Serenade 26th- Jan 2nd review and questions

[apk1389]

Hello all just got off the boat about 40 min ago and waiting at my gate to come home I will be posting later tonight as I clean up and finish my review of this New Years Celeberation Cruise. I do have all the compasses with me and other assorteded papers cruise was very nice and if you have any questions feel free to ask

[wolfcathorse]

I assume you had Capt Michel, do you know when he goes on vacation? When is the muster drill held? You have my email, I'd like to see all the Compasses and the Behind the Name Tag paper. We're doing El Yunque after the cruise (to kill time before our 4:15 flight), did you do this too?

[noche_caliente]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Great questions!

[danp]

We will be doing a B2B starting Jan 23 to Feb 6.Will be waiting for your review.Do u know who the Conceirge is?

[wolfcathorse]

We will be doing a B2B starting Jan 23 to Feb 6.Will be waiting for your review.Do u know who the Conceirge is?

 

I read somewhere it was Kenneth Boodoo.

[apk1389]

Embarkation/ night one

To start like most people I will tell you a little about myself. I traveled with my parents and my brother who is fifteen. I am eighteen and between us we hit all different activities on this cruise. We have some of the adult to teens so I hope this is helpful to all. This was our first New Years cruise and it was very pleasant. After a slight flight delay we arrived to San Juan, Puerto Rico the day of the sailing around one thirty. We had arranged to use RCCL transfer to the port. We got our luggage quickly and got to the port within an hour. I know in previous years we have had a guide on the bus pointing out some sites, but we didn’t mind since we have seen San Juan multiple times. Getting to the port there was a huge line outside the terminal. Investigating more into it, it was those who still had their luggage and had to wait to get it checked in so it would be brought onto the ship. Since RCCL already had our luggage we were able to bypass the line and go directly into check-in. There was no line inside at the suite/ diamond and diamond plus line (not sure what other levels where included). There was only a line about four to five families deep in the normal check-in line. Check in was very quick and we were on the ship in about twenty or so minutes. We opted to do the coke package precruise soda package so had the Coca-Cola inscription on the card instead of the sticker. on the One thing that was a little different was they did not let allow initially allow was a minor to be under the adults credit card you needed to give consent on board at the guest relations desk. Walking into the ship you enter the Centrum. They had the vast majority of the Christmas decorations in it. A Christmas tree that was well decorated stood of to the side in the Centrum that stretched up to the top of Deck four and the bottom of deck five. Along all the railings strung garland with red ribbon (the garland also was strung in the dining room. )The cruise ship had playing all on the inside holiday music playing throughout. The crew did a lot to really make the holidays come to life.They did make sure everyone was represented and hanging from one railing on deck six was a Hanukkah flag. The only other decorations that were out were a huge gingerbread house on deck six on the entrance into the schooner bar. It stretched quite a distance and was often a photo stop for many families. Windjammer food was ok, slightly cold, but surprisingly was quite empty. Lunch for the guests in the windjammer ran from eleven thirty to seven thirty at night. One thing which we took advantage of and I know is not talked a lot about chops and Portofino’s had a special menu sampler that ran from two o’clock to four o’clock. It featured all different menu items at no cost but in very small portions. After like most days I found myself at the basketball court shooting around. One difference compared to the other Serenade reviews main seating was normal time at six. We had a table right in the middle of the Reflections dining hall. Service was a little stressed this day, but we knew this would happen because people would be arriving late and they needed to make sure everyone was out and available for the eight o’clock muster drill. We had a lovely waiter Govind he did a really nice job and had a nice Head Waiter they called him Monti who did do some special things. Our assistant waiter was very shy and quiet and I would rate him average his name was Carl. We had main seating dinner some of our favorite food was the shrimp ravioli which was extremely creamy and prime rib. Things we thought that night to avoid was the cod and the salmon both which were not cooked well. One thing we especially would not order again was the pork medallions which were extremely dry. Second seating was at eight forty five. With the muster drill at eight o’clock. Sail away party was at eight fifteen with “Heat Wave” it was decently represented up on deck, but probably a little light because it conflicted with dinner. My parents had gone to chops that night for dinner and made some notes as well. They enjoyed the eggplant and beef tenderloin tower. The shrimp cocktail were tastier and bigger than the main dining room. The Caesar salad had a really creative presentation coming out in a shape of a ear of corn. The normal Mississippi pie mud cake was consistently good as always and the Granny apple pie according to my mom was to die for. Night one was quite quiet all around Casino, vortex(the night club). Welcome aboard show was at ten thirty and was featuring comedian Rick Corso. He was alright was funny, but not to the point where you fell out of your seat. A younger guy early thirties, and did great impersonations. Funniest one is of Robert Diniro as the Lion in the Wizard of Oz. Notes of the day- movies - Fred Claus, race to witch mountain, watchmen. Drink of the day margarita rocks, soda package for adults was just under fifty dollars, kids package just under thirty five dollars. Our cruise director was Casey Pelter was humorous and enjoyed him really was not dry at all. Some other notes I want to write before I forget there were a lot of locals from Puerto Rico and also even more Canadians on board. One thing which was very prevalent all cruise long was age with the security guards. I have never seen them crack down so much with kids. They put a special sticker on the kids ages fifteen to seventeen on their sea pass cards. The curfew for any one under eighteen was one am and they came by whether by the pool or bars at around twelve thirty advising them to go back to their rooms. At one they started to escort the underage guests. To enter the vortex they had half the stair well roped off and anyone who was eighteen to about twenty five (looking on the young side) would have to have their card run through the computer. Overall a good first day with temperatures between eighty five and ninety.

