Review: Sereneade of the Seas, 12/2/16- 12/12/16

[Biker19]

As to the ugly, the ship will go into drydock next fall for its 5-year refit. It won't be a moment too soon for some areas of the ship. Huge patches of rust along the gutter of all of the starboard forward 7th floor balconies, broken shelf brackets in the bathroom medicine cabinet, and things are just tired in the cabin. Large visible patches of rust on many places outside the ship.

 

Most of those rust areas were being addressed during the first two port stops on the current sailing. Fixing superficial rusting happens continually - doesn't wait till dry dock.

[Biker19]

How did you find the cigarette smoke situation? I have asked before of other members and they were kind to answer - just also want to get your opinion. :) We have had cruises on Radiance-class ships where the smoke was terrible, drifting out of the casino and into the Centrum, up to at least Deck 9. It's a shame. :(

 

Nothing like that on Serenade to this point. I assume they are testing things, but on the third night of the current sailing, it was a smoke free night in the casino. The few times I've walked through there it seems to be few smokers.

[Langley Cruisers]

Langley Cruisers: The smoke still drifts quite far. Only on formal nights is the casino closed to smoking and that clears the air outside of it.

 

Nothing like that on Serenade to this point. I assume they are testing things, but on the third night of the current sailing, it was a smoke free night in the casino. The few times I've walked through there it seems to be few smokers.

 

Thanks both. :) Will hope for the best. On our B2B in 2014, my eyes were absolutely stinging from the smoke, but last year it didn't seem quite as bad.

[Sobro]

Thank-you for your input blondie from arizona. I was speaking to a man at FLL who felt like he had to ask staff for everything, ranging from soap in the stateroom to butter on the tables and said that he was very disappointed. I almost asked him why he cruises when he said he loved the ports but didn't like the service.

 

Everyone's experience is a little different.

 

Biker19, the rust in the balcony gutters didn't look like surface rust to me., and I've seen plenty of spots being touched up while ashore or under way. I don't think I'd like crew grinding rust and making sparks fly during my stay in one of those cabins.

[Biker19]

Biker19, the rust in the balcony gutters didn't look like surface rust to me., and I've seen plenty of spots being touched up while ashore or under way. I don't think I'd like crew grinding rust and making sparks fly during my stay in one of those cabins.

Yeah, the crew walking around/working right outside those balconies is a bit weird.

[Amercury]

Sobro or Blondie from Arizona, can either of you share the theme nights from the compasses please.

[troykahack]

Mini review of Serenade of the Seas 10-night cruise, 12/2/16 through 12/12/16

 

It seems that RCI shuffles the staff to different locations or different jobs after every cruise, producing confusion for everyone aboard ship for at least 36 hours after boarding. I know there's turnover at every port and that with familiarity comes complacency, but it would be nice to think that your servers in the MDR know where the kitchen is in relation to their table assignments every night of your cruise, not a day or two after the first night of your cruise (This remark is hyperbole, but describes the service confusion of first night dining on every single RCI cruise I've sailed).

 

Now for my big complaint. And really, it's not that big. On the wall beside the cashier at the casino there is a sheet listing small prizes you may earn with casino points. Nowhere does it list what the rules are on how you earn those points, but of course everyone is encouraged to use their Seapass cards when using the machines or sitting at the tables to earn points.

 

I always let the blackjack dealer have my card when I sat down and watched that person enter data into their keypad after scanning my card. I'm no high roller. I bet minimums until my huge $150 blackjack budget is gone. From gleaning CC casino forums, the casino is supposed to take the average number of hands per hour times your average bet times the hours you sat at the table. This number is your "action", and that is what your points are based upon. I figured that I had sat at least 3 hours of constant play at $6 minimum bets, one minute per hand, yielding $1000 of "action".

 

Some on CC Forums say it's one point per $5 of action, so I figured I had about 200 points. Maybe a rubber key chain or a $5 free bet were in my future! On the last night I asked the cashier for a report, handed over my Seapass card, and she said there was no report. I was not very happy after seeing all of the focus and hassle of dealers with the Seapass cards.

 

After emailing the folks onshore, ClubRoyale@rccl.com, I was assured that low rollers like me are treated equally to the high rollers who also sat at the blackjack table. I have my doubts. But of course short of going through the video tapes of the previous cruise, there was no way to verify that I had in fact even sat at the blackjack tables since there was no points report at all.

 

And who would be crazy enough to demand that the casino show that kind of evidence just for a stupid key chain? Oh wait, this is Cruise Critic, someone here would do that if they haven't already. Just not me. So the upshot is that your points are counted in the machines automatically if your Seapass card is inserted while you play, but you have to trust the casino on the table games if you are not a high roller. Buyer beware.

