All Things Adventure of the Seas ¡Olé! Edition

[kernow]

Thanks Sabre for this very honest review. I am hoping that being 'fair warned' will help us to cope with the Spanish on our Sept. 25th sailing. We too had a slight experience of this sort of thing on a Costa cruise some years ago but we felt, 'Oh well, it is an Italian line.' With RCI being American, I am rather disappointed that the Spanish see other nationalities as 'outsiders.' After all, we are not cruising on Pullmantour which is the Spanish offshoot of RCI.

 

My DH is not a swimming pool person so we may just enjoy time on our corner aft balcony to keep away from the noise. I just hope we can find some English speakers on first seating to share a table with, which is partly why we swopped from late.

 

Corinne

 

 

Corinne, we have a corner aft too(1388) and I was just saying the same thing to DH after reading the review. At least we'll have somewhere to escape!

 

Julie

[peteukmcr]

Thanks Sabre for your review, much appreciated. Just from a layout point of view, a few more blank lines between paragraphs would make it a little easier on the eye for the reader.

 

As for the problems in getting a table in the WJ, lack of beds around the Solarium, underage people in the adults only area and definitely the restriction of MTD times would be a major problem for me. It was bad enough on our short cruise in May, I couldn't cope with this for 7 days. If the MDR was open for lunch then I could manage, just.

 

As for queuing and pushing and shoving, I can do that with the best if needs be!:D

 

Hopefully on the larger Liberty of the Seas next May, and as it's early in the season it may not be too bad, I certainly hope not!

[Bobal]

Thanks for the honest review Topper44. Oh dear, you seem to be confirming what virtually everyone else is saying about the Adventure:(. We'll be on there in 2 weeks and, as people have said, forewarned is forearmed. However I do wish that RCL had made it clear just how much of an 'immersion' cruise this was to be.

 

I also think they are on very risky ground if they are prepared to alienate all except the Spanish on this cruise, they've been selling it at greatly reduced prices, even during this peak period and I'm assuming that reports such as yours and the added Spanish VAT is going to put off a lot of people in the future.

 

If I want to go to Spain on holiday (and I have done many times) I am aware that the locals will not want to mix with me and will take over restaurants and whole sections of beach and have no concept of queuing. However, I also have the ability to travel to lovely beaches and eat in local restaurants and see some local culture and the good outweighs the not so good.

 

This is not why I choose to travel on a RCL ship and I'm sorry to hear some of your comments and those of many others. I think this inability of the crew and staff onboard to enforce the ship rules seems to be getting worse fleet-wide (as seen by some of the recent threads on fighting over seat saving) :mad:

 

I do have a question for you - you said the entertainment was mostly good, although on of the reviews on here says it was particularly poor. Can you tell me if you had any guest entertainers - eg tribute bands, flamenco etc.

[topper44]

Thanks for the honest review Topper44. Oh dear, you seem to be confirming what virtually everyone else is saying about the Adventure:(. We'll be on there in 2 weeks and, as people have said, forewarned is forearmed. However I do wish that RCL had made it clear just how much of an 'immersion' cruise this was to be.

 

I also think they are on very risky ground if they are prepared to alienate all except the Spanish on this cruise, they've been selling it at greatly reduced prices, even during this peak period and I'm assuming that reports such as yours and the added Spanish VAT is going to put off a lot of people in the future.

 

If I want to go to Spain on holiday (and I have done many times) I am aware that the locals will not want to mix with me and will take over restaurants and whole sections of beach and have no concept of queuing. However, I also have the ability to travel to lovely beaches and eat in local restaurants and see some local culture and the good outweighs the not so good.

 

This is not why I choose to travel on a RCL ship and I'm sorry to hear some of your comments and those of many others. I think this inability of the crew and staff onboard to enforce the ship rules seems to be getting worse fleet-wide (as seen by some of the recent threads on fighting over seat saving) :mad:

 

I do have a question for you - you said the entertainment was mostly good, although on of the reviews on here says it was particularly poor. Can you tell me if you had any guest entertainers - eg tribute bands, flamenco etc.

I loved the ice show but I always do. I am not too keen on the productions shows but that is more a personal preference than a criticism. I really liked the headliners but don't know if they always have the same ones. There was an acrobatic dance couple called Artur and Letitia who were, good; a British violinist called Gary Lavine (or something like that) that I loved; a Motown group I thoroughly enjoyed and another show we actually missed but people said was good.

 

I don't think there is too much problem with the entertainment.

 

Sabre

[cinnamon]

Corinne, we have a corner aft too(1388) and I was just saying the same thing to DH after reading the review. At least we'll have somewhere to escape!

 

Julie

.

Julie, have you practised your Pole dancing technique? ;)

 

It looks to be almost as large as a JS but without the walk in wardrobe, bath and kettle. Has the added advantage of being aft for the wake views and plenty of walking exercise back and forth. We had 7688 for a TA in 2007. It was a standard size but had a huge balcony.

1388 will be our escape for sure.

 

Corinne

[kernow]

.

