01Sweetpea

7 hours ago, coaster said:

All older ships seem to show some wear as I mostly sail on them having been on Grandeur 14 nights late last year and Serenade 13 nights in late 2021. Rhapsody from Tampa also on 3 cruises and Empress on 3 cruises from Miami before Covid. Nothing to mention here as being worn and torn at any alarming degree as I am used to older ships and not picky. Maybe installing washer and dryers as I heard these would be added before Serenade's world cruise. Maybe something else in addition or none of these things. Only seen the Norwegian Sea and Carnival Tropicale in wet dock here in Tampa in the late 90's to early 2000's for refurbishments. This 3 day pause in Tampa for Serenade is pretty unique. Work is getting done somewhere.

 On one of the port days, the maintenance team was replacing all the cabin door locking mechanisms. They locks were lined up in the hall next to every room. We were given notice that it was going to happen. 

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Sail away was around 4:15pm, however we did not go to the sail away party.

We went under the SkyBridge around 7:00pm. 

We had traditional dining at 5pm. I agree the time is not the most convenient, which is how we wound up in the Windjammer 2 nights. If I had to do it again, I would have picked MyTime Dining and then made reservations for 6:30pm every night.

We spent most of our time in the Solarium, the pool is small, the water was chilly (ie NOT heated), and only 1 hot tub in the Solarium, which was busy.  Makes sense since the hot tub was was MUCH warmer than the pool.  Chair hogs out in full force and no one enforcing the 30 minute rule, (even at 3 hours!)  even though there are signs everywhere. 

Have a great time!

Just got off the Serenade yesterday, and she is in “wet dock’ for the next few days.  Hopefully they are sprucing her up as she needs it.  There is a lot of war and tear and it shows. 

We just got back from a 5 night to Western Caribbean, and I found I packed too many “nice outfits” (ie white jeans and a colorful top) for dinner.  Of the 5 nights we ate 1 night at Chops, 2 nights in the main dining room & 2 nights in the Windjammer.  The first night and the last night are casual and I wore shorts both days when I had planned to wear a nicer outfit. 

Hubby wore shorts & a print button down every night except when we went to Chops when he wore long pants. 

A quick review of our 5 night Serenade OTS sailing 4/22 – 4/27 with stops in Cozumel & Costa Maya. This was our first cruise post COVID, and things were definitely different.  Hubby & I cruised with friends (we are all in our early 50s) and chose this itinerary because our friends live in Tampa.   We’ve been to both ports a few times, so we were looking for relaxing versus adventures. 

We flew in from NY the day before and stayed with our friends. Embarkation the next day was the easiest we have ever experienced.  The men dropped us off curbside at terminal 6, then went to park the car at terminal 2 since that is where the ship was returning to. It took us under 15 minutes from when they arrived back to the terminal from parking the car to when we were on the ship!  It helps tremendously to have completed everything online.  We walked on board, headed straight to the sky bar and got out first drink…a Lava Flow. 

Rather than break everything down by day, I’ll share my thoughts by category.

CABIN: We had a balcony cabin on deck 9 (9562) Standard cabin with a balcony big enough to fit 2 chairs and a table.  The room was fine, however with the beds apart, getting to the balcony was tight as the bed was as close the sliding glass door as possible. Also, because of the position of the bed, we could not open the black out curtains all the way.  I would have preferred having the couch by the balcony door to give us more room and easier access to the balcony. 

We met our room stewart the first day, he was very friendly and gave us a choice of when we wanted our room cleaned: 8am-1pm or 4pm-8pm. To be honest, neither is very convenient, the first means you can’t sleep in and the second interferes with getting ready for dinner.  BUT we completely understand he has multiple cabins to clean and should have some down time during the day.  In the end, we chose the evening time slot and it worked out fine. We usually saw him in the hall every morning, and he would always ask us if we needed anything and how everything was. On port days, we told him we would be out of the cabin for the day and IF IT WAS CONVENIENT FOR HIM, if he could take care of our room then. On sea days, he took care of our cabins when we were at dinner.  Having once a day service was fine for us. 

