My AOS 6/17 Cruise Review!!

[divaofdisney]

First I would like to say, thanks for being patient while I tried to catch up with life around here....so here it goes and on with my review:

 

Pre-days in San Juan- June 14-17th

We awoke early the morning of the 14th and headed to the Salisbury Regional Airport. Arrived by 5am :eek: way early for our 5:50am flight to Philadelphia. We arrived there shortly before 7am and headed to terminal A for our supposed flight time of 8:20 am I believe. We arrived to find they were doing maintenance on our plane and we were delayed till almost noon. Not a good feeling to know they are working on the plane you are about to get on. Well, anyway we finally boarded along with a ton of other restless folks. We arrived in SJ about 4pm or so and headed to the SJ Marriott Stellaris Casino--it was just beautiful. The kids headed out to find the pool while we were checking in and their first view of it made them so excited to be staying here. We had a corner room on the 7th floor with a stunning view of the pool on one side and the beautiful ocean on the other. The room was very pretty and the beds were extremely comfortable. We dropped off our stuff and went down to the concierge to ask him where there was a good local place to eat that didn't cost an arm and a leg. He directed us to Cafe de Angel- just a few short blocks away. Well, the food was just amazing very good in taste and quality and a good price too!! We then headed back to the hotel and collapsed after such a long day. The next day, we headed to Old San Juan.....I was so surprised at just how friendly everyone was and we walked for hours just admiring the architecture and scenery. We did lots of shopping which is always a fun thing for me, lol!:D We went to this plaza where there was a place to get sandwiches...only $4.50 each and drinks only $1 it was about the best meal I ever had!!!! By about 1-2pm, I was dying from the heat...as it was soooooooooo hot!!!!! So, we headed back and spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool. This was really nice!! In fact, I fell asleep right under this palm tree. I guess it really doesn't get any better than that. The following day, my DH went on a guided tour thru the hotel to the rainforest which he said was abolsutely incredible and his picutres are truly amazing. We myself, and my 2 girls ages 10 and 18 met up with another family with whom I had been communicating with from right here on cruise critic (thanks Don527) for such a great time. We met at one of the local beaches for the afternoon. When we got back to the hotel, we all re-packed our stuff and went to bed early so we would be in great shape for our cruise to start the next day. We absolutely loved SJ and would go back again. I thought it was such a unique place.

 

Embarkation

We took a taxi from the hotel to the port around 9:30am and arrive at the port in about 10-15 minutes. No problems yet....when we arrived we were only the 2nd in line...after about 10 minutes we struck up a conversation with the couple that were ahead of us and they told me that the ship would be delayed boading because they were disinfecting the ship because there was a norovirus outbreak that cruise...I thought to myself....oh no lord please not again!!!! You see back in December I cruised with my girlfriend and the Freedom was delayed 2 days in Miami for this very same reason and that was a nightmare!! But no worries because after a bit they started checking in luggage and I thought it couldn't be too bad if they were doing this. We later learned that it was a family onboard that got sick and it was early in the cruise and it was confined and no one else got ill. Anyway, we checked in and boarded and were in the Windjammer by noon, yeah we were finally there!!!!

 

Our Stateroom

We had 2 D-1's connecting cabins on deck #6, #6234 and #6236. This was a great location and the rooms were very nice with adequate space for us and for our girls. We were able to put our suitcases right under the bed with no problems at all. space was a bit limited but there were shelves in the closet and it was more than adequate for our clothes. the balcony was the best part, I just love sitting out there especially in the early mornings and in the evenings sipping my coffee. Our stateroom attendant, Alberto was very good and provided for all our needs. He even gave us robes and slippers even though we were not in a suite. A real nice touch.

