One of our best cruises

Item: Serenade of the Seas
Rating: 4.3
Author: ctcruiselover2

Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

ctcruiselover2

Contributor Level: Second Mate

41 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 12

Overall rating:

4.3 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 16, 2018

Ship: Serenade of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9660

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Cant say anything else that I haven't already said.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

We boarded this ship on 1/15/2018 for a 37 night cruise.a back to back to back to back :) We hit just about every Island in the Caribbean. The reviews I had read on this site about the ship is what made me choose her, and Im glad I did. Serenade is an amazing ship in the fact that you have ocean views in just about every area on board. The crew went out of their way in every aspect to accommodate us. It must have been the fact that it is a smaller ship and we were able to get to know them easier...Im sure the fact we were on her for over a month helped also. I mean free bottles of wine and champagne, chocolates sent to the room,free specialty dinners...I was blown away! The ship is very clean, the food was outstanding. The shows were ok, nothing like the Broadway you get on Oasis and Quantum Class, but I expected that and was not disappointed. My husband and I turned Diamond on our first week and that was a nice upgrade, with the free lounge and each given 3 drink vouchers on our sea pass card each day. We board the Harmony in a couple of days and when we debark, we jump on Independence (first time on her). All in all I highly recommend giving Serenade a try. One good point I must make is that Serenade has a lot of 10 and 11 night voyages...meaning very few kids, and always a lounge chair for sun bathing...no having to claim your chair at 5am.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The food and particularly the staff were outstanding. Chops was our favorite specialty restaurant ...it was more quite and romantic, not to mention the food!!! Excellent Windjammer was always good and even for 37 nights I didn't mind seeing some of the same food, because it was delicious .

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

didn't hang out by the pool that much, only because I didn't want to be in the direct sun. But it was never overcrowded and always a place to grab a chair. The music was very nice and not over powering. Went to the gym every day and had a great experience.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

The shows were just ok... They have on singer KEKE, that I could listen to all day. She should have her own gig. Island Vibes are two guys that are amazing. They play in the Centrum and out by the pool, always great to listen to. During the day they have a piano player and a guitarist in the Centrum who were also very good.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

I think as with any RCCL Ship the Crew has always been amazing. But having said that, because this ship is more intimate and with the fact we were on here for over a month, we were spoiled by the staff and crew! Rooms were always kept clean, waiters had our table set before we even arrived. I mean our wine was already on the table, and as soon as we set down the appetizer was being delivered. The dining room managers always came by, sometimes even set down to ask how we were. Many times other passengers would stop by our table and ask us "who we were" because of the special treatment. But always if your nice to them, they are nicer to you.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Older ship but very nice and had a certain charm about her. Serenade is very clean and as I said before, Ocean Views from just about everywhere. The bigger ships may have port hole windows, if any, in the bars and restaurants ...Serenade has floor to ceiling windows in most. Plenty of places to curl up with a book and a glass of wine and enjoy the views. Public bathrooms kept immaculate .

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We had an Aft Facing Cabin, and loved the views it offered. The balcony was large enough to have two lounge chairs and a dining table with two chairs. The Cabin was always spotless.

Ship tip

Go with the understanding that she is not a mega ship...meaning no water slides, bumper cars, sky diving simulators,etc. She is made for relaxing and enjoying the Ocean Views. Guest Services will bend over backwards to help you. Raj and Michael in Vintages are the best Bar Tenders on board...just saying :)

Thumbs up