Adventure of the Seas Review - 06/01/18

[ButterflyGA]

Party of 5 (Mom(44) Dad (42), DD (17) DS#1 (16) DS#2 (10)

Avid Cruisers

Rooms 8465 and 8467 (Adjoining/connecting Cabins)

My Time Dining

 

The good-

 

Embarkation and debarkation

Smooth and well organized. Arrived at the port around 12:00, Was at the ship by 12:35p. No major lines and security very organized and professional. Headed directly to the WJ to grab some lunch until cabins were ready (they moved the time to 1:30P) Debarking was the same, very organized, no major lines anywhere and bags were available when they said they were going to be available. The best debarkation process we have experienced (and we travel a lot!)

Food at the MDR

Decent, well prepared and good selection. Lobster offered on Day 6. Escargot available the first 3 days. NY Strip Available every day (we ordered twice and came at perfect temperature) Desserts are nothing fancy, and some are not that good. The Onion and Goat Cheese Tart is AMAZING.

Service in the cabins

Cabins are serviced twice a day, and kept immaculate. Great service from the Cabin Steward. He really seemed genuine in wanting to know us. Super guy.

Diamond Club

Never crowded. Nice offerings of drinks and snacks from 4:30-8p. We were able to use our drinks in the MDR without problems. Very Accommodating ambassador

Cafe Promenade

I heard so many bad things about this cafe and their pizza, that I wanted to go and check it out myself. Perhaps I imagined it to be sooo bad that in reality was ok! LOL... Of course is not the BEST pizza ever, but when your kids are hungry, coming from port and just want a quick bite to tie you up until dinner (since you havent eat in the last 6min!) this hit the spot. I was under the impression that only pizza was offered in this cafe, but they have finger sandwiches (varied selection every day) salads, fruits, dessert and cookies. They also offer breakfast sandwiches and fruit cups and yogurt and granola each morning. This was perfect for us, because we dont like buffets (WJ) and we wanted to sleep in, so didnt go to the MDR for breakfast. It fitted us and what we wanted.

The music bands in Boleros

There was a Latin Music band (3 Mexican guys) that played everything from Salsa to Merengue to Bachata and they were awesome! and there was another band with more contemporary music, great selection of soft rock, 80's and 90's that was fantastic.

 

Port-of-calls

Great places, rich in culture and sights, explored the cities with gusto and curiosity. Portland- Took a trolley tour through the city (booked ourselves) BarHarbor- Went to Acadia Park with Oli's Trolley, fantastic! Saint Johns- Visited several times before so we did our own thing, walking and visiting on our own. Halifax -LOVED it!!! did our own thing, Citadel, and Promenade.

 

The bad-

 

Service.

It has definitely gone downhill in RCCL. So sad about this because I didnt want to believe what I read about this. There were a few here and there that really went above and beyond (our Cabin Steward, Waiter and Assistant Waiter on table 266, the Diamond Club Manager, 2 Guest Services Agents and 1 Casino Cashier) All the others we encountered, it was like they didnt want to be there... and perhaps they dont want to be there. No eye contact, short, rude and plain awful. It didnt spoil our vacay, but definitely not what it used to be.

 

WJ

Let me start saying that we are not buffet ppl. I cant stand the mess and the rude patrons eating with their hands and then reaching out to the thongs to serve themselves some more. So I am the first one to say that my view *might* be skewed LOL... Buffet was messy, no themed what so ever. Its like they put random dishes out there... Mind you this is just my impression of the ONE day I ate there. Might not be a totally fair review. JUST MY OPINION< take it with a grain of salt.

 

Casino

Good selection of games, but not a good air filter... you can smell a heavy scent of cigarette smoke everywhere. I get it... is a Casino, you are going to smell cigarette smoke... BUT it was a lot... just saying.

 

Air Filters in the cabin

After seeing a review right here on the boards, I made the point of checking our vents first thing when we got to our rooms. Dirty Dirty Dirty... The exhaust on our bathroom shower was FILTHY too.

 

The Ugly

 

Really cant think of anything really really bad on the cruise that could spoil my vacation. Just as I was debarking, I got the news of Anthony Bordain's passing and that was UGLY to me. Still in shock about that.

