RCI Ships for Southern Caribbean

[Stardancer68]

As a cruise critic fan I decided to ask those of you who have taken

the southern caribbean trips to help me decide which ship to take. The

itinerary is not that much different but the ships are. I would love some

feedback on the Serenade of the Seas or Adventure of the Seas. I am

taking my sister and nieces so I'm looking for sun, fun and plenty to do.

We just need a little help deciding which ship. We're looking to go next

April but need plenty of time to decide and save !!!!! Thanks in advance

for any ideas or suggestion.

[PeterPan]

Serenade is a beautiful ship, but Adventure has more activities. Based on your description of what you're looking for, I'd say Adventure of the Seas.

[Wayah]

My husband and I did Serenade this April with our 8 and 10yo children. As it was a big spring break week there were plenty of other children. The couple rasul treatment available on this ship was alot of fun. We did not attend shows or get to play billiards. The ship was in good condition and very pretty. The southern caribbean route was amazing. We had a junior suite and it was quite comfortable. The salt water in the kids pools was a little disappointing but my 8yo loved the slide.

[Sequim88]

We took Serenade in Feb. When we booked it looked like it alternated between a couple itineraries with a odd one thrown in once in awhile. We took a odd one because my brother and his wife had taken the other two so wanted some new places.

 

We did:

St. Maarten

Tortola, BVI

St. Kitts

Dominica

Barbados

and a sea day on way back to San Juan

 

My impression is that which ship will not matter a lot on any of the So. Carib. itineraries because they are so port intensive. And smaller might be a little better for reduced crowding at port. Bringing up a 3rd factor - what other ships are in the port on the dates of a particular itinerary. Simple web search for "port schedule" for ports should find calendars for which ships will be there. Such as: http://barbadosport.com/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&view=calendar&Itemid=101

for Barbados. Picking an intinerary with fewer ships (people) in port can be a real advantage.

 

We really enjoyed Serenade a lot and especially and the glass and views of the ocean. We had plenty to do in the evenings but the reality for us was we got up early and ate, got off the ship, came back at 4pm or so and got ready for dinner, dinner, show, piano bar and bed. Sometimes a little casino time or a C&A event. Only time we used the pool was the sea day.

[negc]

Serenade is a beautiful ship, but Adventure has more activities. Based on your description of what you're looking for, I'd say Adventure of the Seas.

 

It also depends on the number of sea days on each ship's itinerary and the ages of your nieces. There are more bells and whistles on Adventure (ice rink, ice shows, parades down the Royal Promenade, etc.) but if your cruise is very port intensive you may not have too much time to take advantage of them. Both ships have a great Adventure Ocean program. While we prefer the size and layout of Radiance class ships like Serenade, we just had a wonderful cruise on Explorer of the Seas with our daughter and her family (kids ages 10, 9 &3).:) I'd also recommend giving serious consideration to the ports each ship visits and how much each island has to offer you and your family.:)

[mysparky]

We were on Adventure when kids were 10 & 13, and just returned from Serenade now that kids are 12 & 15. First of all, since you'll be traveling during April vacation, you can expect that both ships will have plenty of kids on board. The kids clubs (if they attend) will be in full swing and fun.

 

I'd say that the adults enjoyed Serenade more (really enjoyed the safari club w/ pool tables and felt like the Windjammer experience wasn't as crazy), but kids would give a slight nod to Adventure. Adventure has more pool space (2 pools next to each other), at least 1 more ping pong table (maybe 2?) and more shuffleboard courts. Basketball is a full court, the rock-climbing wall is bigger and although they only went once, they enjoyed rollerblading and ice skating. Finally, they liked the royal promenade and felt like they missed it on Serenade (which has centrum).

 

However, kids felt that Serenade was better in terms of the outdoor dining (Windjammer) and they thought it was a nicer ship (more glass). They also really liked having an additional port (5 stops instead of 4 on Adventure). Finally, they felt like getting on/off ship was just easier and faster on Serenade.

 

Bottom line, we liked both ships very much. Our kids would struggle to identify a stronger choice because they really enjoyed the port-intensive Serenade even though the on-ship activities were less. However, if the #of ports on Serenade and Adventure were the same, they'd definitely pick Adventure.

 

Hope this helps!

[cruzin2relax]

We took Serenade in Feb.

We really enjoyed Serenade a lot and especially and the glass and views of the ocean. We had plenty to do in the evenings but the reality for us was we got up early and ate, got off the ship, came back at 4pm or so and got ready for dinner, dinner, show, piano bar and bed. Sometimes a little casino time or a C&A event. Only time we used the pool was the sea day.

