For all those who have booked or are going to book the AOS - read this!

[ckrobyn]

Has anyone seen or heard from Toonjie?? He usually shows up when this thread gets resurrected :rolleyes: and so far.....he hasn't been around?

Toonjie......where are you?????? :)

[cookie225]

yes i have found it very strange he hasnt popped up, his last post was October:eek: but yet last activity was January 1st....So let's hope he's just taking a break from us;) and is ok.

[DKNE]

Hey! Very exciting to read your posts on the Adventure of the Seas. We are getting ready to book a cruise hopefully next year or possibly the following year. I love the itinerary.

Also on a side note, you fly out of Toronto, have you ever tried Buffalo? Our last cruise we flew out of Toronto, over $1000 each!!! But we flew recently to Florida and paid $800 rt for 4 of us!!!

I just also saw a great flight deal $600 rt, taxes in for 2 people to San Juan!

Try Buffalo, huge savings in flights!!

 

Love to read up on your other posts on AOS! :)

[ckrobyn]

Hey! Very exciting to read your posts on the Adventure of the Seas. We are getting ready to book a cruise hopefully next year or possibly the following year. I love the itinerary.

Also on a side note, you fly out of Toronto, have you ever tried Buffalo? Our last cruise we flew out of Toronto, over $1000 each!!! But we flew recently to Florida and paid $800 rt for 4 of us!!!

I just also saw a great flight deal $600 rt, taxes in for 2 people to San Juan!

Try Buffalo, huge savings in flights!!

 

Love to read up on your other posts on AOS! :)

 

Hi there DKNE - glad you are enjoying this thread :D

 

I have flown out of Buffalo before - but I hesitate in the winter with the weather being so unpredictable, but I am aware that the prices are good when you can score a seat sale!

[kemptct]

Hi Robyn,

 

We're not planning on doing any excursions in Domenica on our cruise either. Any recommendations for walking around the port or should we just stay on the ship? Any souvenir stores or local crafts? Did you feel safe?

 

Thanks!

 

Theresa

 

Hi Theresa, Just checked out this thread and noticed that you were looking for something to do on Dominica. Hubby and I were there last Feb. and went on the "Cooking Caribbean" tour. Had an amazing time getting to know our hosts, learning of the local culture and foods and enjoying a wonderfull meal we helped prepare complete with island rum drinks. I can not say enough good things about this tour and hope you will check it out. Chris

[rupertfrog]

I know what you mean...

 

Although we will still have a stop in St. Maarten the second week, it is our favorite island and we LOVED going there twice during our B2B's :)

 

Ocean Boy -- I hear you! I'm not sure about St Croix ..... Not much is "offered" for excursions (they had more last year) AND we were told by the "residents" that the island doesn't want to be built up or like St Thomas. I'm wondering if they'll be off the itinerary soon again ...

[Kaboochi]

Hi,

I am new to this thread. 20 of us have cruised to this port for the last 3 years. The port area is ok with some very nice shops for spices and a great place for drinks (don't remember the name of the bar but it is 1 block from port and used to be a slaves quarters).

 

Our fav thing to do is hire a driver for the day. We go to Champagne Reef to snorkel and go to Screw's Spa (if there is one thing you do on this island go there. His numerous natural hot springs pools are AMAZING.) We have done the rain forest tours in the past and loved them. But since we have been there so many times we go to our favorite spots, then return to the ship. I hope this helps

[ckrobyn]

Hi,

I am new to this thread. 20 of us have cruised to this port for the last 3 years. The port area is ok with some very nice shops for spices and a great place for drinks (don't remember the name of the bar but it is 1 block from port and used to be a slaves quarters).

 

Our fav thing to do is hire a driver for the day. We go to Champagne Reef to snorkel and go to Screw's Spa (if there is one thing you do on this island go there. His numerous natural hot springs pools are AMAZING.) We have done the rain forest tours in the past and loved them. But since we have been there so many times we go to our favorite spots, then return to the ship. I hope this helps

 

Thanks Kaboochi - those are amazing and very helpful tips for Dominica!

[Ocean Boy]

Ocean Boy -- I hear you! I'm not sure about St Croix ..... Not much is "offered" for excursions (they had more last year) AND we were told by the "residents" that the island doesn't want to be built up or like St Thomas. I'm wondering if they'll be off the itinerary soon again ...

 

When we sailed on Serenade we hit the week when she was making a refueling stop at St. Croix. Granted we were only there a few hours and it was evening but I really have no desire to go back there. And that is especially true when it means getting that island in place of St. Thomas. I very much enjoy forts and I would probably visit the one that I have read about on St. Croix if we ever did go back there but there is nothing else that interests me.