 

Thank you for your review. We were on the Previous 11 night Serenade cruise. As far as the staff goes, I know MANY of the most seasoned staff were planning to leave after our cruise and yours. The best Concierge we have had left after your cruise (Mario Reyes). He had a lady in training during our cruise but it is a lot to expect to replace Mario.

 

Your math on the Casino play doesn't work in the new revamped Club Royale. I left with over 10,000 points. If your play is no more than $150 a night, don't expect much. That is the lesser of the single bets required to maintain full VIP status with Club Royale. It is how much you bet per play and hours spent at the tables/slots. You can always ask a Pit Boss to check your play numbers. Remember it isn't recalculated until the next evening at 8pm.

 

We had a wonderful cruise but did have some issues with new wait staff which we addressed and then they were assume. I was in the Casino so didn't see any shows. Very few people in the Casino after the first two nights.

Edited December 21, 2016 by troykahack

[Biker19]

Thanks both. :) Will hope for the best. On our B2B in 2014, my eyes were absolutely stinging from the smoke, but last year it didn't seem quite as bad.

 

Tonight, the second formal night, is also smoke free in the casino.

[Sobro]

troykahack, my casino math is probably wrong, but how am I to know if they don't post their policy?

 

Amercury, not much to the theme nights. Days 2 & 9 were "Formal" Days 4 & 7 were "Tropical". Day 8 was 70's Disco Party night.

[troykahack]

troykahack, my casino math is probably wrong, but how am I to know if they don't post their policy?

 

 

And they will not post policy for Club Royale VIP status. The old system was trashed and a new system based on current play. Not what one did in the past. More based along the Vegas system. If you don't bet enough in Vegas to be comped, don't expect much on Royals Casinos.

Edited December 21, 2016 by troykahack

[blondie from arizona]

We had issues with the waitstaff and room steward as well, but it was all minor stuff that I just addressed with them, like asking for soap and towels. I didn't even think twice about it. The waitstaff and room steward made up for it with their pleasant attitudes. It was all the other stuff. Royal has a good product and when we first started cruising we didn't quite understand all the complaining about the missing stuff. Now we are the seasoned cruiser that sees the missing stuff. This itinerary was perfect and we love Royal. We came home rested and relaxed. It still felt like summer camp and we didn't want to get off the ship. Like I said, there was just something not quite right and it was discouraging that the midcruise survey fell on death ears. And the Diamond Lounge issue was a HUGE issue. Completely unacceptable.

[troykahack]

We had issues with the waitstaff and room steward as well, but it was all minor stuff that I just addressed with them, like asking for soap and towels. I didn't even think twice about it. The waitstaff and room steward made up for it with their pleasant attitudes. It was all the other stuff. Royal has a good product and when we first started cruising we didn't quite understand all the complaining about the missing stuff. Now we are the seasoned cruiser that sees the missing stuff. This itinerary was perfect and we love Royal. We came home rested and relaxed. It still felt like summer camp and we didn't want to get off the ship. Like I said, there was just something not quite right and it was discouraging that the midcruise survey fell on death ears. And the Diamond Lounge issue was a HUGE issue. Completely unacceptable.

 

We had some issues with wait staff in MDR. It was their first contract. I told them our expectations after the first night, gave them both a $20 and NEVER had an issue going forward (rewarded then several more times)

[Sobro]

As I stated in the first post, I still don't understand the reasoning behind shuffling wait staff after every cruise. I think a lot of the first day problems could be avoided with some consistency in assignment locations and serving partners. Waiters have to satisfy their bosses by working the crew dining room before contact with guests, so "first contract" may have been an excuse.

 

troykahack, all I was expecting was a key chain or maybe a free $5 play. I knew that $100 off my final bill or free drinks were not coming my way. I was disappointed that there wasn't even a points report after all of the hassle dealers had scanning Seapass cards every time anyone, including low rollers like myself, sat down at the blackjack table.

Edited December 22, 2016 by Sobro
spelling and clarity, typing before coffee

[troykahack]

 

troykahack, all I was expecting was a key chain or maybe a free $5 play. I knew that $100 off my final bill or free drinks were not coming my way. I was disappointed that there wasn't even a points report after all of the hassle dealers had scanning Seapass cards every time anyone, including low rollers like myself, sat down at the blackjack table.

 

As stated earlier, the only way I know to get your points during the cruise is to ask a dealer who will ask the pit boss. They will give you your points from 8pm the previous night. Play after 8pm carries over to the next day.

