LONG CRUISE, SMALL SHIP

My family and I enjoyed the cruise overall, but there are some elements that we didn't expect to have issue with.  Leaving from Baltimore puts you at sea for 2.5 days heading to Labadee, Haiti and then 3 days on the return trip to Baltimore.  Grandeur of the Seas is a fairly small ship, and we quite frankly ran out of things to do.  There were shows and trivia in the bars/lounges and of course the casino, but you can only keep entertained with these things for so long.  Most of the entertainment was geared towards a senior crowd (75% of the passengers), which myself, my husband, and 2 teenage daughters found to be a bit boring. We couldn't go up onto the pool deck because of the temps the first day and a half and last two days, so we were searching for something to do within the ship.  The staff and crew was amazing, and they were the highlight of the cruise.  Always accommodating and going out of their way to chat with us and keep us entertained.  The food was great, but I wouldn't recommend going to any of the specialty restaurants that are an extra charge - the food was comparable to what you are served in the main dining room each night.  Drinks were strong, which isn't a bad thing, but we are not quite sure that we drank enough to offset what we paid for the drink package. I would HIGHLY recommend that you sign up for excursions that get you out of the ports of call.  The ports are bombarded with locals trying to sell you stuff and you don't really get to see any of the landmarks, beautiful scenery, or natural areas of any of the destinations.  It is worth the extra money to get on a catamaran, a tour, something to get you out of the port.  In St. Thomas, we went on the 'Fast Cat Snorkeling and Honeymoon Beach Catamaran'  I would give that one 5 stars every day of the week.   Overall - we were on vacation in the Caribbean, so  I can't complain too much.  If you are going to spend the money on a cruise, spend the money to fly to Florida and get on a bigger ship.  Grandeur of the Seas is not the ship unless you enjoy a smaller ship and can self-entertain.