hallasm Posted November 16, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 16, 2017 I'm sailing Serenade of the Seas November 17th from Port Everglades - 7 Nights Western Caribbean Cruise, visiting Key West, Roatan, Costa Maya and Cozumel. I plan to update this thread during my cruise, and post a review with pictures and videos after the cruise. Questions are welcome. Here is a Port Everglades sail away video from her departure November 13th Y1LfqA9crS8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachin2 Posted November 16, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 16, 2017 She should be all bright and shiny after her dry dock. Interested to hear if any changes....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdylady Posted November 16, 2017 #3 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Following as we just saw her in Freeport Saturday and will be on her in April. :D Thanx, Erika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted November 16, 2017 #4 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Looking forward to your updates! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallofGoof Posted November 16, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 16, 2017 To parrot easyboy, looking forward to your updates! We are sailing on her in Sept. 2018. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted November 16, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 16, 2017 As usual love your videos and look forward to your photos, review and more videos. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tahina cruising Posted November 16, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 16, 2017 Can't wait to read your review. We'll be on her in January. Sent from my SM-G930V using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FionaMG Posted November 16, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 16, 2017 We are sailing on Serenade on the 4th of December. Our ports are completely different from yours but would be interested to hear how bright and shiny she is after her dry dock and what sort of entertainment / activities they are offering. Have a great cruise. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 17, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Thank you to all for the comments. I'll do my best to meet your expectations and try to make some daily updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K3nn7 Posted November 17, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Hey Mogens! I wonder if you could check what the onboard price for the deluxe package is! Going on december 4th myself, and trying to decide wether i should buy it online at a 20% discount or wait until onboard and get my 30% D+ discount. Been rumors about some ships and sailings advertising a price higher than the usually advertised 55USD+18% grats, so hope you can help me :) God tur (Safe travels)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 17, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Yes. I’ll check drink package prices and be back with details. Tak. God tur til December. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrmende63 Posted November 17, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 17, 2017 We are sailing February 2, 2017. We are so excited. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASCAR Bubba Posted November 17, 2017 #13 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Hey Mogens! I wonder if you could check what the onboard price for the deluxe package is! Going on december 4th myself, and trying to decide wether i should buy it online at a 20% discount or wait until onboard and get my 30% D+ discount. Been rumors about some ships and sailings advertising a price higher than the usually advertised 55USD+18% grats, so hope you can help me :) God tur (Safe travels)! We will be on the Serenade Dec. 4th. Here's a link to our roll call, come join us: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2358840 In another post on the roll call there is a link to register for RCI's Meet & Mingle. You may want to register for that. We do not have an informal meet and greet scheduled yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttoCal Posted November 17, 2017 #14 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Oh great, looking forward to hearing about your experience, we're on the same itinerary Dec 15. Have a blast!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttoCal Posted November 17, 2017 #15 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Also, my expectation is that you have an awesome time. Any replies and posts to us are just a welcome bonus!!! :D:D:D Thank you to all for the comments.I'll do my best to meet your expectations and try to make some daily updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 18, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted November 18, 2017 I wonder if you could check what the onboard price for the deluxe package is! Going on december 4th myself, and trying to decide wether i should buy it online at a 20% discount or wait until onboard and get my 30% D+ discount. Been rumors about some ships and sailings advertising a price higher than the usually advertised 55USD+18% grats, Deluxe package is USD 58 pp per day, Refreshment package is USD 26 pp per day and Classic soda package is USD 8.50. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FionaMG Posted November 18, 2017 #17 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Watched your sailaway yesterday. It was quite a sight to see the Serenade pull out past the Hal ship. Hope you have a great cruise! