World "shakedown" cruise on Serenade starting next week (Semi-Live Review)

[orville99]

19 minutes ago, kernow said:

Beautiful pics, you must wake up much earlier than me😀.

 

We've loved the new mattress, the comfiest bed we've had on an RCL ship.

Just morning people I guess😇. 

We loved the new mattresses as well. I wonder how much more comfortable they will feel once they add the mattress toppers for the WC folks (presuming that they are actually doing that).

 

One thing I think will come in handy on the WC is that these are true two-sided mattresses so they can be flipped over whenever they start to wear in.

Edited December 4, 2023 by orville99

[lovesthebeach2]

3 hours ago, CSHS1979 said:

 

World cruisers were given a pillow menu.

Guess each cabin is different 

Im wondering what pillows will be in the cabins for the segment folks….. like us.  Or if we’ll have new bedding and whatever other new things they brought onboard.

[kernow]

40 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Just morning people I guess😇. 

We loved the new mattresses as well. I wonder how much more comfortable they will feel once they add the mattress toppers for the WC folks (presuming that they are actually doing that).

 

One thing I think will come in handy on the WC is that these are true two-sided mattresses so they can be flipped over whenever they start to wear in.

We like quite a firm mattress so they are great for us without a topper..

 

The first few days of the cruise we were up before 7 as we were still on UK time, for the last week or so we've been waking nearer 8. We are doing the Everglades excursion to kill time before our flight tomorrow so will have to be ready for 7.30am for that!

[lovesthebeach2]

On 11/30/2023 at 6:36 PM, Jimbo said:

Seems they are just setting themselves up for failure, I feel sorry for all those that spent thousands and thousands of dollars for a ship in the current condition.

 

Pretty good bet Royal's World Cruises in the Future is most likely all ready a one and done. 

 

Just hope they at least  are able to complete the whole voyage. Also  heard some of the ports that were listed have all ready been canceled.

Think positive. It’s not all about the amenities on the ship. The ports all around the world would be the focus for most.

[lovesthebeach2]

15 hours ago, orville99 said:

As the song says, the days dwindle down to a precious few - November (7th.), December (5th) and we only have one more day at sea and then on to Miami and Brightline back to home. From what we have seen, all of the hard upgrades that were promised for the WC have been completed, and the “soft” upgrades like the card room are more like flipping a sign than doing anything substantive. They were still pulling a lot of wiring in the corridors yesterday, but I have no idea what for. We lost two of the four Centrum elevators today that go up to the club - no idea why, and they are still feverishly painting and varnishing everywhere, but I guess the ship is about as ready as it will ever be for next week.

 

I sincerely hope that everyone who is on the WC has as wonderful a cruise as we have had over the past month, and that they all have smooth sailing and calm seas.

 

Bon Voyage, and may the wind be at always your back and the sun be always on your horizon.😇

Thanks for this blog. It almost felt like we were on the ship with you all..

 

Get home safe and don’t forget to stop by and let us know how you made out with Brightline.

[kernow]

3 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Im wondering what pillows will be in the cabins for the segment folks….. like us.  Or if we’ll have new bedding and whatever other new things they brought onboard.

I think you'll still get the new pillows and all the mattresses seem to have been replaced. The pillows and towels under our bed seem exactly the same as what we've had this cruise which appear fairly new.

[island lady]

13 hours ago, RFerrington said:

@orville99, yours was one of the most interesting and informative blogs I have ever read.  Thank you so much for taking your cruising time to provide so much useful information to those who are going on these incredible voyages.  I know they are grateful. Thank you

 

Totally agree!  🤗

[orville99]

29 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Thanks for this blog. It almost felt like we were on the ship with you all..

 

Get home safe and don’t forget to stop by and let us know how you made out with Brightline.

Will do. We plan on documenting that leg of the voyage here once we get home (hopefully with pictures). 😇

[island lady]

2 hours ago, orville99 said:

Whomever has our cabin for the WC must have chosen  2-inch thick memory foam pillows then, because those are what are order our bed.😇

 

I never got a menu!  We must be getting the leftovers.  😄 

[island lady]

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

Just morning people I guess😇. 

We loved the new mattresses as well. I wonder how much more comfortable they will feel once they add the mattress toppers for the WC folks (presuming that they are actually doing that).

 

One thing I think will come in handy on the WC is that these are true two-sided mattresses so they can be flipped over whenever they start to wear in.

 

I don't trust them to do it....so I am taking my own.  It's actually quite easy, fit well into one of my duffle bags.  Will let it go "poof" when we take it out of the shrink wrap when we get our bag.  😉 

[cruisin from florida]

2 hours ago, kernow said:

😀

We've loved the new mattress, the comfiest bed we've had on an RCL ship.

We're boarding tomorrow for a quick cococay trip. I hope we have a new bed!

[cruisin from florida]

10 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I don't trust them to do it....so I am taking my own.  It's actually quite easy, fit well into one of my duffle bags.  Will let it go "poof" when we take it out of the shrink wrap when we get our bag.  😉 

My friend is taking a topper, too. The beds are one of the major negatives for her. So much so that it's making her rethink cruising on Royal. Hopefully her topper helps.

[island lady]

13 minutes ago, cruisin from florida said:

My friend is taking a topper, too. The beds are one of the major negatives for her. So much so that it's making her rethink cruising on Royal. Hopefully her topper helps.

