My favorites in this group are the centrally located spacious ocean-view cabins on decks 7 and 8. From show stopping tunes at Rhythm & Rhyme in the Main Theater, to classic cocktails at R Bar and dancing under the stars on the pool deck, nights onboard are all about making memories. From complimentary Broadway-style entertainment, to sprawling Vegas-style casino. And dining options that include succulent sushi and intimate chef-hosted dinners. You have a handful of complimentary dining venues, which are included in the cost of your base cruise fare, but then a few upgrades, if you want them. And, the menus are varied enough at your complimentary dining venues that you don’t necessarily need to worry about eating the same meal twice.
Decks and Cabins
The RCI ships Grandeur and Enchantment were the world’s first passenger liners fitted with Dynamic Positioning System. RCI’s ex-Barbados program was with fly-cruise deals (roundtrip flights from the USA) and 3x itineraries – two 7-night and one 14-night. Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Adventure Ocean (Youth program), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.
Grandeur Of The Seas staterooms review, floor plans, photos
- RCI’s new Wi-Fi costs US$15 per device per day (50% discount on a second device).
- During the upgrade, the ship’s colors were revived looking brighter and warmer.
- The naming ceremony was on December 13, 1996, held in PortMiami.
- Also at that time, my parents and I drove to the port, so that was a whole different embarkation experience.
- I especially love that Grandeur has a traditional outside promenade along the sides of Deck 5, perfect for guests without balconies (on decks 2-4) seeking a nearby quiet place to step outside for fresh air or to watch sail away.
- Because it’s a guarantee cabin, we were not able to select the location of the cabin.
I ran a few searches of seven-night Caribbean cruises and determined that the gap can be as high as several hundred dollars per person between Grandeur and its larger Royal Caribbean fleetmates, depending on the itinerary, cabin category and dates. The shows in Grandeur’s Palladium (main theatre), are designed around dining times. Grandeur OTS boasts a library with an honor checkout system, a rock wall with different areas for climbers of various skills, two shuffleboard courts, a photoshop and several stores specialized in jewelry, souvenirs, cigarettes, cigars and liquor. There are also many themed bars and lounges, including a pool deck bar, Schooner, Viking Lounge, South Pacific Lounge and a piano area. Suites on Grandeur of the Seas include junior suites, grand suites, an owner’s suite and a royal suite.
Embarkation and disembarkation in Tampa
I loved the tagliatelle carbonara, chicken piccata, and tiramisu. This past fall I decided to sail on Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ship. While our sailing was quick, it was the perfect amount of time to explore this “well-seasoned” cruise ship. You’ll find a detailed list of the best places to eat for free on a cruise, along with information on when breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the Windjammer and the main dining room. Other outdoor activities include the rock climbing wall, shuffleboard, and ping-pong tables, on the sun decks.
Both of Grandeur’s predecessors, Legend of the Seas and Splendor of the Seas, were sold to Thomson Cruises. When it comes to size and number of guest rooms, Grandeur of the Seas doesn’t necessarily impress in any significant way. All balcony staterooms have floor-ceiling sliding doors opening to a private verandah. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Owner’s suites are even larger, but it’s the royal suite that really takes top prize, with more than double the space than you’ll find in an owner’s suite. The royal suite includes a huge living room, a king-size bed in a separate bedroom, a piano and even a jacuzzi. Balcony staterooms are even larger, with the same style of sitting areas, but there’s the additional balcony living space that’s furnished with seating for two and even a table. Each balcony features large, floor-to-ceiling glass doors that offer ocean views even when you’re not enjoying the fresh air.
It’s the kind of fun families want to have together instead of scattering across multiple venues all day, only to see one another at bedtime — and you never feel stressed out trying to do it all before the sailing ends. Cruisers who are attracted to the bells and whistles of the bigger ships — including water attractions, additional entertainment venues, extra food choices and more cabin options — should probably skip Grandeur and stick with Royal Caribbean’s newer ships. In this age of megaships, I’m just glad the cruise line is still keeping some of its smaller ships around for those of us who really do appreciate them. A meal in the main dining room is always a cruise experience not to be missed. From service with a flourish to a menu inviting you to try more than one entree, meals in the main dining room are an iconic part of what makes a cruise fun. But among today’s largest mainstream ships, these gala dinners can be the first thing that falters.
The main pool is for all ages and is surrounded by lounge chairs and four hot tubs. The cruise staff also do a nice job of keeping a running program of activities and events happening poolside. The second pool is in the adults-only Solarium, and is flanked by two hot tubs. The Chef’s Table is an intimate, adults-only dining experience that allows you to dine with a select group of your fellow cruisers, as the chef directly interacts with you.
