Considering Serenade of the Seas Alaska 7/31/05

[cmez]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to your board, and am seriously considering booking Serenade of the Seas for my 25th Wedding Anniversary cruise next year.

I have a few questions, so I hope some of you past cruisers can help me out! I'm looking at the Vancouver (round-trip) cruise.

First of all, what is the ship like? How did you like it? I've heard a lot of nice things about it. Is it worth getting a balcony? Or is an OV just as nice?

We'll more than likely arrive in Vancouver the day before the cruise. What hotel is closest to the port? Is there any hotels that offer transportation to the port?

If not, what's the cost for a taxi service there?

[url='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008'][img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/13/13_1_103.gif[/img][/url]

Lorrie
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;10;31;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Official Countdown to Conquest!


Paradise 9/03
Pride 9/02
Fantasy 5/00
Sensation 3/97

[Tex_Jen]

Just came back from my first cruise and it was on the Serenade. Balcony is awesome. You can't go wrong, especially with the view in Alaska. My cruising friends at work suggest a balcony in Alaska because it is difficult to get up on deck for viewing in the early morning when they make announcements regarding whale sightings and you can just hop out onto your balcony in a robe.

Loved the ship as a whole. Again, first cruise so no biases built in. Lots of glass and you could view the scenery from several decks as well as your balcony.

Enjoy your trip. Wish I could be there with you. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Jen

[cmez]

Sounds wonderful!! Thank you Jen!
I've made my mind up, we're booking Serenade this week!

[url='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008'][img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/13/13_1_103.gif[/img][/url]

Lorrie
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;10;31;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Official Countdown to Conquest!


Paradise 9/03
Pride 9/02
Fantasy 5/00
Sensation 3/97

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2005;7;31;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]
Un-Official Countdown to Serenade of the Seas

[billylen]

I have booked the Serenade approx. one month prior to yout planned trip. I will probably post a review when I return.

I too am flying into Vancouver the day before (staying in a timeshare), and hope to experience that city prior to departure.

...and I agree, the balcony is the way to go on this cruise!

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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[judytata11]

We were on the Serenade in the Caribbean. The ship is beautiful........loads of glass which will be great in Alaska. The balcony would be great but if cost is a factor I would choose another excursion rather than the balcony.

[timbo89]

We were on the Radiance (almost identical ship to the Serenade) to Alaska last September. Wonderful cruise...get a balcony if you can afford it.....gorgeous ship. One of our favourite cruises. As far as hotels are concerned, it depends on the pier that they will use for that sailing. In any event, most of the downtown hotels are not too far from either pier.

[telesaps]

Lots of people, including me, are getting 4-star hotels in Vancouver for $60.00 to $70.00 p/night. This is for rooms typically priced at $250.00.
I've read on these boards that cabs are $20.00 - $25.00.

[Budget Queen]

Priceline is the way to go for Downtown Vancouver lodging. Excellent hotels. As for airport- to downtown. At least $25++ Ca . Get a cab that takes charge cards- otherwise expect a poor US money exchange. Cabs are easy from downtown hotels to the port. Look carefully at time in ports, glacier, ports etc. Budget fully for costly excursions- you get only 1/2 a trip without them. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Plan on some time out on the front decks, expecially glacier viewing day- side viewing in no way compares to full front, seeing it all.