Which brings me to FOOD: I definitely noticed a difference. Of the 5 nights we ate 2 nights in the main dining room, 2 nights at Windjammer & 1 night at Chops. I don’t love the new menus, I looked at them online before we got to the ship, and we would look at them every day before we went to dinner. Portion sizes are smaller, quality wasn’t great some nights, things were bland and lacking seasoning, etc. Even in Chops, everyone agreed the lobster bisque was bland, but the filets were excellent.  Our head waiter & assistant waiter were AMAZING and we enjoyed our interactions with them everyday.  

The Park Café served the same steak sandwiches and wraps every day, although the salad station at the solarium pool was nice. I would have preferred if they switched up the wraps and also offered pizza in the afternoon. Same with ice cream, it is only available when the Windjammer is open.

We are platinum and we each get 50% off 2 coffees, 2 soda or beer, and something else I don’t remember.  The first night, hubby told the server at the coffee bar he would like to use his 50% off coupon and was told OK, and that it would be automatic.  It wasn’t, and hubby didn’t catch it, and then he presumed it would automatically happen the second time, but it didn’t. Same thing for the soda.  It wasn’t until the last day when I went to get a coffee and I mentioned it that we caught it.  In the end it wasn’t worth waiting in the long line guest service for the $10, but lesson learned for the next cruise, mention the discount when placing your order! 

ENTERTAINMENT: It was fine, nothing outstanding. It was the singers & dancers final cruise on their contract, so I’m not sure if it played into it. The comedian was good and the headliner (El Groucho) was OK.  The Love & marriage show was awful, there was something “off” about it.  After the show hubby & I agreed it was the worst one we have seen.  We did enjoy sitting the in Centrum in the evening and listening to the live band.

PORTS: We’ve been to both ports a few times. Cozumel we went to Nachi Cocum and had a relaxing day at the beach. In Costa Maya we rented golf carts and went to Mahahual.  Drove around for a bit, stopped at The Krazy Lobster, walked the main strip, had A LOT of vendors approach us, but a quick no thank you and they moved on.  

THE SHIP: She is showing her age and needs a refresh. Rusty in a lot of places, the carpet was hanging from under the stairs and showing a lot of wear & tear. The mini-golf course needs attention, you didn’t know where to place the ball to play. The list goes on and on, BUT I will say the cleaning crew was everywhere dusting, vacuuming, and trying really hard to make the ship presentable. 

Debarking was a bit hectic. The ship was cleared by customs by 7:00am and by 7:30am self-assist was walking off. We had tag 11, and were waiting in the Safari Lounge on deck 6 at 8:00am. At 8:00am Tags 1 & 2 were called together, and then tags 1-4. At 8:30 they called tags 1-14! Not sure how then got from tag 4 to tag 14 in one swoop. We walked down to deck 4, and joined the line that snaked thru the main dining room to get off the ship. Once we were off the ship, the line to go thru customs was LONG. We found a porter, and was able to bypass most of the line, it was worth the extra tip. 

All in all, it was an OK cruise. We now know that Serenade or any Radiance class ship is too small for us, we prefer Voyager Class or Freedom Class ships, and would like to try a Quantum Class ship next.  We missed the Promenade, The Ice Skating shows, Sorrento’s, Ben & Jerry’s, etc. 

Now onto looking for our next cruise. 

Hubby & I each have kids from prior marriages. I have a hyphenated last name (deceased first husband - current husband). My kids have their dad (first husband) last name. Hubby’s kids have his last name.  We’ve taken several cruises when the kids were minors.  

We ALWAYS traveled with a notarized letter from his ex & my first husband’s certified death certificate.  

It’s usually when we present the kids documentation (birth certificate, passport, etc) and not everyone’s last name exactly matches that we get asked.  We’ve been asked at airports to supply this documentation as well as cruises.  The kids have been questioned as to who we are in relation to each other, etc.  

It happened more when they were younger versus teens (they are all adults now). 

I wouldn’t chance it. I’d travel with some sort of documentation. 

We will be on the 5 night Serenade OTS Western cruise at the end of April and I can’t find a copy of the Compass. I’m looking to see what nights/times the shows & entertainment will be so I can plan specialty dining. 

