Drop The Kiddos Off At Adventure Ocean
Cruising with a baby, toddler or tween? Grandeur of the Seas is home to Adventur
....e Ocean, an award-winning youth program by Royal Caribbean. This complimentary childcare service welcomes guests aged 3-11 and fills their days with all kinds of fun, supervised activities based on their age group. Think science experiments, scavenger hunts, theatrical plays, arts and crafts and so much more. All you have to do is drop your little ones off, then go enjoy a bit of grown-up time with the other adults in your group. It’s that simple. If you have a newborn in tow, ask about the ship’s Royal Babies & Tots program, available for an additional fee.
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Enjoy A Dazzling Musical Or Broadway-Style Performance
Royal Caribbean is well known for its amazing onboard entertainment, and this cr
....uise ship lives up to that legacy. The two shows onboard are truly wow-worthy, and among the best free things to do onboard. One is an homage to Argentina’s iconic dances, called Tango Buenos Aires. The other, Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme, plays tribute to the hottest hits off Broadway in a stunning showcase of choreography and musical talent. Admission to both shows is complimentary to cruise guests.
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Enjoy A Movie Under The Stars
One of the best free things to do onboard Grandeur of the Seas is to cozy up on
....the pool deck for a low-key movie night under the stars. Showings on the giant projector screen rotate throughout your sailing and can range from decades-old classics to recent blockbuster hits — check your Cruise Compass for the latest schedule. I like to grab a towel from my stateroom to snuggle up with, along with a nice glass of bubbly. When you’re craving a relaxed evening out solo or with your significant other, it doesn’t get better than this.
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Get Together For The Perfect Movie Night
Sometimes, all you want to do is Netflix and chill with your fam. And when you s
....ail onboard a cruise ship like Grandeur of the Seas, you can take the cozy late-night ritual to the next level. The ship hosts regular movie nights outdoors on the pool deck using a giant projector screen. All you have to do is grab a towel or blanket, claim some lounge chairs and settle in for a classic or present-day blockbuster flick. Check your Cruise Compass for a lineup of movies and showtimes.
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Hit The Rock-Climbing Wall
As I mentioned earlier, the rock-climbing wall is one of my favorite attractions
.... onboard Grandeur of the Seas. Towering 40-feet tall, it’s a great way to get in a workout without the humdrum of the elliptical or the weight room. I like to hit it first thing in the morning with either my husband, brother or dad, when the air is crisp and the sun hasn’t yet fully ascended into the sky — though the hours just before and just after sunset yield the prettiest light. Making it to the top is always a bit of a challenge (especially if you’re slightly afraid of heights, like me), but I remind myself that the reward — the most incredible views from the ship — are well worth the ache in my arms and the butterflies in my belly. If your family is competitive, up the ante by racing a relative to the summit.
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Keep The Party Going After Dark
Grandeur of the Seas offers plenty of options to keep having fun long after the
....sun sets. The cruise ship regularly hosts themed nights, impromptu parades, silent discos and more — simply check your Cruise Compass for a nightly lineup. They’re all free, too. If you’re craving a few belly laughs, head to one of the ship’s late-night game shows. These adults-only experiences are always a riot, and typically involve hilarious scavenger hunts and challenges for prizes.
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Level Up Your Poolside Bonding
I love the pool decks on smaller, more well-traveled ships — and Grandeur of the
.... Seas has one of my favorite pool areas of all time. The intimate pool deck on this cruise ship makes it easy to get to know your fellow cruisers during an afternoon spent lounging. This is especially helpful if you’re looking to connect with other grown-ups or hoping your little ones will make friends with others their own age. One of the things I love about this particular pool scene is that it’s tranquil during the early morning hours, but gradually comes to life throughout the day with impromptu musical performances, fun activities led by the cruise director, and more. Whether you’re looking to disconnect or live it up, penciling in some pool time during any getaway at sea is a key ingredient for great family-friendly cruises.
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Live It Up During Themed Nights
You’ll also want to look out for any themed nights taking place during your crui
....se getaway. These can range from decades-inspired extravaganzas to masquerades and beyond. Sometimes they’ll be listed via your Cruise Planner app ahead of your sailing, allowing you to pack themed accessories and even costumes. If you don’t have anything other than your vacation wardrobe to wear, don’t worry — you’ll typically see performers handing out accessories and props to cruise guests during these super-fun onboard parties. The best part? Admission is free for cruise guests.
