Serenade of the Seas another review

Hello Everyone! Just off the 2 night Serenade of the Seas Travel Agent
sailing.
I know Pam has her review here but thought I give my review also. ( Ok George
where is yours!) Of course this is my opinion and others may think different.

We arrived at the Port of Philadelphia at 11 AM, Easy parking in a lot ( $10
a day for passengers) They have trolleys that pick you up and take you to the
Port entrance. when you arrive you are greeted by Philadelphias own MUMMERS
playing the Happy string Band music. you enter the building and it was very
easy check in. they have BEn Franklin there and other folks like a town crier
etc there which is a nice touch. You go up the escalotr/Elevatorand take the
ramp to the ship. YES this is LONG.... THe Seabourne PRIDE was in the Next
Berth.. NIce looking ship... not crazyabout what you may think is a balcony on
there...
We were greeted onto the Serenade which is a beauty of a ship.
I did a 5 night sailing on her as well, but it still was nice to do a 2
nighter! WE went to our cabin 8642 a E2 I believe, our wonderful Cabin steward
from Costa Rica Greeted us and she separated our beds. There was soap and
Shampoo in the stateroom, but I guess since this is a Travel Agent sailing the
other things were not put out...
LUNCH: WE went to the Windjammer for Lunch with our DSM and it was lovely, I
love their Food stations so much better then the cattle call lines of
yesteryear..
The Windjammer is very elegant this ship... and the food which we are always
knocking was very good I felt.The Bee sting chicken was good and the wraps
sandwhiches excellant.. ther was something for everyone!
The staff is so very friendly and I do like this GOld Anchor Service.
They had things for us agents to do to get to know the ship- one thing being a
Quest- you get a map and you go on a sorta scavenger hunt. it took you to
cabins, and public areas and you get a STAMP on your map that you were there
and at the end a little gift(pen set and deck of cards) and a entry into a $500
gift certificate. this ended at a mini trade show...
The royal suite and owners suite were BEautiful ALTHOUGH the Voyager class ones
are much better! No jacuzzi's on the deck on this one in the Suites! But all
in all very tastefully done. I HIGHLY recommend the Royal Family suite it is
HUGE! sleeps 8 I believe...
I then had a meeting in the Safari lounge with our Regional manager and what a
nice area of the ship. many folks playing pool on the self leveling pool
tables. these are a hit!
The schooner bar is a beautiful bar area although smoky ...
This is the Most Elegant of all the schooner bars onthe fleet in myopinion..
We did the mandatory Muster and then went to sailaway which the weather was
not cooperating with.. already a ton of Drunk Travel agents!
IT is amazing how some in our industry conduct their selves! Like they never
had a free drink so lets do 100 of them!
Internet was up and down do to the weather and that SUn burst thing playing
havoc..
But there is COmputers set up in all different areas of the ship which was
nice.
We had arly seating and backto the room to change.
We were in Reflections dining room and had the BEST waiteer I have ever had in
all my sailing days. His name is KATO from St Vincent. The most efficient,
friendly waiter He anticipated your every need and had it on the table before
you even had to ask! He asked our names once and from then on he was right on
top of everything! His selections and honesty about certain dishes was great
and he had 2 assistants one with the drinks and rolls and then another
removing from the table and generally helping the other 2. ALL were great.
NEver did we need to request a refill it was just there. the food was good...
no coplaints on my selections. Then off to the show.. a juggling comedian
followd by a comedian. The first guy was so funny and full of energy! He was
discovered on the docks in either St Thomas or St MArten. but he was funny!
Then we went to check out the ship and what was going on, went to the internet,
then to the Vortex Disco.. then around 1 am we went to bed...

