Serenade of the Seas - New Orleans

[celebrity]

Coming back from Dunn's River Falls there were craft tents set up and we were accosted by pretty much all of the keepers telling us their stuff was better than the other guys. It was like walking through a gauntlet. No thanks!

 

Did Dunn's River Falls once..never again!

It was about 15 years ago and I had warned my 2 teenaged sons to walk through the market at the conclusion of the falls and look straight ahead as I knew the vendors were very aggressive. I was behind my younger son who was 13 at the time and one of the vendors literally jumped in front of him and shoved him for not engaging with him as to what he was selling. I almost assaulted him for going after my son. Luckily, my husband was behind me, grabbed me and my son and we high tailed it out of there before I was arrested.

Yes, Jamaica is a beautiful country but their government allows this type of disgusting behavior to tourists continue.

We have sailed their twice and both times we were approached to buy drugs. :(

I refuse to give them a cent of my hard earned money.

Haven't sailed to the Western Caribbean since that time.

You know the old saying, " Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. "

Edited August 7, 2014 by celebrity

[Cruzin2paradise09]

Coming back from Dunn's River Falls there were craft tents set up and we were accosted by pretty much all of the keepers telling us their stuff was better than the other guys. It was like walking through a gauntlet. No thanks!

 

 

I learned on CC years ago to ext thru the entrance. It definitely worked.

 

 

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[packercruising]

Yeah we found that out after the fact. :) The tour guide that dropped us off there after the tour said it was like a big garage sale.

[MrBanana1240]

I haven't been to Falmouth, but I have been to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. All I can say is, it's beautiful and you'll love it. Don't interact with local vendors too far away from the boat, but the ones right near it are okay. Also, book all yours through the cruise line, even if their expensive. It's much safer.

 

Grand Cayman is one of my absolute favorite ports. You'll love it the second you get there. The water is the bluest I've ever seen. The people are very friendly and there's lots of beauty in the island, the people and the atmosphere. If you can, check out stingray city. The turtle farm is okay, but don't make it your whole visit. If it's in an excursion you like, them choose it, but it's really not the grand attraction in Grand Cayman. Stingray city was the best thing I ever did while on a cruise ship.

 

Cozumel is beautiful as well. The people are a little bit eh, but as long as you stay In the general tourist areas or stay with a tour guide, you'll be okay. I don't know about going to the mainland Mexico, as I've never been, but Cozumel is beautiful and you and your family will love it! Lots of history. Very beautiful beaches and snorkeling.

 

I have not been on the Serenade of the Seas, but hopefully someday! You are destined to have a great vacation, and I hope it is much better than ever expected!

 

 

Future cruises:

 

•Carnival Glory- 11/22/14- Eastern Caribbean

•Enchantment of the Seas- 08/10/15- Bahamas

 

Past Cruises:

 

•Carnival Pride- 11/20/10- Bahamas

•Carnival Pride- 11/21/11- Bahamas

•Enchantment of the Seas- 11/17/12- Bahamas

•Carnival Glory- 08/10/13- Canada

•Carnival Glory- 11/24/14- Western Caribbean

•Carnival Freedom- 04/13/14- Western Caribbean

[h20skibum]

We did this itinerary on the Voyager. NO is such a wonderful city, and this is a nice port to leave from. We spent several days pre-cruise in NO. You will want to spend some time in the French Quarter. We stayed at the Marriott about two blocks from the pier. It is an easy walk to the French Quarter, and also an easy walk to the port. You will want to plan on having a breakfast at Mother's which is a unique little place.

 

We have been on the Serenade a few times, but mainly to do the Southern Caribbean. It is a nice ship, but we haven't been on since some of the recent upgrades.

 

Dunn's River Falls and the rafting excursion is a nice choice for Jamacia. However, the last time I couldn't believe how crowded the falls were.

 

In Cozumel, there are several tours available once you get off the ship. Never had a problem here.

 

In Grand Cayman, we spend time at 7 mile beach. It is very relaxing there, but you will find drinks expensive compared to other ports.

 

Enjoy your trip.

[KeywestK]

The crew will debark first and go through immigration. Probably won't be a delay.

 

Actually, there probably WILL be a delay. We were on Liberty OTS a few years ago on the TA from BCN back to FLL, and the delays getting off the ship were horrible. Many people missed their flights, and people who had excursions with airport drop offs also missed those. Fortunately for us, the experienced TA cruisers on our roll call gave us the head's up not to book our flight home until mid-afternoon. Had we booked a late morning flight (as we typically do,) we never would have made it.

