LIVE From the Serenade of the Seas with Trainman-2 & Judith

[nancronin]

Could you tell me the areas reserved for smoking, we are Diamond Plus and are familier with othe RC ships, will be on the 12 day over Xmas and New Years for the first time on this ship.

Most of the RC ships have smoking outside on one side of the Promenade Deck also. :D

[bigeagle12]

I am not one to compare Carnival against Royal, in fact after our recent cruise on the Dream...I do not know when we will ever go again. But I will say this for them, we purchased the internet package for our 10 day cruise and it was $90.00. Speed was excellent and that allowed us access to the internet for everything other than streaming video. I think Royal is pretty outrageous with their prices on that. That also included as many devices as we wanted just signed in one at a time.

 

Thank you for your review Trainman! You and Judith are so cute together and I try never to miss one of your live reviews!!!:D

 

 

Carnival's new internet packages are fantastic. But I am normally connected 16 hours a day .. so when I cruise the iPad and phones are turned off and go in the safe.

[Trainman-2]

Judith has been trying to grow her hair longer for some time and it has been driving her nuts blowing in the wind.

 

Today she got it cut short again and is much happier!

 

Photos may or may not follow, depending...

[Trainman-2]

We got a lot of stories from people who took the island tours today.

 

All of the roads are basically one lane cut into the side of the mountains and when two vehicles meet, one has to yield and pull to the side.

 

On the switch backs, the drivers blow their horns as they approach.

 

Several ladies told us they were in fear for their lives on some of the mountain sides.

[Trainman-2]

We had diner in the Windjammer again tonight.

 

Judith

 

 

Me

 

 

Note the Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup. One of my favorites!

[Trainman-2]

The Island's small container port

 

 

[Trainman-2]

This appears to be where all of the old and tired boats go.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

I wish I know your secret to taking pictures of food. Most of the time my food pictures come out looking unedible. :o

 

My camera has a close upsetting which I use and also I shoot straight down using the automatic flash.

 

 

I have gotten over people looking at me funny as I am taking photos of my food and wondering what I am up to.

[happicruzer]

I noticed the sourdough rolls on Judith's plate. I love them!

 

It is funny how I find that certain lines have favorites (or at least did if they haven't changed menus!).

 

RCCL - their breads, especially the sourdough and the Tutti-Fruiti Salad Bar offered on sea days at Lunch in the MDR

 

HAL - chilled soups (no longer on most RCI nights) and fruit pie desserts

 

Celebrity - stir fry station - yummmmmmmmy!!!!

 

While I find the food selections about the same, the difference is in the preparation and sometimes even presentation. After all, all lines offer a soup, salad, appetizer and main meal of fish, meat (beef, chicken), veggie and alternates that pretty much match across the board.

 

I would love to see a chef's special at least once or twice a cruise that provides a surprise to the cruisers. If one is a frequent cruiser, we know that if today is .... the chef's special will be .... The menus haven't changed in about five years even with a 14-day rotation where most of the food remains the same with a different name.

 

We are on the Serenade in early December and am enjoying your photos and review. Thank you for taking your time to keep us entertained and informed.

Judy

[not2old]

Hi Jim, Loving your review. Could you possibly tell me where you found the turtle ornament? It is beautiful and I'd love to find one when we go to Tortola in March. Thanks!

[Trainman-2]

When you go ashore you will walk through the center of a building with shops on the left and right.

 

It is one of the shops on the left and they had a bunch of them, all different kinds.

[not2old]

Thanks!

[seapals2]

What a lovely couple you make ... Hope you are well rested and have another great day. [emoji568]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[The Martins]

This appears to be where all of the old and tired boats go.

 

 

 

That water doesn't even look real. Gorgeous!

[Setting sail for fun]

Judith has been trying to grow her hair longer for some time and it has been driving her nuts blowing in the wind.

 

Today she got it cut short again and is much happier!

 

Photos may or may not follow, depending...

 

Smart man!

[PhoenixCruiser]

Another awesome thread Jim! Thanks :D

 

###

[Trainman-2]

Day 5, Tuesday, November 17, 2015, Basseterre, St. Kitts

 

Ship's Arrival - 8:00 am

 

All Aboard Time - 4:30 pm

[Trainman-2]

I asked our house sitter to send some photos of Red Dog and Spotty if the opportunity came up and I got these last night.

 

Both of the wiener dogs and Booty will all run to the front door when the door bell rings barking. They do the same for any strange noise outside the house.

 

Red Dog is super friendly once she gets to know someone and here she is in the Kitchen hoping that she is going to get a doggie treat.

 

 

Spotty is a wimp! He spends most of his time tunneled under the covers on my bed. He has a way of grabbing them and moving them all around but has never chewed on them.

 

 

Our house sitter makes my bed every time she comes and by the time she returns it is torn up again! :eek:

[Trainman-2]

Some Random Photos From Yesterday...

 

A work boat anchored in the harbor. Note that this boat has ramps on the starboard side and the stern. These small boats are commonly used to move cargo from island to island and can easily roll things on and off using the ramps.

 

 

Edited November 17, 2015 by Trainman-2

[Trainman-2]

A view of a rock quarry near the harbor. Larger rocks are used for sea walls and piers along the shore and crushed rock is used for road building.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

I shot this photo early yesterday morning as the ship was coming into port.

 

It looked like an old fort, and maybe was part of the island's defenses in the early days.

 

Looking at the photo now is appears to have been converted into a house of some sort. Your guess is as good as mine!

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Judith liked this house but I am not going to buy it for her.

 

 

[Trainman-2]

Another little island we passed by on the way into port yesterday.

 

 

[Setting sail for fun]

I asked our house sitter to send some photos of Red Dog and Spotty if the opportunity came up and I got these last night.

 

Both of the wiener dogs and Booty will all run to the front door when the door bell rings barking. They do the same for any strange noise outside the house.

 

Red Dog is super friendly once she gets to know someone and here she is in the Kitchen hoping that she is going to get a doggie treat.

 

 

Spotty is a wimp! He spends most of his time tunneled under the covers on my bed. He has a way of grabbing them and moving them all around but has never chewed on them.

 

 

Our house sitter makes my bed every time she comes and by the time she returns it is torn up again! :eek:

 

They are very cute! We had a miniature dachshund when the children were growing up. Miss her

[Trainman-2]

NEWS FLASH!

 

 

The Anthem of the Seas is backing up to our dock and will tie up next to us!

 

 

A Good looking Ship! Photos later...