RCI/Serenade of Seas first time cruisers

[WonderousBlue]

Can anyone that's been on the "serenade are of seas" give us ins/outs of the ship? Tips? Suggestions?

[Cuizer2]

Well, when I took a cruise on the Serenade of the Seas, I got in and out via the doors. :D

 

Here is a link to my review of the ship ...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=41668

 

But there are no pictures with that review. Let me see if I can add some and post a new link for you.

[Cuizer2]

Okay, if you want to see pictures, use this link ...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=772167

 

Then scroll down to post number four.

Edited September 7, 2014 by Cuizer2

[lorsin]

Can anyone that's been on the "serenade are of seas" give us ins/outs of the ship? Tips? Suggestions?

 

Did a cruise last September 2013, loved the ship, Our inside cabin level 4 was close to the Atrium Bar, Elevators, Internet, one floor up to the Main Dining, coffee shop.

 

Take the time when you first board to wander around and find everything, work out direction from your cabin, then you will not waste time trying to get there later. Anytime dinning worked for us, although one night sat at a table for 12, couldn't really talk to everyone, and they mostly had been there a half hour before us, so we did up to 6 and get seated together, chat to those in line with you to see if they are after dinner company to.

 

We did private excursions, or wandered on our own, only one day not happy about, but did really well with all else. Pool, Solarium, Hair salon, Massage, find a nice bar for pre dinner drinks, Schooner Bar? I think it was called, Great Piano player, the specialist dinning are off this bar, loved the Murder Mystery dinner, but then I am very into theatre as a past Stage Manager. My friend was new to it, and if anything she enjoyed her first experience more so!

 

We had 2 tendered ports, level 2, and not knowing any better, even when given a number, we went down there to wait, and were put onto a tender straight away, so we did it the second time, expecting to be asked our number and told to wait, but again, put straight on a tender, no questions asked! So, just enjoy, at's a fabulous ship! Lorsin.

[missmoo4]

Anything specific you want to know? I have just gotten home from my first ever cruise which was on Serenade in the Adriatic. LOVED the ship and cruising life. I am early 30s and traveled with 7 others my age and 4 in their 50s - 70s.

 

We had an interior stateroom and were pleasantly surprised at the size of the room and amount of storage. We were on deck 4 right next to the bar and never had any problems with being kept awake by the noise. They have great noise proof doors between the bar and the cabins at night.

 

Food in the Main dining hall is AMAZING. We also loved Giovanni's table (Italian) and Izumis (Japanese). Windjammers (buffet) has a great selection too.

 

Our cruise was very port heavy so none of us got drinks packages as we knew we wouldn't drink enough when onboard to make it worth while. Sodas were $2.50, cocktails around $8-$10 (cocktail of the day came in free glass), the wine I drink was $9 a glass and I can't recall beer but I think it was around $7 a bottle? You are allowed to take 2 bottle s of wine per cabin on board on embarktion day, to be drunk in your cabin (unless you want to pay corkage). None of us are huge drinkers so our drinks bills were fine.

 

There is a small washing line in the shower, but we took one of our own as well, that we suctioned on to the wall and ceiling. We really needed 2 as clothes in the bathroom took forever to dry but on our line which we placed in the direct line of the air con dried pretty quick. Also recommend a couple of inflatable coathangers, they separated the clothes so the air could circulate faster. Worked amazingly well. No laundry facilities on board that you can use yourself, although on one daythey did offer a fill a bag for $30 for undies, swimming gear and shorts and t-shirts. We didn't use it though.

 

Depends on your itinerary really, but we were not overly impressed with the 2 ship excursions we did. the first one, the guide spoke in a monotone and nearly put everyone to sleep lol. the second one was to 2 islands off Venice and the Murano stop was super super rushed, but almost too much time at Burano, plus no real demo. We were very impressed with all the private tours we organised though.

 

Feel free to ask if you have specific questions. It's all so fresh in my mind right now!

Edited September 29, 2014 by missmoo4
forgot to write some stuff

[WonderousBlue]

Anything specific you want to know? I have just gotten home from my first ever cruise which was on Serenade in the Adriatic. LOVED the ship and cruising life. I am early 30s and traveled with 7 others my age and 4 in their 50s - 70s.

 

We had an interior stateroom and were pleasantly surprised at the size of the room and amount of storage. We were on deck 4 right next to the bar and never had any problems with being kept awake by the noise. They have great noise proof doors between the bar and the cabins at night.

 

Food in the Main dining hall is AMAZING. We also loved Giovanni's table (Italian) and Izumis (Japanese). Windjammers (buffet) has a great selection too.

