Seranade of the Seas 30 May 2009 Alaska

Seranade of the Seas 30 May 2009 Alaska

Published by John
06-20-2009

Seranade of the Seas 30 May 2009 Alaska

22 May 2009

We set off to London Heathrow and spent the night at the Renaissance Hotel on Bath Road. This is a favourite hotel of ours. The room and 15 days parking cost us £64.00, half the price if we had just booked parking. When we arrived at the hotel the main car park was packed. Everyone was parking on the verges and blocking other cars. I felt that a bit of road rage was about to begin. We were tipped off that there was another car park to side of the hotel. We went there and it was empty. The hotel is beautiful and the staff very friendly. We had a runway facing room and watched the planes take off and land. All rooms are soundproofed.

In my opinion the food and drink is expensive. We had gone out for lunch before leaving so only needed a snack in the evening. A McDonalds and a small supermarket are across the road. I had bought my own Magners.

23 May 2009

We had bought our own breakfast and had it in our room. After a late check out we got a taxi to Terminal 5. The cost is £13. The taxi was booked through the concierge.

I had checked in online the night before so only had to drop off our cases. A very smooth operation. I was quite impressed. We had lunch and then went through security. We had a couple of hours to spare and so shopping and a drink were the order of the day.

Our flight was with BA. The service on this flight was excellent. In my opinion one of the best airlines around. They looked after us well throughout the flight. As Mary had a special meal they kept checking on her, which I thought was good.

We had a nine hour flight. Everything was plain sailing at Vancouver airport. We were whisked through passport control in no time. I had booked a transfer with Vancouver Transporter to take us to our hotel. However we had to wait 20 minutes. We checked into our hotel, Best Western, Downtown. It was an early (but really late) night for us.

Quick notes

Pros:

If you love glass this is the ship for you. Plenty of activities.

Cons:

The photographers, they like to pester. The star gueste were poor.

Recommended:

Yes

Best Suited For:

Couples,Families

Cruiser Ratings

Staff:		5
Food and Dining:		4
Entertainment:		4
Onboard Activities:		5
Stateroom:		5
Itinerary/Ports:		5
Value:		5
Average 94%

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By John on 06-20-2009, 10:09 AM

24 May 2009

After a nice hearty breakfast in the White Spot Restaurant we went for a walk. We walked around the harbour of False Creek. A beautiful spot. We watched a dragon boat racing competition and joined in a BBQ that was taking place. After that we took the Sky Rail to Canada Place. This is a cruise terminal and two ships were in. We walked around Vancouver and did a bit of shopping at Robson Street.

25 May 2009

We had booked the Big Bus Hop on Hop off (HOHO) Bus for two days. We did a complete circuit on our first trip. Then stopped off at Stanley Park (a must see place). The Rose Garden was beautiful. We went to the Vancouver Aquarium. It was small but very good. In the =afternoon we went to China Town and in particular Dr Sun Yat Yen Gardens. This was a most peaceful place; we could have stayed here all day long.

26 May 2009

Day two of the HOHO and we went back to Stanley Park. Then more shopping. We went down to Gastown and saw the Steam Clock and it was steaming. Unfortunately the time was wrong. We went to Granville Island and the market. I was most impressed. Mary found a few craft shops and spent a few pounds.

By John on 06-20-2009, 10:10 AM

27 May 2009

We took a water taxi to Kitsilano, Granville Island and went to the Vancouver Maritime Museum. It was very informative. We managed to climb over a ship and play about on a mock ship. After this visit we walked back to Granville Island market. In the evening we met up with our friend Cindy and went for dinner at the White Spot.

28 May 2009

Today we went for a walk around town again. Another visit to Dr Sun Yat Yen Garden. We visited Science World. It was aimed really at kids. The place was packed out with school kids. In the evening we met up with more friends Gunnar and his mother, and Glenn. We went out for dinner at The Sandbar. The food was delicious. It is a speciality fish restaurant. The restaurant is on Granville Island and just a short aqua taxi away from us.

29 May 2009

We headed off to Vancouver Museum and read up on the history of the city. I loved this museum and could have spent all day here.

After lunch we headed back to the hotel where we met up with more friends.

In the evening we had dinner at Earls. There were 30 of us altogether. We exchanged gifts and a good few laughs. The place is very trendy and very loud. The food and staff were very good.

By John on 06-20-2009, 10:10 AM

30 May 2009
We caught the courtesy bus to Ballantyne Pier. As Platinum Members we boarded the ship in no time. We were on board by 11am. Time for us to have lunch in the windjammer. We had a look around the ship and then had a drink in the schooner bar.

