Grandeur of the Seas

As one of the older ships of the Royal Caribbean fleet, the Grandeur of the Seas may no longer be shiny and new - and at a length of 916 feet, it is dwarfed by the newest Oasis class vessels that are nearly 300 feet longer. However, it's still a fine cruise liner that's got plenty to offer in terms of activities, entertainment and family fun.

When the Grandeur of the Seas was first launched in 1996, it was based in Miami and regularly embarked on seven-night cruises around the Caribbean. In 2000, its route was changed to cover European destinations.

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Currently, the vessel's summer home is in Palma De Mallorca and it embarks on seven-day journeys to destinations like Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga and Gibraltar.

For the winter, the home port for the Grandeur of the Seas is in Cartagena, Colombia and the ship offers week-long cruises calling at Kralendijk in Bonaire, Willemstad in Curacao and Oranjestad in Aruba.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 2,446
Year entered service: 1996
Beam (ship width): 105.6 feet
Draught (ship depth): 25.5 feet
Length: 916 feet
Tonnage: 74,000
Crew: 760
Maximum speed: 22 knots
Number of passenger decks: 11
Number of lifts: 9
Number of swimming pools: 2
Number of cabins: 975

Food, cuisine and dining

The main dining room on the Grandeur of the Seas is called the Great Gatsby. Spread over two levels, it is open for three meals a day, with breakfast and lunch offering open seating times.

There are two dinner services and generally passengers will need to choose which option they prefer when booking their cruise, although you may be able to change your dining time during your voyage if necessary.

For those who prefer some flexibility, My Time Dining might be a better choice. To take advantage of this feature, you must pre-pay your gratuities. Once on-board, you can show up to dinner at any time between 18:00 and 21:30, although reservations are recommended to ensure you can get a seat.

With My Time Dining, you'll enjoy the same delicious cuisine and excellent service as the other diners, and you can choose to eat with your own party or other guests as appropriate. In addition, you can request your favourite waiter if they have an available table.

If you'd like a change of scene from the main dining room, why not try one of the other eateries on-board? The Windjammer Cafe is an all-you-can-eat buffet, while Latte-tudes offers coffee drinks, pastries and Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

Or you could opt for room service, which is available 24 hours a day.

On-board entertainment and activities

Whatever your age or interests, the Jewel of the Seas is sure to have something to keep you occupied. Just some of the options available include live music and dancing shows, as well as the various bars, pubs and nightclubs, a casino and various kids' activities.

If you enjoy the more traditional cruise entertainment, you're in luck. Play a few games of bingo, attend an art auction or learn a new skill like napkin origami.

There are also some silly competitions to take part in - for example, the belly flop contest and the men's sexiest legs pageant.

In addition, poolside activities and events are constantly going on and you might even be able to take part in a trivia quiz or create a new arts and crafts project.

The on-board library has a large selection of books, including romance novels and autobiographies perfect for poolside reading, as well as a variety of children's books. You could even spend some time wandering the decks and enjoying the multimillion-pound art collection that is scattered around the ship.

Spas and fitness facilities

If you like to relax with a vigorous workout, the ShipShape Spa is the place to be. This large gymnasium features various cardio and resistance machines, as well as free weights.

There's also an aerobics studio, which plays host to a wide range of exercise classes throughout the day. Get your heart rate up with a vigorous aerobic dance class or a bout of spinning, or opt for something a bit more tranquil like a Pilates session or some yoga.

The spa also includes a sauna, steam room and relaxation area, as well as a beauty salon, while trained professionals can provide treatments like massage, acupuncture and aromatherapy.

Alternatively, why not try some of the more energetic activities located elsewhere on the ship? For example, there's rock-wall climbing and swimming or you could go for a jog.

Cabins

With nearly 1,000 cabins on the Grandeur of the Seas, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. They are separated into 16 different price grades, so it will be easy for you to find something that suits your preferences and your bank account.

The most luxurious room is the Royal Suite, which includes not only a comfortable king-size bed, a large en-suite bathroom and a glorious balcony, but also a baby grand piano and champagne on arrival. Other options include the Owner's Suite, the Royal Family Suite, the Grand Suite and the Superior Suite.

The more basic staterooms are smaller, with just enough room for a couple or small family. All rooms are provided with a television and ample storage space, as well as a vanity/desk with a hairdryer.