ANYONE BEEN ON SERENADE OF THE SEAS??

[kimjovi]

I have numerous questions about this ship. We are booked to go in Dec and I have a few concerns.Can anyone help? thank you!!!

[Robbie H]

Fire away!

[seadog2]

My DW and i were on the Serenade in January '06. We're all ears.

[kimjovi]

Okay. Here I go.. We are booked on the 7th deck. I am concerned that there will be noise above us. We are traveling with 2 teenage boys,Do they have acess to all areas of the ship? I know this one is really stupid however here it goes.Does it rain onboard ? shh im embarassed.Is roomservice free when you order a drink with your meal/snack?The ship appears to be beautiful and large can it dock/moor at all peirs or are you shuttled in to some portS? Thank You

[makeupdiva]

Don't be embarressed at all - how do you know if you don't ask?
No - you should not here any noise above you - but maybe from the hall or the room right next door - but I am a VERY light sleeper and there have only been a few instances when I heard noise - I would not worry about it at all - unless you are close to the elevators - then if you have a rowdy bunch late at night it would be annoying.

Yes it rains on board if you hit a storm or rain - but you can stay indoors just like anywhere else.

You have to pay only for you drinks when you order room service - don't forget to tip.

You will either be docked or tethered - tethered is when they have shuttle boats that bring you to shore - it is a real pain and the crowds get huge as each boat generally holds from 150 - 300 passengers. On the mega ships especially it makes for real FUN!

Think of a cruise as a hotel on water - the same things apply basically - if you have rude loud neighbors in a hotel you would hear them. Your boys can go anywhere on the ship that is age appropriate for them - no casino - or bars if they are under 18. They have teen hangout areas. Again - there are good people and bad people - good kids & bad kids on a cruise. Would you let them wander around a strange city and never have to check in or be in touch? Then don't do it on a cruise. Parenting doesn't stop because the are confined to a ship - alot can and has gone wrong aboard cruises (17 year old threw up and ended up overboard and dead). There are kids they've never met and influences they may have never faced - tell them to be smart and not to get themselves into a sutation they may not be able to handle and have regular times that they must check in and a curfew - if they don't like it tough!

[NB_MB2_KB]

My wife and I sailed to Alaska aboard the Serenade in 2005 and to date, it is my favorite vacation with RCCL. Beautiful ship (as they all are) just the right size....IMO. Not a mega ship but also big enough to compete with the other lines and offer plenty of things to do regardless of your age.

I won't rehash the last post but I agree completely. Noise shouldn't be an issue except for maybe immediate neighbors or hallway traffic. Also, anything besides coffee and water will cost you extra onboard. Gratuities are automatically added when you purchase with your SeaPass card.

Have fun!!

Nick

[Cassandra]

Another beautiful feature on the ship (maybe all ships, but I've yet to see this posted), they have wall phones EVERYWHERE. So rather than drag your heels back to your room, just pick up a wall phone & dial your room (or wherever). We found this really handy.

I've posted pictures of the ship at www.webshots.com (just look under poster Cassie4486) and on here, but you'd have to go to the photo gallery from 4/9/05.

You will really love this ship!!

[selctsys]

Originally Posted by kimjovi

We are booked on the 7th deck. I am concerned that there will be noise above us.

Actually we had cabins 7166 & 7168 on the Jewel (Serenade's sister) and heard noise from the band playing in the Safari Club (Safari club on Serenade) below at night. I heard a similar comment regarding noise from the main theater from people staying in bow cabins on deck 7.

[seadog2]

Not much more i can add to what has already been said except that to keep in touch with your group you might want to purchase a set or two of walkie talkies. They do come in handy when you have young kids, teens or elderly. Enjoy your cruise.