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I need help deciding about the Seranade of the Seas

Harley-Davidson_Family
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Harley-Davidson_Family

Harley-Davidson_Family

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I was ready to book a 10 n cruise for next year on the Seranade of the Seas then I started reading some bad reviews. I am afraid the ship may be too small and beaten up. We usually sail Voyager/freedom size ships. We did sail the Enchantment and was happy with the size of that one but we missed the promanade. I like the idea of the true aft cabin on the Serande and will never book another true aft on the Voyager/Freedom class ships. I just dont know what to do. The only other ship on my area that does these long sailings is the Vison and its smaller and older yet. I can book 2 cabins on the aft deck 7. I just don't know. :(

Edited by Harley-Davidson_Family
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Langley Cruisers

Langley Cruisers

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What bad reviews? I haven't seen very much negativity toward her. She is fabulous. Had the pleasure of a B2B a few months ago and it was wonderful. Staff, food, ship are all amazing. Radiance-class is my favorite in the fleet because of the outdoor aft Windjammer seating. You can't beat it on a Caribbean or Med itinerary - it's fabulous.

 

Our last 5 RCI cruises have been on this class of ship and yes, at first we did miss the Royal Promenade, but it quickly turned into a non-issue for us. The hub of the activity on these ships is the Centrum. Sadly though, the smoke from the casino wafts out into the Centrum and by the end of the week my throat was feeling the effects of the smokiness.

 

Great gym, too. :)

 

No one can talk you into or out of a ship as we are all so different and unique and some things carry weight and some things don't. I guess I'll just say that we had a blast on Serenade, Jewel, and Brilliance. We love this class.

 

.

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OfTheSeasCruiser

OfTheSeasCruiser

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I would not hesitate to sail on Serenade. We were recently on the Radiance (same class) and LOVED the ship. We didn't miss the Royal Promenade because there is the centrum. I don't think the ship will be "beat up", well at least the Radiance wasn't. Even though both of those ships got the upgrades, it appears the Serenade had more more carpeting and furnishings replaced than the Radiance did.

 

Edit: And I definitely wouldn't refer to the Serenade as small!!

Edited by OfTheSeasCruiser
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Hoopster95

Hoopster95

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Posted
I was ready to book a 10 n cruise for next year on the Seranade of the Seas then I started reading some bad reviews. I am afraid the ship may be too small and beaten up. We usually sail Voyager/freedom size ships. We did sail the Enchantment and was happy with the size of that one but we missed the promanade. I like the idea of the true aft cabin on the Serande and will never book another true aft on the Voyager/Freedom class ships. I just dont know what to do. The only other ship on my area that does these long sailings is the Vison and its smaller and older yet. I can book 2 cabins on the aft deck 7. I just don't know. :(

 

Here's my recent review of Serenade, plenty of pics of the entire ship. Beat up? Small?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2108833

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30scruiser

30scruiser

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I liked both Enchantment and Jewel (sister ship to Serenade, but hasn't been refurbed yet) but I think that Radiance class was a step up from Enchantment, so if you were happy on Enchantment I think you will be very happy on Serenade. It has some cool features like self-leveling pool tables and elevators with glass walls so you can see the ocean while riding.

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ciera123

ciera123

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I'm not sure who would think that Serenade is beat up or small. It is a beautiful ship with a great crew, very clean and plenty big. We really enjoyed our B2B southern Caribbean!!!! :) You can't please everyone...

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xxHadleyxx

xxHadleyxx

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We loved the Serenade. She is a beautiful ship--my favourite royal ship I have been on.

 

Here are my blog posts that deal with the ship from last fall, with lots of photos (and not a lot of commentary, but we LOVED the ship and crew):

Ship:

http://hadleyswanderingsandramblings.blogspot.de/2013/11/serenade-of-seas-ship-photos-from-fall.html

Staterooms:

http://hadleyswanderingsandramblings.blogspot.de/2013/11/photos-of-staterooms-on-serenade-of.html

Halloween on the ship (so not really useful to you, but perhaps it still gives a feel of how well things are done onboard and how spaces are utilized?)

http://hadleyswanderingsandramblings.blogspot.de/2013/11/halloween-on-serenade-of-seas-2013.html

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TX_Atlantis_Cruiser

TX_Atlantis_Cruiser

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Agree with all above on this wonderful ship! Serenade, though smaller than the Mariner and Allure that I have been on, is still memorable for how connected to the sea you feel onboard her. The glass elevator looking out to sea is just an awesome feature that is missing on the bigger ships. Also the Schooner and other bars connected to it are very elegant and extremely well done, right down to the very cool self-leveling pool tables. Don't be afraid to cruise on Serenade, you will have a fantastic cruise on one of Royal's true gems.

