Not Exactly a Review ~ But Pictures From the Serenade ~ !2-4-15

[maxs mom]

Hi Everyone!!

 

So sorry.......I know I have been remiss in writing reviews for our past three cruises. I apologize. After our Jewel cruises in Oct/Nov I had some serious issues with my back. Then after the Serenade cruise we both had colds and coughs that lasted about three weeks.

 

Anyway......we had a marvelous time on all three cruises. I got to spend my birthday (for the first time) on the Jewel. And our Serenade cruise was a fabulous reunion with cruise buddies that we've known for almost ten years. We had so much fun!!!

 

I will post a link to some of our pictures from that Serenade cruise. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you might have.

 

Happy cruising to everyone. Next up for us will be two weeks on The Vision of the Seas......one of our old favorites.....at the end of February. Hopefully I can be back with a regular review at that time!

 

 

[luvscruising2007]

Your pics are wonderful, as always. Thank you for sharing.

What cabin were you in? We will be on Serenade in April and now I am so excited.

[maxs mom]

Thanks!

 

We had the corner aft cabin.....9256. It is a D cabin and it was wonderful!

[ArkieCruisin]

Thanks for posting the link to the pictures. I always love your reviews. Will be looking forward to the one from your Feb cruise.

[luvscruising2007]

Thanks!

 

We had the corner aft cabin.....9256. It is a D cabin and it was wonderful!

 

We will be in 9256 and it is our first Aft. Besides the long walk, tell me ups and downs of this cabin. It always gets rave reviews.

[maxs mom]

We will be in 9256 and it is our first Aft. Besides the long walk, tell me ups and downs of this cabin. It always gets rave reviews.

 

Oh....it was great. The bed was comfy, the pressure in the shower was strong, and that balcony.....wow!! There was no noise from anywhere. We thoroughly enjoyed this cabin.....and didn't mind the long walk at all..

[msmayor]

Your pictures are fabulous! Gets me more excited about our Serenade cruise in March.

 

Would you mind telling me which beaches you visited? I'm still trying to decide where to go and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ones you visited.

 

Was there a 'favorite' place on the ship you gathered in the evening before dinner? My husband and I love to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail each night. Did you have a 'favorite' bartender or server?

[luvscruising2007]

Oh....it was great. The bed was comfy' date=' the pressure in the shower was strong, and that balcony.....wow!! There was no noise from anywhere. We thoroughly enjoyed this cabin.....and didn't mind the long walk at all..[/size']

 

Thanks, so much. I can't wait.

[maxs mom]

Your pictures are fabulous! Gets me more excited about our Serenade cruise in March.

 

Would you mind telling me which beaches you visited? I'm still trying to decide where to go and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ones you visited.

 

Was there a 'favorite' place on the ship you gathered in the evening before dinner? My husband and I love to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail each night. Did you have a 'favorite' bartender or server?

 

Thank you!

 

In Tortola.....we went over to Brewer's Bay. Would definitely go there again. Just a wonderful and quiet place to spend the day. Good food and drinks, nice walkable beach. Great place for swimming. That was our first time there and we WILL go again!

 

St. Marten.....as always.....Palm Beach at the very end of Orient. all time favorite spot ever! You do not pay for the chairs or the umbrella......just eat lunch in their fabulous restaurant. We had a great day here!

 

In Antigua.....we go to Valley Church Beach. The day we were there was just perfect! The most beautiful Caribbean colors you will ever see. Such beautiful blue water. Great place for jet skiing. Don't pay the first price you are given. I think this may have been our best beach day of the cruise and they were all spectacular!

 

In St. Kitts......our old standby is the day pass at the Marriott. Really nice, big beach with wonderful cabanas. The pool area is magnificent and the food is delicious, Great wi-fi here. The day passes are $35 p, but many people just walk in and make themselves at home. We've been all over the island and I will go here every time!

 

Hope this helps.

 

In the evenings we always went to the Concierge Lounge for drinks before dinner., but there are a lot of good places to go......the Schooner Bar comes to mind....the bar in the Centrum......there is an English Pub type bar near the casino.

[msmayor]

Thank you for the information Jane...I appreciate it!

 

The Marriott on St. Kitts was on my short list; I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed it multiple times. My husband is not a big 'beach' person so having the pool, cabanas and good food helps make it a great day for him.

 

Of the four stops you list, which one would you say is your favorite?

[maudde]

The pics are great, thanks. I have a couple questions. In St Kitts, have you ever been to Carambola Beach Club? If so, I was wondering what your comparison of that and the Marriott would be? I've never been to the Mariott but have been to Carambola. Also in Antigua, I am trying to decide between Valley Church Beach and Fryes Beach if you have any opinions or knowledge regarding these two beaches. I have never been to either of these. Thank you again!

[maxs mom]

Thank you for the information Jane...I appreciate it!

 

The Marriott on St. Kitts was on my short list; I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed it multiple times. My husband is not a big 'beach' person so having the pool, cabanas and good food helps make it a great day for him.