[Sobro]

I had not seen that, but sometimes I'm guilty of scanning posts. This is a totally new casino concept for me, as I have never seen anybody actually ask their dealer to make sure they were earning points on any RCI cruise I've been on.

 

But I'm not a member of the old Club Royale and I suppose they introduce themselves to the host or pit boss on their first night aboard.

 

I'm sure if I emailed my contact at clubroyale@rccl.com, that contact would deny that a guest would also be required to ask the dealer for points after having their Seapass card scanned. They already denied that low rollers' points are ignored in favor of tracking only high rollers'.

[debshomespun]

 

I did complete the midcruise survey, but the only department I heard from was the dining room. No one else bothered. I also completed my end of cruise survey. I am not looking for anything here other that to give others an honest assessment of our vacation. Love Royal, but there is just something wrong on the Serenade. I would not choose Serenade again if I have another option.

 

You do have other options. RC has 20+ ships available, and there are many other cruise lines to look at.

 

We sailed the Serenade this past February, and will be sailing her again coming this February. She is an older ship. The crew were fantastic and I don't notice if there is rust around on the ship, as it does sail in salt water consistently.

 

As a dining option for breakfast and lunch, the Park Cafe is great. It does have fresh food served. The salads are made to order every day. In the mornings, they serve fresh fruit, there are melons cut up in the single serving containers (much better than the shared food at the WJ), and fresh oranges, bananas or whatever else they have available. At lunch, you can have made to order paninis, and they always have a nice variety of desserts available. Their roast beef sandwiches are always freshly made and they have soup available. Their flavored waters are also very good. I do most of my breakfast here, and lunch. The WJ has the crepe station, which is also a great plus.

 

Trainman just did a live review not long ago, and he had very few complaints about the Serenade. He did the 10 night cruise, as is what we are doing.

 

The Diamond Lounge will continue to have problems with overcrowding on every ship. From what I understand, RC puts the 3 drink vouchers on your seapass for use at any of the bars/lounges for use during the Diamond hours. This is to help with the overcrowding in the lounge, but it will restrict you to only 3 drinks per evening. Another plus for RC doing this is if you are sailing with friends/family that are not Diamond, you can have your drinks with them in most of the bars.

Edited December 22, 2016 by debshomespun

[troykahack]

I had not seen that, but sometimes I'm guilty of scanning posts. This is a totally new casino concept for me, as I have never seen anybody actually ask their dealer to make sure they were earning points on any RCI cruise I've been on.

 

'.

 

The Casino Host has a list of Club Royale VIP members sailing on that cruise. It even has a picture of the guest on it. Most check in with the Casino Host the first evening to get their sticker placed on SeaPass card. Being a Club Royale VIP allows one to withdraw cash from Casino Cashier without a fee (cash out any OBC). Free drinks from the Casino while playing. Maybe it has a few more benefits than I know of. The Casino does have a drink limit, I believe to be 5.

 

It is always worth calling Club Royale to see if you have a discount coming to you for a future cruise. A phone call is free. Typically, on last evening of your cruise, if your play warranted, a certificate will be placed on your cabin door. I know they go from $100 to at least $1200. In addition to the cash voucher, you may receive offers of free cruises, based on your play. They may even offer a free balcony cabin, upgradable to a Suite, if Play was high enough. They may offer more, I can't say.

 

I did notice for the first time, a list at the Cashier window, listing things one could trade points for. Included was dinners in Speciality Restaurants. Didn't notice this until last night when I cashed out. Next month I will look for it on the first night.

Edited December 22, 2016 by troykahack

[Sobro]

Thanks for that info, troykahack. Seeing the list of "swag" by the cashier's office on the next to last day is what prompted me to ask for my points report. That and the fact that I spent the most hours ever being "lucky" at the blackjack table so I figured I had earned some points.

 

For the high rollers, they are "gifts", as you don't cash in points for swag on that list and receiving gifts from the list does not reduce your other discounts or cash you earn at the casino during the entire cruise.

[ChinaShrek]

I am not clear about the casinos on RCI. Should I cash in the points during the cruise, wait until the end of the cruise, or not cash them in at all? If I don't cash them in, will I get a cruise certificate for a higher value?

[Sobro]

My understanding is that points are NOT "cashed in". If you choose to receive a key chain for 50 points then your total points for the cruise does not reduce by 50 when the Club Royale calculates your "action". The swag list is just a further inducement to play.

[troykahack]

My understanding is that points are NOT "cashed in". If you choose to receive a key chain for 50 points then your total points for the cruise does not reduce by 50 when the Club Royale calculates your "action". The swag list is just a further inducement to play.

 

I wasn't sure of this. See, we learned a bit from each other.

