Decent Return to Cruising

Item: Serenade of the Seas
Rating: 3.2
Author: blaisn8or

Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review

blaisn8or

Contributor Level: Purser

373 Days Till Next Cruise

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 5

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5

4 Night Bahamas (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 06, 2021

Ship: Serenade of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7164

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Sailed at about 1/3 capacity. A nice quiet cruise!

Embarkation

3 out of 5

RC makes you schedule your arrival and all but demands you stick to your appointment in order to avoid crowding the terminal. However, we arrived right on time and the line was absurdly long (probably we’ll over an hour wait). We ‘skipped’ the line because our daughter wasn’t “fully vaccinated” only to be sat in isolation for 40 min while we awaited test results. It was uncomfortable and completely boring for our 5 year old.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

The food quality is about 10% of what it used to be. Steaks were fatty, flavor was lacking, variety was poor. I really hope it’s a temporary cutback thing.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Activities were far fewer than ever. The cruise planner used to be so overwhelming you’d think you needed a second cruise just to enjoy it all. There was almost nothing to do on the sea days. Kids weren’t able to play together in the Adventure Ocean either. It was fine but a far cry from what it ever was.

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

Kids were tested and retested. Then they’re not allowed to lay together during their time in Adventure Ocean?! We even went with other parents and all collectively and simultaneously said it was ok if our kids played together with their new found friends…still no! The staff did make it as fun as possible but it was basically 1:1 playtime with an adult babysitter.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The cabin is in the rear of the ship. It’s quiet and calm. However the rigging overhangs above the balcony. It’s a mild nuisance but didn’t obstruct anything.

Ship tip

Bring your mask. Sometimes staff want you to wear it while ordering drinks or grabbing towels. It totally depended on the staff member.

Thumbs up

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Loved the ‘wait in your stateroom’ process. It makes much more sense than waiting like cattle in some designated area with nothing to do.

4 Comments

Other reviews of this sailing

Not on par with other Royal cruises