Adventure of the Sea Review w/photos.

[ileys]

This is my favorite type of review! Leisurely and deliberate with pictures. Plus - I'll be on this ship in July! Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[cruiselvr04]

We sail on her in a week so enjoying your review. I think with the new drink prices we too will be drinking a lot less. Too steep for me to enjoy. For us I think Royals plan to make more money off drinks will back fire but I am sure there are others who will pay those prices. Second benefit I won't gain as much weight.😛

[NKLCRUISES]

I will be doing this exact same ports of call and ship in two weeks. We also have the 12 person Silvermoon tour booked. Seeing these pictures and your positive remarks is making me wish we were leaving next week. Thank you again. Go Bucks! O. H.

[cruiseapril]

Enjoying your review. Like reading about the excursions.

[waterbugohio]

Great review so far! Sailing on her in 38 days... Following!

 

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I will be doing this exact same ports of call and ship in two weeks. We also have the 12 person Silvermoon tour booked. Seeing these pictures and your positive remarks is making me wish we were leaving next week. Thank you again. Go Bucks! O. H.

 

I O.

 

Go Bucks. Glad to know I am helping my fellow Buckeyes!!

[waterbugohio]

OK, continuing on. Day 2

 

Tonight we had the Crown and Anchor welcome back party. Since all but one in our group have cruised before, we were able to all attend. This was held in Studio B (the ice rink)

 

Our cruise director for the week was Bobby. He was a great guy and always full of energy (especially later in the week for the Quest!!)

 

We had a short dance by the royal dancers, sorry I don't remember their names. But they did a great job all week

 

 

and then Captain Toni did a little talk. We didn't have any Pinnacle cruisers with us, but he did introduce some Diamond Plus members. And an introduction of the rest of the officers.

 

[waterbugohio]

The show tonight was Brad Cummings. comedian/ventriloquist. Again we enjoyed the show very much and were laughing the entire time.

 

 

He used a audience member at the end of his show for a "live dummy" Be careful if you sit in the front row!!!

 

 

There was a Tribute to the 70's by the Royal singers on the Promenade, followed by a Disco Inferno with the Macho, Macho Men at 10:30. With our long day in port we opted to just go to the casino awhile and then head to the cabin.

[waterbugohio]

Day 4, St. Lucia.

 

Just hard to say enough about this island. We have been there once before and just couldn't wait to go back. With help from someone on our roll call (thanks Pam) We put together our own group for the Cosol Tour. If you don't know about Cosol, please check out his website. http://www.cosol-tours.com/

 

We did the tour with him the last time. But he has grown, added nicer vans, added more stops and just even better than the last time. We also had a great group we were with, so that always makes a tour more fun.

 

I will go into as much detail with this excursion and island as I can remember and sorry, but I love to share thru pictures, hope you don't mind!!

 

The day was a little rainy and overcast and you will be able to notice that in my photos. However, it it didn't stop us from any of the stops. I do think Cosol tried to rearrange some of the stops in order to get us the best time at the beach.

 

We started the day with driving thru several of the towns and made a couple stops for photos.

 

Here is a shot of the pier and ships. Not sure who the smaller ship was pulling in after us.

 

I think this is Marigo Bay

 

This next shot is for my fellow buckeyes. I'm sorry I don't remember what the factory was for, but I had to take a picture of the sign:) :)

 

Next up was a stop at a banana plantation. With samples for everyone!!

Our guide was very knowledgeable and talked the entire time we drove.

 

We then stopped for what they called breakfast (it was more of a full meal) This was all homemade local items. All very good. Several types of fish, coconut, breads, johnny cakes. And also all the beer, rum punch, soft drinks and water you wanted. I'm sorry, I only took one photo of the food we had, as it was something that was suppose to be good for high blood pressure. Was a little tart, but would be worth it if it would help.

[waterbugohio]

Edited April 4, 2015 by waterbugohio

[waterbugohio]

Moving on, we then stopped and boarded a "water taxi" to go to the beach

 

 

again, the weather tried to dampen the spirits as we had some rain while traveling. But for the most part, there was no rain while at the beach.

 

Beautiful scenery while boating there. Jalousie beach sits right between the two pitons.

 

 

Had right at an hour at the beach. I spent most of that time snorkeling. Here are some of the underwater shots I took.

 

 

 

 

[OSULabRat]

Thanks, waterbugohio, I just booked Silver Moon for our cruise next month!! And OSULabRat, I hate to tell you, but I think you need to check your math. We sail on AOS on 9 May...35 days from now!

