Lots of Sea Days - Dubious Ports

Serenade of the Seas Cruise Review to Other (Asia/Africa/Middle East)

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 88

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5
Verified Review
Serenade of the Seas

16 Night Ultimate Australia & Southeast Asia (Brisbane To Hong Kong)

Sail date: March 11, 2024

Ship: Serenade of the Seas

Cabin number: GTY

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 months ago

Review summary

The 16 day cruise started in Brisbane and ended in Hong Kong. We went to Sydney for a few days and actually saw the ship there. We had to fly to Brisbane ( middle of nowhere) to board the ship. If you like sea days this is for you because you get 9. Indonesia for 2 days, Plilippines for 2 days. Better for tourists to stay in Manilla for 2 days; nothing to see in Subic. If not for the other 2 couples we were with I would not take 2 20 hr flights and 9 sea days as a vacation.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
One of the best Buffets on deck 11.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5
Wonderful singing programs. Magicians/Comedians 2nd rate

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Felt like a million bucks. Super friendly, kind and so helpful.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
Typical small cabin.

Ports of call

Brisbane, Australia

1 out of 5
We embarked here. Ship was in Sydney the day before. Much more tourist friendly in Sydney

Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

3 out of 5

Yorkey's Knob (Cairns), Australia

3 out of 5

Lombok Island, Indonesia

2 out of 5

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

4 out of 5
Went to the waterfall. No excursion

Manila, Philippines

5 out of 5
Best port. Mall of Asia and Manilla Hotel ( Halo-halo) a must. Free wifi.

Subic Bay, Philippines

1 out of 5
This was a US Naval Base for decades. I was stationed there in the late 80's. NOT a tourist hot spot and excursions were expensive and dubious . Staying in Manila for an extra day much better.

Hong Kong

5 out of 5
Great city.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Went right off. Well done.
Was this review helpful? 26

9 Comments

outtoseapatty     3 months ago

I'm glad u enjoyed your cruise. We don't entirely know what a cruise will b like until we go on it. This is a critic not a criticism. That's what this site is supposed to be, so the rest of us can decide if we want to take the same cruise.

Godsdaughter     8 months ago

Thanks for your review.

RoyalCruzer     8 months ago

I don't understand how you are criticizing the cruise ports for a cruise YOU selected and paid for. If you didn't appreciate the itinerary, you should have selected a different voyage. Perhaps next time.

javawoody     8 months ago

Appreciate your view

byhisgrace     8 months ago

Thanks for your review.

AuntPinkie     8 months ago

Appreciate your details. Sorry this cruise didn’t meet your expectations.

cruising2004     8 months ago

Thank you for your review.

Gwbigdog     8 months ago

Thanks for sharing

HeavySeas     8 months ago

Thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed your cruise