Just off Adventure of the Seas … A trip report

[MD_Dan]

This was our 6^th RCL cruise and 1^st on a Voyager class ship.  It was our first in 2 years.  These are my take-aways:

- The ship is in good shape.

 

- - We have now sailed on all but Oasis and Sovereign classes.  I would say that Freedom was my favorite, but Voyager was close behind.  It was large enough to have nice amenities but small enough to recognized people as you walked down the promenade.

 

- - We ate in the formal dining room most nights but honestly, the food was better at the Windjammer on some nights.  I would suggest you look at the menu on each day before deciding which to attend.  I always enjoy eating with the same passengers.  And would not attend all Windjammer during formal nights.

 

-  Our cruise was 8 nights and I took the advice of others on this board and did not dress excessively.  I wish I had brought fancier clothes.  If your cruise is 7 nights or longer, bring the tux!

 

-  The piano bar guy is really good.  This was Keith’s first contract and second cruise.  He played 3-4 hours a night (although he was not scheduled all nights) and never took a break!  The Schooner Bar was rocking all night long.

 

-  The CD was Mercedes and AD was Magic Marvin.  Both were suburb.  Mercedes shined during Quest and I expect to see Marvin as CD in the future.  This was Marvin’s last cruise of his current contract.

 

-  The shows were very good.  Even the comedians were good.  We did pass on the ventriloquist though.  We loved the ice show.

 

-  When they list height and weight limits, they mean it.  I was 4 lbs over the 250 limit for the slide and the RCL employee told me, “You’re too heavy.”

 

-  Chops is still amazing!  I am generally a pescatarian and married to a proud carnivore.   But I think I enjoyed our meal more than she did!

 

-  RCL embarkation and debarkation are extremely fast and efficient!  We were on the ship within an hour of arriving!  And we opted for self-debarkation and had no problems.  The taxi line was never more than 2 people while we were there.  Many more are taking Lyft and Uber.

 

I have Compasses and would be glad to answer any questions!

Edited December 19, 2018 by MD_Dan
formatting corrections

[Clarea]

Do you mind if I change the thread title to Adventure, so people know it's not Anthem or Allure?

[Dett]

We were on this cruise.  The ventriloquist was fantastic.  Too bad you missed it.  We did notice that the shows were not full.  Not sure the reason.

[arste]

My husband and I will be on a back to back on the Adventure beginning late April.  Did they list Pickleball as one of the activities in the Compass?  If not, did you notice if they were playing Pickleball on the basketball courts?  

 

Arlene

[MD_Dan]

24 minutes ago, Dett said:

We were on this cruise.  The ventriloquist was fantastic.  Too bad you missed it.  We did notice that the shows were not full.  Not sure the reason.

What did you do at each of the ports?

 

Labadee - We both had fun on the beach

 

San Juan - I toured both forts; sampled some local beers; and walked through the town.  DW did the Mofongo and Mojito excursion and loved it.

 

Saint Marten - DW did the foodie tour again and I went to the beach.

 

Saint Kitts - I did the Volcano hike and DW shopped.

 

 

[MD_Dan]

They list "Adult Dodgeball Competition".  They just list it's location as Deck 13 but the basketball court would be the ideal location for this.

Edited December 19, 2018 by MD_Dan

[Dett]

1 minute ago, MD_Dan said:

What did you do at each of the ports?

 

Labadee - We both had fun on the beach

 

San Juan - I toured both forts; sampled some local beers; and walked through the town.  DW did the Mofongo and Mojito excursion and loved it.

 

Saint Marten - DW did the foodie tour again and I went to the beach.

 

Saint Kitts - I did the Volcano hike and DW shopped.

 

 

 

Labadee-beach time

San Juan-free trolley around old San Juan.  We planned to get off at El Morro but trolley stopped at bottom of hill due to a wreck we think.

St Martin - went to Maho Beach to watch planes land 

St Kitts-watched our friend swim with dolphins and shopped.

[arste]

4 minutes ago, MD_Dan said:

They list "Adult Dodgeball Competition".  They just list it's location as Deck 13 but the basketball court would be the ideal location for this.

 

It would say Pickleball, it is a different sport than dodgeball.  I have written to RC but I have not heard back from them.  Some ships have it.  Since we will be on the Adventure for 20 days would like to make sure we can get some games in.  Thanks for your help. 

Arlene

[sbell1]

Did the ship stay on Eastern Standard time while at the ports or switch to local time?

[MD_Dan]

Good questions!

