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Serenade of the Seas, January 21 - 28, 2012 "Live" from....or "Almost Live"....or ??

Havana Daydreamin

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sunnychick75

sunnychick75

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Great review so far! We are in San Juan now getting ready to board the Adventure tomorrow. I'm actually sitting outside the hotel now and was just wondering what bird was singing... And thanks to your review, I now know its a frog! They are fun to listen to:) Hope you have an amazing cruise! Will be looking forward to reading the rest when we get back!

 

 

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=18.443288,-66.019535

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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wowie....having just a bit of techno difficulty on the wifi...not so much logging in as verifying that I can log out.

 

There is much confusion from the IT people regarding this for the iPad. BIG SURPRISE!!! LOL....anyway they tell me to just shut the thing off and it should reset in 15 minutes. They will refund. Where is my stop watch.

 

Will keep you all posted on this as I learn.

 

Anyway, on with the cruise......

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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Embarkation Day

 

We left the Coral Princess at 11 AM with a very short wait for the taxi that the hotel staff summoned. They said the wait would be three minutes and I believe it was that or maybe a shade under.

 

The driver took us to the terminal and in 10 minutes we were unloaded and standing in line. As he drove up, the driver indicated it was a short line. I would estimate maybe 100 people in front of us. We were the second pole past where the white steel lanes ended.

 

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At 11:30 the line began moving. With passports, set sail pass and health declaration form filled out and at the ready we proceeded to security. We passed without a beep and were the only ones at that time escorted into the Diamond and up priority line. A RCI rep took us immediately to a desk representative and given our seapass cards.

 

We made our way to the ship and took the Welcome Aboard photo for grins and giggles and were onboard Serenade at 11:45 AM.

 

A new wrinkle awaited us. We had yet ONE more line to stand in....the xray machine looking for liquor contraband. We had none and saw none being confiscated at the time we went through.

 

We wandered around the ship until the cabins opened and took photos.

 

Serenade is an absolutely beautiful vessel. We have been on Rhapsody three times, Majesty three times, Legend once, Vision once, Explorer once, Voyager once and Celebrity Solstice once. In our opinion, Serenade is the second most beautiful ship that we have had the privilege to be on. I mention the others, not that they were bad by any means, but to provide a bit of background of our opinion.

 

A sample photo from the Safari club. I have so many others but I think I will post those upon returning home.

 

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At 1 PM, the cabins were available and we checked out cabin 9500. It is very nice. We did some light unpacking and securing of our carryon items before proceeding to the Windjammer for lunch.

 

For those inquiring if an iPad will fit in the safe, I will say yes it does. I have mine in an apple black skin and placed it on the bottom of the safe and it worked just fine. I also placed by external keyboard in as well.

 

The Windjammer is simply the Windjammer. It is not one of my favorite venues but the only place available. Yes, we did attempt the Seaview Cafe but it was not available.

 

After lunch, we checked on our My Time Dining reservations and found them to be in order as we had done online prior to departure.

 

We ventured back to the cabin to find our luggage had been delivered and was waiting for us outside our door. We unpacked quickly and sent a couple items to be pressed and a few items to be laundered.

 

It was then time to make our required calls to family to let them know we were on ship and then finally off to the pre M&M. We enjoyed immensely meeting quickly some of the people that we had been acquainted with on the Roll Call.

 

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Oh, I also forgot to mention that we had arranged to attend the Champagne Brunch on Monday. It is a guided tour of the galley by the Head Chef that is followed by a buffet in chops included along with champagne, etc. It sounds like a delightful food excursion and we are looking forward to it.

 

After we finished the last two phone contacts it was time to dress for dinner. We headed to the Vortex for the Diamond Event and enjoyed pleasant conversation over two glasses of wine.

 

Off to the dining room for dinner. I did take pictures of the menu. If, I do not get that posted, I will try have them all collected and posted on my wifi at home.

 

Following a sumptuous meal consisting of smoked fish tapenade, sopa de tortilla, salad, and the catch of the day which was a nice whitefish lightly crusted and cooked to perfection. Dessert was Strawberry Pavlova and Chocolate Cherry cake. Our waiter, Sachin, already had me pegged knowing that I normally order the Savarin and voila...there it also was! It was topped off with coffee and a Nutty Irishman (Bailey's and Frangelico) for the DW.

 

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Our muster station is in the theatre and went smoothely. We were missing only three cabins at the start.

 

Then off to our own private sailaway on the balcony of cabin 9500. It was so very beautiful to sail out of San Juan at night and be able to see it. Every other time, we have been at dinner.

