just returned from the southern caribbean off the AOS

[jeff25]

We had the greatest time, this was our second time on RCCL and I promis I have no desire to even try another ship. The cruise director was the best.

Any questions I would be happy to answer them

[n8vtexn]

Would love to know what you did at each island. :)

 

Thanks-

Brooke

[showergirl5311b]

Glad to hear you had a great time! Which route did you do? Aruba? I would love all the information you have on ports and excursions if any. As for the ship any information you have on dining, midnight buffets, theme nights, the restaurant them nights etc.........any information would be great we will be on AOS at the end of October and can't wait!:D

[nhaone]

I to would like to know more about your trip. And, what hotel if any did you stay at pre/post cruise, how was flight time etc. We are from Central IL

Thanks

[cruise wizard]

We are onthe 12/4 sailing the Aruba route - tell us about the SJU airport plus getting to and from the ship. We will be getting in a day before and staying at the Hampton Inn - any suggestions about dining, things to see pre-cruise would be great. I heard that you can board at 11AM - is that true and how were the lines at the port to embark? Who is the cruise director? What was the entertainment? Food quality?

 

Thanks

[tootsieh]

We are on the Oct 9 sailing to Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, etc. We would love to hear any feedback. Who was the captain?

Thanks

Tootsie

[tootsieh]

Jeff,

We are also from the St Louis area--lived in Florissant and then Ballwin/Manchester area--originally from Collinsville, Ill. We now live in Atlanta!!

Tootsie

[sherry7]

Would love to know what you did at each island. :)

 

Thanks-

Brooke

 

 

Ditto. We're going on the Serenade this January, and I'm still trying to figure out what to do on some of the islands. The Adventure itinerary is a little bit different, but it's always nice to read about the experiences of other cruisers.

[showergirl5311b]

Where did you go Jeff? We are all hoping for some information here! Can't wait to hear from you, Thanks:o

[tootsieh]

Jeff,

Where are you-----------------------someone please answer!!

[plana]

We also just got off the 9/25/05 Adventure of the Seas sailing this morning. A full review should be available in the next week or so. Overall, the cruise was great. Anyone with an AOS cruise booked in the near future should be excited, with no hesitations.

 

- We did the Barbados route. We arrived at the terminal around Noon and were eating lunch by 12:45 pm. There were already a bunch of folks on board when we got there. Since we had to clear customs today in San Juan, it took a long time to get off the ship. The process was orderly, but lengthy. We cleared customs around 11:00 am and roughly 40% of the passengers were still on board. Anyone sailing the Aruba route will definitely have to wait if they get there before Noon or 1 pm.

 

- The passengers were probably 60% from Puerto Rico or Spanish speaking countries. This caused no major issues on our cruise. Announcements were in English first, followed by Spanish.

 

- We stayed at the Hampton Inn Isla Verdae for one night pre-cruise ($129/night + 2 bar drinks). Nice hotel, good choice.

 

- Flew into and out of the San Juan Airport. Again, no problems in or out. We had heard the airport was a zoo on Sunday morning after the cruise, but we had no waiting at all at the ATA ticket counter. Taxi service was very impressive, as dispatch personnel give you a receipt beforehand stating the exact price.

 

- We were blessed with nearly perfect weather. Also, believe it or not, we were the ONLY ship at every port. Here were the stops and our excursions.

 

St. Thomas - Meagans Bay on our own. Nice beach, quiet, little surf. Lifeguards present.

 

St. Maarten - Rented a wave runner from Rolands Jet Ski Rental in town - on the beach and to the left of where the water taxi drops you off. $40 for 30 mintues. Great time. Quality operation. Highly recommended.

 

Antigua - Did the Kayaking Eco Adventure excursion through RCCL. Another wonderful time. Highly recommended.

 

St. Lucia - Did the Aquabelle (semi-submarine) excursion through RCCL. Did not enjoy this one much at all (limited visibility, no refreshments). Definitely would not recommend. My parents and friends we met on board did the Catamaran Cruise to Fond Deux Estate excursion through RCCL. Everyone enjoyed that 7-hour excursion quite a bit.

 

Barbados - Did the 5-Star Catamaran Cruise with Lunch/Swim with Turtles. We enjoyed this one as well, though not as much as Kayaking in Antigua.

 

Hope that helps a bit. I'll try to cover more in my detailed review.

 

Paul.

