Serenade 7/18/2010 trip report w/ pix

[Rowtyd]

Barbados - continued

 

Tuesday, Jul 20th was our 25th anniversary so we elected to have a special dinner at Chops. We had stopped by Chops on embarkation day and they advised that our 7:00 reservation time may not be early enough to secure one of the window tables for two (see below)

 

 

So we had changed our reservations to 6:00. This just meant that we would have to get ready a little earlier than planned.

 

Some time ago, I had told her that our 25th anniversary would be an occasion that called for an investment in jewelry and we decided on a diamond necklace. After booking this trip the plan would be to find a good deal on one of the islands. So beginning last January, we had spent some time in the local jewelry stores to decide what we wanted and try to become knowledgable. In the course of browsing we had found a necklace with a pear shaped hole surrounded by black diamonds and white diamonds. My wife got the idea to have a pear shape diamond set in the hole of the necklace and it looked stunning. Long story short, but without her knowing I had bought the necklace and smuggled it on to the ship. As far as she knew, we would be looking in Antigua and St. Maarten with home as a fall back position.

 

Anyway, she was late getting ready for our 6:00 reservation which gave me the opportunity to go down and chat with the wait staff and get their help in setting up the presentation of the surprise diamond necklace.

 

The waitress (Karen from Trinidad) did a nice job with the setup speach I gave her and the diamond necklace was unveiled successfully. My wife broke down in tears and so did the waitress. This picture does not do the necklace justice, but we are very proud of it:

 

 

Dinner in Chops was great and we ordered a bottle of wine and some specialty coffee after dinner. The mud pie desert was well worth saving room for:

 

 

The manager (Nalina (sp?)from Trinidad) sent over a couple of glasses of Champagne and another desert in honor of our anniversary, but we didn't have room for the desert. No matter, they had it sent to our room and it was there when we returned to the room that evening.

 

We were so thankful for how we were treated by the Chops staff and mentioned them in our comment card at the end of the cruise.

 

We went to the production show that night (stage to screen) but hardly remember it because we were still basking in the embiance of the evening. I enjoyed watching her wander through the shopping area to show off her new necklace:

 

 

So, I was a hero that night (for once) and we set our sights on the island of St. Lucia and our tour with Spencer Ambrose. But not before we saw another towel animal from Eulalie:

 

 

WOW! That towel animal has great taste in his cap selection! RTR!

[socorny]

Thank you so much for your posting. I've been looking at all post connected with this ship. My mom, sister and I are doing a girls cruise in 2011. Your info just recomfirms my anticipation!:p

[takevtr1]

Jewelery always helps Mitch :D

 

THANKS for the advice from a women's perspective.

Now I got to go shopping before our departure.

LOL

[aldewitt]

WOW! That towel animal has great taste in his cap selection! RTR!

 

 

Yeah, right. War Eagle!:eek:

[BeancounterUSA]

 

 

This is a good time to mention that the bed is very comfortable and spacious.

 

 

Also wanted to mention that on the 5th deck between the upper dining room level and the lower theatre level there is always a lot of traffic. Especially because the shops on board and the photo gallery form kind of a bottleneck as you are making your way from the dining room or centrum to the theatre. Therefore:

 

Tip #11: if you are in a hurry to get to the theatre, or to get forward on the ship in general, a good pathway to avoid the bottlenecks is the outdoor promenade deck on deck 5. Virtually no traffic out there and you can enter back near the forward elevators.

[BeancounterUSA]

Couple of things about the casino:

 

- very friendly and competent dealers at the blackjack and craps tables.

 

- They have a single deck blackjack game with a $5 minimum and there almost always was room for another player on our cruise. The only downside was that blackjack pays 6-5 instead of 3-2 and no double after split.

 

- They have another $5 minimum game (8 deck shoe) next to the single deck game that has a sidebet option. If you have a sidebet and are dealt a blackjack you get to spin a wheel for a multiplier on your sidebet.

