Serenade OTS - million questions

[misa]

Hi all,

Well in my previous post you convinced me I should opt for Serenade so tomorrow we're off to TA to book.... yipeeee!! 8th March 2008, 7 night, South Carribean..... ahhhhhh ))

However as I'm a total control freak and have never been on the cruise I would like to ask you for your patience with billion of questions to come. Keep in mind I'm from the coutry where it's less to rare for people to go on cruise to Carribean and while I have faith in my TA I would imagine you guys could provide me with much better answers.
So here it go (I divided it in section. See, told you I'm a control freak)).

1. Meals:
- when do one decided for late/early sitting option ? Can it be changed during the cruise ? Which one would you recommend (we will be around the islands in all stops) ?
- in main dining room I believe there's no buffet, so how do you know the menu ?
- do you always sit with same people ?
- are drinks (non-alchohol) free with a meal ?
- beside 2 a la carte restaurants (I mean Portofino and Chops) are there other ones who serve meals ? How do you chose where you will eat and do you have to inform maitre d' ?
- do all this other restaurants serve all meals ?
- how do you book Portofino or Chops ? I've heard it's recomendable to do it on the first day but how do you know which main-dinning room night you can miss ?
- what do they charge you for this two places ? Does this charge cover the drinks as well ?

2. Extra cost
- can somebody pls explain how you pay for all this extra things (drinks, ice-cream, snacks). I've heard there is a card of a sorts but I'm lost.
- how can you check your balance on this card ?

3. Attire
- how many formal nights will there be in 7night cruise ?
- how fancy do you have to dress for formal night ? Can ladies have shorter dresses ?
- during the day is it OK to walk around the ship in shorts and top ?
- for non-formal evening meal normal trousers and shirt is OK for men ?

4. Activites
- is there a movie theatre on board ? if so, how do you book ?
- evening shows: how do you book and when ? Or do you just show up ? Where can you see the program for the week ?
- I know there is this newsletter but if someone can elaborate on it slightly I would highly appreciate it
- theme nighs: do they still have this ? How do you know which theme will it be (so I can pack accordingly ;-)

5. Money and tipping
NB. Again I come from the culture where tipping is not customary but really a sign of outstanding service (and thus rare )) I don't want to appear rude, especially as I expect staff to be as good as people described.
In my booking price, the price also includes mandatory tipps. I'm not yet sure if I receive vouchers somebody talked about. But here are my questions:
- if I'm in a bar and order drinks, do I leave a tip ?
- do I tip a guy that takes care of our room when I see him/her (like on the first day
- waiters at the dinner (I know you tip them at the end /cash or voucher/ but during each meal ?
- when somebody delivers baggage to your room (if you meat him/her) ?
And some general money question:
- when do you settle your total bill ?
- which credit cards they accept ?

That's for now. If you still have the will to live after this, pls help with some answers, if you dont, pls don't hold me responsible ))

Thanks to all,
Misa

 

[Gayle V]

Meals:
- when do one decided for late/early sitting option ?

You decide right now. You will need to tell your travel agent when you book.

Can it be changed during the cruise ?

Yes. Better to make the choice you want from the start. But sometimes there are errors, or you change your mind. And occasionally you will realize your table mates are a very poor fit for you, so changes can be made. As soon as you board, or as soon as possible, see the maitre’ D and ask him. He will change you IF possible. Usually it is.

Which one would you recommend (we will be around the islands in all stops) ?

Preferred seating is really a very personal choice. Usually timing for early seating is six o’clock. Late is about eight o’clock. Dinner takes over an hour maybe ninety minutes.

Which timing suits you?
Reasons to eat early: you get to go to the show after dinner, and you have time to enjoy evening entertainments after dinner. I personally cannot sleep if I finish dinner at nearly ten PM.

Reasons for late: You get to take your time getting back to the ship, (on the rare occasions the ship stays in port as late as six.). You get to see the sunsets. Shows held before dinner are OK with you.

- in main dining room I believe there's no buffet, so how do you know the menu ?

You read the menu, just like in any land based restaurants. The waiter hands you the menu after you sit down at the table. He will also pick up your napkin, place it in your lap (or hand) as he hand you the menu. Just choose what you want, he will be back in a minute to take your order.

- do you always sit with same people ?

On Royal Caribbean ships, seating is traditional, so the answer is yes. Unless you choose to try one of the specialty (extra cost) restaurants for a night. Or unless you happen to eat in the lido deck buffet one night. (This comes in handy on those evenings you spend too much time on an excursion and can’t get back to the ship in time to change.

