First cruise on Serenade of the Seas questions

[cruisentn]

Hi,
This is our first cruise, coming up in January. We have several friends that have cruised and have read a lot. But, I have some questions in mind if anyone can answer them:
1-We'll have two children that we need to sort of check in on while we're gone. Ports are Nassau, Key West and Co Cay. I understand that WIFI hotspots are readily available in those ports. We have VZW as cellular carrier. But on the ship, what is the recommended way to communicate back home to the US? Just buy the wifi package onboard? I think it's around $25.00. What do you do to communicate and check on things back on. Just a few times, no big conversations needed. Maybe send a pic or two back to em.
2-The gym on the Serenade. Does it have locker rooms and showers? Towels in there? Are there steam rooms and saunas in the men's? I know they have co-ed in some places, but in the men's are there some that are free? Yes, I'm the gym rat and am really looking forward to working out while looking out over the Caribbean. (I can't imagine how cool that'll be)
3-Excursions? I've heard so many conflicting things here. Buy onboard so they won't leave you. And then Don't buy on board you over pay. Just take a 4 dollar taxi to where you need. Really...it's confusing.
4-What do we expect to pay for things not included like : a glass of white wine? a margarita? a cup of good coffee? I've been told I can just take some instant coffee and get hot water? Where is that where you can just go get some hot water? lol.
5-This is what I KNOW, please tell me something I may have wrong: We arrive at the port, we check in. Then, I'm going to my room and let the rest of the people raid these buffets I keep hearing about. I'm NOT a big buffet eater and certainly not going on a cruise to eat. As long as there is food around, I'll eat. But, it's not on my hot list of things to do on a cruise. A peanut butter or tunafish sandwich will do me fine. But after I get to the room, let the buffet crowd settle while we nest in our cabin (balcony room). At some time they bring our bags to our room???right? The ones we checked and not the carry on.
Then....we just roam around. Do what we want? Are there announcements about things that we must do? I understand there are drills we have to attend. Then, are there announcements about excurions and ports and things like that? How do you know?
Anyways...these are things on my mind as we ready ourselves.
Thanks for you help!
cruisentn

 

[bob]

1-We'll have two children that we need to sort of check in on while we're gone. Ports are Nassau, Key West and Co Cay. I understand that WIFI hotspots are readily available in those ports. We have VZW as cellular carrier. But on the ship, what is the recommended way to communicate back home to the US? Just buy the wifi package onboard? I think it's around $25.00. What do you do to communicate and check on things back on. Just a few times, no big conversations needed. Maybe send a pic or two back to em.
Buy the wifi and just email back and forth, for a weeks worth of communication a package is a far better deal than paying by the minute. That way who you communicate with is up to you, the kids or whoever is keeping an eye on them.

2-The gym on the Serenade. Does it have locker rooms and showers? Towels in there? Are there steam rooms and saunas in the men's? I know they have co-ed in some places, but in the men's are there some that are free? Yes, I'm the gym rat and am really looking forward to working out while looking out over the Caribbean. (I can't imagine how cool that'll be)
Doh, never been in the gym on the serenade, no help

3-Excursions? I've heard so many conflicting things here. Buy onboard so they won't leave you. And then Don't buy on board you over pay. Just take a 4 dollar taxi to where you need. Really...it's confusing.
To play it safe yes, the ships excursions is the safe bet but consider the ports.
Nassau, pretty stable go with a known entity like Shoretrips, top of the tour food chain, Key West, can't get in much trouble its American Made. Coco, private island, can't get lost there, lay back on the beach and soak up the sun. Just pay attention to times and to be safe it you take tours do the morning tour, if anyone gets in trouble it will be afternoon tours that cut it close to sailing time.

4-What do we expect to pay for things not included like : a glass of white wine? a margarita? a cup of good coffee? I've been told I can just take some instant coffee and get hot water? Where is that where you can just go get some hot water? lol.
All alcohol beverages will come with a price tag no matter what they are. A good cup of coffee will cost you at the coffee bar, depending on your coffee demands may be worth the extra, most of the time you can buy a coffee card and save a couple of bucks. Why take instant and go through the hassle, basic coffee is always available in the buffet and through room service by the carafe, but if you do hot water is always available in the buffet as well

5-This is what I KNOW, please tell me something I may have wrong: We arrive at the port, we check in. Then, I'm going to my room and let the rest of the people raid these buffets I keep hearing about. I'm NOT a big buffet eater and certainly not going on a cruise to eat. As long as there is food around, I'll eat. But, it's not on my hot list of things to do on a cruise. A peanut butter or tunafish sandwich will do me fine. But after I get to the room, let the buffet crowd settle while we nest in our cabin (balcony room). At some time they bring our bags to our room???right? The ones we checked and not the carry on.
Then....we just roam around. Do what we want? Are there announcements about things that we must do? I understand there are drills we have to attend. Then, are there announcements about excurions and ports and things like that? How do you know?
Pretty much spot on, the only thing you MUST do is show up for Life Boat Drill, not to worry they will be reminding you from the time you board. The TV in the cabin will usually be on and tuned to the channel that will provide you with all you need to know. Call room service, order a bottle of champagne, sit back and start your vacation on the balcony.

 

[mimi-57]

Hi, have you left on your cruise yet?
If not I have some additional information that might help you. I spent 7 years cruising this very itinerary