Information for Serenade cruise Oct 9

[cicirider]

I am new to the mid - market cruising experience. My husband, daughter and I are taking an RCL cruise on Oct 9. It would not be pur normal first choice, we like 100-200 passenger max ships but for astrological reasons ( don't ask!) I want to be in the Caribbean for my birthday and this cruise was the only one that corresponded time and itinerary wise with what I wanted.

We booked the last remaining suite on the boat but I am concerned with possible noise problems as #7672 is directly above the nightclub. Is this going to be a non- stop racket?

Also, we have never had to make dining decisions, or bought packages for drinks before. Are the specialty restaurants really so much better? We would book the, every night but it seems they don't take children? If that is the case what does one do with our child? Babysitting in the room or a club situation ? Do kids like ruses options or is it a necessary evil to have a quieter better dining experience?

Would appreciate any views on the lids club and kid activities. Do kids in the 9 year old range like them? Our daughter is pret sophisticated and worry she will feel like she is being relegated to a babysitting pen.

Are kids not allowed in the solarium either?

Would welcome any feedback on this ship from other travelers with experience with smaller all-inclusive ships and who can compare and help steer me in the right direction to avoid some of the things I won't like: crowds, lines, noisy music, conga lines, or other forced merriment, fried food!! okay so I'm picky...

[nyyhoneybee]

Honestly, I would run the other way from a cabin right about the nightclub. I was stuck once with a cabin right above the casino and let me tell you my TA heard about it after.

 

The kids programs are great, both my sister and myself always enjoyed them.

 

Don't know about the no kids in the specialty restaurants but the main dinning room (MDR) is good. You can try to get a table just for the three of you but request it now!

 

No kids in the solarium however I've never had a problem with kids in there who are very well behaved but that's my personal opinion.

 

No one is going to force you to eat anything you don't like, just don't order fried foods.

[Merion_Mom]

I am new to the mid - market cruising experience. My husband, daughter and I are taking an RCL cruise on Oct 9. It would not be pur normal first choice, we like 100-200 passenger max ships but for astrological reasons ( don't ask!) I want to be in the Caribbean for my birthday and this cruise was the only one that corresponded time and itinerary wise with what I wanted.

We booked the last remaining suite on the boat but I am concerned with possible noise problems as #7672 is directly above the nightclub. Is this going to be a non- stop racket?

Also, we have never had to make dining decisions, or bought packages for drinks before. Are the specialty restaurants really so much better? We would book the, every night but it seems they don't take children? If that is the case what does one do with our child? Babysitting in the room or a club situation ? Do kids like ruses options or is it a necessary evil to have a quieter better dining experience?

Would appreciate any views on the lids club and kid activities. Do kids in the 9 year old range like them? Our daughter is pret sophisticated and worry she will feel like she is being relegated to a babysitting pen.

Are kids not allowed in the solarium either?

Would welcome any feedback on this ship from other travelers with experience with smaller all-inclusive ships and who can compare and help steer me in the right direction to avoid some of the things I won't like: crowds, lines, noisy music, conga lines, or other forced merriment, fried food!! okay so I'm picky...

 

That area on Deck 6 is not usually that loud or noisy. I doubt that you will have any problems in your beautiful suite. :)

[dcward89]

We had cabin 7674 and my in-laws were in 7676...the two cabins right next to 7672...this past January. We never heard a sound from the nightclub the whole week. I asked my MIL when we were talking on the phone last night and she indicated they never heard a thing either. Actually we LOVED these rooms so much that we have 7676 and 7176 booked again for a B2B for next January.

[cicirider]

Any tips on how to get a table by a window? I'm not above greasing the right palm but not sure if it's done/ works on this type of cruise. We have requested dining alone every night and I am going to see about getting into the specialty restaurants every night as I sense they are quieter experiences but would love to know what others have done to get a window table.

Also, it's my birthday that week. We've said nothing about it as we don't wish to be serenaded at dinner or anything like that but if it would get us those coveted spots at dinner we would say something. What do you think?

Which of the two specialty restaurants is the better quality? I see that Chops is more expensive but that could just be the cost of meat as opposed to a quality issue.

How strategic must one be to get a lounge chair by a pool? From the YouTube footage I have seen the pools are very crowded. Do people bag chairs as soon as they get up as they do at the club med's I have been to?

