samiam0403

Day 3 on board Sirena - we should be just now starting our excursion to Nevis from Saint Kitts, but due to the time needed to transport our ill passenger to Puerto Plata, we now have a sea day today and are skipping Saint Kitts altogether. While a little disappointed (we hadn't yet visited SK), getting help for a fellow passenger who needed it will always be paramount in my mind. Happily, I haven't heard anyone complaining on the ship (yet), so that's a nice change of pace. 

Yesterday was (another) very lazy day. Room service for coffee and OJ, then alternated between reading on my balcony, reading in Horizons, and hanging out in the smoking areas. (I know, I know. But we've made so many new friends there!) We also tried the slot tournament after lunch, playing against only one other couple - yes, we lost. But I finished the book that I brought on board, and meandered around the library and found another to start today. Lunch yesterday for us was in the GDR and dinner was in the Tuscan Steakhouse. GDR was a tasty little lunch as usual, but Tuscan Steakhouse was rather underwhelming. We started with escargot and a crab cake - hubs said the escargot was overcooked and tasted fishy (and he LOVES escargot). My medium rare ribeye looked like it had been steamed instead of grilled and was very sinewy, while hubs' medium ribeye had a beautiful sear and was quite nice. Ah well, can't win 'em all. The bread was tasty, as were our salads and desserts. But I think we'll try the Italian side of the menu next time!

Also stopped by the Cruise Ambassador's desk and booked a Transatlantic on Sirena for 2024. After a few days in our concierge cabin, I had to spring for a PH. The standard bathrooms, while adequate, are just a hair too small to maneuver in comfortably. 

We also received confirmation that our ship is indeed sailing at capacity - which is not a surprise to those of us who received offers to transfer our booking or take a downgrade. I think the only time it's felt fully booked was at Martinis during Happy Hour, and the Sirena Lounge on the Captain's shindig night. Other than that, there are always empty lounges by the pool or a quiet nook to curl up in and watch the waves go by. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some wine lists to take pictures of for roadmaster, and to attempt to find the name of the flat topped almond apple pastry for SombraDeLuna. Enjoy your day - I know I will!

On 11/20/2022 at 9:00 AM, pinotlover said:

Last month on the Sirena, I had to ask for the bin end list. It was outrageous! Absolutely no deals on the list, with only a couple bottles priced under $100. 
 

As far as the wine list, hopefully they restocked in Miami ( they were supposed to) and put out a new list. Only a few of the listed “ wines by the glass “ on the menu were what was being poured. One got whatever was opened and being poured not what the list said. Some referred to the “ mystery wine of the night”! The wine stewards weren’t quick on showing you what was actually poured! 😂 Should have restocked in Miami and printed a new list, so hopefully that’s behind them.

They definitely restocked - on day one, I ordered the French rosé, and was told they hadn't stocked it yet. She instead offered me a glass of White Zinfandel that I have seen at the grocery for ~$4 a bottle. I haven't been told they don't have any of the listed wines since. And I DEFINITELY watch to see what they're pouring now. 🤣 

11 hours ago, roadmaster said:

Love a look at the wine list/prices

cheers

No wine list in the room - which I found odd. There's usually a list of bottles and 'bin ends' in the room on boarding day. Would a few pics of various bar menus from around the ship work for you? Can also grab pics of the room service wine/fizz menu from the TV. 

Off to find breakfast - and probably book another cruise with the Cruise Ambassador. More later!

Good morning from our detoured route in the Caribbean. Announcement from the captain this morning that due to an ill passenger needing more care than the ship's doctor can provide, we're diverting to Puerto Plata to offload the pax. He'll let us know how much that will delay arrival in St. Kitts tomorrow as soon as he knows. 

Day 2 was a lazy day of breakfast and lunch in the GDR, reading on the balcony, chatting with loads of people around the ship, and spending too much time in the casino. Tried the slot tournament at 1330 ($35 cash or ships charge), and did not win, sadly. Happily, later in the day after being up and down on the slots, I had 2 hand pays and am way way up. Last night was the Captain's reception with free cocktails from 1800-2000. The ship's passengers definitely showed up - we took a few steps into the Sirena Lounge and immediately walked out. A little too crowded for my tastes. Same with dinner when we strolled down to the GDR - line was out the door. We decided to just head to the room and order room service. I told my husband that my petit fillet was better than most steaks I have had in specialty restaurants on other cruiselines! Had shrimp cocktail and the fillet, and hubs had california rolls and a cheeseburger. We were both very happy with everything we ordered!

Plans for today (now that I've checked NCAA football scores from yesterday - Go Buckeyes!) include trying to finish my book, and maybe taking a nap. Oh yes, last night, we turned the clocks forward one hour, which makes a nap much more likely today! It's a little too breezy on the balcony for my tastes this morning, but maybe I'll go find a nice chair to curl up in in the library or Horizons. You know it's a rough life when those are your toughest decisions to make in a day!

15 hours ago, sunlover12 said:

samiam0403,

I was on Sirena in October and also found Red Ginger to be excellent.  The two best dishes I had on the cruise were from Red Ginger.   Tom Kha Gai soup and Tuna Tataki appetizer.  If you haven't tried them yet, I heartily recommend them.

