Curt From Canada

Our "normal" sized luggage fits under Oasis, Quantum, Freedom, Voyager and Radiance Class beds. It did not slide easily under the Grandeur Oceanview Bed. We had to lift up slightly (difficult, but not impossible). We ended up putting our carry-on sized luggage in the closet (standing up) and used it for dirty clothes. Curt from Canada

NOV 08 Grandeur (8-Night). We will be the ones first on and last off the dance floor. We are not great, but we will be the ones having the most fun. 😉 Curt from Canada

@JennyJenny the dancing opportunities in the Centrum are numerous (other places not so much). We start at 4:30 and dance up until late seating. After that the opportunities are hit and miss. Not many Waltz opportunities. A few Rumbas (we got to do one in the Centrum elevator) ... Our favourite is "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" (Bill Withers). Lots of Foxtrots and even more Swing numbers each night.

1). Not having the fridge was (at first) a surprise (we had only cruised on larger ships in balconies). Once we got used to it, we never really noticed. Having ice twice a day was good enough. The fridges are barely cool anyways. 2). Funny enough, I found the showers BETTER than Paris. 😉 ... We lived there for three months and the very expensive, company paid, apartment had a terrible shower. Still, my soulmate and I do need a well established routine to get ready for "drinks, dancing and dinner" each night in a Grandeur Oceanview Cabin. 3). We do not travel light. We are experienced travellers and do not mind the Suit Bag, Large Checked Bag, one Carryon (all are rollered) ... between the two of us. A few do not misses on Grandeur: A). If John Blair is the Cruise Director, he does a Neil Diamond Tribute show. We have seen twice now and it is excellent. It is usually late in the cruise on a seas day in the afternoon. Not to be missed. B). Music in the Centrum. There is always something going on from 4:30PM onwards. I love the entire ship for its views of the sea. Especially, the Centrum which is a great place to relax with a drink, the sea and music. C). The Schooner Bar has the same connection with the sea. It is a little bit more lively, and a great place to people watch (it serves as corridor). Some people might not like the people passing through, we don't mind ... the Piano Player is usually very good (and sometimes incorporates pedestrians in the show). One of the best ships in the fleet where the Centrum, Schooner Bar and other lounges are so well connected to the sea.. D). Very friendly crew and loyal "army" of passengers. Do not be surprised if you see a number of passengers and crew greet each other like long lost friends. Curt from Canada

On Grandeur: 1). No Mini-Fridge in an Oceanview. We make sure that the Room Attendant supplies ice twice per day. You can "construct" a makeshift cooler for bottles by using the ice and a proper flexible "bag". We have never done this, but heard of others who have. 2). We are not Gym People. It is definitely in an interesting place (above the Viking Crown Lounge). Really not sure about facilities to get ready for the evening. 3). We have a fairly large bag (and a suit bag as well). In an Oceanview they kinda' fit under the bed. We lift the bed slightly to fit them under (seemed to be OK). You can not just slide under the bed, as on the larger ships. We place our carry-on upright in the closet and use as a laundry "bag". We have been on Grandeur twice already and will be on her this NOV. This is a ship that helps you connect with the sea (something we love). We just completed a 9 day Bermuda / Bahamas cruise that was excellent. Not the bells and whistles of the bigger ships, but a relaxing, enjoyable ship. Bermuda might be our favourite island destination now. Have a Blast ... Curt from Canada

My Soulmate and I will be sailing on Grandeur (NOV 08) ... (it will be our 3 cruise on her in the last 2 years). We have sailed on every class of RC ship (except Empress and Majesty). She is, obviously, one of our favourites. Here are our biggest observations: 1) Baltimore port is very easy to navigate ... in and out. You will not feel like you are on a "cattle call". 2) If you love to dance (or even like it a little bit), this might be the best cruise ship in RC's fleet. We are always in the Centrum at 4:30ish to dance all the way until late seating. Live bands on RC are great ... Lady G does not disappoint. While you are dancing or enjoying the music, you will notice a "connection" to the sea. Everywhere from the Centrum you can see outside. Some of the larger ships rob you of this experience ... drink it up. 3) If you like a piano bar, the Schooner Bar is very similar to the ones on other RC ships, with one small exception. We find it is a little more intimate, a little more inviting, and a great place to hang out. AND, just like the Centrum, you are always connected to the sea ... there are wonderful views from virtually everywhere in the Schooner Bar. 4) The staff is excellent ... we have seen some of the crew twice now and really hope we see them again in NOV. 5) We are big "show people". Still, even the basic performances on this small ship are very enjoyable. They are genuine and feel more like someone is performing in your living room. Very special. 6) If John Blair is the Cruise Director, he will perform his Neil Diamond Tribute. We have seen twice (JAN 2006 & NOV 2018). It is excellent. After seeing the first time, I found myself listening to a lot more Neil Diamond. Not to be missed. 7) The ship is extremely easy to get around. This was different for us on our May cruise, as we just got of Harmony ... earlier in the year. It is kind of nice to not have to plan 30 minutes in advance to get somewhere (slight exaggeration). Have I mentioned yet, that you CAN ALWAYS SEE THE SEA. This is a big plus and something not to be missed. 8. Relax ... we are always relaxed on this ship. The Solarium is small, but very quiet and relaxing. 9) If you like to walk, the best place is on Deck 5 where you can walk outside all around the ship ... it is shaded for 95% of your trip. Did I mention that you are still really connected to the seas. As others have said, there are very few bells and whistles. Still this is one of the most enjoyable cruise ships we have experienced. HAVE A BLAST ... Curt From Canada

