I had a great cruise which was booked for relaxation versus itinerary or onboard options. Serenade is a beautiful ship. I am a fan of the art auctions but not a fan of them hijacking the Viking Crown lounge which is prime real estate. It's one of the best places to relax and escape the crowds. I was able to use the Concierge and Diamond lounges but since that wasn't always the case, I recognized that taking the space out of play for other passengers is not ideal. Royal could definitely use more complimentary, readily available dining options on its smaller and midsized vessels. The menu at Park Cafe and Cafe Latitudes isn't comprehensive enough. You won't starve until something opens up; but compared to the options offered by their competition, I find their complimentary offerings fairly limited and uninspiring.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was smooth. The port was as organized as could be considering passengers didn't follow instructions and arrived early. The queues outside had the port workers polling the lines to determine who needed to be allowed entry amongst the throngs of early arrivals that prevented the required social distancing outside the terminal.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
I purchased the Ultimate Dining Package mainly because it was affordable on a 5 day cruise. It was so not necessary but well worth the cost. The food in the MDR was delicious and service was superb.
Chop's Grille
5 out of 5
I managed to Royal Up to a Grand Suite so I got to enjoy the Suite Class breakfast in addition to lunch and dinner thanks to the UDP. Food and service was phenomenal.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Typical on board activities. Live music, Trivia, Bingo, outdoor movies. Enough to entertain on a 5 day cruise.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Stage shows were lacking. There was only one production show. The other nights were a comedian / variety act. What was offered was nice, but I anticipated more in the way of the stage productions.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Ava is an excellent Suite concierge. My cabin was attended to twice daily. The staff and crew were all excellent. I couldn't get a reservation for Giovanni's and wanted a pasta dish that wasn't on the menu that evening. They accommodated a reservation in Chop's and the chef offered to make the dish if I didn't mind waiting since the alfredo sauce isn't stocked and was made fresh. Wonderful service.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Traditional cruise ship. Not too large and not too small. Views are great. Ample bars and lounges. There was definitely enough room to spread out on the limited capacity sailing.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
This was my first cruise in a Grand Suite. The toiletries are premium. The room is spacious. The balcony is large and accommodates two loungers and a bistro dining set.
Ship tip
Serenade is a great ship. Research to ensure it's the right class of ship for your expectations. I cruise for ocean views versus bells and whistles so I'll enjoy most ships that have ample dining options.
Organized. Although one is allowed to stay in the stateroom until your tag is called, you can tell you're in the way and the policy is unfair to the stateroom attendants that need to get the rooms turned around for the next sailing. Especially because excited guests start lining up so early. I disembarked at 9:15 and was shocked at the line of people that had already arrived for embarkation. I get it, but the earliest check-in time for my cruise was noon. Arriving at 9 is beyond extra. This is with the port of Tampa sending texts precruise asking passengers not to come prior to their check-in time.
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