Thank you for your posts and photos. 

 

The Tom Kha Gai was wonderful! Definitely ordering that next time we dine at RG later this week.

18 hours ago, RetiredLifer said:

Who is the Cruise Director?  Do you know how long he or she will be on?  We have a January sailing.  Thanks and enjoy your cruise!

Dottie is our CD. Don't know how long she's on, but I'll ask around today!

Let's try those pictures again. - this time as jpegs.

Just now, basenji56 said:

Is it true that the showers are too small be usable except for petite people?

My husband just stepped out of the shower - his review is: I'm a small guy (5'6") and it's small. Tall enough, but no elbow room. You have to Tetris yourself in to fit. 

Hello all! I noticed there seemed to be a dearth of info from Sirena lately, so I figured I would offer to answer any questions. We boarded yesterday in Miami, and are on board for a 10-night sailing to the Caribbean. Have previously sailed on Riviera twice (Concierge Veranda and Penthouse), and are currently in a Concierge Veranda. So far, service, dining, and general upkeep has been impeccable. Slightly delayed boarding yesterday (as Sirena was coming off a Transatlantic), but boarding was quick and painless and started generally on schedule with the delayed 1200 boarding time that they notified us of. Dined last night in Red Ginger, and while I was sad to see the Tempura Vegetables were not on the menu, we were more than happy with our dinner choices. We have today and tomorrow at sea, so I'll have plenty of time to answer any questions if you have them! 

(Going to try to upload pics - let's see if it works!)

Cabin.HEIC Pool Deck.HEIC

2 hours ago, seaseid said:

Does Carnival give cash or fun chips on this ship if playing table games?

 

Cash. Just sailed in September on Liberty. Got my $1000 in cash from the casino cashier cage.

44 minutes ago, keels81 said:

Casino Bar, Alchemy and the Sports Bar all have fantastic bartenders.

The bartenders are all really great, but Alchemy was the only bar where they didn't muddle the fruit and add club soda to my Old Fashioneds. 🤢

50 minutes ago, dedede said:

Any recommendation for which bar on the Valor to go to that can make good standards such as classic martini, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, whiskey sour?

Alchemy Bar. They make great classics, with much better ingredients. 

13 hours ago, jsn55 said:

Now THIS is what I call a retirement celebration!!  

After I spent almost 26 years in the military, it was wonderful to take a loooooong trip without having to worry about leave!

Verrrrry close to $10k per person all in, but that was my retirement celebration trip in 2019. 24 day Transatlantic in an aft wrap suite on Costa ending in Venice, plus hotels, trains, food, etc for an additional 2.5 weeks in Venice, Milan, Paris, and London. And business class flights home to the US. (Happily, our suite on Costa included a full beverage package, and a separate restaurant for suite guests - so no costs for drinks or specialty dining.) 

3 days until we're on beautiful Oceania Sirena! 

4 hours ago, tx121 said:

Are you allowed to book multiple cruises with the Elite offer? Also what kind of perk options do you choose from? TIA

Yes. I booked two from the latest round of offers. Perks include: Platinum status for you and your guest, drinks everywhere on board, a free shore excursion (or spa credit), black car service between hotel or airport and port (or parking at the port), 2 free bottles of your choice of alcohol in your cabin, waived room service fees, free Social wifi package, Drinks On Us everywhere on board for you and your guest, treats delivered to the cabin, a goodbye gift and priority debarkation, and usually dinner at a specialty restaurant. Ours included a free suite and $2500 free play. Past offers (for me) included a free balcony and $1000 free play. 

12 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

How many different Elite offers have people been getting?  The ones I had a few months ago were F2E and included $300 in FunPlay credit.  The offers a couple weeks ago were F1E and didn't include any FunPlay credit, but all of the other perks were the same as F2E.

Mine are F5E - free suite and $2500 in free play. Also have EE5 - Australia Elite with free suite and $4000 AUD free play. 

On 11/10/2022 at 3:35 PM, mz-s said:

I wonder if the casino is still going to give free bottles of liquor to their guests on the ultra cruises?

Ultra cruises - no. Elite cruises - yes. It was listed as a perk on the last bazillion emails they've sent me, so I fully expect the bottles on my 2 Elite cruises next year. And if not, I'll wipe my tears with the $2500 they're giving me to play with on each cruise. 🤣

23 minutes ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

Thanking all of you for your comments but my question was/is What are the benefits?
 

I understand there might be snacks…what type?  Do they serve breakfast snacks in the AM?  Are there hors d’ouvres available in the evening?  Are there any beverages besides coffee…if so…what type?  Can you get access 24 hours a day?  

They usually put out small sandwiches and cookies in the afternoons/evenings - perfect snack after coming back from an excursion before getting ready for dinner. Pastries in the morning. They also have large refrigerators filled with water and sodas. They have couches and chairs for hanging out and watching the news, and provide newspapers. The concierge has set hours (always posted) for any assistance you might need. They have a few computers as well. Access is by key card, so is available 24 hours a day. Hope that helps!