[hilltopfamily]

Really hoping someone can help me figure this one out. I'm onboard AOS (the Aruba route) in 2 weeks but my DH & kids aren't going on this cruise with me (girls cruise this time). I will definitely need to call home a few times and check in. From those of you who have been on this ship and/or this itinerary, do you have ideas on best places/how to do this? I can't afford the $7.95 per minute charged by the ship, so any and all ideas on calls from ports will be greatly appreciated! We're flying in to San Juan the day before, and we have to stay in San Juan the day after, in order to get the flights we needed. So, I would also like ideas on how/where to call from while in San Juan. Any ideas on cell phone use and/or prepaid phone cards? Thanks!

[sherry7]

St. Maarten - Rented a wave runner from Rolands Jet Ski Rental in town - on the beach and to the left of where the water taxi drops you off. $40 for 30 mintues. Great time. Quality operation. Highly recommended.

 

Thanks for the review Paul...sounds like you had a great time. I have a question about your wave runner rental please. Did you book this ahead of time, or did you just arrange it right at the beach? I'm assuming you have to have a driver's license to do this, so my teenage son wouldn't be able to drive one. Do you think he'd be able to double up with me? Would they still charge $40 for this, or $80 (if we double)? Thanks for any help you can give me. :)

[sherry7]

Really hoping someone can help me figure this one out. I'm onboard AOS (the Aruba route) in 2 weeks but my DH & kids aren't going on this cruise with me (girls cruise this time). I will definitely need to call home a few times and check in. From those of you who have been on this ship and/or this itinerary, do you have ideas on best places/how to do this? I can't afford the $7.95 per minute charged by the ship, so any and all ideas on calls from ports will be greatly appreciated! We're flying in to San Juan the day before, and we have to stay in San Juan the day after, in order to get the flights we needed. So, I would also like ideas on how/where to call from while in San Juan. Any ideas on cell phone use and/or prepaid phone cards? Thanks!

 

Call your cell phone company...a couple of the companies consider San Juan a 'home' calling area. As for the rest of the areas, I'd go with a pre-paid calling card, preferably the ones they sell at Sam's Club. In my experience, they have the lowest rates, and don't tack on a ton of extra charges. The variety you buy at the mall/gas station, etc are usually a rip. Just use the cards from a pay phone. You'll probably see plenty of crew members doing this at the pay phones closest to the port...they don't like to pay $7.95 a minute either. ;)

[hilltopfamily]

Ah, Sherry! Thanks so much! I just went and started a thread about this, but now that I see your reply, I probably didn't need to. Very useful info! thanks so much, and I think I'll need to make a stop at my Sam's club this week. :D I'm relieved now, knowing I'll be able to check in often.

[sherry7]

Ah, Sherry! Thanks so much! I just went and started a thread about this, but now that I see your reply, I probably didn't need to. Very useful info! thanks so much, and I think I'll need to make a stop at my Sam's club this week. :D I'm relieved now, knowing I'll be able to check in often.

 

You're welcome. My son and I are taking a cruise this January without my husband, so I'll have to call home to check on him too :) I'm not overly familiar with making out of the country calls, but I'm pretty sure that you'll need a country code when you dial. Not sure if that country code will be for the US or for the islands that you're calling from. On the back on the Sam's calling cards, there's a 1-800 TN for AT&T calling card customer service. If you call them before your cruise, they should be able to fill you in on the details, and tell you what the per minute rate is from each island. Have a great time on your cruise!

[plana]

Hey Sherry. We booked right there at the beach when Glenn approached us near the water taxis. They had four or five jet skis for rent. My wife rode with me for the $40. They did not check for my DL, but I'm not sure how they would handle it for a teenager.

[kimdakruiser]

My mom & I were on this ship in January and we had a great time! Infact, it was so much fun that I booked it again but this time I'm going with my husband & son. We leave 11/6. Everything on this ship was great, the service, staff, food, and itinerary. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the captin or the cruise director. I have cingular cell service and was able to call home from San Juan & St Thomas for free. Also I found it very cheap to email from the other islands. For those of you who have sailed this ship before, does anyone know about the Loterie Farm Treetop adventure tour in St Maarten? I have a 15 year old son interested in this tour? :)

[sherry7]

Hey Sherry. We booked right there at the beach when Glenn approached us near the water taxis. They had four or five jet skis for rent. My wife rode with me for the $40. They did not check for my DL, but I'm not sure how they would handle it for a teenager.

 

Thanks for the info...we will definitely check this out when we go.