[apk1389]

I assume you had Capt Michel, do you know when he goes on vacation? When is the muster drill held? You have my email, I'd like to see all the Compasses and the Behind the Name Tag paper. We're doing El Yunque after the cruise (to kill time before our 4:15 flight), did you do this too?

 

met michel briefly I talked a lot more to the hotel director. Theirry from france a very calm and down to earth he is leaving in february. I did not do el yunque this time we took a early flight. I did do el yunque in 2004 was a ok tour not as adventourus for me but still a ok tour and one of the better way to kill time

[paulap70]

Hello all just got off the boat about 40 min ago and waiting at my gate to come home I will be posting later tonight as I clean up and finish my review of this New Years Celeberation Cruise. I do have all the compasses with me and other assorteded papers cruise was very nice and if you have any questions feel free to ask

 

Which itinerary did the ship take? Which nights were the formal nights? Which nights would you recommend skipping the main dining room and opting for Chops or Portofino? Thanks for your help!

[apk1389]

St. Thomas was the beginning to another lovely day on our cruise. We woke up late with no excursion planned. We decided for a sit down breakfast in the main dining room. We were looking for the diamond dining for breakfast, but for some reason they did not have everything set up for it so we just ate in the normal section. Food was good nothing remarkable, but enjoyable to sit down. Now with a full days on the ship there was obviously there was a lot work needed on the ship. Lots of elevator buttons in the common areas and in the elevator itself were missing. Several of the lights were out or nonfunctional. The elevators sometimes stopped working elevators were not the best. Many of the public railings were always sticky and disgusting touch(could have been cleaning residue, but not really residual.) The public restrooms especially the ones on the higher decks were not kept clean all the time. Anyways back to the cruise because it really was nothing that took away from the cruise drastically. The Serenade was docked in the main cruise port and there was another ship in crown bay. It was a four dollar shuttle to downtown. So we had a pretty quiet day in the port. Temperatures were around eighty five degrees. There were some new very fancy shops that were built within the past three years. Taking a stroll through the shops it was really nice a lot nicer than the downtown shopping. A lot of the shops were still not open because of the holidays. Those shop owners who were open said there is not always as many shops open on Sundays. So just beware when the Serenade is in port it shops are not always open. Some of our group head over to Meagans bay which is nice as always except we hit for the only time really on the cruise we hit rain. I went back to the ship instead and participated in a lot of the activities. St. Thomas really has not changed a lot since the last time we have been there, but always a lovely stop. Dinner that night was ok and in my suggestion this night or night three would be a really good night for specialty dinning. This was a formal night on board. The show that night was of the Las Vegas Tenors. They were supposedly previously Las Vegas Act of the Year. Show times were nine and ten forty-five. Family consensus was they all had amazing voices, but the show was not the most entertaining. Though there were those who said it was amazing. Captains (Michel Calaveau) welcome Reception was in between the two dinners. Other activities that took place that night were battle of the sexes which surprising the males win which often doesn’t happen. Late night Adult Karaoke, drink of the day ( Carib Buzzer). On another note comparing this cruise to my last cruise on the Jewel on the Serenade allowed for full adult athletic games. The Jewel said they were not allowed. The Serenade allowed it and encouraged it and it allowed me to have ample opportunities. One thing that was another new security measure was in port; and all the ports if you were over eighteen you needed picture identification along with your sea pass to get on the ship. They stressed the picture identification to allow you to return to the ship. Movies of the day (Race to Witch Mountain and Obsessed). Tip of the Day bring your passport to guest relations to get a copy so you don’t have to carry your passport around the port.

