LIVE* From the Serenade of the Seas

[Folgy]

Hi Everybody :)

 

Here is a quicky. (We are having a blast)

 

1. Embarking : Very quick (12:15 pm on board in room)

 

2.Food and service : Beyond excellent. The Windjammer had so many choices and selectios of evry kind and the food was superior to any cruise I have been on ever.The dining room food was superb. Everyone dresed very nice ,even though it was casual night. (no hillibillies)

 

3. The ship is absolutely gorgeous and spacious. With so much eye candy.

 

4. Entertainment : The comedian was very funny

 

5: The Weather: 80f and sunny /calm seas/ sail away party was a blast.

 

6. Internet connection : 48mpbs seems quite good to me...Although I won free net connection on a draw too.

 

7. I had to pay 10.00 extra for every bottle I bought at the liquor store over and above the price of the bottle (still cheep for us over taxed Canadians)

 

8.Kids/babies : I have never seen so many rude /disruptive/undisciplined/caotic/disrespectful monsters in my entire life.

Babies everywhere. Three carriages got in the elevator with us and one at least had its diaper full (we all just about puked).

 

9. Tablemates : We are sitting with 3 other couples which are all extremely nice and we are all having fun together. (They all are bright enough to leave their kids at home). We all have GS suites and had a blast in the concierge room for an hour or so. It just turned out we are tablemates at #441 center middle main dining.

 

10. Going to join DW on Balcony and smelllllllllllllllll the sea air and relax with a gin and tonic .

 

Night All .....until tommorrow. :D

[MBeamTX]

Thanks for the status report, Folgy. We will be on Serenade next April, doing a Panama Canal cruise. We'll be in OS 1562. Let me know if you get to see that cabin category. I'm wondering how it comes to a HAL S cabin.

 

I'm happy to see only one negative in your list - and fortunately, I'm not expecting too many kids on a 14-day repositioning cruise! I'll be eager to read all of your reports.

 

Enjoy!

Susan

[Magicat]

Hi Folgy, we are all jealous of you! Happy 50th!

[Elizanessie]

Glad you are enjoying your cruise Folgy......was holding my breath as I was reading your posting ....was waiting for the "bad kiddies" bit.....knew it would be in there somewhere :rolleyes: But nice to hear the food etc is good.

 

Happy 50th

 

Liz

[Cloudmaster]

have one of those gin and tonics for me please. The Serenade is a beautiful ship. I wish I was there with you

[Cloudmaster]

I wouldn't have my kids either. (Even if I did, the youngest is 21 and is toilet trained!)

[Straughn]

Keep the info coming. We are sailing on Serenade next month. I am so glad to hear that the food is good-that's always a concern. We are in a GS also and would love to hear your impressions of the concierge. Hopefully there won't be too many kids as they should be in school -at least the ones who are toilet-trained.

 

Thanks!

[Folgy]

It is beautiful morning calm seas and sunny skies. Internet speed 42mpbs this am (still not bad at all) I just got 2 lattes and 2 danish from the concierge just to wake me up.

 

We were in an OS suite last night with some friends we met. Very nice and large for 6 of to sit and visit (Not the same as an S suite on HAL but close)

I have had an S suite on HAL and you will be very pleased with the OS suite.

 

I love being on the Hump by the Royal suite as we have an unobstructed view. The GS and JS and OS suites down the hall have the white roof of the life boats blocking their view looking straight down and they have me to look at on the hump if they look aft (hee hee).

 

I am going down to main dining for breakfast right now and read my daily compass.

 

This ship is just too good to be true :D

[TonyaJune]

Folgy,

 

Have a wonderful time! We were on the Serenade last year, and I agree with you, the ship is gorgeous!!!

[fajitapita]

Hi Folgy!

You're on :) , and I'm back to reality :( . Actually, it felt good to get home last night and be slathered with kisses by my 4-year-old DD. I missed her a bit on the ship, but am glad my DH and I did this trip by ourselves. I, too, saw lots of parents with young kids (many too young for Adventure Ocean). Poor parents never got a break. For the most part, kids were pretty well-behaved (at least the ones I saw). Nobody goofing off at dinner, in the stairwells, in the elevators, etc.