[kccrzr]

If you like exploring on foot, check out Amazing Race Cozumel. We did this a few years ago with two high school age kids and had a great time.

[dustedice]

Wow! Small world. We'll be on over Christmas as well.... and yes.... we're from Memphis!

 

Small world!!! See you onboard! :D

[Mystaken]

Actually, there probably WILL be a delay. We were on Liberty OTS a few years ago on the TA from BCN back to FLL, and the delays getting off the ship were horrible. Many people missed their flights, and people who had excursions with airport drop offs also missed those. Fortunately for us, the experienced TA cruisers on our roll call gave us the head's up not to book our flight home until mid-afternoon. Had we booked a late morning flight (as we typically do,) we never would have made it.

 

He's getting on for the next cruise, not off. And FLL is a whole different experience since so many ships come in at the same time.

[CruzieSue]

Both of our first two cruises were to those ports. Going on Serenade for the first time in March (Key West, Bahamas, Coco Cay).

 

COZUMEL - first cruise hubby and I did an island tour by Jeep (through RCI). The Jeeps were pretty ragged, the lead driver went WAY too fast for the folks not accustomed to driving like they do, the island is beautiful, the tequila tasting stop was fun, and all the tour people were super friendly and we felt safe. Second cruise we did a "walk about" of sorts via taxi from the port to the downtown area. Did not venture off the main streets/areas. All of the vendors and shop people were super friendly. Some could be a little pushy but we would politely say no thank you and keep moving. Really not a problem.

 

CAYMAN ISLAND - both trips we did the Stingray City excursion (through Moby Dick) and did a little exploring on our own afterwards. No problems whatsoever.

 

FALMOUTH, JAMAICA - First cruise we did the Chukka Beach Break. Nice enough beach, but water was cold and it was really windy (in mid March). It was just meh. Second trip we did the Rio Bueno River float trip (through RCI) and LOVED it !!! The tour guides were excellent and so friendly. The countryside is just gorgeous and the "river" (more of a creek by most of our standards) was clear, clean, relaxing and beautiful. Inside the port area is a very nice and a safe area. A few of the vendors got a little pushy, but, again, politely say no thank you, keep moving, no problems. My brother-in-law wanted to venture outside the fenced area into "the real world" and he changed his mind within the first minute. He was immediately approached with offers to buy drugs, and was literally grabbed by the hair (he had longer hair at the time) and endured a quick braiding by a woman. I believe he RAN back to the safety of the port. It's sad that it is that way because Jamaica is a beautiful country with many, many friendly people.

 

That's just our little experiences. Have a great time whatever you do. :)

[packercruising]

My first time in Cozumel was 2000. It was a lot smaller back then. A lot of neat little shops. You do not pay the quoted price on items here. You banter. Part of my bantering cost me my Packer cap, but we got some wonderful wall plates out of the deal. I also got $10 knocked off the price of a belt buckle once simply by walking away. :)

[KeywestK]

He's getting on for the next cruise, not off. And FLL is a whole different experience since so many ships come in at the same time.

 

Agreed. But if there is a long delay clearing the ship after the TA, then the folks waiting to get on the ship will be delayed.

Edited August 7, 2014 by KeywestK

[Mystaken]

Agreed. But if there is a long delay clearing the ship after the TA, then the folks waiting to get on the ship will be delayed.

 

Agree! I'm hoping it won't be as bad for people waiting to board in NOLA! Fort Lauderdale is stretched pretty thin because of the number of ships disembarking at the same time. And the airport at FLL is zoo! You can't check in until 2 hours or so before your flight, so you might have to sit and wait to check in. I don't think the OP is going to have a problem getting onboard in NOLA.

 

I'm guessing boarding might be delayed about an hour, if at all. Ship will leave NOLA on time. OP, you will need to fill out a questionnaire before boarding about if anyone has certain health symptoms.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Mystaken

[gumboroux]

I am going on the 7 night western Caribbean cruise on this ship from New Orleans in November. This will be our first RCI cruise and only our second cruise ever. I (41) will be traveling with my wife (44), our children (15 y/o girl and 13 y/o boy), and my mother (68).

 

Our ports are Falmouth, Jamaica, George Town, Grand Caymans, and Cozumel. We are scheduled to be at each port for about 8 hours. This will be the first time any of us have been to any of these destinations.

