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

[emen822]

emen822....Welcome back. Glad you had a good time! I hoped you did a "Next Cruise" while on board so that you can get the OBC for that next AOS cruise!

 

We discussed Aruba and Eagle Beach before you left. Specifically the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort. Did you go there? If you did......tell us about it please!

 

Yes..I remember discussing Eagle beach. I just started my review and it now includes Aruba. Here you go:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=747157

 

I just read the first part of your review! Don't keep us hanging!!! :)

 

I know. I know. :p :D :p :D

I'm supposed to be working but I'm flipping through my compasses to see what I did every day. ;)

[maggieq]

max's mom - if you go to www.tripadvisor.com and click on caribbean and then aruba you can get trip reports on the AM. Also, there is a poster on www.aruba-bb.com that goes to the AM every year and has a report with pic's of resort and beach area around 10/07.

 

Also, www.aruba-bb.com has been very helpful to me during our trips to aruba.

 

My suggestion is to use the bus to get there unless you have alot of bags to carry.

[Shar27]

Wow - interesting comment, thanks! My DH has no interest in sailing any other ship other than the AOS, so unless I do the Liberty on one of my girls cruises in November - it won't happen!

 

Um, yeah, ok....:rolleyes: :p

[Suzanne74]

thanks everyone for your suggestions - we just booked the Liberty for 5/24. Once we get on it looks like we will be booking the AOS for 4/5/09 next year. Anyone want to come??;)

[Shar27]

Thank you. I know the AOS will be great. Since you have helped me a ton for the AOS - how about you help me decide my next cruise. ;) I have been on Navigator already last year. Would you pick - Mariner (cococay, st thom, st martin) or Liberty (san juan, st martin, labadee.) Both are the same price and the same week.

 

Anyone else can feel free to chime in.... :D

 

Suzanne, I am very sorry to hear abour your mother. At least everything worked out with RCCL. One less thing to worry about.

 

I hope you have a wonderful time on the Liberty.

[DrSeuss]

I have never heard of this? When did they eat in the dining room - it is closed from breakfast onwards until dinner :rolleyes:

 

I read it on a thread I now can't find. I think it was on Radiance class ships but they thought it was the same on AOS too. It was served in the DR at 12.30 ish and closed to everyone boarding. They said it was an amazing experience to chat to all the staff. Off out now but if I find the thread on my return I will post the link.:)

[derfp]

Has any one heard if RCCL is planning to offer anytime dining on the AOS?:confused: We're going in November.

[over the edge]

Um, yeah, ok....:rolleyes: :p

You're hilarious. You say so much with so few words!!

:p

[ckrobyn]

You're hilarious. You say so much with so few words!!

:p

 

 

Yes - she does have that knack doesn't she???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :o

[Poo]

Robyn and all, Thanks again for all the data. I have started a new Word Document to place all the websites that look interesting.

 

My sister, The Cruisnfool, has convinced her boss and one of her sons to book, so now we are a 4 cabin group. Over the Edge (previous poster) is our thread leader, and we are on our way. We will continue to monitor this sight for all the wonderful ideas.

 

Merci, Tout le monde!

[Shar27]

You're hilarious. You say so much with so few words!!

:p

 

Yes - she does have that knack doesn't she???? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :o

 

 

Love you guys too!!!!!!:D

[ckrobyn]

Love you guys too!!!!!!:D

 

Yes but do you love your BFF enough to switch to the Liberty instead of the Mariner in November???????????????:rolleyes:

[Shar27]

Yes but do you love your BFF enough to switch to the Liberty instead of the Mariner in November???????????????:rolleyes:

 

OOOOOOOOOOH, I'm telling Denise on you!!!!

 

Are you paying the dif??:confused:

[Dawn414]

I currently have a courtesy hold on an April '09 AOS cruise and need the push to put down the deposit.

 

Normally, I am SO GUNG HO about making travel arrangements that before my DH can blink, they're done!

 

But I am in a quandary here. It will be my 40th birthday 'gift' and I should be REALLY excited about the fact that DH is okay with this (considering we just spent the past year with Disney as our 2nd home). :rolleyes: But there-in lies part of my problem. We have gone to Disney MULTIPLE times in the past year and will have done 2 Disney cruises which were both just absolutely AMAZING. It's not so much me or DH that I'm concerned with, but rather my two kids who would in April '09 just be turning 6. Will THEY have a good time on AOS? I'm hearing pretty good things about the kid's club (although I wish they were open later), but what about the shows? Are they kid friendly? What is Adventure Beach? Is that something for them too? Your counsel is appreciated. As I said, normally I am ready to book any and every trip I can find and would LOVE to go to some islands that I haven't been previously. But I am struggling with whether my kids will have as much fun given their experience(s) on Disney...Help, please.

 

Dawn McG

[Pomperaugrr]

Your kids are the perfect age and will love the Adventure Ocean program. Our daughters cannot wait to get into AO. They still talk about it and can't wait to get back into it in JAnuary.

 

The Adventure of the Seas is a beautiful ship. We love sailing from San Juan too, so AOS and San Juan are a great combination. You will not be disappointed with the Adventure of the Seas!

 

Eric

[Dawn414]

Thank you. May I ask how old they were when they first were on AOS?

[BoatdrinkzMA]

:confused: Has Adventure of the Seas been updated/refurbished since launch in 2001? If so, when were the updates, and how extensive were they?

 

Can someone give me some idea of the condition of the cabins - particularly the adjoining cabins? Are they pretty beat, or in good shape?

 

We are plannning a cruise for January 2009 and are concerned that the ship will be 8 years old.