 

The Ports-

Barbados- We booked the 5-Star Catamaran Sail and Snorkel thru the ship and it was fantastic!!! The day didn't start too well. I woke to a very queasy stomach and not feeling too well and wasn't sure if I should even go...and second the weather wasn't too great either. It rained for a good part of the morning but by afternoon it turned overcast with some specks of sun peeking through at times. It turned out to be a great day because it wasn't too ungodly hot. The snorkeling was the best and it was really very enjoyable. The tour guys on this excursion were the best too! They made it so much fun for everyone even though the weather wasn't the greatest. It turned out this would be the only day it rained!

 

St. Lucia

We booked the Tropical Islands Tour thru the ship- I had no idea that when I booked this, it would be such a windy drive from one end of the island to the other...and well, my little one got sick and after that refused to get off the ship and visit another island. But with that said, we saw some of the most lush and most beautiful lanscapes and surroundings I have ever seen anywhere in my life. It was just breathtaking. We went to a plantation where they make chocolate and there were these lovely gardens and it was just amazing. Words just can't do it justice. After that we stopped had something to drink and some snacks and then proceeded to this huge waterfall for a chance to cool off and take a dip in the water. It was again just beautiful. By the time we got back to the ship there was no time left to window shop which was just as well since my little one was not feeling too well. All in all a great excursion but would hesitate to book again unless you have a very strong stomach!!!!

 

St. John's Antigua

Another simply gorgeous sunny and hot day!! We got off the ship and headed to the beach. I must apologize I have forgotten the name but it was right by the Sandals resort and it was just beautiful there. We spent about 3-4 hours there and then headed back to the ship for some lunch at Johnny Rockets- which was excellent as always. We then headed back for some window shopping. A great day.

 

St. Martin

Today was another great weather day....sunny and extremely hot in the 90's. We decided to take a taxi to Divi Little Bay and it was just the best. The water calm and relaxing and the best beach -sand so white and so soft, like walking on baby powder. Here again we enjoyed some sun and drinks and the water of course. Then we went into town to do some shopping. I bought my daughter a silver necklace with inlaid blue opal and it was beautiful and got an excellent price too- I had researched before I left as to where to get the best deals...but for the life of me I cannot remember the name of the place now. And for myself I also got a bracelet with the blue opal and amethyst- also at a great price as well. We had such a fun day here that I wish we would have had more time to spend at this port.

 

St. Thomas

We had wanted to go to St. John's but we learned as we got off the ship that the taxi fare to the ferry, the cost of the ferry, and the entrance to the State Park was going to run us over a $100 so we asked the taxi driver which beach he recommended for the best alternative snorkeling and he took us to Coki Beach---what an absolutely fatastic beach/bay. We saw the absolute best snorkeling here than we had seen the whole trip and it was smaller and more secluded--it did get more crowded by the afternoon but by then were were getting tired and needed out of the sun. I would highly highly highly recommend this beach/bay to all of you looking for a nice place to go that won't cost alot...only 27$ each way for the 3 of us or $54 RT...not bad at all for all the beautiful things we saw and experienced.

 

Dining/Ship/Entertainment

The dining was great. We did have lunch several times in the Windjammer and I really think the food there is very good and very tasty. I know people have complained about the food there, but IMO I have always found the food to be quite good. We ate at Potofino's 1 night with 2 other couples and the food was just impeccable as I remember. It was a great dining experience and I highly recommend at least eating there once while on a cruise. We had an excellent waitor from India, Sanjay and Devon for our asst. they were excellent and great with the girls. They always made them feel so special. I have to say that the head waitor we had was about the best I have ever encountered on any of our cruises to date. She was just incredible always came over to talk with us and ask us about our day and if there was anything she could do to make our dining experience more enjoyable. I had to keep telling her No...that it was simply fantastic!! The ship itself is in amazing shape and is just beautiful in all areas. I didn't really see any wear and tear anywhere. The new bedding is simply incredible and was so comfortable...I slept like a baby every night. The entertainment was good and we really enjoyed the shows we saw especially the Ice Show and the Love and Marriage Show. Once again, I missed Quest. They always have this so late at night at least for me. I am not a night person so it is very hard for me to stay up late. I am a nurse so having to be up early for so long, I am in bed by 10 most nights. But, I did manage to stay up a few nights anyway.

