Long Time Celebrity Cruiser tries Royal.......

[billsgal]

....well, sort of......I have been on Royal twice over the years but they

were "weekend cruises"......once on Sovereign of the Seas (a long time

ago) and then Enchantment.

 

 

 

Any information would be appreciated.....for those who have done

this itinerary, I am guessing the weather will be cool.....and before I

do all my research, are the ports easy to do "on your own" or would

you suggest excursions?

We go to Bar Harbor and Portland (Maine), Halifax, Nova Scotia,

and St John (Bay

 

Hi,

 

We live in MA and have done this cruise three times. We can drive to all these ports, but we don't.

 

I suggest you do a tour in Halifax, especially get to see Peggy's Cove.

It's about an hour or so from downtown Halifax, which also has a lot to see, so try to take a tour that encompasses the downtown area(the Citadel, the Titanic cemetery, the Museum, etc.) in addition to Pggys Cove. If that doesn't interest you, the ship docks right at the beginning of a shoreside walkway, which ends about a mile or two at a. Casino. Lots of shops, restaurants, and touristy things along the walkway.

 

In Portland the ship docks a very short walk from shops and restaurants, and the ship offers tours to Freeport, Maine, a shopping Mecca. There is also a great duck boat tour in Portland.

 

Bar Harbor is a tender port, again lots of shopping and great restaurants with terrific lobster rolls, Maine Lobster not warm water stuff. If you get off the tender and turn right, about 40 yards down the street isOllie's Trollies, which will take you to the top of the mountain, and if the weather isn't foggy you will have a very colorful view.

 

St. John has some tours that take you to see the place where the tides are the highest and lowest, but it does depend on the time of the tides.

Again, scenery should be very colorful that time of year.

 

As someone else said, it could be [emoji33]50,or it could be 80. I suggest layers, and since you live in Florida, you might want to take a hat and

gloves. [emoji849]. Would also take a bathing suit, as Serenade has a beautiful solarium pool with a roof, so no matter the outside temps, you can be comfortable using that pool.

 

Jeans, short and long sleeved tops, sweatshirts and a jacket will suffice for onboard or onshore daytime wear, and black slacks and tops will be appropriate for the formal nights. You I'll see a few tuxes and long dresses, but lately we haven't seen many even on Caribbean or transatlantic cruises.

 

Serenade is a beautiful ship it's lots of glass and great viewing areas,

And our favorite class of RCI ships.. Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

Rita

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

Edited May 8, 2016 by billsgal

[GrayMaineCruiser]

I live in Maine, not too far from Portland, and I can at least say that in October it can be a bit cool, so it will definitely be good to be prepared with layers.

 

Not sure what they provide for excursions in Portland, but there is lots of shopping, dining, coffee shops, bars in the Old Port region right off the boat and it's all very walkable. I gather there are probably buses to Freeport/LL Bean too.

 

But if you have any specific Portland questions I'll be happy to answer. I used to live in the city for awhile.

[Lois R]

Thanks for the replies:)

 

Do any of you know if the ship has a "Chef's Table" type of dinner offered?

 

Oh, I see Ollie's Trollies has their own website....looks good and

reasonably priced too.:)

And in Portland I was looking at a company called Portland Land And

Sea Discovery Tours. They offer a trolley as well.

 

I didn't realize I never thanked the last 2 posters.....

Thank you both:)

[Clarea]

Thanks for the replies:)

 

Do any of you know if the ship has a "Chef's Table" type of dinner offered?...

Serenade has Chef's Table.

[marys350]

Thanks for the replies:)

 

Do any of you know if the ship has a "Chef's Table" type of dinner offered?

 

Oh, I see Ollie's Trollies has their own website....looks good and

reasonably priced too.:)

And in Portland I was looking at a company called Portland Land And

Sea Discovery Tours. They offer a trolley as well.

 

I didn't realize I never thanked the last 2 posters.....

Thank you both:)

 

We did the Portland Land and Sea Discovery Tour and enjoyed it. We did the trolley tour in the morning, ate lunch and shopped in the Old Port area, and then did the boat tour after lunch. We had plenty of time to get back to the ship afterwards.

[Lois R]

Serenade has Chef's Table.

 

Do you know the cost? And is it something you have to book on board?

[Clarea]

Do you know the cost? And is it something you have to book on board?

Don't know the cost, but the price should be listed in your Cruise Planner, assuming bookings are open and there's still slots available.

[Lois R]

Don't know the cost, but the price should be listed in your Cruise Planner, assuming bookings are open and there's still slots available.

 

Ahhh...ok, thank you. The Royal Website is not letting me book anything

at this point. Sailing in October.....it won't let me book any type of

of dining package either. Maybe it is too far out right now.

[Clarea]

Ahhh...ok, thank you. The Royal Website is not letting me book anything

at this point. Sailing in October.....it won't let me book any type of

of dining package either. Maybe it is too far out right now.

Yes, most likely too far out.

[Lois R]

Thanks so much. I will check in July/August and see what pops up at

that point. I appreciate your help.:)

[Clarea]

Thanks so much. I will check in July/August and see what pops up at

that point. I appreciate your help.:)

I'd check at least once a week starting now.

[Lois R]

Another question....do you have a favorite bar/lounge on Serenade? And

which would you recommend?...it says there are 16 choices.....way

more than what I normally using;)

[PH8]

Another question....do you have a favorite bar/lounge on Serenade? And

which would you recommend?...it says there are 16 choices.....way

more than what I normally using;)

Schooner Bar!!!:p

:p Love them on that class ship........

[Lois R]

Schooner Bar!!!:p

:p Love them on that class ship........

 

Hi Kathy, good morning:)...I will make a note for sure:)

[Clarea]

Another question....do you have a favorite bar/lounge on Serenade? And

which would you recommend?...it says there are 16 choices.....way

more than what I normally using;)

On Serenade, I'd also go with Schooner.

[billsgal]

On Serenade, Definitely the Schooner! Edited May 30, 2016 by billsgal