So so glad to hear that the deck 7 cabins directly above the disco are unaffected!

[vickiw0318]

I've cruised on the Serenade three times. I just got off of her again for the last time on Sunday. The area on Deck 6 that you will be over is not a particularly late night venue. The late night dance club area is on Deck 13. The latest event down there starts at about 10:30. There may be ballroom dancing or type dancing on some evenings, but usually there are interactive passenger events. There is actually just a seating area under your cabin - the band stand is on the other side of the ship.

 

This area also has a game/card room and area at the front where there are self-leveling pool tables.

 

My twenty-something daughter and I upgraded a few weeks before our cruise to the same type of cabin you will have. (Ours was on Deck 9.) As suites go, it is not particulary fancy, but we enjoyed it more than we did the Royal Suite we had on the Voyager last year simply because we each had our own bedroom and bathroom. The living room is narrow, but comfortable. There's a good sized flat screen TV and a dvd player. Bring your daughter's favorites. There's a small round dining table. The concierge does have a small collection of board games that you could use. You are also able to order off the dining room menu and have meals delivered to your suite at night.

 

Children under 16 are not allowed in the Solarium unless they are there to eat a bite from the Solarium Cafe. There is a special children's pool area up on Deck 12. There is a slide that's open at stated hours during the day. There's also a little miniature golf course up one deck from that.

 

Usually, children are welcome to dine in the specialty restaurants early in the evening. Both venues will be open on the afternoon on your first day on board and you are welcome to drop by, look at the menus and ask questions. (The are located on Deck 6. Both are accessed through the Schooner Bar area.) Your concierge can also help with reservations as well.

 

I think you will find that the ship does not feel crowded except at certain times - the main pool on a sea day for example. However, there is plenty of seating up and away from there.

 

I personally do not purchase any drink/wine package, but then, I now have an allergy to alcohol and don't like fountain soft drinks. The pool servers usually circulate with a drink of the day that can be purchased "virgin" or have rum added to it. Your daughter may enjoy sipping one of the virgin concoctions. You can look online to check costs.

 

I don't know anything really about the Adventure Ocean program, but I have heard that the kids enjoy it. When we were leaving the ship, there was a little girl a bit younger than your daughter who was crying because she didn't want to leave. Most of us envied her freedom to express the same emotion that we were feeling.

 

My daughter and I are quiet cruisers. I am sure you could possible find a conga line around the pool area at sailaway time, but I don't think you'll find one snaking through the actual ship. I think you'll find a wide assortment of activities. I also think you'll find a very nice group of fellow passengers.

 

If you've not already done so, sign up forn My Time Dining. You'll be able to make a reservation for a table for 3 for whatever time you choose to dine.

 

Do sit out on your balcony when the ship sails from San Juan. The view leaving the harbor is beautiful.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Just saw that you'd posted again. My daughter and I did enjoy being by the pool on sailaway day. There was no one out there when we got onboard early. We packed our swimsuits in our carryons. On other days, the pool was so crowded that we chose to sit elsewhere. When you make your My Time Dining reservations, simply ask for one by the window. You can do these before you sail.

[cicirider]

Fantastic thoughtful reply! Thanks so much. I know it is so silly to have big cruise ship anxiety but we'v sonly cruised 4 times and all 4 we were on Seadream which is the Antipodes of serenade of the seas. Sadly they don't cruise the Caribbean in October son we are trying something different and hoping we like it too.

I am really relieved to hear that we aren't above a nightclub as I thought.

Any thoughts on tipping the maitre d for a better table placement, and if so, what would be an appropriate amount?

I don't think the specialty restaurant s are going to work for us as we don't want to eat at 6pm so may have to brave the mdr. Or look into babysitting which I fear our daughter won't be keen on.

I do like the idea of eating in the suite but as you remarked they are not exactly glamorous as suites go , more functional for a lot of people. At first, RCL wouldn't let us have the room as thru wanted to keep it for a party of 8!

I shall make sure to give an account how the trip went when I get back for anybody out there who may, like me, be afraid of the big ships.

[cicirider]

Forgive the crazy typos: casualty of iPad keyboard!

[dcward89]

As far as getting a table by the window...we had MTD and we made a reservation for 6:30 every evening when we cruised her in January. We had the same table by a window every night and all we could see was a reflection of ourselves staring back at us!!! The sun had already gone down or was well on it's way by the time we sat down for dinner every night. It really wouldn't have made a difference where we sat because the view was the same four people staring back at us!

