Serenade of the Seas - SHIP OF ‘NO’

[cricketts]

We were on the March 7th cruise also :)

Y'all should have joined us in the Vortex - that's where the fun was! :D

[Cindy]

We realize there was a curfew for the kids and had to have an adult supervise after that time. They just had nothing else to do on this ship.

Some of them just had to play basketball on deck until 2 or 3 AM.

 

 

I actually had some sympathy for you when I read your first post, because I remember what it was like to get on a different cruise line for a second cruise and find out everything's different. However, the more you complain the less sympathy I have for you, because it's become quite obvious you came on Cruise Critic for the sole purpose of trashing the ship and the staff.

 

I'm glad I didn't encounter your children running around the halls long after curfew or the member of your party making a scene at GS about hair conditioner. Those are things I don't like and I try to avoid them when I'm on vacation. I also have to add that you must have had great misfortune in the number of disgruntled, unhappy employees you encountered. Everyone I dealt with never failed to greet me with a warm smile, and they bent over backwards to meet requests.

 

Not every ship suits every person. Obviously this wasn't a match.

 

 

Cindy

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Edited March 24, 2015 by Cindy

[Langley Cruisers]

NVM. Thanks.

Edited March 24, 2015 by Langley Cruisers

[cricketts]

 

Not every ship suits every person. Obviously this wasn't a match.

 

 

Cindy

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Well said Cindy :)

Unlike the OP, we had a fantastic time on the March 7th Serenade...

 

But now, we're investigating a family cruise... What ship and cruise line is best for 10 people with an age range of 2 to 61 and significant food allergies to boot?

Lots of research is imperative!

[angelicmel]

We were on the same cruise.

 

While we did have a couple of service issues (room service one night and lack of cups with our drink package the first day), overall we thought the cruise was great. Any issues we had were immediately taken care of once we politely informed the crew.

 

We had children with us as well. My kids loved the slide, however they are younger than the group you were with. I did have to go with them on the slide because they were too small to go by themselves. (My oldest is tall for her age - 6) I actually enjoyed the slide and figured out how to go fast on it.

 

I would recommend next time you travel with kids to bring some back up entertainment options. While we enjoy taking our kids on cruises, it is nice to know that we will probably have some adult time while they are in the kid's club. However, we cannot always guarantee that our kids will enjoy the club that week. Unfortunately, that is just a fact of life with kids. As a parent, it is my responsibility to take care of my kids. As such, I always travel with ipads, portable DVD players & DVDs, and coloring books. I also brought reading books for the oldest.

 

I think the other posters hit the nail on the head - this was not the right ship for your group. It sounds like you all would have had a better time on either the Freedom or Oasis classes. I do hope your next vacation is better.

Edited March 24, 2015 by angelicmel

[Cindy]

Well said Cindy :)

Unlike the OP, we had a fantastic time on the March 7th Serenade...

 

But now, we're investigating a family cruise... What ship and cruise line is best for 10 people with an age range of 2 to 61 and significant food allergies to boot?

Lots of research is imperative!

 

Deedee, we did this several times with my mom. Kids were a bit older -- I think the youngest was 6 the first time we cruised as a group, but the age on the high end was greater too!:) There was plenty for everybody to do on both the Voyager class and on Carnival. With significant food allergies, I think I would be more comfortable in traditional dining where the wait staff is consistent. The first one we did was just a 5 night, because one of my sisters hadn't cruised before and she was a little apprehensive.

 

 

We were on the same cruise.

 

While we did have a couple of service issues (room service one night and lack of cups with our drink package the first day), overall we thought the cruise was great. Any issues we had were immediately taken care of once we politely informed the crew.

 

We had children with us as well. My kids loved the slide, however they are younger than the group you were with. I did have to go with them on the slide because they were too small to go by themselves. (My oldest is tall for her age - 6) I actually enjoyed the slide and figured out how to go fast on it.

