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Back from Serenade 11/7-11/14

sandinmypants

By sandinmypants,
in Royal Caribbean International

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sandinmypants

sandinmypants

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I'm glad they have a non-smoking night or two in the casino - makes perfect sense. We had very few issues with smoking, fewer than I thought we would. On the pool deck we tended to stick to "our" side. :D The back portion (uncovered, outside) of the Windjammer also has a smoking section on the starboard side - I ended up in that by mistake the morning we pulled into St. Lucia and didn't want to move because I had a good viewpoint. Really, there was a good breeze and only a couple of people there smoking intermittently, so it wasn't that big a deal.

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sandinmypants

sandinmypants

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Second...when in Akumal, do you you swim in the Yal-Ku Lagoon?

 

Also, about 5 minutes south of Akumal is a great place run by Gary, a guy from Texas. It is a small restaurant and resort called Casa Cenote. The food is good, but the views from the restaurant and beach are breathtaking!

 

Ahhhhh....Akumal! One of those places you hate to tell people about because you don't want it to attract too many visitors - but it's hard not to talk about it when you love it so much! Is this the same Gary, of the Gary & Kay that have the website all about Akumal?

 

We don't go to Yal-Ku. We often take a taxi from our resort up to Akumal playa and hang out for the day, snorkeling with the turtles and other sea life. The best snorkeling I've ever experienced there. Hoped to find something better on our cruise (snorkeling was one of our main objectives), but the water conditions just weren't cooperating with us! Oh well, you get what you get. Akumal playa is only a $12 (total) taxi ride from our resort. And in MX, they just have little car taxis that you hop in and go - no trying to load up a bus before they take off - I think that was one of my biggest pet peeves on some of those islands... There's a nice little beach bar that rents chairs, a dive shop on the beach if you need any equipment - just a great place to spend the day. We even feel safe just leaving our bags of stuff laying on the beach while we all snorkel together. There are some little shops to browse in, and a few other restaurants set back from the beach to eat in.

 

Our resort is part of a really large A/I. It's not super-fancy (no drink service around the pool or on the beach), but it suits us perfectly. It has three sections, each one is self-sufficient, but you can use the facilities of the other three if you want (music lounges, a la carte restaurants and buffets, etc.) So you don't get too bored. There's over a mile of beach front, some calm and cove-like, some with great wave action. There's a roped-off area out in the ocean that contains their reef - they're trying to keep people off of it, but we snorkel it early in the morning before the guards get out there - we're very respectful of the reef, not everyone is. People try to touch or even ride the turtles, harrass the fish, step all over the coral - it's incredible how insensitive some people are to the sea life. We've been to this resort a dozen times now, so they know us pretty well and of course we get slightly preferential treatment - kind of like "Diamond" or whatever when you cruise a lot.

 

Most people that go there like it, but there are a few people that have really high expectations and get there and hate it. It's things like very little air conditioning in the public venues (you adjust really quickly if nothing is air conditioned, vs. going in & out of a/c and then you always think it's hot!) We just wear different clothing, and stay hydrated. I love it - my skin loves it! And the best part is the price - it's about 1/2 the price of cruising.

 

Sorry - I'll get off my soapbox now - and keep in mind we did love the Serenade, like I said before. Beautiful ship, fantastic crew & service, delicious food (gained 4 lbs, how could it not be!). Just not quite for us.

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chef_christoph

chef_christoph

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Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review. I really enjoy reading reviews and you have presented a very far account of your experiences.

 

I find myself sitting here disappointed that you didn't enjoy certain aspects of the trip. I think it's because I love cruising so much that I really want everyone to love it as much as I do. Alas, life is not like that and we all enjoy (or not) different things.

 

Also, a thanks for your description of the AI you go to in Mexico. I am actually looking around at some AIs for a future holiday so I think I might just look into that one as well to see if it is something I might enjoy.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time to write!

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BILL-WI

BILL-WI

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...Is this the same Gary, of the Gary & Kay that have the website all about Akumal? ...

 

...

We don't go to Yal-Ku. We often take a taxi from our resort up to Akumal playa and hang out for the day, snorkeling with the turtles and other sea life.

