AOS 12/21/08 Christmas Cruise Review

[Mommy4lyfe]

I had a great time on the AOS and decided to write a review and share some of miy pictures. I went on this cruise with my DH, my DD, my GF and her DH. Since we had to fly into SJ we did one day pre cruise.

 

My departure day was nerve wrecking. Our flight was canceled from BWI to Philly and the airline failed to inform us. I only discover it the night before when I went on line to print our boarding passes. After hours of trying to get a flight out of the Washington, DC area to Philly, we decided to drive to Philly and catch the connecting flight. We left our house at 1:30 in the morning to catch our 7:40 am flight. We arrived at the airport and at the departing gate by 6am. Our flight arrived on time in SJ. Smooth process from getting off the plane to hotel check in.

 

We stayed at the Embassy Suites and Casino. Very nice hotel. Here we all are in the lobby.

 

 

Here are some more pictures

 

We had an unoffical M&M on the day of arrival. The hotel has a manager's reception every night from 5:30pm -7:30pm. They serve snacks and unlimited drinks. Since DH and I don't drink achohol, I can not comment on the drinks; however the snacks were good.

 

Here is a picture of the pool area.

 

We ate dinner at the Ponderosa Steak house. All I can say about that is "eat somewhere else"

 

The breakfast the next day at the hotel was very good. Plenty of food along with a variety of foods. Here is me and my DD.

 

We were scheduled for the Segway Tour at 10am however we had to cancel because it was raining very hard and Jose could only reschedule for 4:30 pm and we declined. Will do the segway tour next time we are in SJ.

 

Arrived at the ship around 12noon. There was a long line of cars and taxis lined up. When we finally got to the ship to drop of luggage, a total of 10 bags for both families. Signaled the porter and luggage was taken right away. We tipped $20.00 and requested a wheel chair for GF, Lady Patsy. With her being in a wheel chair we were taken to the head of the security line. We being Platinum members, we were all whisked to a separate line with no waiting. We were in the Windjammer by 12:30pm. In our room by 1:30pm and had our luggage by 2:30pm. How did that happen. Ok when we got to our floor, the security doors where shut but we saw people coming out of the doors so we went in the doors and to our room. As far as getting our luggage so early, well we saw our luggage in the employee stair well and got it before they started distributing the luggage. We were in cabin 1668, deck 10, D1 cat. We loved our cabin and attendent who's name is Novel Castillo. He took real good care of us. Thanks to all the posts on gifts to give your stateroom attendent, we gave Novel the perfect gift, Cash.

 

After getting to our cabin we unpacked and decorated our cabin.

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued

[Mommy4lyfe]

After decorating our room, we are now off to another unofficial M&M at Schooners.

 

After meeting everyone at Schooners we were off to the sail away party at the pool. Nothing to really write about. The crew was just getting people to do some line dancing. There was no one to really wave good bye to, however we did get one man to wave.

 

Off to dinner. We were assigned to table 410, deck 4, Strauss dinning room. Here is a picture of our waiter staff

From left to right Ceclia, Asst Waiter, Jerry, Head Waiter and Arun, Waiter. Could not have had a better group of servers. They catered to our needs. Jerry the head waiter came pass our table every night. That is the first time I have seen the head waiter every night I was in the dinning room. I normally see them on lobster night and the last night, tip night.

 

Our table mates were great. We truly enjoyed them and here is our table mates.

 

This picture if from day two, first formal night.

 

Will continue later with day two, our first sea day.

[Kikkycat]

Looking forward to reading the rest of your report! We're on the AOS in just over 3 weeks, and we have another thing in common - we are in Southern Maryland also (Accokeek).

 

I'm very happy we have a non-stop from BWI to SJU, both coming and going!!

 

Love the pictures so far. I just adore palm trees!

[Mommy4lyfe]

Looking forward to reading the rest of your report! We're on the AOS in just over 3 weeks, and we have another thing in common - we are in Southern Maryland also (Accokeek).

 

I'm very happy we have a non-stop from BWI to SJU, both coming and going!!

 

Love the pictures so far. I just adore palm trees!

 

We live in Waldorf, MD. You will love the AOS. Will post more of my review tomorrow.

[ultrashell]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. On the AOS in 5 wks!

[corkster]

Can't wait for more. We've sailed on the AOS twice and have her booked again this summer. We'll be celebrating Christmas 09 on the Oasis.

[TennisLover]

Can't wait to read more. We fly to San Juan for our AOS cruise three months from today.

[Tex_Jen]

Great review. I had Arun on my 2007 AOS cruise. He is an awesome waiter isn't he? 2 out of my 3 AOS cruises, the Head Waiter was very attentive. The last one was a bit on the missing side. Must be that all the good ones have moved "upstairs". ;)

 

Can't wait to hear more.

 

Jen

[cruisecookie]

I really enjoy reading your review. We will be on the Adventure in two weeks! What time was your informal M&M at Schooners? What time was the muster drill? I'm looking forward to the rest of your review. Happy new year!

[will work to cruise]

Thanks for the review. You have a lovely family. We are looking forward to booking a 2010 cruise on the AOS.

[Jan_In_Maine]

I'm enjoying reading your review - thanks so much for posting. I look forward to the rest.

 

(You have some really cool clothes, really like the blue you wore for sailaway, and your formal outfit is beautiful!). Jan

[Sharon I]

Thanks for the review, I know how busy you must be and to take time to share this is very special. I really am enjoying it, we will be on the AOS in April. I noticed your daughter is a young teenager, we are bringing our granddaughter with us, will she have others her age on the ship? Did you have much rain and I agree you do have some lovely outfits.