 

My kids enjoyed everything, however, they dont want to cruise again in RCCL. Now that they have tried RCCL and Carnival, they prefer Carnival. I prefer RCCL, however, I am just hoping this *service* thing gets better.

[BillOh]

Glad you liked the ports. I did Adventure out of San Juan, but would consider a summer NE/Canada cruise. Thanks.

[ButterflyGA]

Glad you liked the ports. I did Adventure out of San Juan, but would consider a summer NE/Canada cruise. Thanks.

 

 

Ports were outstanding. The weather didn't cooperate with us (2 days before the cruise, it said was going to be in the 60-70's range) we ended up having 30-40's and rain on the first 2 ports !:loudcry: But hey... we know weather can be unpredictable, so yes... more into summer should be better!

[Cruise a holic]

Party of 5 (Mom(44) Dad (42), DD (17) DS#1 (16) DS#2 (10)

Avid Cruisers

Rooms 8465 and 8467 (Adjoining/connecting Cabins)

My Time Dining

 

The good-

 

Embarkation and debarkation

Smooth and well organized. Arrived at the port around 12:00, Was at the ship by 12:35p. No major lines and security very organized and professional. Headed directly to the WJ to grab some lunch until cabins were ready (they moved the time to 1:30P) Debarking was the same, very organized, no major lines anywhere and bags were available when they said they were going to be available. The best debarkation process we have experienced (and we travel a lot!)

Food at the MDR

Decent, well prepared and good selection. Lobster offered on Day 6. Escargot available the first 3 days. NY Strip Available every day (we ordered twice and came at perfect temperature) Desserts are nothing fancy, and some are not that good. The Onion and Goat Cheese Tart is AMAZING.

Service in the cabins

Cabins are serviced twice a day, and kept immaculate. Great service from the Cabin Steward. He really seemed genuine in wanting to know us. Super guy.

Diamond Club

Never crowded. Nice offerings of drinks and snacks from 4:30-8p. We were able to use our drinks in the MDR without problems. Very Accommodating ambassador

Cafe Promenade

I heard so many bad things about this cafe and their pizza, that I wanted to go and check it out myself. Perhaps I imagined it to be sooo bad that in reality was ok! LOL... Of course is not the BEST pizza ever, but when your kids are hungry, coming from port and just want a quick bite to tie you up until dinner (since you havent eat in the last 6min!) this hit the spot. I was under the impression that only pizza was offered in this cafe, but they have finger sandwiches (varied selection every day) salads, fruits, dessert and cookies. They also offer breakfast sandwiches and fruit cups and yogurt and granola each morning. This was perfect for us, because we dont like buffets (WJ) and we wanted to sleep in, so didnt go to the MDR for breakfast. It fitted us and what we wanted.

The music bands in Boleros

There was a Latin Music band (3 Mexican guys) that played everything from Salsa to Merengue to Bachata and they were awesome! and there was another band with more contemporary music, great selection of soft rock, 80's and 90's that was fantastic.

 

Port-of-calls

Great places, rich in culture and sights, explored the cities with gusto and curiosity. Portland- Took a trolley tour through the city (booked ourselves) BarHarbor- Went to Acadia Park with Oli's Trolley, fantastic! Saint Johns- Visited several times before so we did our own thing, walking and visiting on our own. Halifax -LOVED it!!! did our own thing, Citadel, and Promenade.

 

The bad-

 

Service.

It has definitely gone downhill in RCCL. So sad about this because I didnt want to believe what I read about this. There were a few here and there that really went above and beyond (our Cabin Steward, Waiter and Assistant Waiter on table 266, the Diamond Club Manager, 2 Guest Services Agents and 1 Casino Cashier) All the others we encountered, it was like they didnt want to be there... and perhaps they dont want to be there. No eye contact, short, rude and plain awful. It didnt spoil our vacay, but definitely not what it used to be.