[JerseyGem]

Thanks for the posts- keep going! We won't be on the Serenade until July, so your posts are helping me get my "Cruise fix" until then.

[chadbeck]

I have heard that they don't do the smart casual night any longer. Was this the case on your cruise?

Thanks

[39august]

Any plumbing problems?

[apk1389]

ok finishing the last touches to my day in St. Croix will post very soon yes I was shocked there was no smart casual/ semi formal on the cruise. To my knowledge no plumbing problems

[apk1389]

St. Croix

 

This was our first time visiting the island. Docking in Frederisksted. Again we were the only shipped docked in port which was nice so nothing was super crowded. Right of the ship there was not a lot of shopping but a couple of little shops of local crafts and goods. Christianstead had a lot more shopping which a lot of people enjoyed. It was a twelve dollar shuttle to the town. We took part in the Salt River Kayaking tour. To get to the River it was about a half hour bus ride enjoyable and got to see a lot of the sights. It was a very ecological based tour which took half a day. Getting to paddle around the mangroves and seeing a lot of the washed up boats from Hurricane Hugo. A tour of about twenty or less people. The tour guides told us a lot of history and did lots of trivia. The kayak with the most correct questions received a bottle of rum. Towards the end of the tour everyone stopped by a local beach for some power bars. It was an ok tour, but it was hot out on the water with about again around eighty five to ninety degree temperatures. Dinner that night again was a casual night and a seventies theme to go along with it. I think the table consensus was the cheese tortellini was very nice. They were big and almost the size of the ravioli. The show was “Stage to Screen show” which was our first show with the RCCL Singer and Dancers. It included some renditions of West Side Story, Sweet Charity, Hairspray, Chicago. If you like Broadway then this might be your type show but in my opinion ill pass on it next time. Show times were seven and nine. Night three seemed to be the night of the dance party. A Latin dance party at ten followed by a 70’s dance party in the Centrum at ten thirty. This sailing had a lot of married couples constantly dancing and most venues were always well represented. Unlike other sailings not many passengers dressed for the party. Drink of the Day( Caribbean Cooler). Royal Caribbean is trying now to establish a group known as club 18-20+. They had about one activity a day planned whether mini-golfing or majority of the time a meet and mingle at a lounge. No one ever went to these along with no staff members. They are making some efforts in that field but nothing that is sufficient. Movies of the day ( It’s a wonderful Life, Gotta Dance, Duplicity). Almost every day poolside was a Blongo tournament and a table tennis tournament. Those where never really crowded some more crowded activities of the day was the adult 3 on 3 tournaments and the Billiard Hot Shot tournament. My tip of the day would be in the Casino. They don’t promote it but they have a package called 20 for 30. At the cashier you give them 20 dollars and get 30 dollars of playing chips for table play. It helps if you want to play minimal and allow for multiple hands. They had on board around four or five black jack tables. I believe all but one had ten dollar minimum and one had a six dollar minimum. It was always impossible to get a table at the six dollar table

[paylady]

Thanks so much for taking the time and posting your review and comments.

[apk1389]

Captain Michel Claveau- Has been with RCCL since 1997. Has been on Nordic Princess, Adventure, Rhapsody, and currently the Serenade. He is Canadian and currently lives on a Sail Boat with his wife exploring the South Pacific when not on board.

Hotel Director Thierry Granieri- Originally born in France and grew up early childhood in French Polynesia. Has only within the past few years joined RCCL after much work on land. Theirry currently lives in Sweden. He was a very personable man and had a presence around the ship all the time. Both Crew and Passengers both enjoyed him. Will be on board till early February.

