Serenade of the Seas Spring Break 2015 Cruise

[toosaxykk]

Good Morning Cruise Critic,

My husband and I sailed on the Serenade of the Seas out of New Orleans to the Bahamas and Key West on March 7th! We had a BLAST and loved almost everything! We have a blog dedicated to our family but it has been taken over with CRUISING! Go and Check it out!

 

http://chrisandkelliedavis.blogspot.com/2015/03/lifestyles-of-rich-and-famous_31.html

 

Ask any questions you might have and I will answer as best I can! Happy Cruising y'all!

[Bamagirl_gina]

So glad to hear you had a great time. We had a wonderful time on Serenade last year--so much so that we are heading back this Saturday--same ship, same itinerary. I've heard some negative comments lately about Serenade so glad to know you had a good experience. I do have a couple of questions---

 

1) Shrimp cocktail - Has it been removed from the every day menu as I heard?

 

2) Are the beer buckets (actually beer coolers) available on Serenade now?

 

3) Has the aerial show been cancelled? (Heard there was a problem with the rigging and had to eliminate it.)

 

4) Do they still have the 70s show and also the passenger "thriller" show?

 

5) Were you able to make it to Coco Cay (if it was in your itinerary)?

 

6) We have drink packages, but I don't like syrupy fountain drinks. Did you, by chance, try to bring any soft drinks/water on board and was it allows? (I know, it's not legally but I know some do.)

 

7) Any issues with rowdy spring breakers? (Our cruise is the same time as the LSU Spring break, so with Baton Rouge beings in close proximity, wondering if there will be an overrun of spring breakers from there.)

 

 

Thanks!

[toosaxykk]

So glad to hear you had a great time. We had a wonderful time on Serenade last year--so much so that we are heading back this Saturday--same ship, same itinerary. I've heard some negative comments lately about Serenade so glad to know you had a good experience. I do have a couple of questions---

 

1) Shrimp cocktail - Has it been removed from the every day menu as I heard?

 

2) Are the beer buckets (actually beer coolers) available on Serenade now?

 

3) Has the aerial show been cancelled? (Heard there was a problem with the rigging and had to eliminate it.)

 

4) Do they still have the 70s show and also the passenger "thriller" show?

 

5) Were you able to make it to Coco Cay (if it was in your itinerary)?

 

6) We have drink packages, but I don't like syrupy fountain drinks. Did you, by chance, try to bring any soft drinks/water on board and was it allows? (I know, it's not legally but I know some do.)

 

7) Any issues with rowdy spring breakers? (Our cruise is the same time as the LSU Spring break, so with Baton Rouge beings in close proximity, wondering if there will be an overrun of spring breakers from there.)

 

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks so much for reading and following along! We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and I will try to answer your questions as best I can.

 

1.- The Shrimp cocktail was available daily in the MDR and did not disappoint (Well until we ate at Chops... then it was a let-down bc Chops was SO GOOD!)

 

2- Beer Buckets- I am not sure if they are available as DH and I do not drink beer very often but I do recall seeing a bucket or two but like I said I cannot confirm that.

 

3.- The aerial show was FANTASTIC and done on the FINAL seaday. It did have to be rescheduled bc of "choppy seas" and gossip of a bad spring or something but it did in fact take place on Day 7 around 5:15pm (Weird time but we did get to see it).

 

4- They had a 70s Disco party on Night 6 which was AWESOME! Thriller show... I am not sure about this. I never saw anything about it but the 70s dance party was AWESOME! Bring a wig or costume to be more fun!

 

5- We DID go to CoCo Cay... It was incredible! But we were told that out of 7 times on the Serenade we were only the 2nd sailing to actually get to port! If the wind is out of the north then you will not be able to tender in.

 

6- We DID take a 12 pack of Bottled water on board with NO PROBLEMS! We just put a luggage tag on it and it was not an issue! We were worried since it was Spring Break but no issues. We would have taken more too!

 

7- Spring Break was not an issue. I think MAYBE 25% of the passengers were either school aged kids or college on break. TCU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss seemed to have a sorority party on board with the # of girls there but was NEVER an issue for us!

 

I hope this info helps you and good luck with your cruise! I think you will LOVE IT!

[Paul65]

We'll be on the sailing next week, as well. One of our favorites things on some past cruises has been martini / cocktail seminars. We're not big drinkers, but these classes always seem to be fun, and you get to samples multiple different drinks. Did you happen to do anything like that or notice whether such events were on the schedule in the Compass? I've looked a little at the blog of your trip, but haven't been through it all.

[toosaxykk]

We'll be on the sailing next week, as well. One of our favorites things on some past cruises has been martini / cocktail seminars. We're not big drinkers, but these classes always seem to be fun, and you get to samples multiple different drinks. Did you happen to do anything like that or notice whether such events were on the schedule in the Compass? I've looked a little at the blog of your trip, but haven't been through it all.

 

They did in fact have a Martini Class and other cocktail making demonstrations. We did not go to any of them and now wish we would have! Also... if you are a wine lover than be sure to hit up Vintages daily but especially go to the Wine Tasting! Only $18 and worth it!

