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

[blondie from arizona]

 

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.

 

We didn't even get to chat with our DL Concierge, she was just that busy. Mostly it was a quick hello as she went by carrying dirty dishes or emergency drinks for angry people. We always arrived at the lounge after 5, so the entire bar area was open. At 6:00 the lights did dim, sometimes the staff was so new (or had forgotten from the night before) that they needed to manually turn the lights back on at the bar. Did I mention it was like their first day everyday? So, we all sat in the dark on several evenings (It was only several minutes though.) Glad we weren't headed to dinner when the lights dimmed. Mario was very pleasant. He stopped and chatted with us a few times, but was clearly overwhelmed. Jitesh was the waiter that was hiding in the back and only bringing out 1-2 drinks at a time. He did not seem inspired. There were several waiters available until 6. At 6 they went down to the dining room and we were left with just Mario, Jitesh and John (the bartender). On most evenings anyway.

 

I do hate to complain because I know that others did not experience things as we did. However, on this cruise, there were MANY of us with the same issue. Others were coming up to us to complain about it and our neighbors in the room next to us chatted with us about it. Plus, there were many times that it was standing room only in there, or the tables were so full of plates and glasses that we didn't want to sit at them. They served chicken wings one night, so the table were full of chicken bones and it was gross.

 

I am glad things were better the next week. There were 70 less Diamond and above. And maybe a new DL Concierge will help the issue.

[Biker19]

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.

 

We had MTD reservations at 6:30 every night and sat at the same table (for 2) 9 of the 11 nights - table 911 to be exact. The other two nights we ended up downstairs with the traditional diners.

[CapeCoralCruiser]

We didn't even get to chat with our DL Concierge, she was just that busy. Mostly it was a quick hello as she went by carrying dirty dishes or emergency drinks for angry people. We always arrived at the lounge after 5, so the entire bar area was open. At 6:00 the lights did dim, sometimes the staff was so new (or had forgotten from the night before) that they needed to manually turn the lights back on at the bar. Did I mention it was like their first day everyday? So, we all sat in the dark on several evenings (It was only several minutes though.) Glad we weren't headed to dinner when the lights dimmed. Mario was very pleasant. He stopped and chatted with us a few times, but was clearly overwhelmed. Jitesh was the waiter that was hiding in the back and only bringing out 1-2 drinks at a time. He did not seem inspired. There were several waiters available until 6. At 6 they went down to the dining room and we were left with just Mario, Jitesh and John (the bartender). On most evenings anyway.

 

I do hate to complain because I know that others did not experience things as we did. However, on this cruise, there were MANY of us with the same issue. Others were coming up to us to complain about it and our neighbors in the room next to us chatted with us about it. Plus, there were many times that it was standing room only in there, or the tables were so full of plates and glasses that we didn't want to sit at them. They served chicken wings one night, so the table were full of chicken bones and it was gross.

 

I am glad things were better the next week. There were 70 less Diamond and above. And maybe a new DL Concierge will help the issue.

 

We had MTD reservations at 6:30 every night and sat at the same table (for 2) 9 of the 11 nights - table 911 to be exact. The other two nights we ended up downstairs with the traditional diners.

 

Blondie, I hear ya, we've had one or two less than stellar experiences, too. And with large crowds, yeah, its like a cattle call; get their early or you end up with the spoils - and the dirty dishes. It sounds like it was just a difference of timing - new/fresh DL concierge, less D/above pax, and a more motivated bar staff. Perhaps Jitesh had been spoken to, as he was always out in the mix with the rest of the staff. He told us he had very recently been promoted from the "cleaning crew" (we didn't ask exactly what that meant), so perhaps a learning curve was involved. We hit it off with Mario the first night and he usually served us - knew exactly what our orders were after the first night, needing nothing more than a nod or thumbs up to get our first round - but Nelson and Jitesh picked up the slack if he was busy. Analia has served on other RCI ships, but this was her first time on Serenade. I was her first excursion customer and she couldn't get her computer to print the ticket, so she ran next door to the CL and got help. She came back beaming, waving the ticket. She said this was her largest DL/CL group so far, but she handled it very well. I'm sure she, along with Bertie, our first DL concierge, who graciously showed us the DL ropes a couple years ago, will be among the most memorable as time passes - some, I've already forgotten.

 

Biker, I guess we took your 911 table one night early on (retired LEO, so anything "911" gets our attention). The dining desk staff kept really pushing us to take a large table, even though we had reserved a 6:30 two-top every night online, and ended up downstairs among the traditional 6:00 crowd as often as we were upstairs. We gave up on a two-top after being punished for insisting, being placed at a table at the base of the stairs next to a giant column, with LOTS of wait staff traffic zipping by. The next evening, we told them we would NOT be sitting there again. One good thing about going downstairs; since we were already a half hour behind the regulars, service was quite speedy. In & out in about an hour. Upstairs, we were there close to 2 1/2 hours a couple nights when at a large table, a little too long for me. Overall, our MTD experience was OK, but no extra gratuities for anyone in the MDR this trip.