Julie, have you practised your Pole dancing technique? ;)

 

It looks to be almost as large as a JS but without the walk in wardrobe, bath and kettle. Has the added advantage of being aft for the wake views and plenty of walking exercise back and forth. We had 7688 for a TA in 2007. It was a standard size but had a huge balcony.

1388 will be our escape for sure.

 

Corinne

 

We were next door in 1390 on Explorer and had a peek inside, it is a really big cabin for a D1 price. I actually prefer the balcony in 1390 but we decided to try more space in the cabin this time.

 

Can't wait for the cruise now, even with all the Spanish.

 

Julie

[TravelMadBrits]

Hello everyone!

Sabre - I have just read your review with great interest as we go on 29th October for 5 nights. I have only cruised once before (RCI Freedom out of Miami so feel a bit spoilt for a 1st cruise!) and this time I am dragging a girlfriend along as DH couldn't make it, so first impressions count on this one.

I am wondering if the Spanish will still be in full force so later in the season? May be the slight decline in temperature will put them off as opposed to us, hoping for any sun ray!

And as we are child free this time I shall be quite miffed to say the least if there are youngsters around the adult only pool. But I am just so pleased to be sailing once again. I hope anyone sailing on a 5 night in October can put feedback asap please :)

Claudine

[LegalEagle2012]

Thanks Topper

 

We too stayed at the Room Mate Lola on disembarking from the ship - found it to be good and we were upgraded too. Only issue was the sweltering heat in the public areas and the lack of bar/drinks facilities out of breakfast hours.

 

Whilst my husband and I were in the Solarium we witnessed a Spanish man trying to get into the hot tub with his daughter who looked about 8. The spa attendant argued with him and then the Spa Manager and then they called a Senior Officer who escorted them out. However, not ten minutes later a couple arrived with a baby in a stroller and were allowed to remain!!! We then left.

 

We learned when to avoid the "hoardes" - as our MDR waiter called them - in the Windjammer. Breakfast after 9.15 a.m. was a no-no as was lunch at 1.30 p.m. One day my daughters and I went up for a spot of lunch at 1.45 p.m. and sat at were sat at a table for 6 by a waiter. We were half way through our lunch when we were surrounded by a group of 8 - 10 Spanish teenagers who were suggesting that we vacate the table for them. They were extremely intimidating and there were no other tables for us to move to. I stood my ground and reported their behaviour to a waiter who immediately found them a table!!

 

I also had a baby buggy forcefully slammed on my toes in the lift by a Spanish "lady". I complained to her and her husband and they just laughed at me! So upon leaving the lift I gave the buggy a hefty kick and woke their baby - Karma!!!

 

That said - we did enjoy our cruise but would not cruise out of Malaga again due to tax and other issues! We have cruised out of Barcelona and had no problems at all.

 

I do hope RCI take notice of what is being fedback concerning the present situation on the Adventure?

 

Karen

[truffles2]

 

 

 

I

That said - we did enjoy our cruise but would not cruise out of Malaga again due to tax and other issues! We have cruised out of Barcelona and had no problems at all.

 

I do hope RCI take notice of what is being fedback concerning the present situation on the Adventure?

 

Karen

 

Things like this are probably best brought to their attention privately by persons involved. While I know they sometimes peruse the threads, they certainly cannot read all of them and each individual post.

[sandbox]

Spanish Kids go back to schoolin about 4 weeks so anyone cruising after mid september should not have nearly so many on board.:D

[kernow]

Spanish Kids go back to schoolin about 4 weeks so anyone cruising after mid september should not have nearly so many on board.:D

 

Do the Spanish schools have a weeks holiday at the end of October at the same time as half term here?

 

I seem to remember alot of Spanish families on Navigator last year(although there were equal numbers of British and no problems)

 

Thanks,

 

Julie

[Pencruise]

.

Julie, have you practised your Pole dancing technique? ;)

 

It looks to be almost as large as a JS but without the walk in wardrobe, bath and kettle. Has the added advantage of being aft for the wake views and plenty of walking exercise back and forth. We had 7688 for a TA in 2007. It was a standard size but had a huge balcony.

1388 will be our escape for sure.

 

Corinne

 

My son and daughter-in-law had 1388 and daughter and son-in-law 1688 on our cruise (24-31 July) - nice big rooms and roomy balconies. Not that far to walk from elevators even though aft and no noise at all from Windjammer above except last morning - but you have to get up early then anyway.

[VioletHill]

I stayed at a nother hotel inside the Alhambra a lot cheaper than the Parador which was about $300. I did have dinner there, but stayed in a tiny hotel next door for about $100/night. If it is any use to anyone, I will look up the details. BTW - It poured rain the entire time I was there, so not the best visit, but spectacular anyway.

[VioletHill]

I am booked at the Barcelo the 1st of October - will let you know on that. Trip Advisor says good things and photos look good. Can't beat the location (IN the train staiton). ALso, unlike many places near train stations, I have read this hotel and the station itself are very clean and safe.

