Grandeur of the Seas Review
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About
Grandeur of the Seas Overview
Can a cruise ship ever feel like home? For the many passengers who return multiple times to Baltimore-based Grandeur of the Seas, the answer is an obvious yes. Known as Lady G, the 1,992-passenger ship (2,400 at full occupancy) engenders high loyalty from repeat cruisers, who cite the vessel's manageable size, diverse itineraries and personable crew as draws. The ship even has its own Facebook fan page.
Built in 1996, Grandeur of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean's Vision class of ships, although its sole identical twin, Splendor of the Seas, left the fleet in 2016. (While rumors frequently persist that Grandeur, too, will be sold, sailings are on the books through 2019 and the line has a contract with the Port of Baltimore into 2020.) The ship last received a major refurbishment in 2012, when specialty restaurants were added; dry docks since then have concentrated solely on maintenance and soft furnishings such as carpets.
The ship's age is most noticeable in the cabins, where the blonde wood, low beds and scuffed furniture can give the space a dorm-room demeanor. The retro feel of the ship works to its advantage in other ways: Balconies are larger than what you'd find on new-builds, as are elevators and hallways (the latter are particularly important on Grandeur's longer itineraries, which draw older passengers).
And, what some people might see as drawbacks -- no water slides or FlowRider, a handful of restaurants -- Lady G fans see as a plus. Repeatedly on our 12-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, we heard passengers raving about the ship's manageable size and homey atmosphere. Most people who cruise frequently on Grandeur have no interest in Royal Caribbean's brand-new ships -- and the higher prices that come with them.
They're happy enough with what Grandeur has, including Chops Grille steakhouse, Izumi and Giovanni's Table; an outdoor movie screen; and the glorious Centrum, a lovely six-story atrium that serves as the ship's hub. It's impossible to walk through it without checking out what's happening on the dance floor below or wanting to sit in one of the area's comfy chairs and sofas. As with any Royal Caribbean ship, Grandeur has a full line-up of programming and a Solarium, where the adults-only rule actually seemed to be enforced. (We also appreciated that at the pool deck, whirlpools were clearly designed for kids or adults.)
Another factor that brings passengers back is the experienced and friendly crew, some of whom have been on the ship since it launched more than 20 years ago. From the bar staff that remember favorite drinks to a captain who leads nautical trivia, the crew is very interactive with passengers; we frequently saw the cruise director hanging out with ship regulars. We also observed a lot of patience with a demographic that faced some mobility challenges; of the 1,989 people on our sailing, 225 were over 75. One woman who boarded the ship in mid-November wasn't planning to leave until mid-April!
Whether or not you'll join these legions of Lady G-lovers depends on how well your priorities for a cruise vacation mesh with what the ship has to offer. If you're looking for an affordable cruise from the mid-Atlantic and you're OK with an atmosphere that, in this day of constant stimulation, almost qualifies as old-fashioned, Grandeur of the Seas is a lovely choice.
Top Grandeur of the Seas Itineraries
Fellow Passengers
The age of the average Grandeur passenger depends heavily on what kind of itinerary the ship is running from Baltimore. Shorter summer trips to Bermuda and the Bahamas draw mostly families and a younger demographic, while longer New England/Canada and Western/Eastern Caribbean voyages draw retirees. On our December 2017 sailing, just weeks before Christmas, the vast majority of cruisers were age 50 and up. Nearly 80 percent were repeat cruisers. Almost everyone is from the mid-Atlantic or states that are nearby such as Virginia, West Virginia or Ohio.
Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas Dress Code
Daytime: Royal Caribbean has three dress codes: formal, smart casual and casual. Days onboard are casual. Shorts are permitted in the Great Gatsby Dining Room at breakfast and lunch, but not dinner.
Evening: Generally, busy port days will have a casual dress code in the evenings, while a formal night will be held on a sea day. Smart casual is recommended for specialty restaurants. In reality, there's not a lot of difference between them. Casual is defined by sundresses or slacks and blouses for women and collared shirts and trousers for men, but we saw T-shirts and jeans. While some long and cocktail dresses and suits were visible on formal night, we saw plenty of people wearing simple dresses or pants and a collared shirt on formal night. (The ship does have a tuxedo rental shop on Deck 4, but we only saw one person wearing one.) Smart casual technically means a dress or pantsuit for women and a jacket for the men; this did seem to be followed in the specialty restaurants.
Not permitted: Tank tops and hats are not allowed in the main dining room at any time.
For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: Royal Caribbean.