If the weather is good leaving Skagway, I recommend going up to the very front of the ship (helipad) on deck 5 to view sailaway. It was absolutely gorgeous weather and incredibly smooth sailing, almost like glass.

I will be checking your posts and reliving my cruise vicariously! Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

Who is the captain this sailing? I believe ours left for Greece yesterday as that's his "homeport", and he's going to the Olympics during his vacation! :)

[Rala]

Hi Folgy,

 

I am having the best time reading your posts. Keep 'em coming. Glad to hear the food is so good!! Sorry about the "stinky kids" !!!

 

I will be looking forward to your next installment! LAURA

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Hey Folgy!

Keep the great reports coming! We're looking forward to our Jan cruise in a GS. I'm so glad to hear that you're pleased with the food. There have been so many negative reports about it lately. Is your cruise full? Some people have been saying that it's hard to hang out in the concierge lounge during happy hour because it's so crowded. What do you think? Can you tell us more about it? Take lots of pictures, O.K.?

[Folgy]

I had eggs Benny (really good) Great coffee on board (better than home)

I watched dolphins swimming beside the ship all during breakfast from the window.

I am just waiting for the DW to get dressed as I am typing. We are going to the 10.00a.m. Bingo this morning :D

 

Maritza in the Concierge has confirmed all my excursions as I had to report my wieght because I am over the 250lbs weight limit. Maritza cleared all my excursions as a go(I can relax now)

 

--one kid (about 10 years old) at the table this am ate nothing but chocolate donuts as he smiling parents let him have as many as he wanted. He had chocolate all over his face (good grief) :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

Our GS on the hump has wall to wall glass windows to the balcony and it is also larger than the other GS suites. Maritza in the concierge said that this is the only GS suite like it. :)

 

I can see the mountains out in the distance ,but we are still a fair distance out .

 

I really like the rock climbing wall and mini golf area . I think it is the nicest of any ship I have been on.

 

The centrum and Atrium are truly beautiful. The Solarium is sooooooo peaceful and you can look in from the jogging/walking deck and it looks like a tropical paradise.

 

CD/DVD in the room is great (surround sound ) because of all the speakers.

 

Well gotta go play Bingo ..ta ta for now :D

[Donnaluv2cruise]

Folgy,

I was just reading the RCI food poll question and I saw that you rated the food fair. Do you think the food is better since you took the poll now that you're on The Serenade?

[klingoncruiser]

Hi Folgy! Sounds like you are having a great time. Tell Maritza hello from the crazies from Texas who gave her the night shirt. She did such an excellent job! Keep up the good reports.

 

About the kids, we did not have much trouble with them despite the foul weather we had. I even had one young man the last day who was riding the elevator, not punching the floors, just riding quietly. Kind of refreshing to see so many on our cruise who were so well mannered. Made me feel good for a change about them. The bad ones you have on board, keep in mind that Orca's gotta eat too.... ;)

[bdoster]

Caught you at sailing past Canada place last night....keep it ready for me...vancouver her I come in 1 day!!!!!

[Folgy]

Hi Folgy!

You're on :) , and I'm back to reality :( . Actually, it felt good to get home last night and be slathered with kisses by my 4-year-old DD. I missed her a bit on the ship, but am glad my DH and I did this trip by ourselves. I, too, saw lots of parents with young kids (many too young for Adventure Ocean). Poor parents never got a break. For the most part, kids were pretty well-behaved (at least the ones I saw). Nobody goofing off at dinner, in the stairwells, in the elevators, etc.

If the weather is good leaving Skagway, I recommend going up to the very front of the ship (helipad) on deck 5 to view sailaway. It was absolutely gorgeous weather and incredibly smooth sailing, almost like glass.