Cruise Director Casey Pelter- was born in British Columbia and now currently resides in Calgary, Alberta Canada. A larger guy and loves playing sports. Has a degree in Kinesiology from University of Lethbridge. Has been part of RCCL for 9 years starting in Adventure Ocean and now has progressed to Cruise Director. Always tried to make sure some energy was on board. Very calm guy except playing sports watch out for him on the All star team in the crew vs passengers pool volleyball game he is a force at the net.

Chief Engineer Marco Marzocchi-born in Italy and went threw the Merchant Marines. Has been part of the Italian Marine Navy, Costa Cruise line. Started his career with RCCL in 1997 on the legend of the seas. Has spent time briefly on the Brilliances and now serves you on the Serenade.

Loyalty Ambassador Mary Ann Yao- from the Phillippines. On land has worked at Manilla Hotel. Started in 1999 on the Legend of the Seas. Has also been on Sovereign, Navigator, Vision, Rhapsody, Radiance, and Serenade.

Food and Beverage Manager Markus Juen- originally from Austria. Joined RCCL In 1991 on the Sovereign.

[cruising to paradise]

We are leaving on Jan 30, can you tell me what nights were the formal nights.

[wolfcathorse]

ty apk1389 - great details. In your opinion is there a way to avoid that first long line at the pier when you arrive at the ship in San Juan?

[Dick and Jane]

Formal Nights - Day 2 and day 6. Day 6 was Dec. 31st so this might have been adjusted for this holiday cruise. There were not many tuxedos. There were no true smart-casual nights.

 

Last Day - We did not explore El Yunque on this cruise, but we have done this on previous trips. The regular bus trip was not our favorite. We have done horseback riding as well as a canapy tour in this area. For our last day in San Juan, we took a cab to the downtown area; dropping our luggage at Barrachina's. There is no standard fee, but we tipped the young man $5 to hold our bags for the day. We walked to El Morro and San Cristabal ($5 per person entrance for both forts). In between the two forts, we had lunch at La Bombonera. Really great dining experience!

 

Entertainment - The Vortex seemed dead on most evenings. Zig Zag (kind of a rock-a-billy/classic rock band) was good. They often played in the Centrum. The piano player in the Schooner Bar was good. When he didn't know the song I requested, he had me write down the title and artist. Two days later, he had the Buddy Holly song, and he played it each night we were in the lounge. I always find the production shows to be good. The main singers also performed one night in the Centrum and one night in the Safari club. Nice evenings. Comedian was okay, the "Mentalist" was weak. The Love and Marriage Game was the main show on another night. I would have preferred another production show, but it was funny. The Centrum was used for more events that I have noticed on previous cruises. It was a good use of this venue.

 

Security - Yes, I did notice the security personnel. I did not notice hords of teenagers hanging out in the stairwells that I have witnessed on other ships.

 

Plumbing (Interesting question!) - There was a plumbing problem on deck 9 on the first/second day of the cruise, but I was not aware that this caused any serious problems.

 

Dining - We had dinner in Portofino on day 3 and Chops on day 6 (New Year's Eve). I selected these nights at random. There was a murder mystery dinner in Portofino that we have done on previous cruises, but not this one. It was great fun and entertaining.

[paylady]

Questions:

 

1) Did they have a buffet and music out by the pool one night? If yes, which night?

 

2) With this being so port intensive, did they offer trivia most days?

[apk1389]

day 4 dancing under stars with buffet. and trivia was offered mutiple time in different options whether name that tune or normal trivia

[melmich]

Thank you for your review. We are sailing January 30th. Do you know if there were any wine tasting or wine flights?

[apk1389]

wine tasting was day 3 in chops at 3:00 pm... I will post more review later today

[barbie5401]

Your review is most helpful. I didn't know that the muster drill was at 8:00, didn't know there was no smart casual - what was the dress code if it wasn't formal. We have a flight leaving SJU at 3:30 are there trips after the cruise that leave us at the airport. Thanks so much

[kaimedia]

We were on this cruise also. Had a great time with one exception. The food in the main dining room was awful. We gave up after three tries. The talapia was inedible and the chicken marsala consisted of a brined/overmarinated cutlet. Strange because the other venues had great food. Everyone was complaining. We did MTD. One thing they forget to tell you is you will eat alone. My husband and I were always seated alone unless we happened to walk into the dining room at the same time as another couple who wanted to join us. We had thought that they would just seat us at a table for six or eight as they do at breakfast.