Adventure of the Seas, 1st and probably last cruise.

We still have a couple of days left of our cruise, I will say my observations are mine alone and completely down to personal taste.

Embarking in NJ took us twice as long as it did to actually get from Manhattan to the terminal. Getting to the drop off point once we’d arrived took 2 hours it didn’t seem very organised, however, once dropped off security and check in were very quick and we were onboard 20 mins later.

Our cabin was (is) nice, no complaints. Large bed and pretty comfortable. Shower is nice and hot with good pressure.

Due to our schedules this was the only time we had for us all to be together at the same time, if things were different we would have chosen a different cruise.

The ports were disappointing, the Alligator jungle excursion in Port Canaveral was pretty awful although the people running the adventure jungle were very very nice and had great senses of humour the whole outfit was pretty poor. Rescued animals in very small concrete enclosures, having to watch an alligator with its mouth taped shut passed around like a cuddly toy. No lunch provided but you could buy fried alligator or a burger if you wanted. It was a very long 5+ hours.

Cococay felt like a tropical Blackpool in the UK, masses of bodies in a small space the water wasn’t great for snorkelling and overall just felt very over commercialised.

The food is mediocre at best, I’m a vegetarian and there really isn’t much of a choice for those like me. Salads and a veggie curry, I’ve seen broccoli on offer no other vegetables. Plenty of fruit though which is great.

Stepdaughter and husband both meat eaters said the meat is always very over cooked.

The staff are wonderful having done 3 8 month contracts on ships I know how hard they work and they have been exceptional they are the ones who make the cruises.

Mary Poppins is played on repeat by the pool. The ship I think is too big for us, it’s mass produced food and very commercialised.

We have enjoyed spending time together as a family and we haven’t hated our trip but I don’t feel we got our money’s worth and for what we paid I expected much higher standards.

I’m not at all knocking those who love cruising, it’s just not for us.

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The ship I think is too big for us, it’s mass produced food and very commercialized.

Welcome to RCI.

We still have a couple of days left of our cruise, I will say my observations are mine alone and completely down to personal taste.

 

Embarking in NJ took us twice as long as it did to actually get from Manhattan to the terminal. Getting to the drop off point once we’d arrived took 2 hours it didn’t seem very organised, however, once dropped off security and check in were very quick and we were onboard 20 mins later.

 

Our cabin was (is) nice, no complaints. Large bed and pretty comfortable. Shower is nice and hot with good pressure.

 

Due to our schedules this was the only time we had for us all to be together at the same time, if things were different we would have chosen a different cruise.

 

The ports were disappointing, the Alligator jungle excursion in Port Canaveral was pretty awful although the people running the adventure jungle were very very nice and had great senses of humour the whole outfit was pretty poor. Rescued animals in very small concrete enclosures, having to watch an alligator with its mouth taped shut passed around like a cuddly toy. No lunch provided but you could buy fried alligator or a burger if you wanted. It was a very long 5+ hours.

 

Cococay felt like a tropical Blackpool in the UK, masses of bodies in a small space the water wasn’t great for snorkelling and overall just felt very over commercialised.

 

The food is mediocre at best, I’m a vegetarian and there really isn’t much of a choice for those like me. Salads and a veggie curry, I’ve seen broccoli on offer no other vegetables. Plenty of fruit though which is great.

 

Stepdaughter and husband both meat eaters said the meat is always very over cooked.

 

The staff are wonderful having done 3 8 month contracts on ships I know how hard they work and they have been exceptional they are the ones who make the cruises.

 

Mary Poppins is played on repeat by the pool. The ship I think is too big for us, it’s mass produced food and very commercialised.

 

We have enjoyed spending time together as a family and we haven’t hated our trip but I don’t feel we got our money’s worth and for what we paid I expected much higher standards.

 

I’m not at all knocking those who love cruising, it’s just not for us.

 

 

 

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You should try Celebrity or Azamara. Both owned by RCI. Both have better food and smaller ships. But they cost more.:)

I'm assuming you're on the PC, Miami, Nassau, Coco Cay itinerary.

I can't speak to Adventure as I've never been, but I will say that those are some of the worst ports and for the most part, a complete waste of time (IMO). I feel like a crappy itinerary can make one jaded about the entire trip as a whole. Like I said, the ship might be terrible, not questioning you, but if I were in your shoes, there isn't a ship in the sea that would make up for that itinerary.