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PSCruiser

PSCruiser

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Posted
Thanks everyone. As for the reviews, when I look them up here on Cruise Critic all of the ones that come up first are all negative. I'll have to re-investigate that. Thanks for the most recent review link.

 

Your comment made me take a closer look at the reviews and review posters. An interesting contrast is the cruise experience between posters on this thread, which roughly is being a member for 10 years and several thousand posts, and review posters, the majority of which have just joined CC, and 1st cruise or just a few so have little or no basis for comparison. Of course, CC posts do not equal cruise experience, but its the only info for many posters.

I'm finding the reviews full of info that indicates a lack of knowledge about RC - for example, "a cocktail is usually offered on formal night, but not on this ship"?????

Where am I going with this? -forget the reviews, listen to the posters on the CC boards.

BTW, this class of ship is my personal favorite. If you miss the Promenade, just stop in a mall in any port. I'll take the panoramic ocean view elevators, and tropical enclosed Solarium with Park Café any day!

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Mystaken

Mystaken

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I'm sure Serenade is not "beaten up". RCCL doesn't let ships look beaten up! Cruised on Majesty recently, the oldest ship in the fleet, and she definitely didn't look "beaten up". OP, if you want to cruise on a brand new ship you should book and pay for Quantum or Anthem!

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printingchick Great Review Rare

printingchick

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After cruises on larger Carnival ships, followed by cruises on Voyager Class and Freedom Class ships, I was concerned about booking a cruise on Serenade of the Seas. I could have selected Adventure for my southern Caribbean cruise, but I really preferred the itinerary offered on Serenade. Given it was a port-intensive cruise, I went ahead and booked the Serenade, knowing the ship might fail to live up to my expectations. No ice rink. No FlowRider. No Royal Promenade. Small main pool. Hmmmm....

 

If you look at my cruise history, you'll notice that I've tended toward Radiance Class ships ever since. My Serenade experience blew me away...in a totally positive way.

 

 

  • I LOVED the smaller, easy to navigate ship!
  • I LOVED how PRETTY the ship was. The atmosphere is more high-class, but without having to sacrifice all the cheesy fun stuff I've come to love on RCL cruises.
  • I LOVED the 70s party in the Centrum. I didn't think I would. It's less of a "show" and more of a "party" on the smaller ships. The performers and "Village People" dance WITH the passengers. So much fun!
  • I LOVED the Quest Show in the Safari Lounge. Everyone could really participate, as opposed to being primarily a spectator event.
  • I LOVED the views of the ocean. There are big windows in nearly EVERY venue - even the outwardly facing elevators! You will never forget you're at sea.
  • I LOVED being able to eat OUTSIDE at the Windjammer. It's great to see the ship pulling into dock while eating breakfast outside.
  • I LOVED getting to know my fellow passengers on the smaller ship.
  • I LOVED that there are so many fewer revenue-generating venues to contend with. If you have ever felt nicked-and-dimed on the larger ships, it will be a nice relief.
  • I LOVED the great service. With fewer guests aboard, the service is very personal and absolutely outstanding.
  • I LOVE the itineraries. The smaller ships can visit ports that can't accommodate the larger ships. Cozumel is great, but I like see DIFFERENT places.

 

 

I believe Serenade was recently updated, so I'm sure she's not looking old and tired. I cruise on her sister Jewel this year. Jewel is due for dry dock March 2016, and Jewel was not old and tired. I'll be cruising on the Jewel again in January 2016...BEFORE dry dock. I'm sure she'll still be lovely.

