Review: Adventure of the Seas Bermuda May 21-26, 2022

[mizLORInj]

Booked this cruise last summer and got a nice deal for a balcony for two.  After wintertime viewing of cabins on Adventure, we decided to upgrade to a J4 Junior suite for a few hundred more $ each.   We loved the idea of extra space and a big closet (two women).

 

Multiple reminders from Royal about what documentation was needed, to arrive at your selected check-in time, as well as the required Bermuda permit for $40.  Yes, many of us have strong opinions on this topic, and yes, it is a PITA.   Travel partner got her Bermuda permit by noon on Friday even though she applied for it later on Thursday than I did.  I tried to call the toll-free # later in the day Friday and it just stayed busy.   Would I plan another Bermuda cruise this summer or while they require this?  Probably not.   There are other destinations.    Don’t need the stress before a vacation.  Many of us received our approval just after midnight Saturday morning (found this out chatting with fellow passengers onboard).  There is a person at the terminal to help those who did not get their permit.  It just delays your boarding.

 

I was aware of Oasis and Summit using this port so we decided to take my manfriend up on his offer to drive us vs. parking at the port.  Turns out the top level of the deck never filled. 

 

After a reminder to bring a mask to the terminal, upon arrival we learned that the mask requirement was just lifted that day.  You DO need it in Bermuda though.  Arrived just around noon to no line outside—but long lines for Security and check-in.  We went to the suites line which still had a bunch of people but we were checked in and on the ship in probably 30 minutes from arrival.   Have your documents ready!   Some people were searching in their bags for required docs.

 

Cabin.   Deck 9 Junior Suite between forward and midship.  LOVED this cabin.  So much storage and a nice sized closet.   (Though it was smaller than the Junior Suite I had on Anthem).  Nice seating area with couch that opens to a smallish bed and 2 plush chairs with coffee table.   You could also split the bed into two beds.   No bathroom light (older ship) so it is very dark with the drapes closed.  Even had a Lavazza espresso machine.   Balcony is large enough for a lounger but it had just 2 chairs and a table.   Would get this cabin type again if the price was right.

 

Hallways on this ship are wide.  Not Love Boat tv show wide—but wider than newer ships.  

 

Luggage took a long time to arrive; maybe 5:30pm our suitcases were in a lineup in the hallway.  

 

Food.   It was great everywhere.  Spent a lot of time in the buffet because we like choices and little bits of a variety things.  Ate dinner in the dining room twice and food was very good.  Lobster the night we left Bermuda.  And tenderloin.  Yum.   Windjammer has its packed moments but there is plenty of food to choose from and the service was excellent.   Themed nights for dinner; they’re listed in the Cruise Compass each day.   Would like silverware on the tables instead of by plates; had to go back many times because I forgot silverware.  As with all cruise lines, desserts are hit or miss.   But the coconut ranger cookies were always fabulous and available various days.   Pizza in Promenade Café only.  And only certain hours.  It was good though.

 

Spent a lot of time at Boleros for their mojitos and various other drinks.   Joji and the guy from Montenegro were our usual bartenders and they were great.   Had a drink at other bars here or there.  Champagne bar does not have good champagne options, and not enough of them.  Just stop calling it a champagne bar.   Need to check hours as all the bars vary on opening times.

  

Day 2 was foggy.   Had not ever heard the ship’s foghorn on a Bermuda cruise before—usually to Canada only.   Cleared up though.   

 

Love the Viking Lounge (renamed Blue Moon).  Such a nice space.  Diamond lounge is up there too and had very few people in it the 2 times I popped in.  Don't care about the drink or food there; it is abundant everywhere on the ship.   Chapel is one deck up from there. 

 

Entertainers.   The guy who played guitar was great.   Singers and dancers were good.   Comedian was funny.   Disco party was good but wish we had more room to dance.   Ice show was absolutely fabulous—one of the guys looked like a younger Hugh Jackman=HOT!    Played various trivia games and Name that Tune; was all good fun.   Prizes could use improvement!  We had to share a bag of zipper pulls among the tied teams.

 

Bermuda.  Remember to bring your mask.   They are strict for the 50 steps you take in their cruise terminal.   Took the $7pp each way shuttle to Horseshoe Bay and it was a beautiful day there.   Rental company has changed--$10 each for chairs and umbrella.    Was not as crowded as I expected.

 

Pax count was somewhere between 2,600 and 2,900 depending on where you got your info.   Next cruise, boarding today, 3,100 are expected.

 

Did self-carry off the ship just before 8am.  

 

Great cruise on an older but still nice ship.  Weather for the most part was good.  Would go again tomorrow. 

 

Happy to answer any questions.   Happy cruising all!!!

[panoramaofthepast]

Thanks for the review. We head out July 30th with our daughter and DIL, so this was good info to have!