 

- Craps had $5 minimum. On our sailing it was always staffed with dealers but not always with players. I did a good portion of my gambling after 1st seating while second seating dinner was going on and didn't have too much company while playing. Upside is if you want to learn the game, the dealers will teach you the game during the downtimes. Great opportunity for the newbies, in my opinion.

 

- Video Poker - The games with low denominations ($.25 and up) were not even close to full pay machines. On Jacks or better the full house was 6x and the flush was 5x. A full pay machine 99% return (which I did not expect to find) is 9x and 6x, respectively. For each number below full pay is about a 1% house advantage so the machines would be rated at 95%. That's about equal to roulette odds. I did see some $1 machines with 8x and 5x.

 

- Blackjack tourney was $20 buy in. You get $500 worth of mythical value chips and each of the 7 seats are dealt 7 hands out of an 8-deck shoe (double after split allowed). They keep dealing until they can't fully fill a table with 7 players. The top 7 scores make up a final table and the top 3 are in the money. Strict rules prohibiting verbal coaching. Payouts determined based on # of entries. Enter as often as you like.

 

- Formal nights are non-smoking nights. I was not bothered by smoke on the other nights. Not nearly as bad as land based casino's in this regard.

 

- As expected on a cruise ship, the quality of players was at a relatively low level, at least from what I saw at blackjack and craps. However, I have seen much worse. In general, this is a great place for new players to learn, as experienced players will help although the dealers are reluctant to provide verbal assistance. They will pause momentarily if you tell them to hit your 15 with the dealer showing 6, and they will allow others to say something, but they won't give advice. At craps, they hold the dice a little longer to allow people to get their bets right.

 

- Be sure to tip the dealers when you are winning. I do it by placing a bet "for the boys" and I always double or split for them in blackjack and lay the odds for them in craps. A little bribery attempt never hurts and they are always appreciative.

[TwoCruisers]

Beancounter,

This is a great review!

I am going on my first RCCL cruise on the Serenade and have a question about your tip#10. Will the person at the Guest Relations Desk cash travelers’ checks for small bills for taking in the islands?

“Tip #10: bring enough cash of every denomination just in case you are in a situation where you wish you had it. In my case, it cost me a little more in tips than it would have otherwise.”

[mrsfecura]

Loving this review! Thanks! We are sailing on the Serenade 9/12/10, this same itinerary!

[BeancounterUSA]

Beancounter,

This is a great review!

I am going on my first RCCL cruise on the Serenade and have a question about your tip#10. Will the person at the Guest Relations Desk cash travelers’ checks for small bills for taking in the islands?

“Tip #10: bring enough cash of every denomination just in case you are in a situation where you wish you had it. In my case, it cost me a little more in tips than it would have otherwise.”

 

 

Yes, guest relations will cash your traveler's checks.

[BeancounterUSA]

St. Lucia - continued

 

we arrived in Soufriere and arranged for a water taxi. Again, it was just the two of us plus Small and the two crewman of the water taxi. The water was smooth as glass in the Soufriere harbor area, a water skier's dream.

 

 

 

Soon we rounded the first Piton

 

 

Upon landing at Jalousie beach, we were given a creole lunch which we ate while sitting on some lawn chairs near the dock. Small warned us that it might rain and pointed out some cover. The lunch was delicious with all kinds of items I would not order if presented on a menu but was glad I ate. In the middle of eating, the rain came and we moved under cover. This was no ordinary rain, it was a monsoon out of nowhere. People were scrambling, kids were crying and I reached for our video camera to record the carnage. The wife was on the regular camera and got these pictures:

 

 

 

Just after these pictures, gail force winds knocked those sailboats all over the place. Got some of it on video.

 

The water taxi crew toughed all this out on their vessel, and when it died down enough we were summoned for the return trip to Soufriere. Got soaked on the way back and resumed our position in Small's vehicle for the trip to the waterfall.

