Serenade of the Seas

[StaceyCT]

1. On a sea day, approximately what time does the seaview cafe open for lunch?

2. Besides the pool, what activities did you participate in on a sea day on board?

3. What didn't you do that you wish you would have done?

4. Did they have any late night (after 11:30pm) entertainment, such as an adults only comedian?

5. Where's the best place to go for an after dinner late night drink?

6. Where can you get ice cream and is there a charge?

 

1) Hard to get a straight answer - they all seem to change depending on where you look. Our at sea compass shows it open 3-midnight (for drinks, at least) on sea day. Another compass (port day) says 2PM-6:30PM, then 9:00 PM - 1:390 AM on other days.

2) Explore ship, played bingo, sat on balcony - all the relaxing things you can do when you don't have to rush out for an excursion.

3)Spend more time on ship - I'm looking for a cruise with at least two seadays next time. Spend more time in Solarium (absolutely gorgeous oasis!)

4) No lead liner shows like an adult comedian. There was Quest and

Love% Marriage two nights around 10:30. Otherwise, you're left on your own, with the casino calling in such sweet dulcimer tones.

5)Schooner Bar seems to be the hands-down winner for bars.

6) Free soft serve in Windjammer; free ice cream in MDR for dessert if you decide. Also, there may be icream in the seaview cafe - no charge there except for drinks.

 

How about I get to go cruise with you after all thsis typing? I'm really no trouble at all:). Good lord I miss the Serenade!

[onyourtoes]

1) Good lord I miss the Serenade!

 

 

This is good to read. I will be going on Serenade 9/26/10. It will be my first time on a Radiance class ship, and my first time to the Southern Caribbean. (I normally go Easter/Western) I have read a lot of great comments about the Southern Caribbean and I am so looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to Serenade.

[BroncosFan2010]

Frank's email is franktax@hotmail.com. He's a great guy. He met us near dock and we walked over to his van. He actually had arranged another driver for the day for us, although he was with us for much of the day. We were on the Carenage side of the harbor - a first for us. We had always been on the Pt. Seraphine side before (this was our 11th or 12th trip to St. Lucia, first on the Carenage side), but when Adventure is in she gets the Pt. Seraphine berth and Serenade doesn't. It's a little bit more difficult of a pick up on the Carenage side, you have to follow Frank along some city streets to meet the van. Frank provides a cooler full of drinks and there was a case of the local beer, Piton (a favorite of my husband and brother-in-law). We drove to Anse Cochon, probably takes about 25-30 minutes, and there's a parking area near the beach. The drink cooler comes with you to the beach. We were there for probably 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Plenty of time to snorkel both sides of the bay (one side, the left as you're facing out, is the "nursery," and the right side has more adult fish. Excursion boats do come in to Anse Cochon, and when they're in, the right side of the bay gets pretty crowded. The left is never crowded, though, and has really interesting snorkeling. We saw large groups of squid, interesting fish, and invertebrates. We had lunch (paid for on our own, but very reasonable, and good food - have the local chips) at the restaurant/bar on the beach, and Island Divers, the on-site dive shop, had equipment available for rent for those that didn't have their own. In the past we've used Island Divers for a day package - they provide transport from the cruise dock using their dive boat, but they couldn't meet our time requirements this time, and we were very happy to use Frank again. Actually, there wasn't much of a time difference between the boat transport and the land journey, surprisingly enough. We paid Frank $35.00 plus tip each.

 

 

Thank you soooo much for this information. I am copying your post so that I can contact Frank later this week. I would LOVE to do this tour and the price is MORE than right.

[BroncosFan2010]

This is good to read. I will be going on Serenade 9/26/10. It will be my first time on a Radiance class ship, and my first time to the Southern Caribbean. (I normally go Easter/Western) I have read a lot of great comments about the Southern Caribbean and I am so looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to Serenade.

 

 

The Serenade is my favorite ship! I loved it so much I booked a B2B on her this summer!