 

Sobro, we were a little embarrassed to admit to Bertie we were DL virgins, but he made us comfortable and tutored us well. We may have missed some things if he hadn't pointed them out.

[troykahack]

What a difference cruise dates make.

 

We were on 11/21 11 night. We used the CL every night and always free seats and great bartender service during cocktail hours.

 

We only used the DL once for coffee. However, I was curious and peaked in during cocktail hours on our way to dinner at least two times, and never did I see a crowd, but our dinner time with our group was 530.

 

I remember 9 PC and 109 D+ on our cruise. Don't recall the D's.

 

I've said this before, but I know many of the experienced crew members were leaving for Christmas Holidays the cruise after ours (a 10 night). Mario Reyes, the CL Concierge was actively training his temporary replacement. I would say it would be hard to replace Mario Reyes. He is the best Concierge we have had. It must be a huge burden to replace experienced crew members.

Edited December 27, 2016 by troykahack

[Biker19]

I remember 9 PC and 109 D+ on our cruise. Don't recall the D's.

 

On the 12/12 sailing, there were 32 PC, 220 D and I think about 170 D+.

[Biker19]

Biker, I guess we took your 911 table one night early on (retired LEO, so anything "911" gets our attention).

 

Initially I was thinking that our seating depended on which side of the MDR we came in on - for first 4 nights we alternated between table 911 and downstairs. Got table 911 both times we came in on the port side and downstairs both times when seated by the starboard side host. By night 5 we mainly came in on the port side and just asked if we can sit at our usual table. That was nice, but, one of the times we were seated downstairs it was a very nice 4 top by the window.

Edited December 27, 2016 by Biker19

[troykahack]

On the 12/12 sailing, there were 32 PC, 220 D and I think about 170 D+.

 

I wish I had the D numbers for our cruise. Trust me I tried but for 11 days I couldn't track down the LA. I went to their desk at least 5 or 6 times at the time they were supposed to be there and nobody. Once there was an officer seating there and he told me they were helping out with GS. Went down there to see them but the line was long and I wasn't about to use the Suite line to ask how may D members were onboard while others had real problems. I did wait in the regular line once and a officer walked up to me (he noticed my SeaPass) and asked if he could help me and I told him I would wait with everyone else.... then he persisted and I told him all I wanted was a pen to fill out our customs sheets... he pulled one from his pocket and gave it to me..... I was off... Cabin Stewards no longer have pens to pass out.... just papers..

 

And that is a huge jump in PC from cruise to cruise. We travel in Suites so have access to CL/SL as well as DL. Do most D+ frequent the CL or the DL during cocktail hours?? We were traveling with a couple who were D+ and they used the CL exclusively. I was wondering what most use?

Edited December 27, 2016 by troykahack

[Biker19]

I wish I had the D numbers for our cruise. Trust me I tried but for 11 days I couldn't track down the LA.

 

And that is a huge jump in PC from cruise to cruise. We travel in Suites so have access to CL/SL as well as DL. Do most D+ frequent the CL or the DL during cocktail hours?? We were traveling with a couple who were D+ and they used the CL exclusively. I was wondering what most use?

 

I usually get my C&A numbers from the welcome back event - it's usually announced there.

 

I only got a peek into the CL, but didn't see much diff so I assume D+ would hang out where ever they were more comfortable. Having the extra space in Vortex off the D lounge is a big plus to hang out in the DL.

[ONECRUISER]

On the 12/12 sailing, there were 32 PC, 220 D and I think about 170 D+.

 

Know what you are talking about. I was on Serenade from Oct 30 - Dec 23, as usual more upper tier on the BOS/FLL Repo as they use the VORTEX for Diamond lounge overflow but the 12/12 sailing seemed like every time I turned around saw passenger with their Pinnacle tag on.

Edited December 27, 2016 by ONECRUISER

[troykahack]

I usually get my C&A numbers from the welcome back event - it's usually announced there.

 

I only got a peek into the CL, but didn't see much diff so I assume D+ would hang out where ever they were more comfortable. Having the extra space in Vortex off the D lounge is a big plus to hang out in the DL.

 

We've NEVER attended a welcome back or C&A event. Really no interest in doing so. We traveled with a group of like minded individuals that are certainly different than us.... now figure that out. Although we enjoyed the cruise, we are not likely to book as a group again. When we travel together as a couple, we only need to please ourselves, not everyone else.:D:eek:

Edited December 27, 2016 by troykahack

[island lady]

We will do the same thing on this up coming Serenade cruise as we did last year.

And tend to do on many cruises that are upper tier C&A member heavy.

 

We never go into the DL or CL (actually prefer CL on Serenade) until 10-15 minutes

after first seating time in the dining room. There will be a pack of stampeding diners

on the VCL deck, trying to stuff the elevator about that time to go down to dinner.

