ONETIMEGETSUHOOKED Posted July 11, 2007 #1 Share Posted July 11, 2007 This is the first chance I have had to post.... This was my 11th cruise and my first time to Alaska... also a first for me was going on a Rediance class ship.... What a place and what a ship! I have to say that I like the Voyager and Freedom class better but the Serenade is just the right size for doing Alaska. For the most part all of my cruises have been in the Caribbean lots of sun and drinks by the pool not this one... It was so nice just to lay on our balcony and nothing. We were on deck 10 and had a Jr Suites this was my partner's 25th cruise so I have always had the perks of being a Diamond Member...We enjoy going to the Concierge for drinks before dinner and loved our Concierge this time she was the best... We always get some old man that make you feel out of place from the time you walk in the door ... With her it was more like family or a good friend. We live in Oregon so we drove the six hours to Vancouver BC and parked our car at Cruise Park they bring your bags over later so the next time you see them is out side of your state room. The bad thing is when you disembark you have to wait for them to call your color. Cruising the Inside Passage: Loved it... I got up 2 or 3 time that night just to look out and see where we were.... Icy Strait Point: No Thanks.... I will never go back... This is Alaska's answer to Mexico but they get paid by the state of Alaska to live there! After paying the $5.00 for the bus ride to town? what town! Only a few got got off and walked around we stayed on the bus it was a fast 15 min but that was better then paying $85.00 for 90 seconds on the zip line. I'm sure lots of my fellow cruisers had a nice time but this place was not for me. Hubbard Glacier: Man this place is one of the best things I have ever seen.... I can not begin to put in to words what I was feeling that day.... Skagway: What a cute place we rented a car and drove to Whitehorse the capital of the Yukon. It took us about one hour and half to get to Whitehorse from the Skagway we had lunch and walked around downtown and made it back for time to shop the stores... How cute was the 4th of July things they had going on... It was so small town USA... Loved it! Juneau: Such a nice clean place to go... We just walked around took a tour of the Capital that kind of thing . Serenade of the Seas: I like ships that have large Centrums like this ship does I have been on Celebrity and Princess and they only have 2 or 3 floors for me I have to have the open air 7 or 8 floor Centrums. We had a great state room and the state room attendant was very good also. Our wait staff was one of the best that we have ever had we were at a table for two I like them the best unless we are traveling with family or friends... The table next to us I could live with out..... It was a table of 10... They were from India... know where I'm going with this... They talked to the staff like they were trash.... bossing them around ordering something taking one taste and handing it back to them saying this is not what I ordered. The men were on there cell phones talking to only God know who in the middle of dinner.... They were loud and nasty... You know the old saying you have to see it to believe it... this was it.... The second night they was not any better after dinner we told our wait staff what a good job they did and they really were the best we had ever had. But was not sure if we could stick it out all week! She told us that they are the worst people to wait on and they work them to death and at the end of the cruise they always say we left our tips in the room... We will bring them back... but never do! She went on to say that this was the best group she has ever had.... I would hate to see what a rude bunch was like!!! We did not change tables we just could not do that to our wait staff... Two nights the ring leader and his wife did not show up and that made it a little nicer. We did have dinner at Chops Grille one night that was ok... Now I'm very pro Royal Caribbean I think they are the best but last year we were on the Crown Princess out of New York and the Crown Grill was much nicer and the food was a lot better. As we were sitting down the table next to us was getting up the lady told her husband you need to loose some wight..... You wasted all of that money on slim fast!!! Shortly after two nice young ladies sat down next to us.... They did not say much at first but then all hell broke loose and they started fighting they were dating and on a cruise with one of the girls family... the fighting got nasty now keep in mind we are right next to them I could have buttered her bread for her... The one said she did not have to live like this anymore and did not care if her Mom and Dad paid the her trip! She broke up with her girlfriend setting next to us.... The girl getting told off ran out of Chops and came back 10 min later... The other one started in and did not stop.... We just was looking for a nice dinner with no drama. Shows and Entertainment: I know that not everyone goes on three cruises a year like me but more and more people are cruising more often. I would like to see Royal Caribbean step it up in this department... The Show on the Freedom of the Seas was the best one I have ever seen on board.... The 70's night when the cruise staff dresses up like the Village People is so old..... get over it and find something new for 70's night... If you are going on the Serenade this year for Alaska you will have the time of your life... The Ship the so nice and I can not tell you how nice the staff is..... Wish you all the Best! Onetimegetsuhooked... 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a&w Posted July 11, 2007 #2 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Thanks for your review! We will be going Aug 25th, and I can hardly wait! I heard through the boards that you got closer to Hubbard Glacier than some previous cruises. Did you feel like you were pretty close? Could you see some calving? Do you know who your captain was, and how long he will be there? Thanks again! ...and I agree...One time gets you hooked for sure!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enyaw Posted July 11, 2007 #3 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Great review! I agree -- the Serenade is a great ship and Alaska is beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercedMike Posted July 11, 2007 #4 Share Posted July 11, 2007 cy Strait Point:No Thanks.... I will never go back... This is Alaska's answer to Mexico but they get paid by the state of Alaska to live there! After paying the $5.00 for the bus ride to town? what town! Only a few got got off and walked around we stayed on the bus it was a fast 15 min but that was better then paying $85.00 for 90 seconds on the zip line. I'm sure lots of my fellow cruisers had a nice time but this place was not for me. HMMM -- the reviews on ISP all pretty well say the town is not much. Ziplining is certainly not my thing either. BUT -- what were your expectations? ISP is renowned as a premier place for wildlife viewing. Isn't that something that interests you? Whale watching, the forest tram, bear watching, eagles -- none of that is your cuppa tea? If that is the case, then certainly next time you are in ISP it would be a great day to stay aboard and enjoy the ship, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ONETIMEGETSUHOOKED Posted July 13, 2007 Author #5 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Here are some answers to questions -- a&w: Not sure of the captains name. Sorry! All I know is he did a great job getting us close to the glacier. I believe he's going to be the Captain through the rest of the Alaska season. MercedMike: I didn't mean to be super negative about ISP....just thought that the town needs a bit of work if they're going to bus thousands of people from ships everyday. I agree -- if you're not doing an excursion -- no need to get off the ship. It's a perfect day to take advantage of in-port specials at the spa :D By the way -- you're a wealth of knowledge! You gave great advice on renting a car from AVIS in Skagway -- we drove to Emerald Lake and all the way to Whitehorse. No problems. What a drive! THANKS.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a&w Posted July 13, 2007 #6 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Thanks for the info on the captain. We are going at the end of August, and I am hoping that we will be able to see Hubbard Glacier up close and personal! :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rclcruzer Posted July 14, 2007 #7 Share Posted July 14, 2007 on the same cruise, we really enjoyed it. I thought the weather was great considering that all we heard before we left was it was going to rain in every port! I guess we got lucky. ISP was small yes, but I took my TA's advice and we all went to the Office Bar and had the best crab I have ever had in my entire life, too bad you missed it! (if you like crab anyway!) My DH and 2 sons and some other family members went on a halibut fishing excursion (ISP) and they should be arriving at my door any day! Know what you mean about the dining room expierience, similar situation with us as well. Glad you had a good time...............happy future cruising!! p.s. ditto on the Voyager class, been on 3 plus the Freedom last year, too spoiled by the big ones, but this ship was just fine for Alaska! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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