[Cruisin KLS]

Serenade was our first Radiance Class ship as well. DH and I loved the layout. Very easy to navigate. Thought the ship was beautiful. Lots of glass and you can see the ocean from pretty much every location. Love the size of the ship and because of this we ran into a lot of people during the week that we met early. Really made us feel at home.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!! Hope you love it as much as we did.

 

-Kristi

[bigtony777]

Can you give specifics on dinner times when leaving San Juan? We are scheduled for late dining and wanting to know your times for muster drill, sail away and dinner.

[Miss Vickie]

Can you give specifics on dinner times when leaving San Juan? We are scheduled for late dining and wanting to know your times for muster drill, sail away and dinner.

 

Muster is at 8:15 pm (you do not need to bring life jackets with you anymore), sailaway at 8:45 pm. We did early dining, I'm not sure what time late dining is.

[Cruisin KLS]

late dining the first night was at 8:45 because of muster drill.

[Kikkycat]

I see a lot of people from my roll call posting here! ;)

 

According to the Compass, Seaview Cafe opened/opens daily between 2pm at 6:30pm and then again from 9:30pm til 1:30am. We didn't attempt to eat there as those hours don't coincide well with when we choose to eat. If it was open earlier and we could have had lunch there - darn!

 

One thing I did and really enjoyed was to purchase the weeklong pass to the Thermal suite in the spa. Wonderful way to unwind after a busy day touring. We also took the time to play mini golf and billiards and had a blast. We didn't attend any shows at all - not unusual for us.

 

There did seem to be more vegetarian options on the menu, but there was always a beef and a chicken option available too. We ate at the MDR every night but Monday (St. Maarten night) and thought overall the food was pretty good. It was weakest on Caribbean night, we both thought. That night I had a fish and shrimp tempura dish and DH had the calzone. While neither were outright dreadful, we both thought it was the poorest overall showing they had.

[gijoe76]

Hey! I followed some of your trama of getting to San Juan. So glad you finally made it. Hope you had an excellent cruise!

[NordicPrince]

Muster is at 8:15 pm (you do not need to bring life jackets with you anymore), sailaway at 8:45 pm. We did early dining, I'm not sure what time late dining is.

 

Just off SOS 1.16-1/30. IMHO,

 

Muster drill starts at 8 PM to get to your station. They have to to make all of the announcements in English and Spanish and leave you time to get late dinner seating,which is adjusted to 8:45.

 

8:15 PM muster would be cutting it close.

[Kikkycat]

I have the cruise compasses from the entire week if anyone has questions.

 

Main seating dinner that night: 6pm

Second seating: 8:45pm

 

Muster was at 8pm.

[sarvin4]

This is good to read. I will be going on Serenade 9/26/10. It will be my first time on a Radiance class ship, and my first time to the Southern Caribbean. (I normally go Easter/Western) I have read a lot of great comments about the Southern Caribbean and I am so looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to Serenade.

 

You will love the islands and the ship. Relax and have fun.

[gypsylady]

We are doing back to back cruises on the Serenede from Feb 20 - Mar 6. I understand that there have been a few changes or cutbacks since our cruise last year on the Jewel. How can you do a muster drill without lifejackets?

Is there an early DRM seating on the day of embarkation (normally at 6 p.m.?)

No sail away party anymore?

No paper documents anymore from the TA?

Luggage tags at the pier?

 

Anything else? Has the service been compromised? Meal quality?

 

Friends just came home from the Serenede on Saturday and they were not impressed.

 

We are seasoned cruisers who are very easy to please and were surprised to hear of the changes.

 

Thank you for any information which you can share.

[NordicPrince]

We are doing back to back cruises on the Serenede from Feb 20 - Mar 6. I understand that there have been a few changes or cutbacks since our cruise last year on the Jewel. How can you do a muster drill without lifejackets?

Is there an early DRM seating on the day of embarkation (normally at 6 p.m.?)

No sail away party anymore?

No paper documents anymore from the TA?