- are drinks (non-alchohol) free with a meal ?

Yes, ice tea, lemonade, milk, some juices.

- beside 2 a la carte restaurants (I mean Portofino and Chops) are there other ones who serve meals ?

Only the buffet on the lido deck, near as I can remember.

How do you chose where you will eat and do you have to inform maitre d'?

Your dinning room and table are assigned, you will find it printed on your sea pass card. If you mean about dinning in Chops or Portofino, no you don’t have to tell the Maitre’ D about that, but It is considered polite to let your tablemates know if you won’t be there, IF you know about it in advance. (so they don’t wait dinner for you)

- do all this other restaurants serve all meals ?

I really don’t know.

- how do you book Portofino or Chops ?

You can call from your cabin , or go to the restaurant to make your reservations in person.

I've heard it's recomendable to do it on the first day but how do you know which main-dinning room night you can miss ? How to choose which night to miss?

Well all I can think is that you need to ask on the board if anyone has been on the Serenade very recently and can tell you which night had the least appealing selections. (if there is such a thing) All the menus are great.

- what do they charge you for this two places ? Does this charge cover the drinks as well ?

Not sure what they cost now, but I do know the price include some wine with the various courses. I don’t know about other alcoho.

2. Extra cost
- can somebody pls explain how you pay for all this extra things (drinks, ice-cream, snacks). I've heard there is a card of a sorts but I'm lost.

When you fill out your pre-boarding information (either on line, or on the paper docs that they send), you will fill in your credit card information., and sign it. This will be used to open your “sea pass account†. As you check in they will give you a card, (looks just like a credit card) that you will use for three purposes: This is #1 your cabin door key, and #2 your boarding pass for getting on and off the ship at the ports, and #3 it is essentially an onboard credit card. You will use it to purchase anything you wish to buy on the ship. (Cash is only good for bingo and gambling in the casino).

The total of all those purchases is charged to the credit card you registered, in one lump sum at the end of the cruise.

- how can you check your balance on this card ?

You can ask at the purser’s desk or check it from your cabin using the interactive TV.

3. Attire
- how many formal nights will there be in 7night cruise ?

Two

- how fancy do you have to dress for formal night ?

Think dressy dress, prom night, or new years eve. Glittery, sequins and sheer , chiffon, or satin fabric. And think Black.

Can ladies have shorter dresses ? Certainly. The classic little black dress, dressed up with some fancy bling, high heels, and an up do, is perfect.

- during the day is it OK to walk around the ship in shorts and top ?

Absolutely. That’s what almost everyone wears.

- for non-formal evening meal normal trousers and shirt is OK for men ?

Yes. For casual nights think khakis and polos, or shirts with collars. Collarless tees and jeans are frowned on. (although there will always be people who break the rules.) NO shorts for dinner in the dining room.

4. Activites
- is there a movie theatre on board ?

Not on this ship, but occasionally they show a movie in the lounge .

if so, how do you book ?

Just show up. No need to book.

- evening shows: how do you book and when ?

Again , just show up. No need to book. The location for all entertainments will be posted in the daily Cruise Compass. That is the daily activities paper that your room steward will deliver to your cabin each evening, for the following day.

Where can you see the program for the week ?

They post things daily. Read the compas each night before bed, so you’ll know what you want to do the next day.

- I know there is this newsletter but if someone can elaborate on it slightly I would highly appreciate it

It’s kind of self explanatory. Its nice to take a yellow marker with you so you can highlight the activities that interest you as you read it. That way you’ll more likely to remember to go.

- theme nights: do they still have this ? How do you know which theme will it be (so I can pack accordingly ;-)

The only theme nights I’ve ever seen on a RCCL cruise is western and Caribbean. And I don’t think they do western anymore. Almost no one dressed western for it anyway, but it was one opportunity to wear jeans in the dining room. They are welcome then.

They still do Caribbean night, and you do see a lot of Caribbean floral shirts and blouses that evening. The food usually matches the theme, or at least a few of the menu choices do. And the waiter will sing a Caribbean song. And they usually have an on deck late night Caribbean buffet and party that night. Too.

5. Money and tipping
NB. Again I come from the culture where tipping is not customary but really a sign of outstanding service (and thus rare )) I don't want to appear rude, especially as I expect staff to be as good as people described.
In my booking price, the price also includes mandatory tipps. I'm not yet sure if I receive vouchers somebody talked about.

