Aboard Serenity Jan 18-Feb 3: The Adventure Continues

[BEAV]

2 hours ago, ryndam said:

Huatulco. This port is the only new destination for us in 30 days. It’s a bit like Cabo was 35 years ago before it became overdeveloped. The US and Canadian coast guard keeps cutters nearby in an attempt to slow the illegal drug trade from Guatemala and further south. The beach is literally at the end of the pier.

 

Rob

I’ve found Huatulco charming compared to most cruise ports in Mexico. Including the nearby town of La Crucecita, just a mile or so inland from the pier. 
 

We were destined there a second time aboard Symphony in 2010 when it was hastily added as a replacement to Acapulco due to all the violence. I remember a good deal of concern with Acapulco on the roll call before we sailed. The decision to skip Acapulco wasn’t made until we were already well into the voyage. Then, as it turned out, the winds were too strong to get into Huatulco, so Puerto Vallarta was added at the last minute! 

[crickette]

Many times our bottles, glasses and other breakables went into the bathtub, wrapped and padded with towels.  Now that NC has removed the tubs in many rooms, in rough weather we will have to be creative and use some of these ideas.

[Roland4]

1 hour ago, crickette said:

Many times our bottles, glasses and other breakables went into the bathtub, wrapped and padded with towels.  Now that NC has removed the tubs in many rooms, in rough weather we will have to be creative and use some of these ideas.

A northbound crossing of the Drake in 2011 on Le Boreal, the Captain strongly suggested putting everything, including the plastic bottles, in the top drawer with a towel or two on top. After 36 hours of 40+ foot waves, and 70 MPH winds, he was right! 😮😮

[ryndam]

Todays Reflections and menus.

 

E68D389B-7500-40ED-9D77-A70F53638ACD.pdf 3631E5BB-34DB-4282-9297-F49977F0A6DD.pdf 3C96944E-C748-4AC1-8592-B3DB770214C0.pdf

[ryndam]

Random voyage observations:

 

1. On this b2b voyage, two of the enrichment lecturers and several of the entertainers are holdovers from the previous cruise. We’ve seen their performances and heard their lectures less than two weeks ago. Repetitious. Fortunately there are other venues to enjoy. Or simply early evenings for us.
 

2. Waterside variety, preparation, presentation and quality are excellent. Service appears hit-or-miss. On at least three occasions we twiddled our thumbs for 40-45 minutes before our orders were even taken. We generally arrive between 7:30-7:45pm and are often among the last to leave between 9:30-9:55pm. And no, we do not order everything on the menu; generally only 3 courses - a starter, main entree and a dessert or cheese.

 

3. Beverage service in Marketplace during lunch is wildly hit-or-miss. Either it’s spectacularly efficient or non-existent.

 

4. Beverage service by the pool is over-the-top outstanding. A small army of servers constantly roam the decks. I’ve periodically been camped out on the rear decks on 10 or 11 and servers are continuously roaming the rear decks.

 

5. Service in the bistro is consistent and very efficient. The new seating arrangements with mostly 2-tops or 4-tops that eliminated the larger round tables of yore is so much more appropriate and allows better utilization of the space.

 

6. Always plenty of beach towels and bottled water at the gangway on port calls. And a tented reception on the pier with iced towels and cold water or tea. A nice touch.

 

7. Our butler can’t do enough for us. He almost lives in the corridor outside our room. Our stewardess is super efficient. We go to breakfast and the room is freshened once we return. She’s is quick!

 

8. The Avenue Saloon player is still too loud. His pre-dinner , piano-only set is very nice. It’s only when he sings later in the evening that the sound level is painful. (He practically swallows the microphone, which causes the decibel level to spike louder than a 747 taking off!) He’s great when he keeps his mouth shut and just plays. Many other guests seem to enjoy his performance, so maybe it’s just me…

 

9. Plenty of lounge chairs and seating available around the pool. In sun. In shade. If you're flexible about the type of chair, I’ve not seen a “sold out/full house” around the pool. There are a few chair hogs that stake their claim by 8:30am, but to their credit, they do continuously occupy their position the entire day, so they really are using their “land claim”.