Luggage tags at the pier?

 

Anything else? Has the service been compromised? Meal quality?

 

Friends just came home from the Serenede on Saturday and they were not impressed.

 

We are seasoned cruisers who are very easy to please and were surprised to hear of the changes.

 

Thank you for any information which you can share.

 

Did SOS B2B 1/16 - 1/30. DW and I are also seasoned cruisers. We went on this cruise for the islands visited and for the nice things we heard about the ship. Unlike your friends, we found the Serenade to be excellent. Then again, I don't know what they were comparing it to. It is not a haute cuisine white glove service type of ship. Maybe 7 days is not enough to get a true feel for the ship.

 

First, Serenade is a very friendly ship. The ship's crew has been rated #1 for service in the entire RCI fleet and it is easy to see why. The crew will bend over backwards to make your cruise experience enjoyable.

 

The MDR food is plentiful and consistently good. There was always something on the menu that DW and I could enjoy. Would I rate the

a "Wow"? No, but if you want that you can go to the very fine Chops and Portofino specialty restaurants.

 

Food in the Windjammer is varied with many choices and quality good. Again, we always found many tasty items among the various foods available.

 

The muster drill was run smoothly and the procedure for putting on the lifejacket was demonstrated in the same way that putting on the life jacket on a plane is demonstrated. In addition there is a video which is shown on your cabin TV. I suggest you put your life jacket on in your cabin

for practice and sizing, then stash back in the closet. You're probably in 10,000 times more danger from putting your mouth on the vest's whistle ( which many people dio to get a picture ) than from the ship sinking.

 

There is a main seating in MDR at 6PM on day of embarkation.

 

The sailaway party is at 8:45 on the pool deck.

 

We got documents from our TA with the luggage tags. In addition, luggage tags were available at the pier from the porters. Piece of advice: Get a porter at pier, pay him $10 bucks, he will take your bags and then you go to a separate line for people with no luggage which zips you thru to the check-in. Worth every dollar.

 

The ship itself is beautifully decorated. The entertainment features a headliner comedian, a headliner music act, the RCI Singers and Dancers,

a great piano and violin duet playing classical and contemporary music, a latin band, a 50's band and the ship's band playing big band music.

The ship's band is overall fantastic. The Cruise Director Dennis Charles is funny and approachable and the Activities Director Belle O'Brien charming.

 

The island destinations vary in culture and geography. Every one has something different to offer. Get off the ship and sample the cultures.

 

Finally, the beauty of sailing on the Southern Caribbean is beyond compare.

 

Other than the above, there really is nothing to enjoy (not!)

 

In other words, DW and I cannot see how anyone can spend 2 weeks on this ship and not be impressed.

[Judi2112]

The "Lush Party of 10" (friends from around the world) were also on the 16th January sailing and had a fabulous time.

 

Couldn't fault a thing about Serenade and would sail on her again.

 

Enjoy!

[Shocker]

Can you give specifics on dinner times when leaving San Juan? We are scheduled for late dining and wanting to know your times for muster drill, sail away and dinner.

Anthony:

 

You will have 3 choices 6P, 8:30P, or anytime dinning or you can eat at the evening buffet after 6P. I like anytime because you just show up anytime between 6P-8:30 P and get seated. You must commit to one of these before boarding. There is on the first night a drill that happens at 8P so no eating for that 30 minutes. but before or after is easy and the lunch buffet is open about noon on the day you board.

[Shocker]

Did SOS B2B 1/16 - 1/30. DW and I are also seasoned cruisers. We went on this cruise for the islands visited and for the nice things we heard about the ship. Unlike your friends, we found the Serenade to be excellent. Then again, I don't know what they were comparing it to. It is not a haute cuisine white glove service type of ship. Maybe 7 days is not enough to get a true feel for the ship.

 

First, Serenade is a very friendly ship. The ship's crew has been rated #1 for service in the entire RCI fleet and it is easy to see why. The crew will bend over backwards to make your cruise experience enjoyable.

