Back from Serenade

[lindalo5032]

Hi,

We made reservations online before the cruise. We were able to get times that we requested and never had to wait to be seated.

 

I didn't know you could make reservations online for MTD. For example, can we reserve a table for 2 at 6:30? How soon before sailing can you make online reservations?

[peanutter]

Just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to answer questions and share your experiences. We are going on her next May and don't know alot about the ship and have only been on one other RCL cruise. Your info has been helpful!

[wolv4life]

I didn't know you could make reservations online for MTD. For example, can we reserve a table for 2 at 6:30? How soon before sailing can you make online reservations?

 

We made ours at least 3-4 months out. I would go look at the RCI website and see if you have the option yet for your cruise.

[SW Dave]

I just booked a balcony on the 7th deck and I'm concerned about everything that is under on deck 6. We'll be right near the business center and above the casino... Will it be too loud in our room?

[BeancounterUSA]

I just booked a balcony on the 7th deck and I'm concerned about everything that is under on deck 6. We'll be right near the business center and above the casino... Will it be too loud in our room?

 

 

I've heard that you won't have much problem with noise from the floor below unless your just a stickler for absolute quiet in which case you'd have a problem with just about anywhere on the ship. There might be more noise from the entertainment in the centrum than from the casino if you are near the business center.

 

One thing to know about the balconies in that area is the roof over the lifeboats from the deck below. See this view of cabin 7044 to see what I'm talking about: http://www.*****/view_room.php?r_id=63235

[sadie8]

We're on Serenade in a few weeks. So, if muster was at 8:30, what time was your "sail away"? We're listed to depart at 8:30

 

I remember muster being at 8:00PM and sailaway at 8:30PM. I knew it was time to muster when they had last call at the schooner bar!

[marys350]

For MTD, how did you know what time to book? I don't want to miss the shows, so I'm a little confused as to what time to pick. We usually dine at the late seating and we are a party of 9, but we think this year it would be nice to dine at about 7 or 7:30. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi,

We chose to eat at 6:30 for our party of 12. In the past we had eaten at the early traditional seating and we wanted to eat a little later than 6:00. It worked out great for us, as we were usually finished with dinner between 8:00-8:15 and were able to go to the shows at 9:00. If you are used to eating later, I think that 7:00 would be a safe time to pick if you want to go to shows scheduled at 9:00 without rushing. Eating at 7:30 may be cutting it close with a party of 9 if you want to finish in time to find good seats in the theater.

Enjoy your cruise,

Mary

[ahawco]

Not all the shows will be before dinner if you have late seating. Some shows are only once, and they have them later (10:30) so both groups can attend. They also have the clubs open later, Quest starts around 11:00, and there are other forms of entertainment throughout the ship at night.

 

Great thanks for letting me know! Just in case we didn't make it to an early show it is nice to know there are things to do after dinner as well.

[SW Dave]

I've heard that you won't have much problem with noise from the floor below unless your just a stickler for absolute quiet in which case you'd have a problem with just about anywhere on the ship. There might be more noise from the entertainment in the centrum than from the casino if you are near the business center.

 

Thanks that's good to know. While I don't mind background noise my wife hates it but she has a sound machine and she's never had a problem sleeping on a cruise before...

 

One thing to know about the balconies in that area is the roof over the lifeboats from the deck below. See this view of cabin 7044 to see what I'm talking about: http://www.*****/view_room.php?r_id=63235

 

Thanks for the pics. I don't think that would be a problem for us. One thing to ask though do you think the D2 category balconies on deck 8 would have a better view worth the extra $150-$200?

[BroncosFan2010]

Great thanks for letting me know! Just in case we didn't make it to an early show it is nice to know there are things to do after dinner as well.

 

No problem!

[tkjohn25]

I just booked a balcony on the 7th deck and I'm concerned about everything that is under on deck 6. We'll be right near the business center and above the casino... Will it be too loud in our room?

 

 

We had a stern balcony on deck 7 and the noise was never a problem for us. Every now and then you could feel some bass from the safari club but it was never too loud or too late.

[SW Dave]

Thanks for the piece of mind :D

[dewatson12]

tk,

they have 2 formal nights. were all the other nights listed as casual/caribbean or did they have one or more "smart casual" nights?

thanks

[BroncosFan2010]

The formal nights are usually the 2nd and 4th nights (whatever matches your 1st sea day). I don't believe they have "smart casual" anymore. There is a Caribbean themed night, and the rest of the nights are what I would call "business casual".

