Just off Serenade...questions?

[CLQ]

What was done during drydock?

 

Did your cabin have new carpeting - flat screen TV - new furniture ???

 

Glad u enjoyed the Radiance class - always been my favorite..

During a Q/A session, I specifically asked the Hotel Director (impressive guy, B-T-W) what had been done during drydock that would affect his end of things. Basically the answer was not much. There was some new carpet put down, but I didn't get the impression it was in our cabin. Room was in good shape, but didn't strike me as being particularly new. Bedding would be the most noticeable new thing, and that wasn't redone during the drydock. The drydock was primarily to address some new engine/propulsion and generator technology. But, the ship looked "as-new" to us. No flat screen tv--I wish. No new cabin furniture that I could tell. But all was in fine shape.

[waterbugohio]

CLQ,

 

Can you help me find the "magical day in St Lucia" thread back. The search tool is down and I can't find it.

 

Thanks for your review and all your help. Can't wait for our first ever cruise

[Bonnie Voyager]

CLQ,

 

Can you help me find the "magical day in St Lucia" thread back. The search tool is down and I can't find it.

 

Thanks for your review and all your help. Can't wait for our first ever cruise

 

 

I couldn't find that thread either! Was in in the St. Lucia forum? or here in the RCCL forum?

[waterbugohio]

No I sure it was in this forum, not in St Lucia. I don't usually go to the port forum, they are not near as active. I forget what I ask before I get an answer!!

 

I will keep checking also. I went back 8 pages and nothing?? Can CLQ search under her name??

[waterbugohio]

I checked all of CLQ post for the last two weeks and can't find it.

 

Maybe it got moved. I will try to check St Lucia port

[Bonnie Voyager]

I can't compare the ship to "before" but she sure looked great when we were aboard. We had heard how nice the Radiance class was, but weren't prepared for how much we really did enjoy Serenade. The combination of all the glass, deep rich wood and the inlaid flooring were nicer than anything we've cruised at least. Obviously, we've loved all the ships we've been on. But, we'll be looking to do a Radiance class again because of this experience.

 

 

This was also our first Radiance-class experience. While we did enjoy our time on Serenade, Tom and I both missed our Voyager/Freedom-class ships and would probably not necessarily choose Radiance-class again unless, like this time, it is for the itinerary. The ship was lovely but it felt too compartmentalized for me. Call me strange! :o ;)

[Mach1]

I’m so jealous! :mad: I had to cancel this cruise – was not able to get the flights to work! So happy to hear the Serenade is doing great and all my islands. ;) This is my favorite itinerary I’ll try again next year. Thanks for all your highlights. I am glad to hear you got to do the 360 by Monserrat that was a highlight of my ’06 trip. Did you get a fuel stop in St Croix?

[Bonnie Voyager]

I’m so jealous! :mad: I had to cancel this cruise – was not able to get the flights to work! So happy to hear the Serenade is doing great and all my islands. ;) This is my favorite itinerary I’ll try again next year. Thanks for all your highlights. I am glad to hear you got to do the 360 by Monserratthat was a highlight of my ’06 trip. Did you get a fuel stop in St Croix?

 

Did you get to go to St. Croix in '06? I am going there this summer for a land vacation. You don't hear too much about St. Croix. It doesn't seem to be as popular as the other Virgin Islands, but it looks lovely in the photographs I've seen. I can't wait to go there!

 

I also loved this itinerary on Serenade! I wish we had done the 360 and the island sail-by though. That was what enticed me to book the cruise in the first place! :( But, it was wonderful even without those features.

[CLQ]

CLQ,

 

Can you help me find the "magical day in St Lucia" thread back. The search tool is down and I can't find it.

 

Thanks for your review and all your help. Can't wait for our first ever cruise

All--

I think my thread on "A Magical Day at St. Lucia" got poofed! When I couldn't find it, I checked the Ports forum. Not finding it there, I read some rules of that particular forum that may explain its disappearance from this one. It wasn't intended to be an add for Cosol, nor was it solicited of me in any way by him. But, they do have to have some rules-for-the-road. So, I suppose I understand.

 

Sad, though. I think it would've been a fun discussion.

