Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas - Cruise Review

From :    sawyers5@aol.com (Scott)
Subject :    Review
Date :    Thu, 2 Jan 2003 19:08:53 -0500

First time for us. Party of six: Mom, Dad, three girls (13, 10, 6) and mother-in-law (age 69).

Best: Service, cleanliness, abundant food, entertainment, memories. Most of all: the ship herself. We wanted to go once to experience one of these awesome vessels, and it is truly amazing once you do. Enjoyed the New Orleans departure as that is a great city to experience. (Unbelievable aquarium for the kids, great walking in the French Quarter and Jackson Square.) Running every morning on the deck 10 running track with my wife while the kids slept in. Being the only boat in Progreso and renting a car to visit the ancient Mayan city of Uxmal. Truly amazing.

Worst: Five other cruise boats (besides the Grandeur) dumping 12,000 cruise passengers on Grand Cayman on the same day. Six other cruise boats (besides the Grandeur) dumping 14,000 cruise passengers on Cozumel the next day. That was obscene. We would never choose any itinerary knowing there would be that many other boats in port at the same time.

We never thought we would do it. We usually charter sailboats in the Caribbean for the privacy and ability to be in the water whenever we want. But I looked into it, and decided we should do it once. I'm very happy we did, even though we're not likely to do it again.

Within a day of departing New Orleans, the sun was baking on the pool deck (deck nine), kids were in the pool, I was groovin to the Reggae Band, and someone kept offering me "mango tangos" poolside. I passed them my card and consumed them gladly. Coming from the cold and rainy Pacific Northwest, I got used to it real fast. Kids complained that the Pool water was a little cold, and the Solarium pool (covered) is for adults only. Still, being in your swimsuit by the pool on December 15 is very cool.

We had three outside doubles on Deck three. We paid for two inside triples on Deck seven. We didn't complain, er..that is, we didn't complain anymore. The first night in our deck seven accommodations, we all awoke to the bass line of BTO's "Takin' Care of Business" coming through the floor at 11:00pm. I jumped up, got dressed, and headed down to the purser's desk. I explained that our party included 7, 10, and 69 year old guests. I learned that the airport-type band would be playing live every night in the deck six lounge (just under our cabins) for the rest of the cruise. They offered to move us right away to deck two into two outside cabins. I declined, and told them I would return the next morning. When I returned the next morning, they offered me the three adjoining outside cabins on deck 3. I accepted, and slept peacefully the rest of the cruise.

Beware of this problem on deck 7 (rooms 7145 and 7147). It also affected many other cabins in the aft end of deck 7, including suites with aft balconies. Our cabin attendent, a very nice woman, told us that many people had complained after the first night and were asking to move. We were treated very graciously by the purser. Although we had to pack and unpack again (they ship personnel moved our bags while we grabbed more "mango tangos" by the pool), we ended up receiving far better rooms than we the ones for which we paid. Inside or outside? I did them both on the same cruise, and I would only recommend having an outside cabin.

You have heard and read about the superior service from many other people here. I worked as a waiter in college at a very formal restaurant. I was very impressed. Imagine feeding and serving over 1000 people in two hours, then doing it again...every night! All with impeccable manners and in a friendly, personal way. Our cabin attendant was the same way. For God's sake tip these people at least the recommended amount. They earn it and deserve it. Our assistant waiter had a young son she had not seen for months while she worked 7 days a week for six months straight. Yet she treated us every night like welcome guests, and remembered the details for each of my chidren.

We booked one excursion, in Cozumel, through Royal Caribbean. Originally, I booked a "discover scuba" lesson with my oldest daughter. After learning in Grand Cayman that the same cruise boat "7 boat dump" was going to happen the next day in Cozumel, I changed our excursion and got the whole family on the "Catamaran/Snorkel/Beach Break" tour. We decided we didn't want to spend much time fighting the shoreside crowds, and the excursion was about 4 hours. All the beers, margaritas and soda we wanted (after snorkeling), snorkeling equipment included, and time at a private beack on the south side of the Island. Several people raved (at $50/head), but I guess it is what you are used to.

First, the 65 foot "sailing" catamaran put up the mainsail, but never actually sailed. It motored the whole time we were under way. So, this is not a "sailing excursion" if you are expecting to sail. Second, the snorkeling is pretty bad. Now, Cozumel is one of the best dive/snorkel locations in the world. But, you've got to go out to a reef to experience that. This "excursion" pulls up about 30 yards off the beach within spitting distance of the cruise port. Not exactly pristine waters. Then the Captain, a very likable gringo, explains the ins and outs of beginning snorkeling, and everyone piles into the water--all 75 of you. Now if you were a fish, would you want any part of that? Of course not. So, Captain Gringo pulls out a package of tortillas and starts throwing them into the water. Here come the fish! Pretty sad really, but that is the closest some people will ever get to snorkeling. And they liked it.

After about 45 minutes, everyone got back on board for the trip to the "private beach." This, again, wasn't that bad. The average cruise ship person by this time has been conditioned to eat every 25 minutes. Luckily, the "private beach" has someone who will sell them a $7.00 hamburger. Beers and Maragaritas are still part of the package. And then the second catamaran with 75 people showed up...and then the third, and yes, a fourth. The line for the burgers got deep. It was time for our Cat to leave, and we threw up the main and motored back to the cruise port. En route, the "party mix" soundtrack was put on, and pretty soon the all Mexican crew (with Santa hats) had people lined up on the foredeck for the Village People's "YMCA" and assorted disco favorites ("Do the Hustle!") It was pretty funny, and I've got to admit, the highlight of the whole thing.

Progreso. The comedians had a ball with Progresso jokes that night. Too sleepy I guess, no "Carlos and Charlies" or Hard Rock Cafe. But I specifically wanted Progreso because I wanted to see Uxmal, the Mayan city from the Classical period, with my family. Earlier during the cruise, I learned from the excursion desk that there was only one car rental ("Executive")in Progreso. The office is right on the pier. If you don't rent from them, you have to go to the Merida airport (25 miles away) to rent from Hertz or Avis. So, while in Cozumel, I went to the "Executive" car rental at the Cruise pier and had them reserve me a minivan in Progreso. While the tour buses were filling up with cruise ship passengers for the rushed trip to Chichen Itza, we were already gone on our way to Uxmal.

Renting a car in Mexico is not cheap. It cost $140 U.S. for the minivan and "total package" insurance at Progreso. Before we left , however, I checked the internet rate for the Avis/Hertz rentals from the Merida airport, and the rates were $110/day without insurance. All in all, it was a much cheaper way to go. The Royal Caribbean tour to Chitzen Itza was $99/person. That would have cost me $600(!), and we were extremely pleased with the equally impressive (but less visited) Uxmal.

I have nothing but positive things to say about the ship itself, and the crew. Then again, I am a "one time" instead of a "repeat" passenger. One thing I can say is that I heard many comments from other "repeat" passengers who commented very favorably about the ship, entertainment, and cuisine as being among the best they had experienced.

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