Review: Our New Year Jewel/Adventure b2b

Cshgrand · January 18, 2014

So, after so much research on here prior to our 2.5 week trip to San Juan I have decided to pay it forward and attempt a review of our travels. Please bear with me as I will be posting the text from my pc and then photos after from my iPhone through tapatalk.

We are a family of three (me, my husband and our 5.5 year old son) and travelled from the UK to San Juan to take two separate (almost) back to back cruises from the same port. We cruise a fair bit, in fact whenever we can and are Diamond C&A members half way to Diamond Plus although we cannot be too subjective as we have only ever cruised with Royal. Their formula works well for us and gives us predicable accommodation but new places to explore which is about the best you can ask for travelling with a child.

If you are looking for a review which covers night life/bars/casino this isn't for you but we ventured out in all but one port, used Adventure Ocean, specialty dining and spa on both ships so will detail all of those.

The first week was the Jewel of the Seas where we had balcony cabin 8088 and called at BVI Tortola, St Maarten, Dominica, Bridgetown Barbados and St Kitts with the last three being new ports for us. The second week aboard the Adventure we treated ourselves to Owners Suite 1300 called at St Thomas, St Kitts, Aruba and Curacao.

We also spent a little time in San Juan exploring and had a couple of hotel nights in PR which I will mention as we go on.

Edited January 18, 2014 by Cshgrand

jo24 · January 18, 2014

Looking forward to your review - thank you for taking the time to do it.

Jo :)

Cshgrand · January 18, 2014

The Journey to San Juan

We left from home at 5.45 GMT on Friday 27th December to make the two hour trip to Heathrow. It's not usually a two hour trip you understand, well it could be but then it could take four or five hours. If you are from the south of the England or know it at all you will know that any journey using a fair stretch of the M25 is hit and miss but luckily at that time of day and being straight after Boxing Day it went well. We checked in for the first leg of our united flight (to Newark) and grabbed some reasonable airport breakfast. We flew from Heathrow T4 and it has been really nicely renovated, shopping is fantastic and is Heathrow's only redeeming factor in my view.

Our flight ran on time, there was no immigration queue in Newark terminal C (first time ever!) and before too long we had rechecked our bags for our 20.17 flight to San Juan. Recheck was easy, a small counter just after the customers hall. Because of the nearly eight hour gap between flights we decided to leave the airport so used the air train to P4 and took the half hourly shuttle to Jersey Gardens Mall for some shopping and dinner. The shuttle was $9 return, Jacob travelled for free. Shopping there is good for basic bits and we picked up some extra shorts and T shirts and a few other bits. Dinner was basic fayre in Applebee's but it did the job.

Back at Newark we freshened up, dressed Jacob for bed and boarded for San Juan. Apart from the sub zero temperatures on the flight it was good and we slept all the way. A 10 min/$18 cab ride later and at 2am local time (now 7am GMT some 26 hours after getting up) we were in bed at the Hampton Inn and Suites San Juan.

Apart from one internal US flight this was the first time we have flown Untied and we were really impressed. We upgraded to economy plus and it beat Virgin's Premium Economy hands down on price and relative value.

On the first leg, eager to go.

Cshgrand · January 18, 2014

Day 1 - Jewel Embarkation.

Jacob and I woke first just after 7 and used the lounge area of our suite (we were kindly upgraded at check in to a pool view suite) to read and play. John surfaced at around 9.

Our Suite.

Breakfast is simple but plentiful. We sampled cereal, porridge (oatmeal), toast and yogurts and apart from one small mix up with John putting batter mix in his coffee it was good.

We spent the day chilling by the pool area apart from a brief stroll to the beach (5 mins easy walk) and the Walgreens across the road. Lunch was at the hotel pool bar. $20 bought drinks, a quesadilla, grilled cheese sandwich and a cheese burger which were really tasty. Chilling at the Hampton Inn Pool Bar

Lunch

Because of our arduous journey the day before we decided to check in at the port later in the day and at 4pm had the hotel call us a taxi to the port. By 4.45pm we were in our stateroom 8088. It is located above the centrum so we had an extra large balcony which at first I thought was a fair trade off for the extra noise at night.

first glimpse!

The balcony of 8088.