[VioletHill]

So can you buy bottles of alcohol on the ship? If you cannot bring your own, must you purchase overpriced drinks in the bar?? I was planning to mix my own in the room to save money.

[dutchclogs]

I am booked at the Barcelo the 1st of October - will let you know on that. Trip Advisor says good things and photos look good. Can't beat the location (IN the train staiton). ALso, unlike many places near train stations, I have read this hotel and the station itself are very clean and safe.

Hi, we stayed at the Barcelo one night pre cruise in July, I can certainly recommend it. Very good breakfast and extremely convenient for railway station. Be aware that it is a loong walk from airport to railway station and there is a short but steep flight of concrete steps to get to the platform. For one euro 30 pp can't complain though!

[LegalEagle2012]

If looking at the Barcelo please be aware it is a longish walk into the Old town.

 

Also take a careful look at the special offers on the Barcelo home page for the hotel as they do a special discount for people cruising and using the hotel before or after. However, the dialogue for this comes up in Spanish strangely enough!!

 

Use the translation feature and bag yourself a cheaper room. We paid 71 Euros for the Room Mate Lola.

 

Karen

[peteukmcr]

So can you buy bottles of alcohol on the ship? If you cannot bring your own, must you purchase overpriced drinks in the bar?? I was planning to mix my own in the room to save money.

Hi, if your cruise departs from a Spanish port and does not visit a non-EU port then, no bottles of alcohol will be offered for sale, and so you must purchase drinks from the bar for which you will be charged an extra 23% (8% Spanish VAT and 15% gratuity).

[Bobal]

Even if you could buy bottles on the ship, you can't take them with you there and then. They will be delivered to your cabin on the last night. There is no way you can buy any bottles of alcohol (other than beer or wine) to be consumed in your cabin.

[peteukmcr]

Even if you could buy bottles on the ship, you can't take them with you there and then. They will be delivered to your cabin on the last night. There is no way you can buy any bottles of alcohol (other than beer or wine) to be consumed in your cabin.

Thanks, I forgot that bit! Much appreciated.

[Sheindoors]

We are so glad we found this forum as a lot of our questions have been answered here. We are first time cruisers and have booked a 5 night cruise from Malaga to Tenerife and Madeira. We are British ex-pats, living in Albox, Almeria. We just have a couple of questions for everyone. Is the currency only dollars on board, as we will have to change some euros? We obviously will be using our visa card but will probably need cash as well. How soon can you board the ship before it sails? Would be very grateful for any advice, especially anyone who has already made this cruise

 

Di

[peteukmcr]

We are so glad we found this forum as a lot of our questions have been answered here. We are first time cruisers and have booked a 5 night cruise from Malaga to Tenerife and Madeira. We are British ex-pats, living in Albox, Almeria. We just have a couple of questions for everyone. Is the currency only dollars on board, as we will have to change some euros? We obviously will be using our visa card but will probably need cash as well. How soon can you board the ship before it sails? Would be very grateful for any advice, especially anyone who has already made this cruise

 

Di

Hi Di,

 

Prices of everything you purchase on board will be in US Dollars, but cash is not accepted. All purchases are charged to your 'SeaPass' onboard account which is set up when you check in and before you board the ship.

 

You can either provide the details of a credit card when you check in at the port or deposit cash at Guest Relations. If you deposit cash (in dollars only), this is credited to your onboard account.

 

This may help answer some questions about the Sea Pass account.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000ZxBpG_j95u46FDJkEX1WhGn:13db8n4r3;jsessionid=0000E8a1orU8jKoqIh5ogSQfGHD:13dlld2uf?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Onboard+Extras&faqId=265&faqSubjectId=337&faqType=faq

 

If you do the online check in and set up your Set Sail boarding pass, part of this process will ask how you intend to pay for your onboard account.

 

You may need some cash for your tips if you haven't already pre-paid them, or you wish to tip some more to various members of staff. I suspect any tips you leave will be accepted in Euros.

 

With regard to how long you can board before setting sail will depend on how soon the ship is cleared of previous passengers from the earlier cruise. I presume you are boarding in Malaga, so I can't comment on there, but in Barcelona we were on board by 11:45 and I reckon that's possible at most embarkation ports.

[Sheindoors]

Thanks peteukmcr, we are looking forward to the experience. We never fancied a cruise before but after reading all the enthusiasm that goes with it, it could be the start of something good!! Thanks for the web site, will check it out.

 

Di

[peteukmcr]

Thanks peteukmcr, we are looking forward to the experience. We never fancied a cruise before but after reading all the enthusiasm that goes with it, it could be the start of something good!! Thanks for the web site, will check it out.

 

Di

Well I reckon you've picked the right cruiseline to sail with, but then I'm probably biased! You've definitely picked a great class of ship as I presume you're sailing on Adventure which is a 'Voyager' class ship with loads and loads of facilities. That's not to say the other classes aren't great, it's just that we've only ever sailed Voyager, Freedom and Radiance class ships.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Sheindoors]

Cheers Pete. Will let you know how we get on.

 

Di