.

[Whinenowine]

22 hours ago, taxman1 said:

One of the local liquor stores just received a shipment of Blantons, Blantons Gold and Blantons Strait from the Barrel.  I immediately secured a bottle of Gold.  Again, we found the island residents extremely friendly and fun.  
 

 

@taxman1--cha-ching...score!  But If you don't mind my asking--how much were they charging for those 3 bottles.  I recall the days when they were all $50-80 (alas...long ago).  I'm wondering if they jack up the pricing in Road Town the way they do on the mainland.

[OilPainter2020]

3 hours ago, GMIAC said:

Can you find out if the same crew will still be onboard in April? 

We will be on Grandeur March 26, MIA/NYC would like to know the crew members as well.  Captain, cruise director, GM (hotel), CR, SettiMari.

Thank you!

[taxman1]

Before going into final observations allow a couple quick responses to above.  
 

With respect to the Blantons the Gold was $250.  Never asked about the other 2.  As far as staff is concerned Jorge has control of CR and David Niven is the CD.  I will not even attempt to spell the Captain’s name.  My understanding is the above are onboard for the next several months.  

What did we enjoy most on this trip:

- the ship is drop dead gorgeous.   The eye to details is outstanding.  Take time to notice how the walls are supported by the ceiling design which is further supported by the furniture choice for each particular venue.  The designers are to be applauded!

 

- the rooms (at least the Concierge) are spacious with plenty of drawer and cubby space throughout, including the bathroom.  The closets are well equipped with plenty of hangers.  The veranda space was big and provided more than enough room  to navigate around the furniture, especially when running back into the cabin to grab the binoculars.   
 

- beds are very comfortable with great pillows.  If you are not happy with your initial pillow ask your cabin attendant and he/she will hook you up.  
 

- pool deck chairs are extremely comfy and plenty to serve everyone.  Please note, you may not find one in the shade every day.  Hint - check your compass on your iPhone and understand where west lies for a particular day.  While a chair may be in the sun now it may become prime real estate in the next hour or so.  
 

- eating at LaVeranda and the Pool Grill is a delight about an hour or so after it officially opens. Food was always fresh with great selections.  
 

- entertainment on the ship was well above expectations and consistently good throughout the cruise. 
 

- the specialty restaurants (Prime 7, Chartreuse and Pacific Rim) are not to be missed.  Sette Mari was our favorite once we understood how to shape our menu choices.  
 

- we were always able to find a delightful bottle of wine being offered at any venue.  Some were new and photos have been captured for purchases back home.  
 

- service onboard was as expected for this luxury brand.  We thought the service received on our Seabourn trips had the edge.  First - our Seabourn trips were prior to Covid and I think the cruise industry is still reeling from the virus. Second - our Seabourn experiences were on ships with 450 passengers vs 800 on this trip; that matters.  

- the casino is no smoking.  
 

Where were the disappointments:

- CR - you cannot refer to it as a speciality restaurant just yet.  Jorge has his work cut out and understands where they need to invest in the team.  I have no doubt they will get there, just need more time.  The restaurant is probably the most beautiful of all the dining venues on the ship. 
 

- destination services - tours being cancelled at the last minute and lack of real time knowledge about what is happening at port tomorrow.  If there are local celebrations then 5 star service delivers reality and not a guess.  
 

Yes - we booked another adventure while

onboard for March 2025 on the Grandeur!

 

I hope you all enjoyed the commentary and it helps you with your next adventure.  I leave you with a final photo.  
 

safe journeys!

[Redking]

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Love your writing style, easy to read and also informative.

 

Please come back when you sail on her again with an update.

 

 We only have about 790 days until we sail on her 😁

 

[Whinenowine]

Thanks for the wonderful play by play!

[Half Hitch]

Thanks @taxman1 and everyone else who contributed to this beautiful commentary. We're boarding tomorrow!

[GMIAC]

11 hours ago, Half Hitch said:

Thanks @taxman1 and everyone else who contributed to this beautiful commentary. We're boarding tomorrow!

 

:: jealous ::

 

I find the antidote to the end-of-cruise Blues is to have the next trip planned before disembarking, and the sooner the better. 

 

Thanks, @taxman1, enjoyed reading along. 

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Great review!  Really enjoyed reading it.  Thanks for taking the time to do it on your vacation.

 

Joanie

[999andretired]

Thanks @taxman1 for the running commentary, and excellent photography, it has helped make my mind up to try Grandeur, perhaps late 25 or early 26. 

 

In the meantime, have to think about packing for Scenic Eclipse II in 37 days around French Polynesia, well it would be rude not to.

