Royal Caribbean announced today it will transfer Grandeur of the Seas out of its fleet and will join sister brand, Pullmantur Cruises in spring 2021.

In a statement to travel agents, Royal Caribbean talked about the decision for Grandeur to leave the fleet:

"As we continue to grow the Royal Caribbean brand and develop new offerings, we will begin retiring our more seasoned ships. We know this news is bittersweet, but we’re excited that she’ll join our sister brand, Pullmantur Cruises in the spring 2021. Her story isn’t finished yet!"

Grandeur of the Seas’ final sailing with Royal Caribbean will take place on March 26th, 2021. Thereafter, she will transition to Pullmantur. Enchantment of the Seas, will return to Baltimore to replace Grandeur in spring of 2021.

At this time, there are two sailings impacted by the transition timeline. Grandeur of the Seas’ April 3rd, 2021 and April 15th, 2021 departures will be canceled and all booked guests will be re-accommodated. Impacted guests and travel partners will be contacted shortly with the details.

Grandeur's final sailing for Royal Caribbean International will be March 26th, 2021.

Royal Caribbean announced that due to Hurricane Florence's forecasted track, Grandeur of the Seas will wait out the storm in Port Canaveral, Florida until it is safe to return to Baltimore.

Grandeur of the Seas is currently in the Bahamas and sailing on a previously modified itinerary to avoid the path of Florence.  Royal Caribbean issued an update for the September 8th sailing today, "The ship will have a full day in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday, September 11th, and will then set sail to Port Canaveral, Florida where she will be in port on Wednesday, September 12th and Thursday, September 13th. We expect Grandeur to arrive in Baltimore no later than Sunday, September 16th."

As a result, the scheduled September 13th Grandeur of the Seas sailing is being finalized pending the return of the ship to Baltimore, "The departure date and time, as well as the itinerary, are currently being finalized. We do not expect the departure date to be later than Sunday, September 16th."

My brother just texted me. They are now staying in Nassau until tomorrow night then headed to canaveral for a couple days. Won’t be back in Baltimore until Sat evening instead of Thurs morning. I’m kind of jealous. #grandeuroftheseas

— Joe Tolley (@joetolley) September 10, 2018

Another update by Royal Caribbean on the status of the Grandeur of the Seas upcoming sailing is scheduled for 7pm EDT on September 11th.

Royal Caribbean has made a slight modification to an upcoming Grandeur of the Seas sailing to keep the ship out of the path of Hurricane Florence.

Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet issued an update today that the September 8th sailing of Grandeur of the Seas will switch to an overnight in Nassau, Bahamas itinerary to, "ensure we stay out of any potential NorthEast Quadrant, if the track of Florence unexpectedly shifts."

Update on @RoyalCaribbean #GrandeuroftheSeas sailing September 8th, 2018 our of #Baltimore. We are switching to an overnight Nassau, Bahamas itinerary to ensure we stay out of any potential NE Quadrant, if the track of #Florence unexpectedly shifts. pic.twitter.com/v2WQqe0mKW

— James Van Fleet (@JamesVanFleet) September 7, 2018

This means Grandeur of the Seas will skip a scheduled stop at Kings Wharf, Bermuda and instead sail to the Bahamas.

Florence became the first major hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic season.  Weather forecasters say it's too early to tell if the storm will make landfall somewhere on the East Coast, or if it will turn harmlessly back to sea.

Royal Caribbean announced today an easier online check-in process that aims to cut down the check-in process by 25%.

Guests will be asked to enter fewer data fields and can apply information, like credit card data, to multiple parties on their reservation. These improvements help guests move through the check-in process faster and easier.

The new online check-in features:

• Fewer steps needed for check-in completion
• Option to check in one person or your entire party simultaneously
• Ability to edit previously entered information without repeating any steps
• Easy add-guest or remove-guest functionality from check-in process
• The ability to stop and save at any point
• Easily pick up where you left off on either the website or the Royal Caribbean mobile App check in
• Convenient digital SetSail pass for mobile use at terminal

The new online check-in process is already available for sailings onboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. Royal Caribbean plans to expand this functionality to other ships "in the near future".

Guests can check-in from 90 days to 72 hours prior to the sail date. If a guest misses the check-in window, the guest has the option to check-in at the Port.

Royal Caribbean informed guests scheduled to sail on Grandeur of the Seas, that the next sailing will be delayed due to an immediate repair need.

In an email to guests, Royal Caribbean indicated that Grandeur of the Seas is currently experiencing a technical issue which limits the operation of one of the two rudders used to steer the ship.

The cruise line went on to explain, "While the ship is fully operational, in an abundance of safety, we will be making the repairs immediately." Moreover, Royal Caribbean apologized for the schedule change, "We are very sorry for this impact to your vacation and thank you for your patience."

As a result of the repairs, the January 11, 2018 sailing has a new departure date of Saturday, January 13th.

Royal Caribbean is actively working through the details and will have another update today at 12:30 PM EST. This update will include boarding times on Saturday, compensation details and all other necessary information.

1:00PM EASTERN UPDATE: Royal Caribbean has provided an update on the shortened Grandeur of the Seas sailing.

