Grandeur out of Baltimore, 9 nite E. Carribbean

[CatNJ]

I'm thinking of the Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore in August with an Eastern Carribbean itenerary. I'd love to hear about whatever contributions there are about the ship, the port, the itenerary, and the kid's program. I'm a mom and would be travelling with my ten y.o. son. We've cruised before, but out of Florida, the most recent on the Liberty of the Seas. The LOS was too large for me. I was always lost and felt it to be very crowded. I'd have to do last minute reservations, because we're going to have layoffs, and I think I'm safe, but you never know.

 

I welcome all comments. Thanks!! :D

[lovetocruise75]

I'm thinking of the Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore in August with an Eastern Carribbean itenerary. I'd love to hear about whatever contributions there are about the ship, the port, the itenerary, and the kid's program. I'm a mom and would be travelling with my ten y.o. son. We've cruised before, but out of Florida, the most recent on the Liberty of the Seas. The LOS was too large for me. I was always lost and felt it to be very crowded. I'd have to do last minute reservations, because we're going to have layoffs, and I think I'm safe, but you never know.

 

I welcome all comments. Thanks!! :D

 

I sailed out of Baltimore 6 years ago aboard the Celebrity Galaxy. The port has changed locations since then and I hear that they do a much better job with the new terminal. A little fun fact. It will take you approx. 12 hours to sail out of the Bay and in to the Atlantic!

 

Do you get seasick? If so, take something on the first sea day. As the ship travels off the coast of Hatteris (spelling?) you will usually encounter rough seas. This is the area where the very warm water mixes with the cold water from up north and will create large swells.

[kenevenpar]

Just off the Grandeur, 4/18 - 4/25 repo. Best crew I have ever encountered on RCCL!! Ship is small; you will not get lost. Not all the bells and whistles of the newer ships, but we really enjoyed the cruise!! No specialty restaurants.

 

Talking to passangers, there is definately a core of dedicated Grandeur fans, who schedule their cruises around this ship.

 

Ken

[checkard]

We've been on Grandeur 5 times with 2 more sailings booked in 09. She's our favorite ship so we're sorry to see her leave Baltimore in 2010. The ship is large enough to have plenty to do but small enough to not feel lost in the crowd. The staff is the best we've had on any ship.

 

Baltimore is a breeze to sail from. Park right at the ship, check in is fast and easy and walk right onboard.

[Familyx4]

I'm thinking of the Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore in August with an Eastern Carribbean itenerary. I'd love to hear about whatever contributions there are about the ship, the port, the itenerary, and the kid's program. I'm a mom and would be travelling with my ten y.o. son. We've cruised before, but out of Florida, the most recent on the Liberty of the Seas. The LOS was too large for me. I was always lost and felt it to be very crowded. I'd have to do last minute reservations, because we're going to have layoffs, and I think I'm safe, but you never know.

 

I welcome all comments. Thanks!! :D

 

You will love the Grandeur! Smaller but still big enough and oh so classy. Your son will love it too. She was our first RC cruise and after that wonderful experience we lost all interest in sailing any other ship. Our kids were 11 and 14 thier first time and they will tell you today that it was the best vacation they ever had - even better than Disney....

 

We're going on her in July since it is finally cheap enough for us to sail her again.

[CatNJ]

Thank you all for responding. Amazing that it's 12 hours to exit the bay! Typically, I'm a little uncomfortable the first day, so thanks for your advice Lovetocruise. Kenevenpar and Checkard how was driving into Baltimore?? And FamilyX4 did your children go to Adventure Ocean, that's what the kids room is called, right? My son had a great time on our last cruise and wouldn't come out!

[checkard]

We only have about 1-1/2 hour drive to the pier and it's mostly highway so it's an easy trip.

[runningtide]

This will also be our first cruise on Grandeur, but all I have heard is nothing but praise for the ship and RCCL. Our first cruise was out of Norfolk VA oon Celebrity Horizon to Bermuda. She also was a small ship (much smaller than Grandeur), but we loved her. I'd go again tomorrow on Horizon if she was still in the fleet.

 

As for Baltimore, I live in Annapolis, and this is a treat for the family. One hour drive, park by the boat, and we're on board

 

Salining July 16th to Eastern Carib.

 

Mickey

[CatNJ]

Runningtied, please post a review when you return. You have my itenary and I'd love to hear your impressions and experiences. Have you made any excursion decisions?? At St. Thomas I'm thinking the Caribbean Sail to Christmas & Honeymoon Coves. At Samana I've not decided between Cayo Levantado Beach Escape adn the Cave, Mangrove, Rainforest Exploration, & Beach Escape. I've not got a clue for San Juan.

[geojobes]

CatNJ, you asked about the drive to the cruise terminal. It is literally right on I95. When you see the ship, you get off I95.

 

You can add us to the list of Grandeur devotees. She is a beautiful, well kept ship, with the best crew in the business.

 

In San Juan, the ship is docked very close to Old San Juan, you can walk to quite a few historical sites & shopping areas. Even the fort (El Moro) is not that far. In Samana, it's best to take a ship's excursion, don't go on your own. St. Thomas is beautiful, but last time we went to St. John, which is even more beautiful.

