With a few exceptions our time on the Grandeur of the Seas was truly grand. We were part of a group of about eighty passengers from the Baltimore-Washington, DC area that went on the two week repositioning cruise from Baltimore to Tampa aboard the Grandeur of the Seas.

Embarkation was unfortunately slow and exasperating because there was a large proportion of foreign passengers and another large proportion of older, slower passengers. Our group had been told not to arrive before noon but by then the wait was almost two hours to get on board. Once on board our cabins were ready and our luggage arrived before dinner. The Windjammer was open and lunch, although later than expected, was good with plenty of menu choices. The mandatory muster drill went better than our previous drills because this time we did not have to wear our life vests.

Dinner on the first night gave us our first ever experience with poor service on RCCL. We had the early (6:00) seating in the main (only) dining room. Our waiter appeared to be somewhat unsettled, speaking quickly and moving rapidly from table to table. All of us at our table indicated that we were not interested in wine and after that he seemed to spend more time at the tables that ordered wine with their dinners. Our appetizers were not served until seven and our entrees did not come out till after seven thirty. Orders for dessert were taken at eight and they did not come till eight thirty. The waiter said it was not his fault. He said that there was a new kitchen staff aboard that was not familiar with this ship's kitchen layout. He promised that the next night would be better. It was, but by only ten minutes. Saturday night was worse. He served the wrong appetizers to our table, disappeared for an extended period and returned without any explanation. Our 'drink of the day' order was taken before the appetizers but by dinners end I had not gotten my ship pass returned. We told him we would not be returning until Thursday (Thanksgiving). The head waiter tried to make up for his lack of attention but she was unable to fill in and do her regular duties. Read more