I had read reviews on this room which mostly said yes, there was noise but it's bearable. I would agree unless you are travelling with children. We were back in our room around 8pm every evening and the music in the centrum continued til 12.30 but we could really hear it. Very luckily Jacob slept through it every night but after that first night it did disturb john and I. Nothing that two pairs of earplugs from guest services didn't fix! I would definitely look to book this room again if we were travelling as a couple but we were really lucky that it didn't disturb Jacob. The noise was louder than I had anticipated.

Ironically the only thing to wake us that first night was the clattering of coat hangers in the wardrobe. Fitzjohn our stateroom attendant kindly removed the excess the next day and all was good.

We quickly unpacked and went to out 5.30 MTD reservation where we were the first in the dining room. It was nice as we had a rare chance for decent conversation with our waiters. Our waiter was brazilia and asst waiter Milan. Brazilia was just the best.

Jacob was asleep in bed by 7pm, and remained soundly asleep until 6am the next day. We carried him to muster and back to bed, luckily we were assigned the schooner bar so could sit down throughout.

Cshgrand · January 19, 2014

Day 2 British Virgin Islands- Tortola.

We were awake early today so I hit the gym at 7 for half hour on the cardio equipment then the free 20 minute abs class while the boys walked the ship and collected towels. It was the system which requires you to sign out your towels with a sea pass. Worked fine for us, we booked three out on this day then just exchanged them as necessary without having to show our sea pass. We then presented our sea pass on the last day when we finally returned them.

After some breakfast in the outdoor section of the windjammer which the boys discovered on their reccy this morning, we were off the ship just after 9am. The outdoor section of windjammer was amazing, never busy and just a lovely place to sit and take a meal.

The taxi dispatcher paired us with a couple also headed for Cane Garden Beach and we were off. Taxi was $8pp and we were charged for Jacob also. Having made this trip before we were much happier this time in a people carrier than the open sided bus we rode in previously. The roads are steep and a little hair raising but the beach is worth the trip. We found a spot out side Myetts Hotel as it was close to the waters edge and had good building sand to occupy Jacob. Beds were $5 each.

Cane Garden Beach

We shared breaded chicken strip things and a cheese quesadilla for lunch which cost $23 including a coke. We easily picked up a return taxi from the rear of the Myett's property but it was one of the open side vehicles.

Today's beach day cost $90 and reasonable value. We would go back again although probably stayed for an hour or so more if we hadn't been feeling the jet lag.

Back on board around 2.30 so grabbed an ice cream from windjammer then sat on our balcony for a while.

It was formal night and we had MTD reservations for 6 so were disappointed to find that our meet and mingle was scheduled for 5.15pm. It was hosted by Elvis the activities manager who did a great job. We stayed a while and chatted. Jacob won champagne in the raffle which Elvis made us promise to keep for his 18th birthday, but you know how it is with luggage restrictions and all so it wasn't able to make the flight back to the UK with us!

Dinner was delicious and a favourite menu for all of us - melon, salmon salad, sugar free choc pot. Chicken consommé, beef tenderloin, cheesecake for John. Jacob had veg sticks, consommé and jello.

It was the captain's reception at 7.45 in the safari club but we were ready for bed by then so took another early night.

BLAMBKY · January 19, 2014

Enjoy the review so far and your little guy is a doll! I can not wait to read more!:p

alexkrn46 · January 20, 2014

nice review and I am enjoying it!

drarill · January 20, 2014

Excellent review. Thanks for sharing your cruise with us!! Looking forward to the rest!:):)

Cshgrand · January 20, 2014

Day 3 - St Marteen

Up early again thanks to the time difference to the boys had an early breakfast while I hit the gym for a 20 min run and then the free abs class at 7.30. I did the class every day plus a bit of something else (cardio or free weights) and enjoyed it a lot.

We were in port with the Grandeur and also the Azamara Quest.

Today there was no porridge (oatmeal) at breakfast, this is a serious issue for me and almost made me grumpy for a moment but the sun was shining so I got over it and grabbed a bowl of raisin bran.

Something VERY exciting happened this morning which almost scuppered our chances of getting off the boat at all. My son loves to watch anything to do with construction or engineering and has a particular interest in freight/commercial shipping.

Yes, that's right it's a refuelling barge. Luckily by the time Jacob found it, it was nearly done and we managed to drag him away.