 

The MDR food is plentiful and consistently good. There was always something on the menu that DW and I could enjoy. Would I rate the

a "Wow"? No, but if you want that you can go to the very fine Chops and Portofino specialty restaurants.

 

Food in the Windjammer is varied with many choices and quality good. Again, we always found many tasty items among the various foods available.

 

The muster drill was run smoothly and the procedure for putting on the lifejacket was demonstrated in the same way that putting on the life jacket on a plane is demonstrated. In addition there is a video which is shown on your cabin TV. I suggest you put your life jacket on in your cabin

for practice and sizing, then stash back in the closet. You're probably in 10,000 times more danger from putting your mouth on the vest's whistle ( which many people dio to get a picture ) than from the ship sinking.

 

There is a main seating in MDR at 6PM on day of embarkation.

 

The sailaway party is at 8:45 on the pool deck.

 

We got documents from our TA with the luggage tags. In addition, luggage tags were available at the pier from the porters. Piece of advice: Get a porter at pier, pay him $10 bucks, he will take your bags and then you go to a separate line for people with no luggage which zips you thru to the check-in. Worth every dollar.

 

The ship itself is beautifully decorated. The entertainment features a headliner comedian, a headliner music act, the RCI Singers and Dancers,

a great piano and violin duet playing classical and contemporary music, a latin band, a 50's band and the ship's band playing big band music.

The ship's band is overall fantastic. The Cruise Director Dennis Charles is funny and approachable and the Activities Director Belle O'Brien charming.

 

The island destinations vary in culture and geography. Every one has something different to offer. Get off the ship and sample the cultures.

 

Finally, the beauty of sailing on the Southern Caribbean is beyond compare.

 

Other than the above, there really is nothing to enjoy (not!)

 

In other words, DW and I cannot see how anyone can spend 2 weeks on this ship and not be impressed.

 

And I agree with everything that was said above, wonderful cruise, top cruise staff from the Captain down.

[melbur]

Did SOS B2B 1/16 - 1/30. DW and I are also seasoned cruisers. We went on this cruise for the islands visited and for the nice things we heard about the ship. Unlike your friends, we found the Serenade to be excellent. Then again, I don't know what they were comparing it to. It is not a haute cuisine white glove service type of ship. Maybe 7 days is not enough to get a true feel for the ship.

 

First, Serenade is a very friendly ship. The ship's crew has been rated #1 for service in the entire RCI fleet and it is easy to see why. The crew will bend over backwards to make your cruise experience enjoyable.

 

The MDR food is plentiful and consistently good. There was always something on the menu that DW and I could enjoy. Would I rate the

a "Wow"? No, but if you want that you can go to the very fine Chops and Portofino specialty restaurants.

 

Food in the Windjammer is varied with many choices and quality good. Again, we always found many tasty items among the various foods available.

 

The muster drill was run smoothly and the procedure for putting on the lifejacket was demonstrated in the same way that putting on the life jacket on a plane is demonstrated. In addition there is a video which is shown on your cabin TV. I suggest you put your life jacket on in your cabin

for practice and sizing, then stash back in the closet. You're probably in 10,000 times more danger from putting your mouth on the vest's whistle ( which many people dio to get a picture ) than from the ship sinking.

 

There is a main seating in MDR at 6PM on day of embarkation.

 

The sailaway party is at 8:45 on the pool deck.

 

We got documents from our TA with the luggage tags. In addition, luggage tags were available at the pier from the porters. Piece of advice: Get a porter at pier, pay him $10 bucks, he will take your bags and then you go to a separate line for people with no luggage which zips you thru to the check-in. Worth every dollar.

 

The ship itself is beautifully decorated. The entertainment features a headliner comedian, a headliner music act, the RCI Singers and Dancers,

a great piano and violin duet playing classical and contemporary music, a latin band, a 50's band and the ship's band playing big band music.

