Serenade of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We prefer re-positioning cruises for their normally unique itineraries and they are normally more than the standard 7 day adventures. This cruise embarkation was in Boston which is only an hour flight from Toronto so we could fly out and board the same day.
Boarding was a little hectic but manageable. Disembarking in Fort Lauderdale was a completely different story and probably the worst disembarkation we have ever encountered in the nearly 15 cruises with Royal we have been encountered. While luggage was right where it should have been the nightmare began right after that. No one directing where the lines to customs began so it was a mad dash to where you thought you should be and some people ended up in the preferred customer line which was for diamond plus and pinnacle levels only and when told they could not use were hustled back to their line....and what a line it was with probably 20 switch back type lanes that really didn't move with any steady pace. Then to see groups who used porters have their luggage taken a completely different direction and were allowed to cut the line and get through...a total mishandling of clients for sure.
Rooms were same as usual (inside for us) but are starting to show some wear and tear.
Cabin Review
Interior Stateroom
Just OK with expected inside space but starting to show some wear and tear and in need of some updating.
Port Reviews
St. Thomas
One of our favorites as we have been here a number of times with Royal but the rain down pour while it cooled down a hot day caused issues even getting across the streets for ankle deep rivers.
St. Maarten
Took the water taxi and wondered downtown, with being the only ship in port that day, all very quiet. Took a taxi out to beach where the planes land and spent maybe 45 minutes there and glad we did it but would not return. Finished with a cold beer in the upper patio of the Hard Rock Cafe over looking the beaches
St. Lucia
Ship to downtown was too long for us to walk so we hung around the shops by the pier and had a beer and used the internet access there to check on things back home.
Aruba
As always take the local bus system to Eagle beach. Busier than normal but because the beach is so large it didn't appear crowded.