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Awards and Recognition
Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice
- 2019 Best Overall
- 2019 Best for Cabins
- 2019 Best for Dining
- 2019 Best for Embarkation
- 2019 Best for Entertainment
- 2019 Best for Fitness & Recreation
- 2019 Best for Public Rooms
- 2019 Best for Service
- 2019 Best for Shore Excursions
- 2019 Best for Value
- 2018 Best Overall
- 2018 Best for Cabins
- 2018 Best for Dining
- 2018 Best for Embarkation
- 2018 Best for Entertainment
- 2018 Best for Fitness & Recreation
- 2018 Best for Public Rooms
- 2018 Best for Service
- 2018 Best for Shore Excursions
- 2018 Best for Value
- 2017 Best for Embarkation
- 2017 Best for Entertainment
- 2017 Best for Shore Excursions
- 2016 Best Overall
- 2016 Best for Dining
- 2016 Best for Embarkation
- 2016 Best for Entertainment
- 2016 Best for Fitness & Recreation
- 2016 Best for Shore Excursions
- 2016 Best for Value
- 2015 Best for Dining
- 2015 Best for Embarkation
- 2015 Best for Entertainment
- 2015 Best for Fitness
- 2015 Best for Service
- 2015 Best for Shore Excursions
- 2015 Best for Value
- 2014 Best Overall
- 2014 Best for Dining
- 2014 Best for Embarkation
- 2014 Best for Entertainment
- 2014 Best for Fitness
- 2014 Best for Public Rooms
- 2014 Best for Service
- 2014 Best for Shore Excursions
- 2014 Best for Value
Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas Member Reviews
Royal Caribbean International Fleet
One of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships; highlights include rock climbing, bungee trampoline, three pools, eight bars and a Ben & Jerry's at sea; holds less than 3,000.
Older ship carrying fewer than 3,000; highlights include rock climbing, two pools, outdoor movie screen and several specialty dining venues including Ben & Jerry's at sea.
Offers three- and four-night cruises; features a rock climbing wall, Johnny Rockets at sea and smallish aqua park; can carry a bit over 2,500 cruisers.
An older ship carrying less than 3,000; features rock climbing, two pools, for-fee nursery, eight bars and lounges and more than half a dozen dining venues.
When Vision of the Seas launched in 1998, it was the last in a class of vessels whose design represented the most innovative for Royal Caribbean.
Megaliner packed full of amenities such as a TV studio, 3D movies, ice skating, virtual balcony cabins, and life-size Dreamworks characters to entertain the kids
Mid-sized ship carrying 2,100 passengers, known for its food, self-levelling pool tables, poolside movie screen and an African-themed solarium.
The second in the revolutionary Voyager-class series, Explorer of the Seas has a wealth of facilities, activities and entertainment.
Bustling atmosphere; features two-slide water park, simulated surfing, rock climbing, ice skating shows, 15 bars and the line's signature Royal Promenade; can carry upward of 4,000.
Brilliance of the Seas' mediumish size -- 2,112 passengers -- allows cruisers to feel they have the best of both worlds: a vessel with ample activities and attentive crew.
Carries some 4,400 passengers and features surf simulators, rock climbing and ice skating, 11 bars and lounges and the lively Royal Promenade.
A Chinese-orientated mega ship holding close to 3,000 passengers; features onboard surfing, zip lining, thalassotherapy pool and kids clubs.
Highlights on this smallish ship include rock climbing, mini-golf, three pools, and 16 bars and lounges including a wine bar and English-style pub; holds some 2,500.
One of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships; attractions include rock climbing and mini-golf, kids' water slide, half a dozen or so dining venues and family-specific cabins.
Can hold some 5,000 passengers; offers simulated surfing, rock climbing, a mini-golf course, dedicated karaoke bar and 10 dining venues.
The first megaship to hold more than 6,000 cruisers; features high-energy activities like zip lining, surfing and the high-diving AquaTheater.
Carries more than 4,000; features a three-slide water park, surf simulators, rock climbing wall and "Saturday Night Fever: The Musical."
A ship of wows including rock climbing, surfing, virtual reality enhanced trampolibe, laser tag, puzzle break and mini-golf, plus "Grease, the Musical" onstage, ice skating shows, kids' water park, 22 bars and 10 eateries.
Mega-ship holding upwards of 6,400 passengers; features zip lining, surf simulators, rock climbing and an open-air Central Park with shops and restaurants.
Quantum of the Seas dares its passengers not to have fun. It's a bold ship that screams for your attention via its innovative features.
Carries nearly 4,500 passengers and features surf simulators, vertical skydiving, 16 dining venues and some of the largest suites at sea.
World's largest cruise ship featuring high-energy attractions including zip lining, water slides, surf simulators, rock climbing and 18 dining venues.
Royal Caribbean's newest ship will be one of the largest in the world when it launches in spring 2018; high-energy highlights include zip lining, water slides and surf simulators.
The largest cruise ship to ever visit Australia; has an iFly skydiving simulator, bumper cars, observation capsule, Broadway-style and high-tech shows, and robotic bartenders.
Royal Caribbean's Cuba ship with stops in Havana; features the Cuba-inspired Boleros lounge and a free mimosa or bloody mary at the daily "Sunday" brunch.
The first Quantum Ultra-Class ship will launch in the spring 2019. The class will be the next evolution of Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class, though the line has not yet said what its size will be.