[BeancounterUSA]

St. Lucia - continued

 

waterfall pictures

 

 

 

We then made the long drive back with a stop along the way for some hot creole bread (delicious!) and said our farewells to Small. I guess we were lucky to have a personal guide for the day, but I would recommend this trip in any case. We got to know Small pretty well from spending a whole day with him and he is a great guy from a solid family. I'm sure his brothers Spencer and Neptune are very similar. Back to the ship and we too tired to check out the shops in the terminal area or to explore downtown Castries. Again, I think this is a beautiful island but it has a lot of untapped potential. I wonder what a week at one of the all-inclusive resorts in the north part of the island would be like.

 

After dinner Wednesday (only one other couple at dinner as the other 3 were at the portofino murder mystery) we spent some time in the casino. Got back $70 of my losses and went to the El Gaucho show which we enjoyed. We stayed in the theatre for the $1,000 one game only bingo and then for the love and marriage show. The love and marriage show did not disappoint as they have a knack for picking out couples (1 newly wed, 1 celebrating their 44th anniversary, and 1 celebrating their 20th). We would see the newly wed couple later in the week at the quest (I would say that we saw a lot of them at the quest, if you catch my drift).

 

Small just before he got paid (he had a bigger smile after he got paid)

 

 

The ship in Castries harbor

 

 

 

 

Downtown Castries:

 

[BeancounterUSA]

We had a balcony on the 7th deck, cabin # 7088 (an E3) which was the 4th down the hallway from the centrum on the port side.

 

With our door closed we did not hear any of the noise from the centrum and our cabin is directly over the casino and didn't hear anything from below.

 

On the trip from San Juan to Barbados the port side was taking the wind and there was a great breeze. However while heading north the starboard balcony's were getting the breeze and it was a lot calmer on our side. From our deck 7 location we could not see the waterline with the ship, but we could hear the ship moving through the water just fine.

 

I would caution people that outside on a balcony is not a private place. You can hear the people from the cabins surrounding you. Once, we were outside quietly sitting when our nextdoor neighbor came outside and let one rip. Which brings me to ...

 

Tip #11: Don't fart on your balcony, everyone else who is outside can hear you and it is an awkward moment.

 

No advice from me regarding prospective members of the balcony club.

[BeancounterUSA]

Antigua (pronounced An-tee-ga)

 

We had no excursions planned and were just going to try to brave the potential rainy weather at a beach. Therefore, we slept in until 7:30 and decided to have breakfast in the main dining room for the first time. Another item to mark off the bucket list.

 

Saw our dining room waiter, Glenroy from St. Vincent, and he escorted us to a table for two by the window. I just had fried eggs with hash browns, toast and turkey sausage with water and coffee. The hash browns were excellent but the turkey sausage was not quite as good.

 

We finallly got off the ship about 9:30 and went ashore to find a taxi to Valley Church Beach.

 

There is a taxi stand at the very end of the pier and we told them of our desired destination. A rate of $16 per person each way was quoted ($64 round trip!!) but if we could find another couple to join us, the rate would be cut in half. We saw a young couple who were hoping to go to half moon beach but were discouraged when they found out how far away it was and how much it would cost to get there. They wanted to walk around a little more and think about it instead of joining us in our cab. We also gave up and walked into town a little further. Along the way we went through a gauntlet of cab drivers who all quoted the exact same rates as at the taxi stand near the pier.

 

After about 20 minutes of walking around frustated at the high cost, we spotted a couple negotiating a ride to Runaway Bay. Since Miller's by the Sea at Ft. James beach was right next door we joined them in the cab for $6 per person each way.

 

We were the first ones on the beach and rented chairs for $5 each and an umbrella for $6 (5+5+6= $16).

 

 

Miller's by the sea at Ft James beach

 

 

Miller's has a covered pavillion with a bar and grill and in addition to chairs and umbrella's you can rent a jet ski. We got two and half hours on the beach before the sky's opened and we caught a cab back to the ship in time to eat lunch shortly after 1:00.