[dock]

Thank you @taxman1. 
Appreciate the detail and photos that you included in your review. We’re looking at Grandeur , Panama Canal. 

 

We were on the Ascent in a balcony cabin facing the Grandeur. 
As you sailed by we wondered if we would find it too small and sedate a ship. 
Our pool deck was hopping and Grandeur’s was soo quiet. 

We enjoyed Retreat and the ability to still enjoy the vibe of the big ship if we so chose but having read through a few reviews now, the food  on Regent ,really seems a good few  steps above X and the decor is stunning. 
Looking forward to trying something new. 
Thanks. 
 

[GOARMY]

taxman: 

 

Have been following your commentary, as we will board Grandeur for the first time in early January '25 at Los Angeles for yet-another Panama Canal crossing.  Thus, will have completed at-lest one cruise segment on all Radisson/Regent ships over the past 20+years.  

 

Given your "handle"--an aside.  Will complete our Tax Return this PM, and turn it in.  

 

------

 

dock:  See you aboard should you sign-up for that Grandeur January segment.  

 

GOARMY!

 

[Hearthosesteeldrumsplayin]

GOARMY, sounds like we might be on the same sailing in January 2025!  We are looking forward to Grandeur!  We did a TA on Splendor around the same time you were crossing on Explorer a few years ago.  Regent's was great, but prices mean we have to save up for it.  But, with the increases for the Haven and Retreat, we are almost to Regent's prices on the big ships.  And just like this post, I have learned much from your posts, so THANK YOU!

[GOARMY]

Hearthose----and so-on:  

 

You are welcome. 

 

Suggest you join the Roll Call for this Grandeur segment.  See you either at Regent's Beverly Wilshire Hotel on January 7th; or when aboard.   

 

GOARMY!

 

 

[2SailingNomads]

Having been on Grandeur over Christmas I agree some service issues, and not just in CR but also in Chartreuse  but Jorge is well aware of them and let us know he is actively working to resolve them.  

[sassyw]

We are on the Grandeur now. Beautiful ship. Suite quiet. Was afraid of purported noise but so far not bothered. Find that pool lounges are too low. Hard getting out of them if elderly. Flushing system already has been blocked.

[morpheusofthesea]

45 minutes ago, sassyw said:

Flushing system already has been blocked.

What do you mean blocked ? A back-up of sewage in cabin?

[eroller]

10 hours ago, sassyw said:

We are on the Grandeur now. Beautiful ship. Suite quiet. Was afraid of purported noise but so far not bothered. Find that pool lounges are too low. Hard getting out of them if elderly. Flushing system already has been blocked.

 

Glad to hear everything is good so far. 
 

No doubt someone tried flushing something they shouldn’t down the toilet.  So frustrating.  Even with the signs at every toilet and warning notices in Passages.  

[mrstanley]

We are on the Grandeur.

The hairdryers need to be replaced.

Awkward to use as u must keep your finger on the on bottom. If u have a bandaid or scotch tape u can tape it down. Poor choice of a hairdryer.

 

The usual chair hogging issue.

 

Crew and service great. Filet in Prime 7 had no taste. 

[2SailingNomads]

and why no plug in the bathroom for the hairdryer not unique to Regent - one thing Scenic got right

[Techno123]

Hairdryers really shouldn't be plugged in in the bathroom unless they are wired in (and there is a decent circuit breaker) wet hands and electricity don't go 😂

 

I know the rules aren't the same in the US and I really don't understand why 🤔

[Nachosdelux]

2 hours ago, Techno123 said:

Hairdryers really shouldn't be plugged in in the bathroom unless they are wired in (and there is a decent circuit breaker) wet hands and electricity don't go 😂

 

I know the rules aren't the same in the US and I really don't understand why 🤔

 

In the US, building codes require a GFCI in the bathrooms, which is an outlet that is safe to use around water.  Automatically shuts the power off if there is a short (i.e. risk of electrocution)

[Techno123]

14 minutes ago, Nachosdelux said:

 

In the US, building codes require a GFCI in the bathrooms, which is an outlet that is safe to use around water.  Automatically shuts the power off if there is a short (i.e. risk of electrocution)

Now I know - thank you.
 

In the UK we can't have a socket within 3 metres of the bath or shower (it's all zone related) and our bathrooms aren't known as the smallest room in the house for nothing 😜 a plumber said The electrical codes for bathrooms in most countries are based upon the principle, “If you act normally and don't do anything too stupid, you'll be safe.” In the UK the code is based upon the principle, “Even if you are a complete idiot and do all sorts of stupid stuff*, you'll be safe.” 😂