Small ship with nice appointments

Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Review to Bermuda

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 22

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Grandeur of the Seas

6 Night Bermuda (Baltimore Roundtrip)

Sail date: September 25, 2015

Ship: Grandeur of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 3507

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

We left Baltimore on an overcast day in September only to be met with rain, high wind and large waves when we got to sea.  It was a rocky sail to Bermuda, where we got in to port about six hours late. (We wonder if the stabilizers in the bow of the ship were working since one night we would hear a noise like a big motor running and the ship seemed to smooth out but when the noise was gone, the rolling was back). Many got sick, including the crew from what I learned.  The crew that was not sick ended up working many more hours than normal and therefore some of the services suffered, mainly cabin maintenance (it took 2 days to get our shower head replaced).  Also, because of the rough weather, the upper decks, pools and rock wall were closed.  They were only open the last day of the cruise.  The crew was mostly pleasant, the meals good and entertainment very good.  Seems there was always something going on somewhere in the ship, even though a lot of the outside activities were canceled.  There was plenty of seating at the pool for everyone (including the last day when most every one was up and about).   Wish we had more opportunity to enjoy the movie by the pool at night.  The embarkation and debarkation was the best I have experienced in many cruises.  Considering the circumstances, we enjoyed our cruise. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
I prefer outside cabins but we managed in this small inside space. We spent very little time inside since being on a rocky ship in a cabin without windows was not conducive to a good feeling. Bed and pillows were hard. That really is the only complaint. Lighting, storage space, head were good.
Was this review helpful? 14

6 Comments

skyspy    9 years ago

Stabilizers are basically shaped like airplane wings. Don't know the mechanics on how they work but if a plane rolls left opposite input rolls it back level. Not sure if is motorized or counter balanced but usually help smooth out the ride. We were there and not fun but we still had a good time.

CrusinTim    9 years ago

When we sailed on the M/S Meridian, we were forward as well but when the ships props came out of the water on that crossing, the WHOLE ship rattled!! Granted, it was an older ship but I was just speculating!! :) Getting seasick may not necessarily ruin a cruise. My wife, on that same cruise got seasick. She went to the medical office and they gave her a shot and some Bonine for the rest of the trip. The cost (back then) was $25 for all! She slept after the shot for a few hours and was right as rain the rest of the cruise. Didn't even need the Bonine they gave her. Getting seasick can put you off to cruising as much as getting bad food in a restaurant keeps you from ever going there again. You have the right attitude and approach! Bon Voyage.....

valandlover    9 years ago

CrusinTim, I don't think it was the propeller we heard since we were in the bow of the ship.   We didn't mind being rocked to sleep, though.  :)   ChrisandFrank and JusMe, yes, we can't control the seas but It was kind of fun.  I felt bad for the first time cruisers who vowed to never cruise again because of their experience.  A vacation is what you make of it but getting seasick ruins it.

JusMe    9 years ago

Thanks for the review.   Glad to see ou made the best of what you had on this cruise.   I have found the advantage of rough sea's is much shorter line at the Lido and less people in the MDR so better service.

Rough sea's are part of cruising,   I have been on a couple cruises where I was nearly rolled out of bed.  Luckily I have not gotten sea sick and I find it to be kind of fun. 

ChrisandFrank    9 years ago

Well, at least you made the best of it. Always have to remember the sea is alive, and you can't control it. It doesn't stop living for vacations ;)

CrusinTim    9 years ago

I would render a guess that the noise you may have been hearing was the propellers rising up to sea level since the seas were choppy. This is not unusual especially for an older vessel. The stabilizers can only do so much in rough seas but imagine if the ship didn't have any at all!! We did a Bermuda cruise from N.Y. back in 1992 during October when there was a hurricane swirling south in the Caribbean. Even though the storm was so far away, the seas were very high. This sailing was on the M/S Meridian (Celebrity Cruise Lines Flagship) and because the ship was built in the 1960'2, there were no stabilizers. Needless to say, the ship was mostly empty as you experienced. Thankfully, I don't get seasick ;)  Bon Voyage.....

Other reviews of this sailing