[vickiw0318]

You can also order off the Chops menu in your suite. Our suite information folder had a menu with limited options. We didn't try this so I really don't know anything else except the fact that it is available.

 

dcward89 is correct. It was already dark by dinner time on our cruise - unless you ate very early. My daughter and I prefer to eat up in the buffet at night just because it is more relaxing and much quieter than the main dining room. We always sat by a window in one server's section and could see nothing. By the way, there is always a make to order choice upstairs at night - whether it be oriental, pasta, pizza, etc. You make your selection of ingredients and a chef prepares it for you. Other than that, the food up there is adequate. We aren't foodies, so we prefer the quiet to a dining room experience.

 

Once again, it is probably not necessary to tip for a window table. Simply ask for one - especially if you are doing the My Time Dining option. I think you'll find the staff eager to please you. If you have an assigned time in the dining room, the process is a little more difficult. You can check out your table location when you get onboard and speak with the maitre d' if you are unhappy about it. He'll probably do what he can to make a change for you. You can request a location in advance of your sailing as well.

 

The Serenade is definitely larger than your previous cruise ships, but she's not a mega ship. I would say that 90% of the time you'll find her uncrowded. I'd avoid breakfast and lunch at prime times in the buffet area if I were you. The main dining room is open for breakfast every morning and for lunch on sea days. You can also order breakfast sent to your cabin. There is also a dining venue called the Seaview Cafe that is open at odd hours that could be a good alternative if you'd like a sandwich or salad. It's also fun to try out restaurants in port.

 

I do like Royal because I can do as much or as little as I choose while on board. However, you'll usually find me out on my aft balcony, reading a book and watching the wake.

[cicirider]

Thanks again for the info. I think we are going to be going to the Seaview a lot! And good to k ow about the nighttime reflection bit - of course! Makes total sense.

Any ideas on what to do in Antigua and Barbados thatncould be considered unique/not too touristy/ upscale? We are not thinking a bucket of beer and a $5 chair and there's a quite a few postings of this sort.

[Wayah]

The evening Kid's club activities were a hit with my 8 and 10 yo's, especially pirate night. Since you are on a larger ship, I would consider feeding the 9yo early and you and your husband doing a later private specialty restaurant dinner one of the nights. My kid's resisted the kid's club at first thinking it would be like summer camp but once they tried it they were hooked and we couldn't keep them out of it.

 

We also really enjoyed the couple rasul spa option offered on the serenade. The mint mud was awesome.

[waterbugohio]

Thanks again for the info. I think we are going to be going to the Seaview a lot! And good to k ow about the nighttime reflection bit - of course! Makes total sense.

Any ideas on what to do in Antigua and Barbados thatncould be considered unique/not too touristy/ upscale? We are not thinking a bucket of beer and a $5 chair and there's a quite a few postings of this sort.

 

We have done Serenade three years in a row and love this ship.

 

Antigua and Barbados are two of my favorite islands (along with St Lucia)

 

I would suggest looking into Eli's Eco Tour on antigua. Here are a few notes from my review. (Got on the boat and toured the island by boat first. They were very good at pointing out all the various points and giving us a history lesson on the island. Stopped and took trail to the top of Bird Island, took photos of both the Caribbean side and the Atlantic Ocean side. Was able to take a swim when we got back to the boat. It had gotten quite warm. Had lunch on the boat and then on to Hell’s gate, where we climbed to the top and took more photos. Then to the area for snorkeling. One guy did find a jelly fish, which he brought up to show everyone. On the way back rum punch was served.)

 

First year to Barbados we did Silvermoon and this is still by far the best excursion we have done. Especially if you like to snorkle. Here is what I wrote about that: First stop and went snorkeling with the sea turtles. The guide was feeding them, so they keep swimming around. Second stop was more snorkeling, with a lot more fish and two ship wrecks. Then we were served lunch on the boat. Very nice lunch and very nice boat. Crew was great also. After lunch we stopped for swimming and then back to the pier about 2:45.

 

If you do a google search you will find both of these tours and also find all kinds of positive reviews.

[vickiw0318]

Yet another vote for Silver Moon in Barbados. Just do a simple search and you'll get their link and see all sorts of positive reviews.