 

10. Bar service in the Cove is uniformly excellent. Bar service in Stardust when that lounge is used for shows is excellent. Bar service in Avenue can be hit-or-miss. It depends on who’s behind the bar and the number of servers working the room. Bar service in Palm Court is often a dice roll; to me, it appears that room is consistently understaffed.

 

11. The most popular activities this past week have been the NFL playoffs broadcast in the Lounge or in the cabins.

 

12. The gym and spa used to have a dedicated attendant to ensure that towels, water, soaps, amenities, etc. are always replenished. That position seems to have been eliminated. The whole experience is now more a “self-serve-you’re-on-your-own “ these days. Bring your own towel, water bottle and soaps with you. Don’t know if this lack of attention is only temporary or the continuing new reality.

 

13. The front desk/reception staff are as nice and as sweet as can be. Unfortunately, IMHO they are either not trained appropriately or dumb-as-dirt. If you interact with reception staff, go with very low expectations. The concierge, on the other hand, is a very seasoned, experienced professional.

 

14. We cancelled our OO reservation last night and dined in Waterside. The OO menu is “okay”, but IMHO, nothing on the menu is special enough to warrant a return visit. We’re dining in Tastes tonight, which has, in our opinion, the best lamp chops onboard!

 

Rant over. Time for lunch and pool time.

 

Rob

[travelberlin]

Thank you Rob for your summary of observations. I like your honesty and balance about what you are experiencing. 

 

Ivi

[USCAdventurer]

yes, thank you rob for your observations.  i got a kick out of your comments about the front desk people.  your comments about the food are wonderful.  keep enjoying everything.

[History&Wine]

A good balanced review.   To add:

 

2.  Waterside is greatly improved from years ago.  Agree on the quality.  I have not had the issues with service that Rob experienced.  I generally enter around 6:30.  There is always a line at 6:00. and I am baffled as to why people consistently choose to wait in said line.

 

4. Totally agree.

 

8.  Agree, the Avenue is too loud.  Maybe ok if you are alone and like loud music.  Definitely difficult if not impossible to have a conversation. 
 

10.  Agree with everything Rob said.

 

13.   Agree about the front desk.  Have not used the concierge. 
 

14.  OO is an improvement over Prego in my opinion.  Atmosphere is excellent.  But I’m not sure it is any better than Waterside in food quality.  No lasagna??

 

Rob, will miss you and your posts.  Safe travels!

 

 

[Stickman1990]

2 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

Rob, will miss you and your posts.  Safe travels!

Dwight - we’re looking for a volunteer to take over the baton 😉 - seeing Reflections and the menus each day has been great 

 

Rob - thanks for all your posts and candid feedback - I’m particularly sorry to hear the Avenue was a miss for you as I know how much you and Jim enjoy time there. Safe travels home 

[BEAV]

@ryndam and @History&Wine, thank 

you both for sharing excellent observations. 

[ryndam]

The party’s not over! Puerto Vallarta tomorrow then 2 more sea days. Been whale watching from our balcony this afternoon. And today, the seas are lake-like! 😁😁

 

Rob

[ryndam]

Live update supplement: no whales but dozens of dolphins. And they are jumping really high out of the water! Impossible to photograph without professional equipment, but wow this afternoon!

 

Rob

[History&Wine]

Stockman…sorry, I don’t have Rob’s computer skills.

 

Forgot to mention…my room stewardess is new to Crystal and was being trained as I boarded.  I thought the worst, but she is now one of the best I’ve had.   Just like Rob, I head down for breakfast and when I return room is spotless.  I told her to skip the evening service as I don’t need that.  Being on deck seven, I have a “ junior” butler who I’m not sure what all he does but like Rob’ s butler seems to reside in the hallway.

 

Remember all of Rob’s posts of the snack trays?  On deck seven we get  a small dish of chips and pretzels.   I told my butler to skip that delivery.

 

Laundry is now included for world cruisers.   I thought “ I don’t need that”.  Now…well…I still don’t need it, but now I want it.   Put your laundry in a sack and it arrives in two days neatly folded or on hangers.

