AOS Feb 21-28 Review

[Cholly]

This is my first attempt at writing a review....

 

There were 3 couples in our party. This is the second cruise we have gone on together. We left out of San Juan, arriving at about 4:00 p.m. It was fairly busy but went well. We stopped at the Duty free store right inside the door before checking in and bought pop, water and one of my friends bought rum stuck it in his carry on and had no problems getting on.

 

We had a Jr Suite (9538) that we got for a great price. Actually the same price as my friends balcony. What we did was we started our reservation with a inside room and then after final payment upgraded to a Jr Suite. We loved the Jr Suite!!! The walk in closet and bathtub were awesome. But just the extra room overall was great. We had a connecting room and we never heard any noise from the people next door.

 

We ate in the main dining room at 8:30. Our waiter was very quiet and did not seem happy. We realized about halfway through the cruise that he was not very confident in his english but he did a great job. Our assistant waiter was full of personality and fun to have around. I thought the food was good and there was always something to interest us. We overall liked the appetizers the best. We ate at Portofinos 2 times and that was delicious.

 

We went to several shows and they were very good. They had CHARO on board midweek but we did not go to see her. The singers and dancers were very talented and fun to watch. We did not get to the ice show. We did not like the piano bar singer. He would frequently change the words of a song to really crude, crass lyrics and it was not enjoyable.

We played the slots in the casino and did really well.

 

PORTS OF CALL:

 

Aruba--We just got off the boat and found a driver to take us for a tour of the island, drop us off at a beach and then pick us up at the end of the day. We paid $25.00 per person and she was great.

 

Curacao-- We had booked the :Eco Cave and Jeep Tour" with Curacao Actief. It was just my husband and I on the tour our friends went shopping. Howard was our guide. I am going to write a longer review on this in the ports of call section. It was an amazing tour and Howard was wonderful. We loved this and rated it as one of the best tours we have ever taken.

 

Dominica-- We had booked a tour through a resort on the island. It went to the Emerald Pool and then to Spanni/Twin Falls. The falls are not well known so we were practically the only ones there. We had to climb and at times had to use ropes to get us to these falls so they are not for everyone. It was worth the climb!!!

 

St Thomas-- We booked a tour with "Jolly Mon" for a sailing/snorkeling trip to Buck Island. We swam with large turtles and then saw a beautiful reef. Gayle and her daughter Sarah were so informative I would recommend them highly. Again I will post a more comprehensive review under ports of call.

 

We like to use small independent operators. We have never had a bad experience, been late to the ship, or felt in danger. We like the small groups and not feeling like we are traveling in a herd.

 

Debarkation:

 

We were out of our room by 8:00 am. We did not leave the boat until 11:00 as our color was the very last one called. Very quick and painless once we were called.

 

The boat was immaculate at all times and very well kept up. The staff was incredibly friendly and wanting to help you with any question or problem. The handle of our suitcase was bent during embarkation and they fixed it during the cruise.

 

We loved the cruise and do not have anything bad to say. You can always find little things you maybe didn't love but they all pale in comparison to the good.

 

One last thing regarding an Iron---This was my 4th cruise (1 carnival, 1 Princess and 1 previous Royal Caribbean). I iron almost everything I wear. I have always brought an iron with me. Reading all these boards prior to the cruise, I felt guilty about my iron. So the night before I left, I ironed all my clothes and packed Downy wrinkle releaser. I left the iron home. When I got onboard I hung my clothes up right away. I lived without the iron and honestly my clothes looked fine!!!

 

Thanks to all that comment/post on these boards. All the information I gleaned made my cruise better.

 

Thanks,

 

Monica

[ckrobyn]

Thanks for your review - glad you had such a great time! :)

 

I am boarding on Sunday!

[Mach1]

Great review! Thanks for posting...I'm so excited as I am on the next sailing too :D

 

I've read some reviews where the scanner is broken as you board the ship and so they are not detecting the liquor... was that the case on this cruise?

 

Did the duty free store have tonic water or club soda as well as pop and water?

 

Thanks again!

[olemissreb]

Thanks for the review! We are doing this same itinerary in April. I can't wait to read your review about the Eco Cave and Jeep Tour as we have booked that ourselves. We have also booked the Jolly Mon tour so I look forward to reading your review on that.

[Cholly]

Mach 1--

 

I am not sure if the store had tonic water as I waited outside. It is very small.

 

Our things went through the scanner so I think it was working. The cashier in the Duty Free store was the one who told my friend just to put the rum in his bag and he would have no problems. I am not sure if they just look the other way or just didn't catch it.

[Cholly]

olemissreb--

 

You will love both of those tours. If you want to send me your e-mail I will e-mail the reviews later this week-- so you won't miss them.

[cubswin2016]

Do you remember what side of the ship came into port each day? Did it turn around in the bay or go out the same way?