Grandeur of the Seas
 

I'm thinking about taking a cruise on Grandeur of the Seas out of New Orleans in 2003. The ports-of-call are Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Progreso. Any information you can give me on these ports-of-call would be great. Especially Progreso, Mexico. I'm not finding much about this destination on this internet. Is this a nice port? Where are the nicest beaches? Other things to do in Progreso? Also, any information on the ship would be great also. Thank you.

Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

We have sailed on Grandeur twice: August 1998 and Dec. 1999.

As of the latter sailing, they were already doing renovation on board (carpeting, etc).

Loved the Atrium and glass. We took two teenage boys on the cruise that they enjoyed it more than Universal Studios!

A well run ship and a most enjoyable cruise. You will love it.

Email me back if you have specific questions.

Bill

Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

Hi Robin,

Based on the research we have done and the biggest selling point in the fact that it sails out of New Orleans, we booked our first cruise on the Grandeur for March 1, 2003 - the Saturday before Mardi Gras. When are you thinking about going?

roxanne

Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

Hi Roxanne,

We're planning on going in March of 2003. We don't have an exact date yet. I like the idea of leaving out of New Orleans also. I've always wanted to visit New Orleans, so this would be a good chance for me to get there. Have you heard much about Progreso, Mexico? I can't find much on the internet about this destination. The only thing that would probably keep me from going on this cruise is if this isn't a good port to visit.

Robin

Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

Actually, this is the one drawback to me about this cruise. We are not planning on getting off at Progresso because I have yet to find anything much about this port. The little I have found states that although they have been added as a new RCI port, they are not exactly "ready" for visitors. Don't know how true that is but we don't intend to get off the ship that day. Good luck in your planning and if you have any questions about the N.O. area, I would be glad to try to answer them since I grew up there and now live in the suburbs.

Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

Re: Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

I was on a Commadore cruise (before they went under , so to speak) . Progresso was one of the stops. On board the ship they pretty much said there was nothing to do unless you booked a tour. I was watching my pennies & did not want to go on a tour but decided to get off the ship to see what I could find. It is a very long pier & they have trolly like things to take passengers to the dock side areas. There is not a lot at the port, but when you get off & walk into town just a short ways there is a very beautiful beach. They had chairs & umbrellas on the sand so I walked down in that direction. A local boy came up to me & rented me a chair with umbrella for the whole day (or as long as I stayed) for 3.00. What a deal. The water was so beautiful & the beach was so clean that I was a little suspicious of it. I wondered why the shore person on the ship did not mention it in her talks. I guess that they wanted to sell shore excursions. When I finished on the beach I walked up into town just a short ways & stopped at a very nice open air restaurant and had a very reasonable priced & good Mexican lunch. This was a very laid back stop, but I enjoyed it the most of any on the cruise.
This port was very new & unspoiled at the time. It will probably not stay that way.
Hope this helps
Happy Sailing
Sharon
PS I found a couple of pictures of beach & pier in Progresso. I will post the one of the pier after I post this one of beach.

http://12.129.101.60/forum/attachments/rci/8750.jpg

Re: Re: Re: Grandeur of the Seas
 

Here is picture of the long pier & some of the beach & water at Progresso.
Sharon

http://12.129.101.60/forum/attachments/rci/8751.jpg