 

 

 

 

[Critically Cruising]

3 hours ago, History&Wine said:

8.  Agree, the Avenue is too loud.  Maybe ok if you are alone and like loud music.  Definitely difficult if not impossible to have a conversation.

 

Over the years, there have been Avenue entertainers that pretty much DON'T want folks to have conversations.  They are the attraction, and the focus, and if you want to talk among yourselves - how dare you intrude on my show.

 

Don't know if that's the case you're experiencing.  Trying to remember the over-the-top entertainer that turned the Avenue into a floor show -- and hoping he never returns.

[Stickman1990]

2 minutes ago, Critically Cruising said:

Don't know if that's the case you're experiencing.  Trying to remember the over-the-top entertainer that turned the Avenue into a floor show -- and hoping he never returns.

I agree, the Avenue is for guests and enjoying a drink and conversation. Some entertainers like Mark Farris know how to blend that and entertainment - others not so much 

 

The entertainer you refer to certainly had his fans but that style was not suited to Crystal and the Avenue - I think we can be fairly confident he won’t be back on Crystal 

[Stickman1990]

7 minutes ago, History&Wine said:

Stockman…sorry, I don’t have Rob’s computer skills.

I look forward to meeting you on the Papeete leg and would be happy to show you just how easy it is then - but the main thing is you continue to enjoy your cruise 

 

Love your laundry comment and know how you feel after having had it included on other lines but I’m ok with an early morning session in the laundry room as the ones on Crystal are very well appointed with so many machines. Once  again, like several other facilities, they have retained the same number of machines they used to have for a 1000 or so guests now for only 700 - another plus I hadn’t thought about before now 

[ryndam]

5 hours ago, Critically Cruising said:

Don't know if that's the case you're experiencing.  Trying to remember the over-the-top entertainer that turned the Avenue into a floor show -- and hoping he never returns.

I have no issue naming names. He was Perry Grant. Ladies of a certain age loved him. Not so much anyone else. He’s gone bye-bye.

 

Rob

[ryndam]

6 hours ago, History&Wine said:

Remember all of Rob’s posts of the snack trays?  On deck seven we get  a small dish of chips and pretzels.   I told my butler to skip that delivery.

 

 

 

 

I didn’t photograph today’s snack before we demolished it. OMG. Double portions of pate with caviar. Made up for the skimpy servings of lobster and crab claws. There’s more flat space up on deck 11 than deck 7, I guess. My bad….Rob

[Critically Cruising]

1 hour ago, ryndam said:

I have no issue naming names. He was Perry Grant. Ladies of a certain age loved him. Not so much anyone else. He’s gone bye-bye.

 

Yep...that's the name.  Couldn't place it.  Will have to write it down, if only so I can properly avoid.

[kool kruiser]

17 hours ago, ryndam said:

Random voyage observations:

 

1. On this b2b voyage, two of the enrichment lecturers and several of the entertainers are holdovers from the previous cruise. We’ve seen their performances and heard their lectures less than two weeks ago. Repetitious. Fortunately there are other venues to enjoy. Or simply early evenings for us.
 

2. Waterside variety, preparation, presentation and quality are excellent. Service appears hit-or-miss. On at least three occasions we twiddled our thumbs for 40-45 minutes before our orders were even taken. We generally arrive between 7:30-7:45pm and are often among the last to leave between 9:30-9:55pm. And no, we do not order everything on the menu; generally only 3 courses - a starter, main entree and a dessert or cheese.

 

3. Beverage service in Marketplace during lunch is wildly hit-or-miss. Either it’s spectacularly efficient or non-existent.

 

4. Beverage service by the pool is over-the-top outstanding. A small army of servers constantly roam the decks. I’ve periodically been camped out on the rear decks on 10 or 11 and servers are continuously roaming the rear decks.

 

5. Service in the bistro is consistent and very efficient. The new seating arrangements with mostly 2-tops or 4-tops that eliminated the larger round tables of yore is so much more appropriate and allows better utilization of the space.

