This was my first cruise, ever, a gift from my son and daughter-in-law or years of babysitting and because they knew I had lived in Bermuda as a child and have always wanted to return. Because my husband was not at all interested in going on a cruise, my 12-year-old granddaughter accompanied me. I had never had any interest in cruising and wasn't even sure at first whether I wanted to go.

Embarkation from the Baltimore cruise terminal couldn't have been easier. We arrived early because we had to drive up I-95 from the Fredericksburg, Virginia, area and knew that anything could happen on 95 to delay a trip. As it was we were the first passengers to arrive. We handed off our bags outside and went inside to wait. At 10 am the check-in counter opened. Our cruise had 3 large wedding parties and those groups were checked in first. Then us - up to the desk, show our passports and Set Sale Pass, get our Sea Passes and go sit in a different section of the waiting area until the wedding parties had boarded. We entered at the Centrum elevators, checking the 3rd deck first to see that our cabin was not yet available. We looked around the ship a little and had lunch in the Windjammer. When our cabin was available we unpacked, and then went out again to tour the ship some more, including a tour of the Spa where we made an appointment for my granddaughter to have her hair styled the next day for formal night. The muster drill was next and after that we went to the pool deck to watch the ship get underway and listen to the calypso band, The Hot Spices. I particularly enjoyed their music all week.

The public areas on Grandeur are beautiful, with ample comfortable upholstered seating everywhere. We enjoyed sitting in the Centrum lounge areas, watching the sea. This ship is all gold and glass art deco and bright as a new penny. Read more