Compensation details

Royal Caribbean will offer guests sailing on the shortened Grandeur of the Seas sailing a 50% refundable Onboard Credit to their account.  This amount will be based on the cruise fare portion paid, non-inclusive of taxes and fees.  If their onboard spend does not reach this amount, the remaining balance will go to the credit card on file.

If guests are unable to travel and need to cancel their cruise, Royal Caribbean will provide them with a refund to their original form of payment.  

For guests flying in

For Air2Sea guests or guests that purchased air directly with Royal Caribbean, Royal Caribbean will be reaching out to work through new travel arrangements.

If guests purchased air on your own, Royal Caribbean will be reimbursing change fees of up to $200 per person for Domestic flights and up to $300 per person for International flights (change in airline reservations must be like-for-like cabin class and a faxed/email copy of air fees assessed must be provided for reimbursement).  Please submit receipts to [email protected].

Pre-purchased items

If guests have a pre-purchased beverage package or an internet package, Royal Caribbean will provide them with a refund of the prorated 2 days.

Itinerary update & check-in

Following the devastation of Hurricane Irma, Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas will be the first commercial cruise vessel to return to the destination post-Irma on Sunday, November 5th.

A delegation from Royal Caribbean recently met with Port St. Maarten Board, Management and Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher, to discuss the recover efforts that underway.

The Royal Caribbean delegation discussed the state of various infrastructure on the island with the Port St. Maarten Management and Board.  They also got an update on the Great Bay Beach Promenade, the commercial center of Philipsburg, Front Street and other areas of interest from a tourism perspective.

Royal Caribbean carried out a site visit as part of their destination readiness assessment to accept cruise passengers, and the availability by early November of tours, shore excursions, shopping, beaches, and other cruise tourism related amenities.

Following the visit, Royal Caribbean praised the Port St. Maarten Board, Management and Government with respect to the diligence carried out by the aforementioned to get the country ‘cruise ready’ for November in order to bring in much needed foreign exchange into the economy that would kick-start the economic engine of the country – (cruise) tourism.

Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas arrived in Cape Liberty, New Jersey yesterday after the cruise line decided to divert the cruise ship there for a few days to avoid a storm in the North Atlantic.

Royal Caribbean confirmed on Twitter that Grandeur of the Seas will remain in Bayonne, New Jersey until Tuesday to ensure the safety and security of its guests.

@sttsxm Hey Meg. We've diverted to Cape Liberty for the safety and security of our guests. We'll keep you updated with any changes.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 10, 2016

Grandeur of the Seas was originally scheduled to depart from Baltimore on a 5-night sailing to Bermuda, but Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Nicole changed those plans and the ship was rerouted to Canada.  This new weather system has interrupted those plans as well. 

Because of the unusual change in itinerary, Royal Caribbean will also offer guests onboard a 100% future cruise credit.

@MichelleP14580 Hi Michelle. Grandeur will now stay in New Jersey from Sunday to Tuesday . Guests will receive a 100% future cruise credit.

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) October 10, 2016

Police in Bermuda responded to a report that a Royal Caribbean passenger on Grandeur of the Seas was found dead in his stateroom.  No foul play is suspected in the incident.

According to Bernews, a police spokesperson said, “At 1:40pm on August 20, 2016, police received a report of a death onboard the cruise ship, Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas which was berthed at Heritage Wharf in Dockyard.

The passenger is a 45-year old male from the United States and his death was certifies by the doctor aboard Grandeur of the Seas.

“Foul play is not suspected and the Bermuda Police Service is liaising with the relevant ship authorities.”

Royal Caribbean has been forced to change the itinerary for some of its cruise ships due to the path of Snowstorm Jonas.

Grandeur of the Seas will return to Baltimore, Maryland, one day later than originally scheduled. The next sailing will now begin on Monday, January 25. Guests on the upcoming cruise should arrive to the terminal on Monday. A letter with additional details on Grandeur’s itinerary will be provided at check in.

Anthem of the Seaswill return to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, one day later than originally scheduled. The next sailing will now begin on Tuesday, January 26. Guests on the next sailing should arrive to the terminal on Tuesday during their scheduled check in time. A letter with additional details on Anthem’s itinerary will be provided to guests at check in.

Royal Caribbean will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will update this information if there are any changes.

Royal Caribbean is testing a new punch card system on Grandeur of the Seas for guests to enjoy 10 drinks for a fixed price.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Rich T shared this photo from the Cruise Compass on Grandeur of the Seas, wher guests could purchase 10 drinks for $89.95.

The drink card is valid for the purchase of most beers, glasses of wine and cocktails as well as fountain soda and specialty coffee.

Guests had reported also seeing this kind of a drink card system tested on other ships, including Liberty of the Seas.

This just one of a few tests Royal Caribbean is testing in regards to different beverage packages and price structures these days. With ships full of guests that are more inclined to party with the holidays, it seems to be an opportunity to try offers like this punch card out.

Royal Caribbean spokesperson Celia de la Llama told Cruise Critic, "Ships have been given the option to test different beverage package offerings onboard.  The decision of which program to offer, if any, is made by the ship."

Earlier this week, a one day sea day beverage package was also spotted on a few Royal Caribbean ships.

Would you buy a drink ticket like this instead of an unlimited alcohol package? Share your thoughts in the comments!