 

Haha yea I meant 42 days... 38 is when we fly to San Juan! :)

 

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[OSULabRat]

I will be doing this exact same ports of call and ship in two weeks. We also have the 12 person Silvermoon tour booked. Seeing these pictures and your positive remarks is making me wish we were leaving next week. Thank you again. Go Bucks! O. H.

 

I-O!!

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Forums mobile app

[waterbugohio]

Right before leaving the beach, there were some young boys got off a boat with their catches of the day. Sorry, I'm not a fisherman, so no clue what kind, but they looked to be a pretty good catch to me!!

 

 

Back onboard the water taxi. And the driver takes right u to a crack in the side of the rocks. Its hard to tell on the picture, but the entire thing is full of bats!! YUK!!!

 

 

 

Another shot of heading back on the water taxi. Hi to Tabitha, Vicki and Nicole!!

[Familygoboston]

Oh, waterbug, I'm soooo excited! I loooove when some one does a review of the trip I will be on two weeks!! (with nickl cruiser and Bonnie- can't wait to meet you all! )

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! What a wonderful place for a family reunion!

We are also not drinking due to the giant increase and just not caring enough about it (unless they offer a freebie in any lounge for Diamond members before dinner) We've decided to spend our OBC on ice cream instead, LOL, so we expect to have a hearty Ben and Jerrys bill and Johnny Rockets bill!

We are also doing the Catamaran in Barbados, we've done Calabaza, and Gina offers a 2 nd timer discount, and we can't wait to see the turtles with our 18 yo who has not done this excursion yet! I have to say, relaxing out on the "net" in the sun is a highlight! Thanks for sharing your photos, I showed DD and she is very excited!

 

A couple of questions if you'll indulge me!?

-Did they serve Starbucks at the Promenade cafe?

 

-If any in your party are Diamond, did you know if they loaded "diamond lounge" drinks onto your sea pass for use anywhere? (They would know since non Diamonds aren't welcome in the lounges, even if it's you 82 yo MIL and any Diamonds in your party wouldn't likely have left your dear MIL behind:eek:

 

-did they serve those Caribbean lobster tails on the 1st or second formal night. That's one of our favs, need to make sure I don't have Giovanni's scheduled for that night!

 

-I'm hearing no tickets needed for the ice shows, did you find that to be true?

 

Maybe you'll reveal all,this in due time in which case I'll (try) to wait patiently! Thanks for sharing, I'm really enjoying...we are so excited...I'm all packed, making our last minute plans!

Edited April 4, 2015 by Familygoboston

[waterbugohio]

Going to try, but not much help here.

 

A couple of questions if you'll indulge me!?

-Did they serve Starbucks at the Promenade cafe?

 

Don't drink coffee so I'm not sure. I think there is one

 

-If any in your party are Diamond, did you know if they loaded "diamond lounge" drinks onto your sea pass for use anywhere? (They would know since non Diamonds aren't welcome in the lounges, even if it's you 82 yo MIL and any Diamonds in your party wouldn't likely have left your dear MIL behind:eek:

No one in the party is diamond. So again no help here.

-did they serve those Caribbean lobster tails on the 1st or second formal night. That's one of our favs, need to make sure I don't have Giovanni's scheduled for that night!

 

This one I can tell you. Lobster was served on the second formal night. Which was thursday night.

 

-I'm hearing no tickets needed for the ice shows, did you find that to be true?

 

No tickets needed for the ice show. Our sailing they did two shows. Day 2, monday (sea day) at 4:00. and again on Day 4, Wednesday. at 9:00. We actually ran a little late on dinner that night and didn't get there till about 8:50. Still seats open, we were off to the side, but still able to see everything.

 

Maybe you'll reveal all,this in due time in which case I'll (try) to wait patiently! Thanks for sharing, I'm really enjoying...we are so excited...I'm all packed, making our last minute plans!

[waterbugohio]

Sorry all, off to a baseball game and then an Easter Party. I will try to finish off day 4 later tonight.

[BonnieSte]

Monday night was formal night. Here is a shot of my hubby and I. My mother in law and my brother in law.

 

 

We did not make it to the Captain reception. We have met the Captain on most cruises, but sometimes time just does not allow for everything, so we opted out.

 

I will apologize at this time for the lack of menu info. I didn't take pictures of our meals and didn't keep track of the menus. I will say that even though the menu's have changed and there may be things I missed. We still thought the food was always good. Maybe a little down scaled from our first cruise in 2008, but still good meals. Always plenty to choose from, wonderful breads, good appetizers, plenty of entree choices and deserts that are still good.