Our plan was a lazy day as we wanted to do a little shopping as well as hit the beach so we decided to take the Water taxi ($7 to ride all day, under 3 ride free) just across into the town. There is a beach here located in front of the shopping area which is just average but the sand is clean. Beds were $15 for two including an umbrella and we were able to get our choice of location right in front of the sea.

Yum! Eating the C&A Diamond gift basket cookies on the beach.

We headed back to the ship around 1pm to grab a bite in the Windjammer, dropped Jacob at Adventure Ocean and headed back for some shopping. My brother turns 21 in February and my quest was a special gift for him. I quickly settled on a pair of Tiffany cuff links which I had already looked at in the UK and I got a comparatively very good deal. I paid $315 and they sell in the UK at £285, also picked up a couple of pandora charms for his birthday and a couple for me, both around $30 each and a good price compared to the UK.

Back to the boat by 4pm and luckily our balcony was Quayside so able to enjoy a glass of the rose sangria we had purchased at the San Juan terminal while watching people do the run of shame back to the boat as all aboard time came and went. We had also ordered both the cheese and fruit plate from room service to nibble as we sat. This took about 30 mins to come and was a delicious accompaniment to the sangria.

Dinner was the vischoise (delicious leek and potato soup served cold), calamari salad. Shrimp cocktail and coq au vin for both john and Jacob. Parents beware - the sauce on this chicken dish stains worse than the spaghetti meat sauce which I didn't think possible but it was heartily enjoyed.

Sent from my iPhone

Cshgrand · January 20, 2014

Day 4- Dominica (New Years Eve and Formal Night)

Gym then breakfast. Oatmeal and honey nut Cheerios were both back making one happy family. Still loving that open area at the rear of windjammer which was just unbelievably quiet.

On disembarking Jacob was pleased to have a photo op with one of the staff in a dolphin costume who he was convinced remembered him from Adventure of the Seas 3 years before but I was pleased to 'buy' it (Ok, so it was my free Diamond photo!) to have them side by side.

From my research prior to travelling, Dominica seemed to be one of those places where you either booked a tour or stayed on the boat and it very much was. There was little apart from a market in the port area.

Having decided to book a tour in advance, we met tour Jerome of 'casual tours' at 9 am an hour after boat docked. We had booked through Woody but he already had a tour with some guests from the AIDA ship which was also in port so suggested Jerome. We had liaised by email and he even kindly arranged use of his son's car seat for Jacob. This made a real difference not just because of the safety aspect but because he was able to sit in comfort with a great view out the van window. Jerome made this day really memorable for us, especially for Jacob who cites it as the best day of his holiday. It was the little touches like stopping by plants and fruit trees and picking samples of all the local fruit for us to feel and smell. He made all the information relevant and understandable for all of us without being patronising.

Some facts about Dominica from Jerome - 40% unemployment, the tourist season lasts 5/6 months (late April or October), they used to grow mainly sugar cane but have diversified to include a wider range of crops now, there are around 3000 native Carib Indians living on the island, on the island they widely speak English and also patois. Dominica has active volcanos.

Jerome tailored the day to our requirements, a guided drive into the rain forest area inland first.

We stopped at the Emerald pool - $5 each entry, Jacob went free. This was a 15 minute rainforest walk down to a lovely waterfall where you could go into the water if desired.

We then drove on towards the coast and stopped at Mero beach. Research told us this beach was Volcanic black sand and we had only expected to make this a brief stop for refreshments. However the water was just beautiful here and we ended up stopping for over two hours. Lunch was a couple of $3 portion of chips (fries) from the beach bar and later some fruit from a local roadside seller on the return journey to port.

While we knew we were visiting a 'rain Forrest' today, even Jerome acknowledged that this December had been unusually wet and remain so til the last. There were some bouts of glorious sunshine but it rained for probably 70% of our time on the island.

On leaving the beach we drove past warner village where Jerome has his small farm which he tends as well as driving. We were back to the ship by 3pm, about half hour ahead of schedule. Our tour should have included a trip to the volcanic hot springs but our extra time at the beach made this a bit tight so returned to the port directly from there. The tour today cost $225 for the three of us and included drinks and snacks. Entry to the waterfall was extra.