 

It is getting to be my sleep time, but I did want to write this as I was so very busy on Embarkation Day. I hope to start the internet package on Monday morning and begin posting a few pictures.

 

Once again, the posting will depend on my connection dependability and the moment to moment technoplight issues.

 

Thanks for understanding my delay in posting and for checking in! More will be coming on the captain, cruise director, etc. Along with a few photos!

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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We left the terminal saling past Norwegian Gem and Old San Juan and the Coast Guard station, making out way out of port. Here was a beautiful section of the fortification wall.

 

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This shot is a bit of a wider view of the same wall.

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On to El Morro! I have a photo that I am really struggling getting onto the server sight that shows El Morro from a distance. Until I can do so, the two following shots will have to do.

 

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Atop El Morrow and included in the complex is an active and working lighthouse that is featured in this shot.

 

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Around 1 AM on one of my middle of the night "Let's WAKE UP and see what's going on" moments, I saw what I believe to be Adventure of the Seas heading back into San Juan.

 

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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More to follow later as I have a few more pics and some other notes to write

 

AND OF COURSE be on vacation!

 

Later and thanks everyone for your patience and following along!

 

Unfortunately for us, the brunch was cancelled for lack of participation.

 

NUTS

 

OH WELL, tutti salad in the dining room has our name on it!

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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Here is a morning shot looking aft from our balcony. What a way to start the day!

 

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It seems that there is always interest on who the captain, cruise director and others are. I know I like to know who the captain is.

 

Here is the quick breakdown from the sheet left in our cabin on the captain and such.

 

The Master of the Serenade of the Seas is the one and only Captain Karin. Captain Karin Stahre-Janson was the first Master of a modern major cruise ship on Monarch of the Seas. I remember being proud of her accomplishment at that time and certainly privileged to be under her guidance to keep Serenade on the straight path.

 

The Cruise Director is Marc Walker. I know someone was asking about who the CD was. Mr. Walker seems to be doing a very nice job!

 

The Loyalty Ambassador is Melissa Broome. I have not yet had to pleasure of seeing her, but will very soon!

 

We made a walk about deck 5 and then visited the Schooner Bar for a pre-lunch beverage of Blue Moon and Pilsner Urquell. AHHHHHHH!!! Refreshment.

 

There we heard Captain Karin give the noon report. Tidbits that I caught were 37 mph winds. That explains why there is a bit of chop today. It is nothing offensive by any means. The other tidbit was that the nearest land was Montseratt at some 86 NM.

 

On to nourishment....

 

Lunch in the Main Dining room was nice as usual. I had a wonderful Tuttie Salad of Romaine, calamata's, mozarella balls, a piece of egg, blue cheese dressing, prosciutto, and croutons. I like carpaccio so there was a small appetizer salad followed by lamb skewers which was ground lamb (like a spicy sausage) served on skewers over lentils with a yogurt sauce on the side. YUM YUM....but I like lamb and lambyskewers were no exception.

 

Back to our cabin to write and edit a couple photos to post and then enjoy an afternoon cigar and cold beverage.

 

I am done...could not get some other stuff uploaded so will try later.

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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A million thanks for your "live from" report. I will be hanging on every word. My husband and I were booked on this very cruise (in a middle of the hump cabin, to boot!) to celebrate his retirement after more than 35 years at the same job. Sadly, had to cancel our plans when he became very ill (he has since passed away).

 

After many Caribbean cruises both Eastern and Western, we were finally going to do the exotic Southern! I may still do this or a similar itinerary someday, but for now, look forward to any and all details you can cram in along with your incredible pictures . . . yes, even the food porn ones.

 

Hope you have the best weather, calm seas and the best food aboard ship and on land ever! I'll be following along.

 

Sorry for your loss!

 

Enjoy the virtual ride.

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struther1

struther1

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I love this spot on Deck 5. It's great place to sit, relax and enjoy a nice cigar.

We just got off the Serenade and are going back in 4 weeks and I too love this deck for a nightly walk, hand in hand with DW, after dinner. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

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Havana Daydreamin

Havana Daydreamin

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Monday evening was the very first formal night. I rented a tux according to my usual custom. I do not carry one as then I have to pack, carry, and the like. That also leaves a bit of extra room. I was delighted to see a percent off coupon in the Diamond coupon book that can be applied if reserved prior to the cruise or on the cruise.

 

That makes for extra wifi time!

 

We made our way to My Time Dining at about 6:30 PM for our 6:45 PM reservation. We looked at the settings for formal night photo ops. They have not changed. We opted to do the all white background in our black formal wear. We will find out today what it looks like. I hope it turns out well. We have not had the best shots of late. Maybe we are just picky.

