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Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review to Transatlantic

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 54

Overall rating:

4 out of 5
Verified Review
Serenade of the Seas

15 Night Transatlantic Eastbound (Boston To Copenhagen)

Sail date: April 24, 2015

Ship: Serenade of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9004

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Getting on board in Boston was a nightmare.  Not enough staff.  We had to wait ONE HOUR in line to get checked in after Security.  We've embarked in other ports (FL, NJ, CA), and never had to wait nearly as long.

Also I think going thru a metal detector after every port visit is silly, and Security personnel could be more pleasant.

I don't know why bridge games were limited to 13 tables.  People had to be turned away.

Staircases beautifully decorated.  Overall, ship showing its age.

Dining room meals were varied and creative, with some occasional misses.  Lunch buffets were very good; breakfast could use some variety.

We were highly pleased with our waiter team, Francisco and Jose Cin, plus their supervisor.  Also stateroom attendant Aaron.

We had some minor problems onboard, and all were resolved in a highly satisfactory manner.  Most staff worked hard to make sure guests are satisfied.

Other cruise ships distribute detailed information on ports visited; this ship had next to nothing. We loved our one sponsored tour (Swedish islands), but felt all these were overpriced.  Free bus shuttle service was great.

TV selection was poor.  After first few days, a few old programs were constantly recycled (e.g., Masters golf).  Internet connection on public computers was MUCH too slow.  If technology is an issue, price should be lower.

Shows were uniformly excellent.   I think the Entertainment staff should be reassigned.  Those running the trivia contests have accents too thick to understand their English; Cruise Director Carly would be better running trivia, not hosting shows.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ship tip

Take a sponsored cruise in Belgium and Sweden; otherwise, explore on your own.

Ports of call

Cobh (Cork), Ireland

5 out of 5
Excellent tour with local company

Portland (Weymouth), England, UK

3 out of 5
No local tour available.

Le Havre (Paris), France

5 out of 5
Malraux Museum on our own.

Cherbourg, France

5 out of 5
Omaha Beach with local driver.

Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium

1 out of 5
Had to take trolley then train for slow trip to City.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

5 out of 5
Royal Palace on our own

Goteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden

5 out of 5
Ship-sponsored island tour

Copenhagen, Denmark

5 out of 5
Stayed overnight, took bus tour.
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