Serenade of the Seas in Southern Caribbean questions

[ggChewy]

I've got a group of 5 couples, all good friends, traveling together for the first time. We're booked on the Serenade 7 night Southern Carib on Feb21. Should be a blast! Since we're all from MN it will be that much better to escape the frigid cold!

 

Our cabins are all E1's on Deck 9 port side at the front of the ship (9000-9008). It will be the first cruise for almost all of us. Does anyone have experience with cabins in that location? Any reason that one side of the ship is better than the other? I'm hoping that seasickness won't be an issue either.

 

One other question - we're flying in the night before and staying at the Sheraton Old San Juan. Anyone know if the pier is within walking distance? It looks like the hotel is on the pier.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Grey

[Ocean Boy]

Any hotel in Old San Juan is not within walking distance to the pier. Serenade docks at the Pan American pier across the bay from Old San Juan. It does not use the piers that are down town. It is a quick taxi ride. It might take 10-15 minutes depending on traffic.

[Sue L]

You are staying in a great location in Old San Juan, you are in walking distance to a ton of stuff like the 2 forts, also right on the corner outside of your hotel there is a free shuttle bus that takes you through the Old San Juan area and to the two forts. You will have to take a taxi to the port but you are in a great spot. You are on the pier but it is not the one RCCL uses

 

The Serenade is a wonderful ship, beautiful with a fantastic crew.

[Finbar127]

I sailed the Serenade last year. It is a beautiful ship and you will have a wonderful time.

 

Personally I think whatever side of the ship will give you more chances to view the sunset from your balcony is better. For example if the ship heads south five out of your seven nights then the starboard or right side of the ship would be a better choice. The opposite would be true if you like to watch sunrises from your balcony. Other than that I don't have a preference for one side over the other.

[Desert Cruizers]

You will love the Radiance Class Ship, we have sailed on the Brilliance and just recently, the Radiance, I noticed all your rooms are forward,rather then Mid ship, so you might be aware of some motion, as mentioned, since you won't be spending that much time in your rooms, except later evenings or ealy mornings, if there is something I wish to see I just travel to the other side during the Sea Days or while in Port. For some reason we end up getting Port Side, but no real differance. You will find that everyone has a preferance of location, some Aft, Mid, Lower Deck vs upper Deck, I would recommend, more mid ship, and have a Deck above and below you rather then being under the Windjammer or any Social area where you could get alot of noise. I use a 6 to 10 room forward of the Lifts rule, but that is our preferance. Have a wonderful cruise.

[MDSue]

We sailed the Serenade last spring. You will love this ship and itinerary. I liked the port side, but for much of the trip you will have nice views from both sides. The best view ever for me was after departing St. Lucia. The ship will leisurely sail along the coast for hours and you will have a great view of the Pitons. I was able to enjoy the view from our port -side balcony which was nice.

You will have to take a taxi to the pier, but it's not that far. Maybe 15 minutes. You will really enjoy staying in Old San Juan, take some time to take a walking tour or hop the trolley to all the local attractions.

I've never had a problem with seasickness, even at the front of a ship. We did notice the waves occasionally

[cb at sea]

While the front and back of the ship will have more motion (think of a see-saw), you should be just fine.

Enjoy your trip!

[mikepmcm]

Here is the daily highlights for the Serenade:

 

Day-1 Puerto Rico - Casual dinner attire

Mandatory Lifeboat drill 8pm

All Aboard 9:30pm

Poolside Sail-away Party 9:45-10:30pm

Voyage to Adventure show 10:30pm all guests

 

Day-2 St. Thomas - Formal attire Captains reception

Stage to Screen production show 9 & 10:45pm

Honeymooner's Get Together 10:15pm

 

Day-3 St. Maarten - Casual 70's attire

Celebrity show 9pm & 10:45pm

70's Disco Inferno 11pm

 

Day-4 Antigua - Casual Caribbean attire

Love & Marriage Game Show 7:45pm

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in Portifino 6:15-10pm

Dancing Under the Stars pool party & poolside buffet 11:00pm

 

Day-5 St. Lucia - Smart Casual attire

Vibeology Production Show 7 & 9pm

Quest 10:30pm

50's & 60's Sock Hop 11:00pm

 