You need to ask your Travel agent about that. It sounds like you booked as part of a group, because otherwise, on Royal Caribbean the tips are not usually mandatory or pre included. Or maybe your TA is including them as incentive to book?

But here are my questions:
- if I'm in a bar and order drinks, do I leave a tip ?

When you order any alcoholic drink a fifteen percent gratuity is automatically added to the bill and charged on your card. So do not leave any additional tip.

- do I tip a guy that takes care of our room when I see him/her (like on the first day

I’ve heard of doing that, but we do not, and I personally think it’s a little insulting to tip someone BEFORE service. It seems much too much like a bribe and not a thank you.

- waiters at the dinner (I know you tip them at the end /cash or voucher/ but during each meal ?

You tip the room steward the waiter, the assistant waiter, and the head waiter , all on the last evening of the cruise. You will find envelopes for doing so, will be placed in your cabin on the few days of the cruise. You can use cash to tip, or you can have the tip amounts added to your ship board account and put the voucher in the envelope. About mid-week you will receive a form in you cabin, to fill out, so these charges can be applied to you account.

The best time to tip your wait staff is at the end of the last evening's dinner. Just shake their hand with your right hand, and hand the tip with the left, while you say thank you for all they've done all week.

- when somebody delivers baggage to your room (if you meet him/her) ?

Not usually. We have only rarely been in the cabin when the bags have arrived. If it’s tipping for this that you’re wondering about , you should tip the luggage workers who take your bags from you as you arrive at the pier (about a buck per bag)

And some general money question:
- when do you settle your total bill ?

It is automatically applied to your credit card. But if you should happen to have a lot of cash left at the end of the week, you can go to the purser’s desk and pay on the account . But otherwise, there’s nothing to do. They will put a copy of your account charges either under, or outside your cabin door on the very last night. Just review this, and if all is in order, your all set.

- which credit cards they accept ?

I’m not sure, but I know they take both VISA and MasterCArd. You can probably find which other cards they take, on the Royal Caribbean web site

That's for now. If you still have the will to live after this, pls help with some answers, if you dont, pls don't hold me responsible ))

I never get tired of talking cruises. :grin

 

[Cruizer]

[quote misa]
1. Meals:
A - when do one decided for late/early sitting option ? Can it be changed during the cruise ? Which one would you recommend (we will be around the islands in all stops) ?
B - in main dining room I believe there's no buffet, so how do you know the menu ?
C - do you always sit with same people ?
D - are drinks (non-alchohol) free with a meal ?
E - beside 2 a la carte restaurants (I mean Portofino and Chops) are there other ones who serve meals ? How do you chose where you will eat and do you have to inform maitre d' ?
F - do all this other restaurants serve all meals ?
G - how do you book Portofino or Chops ? I've heard it's recomendable to do it on the first day but how do you know which main-dinning room night you can miss ?
H - what do they charge you for this two places ? Does this charge cover the drinks as well ?
[/quote]
A - You sign up for early/late seating when you book. Changing prior to the first dinner is possible, if there is room. Same with prior to the second meal. After that it is still possible (again, if there is room) however, now you are going to join a table in the middle of the cruise and basically intrude into whatever relationship(s) had already developed at the table. I recommend you pick the one closest to the time you normally eat, unless you have kids. If you have kids (under 18) pick the early seating.

B - It is a restaurant. You will be handed a menu every night.

C - Yes, unless someone changes tables (see A above).

D - I am not sure about soft drinks. The other drinks (except special coffees offered for desert) are free.

E - There is the buffet also. You choose where you will eat the same way you choose when you are at home with your choice of several different restaurants. While informing the maitre d' is not necessary, it is a good idea to inform your wait staff and table mates (so they don't wait for you) if you are not going to eat dinner in the main restaurant.

F - The buffet is open for all meals. Chops and Portofino is dinner only.

G - You reserve Chops or Portofino the same way you would make a reservation when at home. On the first day, go there and make the reservation. After that, just call and make the reservation. How do you know which main-dining room you can miss? Well, that is like deciding which numbers to play in the lottery. Sometimes in life you just have to take a gamble. Pick one and don't worry about it. Typically on a one week cruise the dinner on the first full day and dinner on the second to last full day are the formal nights. You can verify this by asking once you board. Also you can check the following website for recent Compasses (the Compass is the ship's daily paper) and see which are the formal nights ...
http://www.cruisedailies.com/portal...bean/SerenadeOfTheSeas/tabid/357/Default.aspx

H - I believe the current cover charge is $20. It covers the meal and tips, but not drinks that you would normally have to pay for (like wine).