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 19, 2017 Author #18 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Watched your sailaway yesterday. It was quite a sight to see the Serenade pull out past the Hal ship. Hope you have a great cruise! :D Thank you Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 19, 2017 Author #19 Share Posted November 19, 2017 We have had an excellent day in Key West today. Key West is in surprisingly good conditions after the September hurricane. All in working order and well maintained. While we did have a nice dinner in a relaxed environment yesterday the atmosphere was a bit more hectic in the main dining room today. however, the food was really good. Below how I experienced the embarkation, departure and the first evening of the cruise: We handed our Hertz rental car to the office at SE 24th street at 10:30 am. there is a shuttle bus from the Hertz office to Port Everglades - a relatively small bus, many cruise passengers and a lot of luggage. 3 ships in the harbor. First shuttle bus stop was berth 18, for Celebrity Reflection. Long car queues and slow traffic. Next stop was berth 29 for Serenade. Here the traffic was better organized and no traffic jam. On the other hand there were long queues at ID and security check. Check in was well organized and we were aboard just after noon. Had lunch in Windjammer. At 1 pm the cabin was ready. E2-8538 Deluxe oceanview with balcony. Unfortunately cleaning was inadequate. Half bottle of liquor in a closet and used batteries and toiletries in a drawer. In addition, much dust on surfaces and shelves. The issues were rectified when our cabin attendant arrived at 17. C&A Loyalty Program is continuously adjusted. As Diamond plus we have previously got upgraded bathroom amenities. Now only guests with more than 340 points will get upgraded bathroom amenities. Bathrobes still available on request. Many years since we last sailed with Serenade. Around the ship to look at the facilities. Ship was in dry dock beginning of November - new decorations/painted, and new carpets on hallways, but still a bit worn after 14 years in service. A well managed muster drill at 3:15 pm. Departure was scheduled for 4 pm but was delayed almost an hour due to traffic in the harbor. Enjoyed the sail away in nice weather conditions from our balcony and upper deck. Initially we had booked My Time Dining at 6 pm but changed to 07:30 pm we had time for a drink in the Schooner Bar. Excellent dinner In the restaurant and fine service. Despite the small issues with the cabin a good start of the cruise. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danp Posted November 19, 2017 #20 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Have you ever been to Costa Maya,if not there is a village right off of the dock,there is a pool where you can swim for free and also a free[yes free]dolphin show that you can watch and see people who pay to swim with the dolphins,my wife and I watched this it was enjoyable.then we walked around the village. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K3nn7 Posted November 19, 2017 #21 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Deluxe package is USD 58 pp per day, Refreshment package is USD 26 pp per day and Classic soda package is USD 8.50. Sent from my iPad using Forums Thank you Mogens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 19, 2017 Author #22 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Have you ever been to Costa Maya,if not there is a village right off of the dock,there is a pool where you can swim for free and also a free[yes free]dolphin show that you can watch and see people who pay to swim with the dolphins,my wife and I watched this it was enjoyable.then we walked around the village. No - this will be my first visit to Costa Maya. Thank you for your advise. I'm not planning any excursions at Costa Maya. I'll visit the village. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipfriend_max Posted November 24, 2017 #23 Share Posted November 24, 2017 Hi, I am very interested in your review, especially with photos from the newly refurbished Serenade! I already really look forward to your trip report with photos after your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 24, 2017 Author #24 Share Posted November 24, 2017 I did plan to post more often during voyage. When I’m back I’ll post pictures and videos from Serenade. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallasm Posted November 27, 2017 Author #25 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Departure went very smooth. We docked at Port everglades just before scheduled time at 7am. At 07:20 the ship was cleared and self-help departure could depart. We had booked a shuttle to Miami airport and had got tag number 16 - scheduled departure was 8:40 am - we got breakfast in Windjammer - already at 8:10 am we could depart. Short queue for immigration - it took about 20 minutes from we left Serenade of the Seas until we were through immigration. I'm making progress on my review of the cruise - expect to post the first draft in a few days - so far I've finished two videos - Port Everglades Sail Away and Tour of the Ship - More videos will follow - I post when review with pictures is available. wVYx3o-38yw -X2JH1ChpjM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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