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Plan A Night At The Theater
Royal Caribbean is known for delivering exceptional family-friendly cruise enter
....tainment, and this ship lives up to that reputation. Pencil in time to enjoy one of the wow-worthy productions onboard, including the stunning musical, Broadway Rhythm & Vine, and the dazzling Tango Buenos Aires — a love letter to Argentina’s most iconic dance styles. During your sailing, you can also look forward to impromptu musical performances throughout the ship, flash mobs, themed nights and plenty more. Just check your Cruise Compass daily for details.
These are just some of the many unique activities and experiences onboard Grandeur of the Seas that help set the stage for the best family cruises. I know my loved ones and I have had a blast experiencing all of the above together on past vacations at sea. That said, the cruise ship offers lots more activities, attractions and family-friendly things to do beyond these highlights. To see what else awaits onboard, check out a full run-down or browse itineraries.
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Post Up Poolside
I’ve said it a thousand times in my articles, and I’ll say it again — nothing be
....ats spending a few hours poolside on any cruise ship, especially this one. The vibe at the pool onboard Grandeur of the Seas is chill in the morning, making it a great go-to spot to catch up on your reading or just enjoy the sunshine with your family. Linger throughout the day, though, and you’ll be treated to all kinds of fun events and activities, from bellyflop competitions to dance-offs and pool parties hosted by a talented DJ.
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Retreat To The Solarium
If you’re cruising with other adults (or just want a little bit of alone time),
....you can grab a comfy lounge chair at the Solarium. This tranquil haven is open to guests aged 16 and older and features its own whirlpool and lagoon-like pool, plus plenty of space to unwind in the shade or the sunshine. It has its own bar, too, so you can indulge in your favorite vacation libations at any time during your visit. Like the main pool deck, admission to the Solarium is included at no additional cost.
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Scale The Rock-Climbing Wall
One of my top things to do onboard any Royal Caribbean cruise ship is spend a fe
....w mornings or afternoons clambering to the top of the ship’s rock-climbing wall. Harnessing up and scaling to the summit is free for cruise guests, so you can come back as many times as you like throughout your getaway at no additional cost. It’s a great workout, too, and yields some of the best views from the ship.
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Settle In For An Exhilarating Table Tennis Battle
One of the most exciting things to do onboard Grandeur of the Seas is — believe
....it or not — to watch a table tennis match. Competitions here can get intense, and watching them is free. It’s also free to play, just keep in mind that the competition can get fierce. Better bring your A-game if you’re thinking about facing off against seasoned cruisers.
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Spend A Few Hours In The Arcade
Arcade games aren’t totally my jam, but the guys in my family grew up on them. W
....henever we sail together on a ship with an arcade, they like to spend a few hours challenging each other at games like Skee-Ball and Sega’s Daytona Racer. I’m partial to Dance Dance Revolution, and my mom is always game to join me (she says the more rounds she completes, the more piña coladas she can indulge in poolside). The games inside the arcade onboard Grandeur of the Seas aren’t included in your cruise fare, but the cost for each is pretty low — from $0.75 to $2.50, depending on the game. The memories you’ll make with your loved ones (not to mention the video of me and my mom trying to time our DDR dance moves just right)? Priceless.
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Turn Up On The Pool Deck
The pool scene on this cruise ship is always great. In the mornings, it’s pretty
.... chill — the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a little R&R. As the day progresses, it gets more and more lively. Bellyflop competitions, dance-offs and DJ-driven pool parties are common during sea days, and a great time for guests of all ages. The best part? They’re totally free for guests — no admission or reservations needed.
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Windjammer
If you’re looking for casual, complimentary eats during breakfast, lunch or dinn
....er, head to Windjammer. This fleetwide mainstay serves up a rotating selection of global fare buffet-style, so you can create your own smorgasbord of delicious bites from across the many different stations on offer. There’s also always plenty of seating, and you don’t need a reservation — simply pop in any time of the day and get ready for an international flavor-fest. There are lots of tasty options for kids, too, as well as vegetarian offerings that are easy to spot.
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