The ship's band is overall fantastic. The Cruise Director Dennis Charles is funny and approachable and the Activities Director Belle O'Brien charming.

 

The island destinations vary in culture and geography. Every one has something different to offer. Get off the ship and sample the cultures.

 

Finally, the beauty of sailing on the Southern Caribbean is beyond compare.

 

Other than the above, there really is nothing to enjoy (not!)

 

In other words, DW and I cannot see how anyone can spend 2 weeks on this ship and not be impressed.

 

I could not say it better myself - everything about this ship and its staff was impressive. So much so, we've booked it again for next year.

[jewel_beth]

On some paperwork I have seen that the Serenade has a kid's pool with a slide. Other paperwork shows a teen pool with a slide and then someone else mentioned there is a slide for everyone.

 

I am bringing my 6 year old on the Serenade and would love a definitive answer. Is there a water slide that he will be able to use? Will I be able to use it?

 

Thanks so much. Minor detail to most - major detail to him.

[melbur]

On some paperwork I have seen that the Serenade has a kid's pool with a slide. Other paperwork shows a teen pool with a slide and then someone else mentioned there is a slide for everyone.

 

I am bringing my 6 year old on the Serenade and would love a definitive answer. Is there a water slide that he will be able to use? Will I be able to use it?

 

Thanks so much. Minor detail to most - major detail to him.

 

The Adventure Ocean Youth Area pool has a slide.

[skiiergirl]

Have sailed SR many times as it is our favorite ship and southern carib our favorite destination. Of course it is always subject to change....but almost always the Seaview opens at noon on the sea day. It is usually open 12:00 (noon) to 6:30 and then again 9:30 to midnight. I believe on port days it doesn't open until 2:00 pm but as far back as I can remember (and find on old compasses) it opens at noon only on the seaday.

 

On some paperwork I have seen that the Serenade has a kid's pool with a slide. Other paperwork shows a teen pool with a slide and then someone else mentioned there is a slide for everyone.

 

I am bringing my 6 year old on the Serenade and would love a definitive answer. Is there a water slide that he will be able to use? Will I be able to use it?

 

Thanks so much. Minor detail to most - major detail to him.

 

There is a childrens pool with a slide. I'm not sure what the age limit is but I know it is not for teenagers or adults. The slide is only open a short time each day though. It is on the starboard side deck 12 just before you get to Seaveiw cafe. There are lounge chairs against the railing in the childrens pool area. I'm not sure how many...maybe 20 or so. Hope this helps.

[lv2bcruzin]

Schooner Bar, Schooner Bar, Schooner Bar..... It's the best place on the ship.... especially for a drink. :D

[StaceyCT]

On some paperwork I have seen that the Serenade has a kid's pool with a slide. Other paperwork shows a teen pool with a slide and then someone else mentioned there is a slide for everyone.

 

I am bringing my 6 year old on the Serenade and would love a definitive answer. Is there a water slide that he will be able to use? Will I be able to use it?

 

Thanks so much. Minor detail to most - major detail to him.

 

There's a kids' pool (for kids beyond diaper age) with a very shallow splash area, and a few-feet deep area. It has a GREAT looking slide - very long, goes around in a big circle. I totally would have gone on it if I'd had time :). And yes, I did see a mom going down it (not just for kids). I think your son will love it!

[jvw]

I'm trying to book a private excursion for St. Lucia and am wondering what time I will actually be off the ship in port - I know it's supposed to be there at 9:00, but there are several ships in port that day and some threads have alluded to the possibility of tendering. Would I be safe in scheduling a 9:30 pick-up, or is that cutting it too close?

 

Another question - As I understand from these posts, the muster is at 8:00, sail-a-way at 8:30 and late dining at 8:45. Since I have late dining, but I really want to be on deck or at least our balcony during sailaway, will I have to skip dinner in the MDR that first evening? Or is it okay to be a little late for dinner? (there should not be anyone else at our table to be inconvenienced)

 

Thanks for all the helpful info you all contribute!

 

Viv