 

Our cruise was very port heavy so none of us got drinks packages as we knew we wouldn't drink enough when onboard to make it worth while. Sodas were $2.50, cocktails around $8-$10 (cocktail of the day came in free glass), the wine I drink was $9 a glass and I can't recall beer but I think it was around $7 a bottle? You are allowed to take 2 bottle s of wine per cabin on board on embarktion day, to be drunk in your cabin (unless you want to pay corkage). None of us are huge drinkers so our drinks bills were fine.

 

There is a small washing line in the shower, but we took one of our own as well, that we suctioned on to the wall and ceiling. We really needed 2 as clothes in the bathroom took forever to dry but on our line which we placed in the direct line of the air con dried pretty quick. Also recommend a couple of inflatable coathangers, they separated the clothes so the air could circulate faster. Worked amazingly well. No laundry facilities on board that you can use yourself, although on one daythey did offer a fill a bag for $30 for undies, swimming gear and shorts and t-shirts. We didn't use it though.

 

Depends on your itinerary really, but we were not overly impressed with the 2 ship excursions we did. the first one, the guide spoke in a monotone and nearly put everyone to sleep lol. the second one was to 2 islands off Venice and the Murano stop was super super rushed, but almost too much time at Burano, plus no real demo. We were very impressed with all the private tours we organised though.

 

Feel free to ask if you have specific questions. It's all so fresh in my mind right now!

 

How exciting... thanks for all the info... nice to know have someone right off the ship... my kids (15,18, 19,20,24)and I are on the Nov 22 sailing of serenade..... I have lots of questions...are you ready :)... did you guys do chefs table or murder mystery dinner? What shows and or activities did you guys really like? Was it hard to find lounger by pool? Do we need to get there early if we want to lay out? Any specials on the cruise for restaurants or a spa?

[Cruisin' Chick]

You may also want to check out the Royal Caribbean website and check out the FAQs about the line and view deck plans for your ship.

[missmoo4]

How exciting... thanks for all the info... nice to know have someone right off the ship... my kids (15,18, 19,20,24)and I are on the Nov 22 sailing of serenade..... I have lots of questions...are you ready :)... did you guys do chefs table or murder mystery dinner? What shows and or activities did you guys really like? Was it hard to find lounger by pool? Do we need to get there early if we want to lay out? Any specials on the cruise for restaurants or a spa?

 

 

We didn't do Chef's table, but did consider it. It's $70 per person for 5 courses, including wine pairing with each course. We thought that for adults it was a really good deal. Probably less so for under 21s or if you don't like wine. Didn't do murder mystery either, didn't hear anything about it either sorry.

 

Loved the aerial shows in the centrum, they only last 10 mins though. The evening shows are at 8.45 and 10.45, we had an Argentinean drum and dance trio (good), a magician/comedian (ok), a Celine Dion inmpersonater (v.good), spanish ballet (v.good), ship cast doing show tunes (v.good), a guy doing mostly different types of juggling (ok) and the favourite was 2 russians doing cool acrobatic stuff.

 

 

Loved the other entertainment we went to, including worlds hottest man competition, belly flop competition, male revue (5 spunky ships staff members down to their undies - phoar! LOL), toga party, masquerade evening, bingo... there was also quizzes, kareoke, dance lessons, crafts, min golf, rock climbing, an arcade, basketball court, 1 min challenges...

 

We didn't spend a LOT of time lounging around the pool as we only had 2 ship days out of 12. But from what I saw yes you would need to get there early if you want to get loungers together. They actively discourage reserving though, so you can't put towels down and come back a few hours later. But ok if you go to the loo, get a drink or are swimming. There are more loungers available the further from the actual pool you go.

 

They offered 15 or 20% off specialty restaurants on a couple of days, or in the cruise compass said if you book 3 or more you get a discount too. The spa offered discounts in the cruise compass too, but I didn't take advantage of them.

 

Hope this helps!

[WonderousBlue]

We didn't do Chef's table, but did consider it. It's $70 per person for 5 courses, including wine pairing with each course. We thought that for adults it was a really good deal. Probably less so for under 21s or if you don't like wine. Didn't do murder mystery either, didn't hear anything about it either sorry.

 

Loved the aerial shows in the centrum, they only last 10 mins though. The evening shows are at 8.45 and 10.45, we had an Argentinean drum and dance trio (good), a magician/comedian (ok), a Celine Dion inmpersonater (v.good), spanish ballet (v.good), ship cast doing show tunes (v.good), a guy doing mostly different types of juggling (ok) and the favourite was 2 russians doing cool acrobatic stuff.

 

 

Loved the other entertainment we went to, including worlds hottest man competition, belly flop competition, male revue (5 spunky ships staff members down to their undies - phoar! LOL), toga party, masquerade evening, bingo... there was also quizzes, kareoke, dance lessons, crafts, min golf, rock climbing, an arcade, basketball court, 1 min challenges...

