10 Must-Know Things About Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas cruise ship was completed in 2003 and set sail shortly after. The Radiance-class ship is on the older side as far as cruise ships go, but that hardly makes her in any way undesirable for those cruisers who like the more traditional, classic cruising experience that’s the staple across the entire Radiance class.

Sister to Jewel of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas has spent its nearly two decades of sailing visiting ports all around the world, from the Caribbean and Florida to the Baltic Sea, Canada to Australia.

Are you thinking about taking a Serenade of the Seas cruise anytime soon? If so, here are the 10 must-know things to keep in mind when planning your trip.

1. Radiance-Class Ship Standard Amenities and Features

All Radiance-class ships share a few key features and amenities — such as over three acres of glass, more than 700 balcony staterooms, two-level dining rooms, retractable glass roofs over the pool and the first self-leveling billiard tables at sea — and Serenade of the Seas offers all of these proudly.

Radiance-class ships also all underwent refurbishments to transform their atriums into what Royal Caribbean considers a “vertical theater,” or in other words, a space for aerialists to perform during cruises.

2. Serenade of the Seas Size and Capacity

Serenade of the Seas boasts a gross tonnage of 90,090 — the standard tonnage for all Radiance-class ships — and a length of 962 feet. There are 12 decks. There is capacity for 2,490 passengers and 891 crew members.

This makes the ship on the small side, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it feels crowded. Instead, it feels a little more intimate and more like the classic cruising experience, versus the big, all-inclusive resort feel that’s more standard on some of the bigger cruise ships on the water today.

Serenade of the Seas is powered by a gas-turbine vessel, and, even though it has a relatively small size, the ship still requires higher quality fuel and higher fuel consumption, despite the gas turbine system’s higher efficient speeds as compared to diesel cruise ships. Unfortunately, green cruising has not exactly made its way to Serenade of the Seas just yet.

3. What’s Included and What’s Not Included in Your Cruise Fare

Before you book a cruise with any cruise line or on any ship, you likely want to know what will and will not be included in your cruise fare.

Luckily, when it comes to Serenade of the Seas, you can expect to have a fine time aboard your cruise, with absolutely no need to purchase anything beyond your base fare. However, if you want to upgrade or experience bigger and better options, that’s a possibility as well.

Your inclusions in your cruise fare include your meals in the main dining room and at the buffet, as well as select options at Park Cafe, and then a small selection of room service (breakfast only, and limited breakfast items at that).

You also can go to shows in the theater and most entertainment throughout the day is free for every cruiser, except for a very few number of events that are an up-charge (think things like tastings or classes). Children’s activities are also included, except for special babysitting services during late nights.

What are a few things that are specifically not included in your cruise fare? Gratuities (except for under special circumstances); specialty restaurants and dining; spa services and classes; gambling at the casino; babysitting services; WiFi; shore excursions; and any shopping that you might do while you’re aboard the ship.

Worth Reading: 10 Things to Know About Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas

4. Complimentary Dining Options Aboard Serenade of the Seas

As stated above, there are a few dining options that you get included in your base fare.

This includes dining at the main dining room, with its double-decker dining space, and its choice between assigned seatings or on-your-own-time dining.

The main dining room serves sit-down fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with standard, classic cruising meals (for example, you’ll likely get a choice from a few upscale entrees, with a selection from some appetizers and desserts; the cruise line does a pretty good job at catering to special diets and dietary needs, too).

You also have the buffet as an option, which is definitely another part of that classic cruising experience that Serenade of the Seas does so well. Choose from all kinds of cuisine, all day long, and heap your plate full with buffet offerings, all you can eat. There are extensive ways to get your fill, and some cruisers might find that the buffet is their preferred dining venue aboard the ship.

You can also order room service, but only continental breakfast items are free of charge.

5. For-a-Fee Dining Options Aboard Serenade of the Seas

As Serenade of the Seas is on the smaller side, there isn’t the huge wealth of dining options aboard the ship that you might find on other, newer vessels. Still, though, there are a few ways to upgrade your dining experience during your cruise, beyond simply dining at the main dining room and at the buffet.

The Park Cafe has light bites for an up-charge, as well as some nice outdoor seating.

