Adventure of the Seas or Carnival Valor

[colesc15]

Hi everyone. A family member of mine is looking at booking a cruise, and they can't decide which one.. Which one would you choose, and why? The first is the Adventure of the Seas out of Puerto Rico, and it goes to St Thomas, St Kitts, Aruba, and Curacao. Valor goes to St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, and St Maarten. Both are the same amount of nights, and both are similiar in price (Carnival is a few hundred dollars cheaper for the 3 of them).. Which would you choose, and why? I'm going to post this on CCL's forum as well.

[colesc15]

They're worried the ship is showing "age"

[mtsnd1900]

We have done the Adventure sailing out of San Juan and loved it. Found the cheapest airline ticket to SJU, spent a few days in Durado and made the most of the vacation. Would not fly the day of (for any cruise) so this made the most sense for us.

 

The Adventure was a great ship - though not quite the Freedom or the Oasis class, it has almost all the same amenities.

 

I loved Curacao, some of the best scuba diving I have ever done. Aruba it touristy, get of of the port area and find something fun. There is one less stop on this agenda than the Carnival.

 

Most recently, sailed the Carnival Dream, so comparing RCI to Carnival, well, some things better, others not so good. MY OPINIONS:

Food - a wash, it is subjective. CCL did have better food alergy assistance

Entertainment - RCI

Casino - RCI

Kids Club - RCI

Alcohol Policies - CCL(bring own wine, buy bottles for room)

Cost - CCL, but I did see where the savings went to

 

either way, will have a great time. Key things to post when asking for recommendations like this - Age, expectations (would they be offended by a loud crowd?), interests, experience, budget, is the ship the destination or the islands, excursion interests.

[colesc15]

Anyone else?

[compman9]

I have been on both ships. The Adventure is a better ship, but Carnival generally provide a better cruise experience.

 

If Carnival is cheaper and has more ports of call, I'd go for that.

[Loves_Dogs]

I have been on both ships and I would pick AOS hands down. But the reasons I would choose AOS may or may not matter to you.

 

Love the Royal Promenade Cafe. My morning routine is to go sit there with my book while enjoying coffee and pastries. I also enjoy the sandwiches the Cafe offers during the day. If the Promenade Cafe isn't something you would use, then this point wouldn't matter in your decision.

 

Another reason I would choose AOS over Valor is because of the room service. On all 3 of my Carnival cruises room service was awful. Order wrong, hot food cold, cold food room temp. In my every day life I might eat a hamburger twice a year but I am addicted to the Bistro Burgers offered by room service on RCI and I will eat a couple during a 7 day cruise. If you dont use room service, this wouldn't be an issue for you.

 

The 70s Dance Party is my absolute favorite night on the cruise. Didn't have that on Carnival. If this isn't something you would enjoy then this wouldn't matter in your decision either.

 

They are both great ships and I am sure you will have a wonderful vacation on either, I did. Which ever you decide, have a GREAT cruise!

[Marie51]

I have been on both ships and would pick Adventure. When I was on the Valor it seemed very crowded, more difficult to navigate around the ship, and in general the Adventure was a much better experience. Then again I am partial to RC.

[green eyed lady]

I've been on both also and would pick Adventure. Love the voyager class ships and love Aruba. But if they are going more for the ports than the ship, Valor might be a better choice because it has 5 ports instead of 4 and Barbados is beautiful also. :D

[hazeleyez3]

I have been on both ships, and enjoyed them both. Itinerary-wise, I like Adventure's better.

 

Ship-wise...I could do either. Some of the differences I can think of are below.

Royal Caribbean

• Royal Promenade, ice rink, and rock climbing wall
  
• Balconies have sliding glass doors
  
• Promenade Cafe has mini-sandwiches (sizes like you would see at a high tea), pizza, and cookies late at night
  
• Italian Specialty Restaurant
  

Carnival

• Water slide
  
• Balconies have a regular door
  
• I believe some of the cabins are a bit larger
  
• Fish and Chips station
  
• Late night buffet with a varied selection of food
  
• Steak Specialty restaurant