 

That afternoon we went shopping and bought some gifts for our sons back home and for their girlfriends. I also bought wind chimes at this store:

 

 

We give Antigua a thumbs up for the port area around St. John's if you can just brace yourself from the taxi gauntlet you have to go through to get to any of the shops.

 

 

 

 

 

That night we decided not to go the show for the first time this cruise and instead decided to enjoy the hot tub in the solarium. (another bucket list item to cross off) And who should we meet in the hot tub, but the young couple who we almost shared a taxi to Valley Church beach. They ended up trying to find us but couldn't and went to Valley Church with some other passengers for $8 each. We also met a mother and a daughter who live in our same zip code in Birmingham. It was small world day in the hot tub.

 

Went to the casino and cashed out up $70.

 

Next is some pictures from 70's dance night from our perch in the centrum.

[BeancounterUSA]

70's night

 

 

Ok, I can't dance worth a flip, but I enjoy a funky groove as much as anyone. The cruise director's staff seems to really enjoy this and I don't blame them. They have great 70's outfits, Simeon brings the John Travolta and follows it with an authentic Austin Powers but, in my opinion, the stars are the Almost Village People.

 

 

 

 

 

[wannacruisemore]

Great review.....thanks for taking the time to do it!!! Love the Serenade....:)

[catty]

Enjoying your review and pictures. My husband and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary and will be on the Serenade 9/5. We are also from your neck of the woods, Homewood and now Pelham. We traveled on Serendate April 09 and just loved this ship, so we wanted to sail on her again. We just can't beat the Radiance class ships! :D

[ahawco]

Antigua (pronounced An-tee-ga)

 

We had no excursions planned and were just going to try to brave the potential rainy weather at a beach. Therefore, we slept in until 7:30 and decided to have breakfast in the main dining room for the first time. Another item to mark off the bucket list.

 

Saw our dining room waiter, Glenroy from St. Vincent, and he escorted us to a table for two by the window. I just had fried eggs with hash browns, toast and turkey sausage with water and coffee. The hash browns were excellent but the turkey sausage was not quite as good.

 

We finallly got off the ship about 9:30 and went ashore to find a taxi to Valley Church Beach.

 

There is a taxi stand at the very end of the pier and we told them of our

desired destination. A rate of $16 per person each way was quoted ($64 round trip!!) but if we could find another couple to join us, the rate would be cut i

half. We saw a young couple who were hoping to go to half moon beach but

were discouraged when they found out how far away it was and how much it would cost to get there. They wanted to walk around a little more and think

about it instead of joining us in our cab. We also gave up and walked into town a little further. Along the way we went through a gauntlet of cab drivers

who all quoted the exact same rates as at the taxi stand near the pier.

 

After about 20 minutes of walking around frustated at the high cost, we spotted a couple negotiating a ride to Runaway Bay. Since Miller's by the Sea

at Ft. James beach was right next door we joined them in the cab for $6 per

person each way

 

We were the first ones on the beach and rented chairs for $5 each and an

umbrella for $6 (5+5+6= $16).

 

 

Miller's by the sea at Ft James beach

 

 

 

Miller's has a covered pavillion with a bar and grill and in addition to chairs and

umbrella's you can rent a jet ski. We got two and half hours on the beach before the sky's opened and we caught a cab back to the ship in time to eat

lunch shortly after 1:00.

 

That afternoon we went shopping and bought some gifts for our sons back

home and for their girlfriends. I also bought wind chimes at this store:

 

 

We give Antigua a thumbs up for the port area around St. John's if you can

just brace yourself from the taxi gauntlet you have to go through to get to any of the shops.