 

[Cruizer]

[quote misa]
2. Extra cost
- can somebody pls explain how you pay for all this extra things (drinks, ice-cream, snacks). I've heard there is a card of a sorts but I'm lost.
- how can you check your balance on this card ?

3. Attire
- how many formal nights will there be in 7night cruise ?
- how fancy do you have to dress for formal night ? Can ladies have shorter dresses ?
- during the day is it OK to walk around the ship in shorts and top ?
- for non-formal evening meal normal trousers and shirt is OK for men ?
[/quote]
2) You set up an account just like you do at a hotel. You then charge EVERYTHING to your account. You room key is your ship board charge card. No cash or credit cards will be accepted on the ship. You set up your on board account with either a credit card or cash. You can check your account balance on the TV in your room.

3) There are two formal nights on a one week cruise. You don't have to get that fancy. Anything that would be acceptable at church on Sunday will be acceptable in the dining room on formal night. Some people like to get really dressed up.

During the day shorts and top are fine. For non-formal nights a shirt and trousers are fine.

 

[Cruizer]

[quote misa]
4. Activites
- is there a movie theatre on board ? if so, how do you book ?
- evening shows: how do you book and when ? Or do you just show up ? Where can you see the program for the week ?
- I know there is this newsletter but if someone can elaborate on it slightly I would highly appreciate it
- theme nighs: do they still have this ? How do you know which theme will it be (so I can pack accordingly ;-)
[/quote]
I have not been on the Serenade yet (I'm going in April 2008). I don't believe there is a formal movie theater on board (there have not been on the other two RCI ships I have been on). If there is one, you don't book it, you just show up prior to show time.

You don't book the evening shows. You just show up before the show starts. The shows are listed in the Compass.

Here is a link to the Compass for a December 2006 cruise of the Serenade. Click on each page to view that page. Click again to make is larger ...
http://www.cruisedailies.com/portal/tabid/370/Default.aspx

The themes are listed in the Compass.

 

[Cruizer]

[quote misa]
5. Money and tipping
NB. Again I come from the culture where tipping is not customary but really a sign of outstanding service (and thus rare )) I don't want to appear rude, especially as I expect staff to be as good as people described.
In my booking price, the price also includes mandatory tipps. I'm not yet sure if I receive vouchers somebody talked about. But here are my questions:
- if I'm in a bar and order drinks, do I leave a tip ?
- do I tip a guy that takes care of our room when I see him/her (like on the first day
- waiters at the dinner (I know you tip them at the end /cash or voucher/ but during each meal ?
- when somebody delivers baggage to your room (if you meat him/her) ?
And some general money question:
- when do you settle your total bill ?
- which credit cards they accept ?
[/quote]
When you order a drink from the bar, a 15% tip will automatically be added. You can increase this if you want.

Tips are handed out at the end of the cruise. This applies to both the room steward and the wait staff. The person who will bring your luggage to your room is one of the rooms stewards. (S)he will get his/her tip at the end of the cruise.

If you set up your on board account with cash you settle your account on the last night. If you set up your on board account with a credit card, check the charges every day on your TV. If you see any error, correct it then. On the last morning they will slip your itemized statement under the door. If you statement will not fit under the door, a little delivery truck will deliver your statement with the help of a small forklift after you wake up.

Royal Caribbean accepts American Express, Optima, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Diner's Club, cash and first born. Click on the link below for more info ...
http://www.royalcaribbean.com/custo...Extras&faqId=265&faqSubjectId=337&faqType=faq

 

[Gayle V]

About the carbonated beverages at dinner, no they are not free.

 

[misa]

YOU ARE THE BEST !!!!
I can not thank you enough...I especially liked the "little delivery truck":lol
Again guys, thank you.
I'll be back to bother you some more, don't worry but for now all is clear.
Misa

 

[Gayle V]

Oh, Misa, I just remembered something, about your question of whether any other places serve meals, I'd almost forgotten the Seaview Cafe up on deck 12, (I think). It's a little diner with great sandwiches, open late, the food was free, but the drinks were all extra. And it's open very late. We ate there a few times when the lido buffet had already closed for the night.