 

THank you!

[neverenoughcruises]

I am not sure of the particulars you asked for. However, I am just off the Adventure and did not notice any wear and tear. Our cabin were very nice and updated, expect for the old TV's. Hope this helps

[Sue L]

:confused: Has Adventure of the Seas been updated/refurbished since launch in 2001? If so, when were the updates, and how extensive were they?

 

Can someone give me some idea of the condition of the cabins - particularly the adjoining cabins? Are they pretty beat, or in good shape?

 

We are plannning a cruise for January 2009 and are concerned that the ship will be 8 years old.

 

THank you!

 

 

Rccl constantly maintains their ships, I have never seen any real wear and tear on any ship.

[nanfromatlanta]

We are plannning a cruise for January 2009 and are concerned that the ship will be 8 years old.

 

 

:confused: A ship that is 8 years old should still be in very good shape. That should not considered old by any means !! ;)

[ckrobyn]

OOOOOOOOOOH, I'm telling Denise on you!!!!

 

Are you paying the dif??:confused:

 

That would be NO!!!!!!:D

[txskier]

Robyn, get back to work!!!

 

We are rolling up on 6 weeks til we travel!!!!!:D

[ckrobyn]

Robyn, get back to work!!!

 

We are rolling up on 6 weeks til we travel!!!!!:D

 

You are SO Lucky!!!! I know you will have a fantastic cruise on my favorite ship :)

 

I know, I know.....get back to work!!!! ;)

[Shar27]

I currently have a courtesy hold on an April '09 AOS cruise and need the push to put down the deposit.

 

Normally, I am SO GUNG HO about making travel arrangements that before my DH can blink, they're done!

 

But I am in a quandary here. It will be my 40th birthday 'gift' and I should be REALLY excited about the fact that DH is okay with this (considering we just spent the past year with Disney as our 2nd home). :rolleyes: But there-in lies part of my problem. We have gone to Disney MULTIPLE times in the past year and will have done 2 Disney cruises which were both just absolutely AMAZING. It's not so much me or DH that I'm concerned with, but rather my two kids who would in April '09 just be turning 6. Will THEY have a good time on AOS? I'm hearing pretty good things about the kid's club (although I wish they were open later), but what about the shows? Are they kid friendly? What is Adventure Beach? Is that something for them too? Your counsel is appreciated. As I said, normally I am ready to book any and every trip I can find and would LOVE to go to some islands that I haven't been previously. But I am struggling with whether my kids will have as much fun given their experience(s) on Disney...Help, please.

 

Dawn McG

 

My youngest daughter was almost six and my son was 7 on their first cruise which wasn't the AOS, but the Explorer, which is an identical sister ship.

 

They absolutely loved the Adventue Ocean Club and couldn't wait to get there. They had a blast. Adventure Beach is an outdoor area at the back of the ship where they have various sized kids pools including a large twisted slide. The pool area has a cover over it, so no burn worries for the kids.

 

You mention that you wish the club was open later. It is open until 10:00 p.m., free of charge and then until 1:00 a.m. for a slight charge after that. I don't think the kids could last much longer then that.:p

 

Most of the shows are not specifically catered to children, but they are not against them either. They usually have a juggler, or magician during the week, two RCI dancer shows and a few singers and comediens. The skating show is great for all ages.

 

Although there are no Disney characters onboard, there is always tons for the kids to do, and things that the Disney ship does not have. Since they are six, they will be able to climb the rock wall, go ice-skating, in-line skating etc.

 

I hope this helps.

[Suzanne74]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawn414

I currently have a courtesy hold on an April '09 AOS cruise and need the push to put down the deposit.

 

Normally, I am SO GUNG HO about making travel arrangements that before my DH can blink, they're done!

 

But I am in a quandary here. It will be my 40th birthday 'gift' and I should be REALLY excited about the fact that DH is okay with this (considering we just spent the past year with Disney as our 2nd home). :rolleyes: But there-in lies part of my problem. We have gone to Disney MULTIPLE times in the past year and will have done 2 Disney cruises which were both just absolutely AMAZING. It's not so much me or DH that I'm concerned with, but rather my two kids who would in April '09 just be turning 6. Will THEY have a good time on AOS? I'm hearing pretty good things about the kid's club (although I wish they were open later), but what about the shows? Are they kid friendly? What is Adventure Beach? Is that something for them too? Your counsel is appreciated. As I said, normally I am ready to book any and every trip I can find and would LOVE to go to some islands that I haven't been previously. But I am struggling with whether my kids will have as much fun given their experience(s) on Disney...Help, please.

 

Dawn McG

 

My daughter was 5 last year when we went on the Navigator of the Seas which is also a similar ship to Explorer. She LOVED it. We are Disney fans too and have gone five times in 3 years. I have to say, I am the true disney nut and DD follows closely in my tracks. That said, it was SO nice to take a vacation from a Disney vacation. :D The ship is so much fun but it caters to adults as much as kids and DH very much liked having me relaxing instead of planning Disney events, looking for characters and so forth.

 

We haven't been on a Disney cruise yet but having read reports of the ships, they do sound great. I do however prefer that RCCL caters to adults as much as kids. I like more adult shows, more adult eating venues, more bars/lounges, a casino etc.... It was very nice to have our daughter on a cruise with us but have time to ourselves as well. Believe me, it really is a breath of fresh air to be away from Disney for a vacation. :)

 

Adventure Ocean is great, my 5yr old never wanted to leave and now she is 6 and can't wait to be in the 6-8yr old group for our next cruise in May. It is all she talks about. Your kids will love it. Don't hesitate!!!