 

I also now believe that a player my accumulate more points by tipping the dealers often. I always tip something after a good win, even after a losing night. To me, the Casino is entertainment. Your buy in attributed to your SeaPass card but your play is watched over and recorded by the Pit Boss. I believe they share in the distribution of the tip pool.

 

I never take or bet more than I can afford to lose.

[Sobro]

Good point about tipping. Considering your table gaming points total is in control of human dealers and pit bosses instead of an electronic counter it pays to not shake them, pound their buttons mercilessly, nor to swear at them under your breath.

[troykahack]

I suppose this theory only applies to Table Games. The Slots record your play and I am clueless how points are accumulated as I don't play them.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[CapeCoralCruiser]

 

(Quote shortened for brevity, to focus on a few issues)

 

It seems like most of our experience on the Serenade was similar....

 

The Bad and Ugly: I will save the worst for last but the other stuff was annoying too. This ship is just missing something. ALL the staff seems like every day is their first day. Room steward, dining staff, Windjammer staff, coffee staff. It was like Groundhogs day!...

 

They have stepped up their efforts to make Formal dining more fun. I don't know when Royal decided it wanted to be like Carnival. :mad: I do not like swinging napkins, singing, dancing and all that crap in the dining room. On formal night they had the kitchen staff come out and dance on the stairs. There was not enough room as that is where the Christmas tree was. It was just tacky. And DH really hates all the crap about washy, washy and then everyone is told to fling their napkins around in the dining room. Doesn't make sense...

 

Now the REALLY UGLY! The Diamond Lounge was completely over run EVERY night. Granted there were a lot of us on board, but they know that before we board. One of the waiters even told me that there would be 70 less next week, so they are aware how many people will be there. They did also say that it is like that every week. Chaos! Not enough staff, no drinks, wrong drinks, no clearing of the tables for at least an hour, and sometimes stale appetizers. It was not just us either. There were LOTS of complaints. When the first thing you have to chat about with others is the fact that the service is so bad, it really sets a mood for the evening. EVERY EVENING! One of the waiters even told me that the other waiter was hiding in the back, which seemed pretty obvious when he was missing for extended periods of time and only bringing out 1 or 2 drinks at a time. We had to get our drinks from the bar most nights, which was fine but he was very busy up there and the seats at the bar are uncomfortable and spaced too far apart.

 

We were on the very next cruise after the OP, Dec 12-23, cabin 7046. A few observations, differences or similarities to Blondie's experience.

 

Our room steward, Derrick, and his partner just down the hall, Terry, were fantastic - Friendly, funny, efficient and seemed to be always working. Several Windjammer staff went out of their way to help with requests. And don't tell anyone ;), but there was always room at the rear outdoor dining area of the Windjammer (one of my favorite places on Radiance class ships). It seems many people never realize its there.

 

Dining room: We always do MTD, with reservations at 6:30 most nights. On most past cruises, if we found a wait team we liked, we were able to ask to stay with them throughout the cruise. This cruise, not allowed, and we were at a different table every night, and never the same wait team. Not a huge deal, but no chance for the staff to get to know your wants/desires. And the "entertainment" on formal nights - loud (so loud, several diners in our area were covering their ears) disruptive, too long and totally unnecessary. I agree, the napkin waving is agonizing. :mad:

 

Diamond Lounge: Our D. concierge, Analia, was brand new to the ship, said she came on the same day we did, and was terrific. She was very personable and helpful. Almost every night, she made the rounds to welcome everyone at all the tables and the bar. At first, she was cordial and very proper, but as we became familiar, we had great conversations and traded stories with her. Just a well rounded concierge. At exactly 5:00 every evening (no, I wasn't there every night at 5, but other pax confirmed), the large door connecting the Diamond Lounge and The Vortex Lounge was opened to accommodate everyone. Some nights it was pretty full, but never felt over-crowded. At busy times there were 5, maybe 6, bar servers plus the bartender. We never waited long for refills, although we do self-pace probably at a rather slow rate. Most times, as soon as our drinks were 3/4 empty the very attentive staff was offering another. At 6:00, the lights dimmed temporarily, signaling the exodus of the first seating diners. It was never more than half full after 6:00, and the staff seemed to shrink a bit, but was still able to keep up very well. A big thumbs up to Mario from Montenegro (whom we got to know quite well) and his fellow bar servers Nelson and Jitesh, for making us feel so welcome. I know this is the polar opposite of Blondie's description, but I don't recall hearing even one complaint about the DL service.

[Sobro]

CapeCoralCruiser, I'm glad to see your experience in the Diamond Lounge was a positive one. As a newly-minted Diamond level cruiser, I hope to enjoy Happy Hours in the Lounge.