 

Nope, it is a different Gary...check it out next time you are in Paradise!

 

http://www.casacenote.com/Casa_Cenote/Restaurant.html

 

I have been to Akuma Playa 2 times and love it. Swimming with the turtles and rays is a blast...but no touch is my #1 rule!

 

BILL

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sandinmypants

sandinmypants

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Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed review. I really enjoy reading reviews and you have presented a very far account of your experiences.

 

I find myself sitting here disappointed that you didn't enjoy certain aspects of the trip. I think it's because I love cruising so much that I really want everyone to love it as much as I do. Alas, life is not like that and we all enjoy (or not) different things.

 

Also, a thanks for your description of the AI you go to in Mexico. I am actually looking around at some AIs for a future holiday so I think I might just look into that one as well to see if it is something I might enjoy.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time to write!

 

Awwwww....don't be disappointed! I know you love the Serenade - she's a beautiful ship! I'm really glad we chose the Serenade as opposed to one of the mega-wonders-of-the-world. I know we would NOT have been happy on a large ship. We're just not "sit around the pool" people. And having to whip out my seapass every time I wanted a drink - it was like hearing the "cha-ching" of the cash register. I hated that. If I could have just given them $8 cash it would have been easier for some reason - :D - not sure why! Hubby just wanted a quiet place on the beach to play his guitar. He likes hot weather, warm water to snorkel in, and the sound of the surf at 6am. He works hard and needs to unwind, and this trip wasn't working for him - he'd rather stay home than travel anyway, so I need to make sure that he gets what he needs.

 

And - if it's the "luxury" aspect of cruising that you like, you wouldn't like our A/I. I think that's the biggest complaint I've heard from people - service-related issues. You don't get your towels replaced twice a day. No turn-down service. Sometimes you're lucky if they clean your room by 4pm..... it's MX, and the staff can be lazy sometimes. But we're not that picky - we just hunt down someone and get what we need, whatever it might be. But for relaxation - :D happy dance. Lots of doing nothing.

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ciera123

ciera123

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was on the same cruise- on formal night (monday and friday) the casino was non smoking- the ash trays were covered and no smoking allowed- was really nice to be able to "breath" and not have your nice clothes not smelling like smoke.

 

So glad to read this!!! We like to play a little, but the smoke is usually so thick we don't go....:o

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sandinmypants

sandinmypants

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Last stop - St. Croix. And what a great day we had here - Cane Bay.

 

PB130302.jpg

PB130304.jpg

 

Notice the people attempting to snorkel in the background...

 

PB130308.jpg

PB130310.jpg

 

The beach bar's dog apparently liked my hubby's guitar-playing - he made himself at home!

 

PB130306.jpg

 

No fresh water shower, but they're happy to let you wash off in their dive gear tub - 9yo loved it!

 

PB130305.jpg

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sandinmypants

sandinmypants

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And - that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed it! :D Feel free to ask any questions - as you can see, we like our beach time. Wish I could go back and spend more time on the beaches..... I'd love to spend more time at any of them!

 

To anyone anticipating an upcoming cruise on the Serenade - you're going to love the ship!

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ryano

ryano

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Wow! What a wonderful review! Thanks so much for all the details and wonderful pics! I was afraid months ago when you mentioned how much you and your family love the beach so much that there would definitely be some things that you either did not like or that frustrated you about cruising. With that said, even though it sounds like you will not be rushing to get on another ship any time soon, it also sounds like overall that yall had a good time.

 

I personally hate the beach. Wheelchairs and thick sand do not get along and I dont really care for getting in the ocean to swim. I have never been to an AI so I cant comment much than to say I "think" I would be bored to tears. I guess thats what I love so much about cruising. It gives me a 100 percent handicap accessible way to be ON the ocean without being IN the ocean and I can be as busy or relaxed as I choose.

 

Different strokes for different folks right? :) Even though cruising isnt 100 percent your thing, I hope you will still come around once in a while. You have been a great addition to this forum and I have enjoyed reading your posts.

 

Thanks again for the review and the pics! VERY WELL DONE!

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