The kids and I recently hopped on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas for a little family adventure. While the ship is showing her age, it also served up some fantastic memories, lots of laughs, and endless ice cream. Here’s a peek into our trip, the good, the “eh,” and everything in between.
Grandeur of the Seas: A Little Worn, but Full of Heart
Let’s start with the obvious—Grandeur is the oldest ship in Royal Caribbean’s lineup, and it shows. Some areas, especially our cabin, had a bit of that retro “vintage” vibe (read: worn). But honestly? The ship was spotless, and the stateroom felt very clean, so we were happy. And the service?! Out of this world. Every crew member went above and beyond, and their warmth and smiles turned our trip from ordinary to something really special. Truly, the quality of the service cannot be overstated. I don’t think there is anywhere else you can get that level of service without paying a HUGE premium!
A couple examples: I ordered a steak medium and it came out well done. I had barely yet noticed it myself, and the server was already swooping over saying that wasn’t what I asked for and bringing me a new one. Another favorite was when the Washy Washy Girls noticed that Nat was dancing to Fireball and immediately put it on repeat while he was jamming. I didn’t even notice until after like 10 minutes when I was like, “WOW! This is a long song!” They let it go to the next song, and he immediately asked for more Fireball. They knew his needs before I did!! Just stellar service from every single crew member every single time. 8 million/10.
Low-Key Shows and Arcade Woes
The entertainment onboard was fun, though it didn’t quite have the polished pizazz of bigger, newer ships. But the shows were fun and lively and even kept the attention of both kids! The magic show did get a little long for Nat, but again, one of the benefits for me of a smaller ship was that I felt comfortable leaving Xan to come find us on the deck after the show.
The arcade… oh, the arcade. Mostly claw machines and a lot of “Out of Order” signs. Not exactly a jackpot, but the kids still found some joy in the few games that worked. On the bright side, we stumbled upon a few cruise ducks—a total highlight that added a fun scavenger hunt feel to our days.
Poolside Mimosas with a Toddler Twist
One of my favorite moments? My three-year-old, Nat, poolside with his “mimosa” (okay, it was juice), rocking sunglasses upside down like a tiny celebrity. He was the talk of the deck, and people kept stopping by to tell us how much they loved his vibe. I mean, who knew I was traveling with a toddler icon?
And of course, you can’t mention a cruise pool deck without mentioning soft serve cones! We lost track of how many (I’ll have to count the photos later–I’m pretty sure we documented every cone), but rest assured that we ALL had plenty of ice cream! A definite highlight.
Cabin Location: A Smart Move
I chose a cabin close to the main atrium, which was definitely the right move for my family. My older son, Xan, sometimes needs a break from the hustle, and I felt totally comfortable letting him chill in the room to decompress. I’d take Nat downstairs to the atrium, and Xan knew right where to find us when he was ready (or could even yell down if he got desperate lol!). It’s little things like this that help keep the trip smooth and stress-free.
Buffet Life: Kid-Approved Cheeseburgers and a Little Caribbean Flair
We mostly ate at Windjammer (the buffet), because with two kids, speed and convenience rule. The food was solid—nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either. We loved the destination-themed nights, like jerk pork chops after our Grand Cayman stop. The cheeseburgers were kid-approved. Knowing they had a go-to favorite meal made everything easier. Mental note for next time: pack some snacks, because sometimes even unlimited food doesn’t replace a Ritz cheese cracker craving!
Kid’s Club: Not Quite a Home Run
The Kid’s Club wasn’t a huge hit this time around. Xan wasn’t into the games, and Nat, just recently potty trained and in a pull-up, got moved to the baby side. It wasn’t a total bust—we still had fun at a little family science show, but overall, it was quieter and less engaging compared to other ships with more kids. Not a big deal, though, we were happy to hang at the pool together instead.
The Key to the Fun: Worth It… Sort Of
I noticed “The Key,” a pass comes with a few perks like priority boarding and a special breakfast on the last day, was just a couple bucks more than just buying Wi-Fi (one of the perks in The Key package). Since it was only a couple dollars, I figured giving myself some extra flexibility in arrival time on embarkation day was a good idea. I’d also definitely do it if I had booked excursions outside of the cruise line at a tender port. The breakfast on the last day was nice, too. It made me feel less hurried off the ship, and it was also one of the very best meals I had onboard.
Wrapping It Up
Overall, we really enjoyed our time on Grandeur of the Seas. For a family who isn’t into water slides and flashy entertainment, and just wants a chill, relaxed, and family friendly beach cruise, this is the ship for you. It prices well, has a wonderful sailing itinerary, and the service is unmatched. We can’t wait til next time!