[Bamagirl_gina]

Thanks so much for reading and following along! We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise and I will try to answer your questions as best I can.

 

1.- The Shrimp cocktail was available daily in the MDR and did not disappoint (Well until we ate at Chops... then it was a let-down bc Chops was SO GOOD!)

 

2- Beer Buckets- I am not sure if they are available as DH and I do not drink beer very often but I do recall seeing a bucket or two but like I said I cannot confirm that.

 

3.- The aerial show was FANTASTIC and done on the FINAL seaday. It did have to be rescheduled bc of "choppy seas" and gossip of a bad spring or something but it did in fact take place on Day 7 around 5:15pm (Weird time but we did get to see it).

 

4- They had a 70s Disco party on Night 6 which was AWESOME! Thriller show... I am not sure about this. I never saw anything about it but the 70s dance party was AWESOME! Bring a wig or costume to be more fun!

 

5- We DID go to CoCo Cay... It was incredible! But we were told that out of 7 times on the Serenade we were only the 2nd sailing to actually get to port! If the wind is out of the north then you will not be able to tender in.

 

6- We DID take a 12 pack of Bottled water on board with NO PROBLEMS! We just put a luggage tag on it and it was not an issue! We were worried since it was Spring Break but no issues. We would have taken more too!

 

7- Spring Break was not an issue. I think MAYBE 25% of the passengers were either school aged kids or college on break. TCU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss seemed to have a sorority party on board with the # of girls there but was NEVER an issue for us!

 

I hope this info helps you and good luck with your cruise! I think you will LOVE IT!

 

1. YAH! We live on the gulf coast and LOVE our seafood!

 

2. We both have drink packages, but would have liked the beer "cooler"just to keep things cold at the pool, but we have a small one we can bring. no worries there.

 

3. YAH AGAIN! We loved the show last time and glad to see it's still a go.

 

4. Another part of the cruise we loved so glad they are still doing it. Headed out for last time incidentals now, so I will be sure and pick up a few 70's items to get in the spirit. We were on the floor seats with the dancers last time and it was great! Especially the bouncing smiley face balls, etc. Fun!

 

5. Our favorite port for this trip! Keep your fingers crossed we make it!

 

6. Ok, good to know. I'm gonna try and won't be out much if it gets "confiscated".

 

7. We are huge Bama football fans and are used to the party atmosphere at the games, etc. but glad to know it wasn't overflowing with rowdy kids.

 

 

Yes, this helps tremendously! Thanks so much!!! Just started reading your blog and will pick up with it once I return from shopping! Thanks again1

[GeorgiaPeach]

So glad to hear you had a great time. We had a wonderful time on Serenade last year--so much so that we are heading back this Saturday--same ship, same itinerary. I've heard some negative comments lately about Serenade so glad to know you had a good experience. I do have a couple of questions---

 

1) Shrimp cocktail - Has it been removed from the every day menu as I heard?

 

2) Are the beer buckets (actually beer coolers) available on Serenade now?

 

3) Has the aerial show been cancelled? (Heard there was a problem with the rigging and had to eliminate it.)

 

4) Do they still have the 70s show and also the passenger "thriller" show?

 

5) Were you able to make it to Coco Cay (if it was in your itinerary)?

 

6) We have drink packages, but I don't like syrupy fountain drinks. Did you, by chance, try to bring any soft drinks/water on board and was it allows? (I know, it's not legally but I know some do.)

 

7) Any issues with rowdy spring breakers? (Our cruise is the same time as the LSU Spring break, so with Baton Rouge beings in close proximity, wondering if there will be an overrun of spring breakers from there.)

 

 

Thanks!

 

Husband and I were on the March 21st sailing and can also add a few answers to your questions.

 

1/ NO shrimp cocktail every night. It was about day 4 that it was available even if it did show up on the menu. We never got a good answer on what was going on. After day 4, we were told one night it wasn't available again. I think we had it 3 nights. We had second seating if that made any difference.

 

3/ We didn't have an aerial show at all and no mention of it. We did see some rigging in the upper part of the Centrum one day but no show.

 

4/As previously mentioned, Yes, there was a 70s show but I don't recall a Thriller show.

 

5/ Yes, we did make it to CoCo Cay. Very good weather and we did hear of others on our cruise that hadn't been able to make it there many times and hoped this was going to finally be their first time.

 

6/ We did see some cases of water with luggage being delivered the first day. Since we flew in, I wasn't able to bring water with us but was able to buy a 12 pack($10 :( ) in the Port waiting area right after we checked in. No problem just walking it on board. I also saw a person carrying a case of soda in the waiting area.

 

7/ No issues with Spring Breakers and we did have quite a few either in family groups or groups of just college aged guests. Of course, each cruise is different!