Jacob went to adventure ocean for an hour and john and I relaxed on the balcony. It was warm but no afternoon sun like we had enjoyed in Tortola.

Dinner was in Chops at 6pm and we enjoyed a superb meal of mushroom soup (all round), petit fillet mignon for John where as Jacob and I ordered shrimp cocktail and goats cheese soufflé respectively from the appetisers menu for our main along with a big selection of the delicious green veg side dishes and some mashed potato. We shared a yummy portion of mud pie for dessert.

It was 7.45 by then so after a stroll around the boat to see everyone in their finery it was off to bed with us. In our defence we had seen in British new year by then!

Sent from my iPhone

Cshgrand · January 20, 2014

More Dominica pics

boaterette · January 21, 2014

Very nice review. Thank you for taking the time to post one.

Max Density · January 21, 2014

In June, I'll be sailing the same itinerary that you took aboard Adventure, except it will be on Jewel. I'll be interested to read your review of those ports!

Cshgrand · January 21, 2014

In June, I'll be sailing the same itinerary that you took aboard Adventure, except it will be on Jewel. I'll be interested to read your review of those ports!

You will have the best time! St Kitts is just stunning. I will get there I promise so bear with me.

Cshgrand · January 23, 2014

Day 5 - Sea Day

Up early (again), gym, cereal, fruit, eggs in the windjammer outdoor area (again).

The only thing I will say of my gym visit this morning was that I found the treadmill hard work because of the motion of the boat so switched to the bike which I enjoyed. Also I was the only one to show up for the abs class this morning but the gym guy still ran it and we pushed through an intense 15 minutes. Didn't enjoy doing it alone though as much. I don't get to do gym classes normally as I work out at home so enjoy the comradery, it's kind of a treat to go to an actual gym on holiday.

Now, before I get started on the sea day this sign was the Bain of my life for two weeks.

Any ideas? I'll give you a clue. It turns out that my son is about 42'' tall and the height restriction to ride the water slide unaccompanied on both Jewel and Adventure is 46''. Secretly I kind of enjoyed the chance to ride the slide and luckily on sea days it didn't open until 3/4pm or thereabouts (depending on all aboard) but we rode it ALOT. Our verdict was that the slide and in fact the children's pool area was better on the Jewel.

So we were out by the pool by half 8 and lucky to get a seat. There were a lot of pool towels out catching the sun that morning. Some of them laid uninterrupted on those loungers until 11.30. I wish I had had such luck! The owners of those towels would be sorry thought as the morning was the most beautiful part of the day.

I think from this photo you can get an idea of how crowded the floor area was at the pool by 11am.

For us the morning was spent in shifts playing in the pool with Jacob which was great fun.

Around 11.30 the golf course opened. Well of course it had been open all along but don't tell Jacob who, as every morning was keen to play before breakfast! So we went for our first round of mini golf of the day. The main pool area was a bit of a zoo by this point so we were delighted to find the golf course and kids pool area on deck 12 deserted. We shifted our stuff to our new camp where we had space between loungers and a dry floor to put our stuff on. Even by the time we had finished golf and the slide opened there were maybe only 20 people using this area including kids. It was great, definitely check it out on a sea day.

We lunched at the sea view cafe next door to the pool around 1 and it too was surprisingly quiet. By this point I was really glad that we don't party when travelling with Jacob and our one sea day was New Years Day when I think many people were still in their beds by lunchtime.

The boys had fish and chips for lunch and I had the vegetarian sandwich. It was all delicious.

Walk for wishes was after lunch at 2.30 and we went along for our t shirt at 2. Jacob was delighted to see that Captain Gustavo (and in fact the whole senior leadership team of the ship) were lined up to personalise and sign the t shirts. First time I have seen this and think it's a very, very nice touch. In fact Captain Gustavo leads a fine team. Hospitality is second to none, the ship is in superb order and the food consistently good. But more than that pretty much every staff member we encountered was happy and positive in more than a 'I'm paid to be this way' kind of manner. MDR has been a bit hit or miss on our last couple of cruises but we had personal, well timed and attentive service throughout.

So far the Adventure had a LOT to live up to.

In the afternoon, Jacob went to adventure ocean for some 'me' time and john and I saw the loyalty ambassador to get some ideas but nothing jumped out at us for the dates we had in mind. A note about the loyalty ambassadors who are located just outside Adventure Ocean on deck 12. You have to dial guest services for an appointment as they do not have a paper appointment book.