[CLQ]

This was also our first Radiance-class experience. While we did enjoy our time on Serenade, Tom and I both missed our Voyager/Freedom-class ships and would probably not necessarily choose Radiance-class again unless, like this time, it is for the itinerary. The ship was lovely but it felt too compartmentalized for me. Call me strange! :o ;)

Okay, Bonnie. I call you strange.;) And pretty cool too!:cool:

[Mach1]

Yes we did stop in St. Croix to re-fuel it was about 8:30 pm I remember because we skipped late seating so we could go a shore. Several shops were open and there was a band playing in the court yard. We were there about 3 hours - not long enough to check out to much. It looked very pretty – I agree with you – you don’t hear to much about St .Croix. It might be good place for a land vacation. Less people!!

Hope you have a great time. :)

[Bonnie Voyager]

Okay, Bonnie. I call you strange.;) And pretty cool too!:cool:

 

Ha, ha, ha! :p Now, will you call me a cab?....."yes, you are a cab"

 

I think only having the one sea day is a major factor in our not falling in love with the ship itself. We really never had a chance to just "hang out" and enjoy the ship. We were in port all day every day doing busy excursions and then went right to dinner and then either to the shops/photo gallery or a show and then to bed. By that last day (the only sea day for us) we were exhausted. We did wander around the ship quite a bit that last day, but really never found a "favorite spot" or a focal point. We spent most of our free time just relaxing on our aft balcony! :D It was a lovely week though. Probably a high point in my life since our adult daughter was cruising with us for the first time.

[Bonnie Voyager]

Yes we did stop in St. Croix to re-fuel it was about 8:30 pm I remember because we skipped late seating so we could go a shore. Several shops were open and there was a band playing in the court yard. We were there about 3 hours - not long enough to check out to much. It looked very pretty – I agree with you – you don’t hear to much about St .Croix. It might be good place for a land vacation. Less people!!

 

Hope you have a great time. :)

 

 

I appears that some ships are starting to include St. Croix in their itineraries in 2009, so maybe the island will make a "comeback". But I like to think that it is sort of the "happy medium" between St. Thomas and St. John. Not too much commercialism, but enough to make it fun! ;)

[cruise-bunny]

All--

I think my thread on "A Magical Day at St. Lucia" got poofed! When I couldn't find it, I checked the Ports forum. Not finding it there, I read some rules of that particular forum that may explain its disappearance from this one. It wasn't intended to be an add for Cosol, nor was it solicited of me in any way by him. But, they do have to have some rules-for-the-road. So, I suppose I understand.

 

Sad, though. I think it would've been a fun discussion.

 

I down loaded the review the day it came out. E-mail me and I will send it to you.

Sandy

sandykhan@austin.rr.com

[chiquita cruiser]

We are scheduled to go on Serenade in Jan. 09. Its great to see your post. Tell us all about your cruise, the good the bad and the UGH ugly..

 

So far I've only read one negative comment on the boards about a smell on Deck 7 aft. This will be our 2nd cruise or maybe 3rd.

Thanks..:)

[Colorado Babe]

My family and I just returned from the Serenade on Saturday night....I must say, it was an awesome itinerary and we would definitely sail on this ship again. The crew, the ship and the people we met on board were just absolutely wonderful.....I have no complaints. Our state room attendant (Jeffrey), waiter (Abyss), and Asst Waiter (Yaun Yaun) were awesome....Our balcony cabin (9060) was perfect and the ship was in tip top shape...We really enjoyed the shows and the food in the Reflections dining room....We spent most of our time off the ship but when we were on it we spent our time at the pool, the minature golf course and the dining room. The breakfast and dinners in Reflections were very good. Couldn't see a reason to book at Portofino's or Chops since the food was delictious. I highly recommend the French Toast and Sausage for Breakfast and the Mahi Mahi and Lobster at night.....The coconut cake was absolutely delicious as well as the chocolate cake....You will love everything about this ship....I promise.

 

The highlight of the trip was when I finally met Bonnie Voyager on Cosol's Tour...Bonnie is a wonderful young lady and I hope someday we will cross paths again.....

 

I highly recommend the BoatYard Caterman in Barbados....It was the best excursion that we have ever been on...Cosol's tour was pretty good too but didn't even come close to the Boat Yard.

