We just returned from our annual December foray into the Caribbean, this time having spent nine wonderful days and nights aboard Royal Caribbean's M/S Serenade of the Seas.
We drove to the embarkation port in New Orleans, LA the day prior to sailing and overnighted at the Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center, which is directly across the street from the cruise terminal for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. The accommodations were spacious and easily accommodated the three of us. The hotel offers a park and cruise package that includes the room, parking for the duration of the cruise, and transportation to/from the ship. The rate during our stay was $109 plus $10 per night for parking. The cost to park at the cruise terminal was $16 per night. Discounted nightly parking is available in the Fulton Garage for $12 per day on the day of arrival or can be booked for as little as $8 a day in advance at New Orleans Parking.
Embarkation
We had booked stateroom 1558 on deck 10 as it looked like it had an oversized balcony compared with others in the same category. It did, but not nearly as large as the deckplan seemed to indicate. Nevertheless, it was plenty spacious for the three of us. We explored the ship for the next hour or so before proceeding to our assigned muster stations for the mandatory lifeboat drill. We 'mustered' in the Schooner Bar on deck 6 for the crew to demonstrate how to properly fasten our life jackets and where to meet in case of an emergency.