Just back from the Serenade of the Seas!

[famcruiser]

Umm...I guess it was obvious we are going on the Serenade. I've been reading posts for a while and forgot which thread I was on.
Carole

[billylen]

I am in the process of booking excursions for my upcoming cruise. Who or how did you book your excursions to Haines?

I plan on returning to Alaska next year with my son, but this year I just want a "sampler" could you recommend some sites where I can book online?

Thanks for your reports. I am totally excited now!

Bill in Monrovia

"Everyone has some good in them. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder to find it..."

6/27 Serenade of the Seas
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[maestra]

We sail the 4th of July on the Serenade. Did you have to tender in any of the ports? I'm still undedided about which whale watching excursion to book. Thanks for all the info.

[waitingfornextcruise]

Famcruiser, We leave Vancouver on July 18. I guess we'll wave to you at the pier.

[Krazy4Kruisin']

Looks like we will be waving to maestra as they get off the ship and to waitingfornextcruise as they get on. Bet by now you guessed that we are on the Serenade July 11.

[bucsfan1029]

Hey Oh brother - we just got off the Serende as well. Sorry we didn't see you at the cruise critic meet and mingle!!

I agree with a lot of your comments about the cruise...I was very pleased.

For those of you traveling on the Serenade in the coming months, enjoy it!! Of my 11 cruises, it was truly the best one yet. Oh and if you want a fantastic meal, go to CHOPS. I was very pleased with the food in Reflections and was sort of reluctant to pay $20 pp to eat at CHOPS (when you can eat good food for free in Reflections), but it was absolutely amazing. Well worth the money.

We didn't try Portofino's, but I understand that was excellent as well.

Hope everyone has a great trip!!

[maestra]

Sounds like everyone had a great time. My previous question was about tendering in ports. Did you dock or tender?

We're going for the scenery and relaxation. I just hope the dog sledding in Skagway is cancelled. This will be the high point for me.

Maestra

[TXMary]

Hi Amy,

Thanks for such a great review! I like knowing what to expect...both good and bad.

We are on the Serenade on August 22nd and your posts have me so excited. Final payment is tomorrow, so it really feels like it is getting close!

I have kind of a silly question (but not silly to me... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]) On the Eagle Preserve Jet boat excursion, how was the bathroom situation? From the picture, it looks like there are none on the jet boat itself. I am a "gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now kinda gal"!! We are thinking of booking this excursion, but I am anxious about it. Seriously. Are there plenty of opportunities to use the facilities before you board the jet boat and how long are you actually on the jet boat portion?

Thank you. I am so embarrassed I asked this! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif[/img]


Mary

<marquee>Serenade of the Seas...first time to Alaska!!</marquee>
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[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=8123032657&p=8"]Alaska on the Serenade 8/22/04 Click here to join us[/url]

[bucsfan1029]

Hey Maestra - we always docked. We saw NCL tendering in Ketchikan, but we were lucky enough to dock.

Just a heads up though, we docked about a mile outside of town in Juneau (took a free bus) and about a half mile from Skagway (not a bad walk, city buses are available for $1.50 per person). Other ships docked right in town. The dock location in Ketchikan was great.

[onapea]

What days are the formal nights?

[bdoster]

famcruiser, there is a thread started here...[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=1373015577&r=590100142#590100142"]July 25th Serenade[/url]

Cruiser Klingocruiser started, I have been conversing with him for weeks now, a great wealth of Alaska info, as he has been many times.

Love the review Amy, thanks for soooo much information. You helped cement my choice for Juneau excursion.

Thanks again!

[img]http://members.chello.nl/~p.c.a.dekker/B/a-BARBARA.gif[/img]

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Enchantment of the Seas 12/02
Celebration 11/99

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=1023042467&p=4"]Roll Call 8-15-04 Serenade of the Seas Alaska[/url]

[b]Countdown till Serenade of the Seas 8/15/04 [/b]
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Serenade Roll Call Started

[bdoster]

Formal nights are Monday & Thursday.

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Enchantment of the Seas 12/02
Celebration 11/99

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=1023042467&p=4"]Roll Call 8-15-04 Serenade of the Seas Alaska[/url]

[b]Countdown till Serenade of the Seas 8/15/04 [/b]
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Serenade Roll Call Started

[ohhbother]

Sorry I've been MIA, guys. I came down with bronchitis -- apparently I spent too much time out in the cold on my cruise!

To answer your questions:

1) Eagle preserve by jet boat excursion in Haines. We booked this through the cruise line. It was around $170 pp and absolutely worth it. To me, this was the most authentic Alaska experience we had. We got to meet a gentleman who's lived in Alaska 50 years (he drove our bus), and he had tons of great stories. And you could tell it wasn't scripted -- he was just talking about his life. All the people were really nice. Here's a brief summary of the excursion:
In Skagway, we walked a short distance from our ship to a landing and boarded a ferry to Haines. The ferry ride took about 35 minutes. Once off the ferry, we boarded a bus and took about a 20-minute ride to the excursion camp. The scenery from both the ferry and bus were beautiful. Our bus driver stopped a couple of times to let us view a bald eagle and a trumpeter swan -- both very close. At camp, we were given coats, gloves, blankets etc. to wear over our own coats to make sure we'd stay warm. We then boarded the small boat, which seated about 20 people and was open air -- very low to the water. We were out on the water about an hour and a half. We saw eagles, a moose, trumpeter swans, various other birds and stunning scenery. It was cold but not uncomfortably so. Once back at camp, we were given skewers with hot dogs on them, and we cooked these over an open fire. We then went through a buffet line with vegeterian chili (Very Good!), chips, brownies, lemonade, etc. We had about 30 minutes to eat and mill around. We then took the bus back to the ferry and returned to Skagway. To answer TX Mary's question, there are restrooms in Haines once you get off the ferry and also at the camp. You have an opportunity to make a "pit stop" both before and after going out on the jet boat.

