Name: Charles E. Holstein
Email: cholstein@sprynet.com
Age: 50
Occupation: Engineering Tech
NumberOfCruises: 1
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-VikingSerenade
SailingDate: Aug 18 - 22, 1997
Itinerary: Catalina-San Diego-Ensenada-LA
FoodDiningRoom: 85
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 85
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 85
FoodLidoDeck: 75
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 70
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 85
ShoreExcVariety: 75
FoodVariety: 85
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 80
GoodForHoneymoon: 85
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 85
TenderService: 90
GoodForSeniors: 80
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 80
WheelchairAccess: 80
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 75
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities: 50
ShipCleanliness: 80
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs: 70
DeckSpace: 85
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 70
OverallCruiseValue: 80
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 28 Mar 1998
Time: 20:21:44
Remote Name: 199.174.145.129
Remote User:

Comments

This was our first cruise ever. Overall it's not a bad way to begin cruising. Since we were novices, we had no idea what to
expect. Generally the ship seemed run down even to novices. The crew was very nice. The dining room and lido desk staff
seem hurried and uninterested in our needs and desires. The tenders in Catalina did a great job and Catalina was fun
but crowded. We would have liked to try the disco, but it was too smokey for us as was the casino. We could have spent
alot more money in both places had it not been for the smoke.

Advice for RCCL: LOSE Ensenada! If we were to go again, we would not get off the ship in Ensenada. We'll stay on board,
it's much more fun.

The medical facilities were non existant. We had a small medical emergency and medical staff did not respond. They
couldn't even be found by the ships operator. Shame on you, RCCL! I dropped RCCL an email about the problem , but got
no response. I've also recently sent emails inquiring about another cruise, but their only response is that they are very
busy.

Debarkation was a long, crowded wait, but they do have to move 1500+ people and bags in a short amount of time.

We've talked to other more experienced cruisers, and they say that some of the things we experienced are not normal
on most cruises. Viking Serenade was an interesting experience, but I don't think I'll be on that ship again.

Back to RCCLViking Serenade

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