 

6. Always plenty of beach towels and bottled water at the gangway on port calls. And a tented reception on the pier with iced towels and cold water or tea. A nice touch.

 

7. Our butler can’t do enough for us. He almost lives in the corridor outside our room. Our stewardess is super efficient. We go to breakfast and the room is freshened once we return. She’s is quick!

 

8. The Avenue Saloon player is still too loud. His pre-dinner , piano-only set is very nice. It’s only when he sings later in the evening that the sound level is painful. (He practically swallows the microphone, which causes the decibel level to spike louder than a 747 taking off!) He’s great when he keeps his mouth shut and just plays. Many other guests seem to enjoy his performance, so maybe it’s just me…

 

9. Plenty of lounge chairs and seating available around the pool. In sun. In shade. If you're flexible about the type of chair, I’ve not seen a “sold out/full house” around the pool. There are a few chair hogs that stake their claim by 8:30am, but to their credit, they do continuously occupy their position the entire day, so they really are using their “land claim”.

 

10. Bar service in the Cove is uniformly excellent. Bar service in Stardust when that lounge is used for shows is excellent. Bar service in Avenue can be hit-or-miss. It depends on who’s behind the bar and the number of servers working the room. Bar service in Palm Court is often a dice roll; to me, it appears that room is consistently understaffed.

 

11. The most popular activities this past week have been the NFL playoffs broadcast in the Lounge or in the cabins.

 

12. The gym and spa used to have a dedicated attendant to ensure that towels, water, soaps, amenities, etc. are always replenished. That position seems to have been eliminated. The whole experience is now more a “self-serve-you’re-on-your-own “ these days. Bring your own towel, water bottle and soaps with you. Don’t know if this lack of attention is only temporary or the continuing new reality.

 

13. The front desk/reception staff are as nice and as sweet as can be. Unfortunately, IMHO they are either not trained appropriately or dumb-as-dirt. If you interact with reception staff, go with very low expectations. The concierge, on the other hand, is a very seasoned, experienced professional.

 

14. We cancelled our OO reservation last night and dined in Waterside. The OO menu is “okay”, but IMHO, nothing on the menu is special enough to warrant a return visit. We’re dining in Tastes tonight, which has, in our opinion, the best lamp chops onboard!

 

Rant over. Time for lunch and pool time.

 

Rob

Absolutely not a rant, Rob.

Your comments are balanced and measured. Hopefully, they will be picked up by senior management reviewing this board. Please also share, if not done so already, with HD onboard. Thanks.

Colin

[Texas Tillie]

1 hour ago, kool kruiser said:

Absolutely not a rant, Rob.

Your comments are balanced and measured. Hopefully, they will be picked up by senior management reviewing this board. Please also share, if not done so already, with HD onboard. Thanks.

Colin

Not Rob, but can report that the hotel director is Scott Peterson. 
 

Patty

[ryndam]

Todays Reflections. Menu not yet posted.

10800890-91CB-4A0F-B2E1-01CFE4D79D93.pdf

[ryndam]

Todays menu just posted.

 

35402F09-BBC9-47C0-B39D-8431C511EFBD.pdf

[John Cruise]

Watched you sailing into Puerto Vallarta this morning from my terrace.

Have enjoyed your daily observations and news.

Thanks,

JC

[tnm6217]

On 1/30/2024 at 1:07 PM, ryndam said:

8. The Avenue Saloon player is still too loud. His pre-dinner , piano-only set is very nice. It’s only when he sings later in the evening that the sound level is painful. (He practically swallows the microphone, which causes the decibel level to spike louder than a 747 taking off!) He’s great when he keeps his mouth shut and just plays. Many other guests seem to enjoy his performance, so maybe it’s just me…

 

Is the entertainer still Joel Spire? He was onboard in November and we had the opposite problem with him...it sounded like he was whispering the lyrics while playing piano over recorded music. Maybe they turned up the volume to try and compensate for his quiet singing?? In my opinion, he was definitely nowhere near the level of the other entertainers onboard, but maybe he wasn't feeling well on that particular sailing.