DAY 2..
WE woke up about 5:30 the ship was a bit o the "bouncy side" my agent said
What is this all about? I said I do not know and went back to sleep...
Woke up at 7AM and breakfast was coming.... Cindi could not eat breakfast she
was feeling a little Green around the edges... she had coffee... I ate mine but
I have to sayit was terrible. it tastes like nothing... and what I really
ordered was not waht all was broguth but Hey I am on a cruise I can go to the
dining room, this is rally kinda a snack, and I am not a breakfast person
anyway..
The ship was rocking pretty good by now. we were to go to our CLIA seminar... I
told Cindi get out of the room you will feel better... we go to the Cinema-
VERY POOR designed room.. STEEP.. seats 56 people.. more then 70 showed up...
an no windows ( obviously) and I feel myself getting a little "Green" I went
to the Casino bar ( not opened) but there was people around and asked for
Ginger ale... Cindi really needed it. This seemed to help in the long run..
Seminar wasgood then a hour break to the next one. CIndi went to the
Windjammer to get some toast. I went to the closed bar area of the Casino to do
the test we had to take.
talked with another agent that I met and we talked Cruising which was nice!
Then I went to the TRopical Theatre fro the Next Seminar... about new things
for RCCL more on the Travel Agent end... This was so informative... then we
went to lunch in dining room... MEt some new folks there and they werE all
lovely. ITs so nice to feed off other agents and hear what works and don;t work
for them. and to add what works etc for yourself. After lunch we went to
another seminar about Groups.. Then went to the seaview Cafe..a lovely HIDDEN
cafe.. had a Cuban and onion rings... and a HOTCHOCOLATE! the ship was now
settled down. THis ship rides like a MErcedes EVEN in the weather we were in.
THe CAptain was awakened in the middle of the morning with hearing the
Whistling of the WInd. he went to the bridge and here we were in 80 MPH
hurricane force winds which is the reason for the Rocky ride... this was not
forecasted or expected, and he was doing what he could to get us to smooth
waters, which he did. This Capt is a charming man.... and from this period on
the ship was back to her oldself riding the seas smooth and calm! Many folks
were GREEN especially those that INDULGED so much the night prior! I did get to
see George and Barbara ( sounds like the former president and his wife! hahha)
Had nice converstaions with them as always! and George so generous Paying and
sending us all those drinks! haha
We went to the room to change for dinner Formal night... In the dining room we
sat down to our drink awaiting us,some others join us this evening and this
Waiter impressed so many that I know I gave him $10 and so did some others at
our table, Our Grats were paid already but he was WORTH extra! WISH he was
going on the NAvigator next month!
Dinner again was great.. Escargot marvelous.. Lobster bisque too fishy.. so
skipped it and had th Pear soup Very nice and the Tenderloin that was
suprisingly tender!
Cheesecake for dessert and then off to the show. VIBEOLOGY very entertaining
but something was missing and do not know what...

then off to the public areas listeneing to music caught up with George
again... and about 1:30AM went back to the room...
packed and to bed.... Our wake up calls always worked... So don' t know what
happened with Pams... Went to the Windjammer had some breakfast and then Off to
the real world sigh..... and back to work.. Came in to see that my tickets for
my Viking Groupp cruise next month have ARRIVED! WOW!!! now I am ready to go
again!!!

The Cruise Director Alan Brooks on the Serenade is so personable and one of my
favorite CD's...

If you have any questions please feel free to ask here or to email me!

Susette

Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 29Nov03 Navigator of the Seas
Check out our new website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

Good Morning Sue:
Great mini review on a mini cruise. You make it sound all so attractive. Glad to
hear they are actually giving the agents some work to do while aboard. Most of
then ones I have participated in just put some brochures on a table and that was
it. Take care and stay warm and dry .......

Cal Ford
Lido Deck Cruises

Hi Cal... yes they actually had Adam GOldstein and Hanrahan there along with
jamie Porkolob( groups) and it was informative. and CLIA did a course..
I much prefer doing these things then just sitting around drinking... Too bad
your all the way over on that coast!

HAve a happy Halloween!
Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 29Nov03 Navigator of the Seas
Check out our new website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

Oh, no Susette! Say it ain't so. Mummers? I hope that was just for you
TA's and they won't be "greeting" us for our Horizon cruise next July.
Years ago when the kids were toddlers, we went to Disney World and
there, at the end of Main Street in front of the castle was a mummers
band. Is the no escape?

Steve B.

Susette405 wrote:

Hello Everyone! Just off the 2 night Serenade of the Seas Travel Agent
sailing.
I know Pam has her review here but thought I give my review also. ( Ok George
where is yours!) Of course this is my opinion and others may think different.