2) Docking vs. Tendering. As bucsfan1029 said, we did dock in all ports. It was most convenient in Ketchikan and Skagway. Juneau was a bit confusing, because we were at the new dock and no one seemed to be sure of where to go. We finally figured out there was a free bus to take you the mile or so to town. A word of advice -- don't try to walk it! It's further than it looks.

3) Formal nights are Monday and Thursday.

Let me know if you have any more questions. I hope everyone has a fantastic trip!

Amy

[maestra]

What was the weather like? We leave in 3 weeks.

[TXMary]

Thanks for the info Amy.

I hope you are feeling better!

Mary

<marquee>Serenade of the Seas...first time to Alaska!!</marquee>
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[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=8123032657&p=8"]Alaska on the Serenade 8/22/04 Click here to join us[/url]

[natesfirewife]

Hi everyone, I just saw this thread and I thougth I would pop in. I am starting a CC Group Cruise to Alaska 08/07/05 on the Serenade. If you are interested in joining us you can use the link in my signature. We have a bunch of people interested and are in the process of getting the group pricing. We took the Radiance last year to Alaska and just can't wait to get back there. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Misty


Group Cruise Info for the Serenade - Alaska - 08/07/05 - Come and Join the fun!!. [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=408097554&m=877100712"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=408097554&m=877100712[/url]

Roll Call for the Grandeur 12/18/04. Come join us in New Orleans for the Christmas Season!! [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=389105961&r=699105961#699105961"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=389105961&r=699105961#699105961[/url]
Serenade of the Seas / Alaska / 08-07-05
Grandeur of the Seas / W. Caribbean / 12-18-04
Vision of the Seas / Mexico / 04-04-04
Radiance of the Seas /Alaska /07-05-03

[ZPOOD@AOL.COM]

Hi to all fellow cruisers,
Well, I just got off Celebrity Infinity this morning,flew across the county and still cant sleep because of all the excitment from our trip. It was so special. I do have to say the highlight of our trip was Capt.Larry, it exceeded all expectations we had. We booked months ago and also booked the glacier landing through them. They handled all the arrangements. We went out on June 10 (last thursday) on the 9 A.M. run. We saw many Orcas, 2 came right over to the boat and surfaced, it was awsome. After observing them for awhile we moved to another area. There was a mother humpack and her calf. They were very active. They both were jumping right out of the water and splashing for over 40 minutes. It was incredible. One of the most exciting things I have encountered. Boats were coming from all over. Capt Larry turned off his engine,hearing the sounds that they made, made it more surreal. You could here the blow, and the splash. I felt as close as I have ever to a wild creature. I dont know if I will ever feel that again. The massive size, but gentleness of them.
Capt. Larry was so respectful to them as not to distrub them and linger to long, (as we could have all day) Kelly was equally as delightful. They had cheese and crackers, salmon and served coffee. I cant say enough praises to the outfit. I think the the above posting was just a isolated inncident, And its just a roll of the dice on what you are going to see.

I reccomend them highly.

Guess I better try to sleep, I have loads of pictures to develope

Susan

[postalgrrl]

ohhbrother, thanks for all the info about the Serenade. Sorry you got sick, but glad to see you're feeling better. You said the docking in Juneau was confusing. We are on the Serenade in Sept. Do you know the name of the dock? I am renting a car in Juneau from rent a wreck and they asked me what dock we would be at because they are leaving the car at the dock for us to pick up in the morning when we arrive in Juneau. Any info would be helpful. Thanks again.

Rhapsody of the Sea 1/03
Serenade of the Sea 9/19/04

[famcruiser]

Thanks, Barbara,
I've been reading the thread for the Serenade on July 25th. And, we, also, signed up for the Meet & Mingle. But, apparently, only 7 have signed up, so far. Anyway, we can't wait! All of this reading makes me so excited about our first trip to Alaska. You're going on the Serenade the next week, right? Have you been to Alaska before?
Carole

[bdoster]

Carole,
No we are going 8-15, 3 weeks later. The boards are slow for the mid-summer cruises. I have 24 signed up for M&M....only need 1 more. I have been to Vancouver, but not Alaska....am extremely excited.

Husband & I, spending 4 nights in Vancouver pre cruise, 1 night in Seattle post cruise.

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Enchantment of the Seas 12/02
Celebration 11/99

[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=1023042467&p=4"]Roll Call 8-15-04 Serenade of the Seas Alaska[/url]

[B]Countdown till Serenade of the Seas 8/15/04 [/B]
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Serenade Roll Call Started

[churee]

Hi Susan,

i read your post about just getting back from your celebrity cruise on the infinity.That is our ship which we will board on July 23rd. We are also doing a 4 day land excursion prior to that. Did you do that as part of your package? Has anyone stayed at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge or the Denali Hotel? (part of the land package.

Joyce

[waitingfornextcruise]

ohhbother- Do you remember which night was lobster night?

[Diva Onboard]

Ohhbother -

Were you able to get in close at Hubbard Glacier? There was some talk that one of the passes might close off and limit accessibility to the cruise ships.

Please let me know.

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<Marquee>I'm getting out there - SERENADE OF THE SEAS - July 18, 2004<Marquee>

[waitingfornextcruise]

Where did Ohhbother go? I haven't had my fill of Serenade stories yet. LOL

[bucsfan1029]

Waiting - Lobster night was on Thursday night (2nd formal night)

ebielik - we stayed pretty far away from Hubbard (3 miles) - there was a Holland America ship that was there just before us...they got much closer.