 

WJ

Let me start saying that we are not buffet ppl. I cant stand the mess and the rude patrons eating with their hands and then reaching out to the thongs to serve themselves some more. So I am the first one to say that my view *might* be skewed LOL... Buffet was messy, no themed what so ever. Its like they put random dishes out there... Mind you this is just my impression of the ONE day I ate there. Might not be a totally fair review. JUST MY OPINION< take it with a grain of salt.

 

Casino

Good selection of games, but not a good air filter... you can smell a heavy scent of cigarette smoke everywhere. I get it... is a Casino, you are going to smell cigarette smoke... BUT it was a lot... just saying.

 

Air Filters in the cabin

After seeing a review right here on the boards, I made the point of checking our vents first thing when we got to our rooms. Dirty Dirty Dirty... The exhaust on our bathroom shower was FILTHY too.

 

The Ugly

 

Really cant think of anything really really bad on the cruise that could spoil my vacation. Just as I was debarking, I got the news of Anthony Bordain's passing and that was UGLY to me. Still in shock about that.

 

My kids enjoyed everything, however, they dont want to cruise again in RCCL. Now that they have tried RCCL and Carnival, they prefer Carnival. I prefer RCCL, however, I am just hoping this *service* thing gets better.

 

I think if you kids try an Oasis class ship on RCCL, they will much prefer Royal- While you enjoyed Royal- you haven't experienced it as its best. The entertainment is excellent nothing like Carnival- and the facilities and places to dine- truly beat carnival! So much for a multi generational family to do. Let the family have another chance to experience Royal

[TheGreenManalishi]

We sailed Adventure 2 years ago, and again one month ago. Seriously disappointed the second time. WJ was terrible, service was degraded, Security team was reprehensible, cabin steward lacked....it was not a fantastic experience. Not to even mention the throngs of “ lower socioeconomic class” passengers.

 

We’ll be sticking with MSC in the future...RCI has become the new Walmart of the Seas.

[Tin can]

Thank you for the review, it helps with our 400+ day wait until we travel across the pond to New York and board her :)

[geomancer]

I think if you kids try an Oasis class ship on RCCL, they will much prefer Royal- While you enjoyed Royal- you haven't experienced it as its best. The entertainment is excellent nothing like Carnival- and the facilities and places to dine- truly beat carnival! So much for a multi generational family to do. Let the family have another chance to experience Royal

 

Since they're Diamond, it's a fair bet they know Royal quite well.

[cltnccruisers]

We're taking our granddaughters on AOS for their first ever cruise. Western Caribbean in April, 2020. They'll be 13 and 15 then, so somewhat in sync with your kids. We'd be curious to hear what activities your kids enjoyed most and also not as much. Also, did they have an internet package and how did that work out? We're back and forth on that. We don't want them to have their noses stuck their i-pads but we'd like them to be able to share the experience with their friends back home.

[Cruise a holic]

Since they're Diamond, it's a fair bet they know Royal quite well.

 

However the newest Oasis class ships , Symphony and Harmony are the best! Many people are Diamond and haven't sailed on these ships. We dislike the Quantum class- but liked Freedom and Oasis class- We are Diamond members and this will be our first time on the Adventure of the Seas class of ships- Not all ships are the same-

[Tyler80]

Hi ButterflyGA!

 

I was on the same cruise as you, and I would agree with your review. I'm not a buffet person either, and wasn't really pleased with the service or condition of the Windjammer. Management had to run announcements to get people to leave when they were done so there was room for new guests. The food offered at lunch was the exact same everyday. The salad bar offerings were sad.

 

My stateroom was fine (balcony, deck 7) but even with the remodel, the rooms and bathrooms look tired and outdated. I know the ship is 17 years old, and I won't sail on a Voyager Class vessel again because of that.

 

Have you ever tried Celebrity ButterflyGA? I sailed Celebrity Silhouette in 2015 and really liked it. I found myself compared Adventure to my Silhouette cruise, and I decided that for the money spent on this Adventure cruise (almost $4,000.00) I should have just booked a Celebrity cruise. The food and service is much better on Celebrity. Like I said before, I'm not a buffet person either, but the Oceanview Buffet on Celebrity is great! The weather was crummy during our cruise, but we made the most of it!

[davekathy]

ButterflyGA...thanks for taking us along on your cruise.