The Great Gatsby Dining Room offers standard sit-down cruise dining, with more formal menu options such as omelets and eggs benedict for breakfast, and pasta or prime rib at dinner. If you enjoy cruising on Grandeur of the Seas, but want something a little bit newer and/or larger, you might want to consider sailing on Enchantment of the Seas, which is the largest ship in the Vision class, and which debuted in 1997. The company’s first-ever homeporting season in Barbados (December 5, 2021, through April 17, 2022) included 3x different itineraries.
The best part is that unlike on bigger ships where most specialty dining venues fill to capacity, Grandeur’s small size means you can almost always get a reservation, even at the last minute. Our Giovanni’s reservation required nothing more than a quick stop by the restaurant during the lunch hour on the same day we wished to have dinner. We got the exact times we requested at both restaurants — no need to eat overly early or late to get a table. My husband and I enjoyed the food and service so much that we missed it on the nights we dined elsewhere.
Pullmantur planned to deploy the liner in Northern Europe for Baltic Sea and Norwegian Fjords itineraries with roundtrips from homeports Trondheim Norway and Warnemunde-Rostock Germany. Even with My Time Dining in the Main Dining Room, we were able to, by request, sit in the same section every night to have the same waitstaff. A larger ship would probably not be as willing to accommodate us. Grandeur of the Seas does not have all the attractions of other Royal Caribbean ships, like a Flowrider, waterslides, ice skating, and bumper cars. Rather, she offers theatre productions, trivia, and other activities.
However, for all of the slightly outdated decor, these staterooms are quite spacious, all across the board. Ordered in 1992 and built in Finland between 1995 and 1996, Grandeur of the Seas has been in service since late 1996. This Vision-class cruise ship underwent a five-week, $48 million refurbishment in Spain in 2012, which brought it up to more recent standards. Grandeur of the Seas was initially deployed on 7 night cruises from Miami, Florida, to the Eastern Caribbean from 1996 to 2000, when Explorer of the Seas was launched and took over the Grandeur’s run.
Browse daily restaurant menus and activity schedules by digital “Wayfinder” signage – large touch-screens by the elevators, which also help find directions and are incredibly helpful when you can’t remember whether you’re aft or forward on the ship. Category VO-Oceanview Suites are ultra-spacious cabins perfect for families with more kids. They accommodate up to 6 passengers making them a cheaper alternative to booking connecting cabins. We dined at Giovanni’s Table and Chops Grille and both were delicious treats that lived up to the standards we’ve found across the Royal Caribbean fleet.
You’ll always find bold adventures onboard Grandeur of the Seas® when you sail from Miami. With gorgeous beaches, world-class restaurants and vibrant nightlife, the Magic City is the perfect spot to jumpstart any sailing to the breathtaking Eastern or Southern Caribbean. R Bar is a lively atmosphere, where you can find regularly scheduled events in addition to a menu of classic cocktails. The casino bar, pool bar and solarium bar, meanwhile, are all simply bars situated within the venues by the same names, so you can enjoy an adult beverage while you gamble or swim. Ocean-view staterooms feature a little more space, including a sitting area, and big, wide, circular windows that look out over the ocean, right next to your bed.
Grandeur’s small size and easy navigation make it a good choice for several types of cruisers. New cruisers don’t have to worry about getting lost and travelers with mobility challenges will find that the majority of the ship is accessible and distances between cabins and public spaces are relatively short. The ship’s smaller size also simplifies things for families with children. It’s easier for older kids to find their way around, and far simpler for parents to find them when they need to. As for the tiny tots onboard, every step that parents can save while carrying or walking with little ones, or pushing a bulky stroller, is an improvement to the cruise experience.
Some staterooms have either sofabed or upper/bunk beds (Pullman beds) for 3rd/4th person. I especially love that Grandeur has a traditional outside promenade along the sides of Deck 5, perfect for guests without balconies (on decks 2-4) seeking a nearby quiet place to step outside for fresh air or to watch sail away. Even though Grandeur’s promenade doesn’t complete a full circle around the ship, you can still walk laps by cutting through the stairwell lobbies. Unlike some lines, Royal Caribbean has kept outdoor promenade decks on all its ships, though on some of its newest ships, they have morphed into spaces with limited views that are less inviting for simply hanging out than the classic promenade on Grandeur. Royal Caribbean recently opened bookings on its biggest ship ever.