We think that the service levels on Serenade was poor. Very few waiters ever approached us, so we had to go to bars for a drink. Waiters never came around with coffee/tea in the Windjammer during meals.
There was no help in the Windjammer for the disabled. Food in Windjammer is mediocre, unless you like Indian Food; that was good. Eat your main meals in the Reflections Restaurant. The food was generally good but I've had better.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
Main restaurant was very good. We did not do any specialty restaurants. The Park Cafe had the best food and great cook. We were disappointed in the Windjammer buffet. With the exception of Indian food items, food was generally mediocre. Any toasted items line toast and bagels were cold and hard. Omelets were good, but selection of items were few (no feta cheese, really?). Waiters rarely came around with coffee, tea,etc. No help for disabled individuals carrying plates to tables. Indian food was very good, but would rather have nan than papadam, or maybe both! Drinks are very expensive; the cheapest at about $9.50 and special drinks $12-$14. Only a year ago we were paying $6.95 for special drinks on another cruise-line.
Windjammer Cafe
2 out of 5
We were disappointed in the Windjammer buffet. With the exception of Indian food items, food was generally mediocre. Any toasted items line toast and bagels were cold and hard. Omelets were good, but selection of items were few (no feta cheese, really?). Waiters rarely came around with coffee, tea,etc. No help for disabled individuals carrying plates to tables. Indian food was very good, but would rather have nan than papadam, or maybe both!
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
We're not into the activities too much. We just like to sit at the pool and read and maybe have a drink or snack. There were only a couple of tables/chairs on the smoking side of the main pool. I don't know if they had a restaurant or not. The Solarium was very nice, but usually hot. I don't know why they don't open it on nice days at least once in awhile. There were tables/chairs and luckily there was always at least one available, so that was where we hung out. I don't think we were ever approached by a waiter to see if we wanted to buy a drink.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Again, not into shows. The special shows (Gary Williams & British Piano Player) were good. The Piano Bar Player in the Schooner Lounge (Danny) was terrible. The Centrum entertainers were all good.
Cinema
1 out of 5
Outdoor screen is horrible for movies. Sound system is so bad that we had to read closed captioning. Chairs are not set up by crew, but have to be moved by guests. Only Lounge Chairs available. Could not see screen from the starboard side at all. No popcorn, really! Other cruiselines do it!
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
Our cabin steward was excellent. Reflections Restaurant wait staff were very good, especially Oscar, the headwaiter. Bartenders were all very good. Waiters in the Windjammer were OK, but never came around with coffee/tea, an did not give any help to disabled individuals. The waiters around the pools and in the public spaces were basically non-existent. We were never asked if we wanted a drink, anywhere.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Pretty ship. Good size. Not interested in cruising on any larger ships. Design is very good except, why, why, why don't they open the solarium roof once in awhile.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Comfortable. Beds too low to deck to store regular 30 inch suitcases, so we had to put them in the closet, which limited how much clothing we could hang up. Stupid. Our cabin steward was excellent; one of the best that we have ever had.
Ship tip
Put all your clothing in duffel bags. Do not use hard sided suitcases.
We've been there before so we didn't do an excursion. Good shopping. Morning Star Beach is nice and is fairly close to port, but road was closed to it this trip.
We did a bus tour which was very nice with a great guide. But it rained, so we chose not to get off bus at several stops. Also, the day we were there was Barbados Independence Day, so all the stores and many restrooms at beaches were closed. The only shopping was in the duty free area by the port. (Diamonds International, etc.)
No tour. There is a very nice shopping area by the port. Clean, nice restaurants. The store clerks are very friendly and not at all pushy, which was a nice change from other places that we've been to.
Very smooth. We got off of the ship quickly and through customs quickly. I'm disabled and use a cane to walk, so the porter got us rushed through customs without waiting in line.
The Indian food was amazing and all the waiters at the restaurants we ate at are amazing on this boat we will continue to go back on this boat again any day we miss the family we have made on this boat the workers on the boat are outstanding and so amazing and so nice and welcoming we were so blessed to be able to go on this boat ☺☺☺☺
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