 

Smart choice, it certainly can't make it worse.  I like to be comfortable as well.  😉 

[ONECRUISER]

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

I never got a menu!  We must be getting the leftovers.  😄 

Have to bring your own...or Royal will Rent them to you, Deluxe Bedding Package 😁 

[ONECRUISER]

1 hour ago, kernow said:

We like quite a firm mattress so they are great for us without a topper..

 

The first few days of the cruise we were up before 7 as we were still on UK time, for the last week or so we've been waking nearer 8. We are doing the Everglades excursion to kill time before our flight tomorrow so will have to be ready for 7.30am for that!

Yes the new Mattresses on Serenade are softer then once they replace but still on the Firm side. Me I like say 4 out of 5 for Firm and could live with the really Firm ones they had couple yrs ago. They are Thicker/Taller compared to standard thin ones Serenade always had in the past and was first thing I noticed when I walked in the Cabin

[ericfromri]

Does anybody have any further information on the laundry situation?    I would happily give $1000 to be able to have access to a washing machine for this cruise.   I’ll be on for the whole W C, and I hate sending out my laundry. They shrink the hell out of it.    This cruise I have to worry about gaining inches. Lol unfortunately not losing them.

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, ericfromri said:

 I would happily give $1000 to be able to have access to a washing machine for this cruise.

Please, don't give RCI any ideas. @orville99 mentioned progress on the installation of the facilities earlier in the thread and assume you'll have access (without paying extra). 

[ericfromri]

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

Please, don't give RCI any ideas. @orville99 mentioned progress on the installation of the facilities earlier in the thread and assume you'll have access (without paying extra). 

Thanks I was hoping for some photos or some thing concrete because it is only a few days away.     Obviously, I was just joking about the laundry but you were right they would have a do it yourself laundry package if they could get away with it      I’m currently on enchanted princess where I’ve been for the last 70 days and they do give you free laundry here as an elite member, which is only 150 nights     However I like to do my laundry myself so they give me free tokens to go use the self-service laundry, which after you get used to it it’s hard to go back to the regular normal cruise ship type situation    Thank you for replying.

[orville99]

1 minute ago, ericfromri said:

Thanks I was hoping for some photos or some thing concrete because it is only a few days away.     Obviously, I was just joking about the laundry but you were right they would have a do it yourself laundry package if they could get away with it      I’m currently on enchanted princess where I’ve been for the last 70 days and they do give you free laundry here as an elite member, which is only 150 nights     However I like to do my laundry myself so they give me free tokens to go use the self-service laundry, which after you get used to it it’s hard to go back to the regular normal cruise ship type situation    Thank you for replying.

The laundry facilities have been installed, but there is no way to get any pictures inside of any of them because they are all fitted with keycard locks that currently have security inserts in them. At least they seem to have fixed the leaks that flooded the casino two weeks ago.😇

[ericfromri]

10 minutes ago, orville99 said:

The laundry facilities have been installed, but there is no way to get any pictures inside of any of them because they are all fitted with keycard locks that currently have security inserts in them. At least they seem to have fixed the leaks that flooded the casino two weeks ago.😇

Thank you I appreciate your information

[ONECRUISER]

3 hours ago, cruisin from florida said:

We're boarding tomorrow for a quick cococay trip. I hope we have a new bed!

Should been done long before now, they started replacing them before late August. Enjoy!

Edited December 4, 2023 by ONECRUISER

[LadyZolt]

6 hours ago, ericfromri said:

Does anybody have any further information on the laundry situation?    I would happily give $1000 to be able to have access to a washing machine for this cruise.   I’ll be on for the whole W C, and I hate sending out my laundry. They shrink the hell out of it.    This cruise I have to worry about gaining inches. Lol unfortunately not losing them.

 

Those on the full world cruise will have access to the laundry rooms, assuming you booked the full world cruise and not the 17 individual legs.  Even though I'm on the full world cruise, there are only 9 total washers -- 3 in each of the 3 laundry areas. So, I still plan on washing items in my cabin. I am bringing soap for hand washing, a basin, a drying mat (can use towels, too), and a clothes line. That way, I know I'll be able to wash something if all the washers are in use and I need some stuff cleaned. 

Edited December 5, 2023 by LadyZolt

[ericfromri]

8 hours ago, LadyZolt said:

 

Those on the full world cruise will have access to the laundry rooms, assuming you booked the full world cruise and not the 17 individual legs.  Even though I'm on the full world cruise, there are only 9 total washers -- 3 in each of the 3 laundry areas. So, I still plan on washing items in my cabin. I am bringing soap for hand washing, a basin, a drying mat (can use towels, too), and a clothes line. That way, I know I'll be able to wash something if all the washers are in use and I need some stuff cleaned. 

Ironically, I also have packed everything you mentioned.   I have been on a cruise since July 2021 and princess and Cunard have been the only ones that have a laundromat.  I get free laundry on other ones but I always make plans to do it myself just in case    Thank you for the great information   

[kernow]

Just exited the ship. We're doing the Everglades tour with airport drop off,  sitting on the bus waiting to depart. 

We've had a great cruise, I'm sure all of you getting on soon will be well looked after. I'll be following all of your adventures with interest. 

Happy Cruising😀🚢

[orville99]

WC luggage being delivered to the ship. Someone packed heavy. 😇