[Teeara]

You may enjoy a leisurely stroll around the port area if you are interested in local crafts etc.

 

A day at the spa on a port day is perfect - the price certainly will be! :D

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

I love those spa specials on port days :D Ahhhh....relaxing just to think of them...:rolleyes:

[Teeara]

[quote name='kemptct']Hi Theresa, Just checked out this thread and noticed that you were looking for something to do on Dominica. Hubby and I were there last Feb. and went on the "Cooking Caribbean" tour. Had an amazing time getting to know our hosts, learning of the local culture and foods and enjoying a wonderfull meal we helped prepare complete with island rum drinks. I can not say enough good things about this tour and hope you will check it out. Chris[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion, Chris. Was that a ship sponsored tour? Not sure my roommate would be interested. I'm the cook, not her.

[cookie225]

CKRobyn....do you have Toonjies e-mail address? Its very strange he's not on the boards..

[cookie225]

OMG!!!! I just used priceline for the first time and got The Intercontinental Hotel for $125 pre cruise woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D Did I mention before, this was the one I wanted to spend my 2 days pre-cruise:):D:p

[toonjie]

[quote name='ckrobyn'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]Has anyone seen or heard from Toonjie?? He usually shows up when this thread gets resurrected :rolleyes: and so far.....he hasn't been around?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#0000ff]Toonjie......where are you?????? :)[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

[quote name='cookie225']yes i have found it very strange he hasnt popped up, his last post was October:eek: but yet last activity was January 1st....So let's hope he's just taking a break from us;) and is ok.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='cookie225']CKRobyn....do you have Toonjies e-mail address? Its very strange he's not on the boards..[/QUOTE]

Hi Everyone! Happy New Year and sorry I've been away, but the holidays have been really busy and with a 2 year old and a 4 month old it's hard to get much free time! Did I mention we had another baby? Noah is 4 months old and big brother Josiah is really adjusting well to having a little partner.
Well, now that the holidays are over, I am officially done with winter, so let's talk about the AOS! Let the talk of warmth begin again!

[toonjie]

[quote name='cookie225']OMG!!!! I just used priceline for the first time and got The Intercontinental Hotel for $125 pre cruise woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D Did I mention before, this was the one I wanted to spend my 2 days pre-cruise:):D:p[/QUOTE]

We stayed there this May before sailing on the Serenade and we just loved it. I'll try to post some pics to get you in the mood. It's a really nice hotel with a great pool area and the beach is arguably the best in San Juan.

[Teeara]

[quote name='toonjie']Hi Everyone! Happy New Year and sorry I've been away, but the holidays have been really busy and with a 2 year old and a 4 month old it's hard to get much free time! Did I mention we had another baby? Noah is 4 months old and big brother Josiah is really adjusting well to having a little partner.
Well, now that the holidays are over, I am officially done with winter, so let's talk about the AOS! Let the talk of warmth begin again![/quote]

Welcome back, Toonjie! Congrats on the new baby.

I must also congratulate you on some great pix! Thanks for sharing.

[toonjie]

Cookie225,

Here are some pics to whet your appetite:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326618379/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5326618379_07557069ff_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326618379/]IMG_4670[/url]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326616749/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5326616749_1f212162a5_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326616749/]IMG_4663[/url]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326616225/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5326616225_c36b825df4_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326616225/]IMG_4661[/url]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326614871/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5326614871_259a3de402_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326614871/]IMG_4655[/url]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327222080/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5010/5327222080_ecd554a481_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327222080/]IMG_4652[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

[toonjie]

Here's some more:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326615577/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5326615577_44661ff35a_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326615577/]IMG_4658[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326616475/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5326616475_65d1547b92_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326616475/]IMG_4662[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327227410/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5327227410_e36aaab6f6_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327227410/]IMG_4674[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

This one shows the distance to the airport:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327227660/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5201/5327227660_671d62fd8a_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327227660/]IMG_4675[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327228388/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5327228388_24ef7113ea_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5327228388/]IMG_4678[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

As an airplane buff, I was just as happy with this city view as I would be with an ocean view.