 

We went to our dinner reservation and was pleased to see the many happy diners in their finest! I did not see many tuxedos, but alot of coats and ties. The ladies were dressed nicely. I only saw one person that came in with jeans and what looked like a Carhart shirt. NO WAY that you can even consider that formal. IF SO, I want to know what the casual dress looks like....WAIT....maybe not!

 

We both ordered the duck. It is not as Grandma always made it and as DW can expertly replicate, but it was very tasty. It was served with red cabbage, a potato roll (it has a fancy name, but I cannot remember it), and snow peas. It was accompanied by Arboleda label wine. It was very nice. We brought the bottle back to the cabin to have with our caviar that we brought with us. WE WERE STUFFED! Not like a duck, but very filled! I think we will be careful tonight and not over eat as we carried on some caviar and wine on our balcony this evening.

 

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The weather was wet last evening so maybe it all worked out for the best.

 

I woke up a bit early in my anticipation for docking at St. George, Grenada today. I wandered about taking pictures around ship. Again, there are so many ship photos that I hesitate to post now and will wait for my return home if it is so desired to see them by others.

 

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We had coffee, milk, and yogurt on the balcony to sustain us until we went to breakfast. We utilized the Diamond and higher breakfast this morning. We both had salmon eggs benedict and latte. Also tomato juice. We were joined later by fellow Roll Call members Erniesband and Jmolder. It was so nice to have a pleasant casual conversation with them on the second leg of their back to back cruises.

 

GRENADA

 

We left the Serenade to the tunes of a steel drum band playing at the end of the pier. They were very good, in my opinion. I purchased a CD from them for $10 to use as background music when I created my own "Cruise in Review" DVD. The name of the band was Angel Harps.

 

We wandered through the shops before hitting the streets. The people of Grenada were very friendly. We fielded many offers for taxis and private walking tours, but when we told the people thank you kindly for the offer, but that we had our own plans they wished us well and let us go. One even was so kind to offer Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! What a nice touch.

 

Much to the DREAD of my wife, we walked these stairs to St. George fort. I promised we would rest on the way up. We did and took our time. I envied the agility and mobility of the locals! They went up and down like school kids going to recess. We made it to the top and enjoyed the view of Serenade and Club Med 3 docked behind Serenade before going into the fort. This was a nice chance to cool down in the breeze.

 

There is a $2 entrance fee to the fort which we paid and entered. The fort is very rustic and not well developed. Tour guides are available and also happy to let you venture about on your own.

 

I have to say the restrooms there are VERY CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED. Only....and I say this to prevent others from the jovial ridicule sent my way....DO NOT lock the main door. It is for men and women to use and each stall has its own door. Of course, I could overhear them and DW was enjoying this immensely. I proclaimed that I was shy and to be quiet so I could go! They all laughed. One tour guide was still chuckling and telling another guide how I said I was shy! Fun people!

 

It turned out that this fort is also a training site for the police fort. That explained some of the workout equipment and such that was there.

 

The hike up the stairs turned out to be a very good thing as it was a much more manageable walk to see the three church spires that we observed from the ship.

 

We were disappointed to learn that hurricane Ivan in 2004 had destroyed these structures and they were under very slow reclamation. We went to Church Street and found two other churches entirely gutted. It was a sad sight as you could sense the beauty. I hope they reclaim them in due time.

 

One church had been reclaimed already and we enjoyed our visit there. I hiked a bit farther up the hill to find a cemetery (I won't include a picture now, but believe it or not there was a monument with a full color bust on it....and a goat eating the grass around the gravesite.)

 

However, it afforded a nice shot of the Serenade over St. George.

 

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After that it was time to head down to the Carenage and get a bite to eat and hydrate. We had already gone through two bottles of water. We found our way to the Creole Shack Restaurant suggested by our cabin steward, John. John is from St. Vincent and said many people go to this place. It was confirmed when we asked a security guard at the church and she broke into a big smile when we mentioned it.

 

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Indeed the food was good and we sampled a Roti. It was curried chicken and potatoes in a dough wrapping. Kind of like a bierrock. We hydrated with some water. I purchased the water and received Grenadine money back as change. That was ok as I used it to purchase the food and more water. Another $10 USD bought two beers and $15. It afforded us three rounds of beer. We sampled the local product made in St. George - Stag Lager. It was nice. Then I went to Carib while DW stayed with the Stag.

 

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Finally it was time to make it back to our home for the rest of the week - the Serenade of the Seas. While I am writing this and doing posting, DW is in the Solarium pool where I hope to soon catch up.

 

Thanks to those who continue to check in...I hope you enjoy the virtual trip!

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