Just returned from Serenade of Seas Alaska June12-19

[sonadom]

I am very interested in going on the Eagle, Totem & Lighthouse tour in Ketchum, but can't find any info on the internet or on the RCCL site for shore excursions.

 

Glad you were able to book it. I think you'll really enjoy it. The operator told us they get very limited bookings from Royal Carribean but they do get many books from Princess Cruises. He didn't really understand why. I'm not sure when salmon season is, but maybe you'll see some bears in August as well as the eagles.

[creddick]

Thanks for the info on Serenade od the Seas. We are booked for September 2006. Never been to Alaska and we are really looking forward to it. We are in a D1 on deck 9, starboard side. Any tips from anyone for rookie cruisers? Anyone else booked for this one yet? We did a short cruise out of Mobile in February for our first cruise.

[NautiCruisers]

Thanks to all of you for this wonderful chatter and great reviews. I've learned sooo much. We are planning to do Alaska for the first time next summer and you have me so excited! I was not going to consider RCI because they don't sail from Seattle, but you all may have changed my mind. I can use my SW Rapid Rewards to fly from Houston to Seattle at no charge. Can anyone tell me more about ways to get from Seattle to Vancouver and how long it takes? Any thoughts on whether it's better to spend the night before the cruise in Seattle or Vancouver?? Any hotel recommedations?

 

The Serenade sounds terrific. Here I was leaning towards the Westerdam that will cruise that route next year, but we just aren't quite ready for "floating nursing homes" yet and I do like to wave at people!:D I've never cruised HAL, but I sure had to giggle at the images!

[jstducky]

My preference has always been Vancouver over Seattle. I love the city, surrounded by the mountains and the harbor with its beaches. There is just so much to do and see in Vancouver. If you are going to fly into Seattle, I would suggest getting yourself up to Vancouver and spending hte night there.

 

There are numerous ways to get yourself from SEattle to Vancouver. There is a bus that does transfer service from Seattle to Vancouver on a daily basis. I beleive the fare is about $48 per person one way. There's also Amtrak which a lot of people seem to like and their fare is less. You also could rent a car and make the 2-3 hour drive yourself. Its a nice scenic drive. The only hitch might be a wait at the border crossing.

 

Alaska is just such an amazing place! This Sunday will be my 3rd trip up there I love it so much. I think you'll find that a lot of people who go to Alaska once are bitten by the bug and realize that in order to really experience Alaska they need to go back again!

 

If you want more info about Alaska, the ports, the town, the history, the sights, check out the ports of call page. There are a lot of Alaska "experts" out there who are more than willing to answer any of your questions.

[greatdanemom]

Forgive me for jumping into your thread here but I'm hoping someone from the Serenade can give me a "stateroom rating" if they are familiar with #7592. I'm actually cruising on Radiance but I'm told Serenade is identical and I can't find any info on the view, balcony, etc for this particular room number.

 

By the way, it sounds like you all had a great Alaska trip. I hope you each enjoyed it tremendously. Welcome home to all!!

 

Thanks for any help,

Cheryl

[Polish Falcon]

I checked the deck plan for the Radiance and it is Identical to the Serenade.

We were in 7592 on the Serenade just 2 weeks ago.

It was in a great position.

Mid Ship but not to close to the elevators to be disturbed by traffic.

 

The Balcony is a little larger than the standard size and it is angled outward to give good views forward. Of course, you have good views of the starboard horizion.

You do not get good views looking aft.

Nor do you get a good straight down into the water view. The lifeboat covers block the straight down view. Leave your fishing pole @ home!:)

 

 

Take good binoculars!

You can see into the starboard bridge wing and watch the crew!

[greatdanemom]

Polish Falcon - Thank you so much for your reply. I've searched all through the boards and couldn't find anything on this cabin. You've been a huge help and I truly appreciate it!

 

By the way, my Mom is from Plymouth. I really chuckled when I saw your post. Mom will get quite a kick out of this. We still have family there (last name Phillips) as well as in Wilkes Barre, Kingston, etc.

 

Thanks again for your help,

Cheryl :)

[Polish Falcon]

Would You Be Related To Edison???

 

I do not want to give any other names over an open forum...

And no one can harm Edison.........

[greatdanemom]

Related to Mabel and Harold. Sadly, both are gone now. (I agree with your caution on an open forum.)

[Polish Falcon]

Sue - From Kool Kuts??

[Aussie Gran]

This is really interesting information, it's obvious you had a wonderful cruise. We are considering the Serenade for the Inside Passage May 28 06.

Just a quick question for those who were on the Serenade - did you find the ship very smoky, and are there many non-smoking public areas ?

Please, please, please - I don't want this to turn into a horrible smoking vs non-smokling thread, just gathering information. DH is very affected by smoke, so I try to do as much research as possible before cruising.

Thanks again

Hilary

[Polish Falcon]

I smoke.

The ship is very smoke free.

No smoking in any restaurants, theater, cinema or Solarium.

No smoking on the Port side outside decks.

Smokers can smoke only on the Starboard side, casino and bars. Of course they can also smoke in their cabins.

[Aussie Gran]

Thanks for a quick response - that's just the information I was looking for.

[klguess]

Just back from the Rhapsody today, and while onboard, we booked the Serenade for next June....and I am SO EXCITED to read this thread. It sounds like a cruise of a lifetime, and now I really have something to look forward too. Thanks so much for all the great feedback!

[luv2camp]

Nauti,

 

We were on the 5/29 Serenade sailing. We took the Amtrak train from SEA to Vancouver. Really great way to relax.