Just as we are coming up the stairs to start our cocktails. ;)

 

We always find seats available in the now empty DL or CL.

[ONECRUISER]

We will do the same thing on this up coming Serenade cruise as we did last year.

And tend to do on many cruises that are upper tier C&A member heavy.

 

We never go into the DL or CL (actually prefer CL on Serenade) until 10-15 minutes

after first seating time in the dining room. There will be a pack of stampeding diners

on the VCL deck, trying to stuff the elevator about that time to go down to dinner.

Just as we are coming up the stairs to start our cocktails. ;)

 

We always find seats available in the now empty DL or CL.

 

Same here, usually only use DL/CL on port days...

[troykahack]

BTW, here is what was posted in 3 places in the CL (Concierge Desk, Bar, and Snack Bar). Lol

 

 

And two of our Cabin Guest

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[ONECRUISER]

BTW, here is what was posted in 3 places in the CL (Concierge Desk, Bar, and Snack Bar). Lol

 

 

And two of our Cabin Guest

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

On Serenade end of Oct over Halloween had the 2 bed/2 bath cabin to myself, cabin 1054 that use be CL, my cabin steward also got me with that legs/shoes in my room. I don't jump easy but that with room lighting, he got me...

Edited December 27, 2016 by ONECRUISER

[troykahack]

On Serenade end of Oct over Halloween had the 2 bed/2 bath cabin that use be CL, cabin 1054, my cabin steward also got me with that legs/shoes in my room. I don't jump easy but that with room lighting, he got me...

 

Did you have Gabriel too? 1054 is very close to our GS. He had 1054 on our cruise as well as ours. He was the best Cabin Steward ever for us. His wife worked on Deck 8. And yes, the SO jumped big time.... she enjoyed the men in the room....LOL

 

And you meet Mario Reyes too......

Edited December 27, 2016 by troykahack

[CapeCoralCruiser]

BTW, here is what was posted in 3 places in the CL (Concierge Desk, Bar, and Snack Bar). Lol

 

 

Forums

 

There was one sign like that in the DL, but not in the Vortex overflow that I recall. We saw quite a few 6:00 diners taking drinks out on the way to dinner, so we asked about the policy and were told we were welcome to take a drink to dinner. We have been told that on previous cruises, also, but have never taken it for granted. I've seen it referenced here on CC, and have noticed, that policy seems to have been relaxed, formally or informally I can't say, since the fleet-wide 3 drinks on Seapass cards. There was a different staff member at the Vortex door checking cards every evening and we never saw them stop anyone leaving with a drink. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, just an observation.

[troykahack]

There was one sign like that in the DL, but not in the Vortex overflow that I recall. We saw quite a few 6:00 diners taking drinks out on the way to dinner, so we asked about the policy and were told we were welcome to take a drink to dinner. We have been told that on previous cruises, also, but have never taken it for granted. I've seen it referenced here on CC, and have noticed, that policy seems to have been relaxed, formally or informally I can't say, since the fleet-wide 3 drinks on Seapass cards. There was a different staff member at the Vortex door checking cards every evening and we never saw them stop anyone leaving with a drink. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, just an observation.

 

It is not enforced (same as dress code and boarding by deck number). The only thing enforced is making sure the signs are displayed. We have the drink packages, only because we want to get a drink, enjoy it, on our terms/times, without worries of on-board charges. But I can see us rethinking this in the future since we only travel in Suites now and have access to the CL and we get free drinks as well in the Casino. But, we still like the no hassle.

 

We love Blue Moon and last cruise we had them stocked our refrig with a 12 pack. We really got to know the bartenders in Castle Pub and I would take two unopened bottle back to the cabin when I retired from the Casino. We enjoyed having them out on the balcony to air out our lungs and clothes from the smoke in the Casino, before bedtime.

Edited December 27, 2016 by troykahack

[ONECRUISER]

Did you have Gabriel too? 1054 is very close to our GS. He had 1054 on our cruise as well as ours. He was the best Cabin Steward ever for us. His wife worked on Deck 8. And yes, the SO jumped big time.... she enjoyed the men in the room....LOL

 

And you meet Mario Reyes too......

 

Yes I did, but changed rooms to aft cabins after 1st cruise 12 nite BOS/FLL Repo. Was on Serenade til Dec 23... Wasn't same after Mario left.

[troykahack]

Yes I did, but changed rooms to aft cabins after 1st cruise 12 nite BOS/FLL Repo. Was on Serenade til Dec 23... Wasn't same after Mario left.

 

I hear you... he is the best... the real SUPER MARIO. CHOW

 

Gabriel was so wonderful and awesome... did you meet Julio in the Castle and Pub.... he and Alban (CL Bartender) were the best. You reading this Royal?

 

We fell in love with this ship and crew!!!! Looking forward to booking again in the future. Our best cruise yet!!! But cruises are what you make them.... and we make them FUN!!

Edited December 27, 2016 by troykahack