 

You often see polls posted on this site, asking people to identify their favorite class of RCL ship. The Radiance Class ships nearly always come out on top. All those CC members can't be wrong! ;)

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Blizzard54

Blizzard54

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Posted
After cruises on larger Carnival ships, followed by cruises on Voyager Class and Freedom Class ships, I was concerned about booking a cruise on Serenade of the Seas. I could have selected Adventure for my southern Caribbean cruise, but I really preferred the itinerary offered on Serenade. Given it was a port-intensive cruise, I went ahead and booked the Serenade, knowing the ship might fail to live up to my expectations. No ice rink. No FlowRider. No Royal Promenade. Small main pool. Hmmmm....

 

If you look at my cruise history, you'll notice that I've tended toward Radiance Class ships ever since. My Serenade experience blew me away...in a totally positive way.

 

 

  • I LOVED the smaller, easy to navigate ship!
  • I LOVED how PRETTY the ship was. The atmosphere is more high-class, but without having to sacrifice all the cheesy fun stuff I've come to love on RCL cruises.
  • I LOVED the 70s party in the Centrum. I didn't think I would. It's less of a "show" and more of a "party" on the smaller ships. The performers and "Village People" dance WITH the passengers. So much fun!
  • I LOVED the Quest Show in the Safari Lounge. Everyone could really participate, as opposed to being primarily a spectator event.
  • I LOVED the views of the ocean. There are big windows in nearly EVERY venue - even the outwardly facing elevators! You will never forget you're at sea.
  • I LOVED being able to eat OUTSIDE at the Windjammer. It's great to see the ship pulling into dock while eating breakfast outside.
  • I LOVED getting to know my fellow passengers on the smaller ship.
  • I LOVED that there are so many fewer revenue-generating venues to contend with. If you have ever felt nicked-and-dimed on the larger ships, it will be a nice relief.
  • I LOVED the great service. With fewer guests aboard, the service is very personal and absolutely outstanding.
  • I LOVE the itineraries. The smaller ships can visit ports that can't accommodate the larger ships. Cozumel is great, but I like see DIFFERENT places.

 

 

I believe Serenade was recently updated, so I'm sure she's not looking old and tired. I cruise on her sister Jewel this year. Jewel is due for dry dock March 2016, and Jewel was not old and tired. I'll be cruising on the Jewel again in January 2016...BEFORE dry dock. I'm sure she'll still be lovely.

 

You often see polls posted on this site, asking people to identify their favorite class of RCL ship. The Radiance Class ships nearly always come out on top. All those CC members can't be wrong! ;)

 

You did an excellent job of listing the benefits of Radiance class ships. We have completed 13 voyages on them and have 2 more on the books. We have sailed the Serenade since her revitalization and will be on her again in January. We will also be taking at least one more trip on the Jewel before she is altered.

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xxHadleyxx

xxHadleyxx

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Posted

 

  • I LOVED the smaller, easy to navigate ship!
  • I LOVED how PRETTY the ship was. The atmosphere is more high-class, but without having to sacrifice all the cheesy fun stuff I've come to love on RCL cruises.
  • I LOVED the 70s party in the Centrum. I didn't think I would. It's less of a "show" and more of a "party" on the smaller ships. The performers and "Village People" dance WITH the passengers. So much fun!
  • I LOVED the Quest Show in the Safari Lounge. Everyone could really participate, as opposed to being primarily a spectator event.
  • I LOVED the views of the ocean. There are big windows in nearly EVERY venue - even the outwardly facing elevators! You will never forget you're at sea.
  • I LOVED being able to eat OUTSIDE at the Windjammer. It's great to see the ship pulling into dock while eating breakfast outside.
  • I LOVED getting to know my fellow passengers on the smaller ship.
  • I LOVED that there are so many fewer revenue-generating venues to contend with. If you have ever felt nicked-and-dimed on the larger ships, it will be a nice relief.
  • I LOVED the great service. With fewer guests aboard, the service is very personal and absolutely outstanding.
  • I LOVE the itineraries. The smaller ships can visit ports that can't accommodate the larger ships. Cozumel is great, but I like see DIFFERENT places.

 

 

Perfect list! I agree with every point.

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slyster

slyster

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Posted

i felt the same way after being on freedom then oasis and serenade was my next ship. I was so worried I wouldn't enjoy it because it was missing the amenities i came to love on the other ships. Did we enjoy Serenade as much? Perhaps not, but pretty darn close. Royal Caribbean gave us a wonderful vacation experience and the ship was beautiful and awesome and I would do it again...in fact, i'm heading on her sister ship Jewel in a couple of weeks :-)

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