Serenade of the Seas Review

Cruisin with Hurricane Maria

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Serenade of the Seas
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shortbread75
6-10 Cruises • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Sep 2011
Cabin: Large Ocean View Stateroom

The trip overall was wonderful.We were a couple- one person 40 and the other an active 56 on our fifth cruise together. We did have a scare with Hurricane Maria in front of our return. The captain monitored the path and notified us with updates. They could have been a bit more frequent. Especially since you could not hear them in your cabin. The San Juan port was closed awhile. There was confusion as to which flights were canceled Sunday morning or afternoon. They could have posted them on a screen so EVERYONE did not have to call their airline. Hotel arrangements needed were made by you -they gave you a list of recommended ones -if needed. A personal cell phone with international calling came in handy as did a lap top-bring one or both if possible during hurricane season especially. They had 6 phone lines to use -you took a number and waited. They also provided free wi fi for 5 hours-should have been longer. Disembarkation- Going through customs and getting your luggage was easy. All morning excursions were cancelled due to the storm so you had to plan what to do. You now have luggage to contend with. There were tour guides there offering city tours 25 dollars per person. They would either drop you off at the end at your hotel or at the airport. You can check bags up to 3 hours before your flight. They also have a suitcase scale (too many souvenirs-transfer extra to carry on) ,an agricultural checkpoint before you check your bags and a body scan. Plan time accordingly. The ship- It was smaller but easy to get around. Beach chairs are abundant-surprisingly. Jogging track is an obstacle course chairs and people get in the way. Only at midnight is it clear jogging.The public areas were always very clean even behind the pictures! The glass elevators are very lovely. I love the days on the rug on the floor. Personnel on the ship were very accommodating for any special dinner request.We were late one night due to the flight arrangement confusion and they held our dinner. The food was delicious in the main dining room. Lobster was very tender as was the shrimp.They had a chocolate special every night. I liked the entertainment of the waiters on the fifth night. The ships entertainment was fair. The comedians were good but for a smaller setting as in the Safari club at night for an adult show not for the big theater.They were very funny. The dancers were good but just lacked the "show" quality. The costumes were lackluster. One of the male singers just did not have a strong voice. The best part of one of the shows was when they sang at the end and they had a transparent curtain in front of them. That was unique. I always have liked the show when the employees come out on the last night with their talent. We just had to give them applause no talent show. Plus then we had to rush to dinner - bad time planning. Activities could have had more pool side activities- participated in a few inside- bingo,salsa dancing,trivia,wine tasting,casino, karaoke, cake decorating,acupuncture (had a treatment but did not help) Health club- could have had tai chi classes,nutrition or zumba classes machines were always busy Spa- very nice and relaxing-go for the special 5 deal 139.00 the 90 minutes are so worth it Money- just a note bring small bills "ones" for knick knacks-and smaller bills for tips for the excursion operators, taxi cab, bus operators or stores- if not you may get change in local currency

Cabin Review

Large Ocean View Stateroom

Cabin F

room was good size near to the Centrum but great insulation NO noise

service was excellent\food was excellent from room service

no intercom in rooms to hear announcements

water pressure was great in room

extra hanging bar in closet great

need more ventilation in bathroom clothes never dried

had 4 little towels one night instead of a bath towel

need to have ice in room when you arrive

refrigerator not cold enough

3 nights of towel animals only

awkward place for light switch for bathroom

need a night light mode in bathroom

blue blanket needs to be folded and put away after first night-lay it on the sofa-if it is used for suitcases then I do not want it on my bed again when I sleep

good clearance under bed for suitcases

cold water not real cold- hot water great

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