Sorry you aren't enjoying your cruise, but like everything else, it's not for everybody.

I've sailed Adventure twice, out of Puerto Rico, and enjoyed it both times. You don't have the best ports, but I understand from your post you were limited on time.

We still have a couple of days left of our cruise, I will say my observations are mine alone and completely down to personal taste.

 

Embarking in NJ took us twice as long as it did to actually get from Manhattan to the terminal. Getting to the drop off point once we’d arrived took 2 hours it didn’t seem very organised, however, once dropped off security and check in were very quick and we were onboard 20 mins later.

 

 

The ports were disappointing, the Alligator jungle excursion in Port Canaveral was pretty awful although the people running the adventure jungle were very very nice and had great senses of humour the whole outfit was pretty poor. Rescued animals in very small concrete enclosures, having to watch an alligator with its mouth taped shut passed around like a cuddly toy. No lunch provided but you could buy fried alligator or a burger if you wanted. It was a very long 5+ hours.

 

Cococay felt like a tropical Blackpool in the UK, masses of bodies in a small space the water wasn’t great for snorkelling and overall just felt very over commercialised.

 

The food is mediocre at best, I’m a vegetarian and there really isn’t much of a choice for those like me. Salads and a veggie curry, I’ve seen broccoli on offer no other vegetables. Plenty of fruit though which is great.

 

Stepdaughter and husband both meat eaters said the meat is always very over cooked.

The staff are wonderful having done 3 8 month contracts on ships I know how hard they work and they have been exceptional they are the ones who make the cruises.

 

Mary Poppins is played on repeat by the pool. The ship I think is too big for us, it’s mass produced food and very commercialised.

 

We have enjoyed spending time together as a family and we haven’t hated our trip but I don’t feel we got our money’s worth and for what we paid I expected much higher standards.

 

I’m not at all knocking those who love cruising, it’s just not for us.

 

 

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I’m sorry you are not enjoying your cruise. I have been on 30 cruises. One of those cruises was not a pleasant, fun experience due to the condition of the ship, itinerary issues and service issues. If it had been my first cruise, it would have been my last. Luckily, it was not my first cruise and my family has gone on to enjoy many wonderful cruises. When our kids were young we thought it was the perfect way to see multiple places and only unpack once.

Before cruising I did not think it would be for me due to my type A personality but we went to Alaska and loved every minute.

Only you can decide whether to give cruising another try but cruises, ships, ports, crew members, etc can be different from sailing to sailing. I have experienced the same on land vacations where a resort or hotel is fantastic the first time and not so good the next.

Remind me again- which part of Coco Cay looks remotely like Blackpool?

:rolleyes:

You should try Celebrity or Azamara. Both owned by RCI. Both have better food and smaller ships. But they cost more.:)

Food very subjective! Celebrity's food is no better than RCI now. More choices and better prices on RCI.

I wish Blackpool was like CocoCay as I'd go every weekend if it was ;D

It sounds like a lot of your complaints are geared towards embarkation, ports & food. As someone else has said I wouldn't have gone to NJ order ot get a cruise to Miami, PC, Nassau, CocoCay. How about the entertainment on the ship outside of Mary Poppins? ;)

Sorry that you aren't having a good cruise, but believe me, find the right one and you'll enjoy it :) Maybe another line would be more suited to you. Celebrity is an 'up-market' RCI.

If cruising isn't "your thing", that's ok! There are plenty of vacation options to choose from!

I'm not a fan of zoos or anything with captured animals. And, while I enjoy the private island days, it's not for everyone. Don't feel bad...just chalk it up to experience, and do a different kind of holiday next time!

Don't buy that at all. Most meat is cooked to your liking. Med Rare, ect. Never had a problem

Maybe in a specialty restaurant, but you never know what temp you're going to get in the MDR.

I wish Blackpool was like CocoCay as I'd go every weekend if it was ;D.

With or without the donkeys :D

Like I said we haven’t hated it it’s just not for us. We’ve had a great time as a family it just hasn’t met our expectations. This is purely a personal observation not stated as fact for everyone!

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Maybe in a specialty restaurant, but you never know what temp you're going to get in the MDR.

Normally on RCI the MDR Waiter will ask if you want it Medium Rare or Well Done. No in between.

