My honest review of Royal Caribbean’s oldest, smallest ship, the Grandeur of the Seas.
My husband and I sailed on Grandeur of the Seas in October 2025, and I need to give you an honest Grandeur of the Seas review: this ship wasn’t for us. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be perfect for YOU.
Let me tell you exactly what we experienced so you can decide if Grandeur of the Seas is your vibe or if you should book something else.
Why We Chose Grandeur of the Seas
The itinerary. That’s it. That’s the reason.
My husband had been dreaming about this specific route: Tampa to Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatán, and Cozumel with two sea days. It was only his second cruise ever (first was Liberty of the Seas), and he wanted to see these ports.
I had just sailed on Oasis of the Seas the week before, so my expectations were… let’s just say, calibrated differently.
What We Loved About Grandeur of the Seas
The Itinerary Was Incredible
Those ports? Chef’s kiss. Costa Maya, Belize (we tendered in), Roatán, and Cozumel delivered on every level. If you’re sailing for the destinations, this route is absolutely worth it.
The Centrum Was Beautiful
The Centrum (the heart of Grandeur of the Seas) is gorgeous. We loved gathering there for drinks, watching live dancing during themed nights, and people watching. When the entertainment was good, it was REALLY good.
The staff introduction night where they brought out flags from every country represented on the crew? Loved that. It reminded us how hardworking and diverse the team was.
The Staff Made the Difference
Speaking of the crew: they were phenomenal. The service and attitude from every single staff member we encountered made a huge impression. They worked incredibly hard and genuinely cared about making our experience great.
The food was decent (more on that later), but the PEOPLE serving it? Outstanding.
It’s Intimate
As the oldest and smallest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Grandeur of the Seas feels cozy. You’re not walking a mile to get anywhere. The venues are smaller and easier to navigate. If you hate mega-ships, you might love this.
What We Didn’t Love (Real Talk)
The Vibe Was… Quiet
Too quiet for us.
I’m 45, my husband is 50. We’re not party animals. We don’t need a club or loud music. But we DO want some energy, some options, some LIFE in the evenings.
Grandeur of the Seas felt like a floating retirement community.
Every evening after we got back from port, we’d shower, get dressed, and walk around looking for live music or entertainment or just… people to talk to. But the mood was very subdued. Very library-esque.
There was trivia and puzzles in the Schooner Bar. There were games in other areas. But it always felt like we needed to whisper. Lower our voices. Be respectful of the quiet.
On vacation.
The Elevator Music. Oh, the Elevator Music.
Here’s the thing that drove me slightly insane: the afternoon/evening entertainment in the Centrum was the SAME easy listening piano music. Every. Single. Day.
I like piano music. I really do. But not this particular artist, and not for HOURS on repeat while I’m trying to vacation. It was a snooze fest.
I kept hoping for an alternative venue. Something livelier. Maybe live music outside? A different bar with a different vibe? But there wasn’t really anywhere else to go unless you wanted to hit the casino.
Limited Food Options (But Some Gems!)
Let me be real with you: the food on Grandeur of the Seas is fine. Decent. But if you’re coming from a mega-ship like Oasis (which I’d just sailed on), the options feel really limited.
That said, there are some highlights worth knowing about.
Included Dining Venues
Main Dining Room: Standard Royal Caribbean fare. Nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. The menu rotates nightly and the service is excellent.
Windjammer (Buffet): Here’s where you need to pay attention to hours. The Windjammer closes at 3 PM, which caught us off guard more than once.
If you skip lunch in port and come back to the ship hungry after 3, your only option is…
Park Cafe: Pizza by the slice, sandwiches, and quick bites. And EVERYONE has the same idea. The line was massive every time we went, but the pizza was actually excellent and the service moved fairly quickly despite the crowd.
Pro tip: Grab lunch before 3 PM or plan to wait in line at Park Cafe. The pizza is worth it, though!
Specialty Dining (Extra Cost)
Grandeur offers several specialty dining options for an upcharge (typically $40-60 per person):
Available specialty restaurants:
- Chops Grille (steakhouse)
- Giovanni’s Table (Italian)
- Izumi (Asian/sushi)
- Chef’s Table (multi-course tasting experience)
We tried two of them:
Chops Grille: This is where you need to splurge.
Seriously. The steak at Chops was incredible. Order it with the mashed potatoes and ask for the sautéed mushrooms as one of your sides. You’ll thank me later.
It’s an upcharge (around $50-60 per person), but after several days of mediocre buffet food, it felt like a gift from the cruise gods. Worth every penny.
Giovanni’s Table: Honestly? Skip it.