[EeyoreRN]

Thank you so much for doing this review!  So glad to read you had a great time.

 

DH and I are (hopefully) sailing on the June 9th Adventure to Bermuda cruise.  Did you have a formal night? If so, when? Which nights the dining room offer the least inspiring menu? We booked a 2 night dining package and are trying to decide which nights to use it. How is the free coffee on board? We are contemplating going without any beverage package this trip and are hoping we don't need to purchase specialty coffees.

 

Also, where/how do you find the $7 shuttle to horseshoe bay?

 

Thanks!  

Edited May 27, 2022 by EeyoreRN

[texanapat]

Bermuda.  Remember to bring your mask.   They are strict for the 50 steps you take in their cruise terminal.   Took the $7pp each way shuttle to Horseshoe Bay and it was a beautiful day there.   Rental company has changed--$10 each for chairs and umbrella.    Was not as crowded as I expected.

 

Did Royal offer this shuttle to Horseshoe?

[DCL2RCI]

1 hour ago, texanapat said:

Bermuda.  Remember to bring your mask.   They are strict for the 50 steps you take in their cruise terminal.   Took the $7pp each way shuttle to Horseshoe Bay and it was a beautiful day there.   Rental company has changed--$10 each for chairs and umbrella.    Was not as crowded as I expected.

 

Did Royal offer this shuttle to Horseshoe?

$7 pp would be the mini bus shuttles - the excursion offered by Royal is usually $39 pp (round trip).

[texanapat]

6 hours ago, DCL2RCI said:

$7 pp would be the mini bus shuttles - the excursion offered by Royal is usually $39 pp (round trip).

You can catch the mini bus shuttles at the port and how often do they run?

[DCL2RCI]

10 hours ago, texanapat said:

You can catch the mini bus shuttles at the port and how often do they run?

Yes; they do not run on a schedule, they fill them up and go - so if you're the first one on you might wait a bit. Check the Bermuda board here (https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/118-bermuda/) - they have lots of great information about getting around Bermuda.

[mizLORInj]

Thank you so much for doing this review!  So glad to read you had a great time.

 

DH and I are (hopefully) sailing on the June 9th Adventure to Bermuda cruise.  Did you have a formal night? If so, when? Which nights the dining room offer the least inspiring menu? We booked a 2 night dining package and are trying to decide which nights to use it. How is the free coffee on board? We are contemplating going without any beverage package this trip and are hoping we don't need to purchase specialty coffees.

 

Also, where/how do you find the $7 shuttle to horseshoe bay?

 

Thanks! 

 

Formal night was first day at sea.   You can view the menu on the app to decide when to eat there--before you board the cruise.    Coffee was fine for us; this ship has only a Starbucks; not another coffee venue like Anthem has in Windjammer.  Lobster was in the MDR the last day in Bermuda.  Tenderloin too.

 

Shuttles are easy to find and run about every 20 minutes.   Port workers can direct you.    

ENJOY!!!

[Computer Nerd]

On 5/26/2022 at 11:28 AM, mizLORInj said:

Booked this cruise last summer and got a nice deal for a balcony for two.  After wintertime viewing of cabins on Adventure, we decided to upgrade to a J4 Junior suite for a few hundred more $ each.   We loved the idea of extra space and a big closet (two women).

 

Multiple reminders from Royal about what documentation was needed, to arrive at your selected check-in time, as well as the required Bermuda permit for $40.  Yes, many of us have strong opinions on this topic, and yes, it is a PITA.   Travel partner got her Bermuda permit by noon on Friday even though she applied for it later on Thursday than I did.  I tried to call the toll-free # later in the day Friday and it just stayed busy.   Would I plan another Bermuda cruise this summer or while they require this?  Probably not.   There are other destinations.    Don’t need the stress before a vacation.  Many of us received our approval just after midnight Saturday morning (found this out chatting with fellow passengers onboard).  There is a person at the terminal to help those who did not get their permit.  It just delays your boarding.

 

I was aware of Oasis and Summit using this port so we decided to take my manfriend up on his offer to drive us vs. parking at the port.  Turns out the top level of the deck never filled. 

 

After a reminder to bring a mask to the terminal, upon arrival we learned that the mask requirement was just lifted that day.  You DO need it in Bermuda though.  Arrived just around noon to no line outside—but long lines for Security and check-in.  We went to the suites line which still had a bunch of people but we were checked in and on the ship in probably 30 minutes from arrival.   Have your documents ready!   Some people were searching in their bags for required docs.

 

Cabin.   Deck 9 Junior Suite between forward and midship.  LOVED this cabin.  So much storage and a nice sized closet.   (Though it was smaller than the Junior Suite I had on Anthem).  Nice seating area with couch that opens to a smallish bed and 2 plush chairs with coffee table.   You could also split the bed into two beds.   No bathroom light (older ship) so it is very dark with the drapes closed.  Even had a Lavazza espresso machine.   Balcony is large enough for a lounger but it had just 2 chairs and a table.   Would get this cabin type again if the price was right.

