Serenade of the seas

Can anyone tell me how this ship is? I've been on Adventure of the Seas and loved it. I tried searching for comments but didn't see any.

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This is a good start for info on Serenade: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/royal-caribbean/serenade

You may miss the Royal Promenade...we did. The centrum on the radiance class ships just don't have enough space for all that goes on in there! Plus, the Solarium pool is enclosed, which means no tanning in there. Didn't care for that at all. I did enjoy the outdoor dining space in the WJ, tho...more ships should have that feature.

My husband & I were recently on the Serenade in August and she is well maintained. As mentioned, Radiance Class ships lack many of the features your larger ships have, no Broadway shows but service was very good in my opinion, crew friendly. We enjoy the Radiance Class Ship yet for variety and more things to do enjoy the Freedom Class. Ships. They each offer enjoyable cruises.

If you'd rather not sail in a shopping mall and have access to loads of glass windows on a smaller ship then give her a try. We sailed her last Thanksgiving and had a wonderful cruise. This Thanksgiving we will be on her sister, the Brilliance.

The solarium was perfect as I can't be in the sun, and the Schooner bar was a real treat.

You may miss the Royal Promenade...we did. The centrum on the radiance class ships just don't have enough space for all that goes on in there! Plus, the Solarium pool is enclosed, which means no tanning in there. Didn't care for that at all. I did enjoy the outdoor dining space in the WJ, tho...more ships should have that feature.

The Solarium Top is retractable. I’ve seen it open in warmer ports.

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The Serenade, and similar ships, usually gets glowing reports from people who love the glass windows and sea view. Many people just love the smaller ships.

Sailed last year and did not enjoy - and I have sailed that class of ship previously. It always seemed crowded. Nightly entertainment was mostly in the centrum. It was always crowded and so seats available.

Ship also smelled smokey from casino smoke, which permeated other venues. Could have just been I was on a cruise with lots of smokers.

Solarium roof was open sometimes - could never figure why not open all the time. Solarium was also always crowded because of the cafe being in there -adding to the overall people; not relaxing or quiet.

Missed the promenade - I don't consider that a mall - nice place to have a cup of coffee or drink and sit and people watch or visit with friends. Also missed the ice show and other entertainment.

On the plus side - food and staff were great. Met new friends in the diamond lounge, etc.

Did a similar cruise on the Navigator (southern Caribbean) and preferred the Navigator.

Thank you for the replies! We are booked on the Serenade in January for the 11 night Southern Caribbean cruise. I love the smaller ships although just once I'd love to try one of the mega ships! I hope there are not alot of smokers on our cruise, I really wanted to go to the casino. I hate being around smoke. :o

Oh, is there a Rita's Cantina on Serenade? I saw that mentioned in a review but not in the listed restaurants for the ship.

Oh, is there a Rita's Cantina on Serenade? I saw that mentioned in a review but not in the listed restaurants for the ship.

Yes, there was last Thanksgiving..........never busy

I hope there are not alot of smokers on our cruise, I really wanted to go to the casino. I hate being around smoke. :o

Well sadly, it only takes one smoker in the casino. ;) There are no fans or ventilation to remove the smoke, and that is one of the indoor smoking-permitted venues.

Well I guess I won't be giving the ship any money in the casino

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Well I guess I won't be giving the ship any money in the casino

 

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Serenade Casino has been NON SMOKING on the two formal nights. Hope that hasn’t changed.

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Smaller ship, really liked it and would cruise on that ship again. But does need some TLC

Scooner bar is extremely nice with good views and bright room area.

Rita's is in the back section of the Windjammer area. Have not eaten there usually end up in the Main dinning for dinner, Park Cafe for lunch and breakfast. Like to read in the afternoon and usually need a quick breakfast because of excursions LOL.

Casino has a smoking section but if you are in the adjacent section you would not notice there are smokers.

Main dinning for us has been very well Bojan & "G2" (no one can pronounce his name) were extremely well with service and personality that was most enjoyable. It was NOT sardined like it was in the mega ships.