I will be checking your posts and reliving my cruise vicariously! Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

Who is the captain this sailing? I believe ours left for Greece yesterday as that's his "homeport", and he's going to the Olympics during his vacation! :)

I will meet the Captain tonight . Yes ,he is new to the ship as the other Captain has gone to Greece.

 

Boy this ship is great :D

[Folgy]

Hi Folgy! Sounds like you are having a great time. Tell Maritza hello from the crazies from Texas who gave her the night shirt. She did such an excellent job! Keep up the good reports.

 

About the kids, we did not have much trouble with them despite the foul weather we had. I even had one young man the last day who was riding the elevator, not punching the floors, just riding quietly. Kind of refreshing to see so many on our cruise who were so well mannered. Made me feel good for a change about them. The bad ones you have on board, keep in mind that Orca's gotta eat too.... ;)

 

Maritza thanks you for the night shirt with the MOOSE on it ;) She remembers you were most crazy ;)

 

There are someteens on here I would like to toss to the Orcas first :p

[Folgy]

Folgy,

I was just reading the RCI food poll question and I saw that you rated the food fair. Do you think the food is better since you took the poll now that you're on The Serenade?

The food is most excellent on this ship . Huge selections everywhere right on down to the concierge. The fruit is very fresh and most juicy. I say RCCL's flag ship is a step above the rest. :D

[Folgy]

Caught you at sailing past Canada place last night....keep it ready for me...vancouver her I come in 1 day!!!!!

 

It is quite warm there. Dress likewise.Muster is a scorcher with that hot monster vest around your neck.

[nikki303]

I'm glad you're having fun Folgy. I will be on the Serenade in 41 days. I can't wait!!

[Folgy]

Lunch was fantastic . I had Java Java Thai salad with spiced scewered chicken.

 

Heading off to the Casino now. :D

[RDeagazio]

Hey Fogly,

 

I was on the Serenade the week of July 18th.. Please tell Maritza that Bob (the TA from San Diego) says hello. She is the BEST concierge in the company.

 

Please look up bartender Noel -- he was working the Pit Stop on my sailing so I'm not where they may have place him now--- also say hello to bartenders Steve Bennett and Fernando-- Steve was in the Schooner and Fernando was in the Solarium/casino areas. Jaime in the Champagne bar is a kick as well.

 

I totally agree with you in that the Serenade is RCI's nicest ship-- this past cruise was my 5th time on her and she just gets better every time. I also agree with you that the food and service were outstanding.

 

I hope you are as blessed as we were with the beautiful weather and lots of wildlife--- I wish I were repeating this cruise... but maybe next year.

 

Have a great time!

[nerak]

Glad you're having such a wonderful time! The Serenade is our favorite so far. The ship is beautiful and the crew...excellent. If you see Hanna (or a guy) both from India welcoming you to the Windjammer..get to know them, as they are both wonderful. Mark in jewelry is great and a guy named John Block who we ran into many times. John has been a wonderful source to email about our next cruise...to Hawaii on the Serenade. (All would know us as Lindsay and her Mom from the first Alaska cruise this year.) Please let us know who your waiters are. Also keep us informed about the whales....I really wanted to see whales while we were there, but we really didn't have much activity (it was still a little early we heard). Well, I am jealous.....so enjoy the ship for us!!!

[Folgy]

Glad you're having such a wonderful time! The Serenade is our favorite so far. The ship is beautiful and the crew...excellent. If you see Hanna (or a guy) both from India welcoming you to the Windjammer..get to know them, as they are both wonderful. Mark in jewelry is great and a guy named John Block who we ran into many times. John has been a wonderful source to email about our next cruise...to Hawaii on the Serenade. (All would know us as Lindsay and her Mom from the first Alaska cruise this year.) Please let us know who your waiters are. Also keep us informed about the whales....I really wanted to see whales while we were there, but we really didn't have much activity (it was still a little early we heard). Well, I am jealous.....so enjoy the ship for us!!!

 

My waiter is Johan (east Indian). They all are so very nice and accommodating.The head waiter is from

 

I just got 5 hump back whales on film right beside the ship as I was typing this

 

 

gotta go :D