Day-6 Barbados - Formal attire

Wine Dinner Series in Portofino 7:30pm

Headliner Show 9 & 10:45pm

Battle of the Sexes Game Show 10:15pm

 

Day-7 At Sea - Casual attire

Farewell Show 7 & 9pm

Farewell PJ Party in Vortex 10pm

 

Here's some tours FYI

 

St. Thomas:

Sunny Liston Tours http://www.sunnylistontours.com/

Skyride http://www.stthomasskyride.com/

 

St. Martin:

Bernards Tours http://www.bernardstours.com/

 

St. Lucia:

Highly recommended Cosol's Tour http://cosoltours.com/

Herods Private tour for a group http://www.herodsislandtours.com/isl...ight_tour.html

 

Antigua:

Eli's Eco Tour http://www.adventureantigua.com/

Lawrence of Antigua http://www.lawrenceofantigua.com/

Creole Boat Tour http://www.creolecruisesantigua.com/

Gordon's Tours http://www.tourguidegordon.com/index.html

Hawksbill all inclusive for day pass http://www.rexresorts.com/_caribbean...ach/index.html

 

Barbados:

Crane Beach Resort http://www.thecrane.com/

Cool Runnings Catamaran from Boatyard http://www.coolrunningsbarbados.com/index2.html

Heat Wave Catamaran from Boatyard http://www.heatwavesailingcruises.com/

Lobster Alive restaurant & beach http://lobsteralive.net/

Silver Moon cruises & Kayak http://www.oceanadventures.bb/oai/silvermoon.html

 

Mike

[3 Dog Night]

We are also traveling on "Serenade" in a few months. Thanks for the summary of days and tours. They will come in very handy.

[ggChewy]

Thanks so much for all the responses and especially the day by day itinerary. Very helpful! We all have young kids, so this will be the first big trip away for most of us. Should be a blast!

 

I think we may sign up for maybe one tour, but we're all leaning toward some of the more adventurous activities like the tree-top zip lines, power snorkel, ATVs, or 2-man boats. Does anyone have experience with any activities like that? We're also thinking of just exploring an island and catching a beautiful beach at another. Still not sure which islands though.

 

As far as the room selection, we were all signed up with Balcony Guarantees, so I was excited to see us all together. I had hoped for something more midship, or even aft, but what can we do? According to RC, if we were willing to go back into the Balcony room pool, we could possibly get assigned new rooms, but they likely wouldn't be together. I'm thinking that we stick with the ones we've got.

 

Thanks again everyone. I truly appreciate all the helpful advice!

 

Grey

[Desert Cruizers]

After sailing on the BOS and this Oct the Radiance I am looking forward to sailing on the Serenade to Alaska in 2010, just waiting on the schedules. Beautiful ships with all the glass. Wouldn't mind doing the Voyager on a TA, so we will see

[Pomperaugrr]

We sailed on the Serenade this past January and will be back on the Serenade in 25 days!! :) You will love this ship. The crew and entertainment staff are great! One big hint, as many people do not find this out until the end of the cruise, is that when you go to the Windjammer, keep walking all the way aft. There is awesome outdoor seating, with awnings over you. This area was pretty empty until the last couple of days on board. Most just grab a table near the front or the sides. Also try out the Seaview Cafe, one flight up from the windjammer. They have great sandwiches and onion rings. This is also an ovelooked treasure, until later in the week.

 

Eric

[mortypro]

does anyone know if the seaview cafe think that is the name is open the day we board for lunch!!

[karena1]

We will also be back on Serenade for the 2nd time in April. She is a gorgeous ship - lots of glass and brass.

 

The Disco Inferno was a blast. My DH never go dancing anymore, but we went up to the disco that night and had a blast. Danced and danced. "Village People" sang and the entire night was a hoot.

 

We are total beach people - so if you want to beach it one day, here is where we usually go and love:

 

STT - Either Coki (great snorkeling) or Magens. Both are beautiful beaches and close to the ships, easy cab ride (take the open air busses right by the docks) We don't go over to St John anymore as we think Coki is just as nice as Trunk

 

SMX - without a doubt - Orient Beach. Best people watching beach ever! We like to sit in front of Bikini Beach Bar. Great, comfy loungers to rent, lots of watersports available. As long as it doesn't bother you to see some topless and nudes, it is a gorgeous beach with beautiful water and just a ton to do. Lots of shops/bars/restaurants all over the beach. You can easily spend the entire day there just chilling out or being active, whichever you prefer. Again, cabs all over by the ships that will take you out there. Don't be afraid to tell the cabbie where on the beach you want to go, sometimes they try to take you all the way up to BoBoJams, but that is much farther north on the beach than you really want to be. Much more activity if you get by Bikini Beach or South of that.

