Adventure of the Seas- Sept 5-12 REVIEW

[tccgirl]

Review of AOS 9/5-9/12

 

It was a great trip despite Hurricane Ivan. This was our first cruise, 2 couples in our late 20's, early 30's. We arrived in San juan at 11 am, took the Royal Carribean transfer to the dock. Our luggage went on a separate truck that had flat tire and we were scared, but no problems. It wasn't that crowded yet at the dock. We checked in at the dock at around 12 noon and they sat us in chairs with cookies and juice and said they would open up the doors at 12:30. We waited patiently and they finally let us in at 12:30. We went straight to our room, put down our carry-ons and explored the ship. We ate at Windjammer, the food was okay, typical buffet, alot of oily fried stuff that was obviously made for quantity not quality. We were afraid that our luggage would be left in the hallway if we weren't there, so we went back to the room, found the steward and he said he would secure them in our room since he had already met us. I quickly scheduled dinner at Portofino's and a Deep tissue massage in the spa, as well as a few spin classes. So we left the ship and went to visit Old San Juan. Everything was closing already. There was a cute street fair by the water in Old San juan and we also went to walgreens to get some bottles of water. We then ate at Cafe Puerto Rico where we had some excellent Sangria, then headed back to the ship. Our luggage was there, and we got ready for dinner and the drill (8:30) It sucked but we had to do it. Dinner was great, we had our own table for 4, late seating. I love late seating, early would have been way to early to get showered and dressed after a day of beach or pool. Later on we watched the welcome show(i feel asleep) and checked out the casino and Jesters.

 

Next day was the day at sea. Woke up for Spin class and some weight training. The gym is very nice, nicer than expected. Breakfast at Windjammer- more oily fatty fried stuff- found the omlette station and made eggwhites and had some raisin bran. Hung out by the pool. Dinner then jesters.

 

ARUBA- Island was okay, i always dreamed of going to Aruba and falling in love with it, but i was not really impressed. It was dry and full of Cacti. We rented a Jeep from American car rental (car was leaking coolant so we had to buy coolant and keep refilling it, in the end they gave us $5 off)

We passed by Baby beach, went to the Natural pool-nice but the road leading down to it was so rocky and unclear that we weren't sure which turns to take. It was refreshing though and a nice place to cool off. Then headed to the Natural bridge, took pictures there. Then headed staight to Palm beach. We parked the jeep on the street and walked in between hotels onto the beach were we rented Floats and chairs. and hung out there until 6 when the jeep was due back. We were a little annoyed that we didn't know all the shops closed at 5pm, so we missed all the shopping. Had dinner at El Gaucho ( it was okay, i've had better steak) then went to Carlos and Charlie's until midnight. This was fun, reminscent of spring break. Saw alot of crew members, even our assistant waitress and head waiter.

 

Curacao was turned into a day at sea because of Hurricane Ivan. It was a rainy ,windy one. The swells were huge and the boat was rocking like crazy. Alot of people were sick. They had to empty the pools because the were splashing all over the place. I had my Deep tissue massage at the Spa today, they were excellent and cost $120.

 

ST LUCIA- We stopped here instead. I Packed a lunch from the delicious sandwiches at the Cafe Promenade. We went to the shops at the port then asked someone were the best beach was. Took a taxi to the Wharf, where they had a bar and restaurant alot of great water sports (jetskiing, water bikes, sailboats, kayaks) We rented chairs and umbrellas and floats and enjoyed the sun. They had a shower here which we liked. No snorkeling here. Ate at Portofino's

 

ST MARTIN- Started off with America's Cup. This we great fun. Everyone should try it, old and young. The water is so beautiful here. After this we headed to Orient beach where we rented chairs(so comfy) and swam in the sea. No snorkeling here either. Lobster night in the dining room-sooo good.

