Poolside

6 minutes ago, DunwoodyDad said:

Also please look past the headlines that say states opened too early. Look at the underlying data... not infections which is what the lazy news outlets are quoting, but of hospitalizations and deaths. Infection numbers can and are rising with more testing.  If the infections keep going up, but the amount of people going into hospitals isn’t rising, then the states opening hasn’t created a problem. 

I watch the news every day. The "lazy news outlets" are reporting infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

On 4/26/2020 at 11:22 AM, Zambia-Zaire said:

I believe "one" of a number of purposes for the muster is to provide & attend the  physically location, while in a state of calm, so passenger will be aware of the location & possible path to take, to reach that location, should a dire emergency present itself, in the mist of potential nervousness, panic, & chaos.

Just watching a video in a stateroom or other locations, not your design muster point, could be very counter productive, in a state of emergency, when people & young family memberss are scattered about, not quite sure where or how to maneuver to their designated muster location...again, in the mist of possible nervousness, panic, & chaos.

I haven't gone to the actual muster station for the last few cruises... starting in September 2018 on the Empress to Cuba. They have been sending me to the theater or some other location.

In February 2017, I reported to my muster station on the Grandeur in Baltimore when a hail storm began. We were being pelted with ice... So, they moved us inside to explain the process. 

I don't mean this to sound like a jerk in any way at all.

But, why are so many of you calling to talk with Royal about your refund? Do you think that your call is in any way speeding up your refund? 

I also have a refund coming. I'm not going to call. If I do, all that will happen is my expectations will be raised and I will be irritated. I believe that there is nothing I can do to make my refund come faster.

Again, not trying to be a jerk. Save yourself from the anxiety and just wait.

7 minutes ago, MikaelaJ said:

@Ampurp85 Many people were informed on March 13th that although they had canceled due to the virus, the cruise would still allow them to get the refund during all this.  Then a couple weeks later they were told this was untrue, a lot of people are going through the same thing as me, as well as having issues with getting refunds for all their other activities and packages they bought.  RCCI is screwing people over left and right, and being inconsistent in their policies and what they are informing their customers of. 

I would not say that Royal is "screwing people over left and right". They are cancelling 10's of thousands of reservations. It will take a while to process everything. 

Getting 100% credit versus 125% is not screwing people. If you cancelled with "Cruise with Confidence" then you are entitled to 100% not 125%. I know you are upset that someone "told" you otherwise, but when new policies are put in place, there is confusion.

I hope you get your full refund.

I got my letter yesterday for a Grandeur cruise in November 2020. We will arrive one hour late to San Juan. 

I don't have any nightmares like you are all describing... I guess I need to cruise more. 

8 hours ago, JennyJenny said:

I am not against a class but really don't want to do them if you need a partner AND all they will do is go over the very basics for those who have never done it before.

Has anyone been to the dance "classes" or know about whether or not it's easy to find a dance partner in the evenings at some of the events? (Not club dancing but Ballroom).

My wife and I sail on Grandeur almost every year. She takes the dance classes and I watch. It is individual. She never needed a partner to participate.

I got an email from Royal that they will be doing this (a daily coffee loaded on my see pass card) on my upcoming Grandeur sailing as a diamond benefit because of the large numbers of Diamond and above cruisers.

37 minutes ago, MaryCS62 said:

We just booked a cruise Monday for Grandeur next March, (adjoining Jr Suites), and after they were booked, I went looking for general info, deck plans, etc, & saw a note on another website indicating that certain rooms have a pole in the middle of the room, right at the end of the bed. 

I've stayed in one of those rooms on Grandeur. The pole was right up against the end of the bed. I seemed odd, but my wife and I just made a game of it. I would rap my knuckle against the pole and make a "ping" every time I would go by it. And we would both laugh.

I hope you get your situation resolved.

You can bring 12 bottles/cans of non-alcoholic drinks (up to 17 ounces).

It's normal. Most get their room assignments about 2 weeks ahead of the cruise.

Sailing on Grandeur in 15 days and just got my #Gty Interior room.

5 hours ago, dcr50usa said:

NOPE, I went thru RCCL and another agency and this is the way RCCL is doing it now. I had gotten 2 open bookings when on board and was looking to get them booked and found out about this ridiculous pricing scheme bait and switch they are doing. as i am booking to complete our nights to diamond

I have also noticed that the pricing for new cruises has increased. I don't get how this is "bait and switch".

1. Usually around 1 p.m.

2. Yes.

3. No need to exchange. US dollars are fine in Bahamas.

4. You will be issued a card (for room key, purchases, getting on/off ship). Some ships have wrist bands (Wow bands) available for purchase.

5. No. You must get the bottled water at bars and restaurants

6. Don't know about this one

7. You are correct. No cash needed unless you want to do extra tips.

8. Don't know this one

55 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

We were on Grandeur in October and I have to say, we had the same experience in the MDR for breakfast. They have a Diamond breakfast area (throwback to an earlier time) but that did not matter.  We went once and that was enough.  It was WJ for us for the rest of that cruise.  Very disappointing 

We also tried the Diamond breakfast area in the MDR in March.

It was one and out for us. Back to the WJ. Not very impressive.

You must have driven a DeLorean to the port. You cruise is supposed to start tomorrow... according to the post title.  

Soda is available at the bars... usually poured from 2-liter bottles

There is lots to enjoy on Empress... but not the spacious rooms.

I always sail interior rooms and am used to small spaces, but Empress's interior stateroom was about 15% smaller than a Vision class interior stateroom. If you want a big bathroom, I don't think you will be happy.

I loved the ship and have a cruise planned next year on her. YMMV.

Long time reader, first time caller...

I have loved sailing on Grandeur for the past decade (8 times). Change is always hard, but I think Enchantment is a better ship. 2 pools, bigger pool area, Boleros lounge are great features.

I did a repo cruise on Grandeur in 2008 from Puerto Rico to Baltimore. It would be great to book Enchantment repo in 2021.