 

Debarkation

Debarkation went smoothly and without many problems but, our nightmare started when we arrived at the airport. We had the transfers from the port to the airport so once we arrived at the airport we had to wait for them (RCCL) to come with our luggage so we could claim it. Now, I had checked us in prior to getting to the airport but we still needed to go check in our luggage. Well, the lines by 10am were out the door with no end in sight. We waited for nearly 3 hours to get to the front of the line when the agent told us that since our flight wasn't till 6pm we had to wait another 2 hours to check in- I thought my DH would have a major meltdown and finally after several minutes they checked our bags cause frankly there was just too many people and absolutely NO WHERE to move. Once we did that, it was hurry up and wait and wait and WAIT!!!! We boarded on time and left for home....didn't arrive back until 12:15am in the morning!!! We were simply exhausted having been up for early 24hrs straight.

 

Last thoughts

I know this has been a lengthy review and for those still reading this thanks for hanging in there. I would like to say, this was overall a fantastic trip. We thoroughly enjoyed our vacation and have memories that will last a lifetime. This was a very special time for us as we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary, my daughter's 18th birthday and high school graduation. We had planned this trip for a long time and it more than exceeded our expectations with only a few exceptions. Don't know where or when we'll cruise again...but I can't wait to start planning again. Thanks for listening and I would be happy to answer any questions. :D

[nanfromatlanta]

Wonderful Review. Thanks....

[OKC Cruisers]

Thank you for the detailed review. DW and I booked for February on AOS doing the Aruba route. Each time I read a review of AOS the more anticipation I get. :rolleyes:

[Cruisechic470]

Great review! We were on your sailing and I was wondering who your head waiter was...

 

Our head waiter, Diana was also great! I think she should be promoted to Maitre'd. We sat in the Strauss dining room - just wondering if we had the same head waiter.

[divaofdisney]

No I don't think so....we were in the Vivaldi on 3rd floor. Our HW had short blonde hair and was just the best HW we've ever had., just so very friendly and personable. BTW, I enjoyed reading your review as well. ;)

[ukblue1998]

Great review!!! We are doing the same cruise 7/29 including 2 days pre-cruise at the Marroitt. How long was the rainforest tour in SJ?

[divaofdisney]

We booked the tour thru the hotel concierge and it was a 2 1/2 hr hike each way for a total of like 5-6 hrs. My husband said it was an excellent tour and highly recommended it. But he also said, it was really only for those who are in fairly good shape because it is an extensive hike.

[kittymom65]

I really enjoyed your review!

Thanks for taking the time to post.

In the future, if cruising from San Juan, would you recommend just waiting until Monday to fly home?

[Cruisechic470]

No I don't think so....we were in the Vivaldi on 3rd floor. Our HW had short blonde hair and was just the best HW we've ever had., just so very friendly and personable. BTW, I enjoyed reading your review as well. ;)

 

Thanks!! :D You're description just made me think of our lovely head waiter. :p

[emen822]

We aren't sailing until March but it's never too soon to get excited, right?? ;) Right now I have a reservation at the Marriott and after looking at your pictures, I think I'm going to keep it. It's SO expensive for Easter week but it looks great, especially the pool. Can I ask what that food was???

[divaofdisney]

We aren't sailing until March but it's never too soon to get excited, right?? ;) Right now I have a reservation at the Marriott and after looking at your pictures, I think I'm going to keep it. It's SO expensive for Easter week but it looks great, especially the pool. Can I ask what that food was ??

 

 

You will just love the Marriott...it is just beautiful. The food there inside the hotel and around the pools is expensive IMO and we did not eat there but there are alot of places nearby. there is a starbucks and ice-cream place right across the street and many other inexpensive places to grab a bite to eat. hope this helps.

 

btw- just wanted to mention that i will not have all my pics uploaded till at least friday evening as i am out of town for work and do not have access to my home computer...so pls. be patient. I still have almost 300 pics to load. there are plenty more to come. thanks