My name is Kelly, 23 years old, and I reside in Clear Lake, TX. This is my third time cruising, second time to cruise with RCCL, but the first time on Grandeur of the Seas. I guess you can say that my hobby is to research cruises. I traveled with my boyfriend and parents. We drove up Friday night and stayed in Baton Rouge. I do not recommend that because the area was not safe and I recently found out that the crime rate there was horrendous. Saturday morning, we headed to New Orleans, arriving around 1 p.m. I actually have cruised out of New Orleans the previous year (pre- Katrina), so I was familiar with the area. Unfortunately, since Katrina the parking situation had changed.

We followed the directions to Terminal 2 parking (which is where you park for the RiverWalk Mall) located in your cruise book. That parking lot has NO SECURITY or FENCING. I DON'T ADVISE PARKING THERE. When we called RCCL, they could tell us if there was another parking garage (very disappointing) so we drove around for an hour. Take my advise and park in the new parking garage ($97) off of Julia St., to the right of the port and convention center. You'll be happy you read my advise because someone's car was broken into in the other parking lot. BUT before you drop your car off, you have to drive up and drop your luggage off at the terminal. I was very angry at the point because the previous year, when you parked there was a parking attendant to take your bags for you. Then, you just hopped on a bus and they took you to the terminal. NO ONE informed us that it had changed. SO, after we dropped off the luggage and parked the car, we walked about 2 blocks to the terminal to check in. Before leaving Clear Lake, we completed the online check-in process and printed out our Set Sail passes. I highly advise doing this because it will make the check-in process go faster. Another aspect that cost me was the fact that RCCL told me I HAD TO HAVE a passport, but when I got there and $100 later, I find out I don't until 2008. Next, once on board we proceeded to our cabins: third floor, interior room. The rooms were a lot smaller compared to my last cruise on Carnival Conquest. The service was excellent and I always enjoy the towel animals!! Only had a few problems with remote and safe not working, but they fixed it right a way.

FOOD: the food was excellent in the dining room. The service was great and the entertainment was hilarious. I have no complaints about the dining room. The Windjammer was good, but nothing compared to the dining room. I ate there for breakfast and once for dinner. It's a buffet so there wasn't much service. The Solarium was interesting. I only ate there after our long night in Cozumel (I'll get to that), but when you are exhausted from drinking and dancing, food is food. Read more