 

Sharon

[LTyler]

Love the way you decorated your cabin!! :)

[BuyReallyLow]

I really enjoy the pictures you've added. I've had difficulties adding pictures in the past due to size, etc. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

BRL

[ExploreroftheSeas92]

Liking the review so far, great pictures!

[LTyler]

I really enjoy the pictures you've added. I've had difficulties adding pictures in the past due to size, etc. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

BRL

 

you can upload your photos in photobucket and they will make resize, make you links to post, etc. very easy!! :)

[Mommy4lyfe]

I really enjoy reading your review. We will be on the Adventure in two weeks! What time was your informal M&M at Schooners? What time was the muster drill? I'm looking forward to the rest of your review. Happy new year!

 

Oh yes, I forgot about the muster drill. I believe that was at 6:30. The informal M&M was at 5:30.

[jerzeycruisechick31]

Thanks for the review...I am hoping to be on AOS in May 09! Hoping you went to the specality resturaunt..portofinos I think...I was on the Enchantment and was slightly disappointed with Chops. I was spoiled by the one on Carnival Legend...that was an experience!! Hoping this one will also!

 

Thanks again!!!

[bplazo]

I love your pictures!

[Mommy4lyfe]

Day 2 was our first sea day, our cabin crawl, the official M&M, 1st formal night and the Captain's welcome aboard reception.

 

DH and I love to rise early and have coffee, fruit and danishes on the balcony. Room service was there at 7:30 as requested.

 

 

Now after enjoying the beautiful ocean and the so so light breakfast, it was time to dress and go to the Windjammer for breakfast. Also to allow our cabin to be cleaned because we are first on the cabin crawl. We had a 2 part cabin crawl; 1st part at 10:30 am and 2nd part after the official M&M at 11 am at the Blue Moon.

The cabin crawl was great, we had aft balconies, regular D1s, Jr. Suites, connecting balcony cabins and an OS. I love cabin crawls and recommend them to enable us to make better choices when selecting our cabin. The aft balcony cabins are off the chain.

 

Our official M&M was ok, but what made it great was the people. Everyone was outgoing, happy and fun. It was like getting together with old friends. I'll share a secret with everyone, "I can not sing" I mean I stink, but my cruising friends allowed me to sing a Christmas song and did not boo me.

After hearing my singing, we were still friends. Haha!!!!

 

After all the fun, now I am hungry again and off to Johnny Rockets we go. The entertainment was great and the food was good.

 

 

 

We went to the ice show in Studio B at 5pm "Cool Art, Hot Ice. Awesome. Bravo. A must see.

 

Ok now I must get back and get dressed for formal night. Did not attend the Captain's reception because I fell asleep after a long day.

 

Dinner in the dining room was great and discover that Trish one of our table mates who is 17 has more in common with me than my own DD. She loves tea parties, travel channel and the food network. My new adopted daughter. She is so pretty.

 

After dinner we went to the Lyrics Theater to see El Gaucho. The show was ok, nothing spectacular. He wore a cowboy suit with ruffles and did some rope tricks, some dancing and some joke telling.

 

That is the end of day 2. Tomorrow we are in Aruba

 

 

[Mommy4lyfe]

My new adopted daughter Trish. I told you she was pretty.

 

 

Here is my beautiful daughter who hates tea parties, the travel channel and the food network.

 

[over the edge]

Wonderful review!! THANK YOU!

 

We will be on the Adventure in just over two months in an aft cabin. I would love to do a cabin crawl. Would you mind telling me how to get involved in something like that?

 

Can't wait to read more..... :) (your pictures are terrific)

[Kikkycat]

Very nice. We are having a (so far) very small cabin crawl. We're supplying one of the aft balconies (7388).

 

I love travel channel and food network the best! Never been to a tea party (well not since I was little and had them with dolls).

[Mommy4lyfe]

Aruba is know for its beautiful beaches. We decided to rent a SUV. We reserved a Suzuki XL -7 from Royal Aruba Car rental ($85.00). The SUV was reserved in September, however when we got there, the did not have the vehicle. The offered us a mini van but that was not what we wanted, therefore he referred us to car rental place next to him. They had a Suzuki XL-5 and we rented that. The vehicle was ok looking on the outside put had mechanical problems. We were able to drive and see Aruba, nothing much to see. We went to the lighthouse.

 

The lighthouse is surrounded by beautiful water.

 

 

 

We ended up at Kontiki Beach. It was very nice. They do have chair rentals, however we did not pay for ours. We were told to find a chair and hut and someone would come to us for the rental fee; however no one ever showed up. When we came in the front, we went to the left and walked pass the volley ball nets and found a spot to relax and enjoy the warm water. I must not have been that impressed with the beach because I don't seem to have a picture of it. Also driving in Aruba is quite strange, I could not read the road signs and people seem to be in a hurry. Gas was about $6.00 a gallon.:eek: When the roads became congested and cars were blocking the intersection, I just beeped my horn and said I am a tourist, "watch out" and cars moved, stopped and gave me the right of way.

 

We had dinner at Portofinos and it was great. We had the veal. Yum, yum. We also ordered a bottle of non-acholic wine ($22.00)

 

 

Retired without seeing any shows. Missed the love and marriage game show.

 

Day 4 and 5 tomorrow.

[benbess]

Great review!! Great pix!! More please....:D:D:D