 

As for choosing nights to eat in the speciality restaurant, I would go for the Non-formal nights, especially the Caribbean themed food night. It was not that great.

[tkjohn25]

tk,

they have 2 formal nights. were all the other nights listed as casual/caribbean or did they have one or more "smart casual" nights?

thanks

 

 

There was one smart casual night.

[Susanp19]

I just booked a balcony on the 7th deck and I'm concerned about everything that is under on deck 6. We'll be right near the business center and above the casino... Will it be too loud in our room?

We just got back from the Serenade and had room #7598 on the "hump". From the elevators we walked through the business center and our room was just around the corner. Loved the location, so easy to get to from the stairs or the elevator! We were directly above the Champagne Bar, and it was usually a very quiet area. One night I did hear music coming from the "Centrum" area. As soon as I turned on the TV I could not hear it anymore. We slept great! We found that we used the stairs as much as the elevator - central location, and great exercise!

[KITKAT0229]

We just got back from the Serenade and had room #7598 on the "hump". From the elevators we walked through the business center and our room was just around the corner. Loved the location, so easy to get to from the stairs or the elevator! We were directly above the Champagne Bar, and it was usually a very quiet area. One night I did hear music coming from the "Centrum" area. As soon as I turned on the TV I could not hear it anymore. We slept great! We found that we used the stairs as much as the elevator - central location, and great exercise!

 

We have that room on our cruise in September. How many people did you have in your cabin? Could you see both forward & aft from your balcony? Any pictures? We originally had a cabin on deck 8 towards the back of the ship but this room popped up the day after we book so I switched. I love hump cabins :-)

[Chi Diva]

I am looking at booking back to back cruises on the Serenade in November. I am trying to make up my mind between this or a 14 night on Celebrity Constellation.

 

Can anyone comment on the hot-tub and sauna facilities? Are the hot tubs crowded? Are there saunas in the fitness or spa areas that are free to use?

 

Thanks

[allisonm]

Susanp19 - I would also be interested in any pics you may have of the cabin - I just changed our cabin to 7604! Was the balcony the same "size" it seems on the pics that it has a curve on one side - just wondering if you notice it that much. Also - can you so all the way forward and aft?

 

Thanks!

[Susanp19]

We have that room on our cruise in September. How many people did you have in your cabin? Could you see both forward & aft from your balcony? Any pictures? We originally had a cabin on deck 8 towards the back of the ship but this room popped up the day after we book so I switched. I love hump cabins :-)

 

We had 2 people in this cabin; perfect size for us. We could see forward, but because the railing curves, we could not really see aft. I have a few photos, but have no clue how to post them. :( It was a great cabin, and I would book it again in a heartbeat!

[Susanp19]

Susanp19 - I would also be interested in any pics you may have of the cabin - I just changed our cabin to 7604! Was the balcony the same "size" it seems on the pics that it has a curve on one side - just wondering if you notice it that much. Also - can you so all the way forward and aft?

 

Thanks!

 

We could see forward, but not all the way aft. You will probably be able to do the opposite. The balcony did curve some. There's room for 2 chairs and a small table -- still a great place to spend time. On busy sea days it was a great quiet spot -- I had a great nap there! I'll post a photo if someone could explain how??? Have a terrific time on a great ship -- our first cruise -- but not our last! This is a great location; that I would pick again!

[rageous]

Was on Serenade last week. She is a beautiful ship!!! We encountered some of the best staff we have had on any cruise. Wasn't impressed with the CD, Dennis. Food was great. Cabin was perfect with an oversized balcony for a D1 (9076). Had a wonderful time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slideshow: http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i102/rageousgtx/Cruise%205-16-2010/?albumview=slideshow

[newlu]

Hi,

 

I have cabin #9576, other side, did you get to see the islands on your side? Am wondering what side gets to see the islands as we get to them!

 

Thanks

newlu

[barbie5401]

We, too just came back and we were in 1056 right on the hump, huge balcony, problem with this ship, we never got sun on the balcony because of the overhang. Since we were the first room and then Suites followed, we received chocolates on our pillows each night and our TV was a flat panel but small.

 

Our favorite ship so far - really enjoyed this ship and the ports!

[KITKAT0229]

We had 2 people in this cabin; perfect size for us. We could see forward, but because the railing curves, we could not really see aft. I have a few photos, but have no clue how to post them. :( It was a great cabin, and I would book it again in a heartbeat!

 

Thanks for replying! I'm getting even more excited. My inlaws had basically the same cabin location on the Voyager, so we are completely fine with only seeing forward. Was the bed near the balcony or was the sofa near the balcony?