 

I would be grateful if anyone can give me any information about this ship or any of the ports. I'm particularly interested in information about safety at these destinations. Jamaica and Cozumel both seem to have somewhat dubious reputations. When we travel we usually like to explore by foot but I'm a bit nervous about doing that in these places.

 

I would also appreciate recommendations of shore excursions. The RCI website has what i consider minimal information about them. The girls definitely want to hang out at the beach. My son and I prefer more active excursions, but nothing involving snorkeling or diving. I'm terrified of fish!

 

All information is welcome. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

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We went on this cruise March 2014. It is our favorite ship that we have cruised on so far. We loved the entertainment on this ship!! John the cruise director is great. The only negative is all the talks on Diamond International. Ugh

Falmouth was our least favorite spot probably because we did the wrong tour. We went on a tour of monte go bay and they actually pointed out schools as points of interest.

We loved caymon islands. It was so clean. We swam with the stingrays and really enjoyed it. We didn't see fish. Just stingrays

Cozumel we went to Mayan ruins. Hubby loved it and I did not. Sitting on a bus for hours to me just was not fun. We were taken to the mainland so we did not see Cozumel.

[cathep]

Great tip! I just learned yesterday that my cruise immediately followed a Transatlantic sailing. It didn't occur to me that it might cause delays. That's cool though. I've been through customs at ATL. Everything is downhill from there :D

 

We just came through customs at ATL and it's improved. No more paperwork - you fill out your info at a kiosk. There seemed to be fewer questions on it. ;)

 

We were coming back from Playa del Carmen which is across from Cozumel. We could see Cozumel from our resort. Mainland Mexico is perfectly fine there (responding to someone above who said there were issues with Mainland Mexico). Cozumel is even safer. I'll second the recommendation for Nachi Cocum. We enjoyed our day at NC so much we decided to come back for an all-inclusive resort vacation a year later.

 

We did the same itinerary but on the Navigator, so I can't speak to the ship. But that trip down the Mississippi River and back is a bucket list item for me. You will love it. Make sure to be awake as you hit the mouth of the Gulf to see the oil wells. So cool!

[crisndeefromde]

We were on this ship for the first time in March. It was our first time on a radiance class ship and we loved it so much we have two more cruises booked on the Serenade.

 

We did not care for jamaica. We did a trolley tour which affirmed why we didn't wish to venture out of the port area as our trolley had a police escort in front us watching all of our stops.

 

Cozumel is so so different than mainland and there is a great police presence and we always feel safe. We were just there a few weeks ago on Carnival Victory charter with the Duck Commander cruise and enjoyed our time here once again.

 

Grand Cayman....you need to visit Hell..yes there is a place called Hell here on earth...you can get there by taxi or on a tour. Beautiful beaches nearby there also.

 

Enjoy!!!!

[Brian131489]

Would anyone have a good link to pictures of the serenade ? I have only been on the freedom and oasis class, and I don't want to be disappointed getting on a smaller ship.

 

 

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[Desert Cruizers]

http://www.beyondships.com/RCI-SOS--tour-1.html, great tour of the Serenade of the Seas w/ Photos.

[packercruising]

That is terrific, thanks!

[DragonOfTheSeas]

http://www.beyondships.com/RCI-SOS--tour-1.html, great tour of the Serenade of the Seas w/ Photos.

 

Thanks for the link. There are really good pictures of everything.

[gumboroux]

Would anyone have a good link to pictures of the serenade ? I have only been on the freedom and oasis class, and I don't want to be disappointed getting on a smaller ship.

 

 

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We loved the serenade of the seas. The cruise director and his staff do a great job keeping it fun on the ship! We never had to stand in a line and always found a great seat for the shows. It sold us on Royal Caribbean. The service is impeccable on the ship.

[Brian131489]

http://www.beyondships.com/RCI-SOS--tour-1.html, great tour of the Serenade of the Seas w/ Photos.

 

thank you !!

[Brian131489]

I was wondering if anyone had any info on what nights are formal ? You think by now that I would remember this, but at this point it escapes me..

[mccdavid]

I was wondering if anyone had any info on what nights are formal ? You think by now that I would remember this, but at this point it escapes me..

 

On another thread i read that for the 7 day cruises formal nights are usually the 2nd and 6th nights. The RC website says there will also be a "smart casual" (jacket and tie) night.

 

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[Brian131489]

On another thread i read that for the 7 day cruises formal nights are usually the 2nd and 6th nights. The RC website says there will also be a "smart casual" (jacket and tie) night.

 

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Thank you !!! I found it once before, but obviously wasn't using the right words in google to find it.