All switched to local time.  And with the phone on Airplane Mode, it won't automatically update the time change.  We didn't get the wifi package so maybe it would update there.  We were able to turn the phones on in San Juan and communicate to home and each other.  RCL says you can call/text in Labadee for a RCL charge of $10.  But it is such a confined area that we didn't need it.

 

 

Edited December 19, 2018 by MD_Dan

[island284]

What time did you get in line to disembark and where to they have you line up?  I know it’s deck 4 but we’re you waiting in a particular lounge or dining room?  We have an early flight. Thanks you for any details you may share. 

[MD_Dan]

1 hour ago, island284 said:

What time did you get in line to disembark and where to they have you line up?  I know it’s deck 4 but we’re you waiting in a particular lounge or dining room?  We have an early flight. Thanks you for any details you may share. 

 

[MD_Dan]

You can carry off your luggage between 6:30 and 8 AM.  The main obstacles (at Port Everglades) is the escalators. We went to the Windjammer (it was pretty full) at 7 AM and left the ship by 7:45 AM.

[AFwifelife]

How was the volcano hike in St Kitts?  Doing the same itinerary in March.

[MD_Dan]

Thanks for the opportunity to tell my Mount Liamuiga hike story.  The one word I would use is strenuous. 

I am not a hiker but I love exploring nature.  They drive you to a point that is 700' above sea level.  The path is rocks and roots so your attention is confined to looking down for your next.  Needless to say we climbed (the peak is at 2800 ') and I felt my ears pop.  Rests were frequent but very short 1-2 min.  The slopes got steeper and the footing worse. 

As people fell back, they were collected at the half way mark.  I passed that point (about 1800') but also opted to fall back (my pulse was fast and hard).   But a guide stayed with us (15% of the group).  It was here that we had a chance to discus the ecosystem of the vplcano.  The descent was less hurried and more informative.  I picked up a volcanic rock (basalt) and brought it home. If you are in good shape, do it.  If the group is small, do it.  But don't get mixed in with 30 year olds when you are almost 60!

[Ken Greco]

On ‎12‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 8:59 PM, arste said:

My husband and I will be on a back to back on the Adventure beginning late April.  Did they list Pickleball as one of the activities in the Compass?  If not, did you notice if they were playing Pickleball on the basketball courts?  

 

Arlene

I am an pickleball player hip to play in August 2019 on Adventure

[Ken Greco]

Just now, Ken Greco said:

I am an pickleball player hip to play in August 2019 on Adventure

that's hope to play

[Ken Greco]

On ‎12‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 9:23 PM, arste said:

 

It would say Pickleball, it is a different sport than dodgeball.  I have written to RC but I have not heard back from them.  Some ships have it.  Since we will be on the Adventure for 20 days would like to make sure we can get some games in.  Thanks for your help. 

Arlene

Princess had specific times and correct nets for pickleball every day in the basketball court

[MD_Dan]

I must admit that I never heard of pickleball before I googled it (after your question).  But it looks fun!

 

I didn't see it on any Compass (I have all but Day2).  The major thing (outside of the equipment) you would need is a net.  On other cruises, is the net attached to the basketball court or is it freestanding?  It would be much easier if it were freestanding.   I was on the sports deck during the soccer competition and they had two freestanding goals.  You may want to contact RCL to let them know there is interest here.

 

[cruisegus]

On 12/20/2018 at 6:33 PM, MD_Dan said:

Thanks for the opportunity to tell my Mount Liamuiga hike story.  The one word I would use is strenuous. 

I am not a hiker but I love exploring nature.  They drive you to a point that is 700' above sea level.  The path is rocks and roots so your attention is confined to looking down for your next.  Needless to say we climbed (the peak is at 2800 ') and I felt my ears pop.  Rests were frequent but very short 1-2 min.  The slopes got steeper and the footing worse. 

As people fell back, they were collected at the half way mark.  I passed that point (about 1800') but also opted to fall back (my pulse was fast and hard).   But a guide stayed with us (15% of the group).  It was here that we had a chance to discus the ecosystem of the vplcano.  The descent was less hurried and more informative.  I picked up a volcanic rock (basalt) and brought it home. If you are in good shape, do it.  If the group is small, do it.  But don't get mixed in with 30 year olds when you are almost 60!

Was your excursion through the ship or did you go with a private company that sub contracted the guide.  I have been told there are only a half dozen guide that escort for the volcano hikes on the island.

we are just back from the 8 dec - 8 day cruise on adventure ourselves