Serenade after its refit.

[Missus Makkem]

just returned from a back to back on the newly refurbished Serenade.

What is it like you ask?

Wonderful, excellent 2 cruises and a beautiful job well done.

it all smelt so good just getting on with the new carpeting in the public areas and nice colours which co ordinated.

Other things we really liked.

Exquisite new Vintages bar instead of Champagne

New R bar in centrum and they were busy getting set up for the Cirque de soliel event.

However No library but a large bookcase in Coffee shop area.

Gone is the green staircase.

loyalty ambassador in a little cubicle hole opposite the pool tables.

Shops/photographers/spa all done up a bit.

large movie screen on deck

 

Park cafe in Solarium which is no longer adults only.

Giovannis table instead of Portofino, Izumi where Seafood cafe was and Ritas canteena down one side of back deck of Windjammer, did not try these new venues but enjoyed the unchanged Chops.

new inside cabins on deck where library was and the old concierge being converted to large cabin

New Concierge on deck 13 in old Odessy lounge excellent with nice outside area.

New Diamond lounge opposite, quite small but opens up at night into the Vortex lounge and they use the bar in there.

cabins much the same with flat screen tv s

Cannot think of any more at the moment but sure others on these cruises will add to the list.

[cruise wizard]

Thank you for the updates. We are on Serenade B2B in October 2013 out of Barcelona and then again in March of 2014 for a B3B out of New Orleans.

[Topo Gigio]

What happened to the area where the loyalty ambassador used to sit? deck 12 ?

[Missus Makkem]

All locked off as this is where all the winches and other gear is for the acrobatic Cirque de soliel in the centrum

[rlfisi02]

Thanks we are sailings on the 24th June 2013, and looking forward to it.

[Cruzin-K]

 

Park cafe in Solarium which is no longer adults only.

 

 

:confused: young kids can hang out in the Solarium? :mad:

 

Ugh! That was such a nice quiet place to relax.

[Missus Makkem]

just returned from a back to back on the newly refurbished Serenade.

What is it like you ask?

Wonderful, excellent 2 cruises and a beautiful job well done.

it all smelt so good just getting on with the new carpeting in the public areas and nice colours which co ordinated.

Other things we really liked.

Exquisite new Vintages bar instead of Champagne

New R bar in centrum and they were busy getting set up for the Cirque de soliel event.

However No library but a large bookcase in Coffee shop area.

Gone is the green staircase.

loyalty ambassador in a little cubicle hole opposite the pool tables.

Shops/photographers/spa all done up a bit.

large movie screen on deck

 

Park cafe in Solarium which is no longer adults only.

Giovannis table instead of Portofino, Izumi where Seafood cafe was and Ritas canteena down one side of back deck of Windjammer, did not try these new venues but enjoyed the unchanged Chops.

new inside cabins on deck where library was and the old concierge being converted to large cabin

New Concierge on deck 13 in old Odessy lounge excellent with nice outside area.

New Diamond lounge opposite, quite small but opens up at night into the Vortex lounge and they use the bar in there.

cabins much the same with flat screen tv s

Cannot think of any more at the moment but sure others on these cruises will add to the list.

Well have thought of a couple more differences

New big and very nice pub The Castle and Crown where the sports bar was, lots of happenings in here.

Card and games room deck 4 as you exit the dining room, was a dining overflow if I remember correctly.

[Pots2]

You say no library - was hoping not to have to take plenty of reading material on 14 night Barcelona - Dubai next month? Were there still plenty of books available in the 'bookcase' or was it just like you see in some hotels where guests leave books they have read or exchange with other books?

[Missus Makkem]

You say no library - was hoping not to have to take plenty of reading material on 14 night Barcelona - Dubai next month? Were there still plenty of books available in the 'bookcase' or was it just like you see in some hotels where guests leave books they have read or exchange with other books?

 

it was quite a large new bookcase and all the books were hardback and brand new, but get there early.

[Jason12]

We board next week can not wait thanks for the info.

[Pots2]

:)thanks for the info - less than three weeks and we shall be on board.;)

[carumba7]

Thanks we are sailings on the 24th June 2013, and looking forward to it.

 

We are on the same sailing as you, can't wait to see some pictures of the referb!

[heatherb1958]

We have just got back from the same cruises as Missus Makkem:).

 

the new Vintages does look lovely but rarely had any guests in the evening, I was the only customer one night:(. Wine is only served here now with any other drink requests served a little begrudgingly ( they have to go to the Casino/Schooner bar), no more cocktails as previously served when it was the Champagne bar.

I spoke at length with Milton who said they may have to change the thinking on other drinks served, cheapest wine was $8 plus gratuity . We also had extra Spanish tax on drinks purchased as we never left the EU due to Tunisia being cancelled , soon bumps up the cost of drinks.

I preferred the nibbles they served with wine on the other ships where we have visited Vintages.

 

the pub is great with a really good singer , Bernie Griffiths (?) . It had a smoking area on the 4 nighter which was scrapped on the 10 nighter, people just nip into the casino if they want a smoke .

There was a complaint from the theatre when Karaoke was on one night as it could be heard in the theatre so Karaoke was brought forward so as not to clash with the shows.