 

The show tonight was the "Invitation to Dance" Again, we though this was a good show. Sorry, no picture.

 

At midnight there was a late night, adult comedy with Ed Regine. Funny and but very "adult" Lots of talk of sex, etc. The best part of the show was when the comedian put the lady who heckled him in her place. He let it go several times and after about the fourth time, he put the joke onto her and commented that he wouldn't interrupt her while she was working (the streets) And this is a very nice way of repeating what he said. Just don't understand how people feel is it ok to yell out at performers. Just a real lack of class!!

 

Loving your review and really agree with you about the lack of class. Everyone knows how everyone elses job "should be done"

[American Bear]

We sail on her in a week so enjoying your review. I think with the new drink prices we too will be drinking a lot less. Too steep for me to enjoy. For us I think Royals plan to make more money off drinks will back fire but I am sure there are others who will pay those prices. Second benefit I won't gain as much weight.😛

 

 

The benefit of a port heavy cruise like this is you can buy your drinks ashore each day.:)

[American Bear]

Sorry all, off to a baseball game and then an Easter Party. I will try to finish off day 4 later tonight.

 

Happy Easter to all, and a very good review.:)

[waterbugohio]

The benefit of a port heavy cruise like this is you can buy your drinks ashore each day.:)

 

Agree. And several of our excursions had drinks included. We would have several during the day and then just a glass of wine with dinner.

[golf43]

We are on this ship in 3 weeks. We will be doing the other itinery. However reading about your trip and the ship really helps. Thanks for posting this. BTW we used to live in Ohio and are Ohio State fans. Love The Buckeyes.

[rose102798]

Boarding:

We were a little slow getting going on Sunday morning. We didn't leave the hotel till about 11:45 (which is late for us) Got to the port and there was a pretty good line. Waited in a short line for luggage drop off. Then in a longer line for check in. Shortly after we got there (probably right at noon) the line started to move. I think we were on the ship about 12:45. So not to bad. They have now changed (not sure when) and announced several times that the rooms are now not ready until 2:00. So off to the windjammer for some lunch.

 

Sunday? Did I miss something because we leave on Saturday on this same cruise in June.:confused:

[waterbugohio]

Sunday? Did I miss something because we leave on Saturday on this same cruise in June.:confused:

 

Didn't realize this until you commented. Looked it up online and found that the Adventure is doing a 6 nighter the first part of May. Then back to 7 nighters but leaving on Saturdays. Not sure the reason.

[waterbugohio]

OK, going to try to pick up where I left off. We had just left Jalouise Beach.

 

After leaving the beach we headed for the Sulphur Springs. Only two of us were brave enough to get into the mud baths. But let me tell you, if you are doing this tour, DO NOT MISS THE MUD BATHS. We thought they were great. You may want to wear an older swimming suit, as they do get really dirty (and pretty stinky) But I had taken along a Tide packet and was able to wash in out in the shower when we got back.

 

A little explanation on the Mud Bath. First you stepped down into the natural hot baths, where you can sit and relax. Then climbing out the other side, where there are buckets full of the lava mud. You use the mud to scrub and layer the skin. We didn't rub it everywhere, but lots of other people were completely covered. The mud is suppose to have medicinal purposes. Not sure if it really helped any ailments, but it sure did feel good. Would love to go back sometime and sit in there for hours!!!

After smearing ourselves full of mud, we climbed back into the hot water to rinse off. We were in no way clean, but was told to just wrap our towels around ourselves and get back in the vans. We would finish rinsing off at the next stop!!!

 

Here are a few pictures:

 

 

 

[waterbugohio]

Back in the van and off to the next stop. Off to the Toraille waterfalls.

 

A short climb up stone steps (an easy climb) and then the chance to go into the falls. Very cold, exhilarating waterfall. Time to rinse off the rest of the mud.

 

 

did I mention it was COLD

 

From here it was back in the van. This is the only part of the tour that gets long. It is probably over an hour drive back to the port. At one point we stop to pick up "lunch" Which is fresh bread and cheeses. Very good and just enough to hit the spot. This lunch is brought into the van and eaten as we are driving. If there were something of this tour that I would change, it would be nice to break up this drive. Would be nice to make a stop or two instead of the full drive back. Maybe one of the stops from the first part of the trip could be changed to the last part!!. Just a suggestion, but it would just be nice.

 

Over all this is one of the best tours we have done in all our times cruising. It is a very long day, but also a very informative and fun tour. Lots of great food, drink and most important lots of great friends.

Edited April 5, 2015 by waterbugohio