 

ST THOMAS- We has to do the immigration check in the dining room that went very quick, then ran out to catch a taxi to the 9 am ferry to St John. we were considering doing the ship excurision to St John, but we were so happy that we didn't. We got to St John first, did the AWESOME snorkeling trail before the tours go there, and then got to lounge on the beach fat longer then the tour groups did. My husband went out snorkeling with me and was sure he saw ashark deep at the bottom just hanging out, not bothering anyone. I was scared, but no one else seemed to be. There were also stingrays there. This was the best beach of our trip. So quiet and undisturbed. Beautiful white sand and blue waters. They had food there and showers.

 

 

PORTOFINO'S- We LOVED, LOVED this restaurant. :p The food, the appetizers, the desserts all rival the best restaurants we have been to in NYC. We loved it so much we booked in on Saturday night as well, and they remembered us and treated us like VIP. I dream about going back.

 

CAFE PROMENADE- Great place for snacks. Delicius pizza, great sandwiches: smoked salmon, grilled veggies, Tuna, Turkey, egg salad-great to pack and bring on the islands, and open all night.

 

JOHNNY ROCKETS- no extra charge and as good as ever.

 

DINING ROOM- food and service were excellent . If you didn't like what u ordered, u order another. Or if you want 2 entrees, u order 2. They were so good.

 

WINDJAMMER- as i stated, i was not impressed, :( this is probabaly where people gain weight, because it is unlimited food and very oily and fried. I would rather eat breakfast and lunch in the dining room.

 

SHIPSHAPE SPA n GYM- Excellent gym equipment, great spin classes. The massage i had was top notch.

 

POOLS- still saltwater.

 

CASINOS- fun, and u kind of HAVE to walk thru it at some point:eek: spent too much here trying to win a million:mad:

 

SHOWS- missed the drifters because of a schedule change, didn't like the shopping talks (they were broadcast on TV anyway all day long) Saw the Talent show which was amusing.

 

PICTURES- if you don't want to spend too much, don't take too many. When you see them displayed you end up wanting them (we did)

 

OVERALL, a great first cruise. Cruising is a great value for your money and it doesn't go by too fast like alot of our vacations. I would definately go again, but maybe not during hurricane season.

 

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!:p

[QueensChick]

tccgirl...

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. We were on the same cruise and this brought back great memories of our Adventure. I'm glad you had a good time.

 

 

 

 

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."

-Marcus Aurelius Antonius

[DMorris]

Thanks for the review. Can't wait till our sailing in November.

[imosoreal]

Great review! I'm hoping my cruise in the next few weeks is almost just like yours.

[sbgrace]

Thanks for the great info! We'll be on the same route next year. :D

 

Question about the America's Cup regatta--the info on the RCCL site calls it "strenuous." Did you find it to be so? Would a non-athletic person enjoy it? Thanks!

 

Chris

[ashleymathis]

How did you get to St. John on your own? Did you go to Trunk Bay? Is there a web site that I can look at ferry schedules? Sorry for all the questions, we are going next June (still far off), and would like more info about going on our own vrs. a tour. Thanks, it sounds like you had a great trip. We were on the Adventure in May of 2002, and loved it!!!!

[tccgirl]

We did take a ferry to St John from Red Hook. We took a taxi from the dock at around 8:30 am to catch the 9a ferry to St john(runs hourly). The taxi called ahead to a friend to meet us with his taxi (if not, there are always alot of taxis everywhere to take u where u wanted)to take us from the st john dock to Trunk Bay. I think we were snorkeling at St John by 9:30-9:45a. We asked the same driver to come back at 2:30 so we could catch the 3 pm ferry back to Red Hook(St thomas) and the same Taxi from earlier back to the AOS dock where we shopped until we boarded at 5p.

 

I think it ended up being only about $23 per person as opposed to the $48 that the cruiseship was charging. Plus, we had much more freedom.

 

Good luck. There was a website that i found on this messageboard with the ferry times, it leaves every hour anyway. I forget which one it is, maybe do a search (sorry)

[glentally]

great review,

 

was the cafe promenade free or extra?

 

Glen