We’re back with another trip report from John Hoiden, a frequent cruiser and contributor to the site. John is currently sailing on a four-day cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas from Tampa, FL. This itinerary has just one port-of-call, Cozumel, Mexico, which will be on Day 3. With the second day of the cruise being a sea day, let’s check in with John to see how he spent the day onboard.
In yesterday’s report, John talked about the food on the Windjammer Buffet and gave a tour of his Junior Suite, which just so happens to be one of those coveted aft-facing staterooms which give an amazing view of the ship’s wake. Let’s turn things over to John, for today’s trip log.
Day-by-Day Review Index:
I woke up this morning feeling incredibly refreshed! After making a cup of coffee in the room, I headed down to the Windjammer for breakfast. I was really craving some eggs, but unfortunately, they were far too runny for my taste. The omelet station looked promising, but the line was pretty long, and I decided eggs just weren’t in the cards today.
Instead, I opted for fried rice, a bagel, and some fresh fruit. The rice was a bit on the bland side, but the fruit was perfectly ripe and absolutely delicious. Overall, it was a satisfying start to the day, even if it wasn’t quite what I initially had in mind.
After breakfast, I figured it would be a good idea to hit the casino early since it was so crowded yesterday, so that’s exactly where I headed. It was completely empty, which was perfect. Since the table games weren’t open yet, I decided to try my luck at the slots. I managed to build up a couple of hundred points before deciding to move on.
I had a really busy day planned for myself: lunch at Chops at 1 PM, a Macallan tasting at 3 PM, recording a ship tour video, and just exploring the ship in general while taking notes. I’m happy to say I managed to complete two out of these four tasks.
While waiting for my reservation at Chops, I grabbed a drink at the R Bar. There was a violinist and a guitarist playing, which added a nice touch to the atmosphere. However, I have to say I prefer Carnival’s setup, where the stage is positioned behind the bar—much easier to enjoy the entertainment without having to turn around. Despite that, the musicians were fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing music they played.
Chops Grille Lunch
This was my first time at Chops Grille, and I was really excited, especially since I managed to snag this lunch for $21.99 a couple of weeks ago when it was on sale—quite a deal compared to the regular price of $27.99 or $28.99.
Chops Grille on Royal Caribbean ships is a go-to spot for anyone craving a great steak in a relaxed, yet upscale setting. The restaurant’s warm and cozy vibe, with its rich wood accents and comfortable seating, makes it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a special meal. Whether you’re there for a leisurely lunch or a celebratory dinner, the friendly and attentive staff ensure you feel right at home from the moment you walk in.
The menu at Chops Grille is all about beef, featuring steaks that are cooked just the way you like them. The 8oz Filet Mignon is a crowd favorite, but there are plenty of other tasty options to choose from, including fresh seafood and flavorful sides like creamy Mac and Cheese and crispy Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots. Even if you’re not a steak lover, there’s something for everyone, with delicious appetizers and desserts that hit the spot.
To kick things off, I ordered a Buffalo Trace Manhattan, which was the perfect start to my meal. For my appetizer, I opted for the Wedge Salad. As soon as I took my first bite, I knew I was in for a treat. The salad was incredibly fresh, with crisp lettuce, flavorful dressing, and all the classic toppings done just right. It set the tone for what was to come.
For the main course, I decided on the 8oz Filet Mignon, paired with a selection of sides that included Asparagus, Mac and Cheese, and Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots. The Asparagus was cooked to perfection, maintaining that perfect balance of tender yet slightly crisp. The Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots were decent—not particularly memorable, but still enjoyable.
The Mac and Cheese, however, really stood out. I had read reviews that it could be dry and lackluster, but this version was anything but. It was rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious, far exceeding my expectations.
But the true star of the meal was the Filet Mignon. I ordered it medium-rare, and it was cooked to absolute perfection. Each bite was incredibly tender and juicy, practically melting in my mouth. The picture I took probably didn’t do it justice—it was that good.
For dessert, I chose the Key Lime Meringue Pie. There was a lot of meringue on top, which some reviews had criticized as being too bitter, but I found it to be perfectly balanced. The tartness of the key lime filling paired beautifully with the sweet, fluffy meringue.
To accompany my dessert, I ordered a coffee drink called The Truffle, which is a mix of Frangelico, vodka, and cold espresso. It was similar to an espresso martini but with a unique twist that made it a delightful end to my meal—a perfect blend of flavors that complemented the pie wonderfully.
I’m no foodie, but this meal was a 10/10 for me. It’s hands down the best meal I’ve had on this ship, and possibly on any ship. I even talked to my server about coming back for dinner on the last night—he’s going to try to get me a good discount, so we’ll see how that goes. But after this experience, I’m seriously tempted to return!
Macallan Tasting
After lunch, I made my way up to the Viking Crown Lounge for a Macallan tasting. Although the price wasn’t listed in the app, it turned out to be $40 if you have the beverage package, and I believe it was $55 without it. The tasting included four different Macallan whiskies: Macallan Quest (which is included with the beverage package), Macallan 12 Year, Macallan 15 Year, and Macallan 18 Year. Knowing that the 18-year-old bottle usually goes for around $400, paying $40 for this tasting was definitely a great deal.
I didn’t jot down any detailed tasting notes, but I can say that the Macallan 15 and 18 were among the best whiskies I’ve ever had. The rich, complex flavors were truly exceptional and left a lasting impression.
What started as a simple tasting session turned into a two-hour whiskey social with the other participants. We enjoyed the drinks, exchanged stories, and had a great time. Before I knew it, it was almost 6 PM, and I realized I hadn’t accomplished anything on my to-do list. But with such great company and exquisite whiskey, it was time well spent.
After the Macallan tasting, I headed back up to my room and happened to run into my stateroom attendant. I took the opportunity to give him a tip and thank him for all the extra coffee he’s been supplying me with throughout the cruise. Just a few minutes later, I heard a knock at the door—it was my stateroom attendant again. “Mr. John, I forgot to give you your slippers!” he said, handing them over.
Nice!
Later, I decided to head down to the gift shops. On my way, I made the mistake of passing through the casino, where I spotted a wide-open Blackjack table. This was around 7 PM, and I figured I’d sit down for a little while. Well, before I knew it, it was 1:45 AM! I finally cashed out, only down $100 after nearly seven hours of play—not bad for that length of time, but I realized I’d missed dinner and was absolutely starving!
To make matters worse, it was almost 2 AM, and I had plans to explore Cozumel the next day. I knew getting up in the morning was going to be a challenge!
That was my first sea day adventure on the Grandeur! Time definitely got away from me, but I had an amazing day nonetheless. Now, I just hope I can wake up in time to get off the ship and head to the Downtown area of Cozumel tomorrow!
A huge thank you goes out to Scott for allowing me to take you all on this cruise with me. I appreciate everyone who’s been reading along and supporting Scott in the hard work he puts into his blogs and cruise news stories.