 

St. Lucia - we love Reduit Beach. Best parasailing we have every had - just incredible views. Again, you can rent chairs/umbrellas and there are food/bars around.

 

Antigua - love this island. We like Dickenson Bay. Make sure the cabbie drops you at Tony's Beach Bar rathen than Coconuts. The beach by Coconuts is very small where by Tony's it is much nicer. You can walk up to Coconuts if you want for a drink or lunch. Calm water, very pretty. My Hubby loves the homemade soup the local cook makes in the little kitchen behind Tony's.

 

Barbados - We like The Boatyard. Pay an entrance fee and that includes your chairs and a free drink. Nice little bar/restaurant there. Again, you have water sports and right outside The Boatyard there is a snorkel hut. For $17 they will take you out to the reefs to snorkel.

 

So there are my beach recommendations. The Southern Caribbean is by far our favorite. You can pretty much go anywhere - just grab a cab. These islands are for the most part very safe and easy to get around.

 

Have a blast.

[prc]

We did this itenerary last january and it it fabulous!

 

We stayed 1 night prior at the Sheraton OSJ. Great location and great accomodations. We walked all through OSJ that evening and had a really good tome. Small street cafe's everywhere, friendly people, very safe and fun.

 

LaBombanera is a must for breakfast!

 

We had 9514 (starboard) on the Serenade. Close to the fwd stairs, but a bit of a walk to the main elevators. Would definately stay again.

 

Here's a link to the whole trip:

 

http://crowncast.org/forum/index.php?topic=109.0

 

PRC

[Pomperaugrr]

Unfortunately the Seaview is not open for lunch on embarkation day. :( It does have late hours some nights. Check the compass for details. I'm looking forward to one of their "cuban" sandwiches with onion rings in three weeks. Mmmmmmmm. :)

[Desert Cruizers]

We are at the Seaview late one evening, we love that little place. Darn forgot about going aft from the Windjammer. Will try and remember doing that.

[mikepmcm]

does anyone know if the seaview cafe think that is the name is open the day we board for lunch!!

Not for lunch but they're open from 5:00 - 7:30 PM for snacks.

[VegD]

We are sailing on the Serenade on 1/31 09. We would love to hear any info you have after your cruise. like the entertainment etc.

 

Have a great Cruise, VegD

[Sheffie]

Unfortunately the Seaview is not open for lunch on embarkation day. :( It does have late hours some nights. Check the compass for details. I'm looking forward to one of their "cuban" sandwiches with onion rings in three weeks. Mmmmmmmm. :)

 

Oh, those Cuban sandwiches!!!! Just a word to the wise: it is VERY easy to eat a lot at the Seaview, but then you won't have room for dinner! We finally started sharing a sandwich and those wonderful onion rings. Couldn't pass them up!!!! This is a wonderful place to be for sailaway from the different ports.

 

Enjoy your cruise. We would go on the Serenade again in a heartbeat.

[Desert Cruizers]

Michelle, Cruising is such a wonderfual way to see other Countries and get a sampling. That way we can always return and spend more time at a place we really enjoyed. My DH & I wouldn't be able to just travel to these places if it weren't for a Cruise.

 

Gay

[gosaints2006]

We did this itenerary last january and it it fabulous!

 

We stayed 1 night prior at the Sheraton OSJ. Great location and great accomodations. We walked all through OSJ that evening and had a really good tome. Small street cafe's everywhere, friendly people, very safe and fun.

 

LaBombanera is a must for breakfast!

 

We had 9514 (starboard) on the Serenade. Close to the fwd stairs, but a bit of a walk to the main elevators. Would definately stay again.

 

Here's a link to the whole trip:

 

http://crowncast.org/forum/index.php?topic=109.0

 

PRC

 

Breakfast......:rolleyes: now you've got me thinking. Name your favorite breakfast places in OSJ.