trackjohn Posted February 27, 2008 #1 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Just returned from AOS...some background info...this was my 5th cruise in 5 years and usually cruise during this winter-break week (due to my wife being a teacher) and have previously cruised on RCI, Costa, Carnival and Princess. This latest cruise was without a doubt the best experience by far. The AOS was in great shape (did not appear to me to be seven years old). We had a stateroom balcony, 6th deck/mid ship, right by the elevators. The bedding appeared to be new and was quite comfortable (no additional mattress padding necessary). BTW we cruised with 2 other couples who were in adjoining staterooms and the experience/opinion of all 3 couples regarding this cruise was the same...A+++ The check-in process (we boarded 12:15 pm) took less than 60 seconds (no wait whatsoever) and we were in our rooms @1:00pm! We stayed in San Juan the night before at the El Convento and was able to get to the ship a bit earlier than most...the ship was essentially empty until around 4:00 pm). We had the 8:30 pm dinner seating, 3rd floor dining room near the captain's table. In that I travel extensively on business and have been somewhat spoiled over the years when entertaining clients in fine-dining venues I had little expectations regarding the quality of food in the main dining room and had made multiple reservations in the Portofino's (the Italian speciality rest.) assuming that the food was going to be sub-par...I couldn't have been more wrong. The food in the main dining room (considering they serve >1500 dinners per seating) was outstanding. Again, it was not 'fine dining' but it was close to it. The food quality was much better than the Cruisecritic 'reviews' that I've been reading about the past 6 months, so much so that after dining in Portofino's we cancelled the rest of the reservations and ate in the main dining room the rest of the cruise. The staff (particularly the head waiter, Robert) was superb, remembering our prior drink orders, etc. (IMO, this was a much improved experienced vs. what we had last year on the Crown Princess with their 'any-time seating' which, to me, was an 'any-time disaster'). We had room-service in the a.m. (coffee, pastries, etc.) and one nice touch is that they call your stateroom to notify you that the order is on the way. Later we usually had breakfast in the main dining room where everything was cooked perfectly to order. Lunch was usually in the Windjammer (basic lunch fare, although you could get a decent salad, wrap, etc.) Again everything our group had was fresh! While I have read some negative reviews regarding the layout of this ship my group (2 of them have been on >15 criuses) appreciated and enjoyed the AOS layout, particularly the Promanade. The fact that you could get a decent cup of coffee (Seattle's Best) or tea 24/7 on the Promanade was appreciated! Additionally the Gym (extensive equipment including full Cybex circuits) and Spa was the best of any ship I've been on. We were also very fortunate to be asked to join the staff captain for dinner at his table on Thursday evening...it was a terrific meal and experience. As far as the entertainment we saw 2 shows: the RCI singers/dancers (was nowhere near Broadway quality, was just OK give it a C) and the ice show. My advice...DO NOT MISS THE ICE SHOW...It was a GREAT performance. Also the ice rink is open (check the times) if folks want to ice skate. There were a few negatives: The internet connection on the ship was AWFUL (took 3-4 minutes just to connect to gmail to read emails). I was told that they were having a hardware uplink problem that was going to be addressed when they docked in San Juan. On sea days it was impossible to get any lounge chairs anywhere remotely near the pool area (I was told that some folks were 'reserving' their areas [towels on chairs]as early as 6:30 am). However, you could find vacated areas after 1:30 pm. Other than that there were a few minor issues not even worth mentioning (ex. running out of cream for the coffee on the last day in the Promanade...is that even worth mentioning????) Overall this was an OUTSTANDING cruise. The ship, its crew, the venues visited, even the weather could not have been better. It was one of the best vacations I've experienced. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjtt Posted February 27, 2008 #2 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Hi, and thank you for the nice review!! We are going on the AOS in July for a family reunion. Some of our group has sailed on other cruiselines before, some has cruised with Royal, and still others this will be their first cruise. We are all excited and can't wait until the time comes to enjoy all the ship and ports have to offer. And of course being together as a family in this once and a lifetime experience for all. Thank you again for taking the time to write this review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckinna Posted February 27, 2008 #3 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the review! Glad to hear about the food. We've never had a bad experience in that area, though I have read the many posts here about horrible food. What ports did you see? Do any excursions? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcellbattery Posted February 27, 2008 #4 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the review but I do have some questions. Was dinner at 8:30 the 1st night? Did you do any excursions, if so what? We are sailing in April and received our documents yesterday. Any additional information would be appreciated. I am glad you had a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex_Jen Posted February 27, 2008 #5 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the positive review! I'm looking forward to being back on AOS in April. :D Jen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busted knuckles Posted February 27, 2008 #6 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for your informative review. Being only 12 days out from our AOS trip, this positive feedback really gets us excited. 