 

http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/BeancounterUSA/Serenade%2

0of%20the%20Seas%20Jul%202010/IMG_3269.jpg[/img

 

 

http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad136/BeancounterUSA/Serenade%20of%20the%20Seas%20Jul%202010/IMG_3254.jpg[/img

 

 

That night we decided not to go the show for the first time this cruise and

instead decided to enjoy the hot tub in the solarium. (another bucket list item to cross off) And who should we meet in the hot tub, but the young couple who we almost shared a taxi to Valley Church beach. They ended up trying to find us but couldn't and went to Valley Church with some other passengers for

$8 each. We also met a mother and a daughter who live in our same zip code in Birmingham. It was small world day in the hot tub.

 

Went to the casino and cashed out up $70.

 

Next is some pictures from 70's dance night from our perch in the

centrum.

 

We are planning on going to Valley Church Beach as well on our day in Antigua. Did the couple in the hot tub tell you any of their thoughts on the beach, restaurant there? I am only travelling with my husband so I guess we will have to scout out another couple for the taxi drive so we can avoid the $64 taxi cost...ouch!!!

 

Still loving your review..sounds like a great week so far except the monsoon-type weather in St Lucia :)

[kgm0612]

FANTASTIC review.......and what a beautiful necklace you presented to your wife. Happy Belated 25th Anniversary to both of you!

 

I'm excited.......4 more days until I board the ship!

 

Karen

[BeancounterUSA]

We are planning on going to Valley Church Beach as well on our day in Antigua. Did the couple in the hot tub tell you any of their thoughts on the beach, restaurant there? I am only travelling with my husband so I guess we will have to scout out another couple for the taxi drive so we can avoid the $64 taxi cost...ouch!!!

 

Still loving your review..sounds like a great week so far except the monsoon-type weather in St Lucia :)

 

 

Yes, the couple from the hot tub said they were very pleased with their day at Valley Church Beach. The restaurant there is called "The Nest". They are known for their coconut shrimp for lunch. You can also get a massage while on the beach that is much cheaper than on the ship.

 

This, of course, made us wish we had been able to go, but we were not disappointed with our day as it turned out. Both of us had sun for about 2½ hours and then rain shortly after noon.

[mrsfecura]

4 more days until I board the ship!

 

Karen

 

 

 

Jealous! :o

[MikeBayAreaCa]

We are on the Serenade for a B2B next June for our 30th anniversary. We were on the Serenade last June and loved it. This year can't go fast enough

 

Thanks for your review.

 

Mike

[Terre]

Great review, great tips, great pix. We loved the Serenade and it does have the most soundproof cabins we've ever had.

 

Too bad DH did have tip #11 before we sailed...:eek:

[ahawco]

Yes, the couple from the hot tub said they were very pleased with their day at Valley Church Beach. The restaurant there is called "The Nest". They are known for their coconut shrimp for lunch. You can also get a massage while on the beach that is much cheaper than on the ship.

 

This, of course, made us wish we had been able to go, but we were not disappointed with our day as it turned out. Both of us had sun for about 2½ hours and then rain shortly after noon.

 

Thanks for the info! I have heard very positive things about Valley Church Beach and the coconut shrimp :) Can't wait to go...I will even pay the large cab fee if I must! Glad you enjoyed your day at the other beach!

[ahawco]

FANTASTIC review.......and what a beautiful necklace you presented to your wife. Happy Belated 25th Anniversary to both of you!

 

I'm excited.......4 more days until I board the ship!

 

Karen

 

Yeah us!

[pezie]

bought it at Walmart and it was a Vivatar 8400 and it cost about $85.00. We also bought an SD card for extra storage memory but I forget what I paid for that.

 

I'm still not entirely convinced that I didn't do something wrong. It appears the water entered the camera through the battery compartment. Either way, what a bummer. I was so looking forward to having the underwater turtle pics to post. Hoping I can get my disposable underwater pics onto a CD for uploading soon.

 

We just bought a Kodak Play Sport that takes HD video and 5mp pictures and goes to 10ft underwater. It was about $140. I've used it in the pool and at a waterpark. It is lot of fun! I'll be using it next week on my Serenade snorkeling excursions.

 

Thanks so much for the review and the menu schedule.