We ordered the caprese salad, cheese board, and calamari, and everything was… meh. The service was great (as always on this ship!), but the food quality was about the same as the main dining room.
Good, but not special enough to justify the upcharge. Save your money and stick with the included dining, or splurge on Chops instead.
We didn’t try Izumi or Chef’s Table, so I can’t speak to those, but they’re available if you’re looking for variety.
Bottom line: Chops Grille = YES. Giovanni’s Table = skip it.
Bar Recommendations
Schooner Bar: Don’t sleep on the Schooner Bar! The bartenders here know what they’re doing.
Must-try drinks:
- Espresso Martini (classic, perfectly made)
- Reposado Tequila Espresso Martini (yes, TEQUILA. Don’t knock it till you try it. Trust me on this one.)
- Lavender Daiquiri Mocktail (refreshing, floral, and you won’t miss the alcohol)
- Desert Pear Margarita Mocktail (sweet, tangy, and perfect for non-drinkers)
The Schooner Bar has a great vibe for trivia and games, even if the entertainment volume can be a bit… library-esque.
The Bottom Line on Food
The good: Park Cafe pizza, Chops Grille steak, Schooner Bar cocktails, amazing dining staff
The meh: Limited variety compared to newer/bigger ships, Windjammer closes early, food quality is just okay
Pro tip: Budget for at least one Chops dinner. Your taste buds will thank you.
Noise Issues (Bring Earplugs!)
Our room was on the 8th floor, directly below the Lido/pool deck.
Every morning at 5:00-5:30 AM, we heard doors slamming and chairs being dragged around as they set up the deck. Every. Morning.
The Centrum was also right below us (or near us?), and we could hear the band or music playing late into the night. The walls are THIN.
If you’re a light sleeper: bring earplugs and a sound machine. Or book a room away from the Centrum and on a lower floor.
Recommendation: Book a lower deck, away from high-traffic areas. If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs and a portable sound machine – they saved our sanity on this ship!
Who Should Sail on Grandeur of the Seas
This ship is perfect if you:
- Want a quieter, more relaxed cruise experience
- Prefer smaller ships where you can find your way around easily
- Are sailing for the itinerary, not the ship
- Like easy listening music and low-key entertainment
- Appreciate intimate venues and don’t need tons of options
- Are retired or prefer a slower pace
Honestly? A lot of people LOVE Grandeur. I’ve read glowing reviews. It has a loyal following. If you want calm, quiet, and simple, this might be your perfect ship.
Who Should Skip Grandeur of the Seas
Skip this ship if you:
- Want lively evening entertainment
- Need multiple dining and bar options
- Prefer variety in music and activities
- Like a younger, more energetic crowd
- Want the bells and whistles of newer ships (water slides, shows, themed venues)
- Get bored easily without lots of options
We found ourselves wandering around looking for something to do besides the casino. That’s not a good sign.
Grandeur of the Seas Cabin Review: Deck 8
Room location: Deck 8, below the Lido deck, near the Centrum
Problems:
- 5 AM wake-up calls from chairs being moved above us
- Late-night music from the Centrum
- Thin walls
Recommendation: Book a lower deck, away from high-traffic areas, if noise bothers you.
What I Wish I’d Packed for Grandeur of the Seas
After this cruise, here’s what I recommend bringing:
Travel insurance – After watching my husband get sick in Cozumel, I never skip this
Packing cubes – Limited cabin space means you need organization
Earplugs and white noise machine – Trust me on this!
Seasickness Patches – Just in case, especially on sea days
Would We Sail Grandeur of the Seas Again?
No.
But I’m glad we did it once. It taught us a lot about what we DO want in a cruise ship:
- More entertainment variety
- Livelier atmosphere
- Better food options
- Quieter cabins
It’s important to choose the right ship for YOU and your travel style.
Grandeur isn’t a bad ship. It’s just not OUR ship.
The Bottom Line
Grandeur of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s oldest, smallest ship, and it shows. If you want an intimate, quiet, low-key cruise experience with incredible itineraries, you might love it.
If you want energy, options, and entertainment variety, look elsewhere.
For us: The itinerary was a 10/10. The ship was a 5/10.
The staff saved the experience and made it enjoyable despite the ship’s limitations. But we won’t be booking Grandeur again.
Have you sailed on Grandeur? I’d love to hear your experience! Drop a comment below or send me a message.
Related Posts:
- Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise
- Senior Trip Cruise Planning: What We Learned
- Cozumel Travel Guide: Best Beaches & What to Skip
Sailed: October 2025 | Itinerary: Tampa, Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatán, Cozumel | Ship: Grandeur of the Seas