If I look at the 7 night Western compass, will the shows, entertainment, etc be same on the similar days?

ie…sea day 1 on the 5 night will follow the same schedule as sea day 1 on the 7 night?

Cozumel day on the 5 night will follow the same schedule as Cozumel day on the 7 night? 

Thanks 

We will be in Costa Maya at the end of April and I’m looking for a place to get a massage at/near the port. We don’t have anything planned for this port, so I thought a massage might be a good idea. I’m not looking for a beach club, as we’ll be spending the day at Nachi Cocom Beach Club in Cozumel the day before. 

Thanks

Thanks, I think we’ll book it!

12 minutes ago, MommaBear55 said:

If it's better once you get in board, you can cancel this and rebook on board. With the fuzzy RCL math, 15% doesn't say much. I've seen Chops offered for as much as $69, 15% off that still makes it too expensive for what you get. If you can get it for around $50 before gratuity, that might good.

It’s currently being offered for $44.99/person. 

We are on the 4/22 Serenade OTS cruise (5 nights). Currently, I can book Chops for 15% off.

We are platinum with C&A, is it worth it to book Chops now, or will we be offered a better deal when we get on board?

Thanks, 

Looks like we are going to wait.  🤷‍♀️  To much uncertainty. 

27 minutes ago, cluso said:

Yep, that's what I mean.  After someone has read it the "Edit" option disappears.  I just checked some of my other posts and it's gone.

Thanks, for the info, I now know how to edit!  😀

Somehow this posted before I finished typing and can’t figure out how to edit.

Would you go ahead and book knowing you can postpone to a later date?  Or wait it out for a while longer and see what happens in the world? 

I REALLY want to book the 3/4 Celebrity Equinox 9 night cruise going to Grand Cayman, and the ABC Islands, specifically looking at the cruise for the ABC ports.  When I was originally looking at the sailing back in early November there were only 2 or 3 veranda cabins left, now there are a good 50+ Cabins available.  Either people are cancelling or Celebrity was holding cabins back.  

The thought of being in the Caribbean in early March vs cold gloomy NY is a HUGE plus, but having the ship skip the ports or not being able to get off unless you are on a ship sponsored tour (which I’m guessing is limited) is what is holding me back. 

Thanks for the wonderful review & taking us along on your cruise!  

PS…Did you bring home the Louis? 

You can never beat a dress with pockets!!!  Love your fashion style & your reviews. 

4 hours ago, GenerationX said:

I hope you’re successful convincing hubby to get back out on the ocean!  Celebrity really is doing a great job at taking precautions to keep everyone safe. I honestly feel like safer on this ship than I do in my local Walmart.  I’m very excited about this itinerary too!

 

I got my mask on Amazon. Will post a pic of the listing.

 

Thank you for the mask link.  I’m a mom of a US Navy sailor, and the masks are perfect for me to show my son some ❤️.  I hope you’re having a great cruise and looking forward to reading along. 

Following along.  Trying to convince my hubby it’s time to get back to cruising and this itinerary is the next one I want to take!!

On a side note, where did  you get your anchor/heart mask?  

We just got off the Escape and had an ice bucket that was refilled every day and towel animals every night. 

I don't know if it mattered that we were in a mini suite. 

Cruising on the Escape in 3 DAYS!!!  Can’t wait to read your review.  

This will be our first NCL cruise in a few weeks, however if we decide to book another NCL cruise it will NOT be with our current PCC. 

We will be in Bermuda in 3 weeks and I’m trying to decide which may be easier, traveling by taxi or renting a twizy for the day.  

The original plan is to take a ferry from Dockyard to St. George, explore there for a bit, take a taxi to Crystal Caves, then taxi to Hamilton, then ferry back to Dockyard after Harbour Nights. 

The BIGGEST issue is hubby gets motion sick when he’s not driving, so while he’ll take meds, they aren’t always 100% effective.    

My other thought is ferry to Hamilton, pick up Twizy car, drive to St. George to explore, then drive to caves, then back to Hamilton. This would be more $$$, but the convenience of having a car, and freedom to stop whenever we want would be a plus. 

Any my thoughts or experience on the Twizy would be appreciated . 

Thank you!!! I hope the weather improves for your trip.