We arrived at the Port of Philadelphia at 11 AM, Easy parking in a lot ( $10
a day for passengers) They have trolleys that pick you up and take you to the
Port entrance. when you arrive you are greeted by Philadelphias own MUMMERS
playing the Happy string Band music. you enter the building and it was very
easy check in. they have BEn Franklin there and other folks like a town crier
etc there which is a nice touch. You go up the escalotr/Elevatorand take the
ramp to the ship. YES this is LONG.... THe Seabourne PRIDE was in the Next
Berth.. NIce looking ship... not crazyabout what you may think is a balcony on
there...
We were greeted onto the Serenade which is a beauty of a ship.
I did a 5 night sailing on her as well, but it still was nice to do a 2
nighter! WE went to our cabin 8642 a E2 I believe, our wonderful Cabin steward
from Costa Rica Greeted us and she separated our beds. There was soap and
Shampoo in the stateroom, but I guess since this is a Travel Agent sailing the
other things were not put out...
LUNCH: WE went to the Windjammer for Lunch with our DSM and it was lovely, I
love their Food stations so much better then the cattle call lines of
yesteryear..
The Windjammer is very elegant this ship... and the food which we are always
knocking was very good I felt.The Bee sting chicken was good and the wraps
sandwhiches excellant.. ther was something for everyone!
The staff is so very friendly and I do like this GOld Anchor Service.
They had things for us agents to do to get to know the ship- one thing being a
Quest- you get a map and you go on a sorta scavenger hunt. it took you to
cabins, and public areas and you get a STAMP on your map that you were there
and at the end a little gift(pen set and deck of cards) and a entry into a $500
gift certificate. this ended at a mini trade show...
The royal suite and owners suite were BEautiful ALTHOUGH the Voyager class ones
are much better! No jacuzzi's on the deck on this one in the Suites! But all
in all very tastefully done. I HIGHLY recommend the Royal Family suite it is
HUGE! sleeps 8 I believe...
I then had a meeting in the Safari lounge with our Regional manager and what a
nice area of the ship. many folks playing pool on the self leveling pool
tables. these are a hit!
The schooner bar is a beautiful bar area although smoky ...
This is the Most Elegant of all the schooner bars onthe fleet in myopinion..
We did the mandatory Muster and then went to sailaway which the weather was
not cooperating with.. already a ton of Drunk Travel agents!
IT is amazing how some in our industry conduct their selves! Like they never
had a free drink so lets do 100 of them!
Internet was up and down do to the weather and that SUn burst thing playing
havoc..
But there is COmputers set up in all different areas of the ship which was
nice.
We had arly seating and backto the room to change.
We were in Reflections dining room and had the BEST waiteer I have ever had in
all my sailing days. His name is KATO from St Vincent. The most efficient,
friendly waiter He anticipated your every need and had it on the table before
you even had to ask! He asked our names once and from then on he was right on
top of everything! His selections and honesty about certain dishes was great
and he had 2 assistants one with the drinks and rolls and then another
removing from the table and generally helping the other 2. ALL were great.
NEver did we need to request a refill it was just there. the food was good...
no coplaints on my selections. Then off to the show.. a juggling comedian
followd by a comedian. The first guy was so funny and full of energy! He was
discovered on the docks in either St Thomas or St MArten. but he was funny!
Then we went to check out the ship and what was going on, went to the internet,
then to the Vortex Disco.. then around 1 am we went to bed...

DAY 2..
WE woke up about 5:30 the ship was a bit o the "bouncy side" my agent said
What is this all about? I said I do not know and went back to sleep...
Woke up at 7AM and breakfast was coming.... Cindi could not eat breakfast she
was feeling a little Green around the edges... she had coffee... I ate mine but
I have to sayit was terrible. it tastes like nothing... and what I really
ordered was not waht all was broguth but Hey I am on a cruise I can go to the
dining room, this is rally kinda a snack, and I am not a breakfast person
anyway..
The ship was rocking pretty good by now. we were to go to our CLIA seminar... I
told Cindi get out of the room you will feel better... we go to the Cinema-
VERY POOR designed room.. STEEP.. seats 56 people.. more then 70 showed up...
an no windows ( obviously) and I feel myself getting a little "Green" I went
to the Casino bar ( not opened) but there was people around and asked for
Ginger ale... Cindi really needed it. This seemed to help in the long run..
Seminar wasgood then a hour break to the next one. CIndi went to the
Windjammer to get some toast. I went to the closed bar area of the Casino to do
the test we had to take.
talked with another agent that I met and we talked Cruising which was nice!
Then I went to the TRopical Theatre fro the Next Seminar... about new things
for RCCL more on the Travel Agent end... This was so informative... then we
went to lunch in dining room... MEt some new folks there and they werE all
lovely. ITs so nice to feed off other agents and hear what works and don;t work
for them. and to add what works etc for yourself. After lunch we went to
another seminar about Groups.. Then went to the seaview Cafe..a lovely HIDDEN
cafe.. had a Cuban and onion rings... and a HOTCHOCOLATE! the ship was now
settled down. THis ship rides like a MErcedes EVEN in the weather we were in.
THe CAptain was awakened in the middle of the morning with hearing the
Whistling of the WInd. he went to the bridge and here we were in 80 MPH
hurricane force winds which is the reason for the Rocky ride... this was not
forecasted or expected, and he was doing what he could to get us to smooth
waters, which he did. This Capt is a charming man.... and from this period on
the ship was back to her oldself riding the seas smooth and calm! Many folks
were GREEN especially those that INDULGED so much the night prior! I did get to
see George and Barbara ( sounds like the former president and his wife! hahha)
Had nice converstaions with them as always! and George so generous Paying and
sending us all those drinks! haha
We went to the room to change for dinner Formal night... In the dining room we
sat down to our drink awaiting us,some others join us this evening and this
Waiter impressed so many that I know I gave him $10 and so did some others at
our table, Our Grats were paid already but he was WORTH extra! WISH he was
going on the NAvigator next month!
Dinner again was great.. Escargot marvelous.. Lobster bisque too fishy.. so
skipped it and had th Pear soup Very nice and the Tenderloin that was
suprisingly tender!
Cheesecake for dessert and then off to the show. VIBEOLOGY very entertaining
but something was missing and do not know what...