[KatnipKris]

Thanks for your feedback on the Seranade.

I will be boarding this ship with the same itinerary this January 4th. Is there any suggestions you can forward in regards to the ship or ports of call?

 

What floor was the gangway to depart the ship for the ports?

 

Do you know when they will start the Cirque de Soliel event? Have not heard that this was coming.

 

Did anyone do the ships excursion in Palma de Mallora? If so, how were they?

 

Welcome back and I hope you all made it safely home in time for some holiday cheer!

 

Kris

[MavisMarie]

What took the place of the library on Deck 9 ?

[Clarea]

What took the place of the library on Deck 9 ?

Stateroom number 9077, an inside that can handle 4 guests.

[Missus Makkem]

What took the place of the library on Deck 9 ?

 

An inside cabin, tried to take a look on change over day but not sure it was up and running.

[Missus Makkem]

Thanks for your feedback on the Seranade.

I will be boarding this ship with the same itinerary this January 4th. Is there any suggestions you can forward in regards to the ship or ports of call?

 

What floor was the gangway to depart the ship for the ports?

 

Do you know when they will start the Cirque de Soliel event? Have not heard that this was coming.

 

Did anyone do the ships excursion in Palma de Mallora? If so, how were they?

 

Welcome back and I hope you all made it safely home in time for some holiday cheer!

 

Kris

Just ask away

The Cirque is still in rehearsals so you could see some action

we always do our own trips so cannot help you there but it is an easy walk into town plus these is a bus stop outside the docking place for local bus and the Hop on Hop off calls there too.

[heatherb1958]

Thanks for your feedback on the Seranade.

I will be boarding this ship with the same itinerary this January 4th. Is there any suggestions you can forward in regards to the ship or ports of call?

 

What floor was the gangway to depart the ship for the ports?

 

Do you know when they will start the Cirque de Soliel event? Have not heard that this was coming.

 

Did anyone do the ships excursion in Palma de Mallora? If so, how were they?

 

Welcome back and I hope you all made it safely home in time for some holiday cheer!

 

Kris

 

We tried the new Giovannis, I would not go here again as part of a large group, we were a party of 10. Our experience on Oasis was much better as a party of 3. On Serenade we all tried to order as individuals a starter but were more or less forced to have it family style with large portions , so much food was wasted, hate that. The steak was excellent though:).

 

Ports of call - we did our own thing, no ships tours.

Malta- Valetta is a pleasant place to wander around , there is a new fast lift which takes you to the top , follow the signs from the port exit , short walk to the lift. Free WIFI in the gardens where you exit the lift.

 

The deck where you exited the ship varied at each port.

 

Cirque show - we were told it would be up and running for our return on 14th Jan. The cast were practising on a few days but were no where near ready for a full dress rehearsal , they were practising on port days and were still doing the other production shows. I do hope it is on for your sailing as the brief glimpses we saw looked amazing.

[heatherb1958]

What took the place of the library on Deck 9 ?

 

There are now 3 new inside cabins, one on each deck 8,9 & 10, to replace the Yacht club which was outside the old Concierge lounge , the business centre and the Library. Each cabin can be walked around completely via the Centrum balcony and hallways. I don't think I would be happy staying in one:eek:

 

The Schooner bar hasn't changed .

Chef 's table is in the old games room/card room in the corner of the Safari Club. Check for offers on Chef's table , no one was booking it on the 4 night cruise so they promoted it at $50 !!!

[Sonora5]

I am disappointed about the change in the Solarium policy. I love kids, but it is nice to get away and have a little "adult time".

[bgyoshi]

thanks for the info! can't wait to see, will be sailing her out of barcelona on april 30 2013!

[monn_a]

I am disappointed about the change in the Solarium policy. I love kids, but it is nice to get away and have a little "adult time".

I just returned from this sailing as well and the Solarium was open to kids until 4PM because of the weather. The can use the Park Cafe though all the time which is inside.

[KatnipKris]

We tried the new Giovannis, I would not go here again as part of a large group, we were a party of 10. Our experience on Oasis was much better as a party of 3. On Serenade we all tried to order as individuals a starter but were more or less forced to have it family style with large portions , so much food was wasted, hate that. The steak was excellent though:).

 

Ports of call - we did our own thing, no ships tours.

Malta- Valetta is a pleasant place to wander around , there is a new fast lift which takes you to the top , follow the signs from the port exit , short walk to the lift. Free WIFI in the gardens where you exit the lift.

 

The deck where you exited the ship varied at each port.

 

Cirque show - we were told it would be up and running for our return on 14th Jan. The cast were practising on a few days but were no where near ready for a full dress rehearsal , they were practising on port days and were still doing the other production shows. I do hope it is on for your sailing as the brief glimpses we saw looked amazing.

 

Thanks for the updates. We also are doing everything on our own or independent small group excursions. Have no plans for Palma de Mallorca, but sounds as if you can just wing it on own.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I'll get the lowdown on the Solarium Pool when we board her on Jan. 4th. I know on Celebrity that the solarium pool is open to children when it is too cold to use the outdoor pools- so for these winter sailings I imagine that is the case.

 

I suspect once the outdoor weather is warmer the kids will not be allowed to use the indoor pool.