We had a fun cruise, met some great people and had good meals and drinks. No doubt about it, we'll be cruising again to the Caribbean, but will visit other places - but maybe back to Martinique too!
Embarkation
5 out of 5
This went smoothly and quickly.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
My friend and I ate mostly in the main dining room, including breakfast every day and lunch on sea days. We used the Windjammer only 2 or 3 times tops for lunch. The food as always was of a very high standard. We're not big drinkers (alcohol) on a regular basis but like to treat ourselves to a cocktail each evening. They were very good, but seem to have gone up in price since last year, plus the poor rate of exchange against the Pound Sterling doesn't help. We don't dine in the specialty restaurants.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
I'm not a sporty type but enjoy the opportunity to walk around the upper deck every morning a few times. I've done the rock climbing wall in the past and love it. My friend an I enjoy the quizzes and entertainment, as they are great ways to meet fellow passengers.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
We only missed one show this trip and what we saw was of a high standard. I have been known to fall asleep during shows in the past and managed not to this cruise!
Children's Programs
No kids with us!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our room steward was a lovely person, Adrianna Coasta, and after the initial day of embarkation, when we asked for a lot more hangers for the closet, we didn't have many more requests. She noted when it was my birthday and made me a 'cake' out of towels.
We ate on My Time dining and had different waiters most nights, but those we did encounter were very good.
Ship Quality
4 out of 5
Having been on the Brilliance last year, we felt at home on the Serenade as they are identical and we knew our way around immediately, so didn't have to learn a new layout. Some of the public areas need brightening up, lighter paintwork/woodwork is popular now.
Otherwise the ship was clean everywhere, except for one day in one of the ladies' restrooms - I can't recall where it was now. I like how those who clean the restrooms walk around with their cleaning items discreetly stored in a bag and not a trolley.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Our cabin was comfortable and clean at all times. Perfect in size for two people, I wouldn't like to have to share with more people. The only slight negative I would say is that only one person can store their large suitcase easily in the closet provided, little room for another - or maybe my room mate had too many shoes!
We did a small island tour in the morning,w hich was lovely, then got dropped off in town to go shopping. I think the only other place with more gold and diamonds is Dubai! Whilst it's nice to browse and buy if you want, I can't stand the badgering by sales people outside stores and it puts me off in the end.
It was easy enough to find a shared taxi back to the ship from the town at the fare recommended by the ship's people.
This island is still suffering greatly from the devastating effects of the hurricanes last year. The town of Frederiksted is small and after a walk around we took a shared taxi (with other passengers from the cruise) to Christiensted. This was a little prettier and we were able to have a lovely lunch at a restaurant on the boardwalk, watching passers by, boats and fish in the water alongside. After lunch we browsed and shopped for souvenirs before getting the shared taxi back to the ship. I hope this place will recover soon from the damage sustained and hope our visit (the ship's passengers) helps with that.
I was thrilled when I learned from Royal Caribbean we shall be visiting here instead of Dominica, as this had been an island I'd always wanted to visit and I wasn't disappointed. Upon leaving the ship after breakfast, my friend and I, along with a couple we'd met on board, found a taxi driver (who spoke great English) who would take us on a tour. This was wonderful and we saw many places of interest. We got back in time to see a small part of the town itself, but hopefully we'll come back another time to see more of this beautiful island, which luckily escaped the hurricane when it changed course.
I pre-booked a tour here (not through the ship) and we had a wonderful day. Our driver Annie (who is the company owner) has a marvellous knowledge of the island and gave a running commentary throughout. We thought St. Kitts was lovely, different from lush Martinique, but unique. The island seems to be recovering from the hurricane, but appeared to sustain not too much damage.
I didn't feel I could write the visit was poor, so settled for OK. Again I'd pre-booked a tour here (this time through RCL/the ship) and luckily hadn't gone for an expensive one as I'd have felt even more disappointed. I had an image of St. Maarten/Martin in my mind over the years and unfortunately it didn't live up to it. My friend and I had booked a morning tour, which we found out the evening before had been changed to the afternoon, thus giving us a shorter tour. So we went shopping in Philipsburg in the morning (again I can't stand the people outside the shops 'assaulting' you) and after lunch on board we joined the tour in the afternoon. It began with being driven around Philipsburg (which historically is interesting) and then driving in to the French half of the island. We only had half an hour there, which was only enough to either shop in the flea market where we were dropped off, or go to have a cold drink and snack somewhere. More time is needed there. Back in the van we crossed back in to the Dutch side and were taken to an indoor Carousel and gelato place. Whilst this was fun, and the gelato delicious, this isn't what I call touring. After this, a drive back through the island's 'rush hour' and we were back at the ship. There is still evidence of hurricane damage and rebuilding, which I hope can be completed soon for the sake of tourism.
We had asked for a late disembarkation due to the timing of our flight out of Fort Lauderdale. So by the time we got off the ship and in to shed to get our luggage we found it easy enough. The only problem was it was taking so long to go through passport control - only 2 desks open for hundreds of people is not sufficient, nor efficient. Luckily we had allowed enough time, so we got through (eventually!) and in to a cab to the airport.
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