Hello! Since I was beginning to hijack the other Grandeur review thread, I figured I'd start my own. Quick background, hubby and I are 32 and 30, have previously cruised on Carnival once, Princess twice, and RCI once. Princess had always been my favorite of all three. As far as RCI went, we had only been on the Sovereign and were wary about going on another "smaller" RCI ship. We were cruising with another couple around our age and the Grandeur was really just a perfect price! I was also hoping to get back to New Orleans after Katrina and give them as much tourism money (see: liquor) as I could!

Ok this may get long. But I always love the long reviews so I hope you do also! We arrived that Friday the day prior to leaving. Hubby and I stayed at The Inn on Bourbon and it was great. Literally right on Bourbon street. I won't get into the fiasco of our Jet Blue flight. Let's just say our luggage was purposefully left at JFK along with about 50 others because it "couldn't fit" and we had to go back to the airport Saturday morning to retrieve it because they weren't sure how late it would be delivered. Anyhoo, that Friday night we went to a casual dinner, met our friends at Pat O'briens. We had a good time. Picked up a bottle of VO and a bottle of Crown to bring onboard. Yes we are one of "those". Made it through no problems.

Embarkation was a mess. While I understand that boarding was delayed due to Noro on the previous cruise, the organization and communication could have been better. I kept asking where suite check in was and they'd point to a mass of people and say over there with a general wave of the hand. If I asked them to elaborate they waved again. Gee thanks. After fighting through a crowd of annoyed security waiters we found it. And luckily having the jr. suite we could go through security first as well, because the line at that point was LONG! Our friends were staying in an interior but saw a "crew" security line that a few passengers seemed to be in. Our friend said "can I go in this line as well?" and they said, why not. So they snuck in right away! Totally unorganized. It's no Pt. Canaveral set up, that's for sure. Read more