[cruisecrasy]

During a Q/A session, I specifically asked the Hotel Director (impressive guy, B-T-W) what had been done during drydock that would affect his end of things. Basically the answer was not much. There was some new carpet put down, but I didn't get the impression it was in our cabin. Room was in good shape, but didn't strike me as being particularly new. Bedding would be the most noticeable new thing, and that wasn't redone during the drydock. The drydock was primarily to address some new engine/propulsion and generator technology. But, the ship looked "as-new" to us. No flat screen tv--I wish. No new cabin furniture that I could tell. But all was in fine shape.

 

Thanks so much for the info.

 

I am disappointed no flat screen TVs - about time RCL installed them.. :(

 

Have happy future cruisin'!

[mortypro]

I highly recommend the BoatYard Caterman in Barbados....It was the best excursion that we have ever been on...Cosol's tour was pretty good too but didn't even come close to the Boat Yard.

 

love your review

do you have the boatyard caterman link

thanks

[BILL-WI]

 

love your review

do you have the boatyard caterman link?

thanks

 

I asked that same question on another thread and she sent me this...

 

http://www.theboatyard.com/pview.html?p=catamarancrusies

 

BILL

[CLQ]

I think only having the one sea day is a major factor in our not falling in love with the ship itself. We really never had a chance to just "hang out" and enjoy the ship.

Hours in the Solarium. Naps in the Thermal Suite. Music in the Safari Lounge. You can tell it was a lazy week for us.

[Bonnie Voyager]

Hours in the Solarium. Naps in the Thermal Suite. Music in the Safari Lounge. You can tell it was a lazy week for us.

 

 

I walked through the solarium ONCE when we first boarded the ship! It sure was pretty, but I never actually spent any time there. Next year we are taking a relaxing cruise on Liberty of the Seas with our best friends! It is mostly sea days and we are not planning any excursions the whole week! Just kicking back and enjoying the ship and good company! :D

[waterbugohio]

Colorado: Did you do a full review. I didn't see it under the Serenade reviews.

 

Can you give us more details on the Barbados tour? I checked out the website a little. Which tour did you do??

[Colorado Babe]

No, I havent had time to do a review yet.....Hopefully this weekend.

 

We did the BoatYard Catermeran excursion. The big catermeran that takes you snorkeling with the sea turtles. This excursion was so awesome that I would definitely go back to Barbados again just to do this excursion...I agree there was no comparison between boatyard and cosol's....I would rate Boatyard a 10 and Cosol's a 6.

[CLQ]

I walked through the solarium ONCE when we first boarded the ship! It sure was pretty, but I never actually spent any time there. :D

So, you didn't let the guy at the Solarium Cafe make you a fresh chocolate or strawberry Crepe, then. :o That's just sad.

[Bonnie Voyager]

So, you didn't let the guy at the Solarium Cafe make you a fresh chocolate or strawberry Crepe, then. :o That's just sad.

 

 

I never even saw the Solarium Cafe! I don't think it was open when we walked through. Remember, we had just boarded the ship so it was about noon on embarkation day when we passed through the solarium. I think Tom tried to spend some time relaxing there with a good book on the sea day while the kids and I went to be entertained at the art auction, but he said it was packed in the solarium and there was no seating for him anywhere in the shade so he went to the outdoor promenade on deck 5 instead.

 

There are some negatives to having only one sea day! Everyone flocks to the pools! We did try to get in a hot tub on the afternoon of our Barbados day though, thinking it would be less crowded with most people off the ship and boy were we wrong! Every hot tub was packed like a tin of sardines. I squeezed my way in though and spent about 5 minutes making some little kid's attempt to snorkel in the hot tub a failure so that he decided to get out and then Tom was able to join me in the sardine tub...I mean hot tub! ;) That was our one and only experience on the pool deck the whole week.

 

Boy, we sound like a couple of old farts, don't we? We really are fun! I swear we are! :o But we went on this cruise specifically for the itinerary and had the time of our lives on each and every island. We were just totally exhausted when we got back onboard. We relaxed as a family on our terrific aft balconies (where we managed to consume 6 bottles of wine while taking in the splendor of it all) and thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience with the best waitstaff EVER (Ergund was our waiter and Alston our asst. waiter) then after a little bit of wandering around the ship in the early evening, we retired for the best slumber imaginable prior to starting over the next day at the next island.

 

It was truly a trip of a lifetime and I do highly recommend it! :D