This was the seventh RCCL cruise for my wife and I and the second time we visited Hawaii. It was the second time we sailed with the Serenade of the Seas, the first being 39 days after its Christening. This was, also, the second time we left from San Diego. Arriving the day before we stayed at the Holiday Inn Downtown, about 4 blocks from the port. The hotel provided free pick up from the airport and free transportation from the hotel to the port.

Embarking to the ship was very easy. There appears to have been a longshoreman strike, but this did not effect us as we handled our own luggage. RCCL, after a short wait, took the luggage and we proceeded to a very hassle free check-in. Shortly after that we board our ship. After a very pleasant lunch we rediscovered our home for the next two week. It was as nice a ship as I remember from the first cruise.

Our room steward, Courtney, as very attentive to any request that we had. The cabin was spacious, compared to other we have stayed in. It was sometimes a challenge though to figure our where to put all the pillows that were on our bed (at least 6 of varying sizes and shapes) The couch in our room had at least 4 pillows of its own! The closet space was more than adequate for our needs.Daily, calling room service, my wife and I had coffee on our balcony, just watching the sea go by. The order of the day included a jacuzzi and swim in the Solarium before breakfast. Read more