 

We will be cruising on Grandeur again in October. Hope you have a great cruise.

[atb]

We have done this itinerary with Grandeur 2 years in a row. This year we're changing it up - and heading North. The first time was with our extended family - and the kids loved the Adventure Ocean.

We did no excursions on this itinerary - but our family loved everything they did. At Samana you really want an excursion. The family members that did their own thing were not real happy with the outcome. The second time we were there - we used it as an additional sea day. The family members that did some type of horse ride / rain forest exploration excursion said the younger members (teenagers) were scared because the horses went straight up the side of the falls, and they weren't dressed properly (flip flops) and were afraid they would fall off the horse.

We love Grandeur - but we REALLY REALLY LOVE the port of Baltimore.

[sfrieman]

Sailed on the Grandeur out of Baltimore May 2008. It was our first cruise and loved every minute. The ship was large enough for us. Getting around was easy and the service and food was great. Getting to the port was easy for us because we live 30 minutes away. Our next cruise will leaving from Miami on November 30, 2009 and we will be sailing on the Jewel of the Seas.

[unforgiven]

We just got of the Grandeur in Norfolk doing this same E. Caribbean run. I liked the Itinerary, and would even consider doing it again.

 

San Juan- We was there over Mother's Day, lots of stuff closed. We did Fort tours and some shopping

 

St. Thomas- Tons of stuff to do here take your pic

 

Dominican Rep.- Do a shore Excursion; we did the beach break, it was good.

 

Labadee- Relax on the beach, or do some of the extra activites. Very nice private RCCL area.

 

Grandeur is still a very nice ship. She is starting to show some age in a few areas. Only cosmetic.

[runningtide]

Runningtied, please post a review when you return. You have my itenary and I'd love to hear your impressions and experiences. Have you made any excursion decisions?? At St. Thomas I'm thinking the Caribbean Sail to Christmas & Honeymoon Coves. At Samana I've not decided between Cayo Levantado Beach Escape adn the Cave, Mangrove, Rainforest Exploration, & Beach Escape. I've not got a clue for San Juan.

 

 

I'll be glad to post a review after the trip. We have yet to make any excursion decisions, but are looking at the snuba on St Thomas, Segway tour in San Juan I hear is wonderful. From other post, we'll do an excrusion at Samana, and just hang at the beack in Labadee. I've also signed up for the M&M (our sail date is July 16th). If I understand correctly, your on our boat. Hope to see you there :)

[CatNJ]

RT - Our cruise is Aug 27 - so I'll be after you. It doesn't look like we'll have a meet & mingle as our count is only 14 :-(

[capnlars]

CatNJ - We just made 16 and 17 - so we might get there.

 

Does anyone know.....with 12 hours before exiting the bay, does that mean that the shops and casino are closed the first night?

[pjlee3333]

Fortunately the ship doesn't have to get out into international waters to open the casino and shops. Shops open around 4:30-5 and casino around 5-7 pm range.

 

For us the ship is just the right size. We love being able to sit in the centrium on cool or dreary days and be able to look out side. All the glass on this ship make for easy viewing.

[dixieva]

No the shops and casino are open the first night. I've sailed from Baltimore a few times on the Grandeur (going on my 4th on that ship in Oct.) and I think the casino was open around 7 p.m. Might have been earlier-not really sure but we went in there to gamble after our early dinner.

 

Love, love the Grandeur. Best crew and captain!!

[capnlars]

No the shops and casino are open the first night. I've sailed from Baltimore a few times on the Grandeur (going on my 4th on that ship in Oct.) and I think the casino was open around 7 p.m. Might have been earlier-not really sure but we went in there to gamble after our early dinner.

 

Love, love the Grandeur. Best crew and captain!!

 

Thanks for the quick answers. We've been on the Grandeur once (Tampa to San Juan) and loved it. We really like this size ship too. We've been on Mariner and didn't really care for its being so big. Wouldn't even consider Freedom or Oasis class.

[T2C]

I'm thinking of the Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore in August with an Eastern Carribbean itenerary. I'd love to hear about whatever contributions there are about the ship, the port, the itenerary, and the kid's program. I'm a mom and would be travelling with my ten y.o. son. We've cruised before, but out of Florida, the most recent on the Liberty of the Seas. The LOS was too large for me. I was always lost and felt it to be very crowded. I'd have to do last minute reservations, because we're going to have layoffs, and I think I'm safe, but you never know.

 

I welcome all comments. Thanks!! :D

The best thing I can say about the ship is, this July we will be on her again, for the 3rd time.

I noticed this year that her cruises are not selling out, I guess because CCL has come to Baltimore also, so you'll be able to get last minute bookings unlike past years when she was selling out early

[emdia43]

Anyone know for sure if there is a basketball court? It is a deal breaker for us with 2 boys that live on the court.

[dixieva]

I don't remember seeing one but then I wasn't looking for it and might not have noticed. Maybe someone else can answer.

[capnlars]

Anyone know for sure if there is a basketball court? It is a deal breaker for us with 2 boys that live on the court.

 

I don't remember seeing one either - looking at the deck plans, looks like there isn't one.

 

I did notice, however, an Observatory?? Can't beleive we missed that when we were onboard. Can anyone describe it?