 

I would recommend next time you travel with kids to bring some back up entertainment options. While we enjoy taking our kids on cruises, it is nice to know that we will probably have some adult time while they are in the kid's club. However, we cannot always guarantee that our kids will enjoy the club that week. Unfortunately, that is just a fact of life with kids. As a parent, it is my responsibility to take care of my kids. As such, I always travel with ipads, portable DVD players & DVDs, and coloring books. I also brought reading books for the oldest.

 

I think the other posters hit the nail on the head - this was not the right ship for your group. It sounds like you all would have had a better time on either the Freedom or Oasis classes. I do hope your next vacation is better.

 

Agreed! I do think the smaller ships are quieter with fewer options in the evening, but I saw many families with children of all ages enjoying themselves both day and night.

[tahqa]

My 2 main complaints are poor customer service (not happy employees), Not much selection of food later at night.

This is a very valid complaint. My one time on Grandeur was not a great time and it was mostly because the staff was very lackluster. Whereas my last time on Enchantment the only grumpy staff we saw were contractors in the store and one bartender on Coco.

 

As for late night food... well, it wasn't so great a couple of weekends ago on NCL Sky. Will it turn me off of NCL completely? No... but I'm not likely to go on Sky again (nor Grandeur for that matter). One ship experience doesn't indicate a whole line experience.

 

PS -- Not wanting to go back on NCL Sky is more than just about late night dining. As a whole the ship is just not great. Excellent crewmembers, but just poor ship design in all aspects.

Edited March 24, 2015 by tahqa

[SteelMagnolia9]

To the OP:

 

Thank you for your review. I always enjoy reviews and appreciate the time that people take to write them.

 

Here's my question to you: Did you and your family have an overall good time on your cruise?

 

I've been on both Royal and NCL and I like both products.

 

I believe taking on a mindset of a traveler on one's holiday. There may be bumps along the way, a few war stories to tell when you get back home, or it may go perfectly planned, but the true traveler enjoys the journey.

[sippican]

Yes, it was Mar 7th cruise.

We realize there was a curfew for the kids and had to have an adult supervise after that time. They just had nothing else to do on this ship.

Some of them just had to play basketball on deck until 2 or 3 AM.

 

HAD to play basketball until 2 or 3 AM? :eek::eek::eek:

[Cruzaholic41]

HAD to play basketball until 2 or 3 AM? :eek::eek::eek:

 

Welcome to the age of raising narcissistic children. :rolleyes:

[phoenix1181]

maybe you havent had kids in a while but they stay up late now a days. Maybe they were from the west coast and their bodies are on home town time, like 11pm...

 

What an absurd statement! Children stay up only as late as their parents allow............

[sg1phileshipper]

Sorry you didn't like your cruise. Personally, I love the Radiance class, because they are so quiet. Maybe you should try Freedom or Oasis class, seems to be more to do. Whatever you end up chosing, enjoy your next sailing and safe travels.

Cindy

 

 

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[jd10367]

Depending on how well I am doing I am in the casino until 1-1:30. It's late I'm tired and I hope I don't meet anyone in the elevator while I am ALONE. Just for safety measures a 7 and 12 yr old shouldn't be running around the ship.

 

I'm sure the person who was out of conditioner NICELY asked the cabin Stewart to please fill it up. Before running to GS screaming.

 

You are in a confined space with 2000-6000 other people all of whom think their problem is bigger then others on board.

 

Do you know why Carnival had sewage running down the halls??? Because the it doesn't apply to me people flushed the damn toilets when told not to. Do you know why people said there was no meat in the burgers. Because the why me people took the meat out and left the buns.

 

OP complains of the NOs but it sounds more like they bent over backwards to make things right where they had control over.

[tgnorton]

Always disappointed that on Cruise Critic, those who provide their opinion that does not match with cheerleaders is bashed or shamed. As many pointed out, it's a place to do research to see if it matches with what you want in a cruise. Not sure I can feel comfortable providing a review that is less than "everything was wonderful".