[sherry7]

My mom & I were on this ship in January and we had a great time! Infact, it was so much fun that I booked it again but this time I'm going with my husband & son. We leave 11/6. Everything on this ship was great, the service, staff, food, and itinerary. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the captin or the cruise director. I have cingular cell service and was able to call home from San Juan & St Thomas for free. Also I found it very cheap to email from the other islands. For those of you who have sailed this ship before, does anyone know about the Loterie Farm Treetop adventure tour in St Maarten? I have a 15 year old son interested in this tour? :)

 

There are a few posts about this over on the St. Maarten Ports of Call board...I was just reading about it a couple of days ago. It seems like the only way to go is to book it through RCCL, since they have a contract with Loterie Farms. The training part is 30 minutes, the actual ziplining part lasts for 1 1/2 hours. Here's the bad thing about it...they won't let anyone under age 18 do it without an adult. My 16 year old would like to do it as well, but I don't know if I'm up for it! :eek:

[LeavingVerySoon]

We were on the 9/18 Aruba route also. My cell phone worked fine in SJ and St Thomas. Had trouble other ports with some of the prompts (English/Spanish, then wait for an operator - I hung up at that point. Nothing that important.)

 

Ship was great. First time for both of us on RCCL. Very elegant. We were in an OS (1598). Nice amount of room. Weren't bumping into each other getting ready. Had our table over one evening just for a short while (it was late). Have to say that was the highlight of our trip-our dining tablemates. Great bunch of people.

 

Wife likes to check ports out for later 3-4 day trips. Here is my/our take:

 

Aruba - Just like home. West Texas with a bunch of water around it. Wouldn't go back. We rode horses in the a.m. (great time) and had a problem with the helmet dive in the p.m. She has a mild case of asthma due to her allergies and although Dr idiot at the pier said no problem, the boss out at De Palm island said no way. This was very disappointing - she doesn't swim and this was going to be a brave thing to attempt. We wasted about 2 hours doing nothing. Of course they offered to let us stay at the island and get a sunburn for $100 each, but we declined. Did get a refund.

 

I got over my anger (yes there was some) when we walked around the tourist trap shops near the pier once we got back. What fixed it for me was when we stopped at Iguanna Joe's. Near the dome shopping area about a block from Carlos and Charlies. My recommendation: Grandma Joe's pink lemonade. Rum, vodka, and pink food coloring. Not a damn bit of lemonade. I was so upset that I had to try two just to be sure. (And they ain't small either!) Good and relaxed after that.

 

Evening, all but one couple from our table (didn't see them all day) packed up and walked over to Carlos and Charlies. Wall to wall people but was fun. $25 just to get in and the one rather tall drink. Since we are getting older by the minute, we didn't stay but an hour or so. Good time though.

 

Curacao, another Aruba. Won't go back for the same reason. Wasn't as lush as St Maarten or especially St Thomas. Did a sight seeing tour. Really enjoyed it. This was the only port where another cruise ship was docked. The others, we were the only one. Did some shopping in the afternoon and took some of their money at a local casino. (Not enough to open the off shore account though) Nice but the country side was lacking. The color of the buildings was beautiful. Were told that it meant that you were through with your house and therefore, started to pay tax on the property. Our tour guide said it should only take her another 5-6 years to finish painting hers.

 

St Maarten. Another excursion problem. We did the Butterfly in the morning. I thought it was great. Wife didn't want to do it at first, but after she really seemed to enjoy it too. We too got some nice pics of the butterflies drinking the rum punch off of our fingers. (And some shots of them mating - it's a guy thing sorry.) I was a bit stingy with my punch though. Thought it was for me. The problem came as we were heading back to the ship. We were to have done the beach bash that afternoon but we were stuck around 20-30 minutes away by bus due to a wreck. There is really only one main highway that I could tell and we, as well as half the island were on it. Truck had caught on fire and it was a mess. We saw it after the fact. That p.m. excursion was also refunded. We wound up staying in the shopping area (getting dropped off on the way back in) and shopped. Picked up a nice clock for my office (about 25% less than what I would have paid here at home). (Hasn't arrived yet, but maybe in the next week or so.) Lots of picture ops on this island. Beautiful. Might go back for a trip here and/or St Thomas.

