This was our 9th cruise on RCI, we are Emerald members but if this was my first with them, it would be my last. There is an interior central area, the Centrum, that is about 6 decks high and reverberates sound, does not have anywhere near adequate seating and smells like sewage, especially at the bar and especially in port. So this is where the "entertainers" did their thing; not a good idea! ...
I would rate Venice among the top five ports to sail in or out of. Spectacular! I personally love Venice, but it is totally handicap-unfriendly as almost all the 400+ bridges are upstairs and downstairs so not easy to navigate with luggage or push strollers. Other reviewers have already described the challenging port, so I shall forbear.
We loved the cruise (very port-intensive); the ports ...
Overview: In our opinion, RCCL does not quite measure up to Princess and Celebrity. Some differences that we find are as follows:
1) There is an extra charge for upgraded meals, and lobster and filet mignon are never served (even on formal nights) unless one pays a significant upcharge.
2) The fitness room on this ship, though well-fitted out with the latest equipment, was tiny and inadequate ...
Booked late; just needed some sun after the awful UK weather. The late evening flight with EasyJet departed and arrived on time but seating (perhaps as expected) was cramped and uncomfortable, however it got us there. We stayed at the Garibaldi Hotel in Venice (actually in Maestre on the mainland) which was no more than adequate but with exceptionally helpful and pleasant staff. It had the big ...
I would like to add to the report from Scot which highlighted the abysmal registration and loading at Venice which in today's day and age is unacceptable.
I was also a little concerned about the reports about the age of the ship prior to booking but read the reports and watched the Royal Caribbean video's about the $48 million refurbishment in May 2012
The ship itself does look new but you ...
We chose to cruise on the Grandeur for the second time, not because we found it brilliant the first time, but because of the itinerary and bargain price! We booked last minute "cruise only" and arranged our own transport and transfers. We used Ryanair from Stansted to Treviso and arrived quite early on day one. We were pleased that boarding had commenced, but were a bit miffed that we were steered ...
We were a little wary of this ship having read mixed reviews, but gambled on the recent re-fit having addressed some problems. We needn't have worried- everything, from staterooms to dining and public areas was in pristine condition. The embarkation at Venice was a nightmare- a terminal official actually told a group of us to follow her, walked a few steps then turned and asked why we were ...
I would be remiss if I did not begin this review with a warning to avoid transferring flights between Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris and Marco Polo in Venice. I've traveled world-wide and have not found the degree of ineptitude that pervades CDG.
Next, I would warn anyone with mobility issues to avoid the port of Venice unless you are prepared to spend upwards of two hours waiting to be ...
We were in a rarified world on this cruise because two weeks before departure to Venice, we were offered an upgrade from an owner's suite to the Royal Suite for an additional cost per person that we didn't consider exorbitant. How could one resist? My description of the Royal Suite can only be superlative. Imagine 1,200 sq. ft., including balcony, with a white baby grand piano!
There were, ...
Hello: We just came back from a 10 night cruise in the Mediterranean, Greek Islands on board of the Grandeur of the Seas. We are first time cruisers and did not know what to expect. The ship was recently renovated, June 2012 and it looked fantastic!!
The room:
We got an ocean view room, on Deck2 on the back. Room was big enough for two people, no more than that. It had a security box, a flat ...