Ship has a lot of glass and elevators are on one side with a lot of glass. very nice intimate ship

Smaller ship, really liked it and would cruise on that ship again. But does need some TLC

 

Scooner bar is extremely nice with good views and bright room area.

 

 

Rita's is in the back section of the Windjammer area. Have not eaten there usually end up in the Main dinning for dinner, Park Cafe for lunch and breakfast. Like to read in the afternoon and usually need a quick breakfast because of excursions LOL.

 

Casino has a smoking section but if you are in the adjacent section you would not notice there are smokers.

 

Main dinning for us has been very well Bojan & "G2" (no one can pronounce his name) were extremely well with service and personality that was most enjoyable. It was NOT sardined like it was in the mega ships.

 

Ship has a lot of glass and elevators are on one side with a lot of glass. very nice intimate ship

We enjoyed the buffet like salad bar in the MDR on Sea days.

You senses must be much different than ours as we can always tell smokers are in the Casino. Heck, you don’t even need to go inside as it flows out. I spend a fair amount of time in the Casino. I wish they would prohibit smoking in the Casino at the minimum for smoking and NOT playing. Many non players use the Casino for a smoking area. Even when the Casino and Casino bar are closed, their seems to always be a fair share of people smoking inside.

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I have always been around smokers and am a former smoker (quit 17+ years ago) . Grand parents smoked, Mother smoked, sibilings smoked, Nephew & neice smoked, always been around smokers.

Being technical yes I can smell the smoker and can point out who are the smokers in the MDR, on the pool deck, and in headliner shows, etc very easy for me because their clothes and hair. Also can tell the people who don't bathe well, those that use too much colegne or parfume also LOL.

But that being said, I can not be in the same area where the smokers are smoking because it irrates my eyes way too much and breathing becomes hard when in confinded areas. BUT, BUT when you are in the adjeancent area of the smoking section, I find it easy and not irratiable.

this is only my opinion for I just try to live and let live :)

We enjoyed the buffet like salad bar in the MDR on Sea days.

 

You senses must be much different than ours as we can always tell smokers are in the Casino. Heck, you don’t even need to go inside as it flows out. I spend a fair amount of time in the Casino. I wish they would prohibit smoking in the Casino at the minimum for smoking and NOT playing. Many non players use the Casino for a smoking area. Even when the Casino and Casino bar are closed, their seems to always be a fair share of people smoking inside.

 

 

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Really agree with you about the smell of smoke - permeated the entire casino, and even beyond. Worst ship I have been on for smelling smoke. Even the small lounge/sitting area outside the door of the casino smelled.

This is my favorite class of ships. The size isn't overwhelming and all the glass views are beautiful. I like to feel like I'm on a cruise and Serenade (Brilliance, Jewel, and Radiance) fill the bill. Cruises on these ships also offer better ports that the big ships can't or don't visit.

We were on a 10 night in March and absolutely loved the ship. After sailing NCL Epic I realized that I really enjoyed the constant ocean views, never forgot I was on a cruise ship. Loved going up to Rita's Cantina and having a couple drinks, chips and salsa and watching sail-away. The staff was friendly and the food was good. Ship was clean and well maintained.

how is the night life on serenade? besides the casino what is going on around the ship? thanks.

how is the night life on serenade? besides the casino what is going on around the ship? thanks.

This thead has a Compass with a schedule of events:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=52313305&postcount=3

I'm looking forward to being on a smaller ship in March. I love the big ones, love the Oasis entertainment, but I also enjoy feeling like I'm on a ship, not a floating hotel.

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I'm looking forward to being on a smaller ship in March. I love the big ones, love the Oasis entertainment, but I also enjoy feeling like I'm on a ship, not a floating hotel.

 

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I totally agree!

Love the shows and entertainment on the big ships but also love the initmacy that comes with the small ones.

This thead has a Compass with a schedule of events:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=52313305&postcount=3

Thanks very much for posting this. The OP's itinerary was very similar to mine for this coming December so it will give me an idea of what to expect on board. :)

Thanks very much for posting this. The OP's itinerary was very similar to mine for this coming December so it will give me an idea of what to expect on board. :)

Glad it helped, and thanks to the poster who scanned the Compass.