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Originally slated to join sister brand Pulmantur, the ship will now stay with Royal.
With an idea that hopefully might catch on, Royal Caribbean will homeport the Grandeur of the Seas in Barbados and the guests can then avoid four to five sea days to and from Miami and instead island hop.
For its first cruise the Grandeur is offering the "Southern Caribbean Explorer" itinerary that features calls in Grenada, Dominica and St. Lucia, in addition to three new ports: Scarborough, Tobago; Port of Spain, Trinidad; and Kingstown, St. Vincent.
Another itinerary offered is the "ABC Caribbean Adventure Cruise" featuring Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, Trinidad and one day at sea.
In January, a longer 14-night cruise also includes stops in Central and South America, with calls to 11 ports, including Limón, Costa Rica; Colón, Panama; and Cartagena, Colombia.
The vessel is the third in the series of six ships and entered service originally in 1996. Built in Finland, it has capacity for 1,950 guests and 74,140 tons. In 2012, the vessel underwent a major bow-to-stern revitalization.
During the five-week long, $48 million drydock, the Grandeur received venues first introduced on Oasis-class ships, including new dining options such as the Giovanni’s Table Italian trattoria and the Park Café casual eatery.
The ship’s seven-deck Centrum atrium was also transformed into a chic and lively new space that features an array of daytime activities, as well as unique nighttime entertainment with high-flying aerialists.