then off to the public areas listeneing to music caught up with George
again... and about 1:30AM went back to the room...
packed and to bed.... Our wake up calls always worked... So don' t know what
happened with Pams... Went to the Windjammer had some breakfast and then Off to
the real world sigh..... and back to work.. Came in to see that my tickets for
my Viking Groupp cruise next month have ARRIVED! WOW!!! now I am ready to go
again!!!

The Cruise Director Alan Brooks on the Serenade is so personable and one of my
favorite CD's...

If you have any questions please feel free to ask here or to email me!

Susette

Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 29Nov03 Navigator of the Seas
Check out our new website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

Jim...will never take a cruise less than 6 nights

All others, IMO, are a worthless waste of my vacation hours.

2 Nights?? Hey, I'll bet there were people with suitcases packed to
the max right??? JDR

Where did the "6" nights come from?

Howard - who never ceases to be amazed.

Jim wrote:

Jim...will never take a cruise less than 6 nights

All others, IMO, are a worthless waste of my vacation hours.

2 Nights?? Hey, I'll bet there were people with suitcases packed to
the max right??? JDR

2 Nights?? Hey, I'll bet there were people with suitcases packed to
the max right??? JDR

Yes there was! and the 2 night was for TA's....
Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 29Nov03 Navigator of the Seas
Check out our new website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

Yes, we don't get much FAM action way out here on the Best Coast. We have done 2
that I can remember, one a Royal Caribbean and one a Carnival. Both were basic
boose and shrimp fests and not much learning at all.

Cal Ford
http://www.lidodeckcruises.com


In article , Susette405 says...

Hi Cal... yes they actually had Adam GOldstein and Hanrahan there along with
jamie Porkolob( groups) and it was informative. and CLIA did a course..
I much prefer doing these things then just sitting around drinking... Too bad
your all the way over on that coast!

HAve a happy Halloween!
Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 29Nov03 Navigator of the Seas
Check out our new website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

rnival. Both were basic
boose and shrimp fests and not much learning at all.


I like the learning.. RCCL is coming out with something for agents called
INSIGHT it is TERRIFIC!
Ya knoew something i think the cruise lines got WISE to agents Do ont see
those BIG shrimp anymore! hahaha

Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 29Nov03 Navigator of the Seas
Check out our new website: www.cruiseoutlets.com

"Cal Ford" wrote in message

Yes, we don't get much FAM action way out here on the Best Coast. We have
done 2
that I can remember, one a Royal Caribbean and one a Carnival. Both were
basic
boose and shrimp fests and not much learning at all.

There were a number of seminars and trade show type events on the Serenade
including an interesting Q&A session with some of the RCI brass. The group
department came in for a lot of criticism from agents.... as did the air/sea
department. Different departments were represented in "booths" spread out
around the ship and in the conferrence center. There were plenty of
opportunities to talk with RCI personnel about almost any subject.

Unfortunately, these events always have the pseudo-agents and wannabees who
think that a FAM is just a good excuse to drink as much free booze as
possible. I wonder how many of these people would go on these trips if they
had to pay for their drinks.

Oh... and like Sue mentioned... no shrimp. vbg I'm beginning to think
they don't love us agents the way they used to.


--
George in PA http://www.countryside-travel.com

Norwegian Dawn http://www.cruisemaster.com/dawn.htm
Sleazy 3 - Carnival Conquest http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm
The Mother of All Group Cruises http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com