We just returned today from our 9 night sailing on Grandeur of the Seas. We are a family of 4 - my husband, myself and our two sons ages 5 and 11. We booked this cruise about 15 months in advance - and it met all of our expectations. This is my 8th cruise, 6 with Royal Caribbean and two with Disney. It was the 4th cruise for my youngest son. Our most recent RCCL cruise was on Freedom, so we were a little anxious about this smaller and older ship. But, RCCL has never let me down and the itinerary was perfect. It was a 9 night New England & Canada cruise departing from Baltimore (just an hour from our home) calling at Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Boston, Massachusetts - with a few sea days also. We sailed on August 13, 2009.

We arrived in Baltimore around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, 8/13/09. As we live just about an hour north of the port, it was an easy morning. We were parking our car at the port terminal and had to pay at the time we parked. It was $15 per night, but that is cheaper than flying! Before paying, you are stopped to drop off your luggage to a very friendly porter. Then to pay and be directed to parking. All the parking is very close to the terminal building. We then joined a line that ended outside the terminal. It was a bit of a wait to get through the initial security screening and fill out the H1N1 vaccine questionnaire, but no problems. As we have reached the platinum level of Crown & Anchor and were booked in a Junior Suite, we were able to skip the long check in line and go to the priority line - and we were the only ones in that line so we were ready to board in just minutes. We had a restroom stop and cookies in the terminal before boarding.

We boarded the ship just after 12:00. We planned to head for the Windjammer - but noticed the rooms were available on our way up - so that is where we went first. The room was simply wonderful. This was our first Junior Suite - and we were NOT disappointed. There was much more space and there was an actual tub in the bathroom! It was so nice we sat down to enjoy it for a few minutes. Then up for some lunch and a walk around the ship. We had carried on our swim suits so back to change. We then went to the muster before the pool. We did not need to take our life jackets - which was simply wonderful! Then to the pool - The boys LOVED the pool - although they did wish for the freshwater of the Freedom of the Seas pools. The ship departed on time at 4:00. We stayed on deck for quite a while. We saw the ship pass under the bridges - quite amazing! We did not go to the dinning room that night as we opted to stay on deck to see the Chesapeake Bay bridge near Annapolis. We had early dining at 5:30 (yes, that is early!) and we passed under the bridge about 6:00. Read more