 

Hallways on this ship are wide.  Not Love Boat tv show wide—but wider than newer ships.  

 

Luggage took a long time to arrive; maybe 5:30pm our suitcases were in a lineup in the hallway.  

 

Food.   It was great everywhere.  Spent a lot of time in the buffet because we like choices and little bits of a variety things.  Ate dinner in the dining room twice and food was very good.  Lobster the night we left Bermuda.  And tenderloin.  Yum.   Windjammer has its packed moments but there is plenty of food to choose from and the service was excellent.   Themed nights for dinner; they’re listed in the Cruise Compass each day.   Would like silverware on the tables instead of by plates; had to go back many times because I forgot silverware.  As with all cruise lines, desserts are hit or miss.   But the coconut ranger cookies were always fabulous and available various days.   Pizza in Promenade Café only.  And only certain hours.  It was good though.

 

Spent a lot of time at Boleros for their mojitos and various other drinks.   Joji and the guy from Montenegro were our usual bartenders and they were great.   Had a drink at other bars here or there.  Champagne bar does not have good champagne options, and not enough of them.  Just stop calling it a champagne bar.   Need to check hours as all the bars vary on opening times.

  

Day 2 was foggy.   Had not ever heard the ship’s foghorn on a Bermuda cruise before—usually to Canada only.   Cleared up though.   

 

Love the Viking Lounge (renamed Blue Moon).  Such a nice space.  Diamond lounge is up there too and had very few people in it the 2 times I popped in.  Don't care about the drink or food there; it is abundant everywhere on the ship.   Chapel is one deck up from there. 

 

Entertainers.   The guy who played guitar was great.   Singers and dancers were good.   Comedian was funny.   Disco party was good but wish we had more room to dance.   Ice show was absolutely fabulous—one of the guys looked like a younger Hugh Jackman=HOT!    Played various trivia games and Name that Tune; was all good fun.   Prizes could use improvement!  We had to share a bag of zipper pulls among the tied teams.

 

Bermuda.  Remember to bring your mask.   They are strict for the 50 steps you take in their cruise terminal.   Took the $7pp each way shuttle to Horseshoe Bay and it was a beautiful day there.   Rental company has changed--$10 each for chairs and umbrella.    Was not as crowded as I expected.

 

Pax count was somewhere between 2,600 and 2,900 depending on where you got your info.   Next cruise, boarding today, 3,100 are expected.

 

Did self-carry off the ship just before 8am.  

 

Great cruise on an older but still nice ship.  Weather for the most part was good.  Would go again tomorrow. 

 

Happy to answer any questions.   Happy cruising all!!!

The AOTS is a Voyager class ship (130,000 tons)?

[Ky Bill]

Thank you for the Bermuda review.  We're on the AOS on August 15th, 2022.  It's a 9 night cruise with Bermuda being our first port of call.  I am hoping but not counting on Bermuda stopping the 40 dollar per person cash grab before we cruise.  Glad to here the ship, food and entertainment was nice.  Anyone else on our cruise?

Bill

[mizLORInj]

30 minutes ago, Ky Bill said:

Thank you for the Bermuda review.  We're on the AOS on August 15th, 2022.  It's a 9 night cruise with Bermuda being our first port of call.  I am hoping but not counting on Bermuda stopping the 40 dollar per person cash grab before we cruise.  Glad to here the ship, food and entertainment was nice.  Anyone else on our cruise?

Bill

Bill, hope you enjoy.  Check the Roll Calls section for your specific cruise to find out who else is on it.

🙂

[mizLORInj]

We also learned from a crew member that all crew get C tested every three days.

 

Tornado Tonya, the CD, was full of energy.  

 

Particular fun was Finish the Lyrics game show.   (watched, didn't participate)

[RosieRoo]

1 hour ago, Ky Bill said:

Thank you for the Bermuda review.  We're on the AOS on August 15th, 2022.  It's a 9 night cruise with Bermuda being our first port of call.  I am hoping but not counting on Bermuda stopping the 40 dollar per person cash grab before we cruise.  Glad to here the ship, food and entertainment was nice.  Anyone else on our cruise?

Bill

Not sure if this is valid info, but someone on another thread said it was in effect until spring 2023. 

[Biker19]

3 hours ago, Computer Nerd said:

The AOTS is a Voyager class ship (130,000 tons)?

Correct. 

[texanapat]

5 hours ago, DCL2RCI said:

Yes; they do not run on a schedule, they fill them up and go - so if you're the first one on you might wait a bit. Check the Bermuda board here (https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/118-bermuda/) - they have lots of great information about getting around Bermuda.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions