Grandeur of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Was just on the 12/10-22 cruise from Baltimore (BAL) to St Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St Lucia, St Marteen. 3 days at sea at each end. 3rd or 4th time on Grandeur (most recently March '16). Also Enchantment (FL & BAL pre and post stretch), Freedom, and have sailed NCL (3x) and HAL (2x). We prefer "smaller" ships (but have not experienced anything really big, so could be lack of 1st-hand knowledge).
Ship is "old" but seems well-maintained. The inside public spaces are cramped on the 1st and last at sea days as it is usually too cold outside. This trip, it was cold on days 1 & 2 and last day, rest of time people could spread out all over ship. (In contrast, the stretched Enchantment has an additional lounge that really makes a difference.)
Embarkation - we stayed in a local hotel with parking privileges and a shuttle (cheaper vs. the cruise terminal lot). Lucked out on getting a room as Army-Navy game was same day! No traffic issues getting to terminal and check in line kept moving. I think we were in our cabin by 2PM with bags by the door. The elevated gangway remains out of action after Carnival Pride hit it last spring, so we boarded via Deck 1. The strings duet (Rosario Strings) was playing in Centrum and wife & I got in some dances (and met a few new dancing cruise friends in the process - more below). After unpacking, we made quick trip to Windjammer (not crowded as most people were now in their cabins unpacking). Return trip was very easy - Baltimore must be the easiest disembarkation port and hotel shuttle was right there when we left building. Car was fine and we were on way home in minutes.
Cabin Review
Large Ocean View Stateroom
We upgraded from an interior cabin due to some last-minute price cuts. Very nice - felt more roomy vs. interior and we appreciated being able to look outside way more than we expected to. Cabin was very quiet (excellent soundproofing). I like a very dark room and should have taped over the door peephole; curtains are adequate for this time of year in tropics; would NOT suffice for me in Alaska. Location was close to forward elevators and stairs, so a bit of a walk from MDR and Centrum. Cabin was an excellent value.
Cabin service was adequate but not spectacular. Some hiccups on getting room made up 1st sea day (they were assuming many people sleeping in) and had to ask for soap & TP a few times - prior experience has been everything just shows up and happens. Used the door card when we needed room done and left notes from then on and all was fine. Steward did 3 towel art pieces - we always enjoy the creativity and wished he'd made more.
Cabin is very limited in outlets - 2 110V (US standard) and 2 220 outlets (did not use). Bring a multi-port USB charger if you have several devices you need to keep powered.
One mechanical issue one night (forget which - 1st At Sea on return trip?) where there was no water at all in cabin from about 1AM - 4AM (guessing based on who had to get up when). All fine by dawn and never heard what was up.
We met a couple with exterior more forward cabin on Deck 2 - they got to listen to a lot of wave action that we didn't. Another couple had a very far forward on Deck 3 and said they knew when anchors or other mooring was underway - they could clearly hear the chain and machinery.
Port Reviews
Baltimore
Easy on-off ship. Stayed in hotel near port with long-term parking and shuttle made embarkation simple and cheaper vs. at-pier parking. Also avoided Army-Navy game traffic.