 

We didn't spend a LOT of time lounging around the pool as we only had 2 ship days out of 12. But from what I saw yes you would need to get there early if you want to get loungers together. They actively discourage reserving though, so you can't put towels down and come back a few hours later. But ok if you go to the loo, get a drink or are swimming. There are more loungers available the further from the actual pool you go.

 

They offered 15 or 20% off specialty restaurants on a couple of days, or in the cruise compass said if you book 3 or more you get a discount too. The spa offered discounts in the cruise compass too, but I didn't take advantage of them.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Great info thanks! This is first time cruising any must have things we should bring for our cabins? How much was it for Giovanni's dinner? On embark day did you go somewhere other than windjammer? Do they have a free soft serve ice cream machine on ship? About when does muster take place? Are the shops onboard pretty expensive?

 

Thanks, stacey

[missmoo4]

Great info thanks! This is first time cruising any must have things we should bring for our cabins? How much was it for Giovanni's dinner? On embark day did you go somewhere other than windjammer? Do they have a free soft serve ice cream machine on ship? About when does muster take place? Are the shops onboard pretty expensive?

 

Thanks, stacey

 

Things for cabins - I only know what interior cabins have, so based on that, I would recommend some kind of washing line what you can suction on to the wall and ceiling, and inflatable coathangers. We also found post it notes great for leaving notes on each others doors. I honestly found there was plenty of storage so ignore people telling you you will need a hanging shoe pocket thing. I did take and use a command hook that I put on bathroom door for hanging my toilet bag (it folds open) and I'm glad as the knobs on the door made it sit funny.

 

The price for Giovanni's depended on what you had I think, but from memory it was around $35 for 3 courses? Somewhere in that ballpark anyway. Definitely worth it!

 

There is a soft serve icecream machine in Windjammer :) also normal icecream is available on the dessert menu at the main dining room.

 

ON embarkation day we had lunch at windjammer, then unpacked once suitcases arrived, and explored the ship. Muster drill was at 4.45 I think, then afterwards we wet to the pool deck for the sailaway party. after that we just relaxed til dinner time at the MDR.

 

I actually didn't think the shops were particularly expensive BUT I am from New Zealand where things are more expensive than US to start with. I picked up some sunglasses for $30, toothpaste for $6 or so. They had bags, pashminas, t-shirts etc for around $10. They also had higher end products, jewellery etc.

[TheSweetPotatoQueen]

Great info thanks! This is first time cruising any must have things we should bring for our cabins? How much was it for Giovanni's dinner? On embark day did you go somewhere other than windjammer? Do they have a free soft serve ice cream machine on ship? About when does muster take place? Are the shops onboard pretty expensive?

 

Thanks, stacey

 

Hi, Stacey! I sent you an email with an attachment. Let me know if you got it.

[WonderousBlue]

Hi, Stacey! I sent you an email with an attachment. Let me know if you got it.

 

Hi Betty Ann :)... I did not get it ... kidschoice@aol.com?

[TheSweetPotatoQueen]

Hi Betty Ann :)... I did not get it ... kidschoice@aol.com?

 

Ok, I sent it Monday. Let me try to resend. I did it from my computer at school(where I have my docs saved) I'll try to resend it tonight. If it doesn't work, I'll be back at school Thursday and try again.

Betty Ann

[wassup4565]

Beautiful class of ships the Serenade belongs to. We will be onboard starting Oct 20 for nine nights. We have sailed on her sister ships Brilliance (twice) and Radiance. We keep coming back to this class of RCI ships because they are so open to views wherever you are on the ship, and the ships are so easy to understand so you can get around without getting lost.

 

Muster takes place after all-aboard time and before (or just as) the ship begins to sail away. Once it's done (and it's only done when the last jerk who was lollygagging around not going to muster finally shows up) you are free to go anywhere on the ship. A lot of people like to go to the pool deck for sail away, or the deck above, for even better views.

 

No soft ice cream self-serve on the pool deck as I recall on this class of ship. But excellent ice cream available in the Windjammer when it's open. Book a specialty resto if you wish, but as this is your first cruise, why bother? Everything is new to you. The Main Dining Room (MDR) menu changes every night and is excellent. I think the specialty restos are for people who are a little bored with the MDR (so many cruises, dahling). The special restos are very good, but so is the MDR.

 

The stuff in the onboard stores is very expensive to start with. The longer you are into the cruise, the more the prices drop. So wait before you shop.

 

You're asking great questions, so keep doing that. You'll get a variety of opinions, and then you can make your decisions.

 

Bonne Voyage!