Hi. I am new here. ?
I cruised once over ten years ago and without going into detail, it was a miserable experience due to the individual (my x) I was traveling with at the time. I have always wanted a “do over” and I am finally booked on the Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore next April and really looking forward to my first cruise (I am not going to count that long ago miserable experience).
I will be single for this cruise but do have a gal pal roomie and a few other couples on board I know so I won’t be “adrift and alone”. As it’s been so long and so much seems to have changed from when I went last (no more afternoon tea? ? ) and I am the one planning things for me this time versus just showing up and smiling, I have a few questions (and will probably have more). Everyone here seems so happy to help answer so I do my best to look for an answer before I ask.
(Have been reading this discussion board for a few weeks now and watching a lot of Youtube videos!)
1. 1. Beverages when sailing with a roommate – I have done my calculations and decided that I am going to purchase the Café Select Card and the flat of 12 one liter bottles of Evian. IF the refreshment package goes on sale for 20% off then it appears that will be a good value for me as I would like the occasional mocktail or extra bottle of water. Not a big soda drinker and while I don’t mind an occasional alcoholic beverage, I plan to bring my own bottle of Champagne and pretty sure my roommate will bring a bottle of wine. I can easily go the whole cruise without alcohol. Question: from my reading it looks like the only package where the entire room is required to purchase the same thing is the deluxe one with the alcohol. If I am considering purchasing the Refreshment Package, does my roommate have to also? Trying to figure out if I can just buy it if I see it go on sale or if I should pre-coordinate with them because they’d have to buy it too?
2. 2. My auntie is a big cruiser (on other lines) and I mentioned the magnetic hook “hack” to her and she said she’d tried it and the hooks just slid down the wall once you put anything on them and were useless. But I am wondering if she just bought the wrong hooks because I still see people raving about them?
3. 3. Has anyone actually seen or used the showers in the fitness center on the Grandeur? I’ve seen the advice on using those vs the room shower and as I plan to get some kind of workout in each day I’d be happy to use that set of facilities and let roomie commandeer ours. Was wondering if it’s like the typical gym or spa-ish locker room where I can take a shower after a workout session or while roomie uses the room shower. Sounds like they are bigger but I can’t find pictures or anyone who has actually posted about using the Grandeur ones specifically (just generic mentions that they did or might or their spouse did in passing).
4. 4. When do you find out about theme nights (if any) so you can pack/plan/prepare?
5. 5. It looks like things go on sale in the cruise planner. If I log in, do you see the specials right there on the main page or do you have to click on each item you want to watch individually and “hunt through” for them? Just wondering if I could do a quick peek to see if there were sales or do I need to set aside time to click through each thing and check?
I’ll stop there. I am sure I will have more questions. I haven’t been on my very own all by myself grown up with no kids to supervise vacation in over ten years. I can’t wait! So excited!