 

There is only one actual train schedule that will get you there in time. The rest are bus service.

 

A VERY important piece of information is that Amtrak is having to follow a new luggage weight limit rule. They can only take luggage at 50 lbs or less. You can not pay for extra weight as you can with airlines. We had to repack our overage in to boxes provided by Amtrak. By the time people at the end of the line got to the counter, Amtrak had ran out of boxes of any size. One lady had 78 lbs in one of her cases.

 

We rented a car from Vancouver back to Seattle. National (and I am sure others) will shuttle you from the pier to the rental car office.

 

Clearing customs at the Canadian/US border took about 45 minutes. Not near as bad as I had been led to believe.

 

We actually took a day on both ends of the cruise so we could really be relaxed when we got on the ship.

 

If you enjoy your trip half as much as we did...you will have a wonderful time.

 

And JSTDUCKY is right, Alaska is an amazing, awesome, beautiful place.

[Randy and Laura]

Nauti,

 

We were on the 5/29 Serenade sailing. We took the Amtrak train from SEA to Vancouver. Really great way to relax.

 

There is only one actual train schedule that will get you there in time. The rest are bus service.

 

 

Hi luv2camp,

 

The Amtrak train sounds like a great way to get to Vancouver from Seattle. Is there a place to find out the train schedule online? We are going next year 6/4 and think this would be just the ticket!

 

Thanks!

[luv2camp]

The station codes are SEA and VAC. I just picked a date but doubt this will change much.

 

510 Cascades

Seattle, WA

(SEA)

7:45 am

08-JUL-05 Vancouver, BC

(VAC)

11:40 am

08-JUL-05 3hr 55mn

 

Vancouver, BC

(VAC)

6:00 pm

08-JUL-05 Seattle, WA

(SEA)

10:05 pm

08-JUL-05

 

We went SEA to VAC...i see you want to go VAC to SEA. That is a late train.

 

It is a very relaxing ride. Most of the ride is along the waterfront. The train does have a dining car and serves a really good breakfast. A little bit more than a typical restaurant but how many times in your lifetime do you get to eat on a train?

 

We went up a day early and stayed over a day so we were not rushed at all. If you can afford the time and money....this is the way to go. You never know how long it can take to go from Vancouver to Seattle.

 

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!

[NautiCruisers]

JSTDUCKY and luv2camp,

 

Thanks so much for the great info. I love the idea of taking the train one way and renting a car the other. I never even considered a rental car. I guess I didn't think we could do a one way with two countries involved. See what I've learned! We also will try to to take a day or two extra on each end of the cruise to keep the stress down. We are already sooo excited - it's sure wonderful to dream of glaciers when it's 100 degrees outside! We will be aboard the Splendour in February so I think we will wait and book while we are on board. Might as well get that little bit of credit.:)

 

klguess, we are aiming for sometime in June so we may see you again on the roll call boards!

 

Now, does anyone have any good hotel suggestions for Seattle and/or Vancouver?

[luv2camp]

We stayed at the Marriot Waterfront in Seattle. In walking distance of most of the downtown attractions. Not very far from the pier that RCCL uses. And right across from the pier that Celebrity uses.

 

In Vancouver we stayed at Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside. Again not very far from RCCL pier and right across from NCL pier.

 

One thing to watch out for in Seattle. We were a group of four with LOTS of luggage (gonna learn one day) and needed a van taxi from hotel to pier. Asked 3 times how much advance notice was needed to get one as was told 30 minutes. Next morning I call 30 minutes prior and am told we needed to tell them the night before as Seattle does not have many van taxis. Needless to say the Marriot fired up their van and took us to the pier.

 

The great thing at both of these hotels is you can watch the ships come and go and realise that you will be on one very soon!!!

[diane058]

My husband and I were on the Serenade last August/September for the inside passage cruise. We loved the ship. Service was great, food good, cabins clean and roomy enough for the two of us. We are booked on the Voyager going to the Carribbean in September. We have a group of 13 people going and 2 people who absolutely will not fly so we needed a port fairly close to home. Really wish we were going back to Alaska - we loved it so much! To everyone going on this cruise, you will love it! Wish we were going too! Have fun!

[diane058]

Get a hot chocolate while viewing the glacier. Served with liquor or without. YUM!

[Polish Falcon]

Do it if you want...But Hot Chocolate is FREE 24/7 in the Windjammer Area!

 

Darn...What did those cute signs above the stations say..

"Hot Stuff"

"Get It Hot"

Whatever....

 

We got a kick out of the way passengers were dressed for the Glacier!

We saw full lenght Fur coats, scarves, mufflers, Fur Lined gloves, Woolrich Plaid, Hudson Trading Company Wool Blankets, Blaze Orange Hunting Coats, Camo Hunting Coats, Etc. Etc.

 

What a bunch of Geeks........It was 70 and Sunny....

What is the WORST it could have been...50...OK 45... and Rainy?????????

 

People...Get A Gripp!!!!!!!!!

[Polish Falcon]

Any One Hear From "Our Scotts"...............

[stacybbb]

Did you get seasick? We are going on Serenade on 7/31 and it's my first cruise.

[Polish Falcon]

As a general rule, the Inside Passage is Very Smooth Sailing.

 

You never loose site of land.

 

In late July it will be light for 18 hours or so per day.

Check out one of my favorite websites - timeanddate.com for sunrise and sunset times during your cruise.

 

I hope you have a great time!