Alaskan Highlights!

Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

TomD8

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 29

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier (Vancouver Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 15, 2009

Ship: Serenade of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 15 years ago

Review summary

Our first cruise as a family (wife, and boys 20, 17 and 14), and the first for my wife and me since 1986 (Does anyone remember Commodore Cruise Lines and the Caribe 1?), was an Alaska Inside Passage itinerary. The trip was a complete success. The boys quickly mastered the layout of the ship and the location of key food and beverage options. My wife and I found our "spots" and mastered the art of finding free champagne, various raffles etc. Weather was cloudy and cool, but "we didn't book the Caribbean, dear." The ship activities on the last day at sea before returning to Vancouver were a little thin. Overall, a great vacation.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Food was good enough that two teens and a 20-year-old INSISTED on the full dining room experience every night. Many and varied choices. The 17-year-old tried and liked escargot and the 20-year-old will now cook all of his fish on a plank. My boys eat strawberry bisque!?! It must eb good.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Shows were distracting and helped fill the gap before the 8:30 pm dinner seating. Sit downstairs instead of the balcony if you are interested in having a drink.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Friendly from the top to the bottom. Even non-service staff like painters and engine room workers greeted everyone pleasantly.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Was at the on-board specialty coffee early every morning and rewarded for being a regular customer. Ship was clean, dining areas comfortable and enjoyable. Food was good enough that two teens and a 20-year-old INSISTED on the full dining room experience every night.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Comfortable, plenty of storage.

Ports of call

Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Alaska

3 out of 5

Changing the name from Hoonah to Icy Strait Point looks good on the itinerary, but it is still Hoonah. Let's just say it is a "quiet" place." World's longest zip line was good but $133? The one in New Hampshire is shorter, but also about 20% of the price.

Thumbs Up 0

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Stop was too short; back on the ship by 2:30 pm. Not much "white water" on the rafting trip down the Mendenhall River, but three days before after some heavy rains nine people flipped over into the 34 degree water. Hypothermia can't be cured by Purell, so maybe we were better off.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Tracy's Crab Shack; a couple of king crab legs and some crab bisque will send you to Heaven!

Skagway, Alaska

5 out of 5

Much better tourist trap. Real stores to poke in and Main Street to wander. Local food available. Worth a full day.

Thumbs Up 0

Don't Miss: Helicopter to a glacier; add the sled dog ride and it is Nirvana!

Pros: Ship amenities; Alaskan landscape

Cons: weather;

Recommends Serenade of the Seas? Yes!

1 Comment

GingyB 6 years ago

😎

Thumbs Up 0

Flag