We had room 8088. It is on the hump. It has the advantage of having a very large balcony. This will be my first choice stateroom from now on. The room was nice and big and our steward was very nice and helpful. Straightaway he bought us our complimentary robes and a bottle of wine.

We were on main seating with some of our friends. The waiter we had was a laugh. He was called Erdan and was from Turkey. A very likable person and most helpful.

After dinner we went to the Show, it was alright but nothing special.

31 May 2009

A day at sea. A time to take part in trivia, craft classes and a quick swim. Meet and Mingle took place in the Hollywood Odyssey. As my group of friends were from around the world we all brought goodies from our countries and invited the staff to join in. The Cruise Director thoroughly enjoyed himself.

The view from the ship is just snow capped mountains all around and it is so hot.

After dinner, the first formal night, we went to the show again; this was better than the first night and featured the Ship’s company. We attended the welcome aboard party. I enjoyed the champagne. We also attended the karaoke and then had a few drinks with our friends.

By John on 06-20-2009, 10:11 AM

1 June 2009

Our first stop and it is Icy Straight Point. We had to take the tender. There is not a lot here. The island only allows one cruise ship in port a day. The island is unspoilt and non commercialised and is all the better for it. We went on a bear hunt and saw 12 bears. It was exciting.

In the evening we went to the Murder Mystery dinner. There was a crowd of us who went. The performances were not great and the story was silly, however we all had a laugh and thoroughly enjoyed it. It took place in Portofino’s. The food was very nice and the bottles of wine even better.

2 June 2009

We went up Endicott Fjord and spent a few hours at Dawes Glacier. The scenery was spectacular and stunning. I didn’t want to leave. All around we watched the wildlife, seals, birds and dolphins.

3 June 2009

We arrived in Skagway. A few ships were in town and so it was busy. We wondered around town. We went to the Red Onion Saloon and saw a few “whores” about. In the afternoon we took the White Pass Rail up the mountains. Again this was spectacular. It was a ride I enjoyed.

By John on 06-20-2009, 10:11 AM

4 June 2009

Today we are in Juneau. We took a private tour with Orca Enterprises to go whale watching. Captain Larry took charge of us. We managed to see plenty of Orca’s and Hump Back whales. One orca actually came up aside the boat. I was in arm’s length of it. It was so nice to be out in the open with them. Better than in a pool at SeaWorld.
After our visit it was shopping in Juneau.

It was also our second Formal night tonight. We also went to a cocktail part y for Platinum members. After that it was time for another Karaoke and trivia.

5 June 2009

A day at sea, we took a backstage tour of the theatre which was quite interesting. The sound engineer was from Liverpool and we ended up talking football.

I had taken part in a team in the progressive trivia. It was finals day and my team won. Our score was double that of the team that came second.

In the evening it was the Quest. Somehow I got involved. It must have been the drink. After that we went to the Piano Bar and sang and dance our way through to the early hours.

6 June 2009

An early disembarkation and then a tour of Vancouver with RCI. We stopped at Stanley Park, in different area to where we had been previously. Then off to Granville Island for lunch and last minute shopping.

We had a late flight so had to hang around the airport for a while. Then a nice comfortable flight home.

By John on 06-20-2009, 10:12 AM

Serenade of the Seas is a Radiance class ship. This is the second time I have been on this class and have to say it is my favourite.

The staff on board are all friendly and many remember your names after the first meeting,

The food on board was excellent. The only thing I would say about the Windjammer is that the food is not always piping hot but Luke warm. Tea and coffee is available all day long. One place we like to go to is the SeaView Café for fish and chips.

The Casino was not as busy as usual. It is still a smoking area although on a couple of nights it did have a no smoking evening.

The one thing I really hate about Royal Caribbean are the photographers. I find it so rude that they interrupt you are having your dinner. On a couple of occasion they grabbed you when entering the Windjammer. I felt like punching one of them one day. I did report the ship’s photographers to Guest Relations.

The Ship’s theatre group put on some good shows but the “Star guest” were awful wit the exception of Lance Ringnald. An Olympic Gymnast, who sang, juggled, joked and did some impressive routines. He is well worth watching.

Alaska is a great place to visit and I highly recommend it. We are already planning our next trip there.

By middy on 06-20-2009, 10:44 AM

Thanks for the review John. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

Now did you join in the Karaoke ?

By John on 06-20-2009, 10:50 AM

No I didn't. I thought that it was only fair that my fellow passengers enjoyed their cruise.

By Norman on 06-20-2009, 02:10 PM

Again John a great review - thank you - even more so want to go to Alaska.

Norman