We are on the NOV 08 Grandeur of the Seas sailing and are very interested in cruises compasses from the OCT 31 sailing. If anyone can post the Cruise Compass it would be great. Curt from Canada

My first response is: "Cite the case" Those examples are either myths (where the case can not be cited) or a single event (where your "higher odds" thought is 100% right). After your trip, make sure you bring lots of pictures back showing how you had a blast. In the end ... Don't ask for security, ask for adventure. Have a blast. Curt from Canada

My Soulmate and I will be sailing on the next cruise (NOV 08) as you get off Lady G (it will be our 3 cruise on her in the last 2 years). We have sailed on every class of RC ship (except Empress and Majesty). She is, obviously, one of our favourites. Here are our biggest observations: 1) Baltimore port is very easy to navigate ... in and out. You will not feel like you are on a "cattle call". 2) If you love to dance (or even like it a little bit), this might be the best cruise ship in RC's fleet. We are always in the Centrum at 4:30ish to dance all the way until late seating. Live bands on RC are great ... Lady G does not disappoint. While you are dancing or enjoying the music, you will notice a "connection" to the sea. Everywhere from the Centrum you can see outside. Some of the larger ships rob you of this experience ... drink it up. 3) If you like a piano bar, the Schooner Bar is very similar to the ones on other RC ships, with one small exception. We find it is a little more intimate, a little more inviting, and a great place to hang out. AND, just like the Centrum, you are always connected to the sea ... there are wonderful views from virtually everywhere in the Schooner Bar. 4) The staff is excellent ... we have seen some of the crew twice now and really hope we see them again in NOV. 5) We are big "show people". Still, even the basic performances on this small ship are very enjoyable. They are genuine and feel more like someone is performing in your living room. Very special. 6) If John Blair is the Cruise Director, he will perform his Neil Diamond Tribute. We have seen twice (JAN 2006 & NOV 2018). It is excellent. After seeing the first time, I found myself listening to a lot more Neil Diamond. Not to be missed. 7) The ship is extremely easy to get around. This was different for us, in NOV, as we just got of Harmony ... early in the year. It is kind of nice to not have to plan 30 minutes in advance to get somewhere (slight exaggeration). Have I mentioned yet, that you CAN ALWAYS SEE THE SEA. This is a big plus and something not to be missed. 8. Relax ... we are always relaxed on this ship. The Solarium is small, but very quiet and relaxing. 9) If you like to walk, the best place is on Deck 5 where you can walk outside all around the ship ... it is shaded for 95% of your trip. Did I mention that you are still really connected to the seas. As others have said, there are very few bells and whistles. Still this is one of the most enjoyable cruise ships we have experienced. HAVE A BLAST ... Curt From Canada

Sorry @twangster, I am coming to this Live Blog Party a little late. My Soulmate and I are seriously considering cruising on Empress out of Montreal in the fall of 2020. Montreal is just a short dog sled ride from our house. 😉 We love to dance, and find that all RC ships have wonderful live music all over their ships. Three questions: 1) Are you finding a variety of live music being played? Boleros looks like a great venue, and the Viking Crown Lounge always has potential. 2) We are not great dancers, but we always look for any place to take advantage of the most basic dance floor (we are not shy). Is there anywhere in the Schooner Bar that could be used as a dance floor? The two best Schooner Bar dance floors are Harmony (I think most people call this dance floor the "Entrance") and Anthem (it has a dance floor just for two beside the piano). 3) Any other opportunities for dancing that you have come across? Any input would be great. Curt From Canada

The Packing List is an absolute must. We have maintained one for over 10 years. The best example of how it was used was when my son traveled to Europe on a vacation, and was told 5 hours before his flight that it had been moved up by 3 hours. He had delayed packing. We pulled out the list and had my son, daughter and soulmate gather all of the clothes; as I called out things to gather (from the List). He packed for a 2 week European vacation in 10 minutes. Then to the car, and drive to the airport to make his flight. Always have an up to date Packing List. Curt from Canada

Thank you .. exactly what we were looking for.

Mine was "given" to me by the Diamond Lounge Concierge on Grandeur in May. It is supposed to be "re-hidden" each time the "Duckie" is found. Please do not look for it on Grandeur ... I plan to retrieve "mine" when I get back on Lady G in Nov. 😉 Curt from Canada

Navigator wins the award for best Public Washroom at Sea!. Make sure (those who qualify) visit the male public washroom on Deck 11 aft. The view is stunning from the place where you "do what you do". I have seen pictures on the InterWeb, but I can not find them ... it seems to be an experience that needs you to be there. 😉 Curt from Canada

I know exactly where one is on Grandeur. I was asked to hide it somewhere that was impossible to find. I plan to pick it up when I return to Grandeur in November. 🙂 Curt from Canada