 

I LOVE RCL and LOVED the Oasis cruise we went on in 2013 but just got off the Serenade (March 14-21) and felt it was no where near the quality of food, housekeeping, entertainment or dining service of our 2013 cruise. Did I expect it to be Oasis for entertainment, no. Did I expect the quality of food, housekeeping, service to be similar - yes. Was I disappointed, yes, but still enjoyed my vacation for the most part.

 

Was also told by staff that they are unhappy.

 

Planned to write a review of my cruise, but don't want to be bashed or shamed. Just want to provide my opinion on the cruise.

Edited March 24, 2015 by tgnorton

[CruiserPICC]

What an absurd statement! Children stay up only as late as their parents allow............

 

maybe you havent had kids in a while but they stay up late now a days. Maybe they were from the west coast and their bodies are on home town time, like 11pm...

 

Yes, from the west coast.

This is an absurd statement "Children stay up only as late as their parents allow". This may work at home, in their own rooms, but not in a little cabin. And I'm not about to leave my kids in the cabin unsupervised.

 

Most of the kids were just night owls like their parents. I think 2 of the 12 kids went to bed early while the rest stayed up. Kinda difficult to send your younger kids to bed when they're not tired and unsupervised, while you stay up and party. It's just not feasible in my family. I don't pump my kids full of drugs to make them sleep.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Yes, from the west coast.

This is an absurd statement "Children stay up only as late as their parents allow". This may work at home, in their own rooms, but not in a little cabin. And I'm not about to leave my kids in the cabin unsupervised.

 

Most of the kids were just night owls like their parents. I think 2 of the 12 kids went to bed early while the rest stayed up. Kinda difficult to send your younger kids to bed when they're not tired and unsupervised, while you stay up and party. It's just not feasible in my family. I don't pump my kids full of drugs to make them sleep.

 

The ship has a curfew - I believe it is 1:00 a.m. Sorry, but kids should not be playing basketball at 2:00 - 3:00 a.m. or out and about on the ship.

 

No one suggested that you should drug your kids to make them sleep. If you wanted to stay up and party and it was past curfew, then you should either have paid a babysitter for them or stayed with them.

 

It appears that there 12 kids in your party - you could have taken turns.

 

Not questioning time zones or parenting, bottom line ship has a curfew for the safety of the guests (children), and it should be adhered to.

[CruiserPICC]

here is the Quote " We realize there was a curfew for the kids and had to have an adult supervise after that time. They just had nothing else to do on this ship.

Some of them just had to play basketball on deck until 2 or 3 AM. "

 

Where does she say it was her kids> she said some, which does not imply it was her kids. Since she writes so well, she would have said it was her kids. TWo some is more than two. SOME KIDS....capitalized so you can see it...never said her...yes that makes you uptight.

 

Correct, not my 7 and 12 year old. (They were in bed my 1 AM) A couple of the other kids wanted to play, and one father obliged them and played with them. They probably don't get the chance to play father/son basketball at home very often, so there is no reason they shouldn't be able to do it on vacation even at 2 in the morning. It doesn't bother anyone else because the court purposely placed above the main buffet area, which all know is definitely closed at this time.

Yes, you are most definitely uptight ! :D

Edited March 24, 2015 by CruiserPICC
Added sentence.

[ryano]

Got to love it when a review of a ship turns into a spirited debate about parenting :rolleyes:

[ryano]

Correct, not my 7 and 12 year old. (They were in bed my 1 AM) A couple of the other kids wanted to play, and one father obliged them and played with them. They probably don't get the chance to play father/son basketball at home very often, so there is no reason they shouldn't be able to do it on vacation even at 2 in the morning. It doesn't bother anyone else because the court purposely placed above the main buffet area, which all know is definitely closed at this time.

Yes, you are most definitely uptight ! :D

 

You owe absolutely no one here an explanation.

[sippican]

Having sailed on a few different lines, including NCL, and eagerly anticipating our upcoming cruise on the Serenade, I have been following this thread with interest. We have cruised as a couple and in fairly large groups, including children aged infant to teens. I do appreciate the time the OP took in writing the review and respect their right to form opinions that may differ from others.