We were all a bit exhausted from our day in the sun so skipped dinner that evening (the dress code was 'smart' and none of us had the energy) in favour of casual dining in the windjammer and another early night.

Sent from my iPhone

flames · January 23, 2014

Sounds like a great time, thanks for sharing this with us:cool:

CruiseDude_83 · January 23, 2014

Looks like you had fun on your trip so far with the review. Keep it coming!:D

Do you recall what days were the formal night on you AOS sailing?

CruisingTeacher19 · January 23, 2014

I'm enjoying reading this as I'll be in adventure in 5 weeks with a little one.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

Cshgrand · January 23, 2014

I'm enjoying reading this as I'll be in adventure in 5 weeks with a little one.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

If you use the adventure ocean facilities, my son much preferred it in Adventure to Jewel. They have a much larger Aquanaughts room and took them for ice cream most afternoons. He sent us away a few times when we went to collect him after the hour stay we had agreed!

Cshgrand · January 23, 2014

Trying to make sense of all my notes! It was def night 2 ( st Thomas) but will find the second and get back to you.

Cshgrand · January 23, 2014

Day 6 - Bridgetown Barbados

One of my favourite days! Fantastic value beach day, don't think we spent more than $45 today and spent time at the most beautiful beach on Carlisle bay.

Morning routine same as, except I decided not to do the abs class today as I was on my own again.

We headed off the boat around 9am intending to walk the mile and a half through town to the boat yard. We were quoted $15 inside the port gates for a taxi. After walking through the gates a taxi driver approached us and kindly gave directions then offered us a ride for $10 so we took it and we were glad we did as the trek was further than it looked. He dropped us, at his recommendation, to copocabana beach bar next to the Boatyard where two chairs and an umbrella were only $10. A coke was $2, five beers $10. There was a beach grill menu with various skewered meats for up to $7 and vegetarian options for $5. The beach was clean and beautiful and the restrooms well kept. The sand here was clean and so, so soft. We had a great time playing in the small waves.

We had arranged for the same driver, James, to meet us at 12.30 to head back to the boat for lunch.

We were in port with the P&O Ventura which had arrived a day early due to a Medical emergency.

It was taking a two week round trip from Barbados and was mostly Brits on board.

Once again the outdoor seating area at the rear of windjammer was empty so we had our choice of tables.

On port days the water slide opens 3-5pm ish so John and Jacob killed a little time playing air hockey in the arcade while I had a brief spa appointment. It was good value with diamond discount of 20% and comparable to what I pay in the UK for the same service.

Back in our cabin at 4pm we ordered cheese and fruit plates from room service (which took around 20 mins to arrive) to compliment the last two glasses of rose sangria left in the bottle we had brought onboard and spent a lovely hour watching the sun get closer to the horizon as we sailed from Barbados.

5.15pm was family scrap booking workshop in adventure ocean which Jacob and I attended while John showered. The tables were set with glue, scissors and crayons and we passed the time assembling the scrapbook kits we were supplied with. We really enjoyed it and left with some good craft ideas to work on with some of Jacob's holiday photos.

Dinner was casual dress this evening and was the spinach dip menu (yummy). I had that followed by sole and strawberry kiwi pavlova. John had shrimp cocktail, lamb and the hot chocolate cake which was his favourite dessert of the week. Our young conesseur had vegetables crudités followed by Mac and cheese. He abstained from pudding in favour of a trip to the windjammer for a choc/vanilla swirly frozen yoghurt cone.

Tonight was the top tier C&A event but Jacob was more than ready for bed by 7.30 so we retired for the evening.

clochette · January 23, 2014

Great review, I look forward to reading more.

Thanks for taking the time to write it.

cruizinawayinva · January 24, 2014

If you use the adventure ocean facilities, my son much preferred it in Adventure to Jewel. They have a much larger Aquanaughts room and took them for ice cream most afternoons. He sent us away a few times when we went to collect him after the hour stay we had agreed!

Thank you for sharing. We will be onboard in a few weeks and we are hoping our older son will want to spend some time at Adevnture Ocean. Looks like you had a great time and I'm enjoying reading your trip report.

Cshgrand · January 24, 2014