Relaxing Spring Break Cruise!

Item: Serenade of the Seas
Rating: 4.2
Author: DeeLew

Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

DeeLew

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 67

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 05, 2019

Ship: Serenade of the Seas

Cabin number: 3606

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

We chose this cruise, knowing it was an older ship with less amenities, because we wanted to enjoy a longer vacation and the 10 nights option called out to us. We ended up in a stateroom (#3606) with a great location to all the places we frequented the most (the gangway - deck 2, Reflections dining room - deck 4, Windjammer - deck 11, kids adventure club - deck 12, Centrum w/ music - enjoying music on all floors as we walked up or down the stairs, and the coffee shop - deck 5). The food was very good overall and service around the ship was also very good. Only downside was trying to get lounge chairs pool side. That was a challenge, but the couple of times we got lucky enough to get a chair, it was very nice. Also ping pong was great, but in a poor location (for those walking by!), but it was under cover so the ping pong balls did not blow away :). I'd also recommend the sushi making class, that was very enjoyable and you got to eat your creations, which were delicious. Kids club was a hit for our children (ages 9 & 11) and they were able to check themselves in and out, they loved the responsibility! Side note: Royal App needs a lot of work. It's a gret idea, but don't rely on it for booking excursions or having all correct info.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Fastest embarkation ever!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Not as glitzy as the newer ships, but that was fine for us. The tables were always set nicely and the food was very good in all locations. Our table-mates did mention that the steak was a bit tough, but perhaps that was a timing issue...

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

If you are looking for lots of activities, I don't think this is the cruise for you. We were looking for lounging by the pool and this ship was great for us for that purpose. We did enjoy the little mini-golf, the main pool (there are two on this ship one main and one adult only, age 16+, in the solarium), and ping pong.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

We enjoyed the pool side music and all most all of the shows in the Centrium area were fantastic artists.

Children's Programs

5 out of 5

Our kids loved it, that made us happy! They were old enough to check themselves in and out (ages 9 & 11), made friends, and loved the games.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

All the personnel we noticed work very hard. Our room steward was fantastic and made sure the kids had a fun towel creature to look forward to every couple of nights. The turtle was a big hit!

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

It was okay. Some parts were looking a bit worn and older, but still acceptable. The common areas were as surface clean as they could be with people leaving items around with great frequency. I did see the banisters being cleaned regularly, and I think that is always a good thing to see on a cruise ship with that many people and germs all together in one spot.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The size and comfort level were as we expected. It could use an overall deep clean. The little sofa had seen better days. The bed was comfortable and the kids loved the pullman bunk beds.

Ship tip

Expect a more laid-back cruise with a more mature crowd. It was comforting to us, since it felt like our kiddos were on a cruise with a lot of grandparents watching out for them. Smaller sized ship, so if you're looking for ice skating, bowling, promenade, big waterslides, and navigation around the ship was not as open as some ships. Be prepared for a VERY full pool deck. Was challenging to get a lounger pool side due to people "saving" chairs, and not really being there. We really enjoyed the coffee shop area (pretty view). You had to really be intentional to get to certain areas, we could have gone the whole cruise and missed the arcade, shopping area, and photos.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

4 out of 5

Did not do an excursion.

Thumbs Up 0

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

Nice enough port. Did a snorkel and beach excursion on a fast catamaran. Got to see sea turtles and lots of fish. Purchsed through the ship.

Thumbs Up 7

Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I.

4 out of 5

No formal excursion. Walked to a nearby beach for free!

Thumbs Up 1

St. John's, Antigua

5 out of 5

Great island. Snorkled with the stingrays (booked through the cruise ship). Fantastic excursion. They worked hard to get a photo of our family and a singray and they did a great job. 5X7 photo was $15.

Thumbs Up 3

Basseterre, St. Kitts

5 out of 5

Unexpectedly, we loved St. Kitts. Beautiful island. Took a taxi to Brimstone Hill Fortress ($50 taxi, $10 adult/$5 kids entrance fee). It was a gem! Beautiful scenery and a history lesson too.

Thumbs Up 7

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

5 out of 5

The island was very lovely and we took a water taxi to the beach. Had a lovely time playing at the beach. We paid $35 for chairs/umbrellas/bucket of 6 beverages.

Thumbs Up 12