View across the street:
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326620123/][img]http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5326620123_c8dc3c58b6_b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/toonjie/5326620123/]IMG_4677[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/toonjie/]toonjie[/url], on Flickr

[ckrobyn]

Welcome back Toonjie :D
Happy New Year and congratulations on the sweet new addition to your family! It feels as if Josiah was just born!!!! Where does the time go???? :eek:

[mom2two2]

Hey Everyone

We are sailing AOS at the end of the month and I am getting a little nervous.
DH and I sailed NOS last Jan on our own and this year decided to take the kids (8 & 11) with us. Seeing as we take other holidays as well, this will likely be the only cruise we take as a family.
We loved NOS despite there being lots of crabbing on here about the ship - lol - took that with a grain of salt.
I have seen a lot of negative talk about AOS on CC and really just ignored it or took into account with all the positive talk. But I have to say that the reviews and the discussion seem to be more bad than good lately and I am getting a little worried.
We are young, laid back and looking forward to having lots of fun with the kids on this trip...we have excursions booked and plans to hang by the pool, climb the rock wall, enjoy as much as we can. We just want to be able to give the kids a great cruise experience as this is their first one.
Does anyone else seem to find that the reviews seem to be getting more and more negative?
(and no, we do not care if the ship is full of puerto ricans either. the kids are brushing up on their "please", "thank you" and "excuse me" in spanish).
TIA

[Ocean Boy]

Mom2two2

Maybe if you would be a little more specific about the concerns that you have we could address them according to what our experiences have had aboard the ship.

[Teeara]

[quote name='mom2two2']Hey Everyone

We are sailing AOS at the end of the month and I am getting a little nervous.
DH and I sailed NOS last Jan on our own and this year decided to take the kids (8 & 11) with us. Seeing as we take other holidays as well, this will likely be the only cruise we take as a family.
We loved NOS despite there being lots of crabbing on here about the ship - lol - took that with a grain of salt.
I have seen a lot of negative talk about AOS on CC and really just ignored it or took into account with all the positive talk. But I have to say that the reviews and the discussion seem to be more bad than good lately and I am getting a little worried.
We are young, laid back and looking forward to having lots of fun with the kids on this trip...we have excursions booked and plans to hang by the pool, climb the rock wall, enjoy as much as we can. We just want to be able to give the kids a great cruise experience as this is their first one.
Does anyone else seem to find that the reviews seem to be getting more and more negative?
(and no, we do not care if the ship is full of puerto ricans either. the kids are brushing up on their "please", "thank you" and "excuse me" in spanish).
TIA[/quote]

I just ignore the negative reviews. Crew might be having a bad week, cruisers might've started their vacation off on the bad foot or are just cranky pants to begin with.

Go and have fun! Be positive and if something doesn't happen as plan just laugh it off. Only YOU can control how YOU react to things. Use this as an opportunity to teach your children how to have fun regardless of the circumstances. I can guarantee you that they aren't worried about anything except that they're going to spend some great time with their parents on a cruise ship.

Theresa

[mom2two2]

Sorry about that. I guess what I am reading seems to be a little general anyhow.
I seem to see alot of comments about staff being not very "good" (or even not polite), the ship/cabins being worn and run down, that sort of thing.
We in no way need someone waiting on us hand and foot but I hope these people are just being picky. Like I said, I saw this sort of stuff about NOS as well and DH and I had a great time, thought there was nothing to complain about.

[Teeara]

[quote name='mom2two2']Sorry about that. I guess what I am reading seems to be a little general anyhow.
I seem to see alot of comments about staff being not very "good" (or even not polite), the ship/cabins being worn and run down, that sort of thing.
We in no way need someone waiting on us hand and foot but I hope these people are just being picky. Like I said, I saw this sort of stuff about NOS as well and DH and I had a great time, thought there was nothing to complain about.[/quote]

Some people won't be happy unless others are bowing and scraping to them.

It's a 10 year old cruise ship. It's not Allure or Oasis. It's going to show it's age just a wee bit.

Staff turns over, too. Sometimes you get people who are newer than others. Just as there are all kinds of people with different personalities who are vacationing you're also going to have the same situation with the staff. You also don't know how a staff person had just been treated by a passenger or another staff person. A smile goes a long way to smoothing ruffled feathers.

Again, just go and have fun.

[mom2two2]

Thank you for the reassurance. I know all this but it is nice to hear it from someone else too.
We are not high maintenance type at all so I am sure we will have a fabulous time. And while NOS is about the same age, and yes, there were balcony railings that were faded etc it just seemed so difficult that ppl could complain about something like that - but whatever. I personally found my only "issue" to be all the people complaining everywhere we went....in line outside a show, at the buffet and so on. Seriously, people you are FLOATING AROUND THE CARIBBEAN! Who cares if you wait a few minutes for the theatre doors to open??? LOL
I just wanted to make sure there was not something "going on" lol.

We cannot wait to go. I personally cannot wait to see the kids' faces when they see the sheer size of the ship for the first time. This is gonna be GOOD! :D