After realizing we had earned a free 12-night European cruise, our next step was figuring out when and where to go.
Well.
I love Italy. Italy loves me. (At least it's food does).
It was a no-brainer to choose the 12-night cruise that stops in Italy, as well as Greece, France and Turkey.
We also love the Radiance-class ships on the Royal Caribbean line.
So, it was a no-brainer to choose the Serenade of the Seas, which is a virtual twin of the Brilliance of the Seas that we cruised in Europe with in 2009.
As far as our cabin, initially I had chosen the exact same cabin as we had before in 2009...a Grand Suite, on the hump, next door to the Royal Suite. I love the hump cabins - good views, good balconies, and good proximity to the central elevators and the Concierge Club.
However, we're going to have three of us in the room - and one of those three is a pre-teenage girl. Ack. Who will need lots of space for all of her stuff. And space just to sprawl. (If you're a parent of teenagers, you know what I mean about "sprawl."
So, I changed my cabin after our initial reservation to Cabin #1560, an Owner's Suite on Deck 10. My husband and I had this same cabin on our very first cruise ever, back in 2004, on the Serenade of the Seas. (That was a cruise to the Southern Caribbean).
For the boys, being that they're...well...young, and won't be spending much time in their cabin...we've booked an Ocean View stateroom on Deck 4. All they require is a bed and a shower and a toilet. Not necessarily in that order. Oh, and food.
So...we're set. I've made the deposits on the cabins and will be sending in monthly payments until they're paid off.
Can't wait!