3/9 can't get here fast enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakka Posted February 27, 2008 #7 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I was also on this cruise. (Feb. 17-24) The ship leaves from the Pam Am Pier. not with in walking distance to Old San Juan. I will post pics of my JS as soon I download my 625+ photos of this cruise to my computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrick22 Posted February 27, 2008 #8 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the positive review. I leave for the AOS on 4/19 and can't wait. Was the ship full? Were there a lot of children? Thanks Denise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gidewey Posted February 27, 2008 #9 Share Posted February 27, 2008 The bride and I will be on AOS April 6! Really looking forward to her. Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted February 27, 2008 #10 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thank you for the review! Next week is our week! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackjohn Posted February 27, 2008 Author #11 Share Posted February 27, 2008 In response to the numerous questions: - In that it was winter-break week the ship was at 99% capacity and there were alot of folks < 18 on the ship but I did not really notice them (there was a large number of teenagers on the pool deck and whirlpool between 8 -10 pm but were all well behaved...also noticed security escorting underage teenagers back to their staterooms after 1:00am) In fact the only time you realized there were >3,400 passangers onboard was during the 'at sea days' at the pool! - I do believe that dinner was scheduled a few minutes later the first night due to the fact that the muster station drill didn't start until 6:00 pm and the first dinner seating started a few minutes late. -This dock in San Juan was a 5-6 minute cab ride from Old San Juan. -Played golf in Aruba (Tierre Del Sol, great course, VERY WINDY >35 mph) - Did a little shopping in St. Maarten then hailed a taxi, asked him what beaches he recommended (I was fully aware of Orient Beach but knew that it would be crowded...there were 3 ships in port). He mentioned Orient but also suggested Dawn Beach..he took us to both of them to see which one we wanted (waiting for us as we got out to look at both of them...he was a great ambassador for the island!)...we chose Dawn beach which is 3/4 mile from the Westin, very nice, $10.00 for a lounge chair w/umbrella, decent 'tiki bar', nice sized waves!! - decent size casino which, while busy, was not excessively crowded until the last evening. -BTW on Sunday we finished breakfast in the main dining room @ 9:15 am (we were in the # 3 group to depart the ship) and once our # was announced we were off the ship in less than 10 minutes...very impressive when compared to my other cruises and quite appreciated by an impatient 'New Yorker'!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroozaholic Posted February 27, 2008 #12 Share Posted February 27, 2008 trackjohn.....Thanks for the review. We're sailing on AOS on April 6th. Have a question for you.....we too are staying precruise at the El Convento. What did you think of it? Any suggestions for where to eat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc320 Posted February 27, 2008 #13 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Just over 9 weeks & we will be aboard.. thanks for the great review.. we are skipping the dining room this trip in order to save room in the suitcase for souiveners...:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trackjohn Posted February 27, 2008 Author #14 Share Posted February 27, 2008 EL Convento - very nice 'old world' hotel in the middle of Old San Juan(used to be a convent hence the name). They have a complimentry wine/cheese reception late afternoon (hard liquor additional)...rooms are large...jacuzzi with a 'plunge pool' on roof (not very big but OK). Is pricey (essentially you are paying for an old world experience which is updated to include room internet, flat screen HD, in-room Bose sound systems, etc. as well as the location) but very nice property. Is within walking distance to numerous places to eat, I've forgot the name of the rest. where we ate, ask the hotel staff, ALL are very pleasent and helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerraeb Posted February 27, 2008 #15 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Thanks for the great review. Cruising on AOS April 20th. Can't wait :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjtt Posted February 28, 2008 #16 Share Posted February 28, 2008 I was also on this cruise. (Feb. 17-24) The ship leaves from the Pam Am Pier. not with in walking distance to Old San Juan. I will post pics of my JS as soon I download my 625+ photos of this cruise to my computer. Can't wait to see your photos Wakka!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lradle Posted February 28, 2008 #17 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Trackjohn - what are the regularly scheudled times for dinner, first seating and second seating? Also, did they offer anytime dining? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mndity Posted February 28, 2008 #18 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Trackjohn - what are the regularly scheudled times for dinner, first seating and second seating? Also, did they offer anytime dining? Thanks. second seating 8:30 and no anytime dining except at Portofinos and Windjammer........ I think first seating is 6:30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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