 

Could you tell me if the ship has been "updated" any.....like Flat Screen tv's or anything else?

 

Thanks.

Reyne:)

[Puffinater]

You do not mention the age of the nieces. If they are kids I would vote for Adventure. More activites for them.

[Scottee25]

Could you tell me if the ship has been "updated" any.....like Flat Screen tv's or anything else?

We just got off the Serenade in March. Still the old style tube CRT TVs. We didn't notice any updates on her from the previous time we were on her in Jan 2005.

[cruiseguy1016]

We have sailed on both of those ships for southern itineraries and loved them both. In fact, we have Serenade booked again for next year for a different itinerary. You will have a fantastic time on either one. If I had to make a recommendation for you, I would say try the Adventure of the Seas first. The Royal Promenade and the skating rink really add to the "wow" factor.

[Stardancer68]

Thank you for all the helpful responses. My nieces are 16, 21, 24 so

they are definitely not "kids" but they definitely like to have a good time

and meet people. Also both ship itineraries are port intensive next April.

[jackinav]

We've sailed on both but preferred the Serenade. I agree with comments that there's more to do on Adventure as she's a bigger ship, but we sometimes felt crowded found it hard to grab a spot to see events in the promenade. The ice show was fantastic - and that's something Serenade doesn't offer. On the other hand, there were still plenty of activities on Serenade. We thought she felt less crowded and had much more amazing views of the ocean, so we got everything we wanted in a cruise but we weren't trying to entertain children or teens. The AOS may be more appealing for a young family but I think both ships offer something for everyone and I doubt that anyone would be bored. Perhaps price and itinerary might help you decide?

[frito58]

For us hands down the AOS we sailed the Radiance of the Seas which is the same class of ship as the Serenade we really didnt think it was all that great:( as compared to the AOS we just loved the Royal Promenade and all the activty that came with area. Also if you can snag an aft cabin is well worth it on the AOS especially 7388 or 7688 the balconys are huge :):)

[Venusleo1]

Although I have not sailed the Adventure I have sailed the Navigator twice and I just got off the Serenade on Saturday on a S. Caribbean cruise. To be honest I think would prefer the Serenade to the Adventure on a S. Caribbean itinerary. The reason I say this is because there is just too much to see and do on the Adventure and I felt like we could barely see and do everything on the Serenade due to it being such a port intensive cruise. I also really enjoyed the "open" feeling of the Serenade vs. the Navigator. What I mean by this is on the Voyager class (Adventure, Navigator) alot of the venues are within the promenade of the ship and there are no outside views where as on the Serenade (Radiance class) every where you went you had amazing views of the sea. I think Radiance class is now my new favorite class of ship! Only downside- I wish there was a bigger pool deck.

[Scottee25]

...we sailed the Radiance of the Seas which is the same class of ship as the Serenade we really didnt think it was all that great:(

 

I read that and my expression was the same as Otter in Animal House... Not Great? :)

[Debde]

Thank you for all the helpful responses. My nieces are 16, 21, 24 so

they are definitely not "kids" but they definitely like to have a good time

and meet people. Also both ship itineraries are port intensive next April.

 

At those ages I think either one you choose will be fine.

I've sailed both with older teens to young adults and mine liked both.

 

AOS offers things like in-line skating [for young kids] where SOS has the pool tables that as they get older-they seem to gravitate towards things like that.

 

Southern Caribbean sailings are very port intesnsive [which we love] and find the older they are, this works much better then what the ship has as for us-it's more about destinations and not the ship.

[KTMay1917]

I'd recommend the AOS only because we love it and we just booked our 3rd trip on her for next year. However, a Radiance class is on our list. I would advise you book the Barbados route as it will stop in St. Maarten which will be great for girls that age to shop etc.... My wife loves it! Can't really go wrong with the ship choice at that age. I'd maybe go with the AOS just because you do have a 16 yr. old and there are a few more things to appeal to her....i.e. the royal promenade, mini golf, teen club etc....

 

Either way you go you will all have a great time. S. carib really is the greatest imho.

[frito58]

I read that and my expression was the same as Otter in Animal House... Not Great? :)

 

LOL sorry Guess I was expecting to much after all the raves about it Just another ship to me give me a Voyager class ship any day of the week , about the only thig we thought was special was the Seaview Cafe now we did enjoy that , and its so hidden nobody was there .