Serenade of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Annual trek to Boston for the Beantown to Beaches reposition sailing. Ship is showing wear BUT the crew moral is fantastic and doing its best to be SURE the passengers are given exceptional service. The addition of lifeguards are a welcome sight as too many parents do not watch their children closely enough. This was evident on this sailing as a tyke even interrupted the main dining room kitchen dancers on their great performance one night. The entertainment was good but not exceptional. The one outstanding act was the 4 men that call themselves the Rookies, catch this high energy bands great show. We had 500 Diamonds, 350 D+ and 175 Pinnacle on board which overwhelmed the main dining room breakfast and lunch staff. Ships shopping was terrible, Shoddy overpriced merchandise on "SALE". This is common on most Royal ships and this ship just came back from Europe and has not been restocked yet as it will be in dry dock in 2 weeks. Crews were painting and varnishing most days to get back to Royal standards. Stateroom was worn, bedding was unacceptable. mattress is long overdo replacing. Again, Great crew Great staff Overall a great sail for 12 days. We will be back on her Dec 4-15 to see if things have improved.
Cabin Review
Interior Stateroom
This was a low point of cruise. Room was clean. Bed was not acceptable. We doubled the comforter bed topper and the wife slept on top of that to level and soften the mattress. We requested an egg carton style foam mattress topper but our room steward said Royal discontinued there use due to bed bug transmission issues. We used 2 regular blankets to sleep under as the comforter was under the wife for padding. WE requested the room be made up daily between 8:30 to 10:30. many times it was not made up till after 1:00. Room steward was a nice guy, maybe overwhelmed with too many rooms to do. We are D+ and know the room stewards are overwhelmed at times.
Port Reviews
Boston
Long line to get to security, once inside terminal process was smooth and quick.., Royal lucky weather was dry...Gang plank to board ship was way too steep. This boarding was way below Royal standards.
St. Lucia
We could not get through the cab drivers outside the port shopping area without being totally harassed. One cab driver followed and persisted we use his services for 2 full blocks away from the shops entrance stalking us, so we turned back to ship and returned to the ship thru the same throng of harassing cabbies. Extremely disappointing
Curacao
Great place to visit. People polite and willing to make all feel welcome at this very clean and inviting port of call'