April 26, 2019 Serenade TA - Is it LIVE, or is it Memorex🤔

[John&LaLa]

Ok, let me wrap this up before the internet craps out again. This is as bad as being on the ship

 

Dinner was formal, but all I recall was my favorite poblano corn soup. I actually had two, so good.

 

Towel animal was new to me

 

Forgot to post this earlier, might have been the only dog I saw on ship

 

Let's hope the internet gets better tomorrow. 

[Missusdubbya]

Loving this review John, thank you!

[John&LaLa]

Good morning from the future (today)

Internet seems to be stable, and it's a gorgeous day in Cocoa Beach.

 

Better get back to our trip, I think Trivia starts in a couple hours

[John&LaLa]

Where has the day gone

 

Day 3 Cruise Compass - at sea

 

 

 

 

 

[John&LaLa]

Today was the first round of Progressive Trivia. It was at 10:00 today, so we had time to get to the Top Tier at 11:00

 

Since it's progressive, it will last for 8-9 rounds. We have a fun team, I'll get into it in more detail in a day or two

 

Off to Top Tier

[John&LaLa]

Top Tier in the Theater

 

As we entered the venue, they had slides of all the people getting getting crystal blocks, milestones, etc..

They ran in order from 140 points thru the top awards.

 

As I mentioned earlier, we were there to get a 1050 award, so our picture didn't show up right away.

BTW, for things like this they use your boarding photo. some were definitely unflattering, ours was just ok

I now make sure to use a better picture😉

 

Before they handed out the awards the Captain and Cruise Director made a few speeches. 

Dave was the CD, I liked him, most everybody else hated him. This may have been his first gig with Royal, I think he came from Cunard.

 

 

I did get the chance to meet @pstone1. Turns out they are over the river neighbors. I was hoping to play a card game with them, but I never finalized. I'm sure it would have been fun.

 

Pat took this,  the official photo should show up in a few days😉

 

I seem to be confused, looks lie Karen the LA is headed over to save the day.

 

We couldn't keep the stratum, it's a stage prop and get's mailed.

I did get to keep the champagne.

 

We brought the Bell Glos from home. So good, Chandon, not so much.

[Sunshine3601]

12 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Good morning from the future (today)

Internet seems to be stable, and it's a gorgeous day in Cocoa Beach.

 

Better get back to our trip, I think Trivia starts in a couple hours

Love that view.  I would never get tired of it.  I hope your new home as a view just as nice.

[John&LaLa]

After Top Tier, it was time for lunch. We like sea day lunch because they do a nice spread in the MDR

Laura can usually get them to make a modified stir fry most days. No food pics though. 

 

Downside to the east bound TA is they steal 5- 6 hours from you to make up for the time change in Europe

Most Royal ships do it at lunch, it's easier on the crew we're told.

It does make for a short lunch, plan accordingly. 12 noon becomes 1pm during the Captains noon speech.

 

After lunch Pat and I went to the rock wall, it was a beautiful day

 

Ready for some schooling

 

Discussing the various routes

 

Ready to climb

 

Ring the bell. It's a UGA thing😉

 

This might be the hard route, spoiler, he ran out of steam

 

Now that Pat has mastered rappelling, we should ask about going down from the Moon Door🧗‍♀️

It's not like they are using it. 

 

[John&LaLa]

21 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Love that view.  I would never get tired of it.  I hope your new home as a view just as nice.

 

It won't, luckily we are keeping the condo, so we'll be here for summers (hurricane season)

[John&LaLa]

Our first of many in cabin culinary gifts

 

I'm torn on these, if you get to many it just gets old. 

Plus, we got one for each cabin😱

 

This was probably the first day that Laura's cabin steward stopped and quizzed me while headed to her cabin in the afternoon

It was cute the first time😉

[John&LaLa]

Hung out in Schooner for pre happy hour trivia and probably skipped Name that Tune at 5:00, it was Sinatra

Dinner was unmemorable, as was the show, we did go to Karaoke. 

Pat was disappointed in the selection, it really was weak.

 

Laura and I sang I got you Babe and Hello Goodbye by the Beatles

 

Enjoy🤣 However Pat's camera skills leave much to be desired.  Maybe it was the booze.

We will continue to go, but I doubt Laura and I sing again.

 

And this evenings little friend

 

[Sea Dog]

3 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

We will continue to go, but I doubt Laura and I sing again.

The judges on American idol will thank you! I thought you guys were a hoot.

[John&LaLa]

35 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

The judges on American idol will thank you! I thought you guys were a hoot.

 

At least Laura didn't spill her wine. 

[John&LaLa]

26 minutes ago, singinalot said:

that karaoke was superb

 

I have two of Pat, Laura is absolutely raking him over the coals in the background.  

[Sea Dog]

9 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

At least Laura didn't spill her wine. 

Now that takes talent!

[John&LaLa]

Day 4 Cruise Compass - Still at Sea, go figure

 

 

 

 

[John&LaLa]

Just found a formal pic of us from Day 2

 

You gotta love the elevator pose

Pat is wearing his medal from Volleyball😉

[John&LaLa]

Up bright and early for coffee run to the CL

 

New machines were nice

I may try and get some more pics of the touch screen later in the week

 

Constantly cleaning the handrails is always a good sign

 

Snuck in some ping pong prior to Trivia

 

The old guys are sharks, they can smell blood😉

 

I think Pat surived one round

[John&LaLa]

Dinner at Izumi was part of our 3 night pkg. It's ala Carte', but we had plenty to spend

 

We all had hot rock, plus a few more items

 

I had a Signature roll, forget which one, but it was good

 

Pat and Laura had Ramen

 

He enjoyed it. Had a lot in the 4 years he was in Yokuska

 

After dinner stroll

 

Beautiful night

[John&LaLa]

Ran into Shelton and Leslie in the Centrum for 60 Seconds or Less game show

 

It's an interesting venue, but woefully small for these types of activities

 

Actually went to the theater for a show

Farren Dillon Illusionist

 

We got the good seats😉

 

Tip of the day. If you want a cocktail, ask for it in a wine glass. They fit best in the cup holders

 

That's all for tonight

See you tomorrow

[Ocean Boy]

What is located where the Seaview Cafe used to be? I have not been on Serenade in a very long time.

[John&LaLa]

26 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

What is located where the Seaview Cafe used to be? I have not been on Serenade in a very long time.

 

Izumi, that's why I have the after dinner stroll pictures. It's done up very nicely

Edited April 30, 2020 by John&LaLa

[Ocean Boy]

Does Serenade have some sort of replacement for the Seaview where you can go get some food without extra charge? It used to be a really nice place to eat with great outside seating. Late night in the solarium was mostly just pizza as I remember it.

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

Does Serenade have some sort of replacement for the Seaview where you can go get some food without extra charge? It used to be a really nice place to eat with great outside seating. Late night in the solarium was mostly just pizza as I remember it.

 

Nope, pretty much just Park Cafe. 

 

We went there late night a lot

[Ocean Boy]

Is Park Cafe on Serenade equivalent to Oasis as far as food offerings? Suddenly I have a lot of questions.🤔