 

St Thomas, we did the Blackbeard sight seeing, etc. in the morning. This place was like out of a story book. The shots from the hillside overlooking the bay are out of this world. Wife stayed in town and shopped in the p.m., I went back to the ship, ate very fast and changed into my swim trunks. Did the BOB adventure. Had a blast. Never had snorkeled and we got to do that as well after the BOB. I was in the first group, so I stayed busy the whole time. Told the wife that we need to go somewhere (anywhere) and snorkel some then snorkel some more. Since she doesn't swim, she might get bored. I'll just let her shop. Shopping from what she said wasn't bad. Probably the best place for prices. She found a digital camera she almost bought (one at our table picked one up at St Maarten I think.) About 25% off here in the states. 7+ Megapixel, big view screen. I believe I was more fond of St Thomas out of all the ports.

 

Ship - didn't really do a great deal on board but relax. Casino is a little heavier after I hit it (or it hit me). Food was good but not remarkable. No complaining since we are south beach diet folks anyway. It was still a treat for us. No problem with us bringing a little drink onboard. Nobody said a word and the most important was in our carry on. Our room steward even iced stuff down for us when we requested (and even when we didn't). Spa was nice. Spent too much, but the wife wanted to do that instead of jewelry. (Her words) We were able to book in advance being in a suite (concierge emailed and requested times). My only complaint was that those weekly events have to be the same each week (time wise) and we told him some of the events we would like to do while on board. Two of the ones my wife really wanted to do he booked spa stuff right on top of them. With that stuff, he wasn't very helpful.

 

One couple from our table were in a suite and the other two couples weren't. One evening we all went to the lounge and had drinks and a great time. Screw the rules. It wasn't that packed anyway. (Flame away for those that have nothing better to do.) :p

 

As I always believe, late dining is the only way. We were so much more relaxed doing it this way.

 

Shows were good, the comedy act was not. We were falling asleep and we left to go to the casino before dinner. (My wife suggested and that says the show was really bad.) The Temptations (?) I think that was the tribute group were the best IMO. We did that after dinner with our table and the entire group was pretty well lit. Great time.

 

If you don't go to Portofinos, you might as well stay home. WOW. And compared to our dining table group, so much more quieter. (We found out we missed a rowdy night when we stopped by to see everyone.)

 

Windjammer - okay if you want something passing for food. Johnny Rockets was so so. Onion rings were best. Hamburgers were barely okay. Breakfast in the dining room wasn't too bad and suprisingly quick which was necessary.

 

I would recommend not doing more than one excursion at each port. Our mistake the hard way more or less.

 

It's getting late and nothing else is coming to mind at this point and I'm sure my spelling and grammar are getting bad. Overall it was a great trip in spite of the oops here and there. I recommend breakfast on the balcony and the wine/cheese platter, of course, on the balcony. I scored some of those husband points with this trip. Looks like Vegas will be no problem with the guys next year (but it never is).

[Karencruiser43]

I read on the boards that you can do this excursion on your own, but if you arrive at the farm - Loterie Farm, and a cruise group is due to come in they will not let you out in front of the cruise group, as they have first priority and then you could have a long wait. I was also going to do this, but once you are up there I heard there is no help with the harnesses or anything, you are on your own and we have a lot of kids with us and I didn't want to take that risk, but I hope you have a good time should you decide to do this excursion.

[Fury1995]

Really hoping someone can help me figure this one out. I'm onboard AOS (the Aruba route) in 2 weeks but my DH & kids aren't going on this cruise with me (girls cruise this time). I will definitely need to call home a few times and check in. From those of you who have been on this ship and/or this itinerary, do you have ideas on best places/how to do this? I can't afford the $7.95 per minute charged by the ship, so any and all ideas on calls from ports will be greatly appreciated! We're flying in to San Juan the day before, and we have to stay in San Juan the day after, in order to get the flights we needed. So, I would also like ideas on how/where to call from while in San Juan. Any ideas on cell phone use and/or prepaid phone cards? Thanks!

 

I remember making phone calls from the port in Aruba. There were stores in many locations with signs that read "international phone calls here" all over that has these little funny phone booths inside (not much privacy though). They all took credit cards and phone cards. I can't remember how much but I do remember it was cheaper than the ship.

[cruzfiend]

Leavingverysoon; I luv your humor. I'm gonna try one of those lemonades ;)

Couple of questions;

 

You said your cell phone worked in SJ - was it nextel or something else?

Did you go down day prior & if so, where did you stay?

[rockyhou]

I am leaving in 5 days and just so exceited....just got an email form our Concierge even making me more ready to go.

 

I want to go to portofino's on the night that caribbean is the theme in the main dinning room (my least favorite)...anyone remember?

 

 

Thanks