Maybe in a specialty restaurant, but you never know what temp you're going to get in the MDR.

Who said anything about temp?

Interesting, you must be cruising through the twilight zone. Was on Adventure a few weeks ago and Mary Poppins most certainly wasn't on repeat by the pool. Never saw it on once by the pool! :confused:

Food very subjective! Celebrity's food is no better than RCI now. More choices and better prices on RCI.

Agree, but celebrity buffet is much nicer, to get a good steak need to go to specialty , chops is normally very good. Agree ports are not my favorites but you should research that before hand.

We still have a couple of days left of our cruise, I will say my observations are mine alone and completely down to personal taste.

 

Embarking in NJ took us twice as long as it did to actually get from Manhattan to the terminal. Getting to the drop off point once we’d arrived took 2 hours it didn’t seem very organised, however, once dropped off security and check in were very quick and we were onboard 20 mins later.

 

Our cabin was (is) nice, no complaints. Large bed and pretty comfortable. Shower is nice and hot with good pressure.

 

Due to our schedules this was the only time we had for us all to be together at the same time, if things were different we would have chosen a different cruise.

 

The ports were disappointing, the Alligator jungle excursion in Port Canaveral was pretty awful although the people running the adventure jungle were very very nice and had great senses of humour the whole outfit was pretty poor. Rescued animals in very small concrete enclosures, having to watch an alligator with its mouth taped shut passed around like a cuddly toy. No lunch provided but you could buy fried alligator or a burger if you wanted. It was a very long 5+ hours.

 

Cococay felt like a tropical Blackpool in the UK, masses of bodies in a small space the water wasn’t great for snorkelling and overall just felt very over commercialised.

 

The food is mediocre at best, I’m a vegetarian and there really isn’t much of a choice for those like me. Salads and a veggie curry, I’ve seen broccoli on offer no other vegetables. Plenty of fruit though which is great.

 

Stepdaughter and husband both meat eaters said the meat is always very over cooked.

 

The staff are wonderful having done 3 8 month contracts on ships I know how hard they work and they have been exceptional they are the ones who make the cruises.

 

Mary Poppins is played on repeat by the pool. The ship I think is too big for us, it’s mass produced food and very commercialised.

 

We have enjoyed spending time together as a family and we haven’t hated our trip but I don’t feel we got our money’s worth and for what we paid I expected much higher standards.

 

I’m not at all knocking those who love cruising, it’s just not for us.

 

 

 

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Welcome to mass market crusing in 2018, should have see it in 1993,:D

Mike

Interesting, you must be cruising through the twilight zone. Was on Adventure a few weeks ago and Mary Poppins most certainly wasn't on repeat by the pool. Never saw it on once by the pool! :confused:

So things shown at the pool can't possibly be different than "a few weeks ago"?

Like I said we haven’t hated it it’s just not for us. We’ve had a great time as a family it just hasn’t met our expectations. This is purely a personal observation not stated as fact for everyone!

 

 

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By the way, parts of Coco Cay are excellent for snorkeling, just not the south side.

Did you share your concerns with Royal on your post cruise survey ?

Even though I understand why you posted on here it really doesn't have much impact .Letting Royal know has more weight.

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Did you share your concerns with Royal on your post cruise survey ?

Even though I understand why you posted on here it really doesn't have much impact .Letting Royal know has more weight.

 

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She said that she is still on her cruise.

No idea why every time someone does not fall in love with cruising there are always some who will try to convince them to try another. If I tried a certain type of vacation and it wasn't to my liking I certainly would not waste my money or vacation time on the same type of vacation again.

People seem to take it so personally if someone doesn't feel cruising is the best thing on earth.

I do however agree that I would NEVER book that itinerary. It, in my opinion if course, is horrible.

I wish Blackpool was like CocoCay as I'd go every weekend if it was ;D

 

 

It sounds like a lot of your complaints are geared towards embarkation, ports & food. As someone else has said I wouldn't have gone to NJ order ot get a cruise to Miami, PC, Nassau, CocoCay. How about the entertainment on the ship outside of Mary Poppins? ;)

 

 

Sorry that you aren't having a good cruise, but believe me, find the right one and you'll enjoy it :) Maybe another line would be more suited to you. Celebrity is an 'up-market' RCI.

The changes are underway, you will soon have your wish;p