Chops Grille is a steakhouse-style restaurant that’s become somewhat of a staple aboard many Royal Caribbean vessels. Expect a more elegant atmosphere and chophouse eats, like steak, lobster and baked potatoes.

Of course, you can also order room service, 24 hours per day, for a fee. Don’t expect anything overly opulent, but you can definitely find lots of snacks and light eats to cure your cravings around the clock.

6. Day and Nighttime Entertainment Options During Your Cruise

You’ll always be entertained aboard Serenade of the Seas, regardless of what time of day it might be.

Daytime cruise entertainment is more of that classic style — think overly exuberant cruise directors getting everyone together for a hairy chest contest at the pool, or a towel folding demonstration in one of the theaters.

Lots of educational opportunities are available for those who want to learn a few things — whether that’s at an art seminar, wine tasting or lecture. Dance classes are also an option.

If you’d rather sit back and relax and let the fun come to you, you can always attend one of the theatrical shows.

Live music and dancing take center stage after dark, with lots of areas for you to get your groove on.

If you want to test your luck, the casino is a roomy space to rub elbows with your fellow cruisers.

7. Lounges and Watering Holes to Be Sure to Check Out

Again, just like with the specialty dining options, there aren’t a ton of different lounges and bars to hit up aboard Serenade of the Seas, due to its smaller size, but you can still find a good spot to have a sip or two.

The Schooner Bar is the same as what you’ll find on every Royal Caribbean ship, with its nautical theme and laid-back atmosphere. It also features live music on the daily.

The Safari Club is a more masculine-style watering hole, with lots of dark wood, billiards and “man-approved” cocktails.

Of course, more bars can be found by the pool and in the spa-adjacent Solarium.

8. Fitness and Relaxation Opportunities

If you want to return from your cruise vacation feeling as relaxed and rejuvenated as humanly possible, then you’ll want to stop by both the spa and the fitness center aboard Serenade of the Seas.

The fitness center features just about all the basic fitness equipment that any average gym-goer might want. There’s also an outdoor jogging track, but it can become clogged with non-joggers. Fitness classes are available for a fee and include more of the standard gym offerings, like spinning and yoga.

The spa features a solarium with its own indoor and outdoor pool, with a retractable roof. The spa solarium is open 24 hours, too, so you can relax on your own schedule — no need to stress about fitting relaxation into your busy day!

The solarium likewise has its own two hot tubs. Beyond the spa’s solarium is a thermal suite with steam rooms and saunas. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to relax in the spa, even before you schedule a spa treatment.

9. Outdoor Fun and Soaking Up Sun

For pool-side, family fun aboard Serenade of the Seas, you can take advantage of all kinds of outdoor activities, from miniature golf to shuffleboard, rock climbing to basketball.

There’s a main, family pool that’s often bustling with activity. The main pool is flanked by two hot tubs. The main pool also features its own bar, offering tropical concoctions.

The Solarium is nearby, in case you want to dip out for a more relaxing atmosphere, and a Sky Bar overlooks the action.

10. Children’s and Teen’s Amenities Aboard Serenade of the Seas

Royal Caribbean offers award-winning children’s programming via Adventure Ocean. The program divides kids into groups ages 3-5, 6-8, 9-11 and 12-14. Children can hang out in the Adventure Ocean space until 10 p.m. each evening, for free. After 10 p.m., the space becomes a paid babysitting area, until 1 a.m.

Children enjoy a safe, stimulating environment, where trained chaperones engage them with fun activities and educational projects, with each day’s itineraries fitting each age group’s skill level and interests. There’s also a children’s pool with a children’s waterslide adjacent to the indoor space.

Teens have their own, separate space, called Fuel, where they can hang out in a more relaxed, less structured environment. Fuel offers plenty of entertainment hubs, a dance floor and even its own coffee and juice bar. It’s also situated close to the arcade, for even more fun.

Serenade of the Seas Prices

Thinking of Taking a Serenade of the Seas Cruise?

If you’re thinking of taking a Serenade of the Seas cruise in the near future, don’t hesitate. This small ship offers all the classic cruising amenities you need, whether you’re a first-time cruiser or an old pro. With something to offer every traveler — families, groups of friends, couples and more — there’s always plenty to do, see and enjoy aboard this cruise ship.

Also Read: 10 Must-Know Things About Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas

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