 

Of the four stops you list, which one would you say is your favorite?

 

Oh wow! that's really hard. All of these places were wonderful for different reasons. The Marriott has got everything, so that makes it special. Palm Beach on St. Maarten is a wonderful beach experience.....nice padded chairs.....and of course fabulous French food.

[maxs mom]

The pics are great, thanks. I have a couple questions. In St Kitts, have you ever been to Carambola Beach Club? If so, I was wondering what your comparison of that and the Marriott would be? I've never been to the Mariott but have been to Carambola. Also in Antigua, I am trying to decide between Valley Church Beach and Fryes Beach if you have any opinions or knowledge regarding these two beaches. I have never been to either of these. Thank you again!

 

No.....I've not been to either of those places. I've seen pictures of Carambola and know people who have been. If for any reason the Marriott would not be available.....Carambola is Plan B. But I would put the Marriott first in this list.

 

I've never heard of Fryes Beach. We are very happy with Valley Church....that's why we go again and again.

 

Just a tip ......going out to any beach.....the earlier you get there the better.

[39august]

Thanks for the pics and info about Brewer's Bay beach. We plan to go there next month on our Serenade cruise. Can you tell me the cost of a taxi to Valley Church beach in Antigua, please, and cost of loungers? Is there any natural shade at Valley Church?

[maxs mom]

Thanks for the pics and info about Brewer's Bay beach. We plan to go there next month on our Serenade cruise. Can you tell me the cost of a taxi to Valley Church beach in Antigua, please, and cost of loungers? Is there any natural shade at Valley Church?

 

I hope you will enjoy Brewer's Bay. It's so quiet and nice. We were the only ones there with Royal Caribbean towels. We were the first to arrive and got the choice seats.

 

The cost of a taxi to Valley Church is $8pp each way. Your taxi driver will happily come back for you at a specified time. Two chairs and an umbrella wil be $20.

[39august]

Thanks, Jane. What was the cost of lounges at Brewer's, please? And did you specify a time for your taxi to return at BB?

[maxs mom]

Thanks, Jane. What was the cost of lounges at Brewer's, please? And did you specify a time for your taxi to return at BB?

 

The cost for the taxi to Brewer's Bay was $8 pp and the taxi driver DID come back for us. The loungers at the beach were $5 each. No need for umbrellas as there was plenty of natural shade.

[fish6]

Hi Jane,

How did the Serenade compare to the Jewel? I know Jewel is one of your favourites. Does Serenade have the special Diamond plus area in the MDR? Do you know who the Concierge in the CL might be in March? We had such a good time with Diego and Joseph on Jewel this past fall. Diego was amazing even with his broken wrist/hand. I heard they quit the aerial shows in the Centrum.....is this true?

Thank you,

Donna

[The Big Booper]

Happy New Year

 

Enjoyed your pictures on Flickr.

 

We leave this Sunday on Allure. You should really try one of the big girls just once.

[Cher222]

Hi The beach pictures were beautiful we love the beaches, its the best part!! However where on the ship did you find the dessert crepes??? That's a MUST for our April cruise on the Serenade :)

[JamesEM]

Thanks for the photos, nice seeing you again, albeit via photos.

 

Jim,

[cruisingsince94]

Oh....it was great. The bed was comfy' date=' the pressure in the shower was strong, and that balcony.....wow!! There was no noise from anywhere. We thoroughly enjoyed this cabin.....and didn't mind the long walk at all..[/size']

 

We have 9256 corner aft on Brilliance in March. I hope it's as nice. We also have an aft for our August sailing on Serenade when we do the fjords of Norway.

Edited January 14, 2016 by cruisingsince94

[tigger-ttfn]

Great pictures. We were on the cruise before you for 11 days with old cruise friends I met on the Serenade 5 yrs ago. Loved seeing the concierge photos of Mario and Melody. Best concierge lounge. And best service

[Az's Cruising Nana]

Thanks!

 

We had the corner aft cabin.....9256. It is a D cabin and it was wonderful!

 

We had this cabin on the Jewel in April. Loved the cabin! It was our private corner of the cruise ship. We were hesitant due to the walk and hubbys mobility issues but it was so worth that walk. We would not hesitate to book that cabin again. Sorry to hear you have not been feeling well. Glad to hear you will be getting some Vitamin Sea soon!

 

Sue

[maxs mom]

Hi Jane,

How did the Serenade compare to the Jewel? I know Jewel is one of your favourites. Does Serenade have the special Diamond plus area in the MDR? Do you know who the Concierge in the CL might be in March? We had such a good time with Diego and Joseph on Jewel this past fall. Diego was amazing even with his broken wrist/hand. I heard they quit the aerial shows in the Centrum.....is this true?

Thank you,

Donna

 

Hey Donna! The Serenade was all right, but we are spoiled by everyone on Jewel. Just didn't have that kind of attention on Serenade.

 

The D+ breakfast area was not so good. The area of the dining room that they used to use (like on Jewel) was made in to cabins!!! I was floored!! The service in that area of the dining room was poor.

 

No aerial stuff.