 

One other negative we'd heard before sailing was that the smoke was awful in the Casino and that it affected other areas of the ship. I don't know if there were less smokers or if they worked on the ventilation but it didn't seem to be so bad. Not sure if that would be an issue for you but thought I'd pass that on just in case.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

[NightOne]

3. YAH AGAIN! We loved the show last time and glad to see it's still a go.

 

 

Re: Aerial Show

 

It is not. The review in this thread is from the week BEFORE my sailing. Our sailing was the first one with absolutely no aerial show. As someone just posted here, there was no aerial show on the week after my sailing either. (21st) We will have to wait and see what is up on the 28th sailing.

 

I got my information from the mother of one of the onboard aerial performers on the Serenade so I just didn't make it up out out of the blue.

[Bamagirl_gina]

Husband and I were on the March 21st sailing and can also add a few answers to your questions.

 

1/ NO shrimp cocktail every night. It was about day 4 that it was available even if it did show up on the menu. We never got a good answer on what was going on. After day 4, we were told one night it wasn't available again. I think we had it 3 nights. We had second seating if that made any difference.

 

3/ We didn't have an aerial show at all and no mention of it. We did see some rigging in the upper part of the Centrum one day but no show.

 

4/As previously mentioned, Yes, there was a 70s show but I don't recall a Thriller show.

 

5/ Yes, we did make it to CoCo Cay. Very good weather and we did hear of others on our cruise that hadn't been able to make it there many times and hoped this was going to finally be their first time.

 

6/ We did see some cases of water with luggage being delivered the first day. Since we flew in, I wasn't able to bring water with us but was able to buy a 12 pack($10 :( ) in the Port waiting area right after we checked in. No problem just walking it on board. I also saw a person carrying a case of soda in the waiting area.

 

7/ No issues with Spring Breakers and we did have quite a few either in family groups or groups of just college aged guests. Of course, each cruise is different!

 

One other negative we'd heard before sailing was that the smoke was awful in the Casino and that it affected other areas of the ship. I don't know if there were less smokers or if they worked on the ventilation but it didn't seem to be so bad. Not sure if that would be an issue for you but thought I'd pass that on just in case.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

Thanks for the additional information!

[Bamagirl_gina]

One more thing (for now, lol) I forgot to ask earlier......Did you have host seating at the Windjammer on embarkation date? I've read several posts that indicate they are now doing this. Hopefully so since it's so hard to find a table during that time.

[cricketts]

Good Morning Cruise Critic,

My husband and I sailed on the Serenade of the Seas out of New Orleans to the Bahamas and Key West on March 7th! We had a BLAST and loved almost everything! We have a blog dedicated to our family but it has been taken over with CRUISING! Go and Check it out!

 

http://chrisandkelliedavis.blogspot.com/2015/03/lifestyles-of-rich-and-famous_31.html

 

Ask any questions you might have and I will answer as best I can! Happy Cruising y'all!

 

Loving your blog!

Great pictures :)

But, when is your next RCCL cruise?!

[angelicmel]

I loved reading your blog and reliving the week. I am so glad that you had such a great anniversary cruise.

I have the same question, when are you doing Royal again and better yet, when with the kiddos on Royal?

[Cindy]

I loved reading your blog, Kellie! I keep thinking I'm going to start one, but I never quite get to it.

[toosaxykk]

Loving your blog!

Great pictures :)

But, when is your next RCCL cruise?!

 

Thanks for following along DeeDee! I am so glad you are enjoying it! We are planning a Liberty of the Seas cruise out of Galveston with the kids but just have not pulled the trigger yet... Waiting for final confirmation from both schools to take off! BUT it will be with the kids!

 

Thanks for following along!

[toosaxykk]

I loved reading your blog and reliving the week. I am so glad that you had such a great anniversary cruise.

I have the same question, when are you doing Royal again and better yet, when with the kiddos on Royal?

 

We are planning a Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston with our kids in 2016.

[toosaxykk]

I loved reading your blog, Kellie! I keep thinking I'm going to start one, but I never quite get to it.

 

Cindy, You SHOULD totally get a blog with all the cruises and vacations y'all do! It is SO MUCH FUN to relive the cruise! That is seriously how I get through my non-cruise or post-cruise let-down! I just write about our experiences and then re-read them months later. I am currently re-reading our Navigator cruise and loving it! It is also a great way to remember little details and etc.

 

It is free through most sites and I LOVE it! I don't have too many followers but I enjoy it!

 

Thanks for following along!

[suzon]

Wonderful blog, Kellie! It was just so nice to meet you and Chris and to see you around the ship that week.

 

 

Lots of amazing memories and I wish I was still on board! I can't wait to read about your future cruises:D

[toosaxykk]

Wonderful blog, Kellie! It was just so nice to meet you and Chris and to see you around the ship that week.

 

 

Lots of amazing memories and I wish I was still on board! I can't wait to read about your future cruises:D

 

Thank you Suzon... I enjoyed meeting you and your family! Maybe one of these days we can all meet up again!

[cd4lsu]

We really enjoyed meeting our roll call people and getting to experience the sail away, meet and mingle,cabin crawl, and by coincidence chef'stable, chops brunch and late cruise party with every one.