I am not a cheerleader for any particular line.

 

As evidenced by the OP's respones to posts, only one word is coming to mind at this point - "entitled". I do hope these families find a cruiseline that provides them with experiences to which they believe they are entitled.

 

Hoopefully Cruiser PICC will submit a review in the "Member Reviews" section and refer to other reviews there as well when choosing the next cruise experience.

[CruiserPICC]

I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful responses. :)

You people really get into it.

 

I would like to reiterate that I was only comparing the only 2 cruises that I have ever been on. (RC Serenade of the Seas and NCL Star ).

 

The problems I had on the Serenade I did not have on the Star.

The customer service was far better on the Star.

Maybe I was spoiled (not entitled) on the Star... I don't know. I'm only telling you the experience I had and aside from the dinner service on the Serenade, the Star was better in every aspect.

 

All in our party after the cruise on the Star last year were so impressed and pleasantly surprised by our very first cruise, we all wanted to sail again.

This year we chose to sail with RC because every single cruiser (and I mean every one of them) we talked to said RC was way better in every aspect.

And would get to see New Orleans which we all can say was the hi-lite of our trip.

So, we eagerly followed their advice and were unfortunately let down by the Serenade.

 

It may have been just this particular ship or crew or or just this particular week.... I don't know. But when members of the crew also tell you something is wrong..... hmmmm Well, then something is wrong. :(

 

We will probably cruise again, but are unsure on which cruise line or ship.

I'm not sure if we will sail RC again. Even though they have most recently offered us some good discounts for a future sailing after our complaints, we are not sure if we are willing to risk another vacation. Not to say we did not have a good time with the company we had, we just had a better time on Norwegian.

 

We will probably take the GOOD advice of some of the intelligent, less uptight members of this forum, and cruise on one of the larger ships with more to do (Water-park, etc) and more to eat later at night.

 

Any suggestions??

 

Thank You again!! :):):)

Edited March 24, 2015 by CruiserPICC

[tigger-ttfn]

"Herded over there in little boats with 2000 other people?" I'm curious what you thought private island meant? Did you really think it was just for you? :confused:

 

again great response. you see OP has only been on 2 cruises

[Paul65]

We will probably take the GOOD advice of some of the intelligent, less uptight members of this forum, and cruise on one of the larger ships with more to do (Water-park, etc) and more to eat later at night.

 

Any suggestions??

 

Thank You again!! :):):)

 

Yes. I would suggest not joining in on the name-calling. People get very opinionated on just about every internet forum I've ever seen. Calling the "uptight" or any other such designations is counterproductive.

 

Oh, and if you do give RC another try, you might enjoy one of the ships in the Freedom or Oasis classes. Or, if you're really into the water-slide idea, you could wait for the newest class ship that is supposed to have slides, but the brand new ships always tend to be relatively expensive . . .

[tigger-ttfn]

My suggestion to OP is do Oasis or Allure and then compare. I have been on more then 30 cruises. NCL HAL COSTA and Lots of RCC. Still prefer RCC and as you see I'll be on Serenade in Nov. Love the Radiance class ships. Have always been made to feel special as everyone else has said. Sorry you didn't feel that way. But apparently RCC gave you something for your complaint.

[tigger-ttfn]

Oh dear, from the whole review, this is what stood out for me.

Eating five desserts per "night", just how big is this woman ?

 

Did she have additional desserts for Lunch ?, Danish for Breakfast ? Afternoon Tea ?

 

Goodness, what a statement to make about one of your friends. She ate five desserts a night, that's a minimum of 35 a week excluding other meals !!

 

 

 

Ha Ha, actually, not that large at all. She runs 10 miles every day. It wasn't every night that she would order 5 desserts, maybe just one particular night when she couldn't decide. I'm sure she did not finish them all.

 

Never had a problem ordering extra anything. With a smile