khm1

Your information (review / and your many responses to all of our fellow members questions) is so very much appreciated. I hope you know that you are enabling our family's trip in July to be so much better. So much appreciated!

Thank you! I am happy to help as others have helped me so much over the years on Cruise Critic!

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If they offer an excursion called "Fan-ta-sea catamaran sail to Nevis with Snorkel" it is VERY good. I'm not sure if Celebrity offers it. I took it twice with Royal Caribbean. I know that a lot of the excursions are shared between the two lines. Look for it. It was towards the end of the listed options. It was one of the best excursions that I have ever taken! (I've been on a lot of excursions!)

They sail to a snorkeling spot on St. Kitts, then cross to Nevis. You are given about 2 hours on a fabulous beach on Nevis. The Four Seasons is on the same beach. You then sail back. They give you lunch and as much as you care to drink. Alcohol is served only after the snorkeling.

I'm referring to Royal Carribbean's transportation from the Airport to the Cruise Port

Oh my gosh, don't bother! I did that the first time I cruised from San Juan. Never. Again. You spend a lot of time waiting around. Jump in a taxi and get to pier ahead of the herd. It is very easy, and less expensive. There will be plenty of taxis. Don't worry.

Another vote here for Spencer Ambrose. The "beach break" excursion has spectacular views as it takes you to the beach between the two peaks. I have done this 3 times! It is one of my favorite excursions ever!

because we arrive in San Juan on the day of The Feast of San Sebastian and San Fabian we are considering using them just for guarantee we won't be left behind. LOL.

 

 

 

Has anyone done this and can you tell us how much we can expect to pay?

I'm not sure what you are referring to? I know about the festival, but who do you plan on using? Pay for what?

to convince me which would be better. To stay at St. Thomas or take the trip to St. Johns. Right now we are trying to decide on Brewer's Bay or Emerald Beach. Unfortunately, it will be a Sunday so I don't imagine and actually calm relaxing beach experience will be too easy to come by.

 

 

 

I know it's usually a personal preference but I'm a information is power type of person so things that would work are you won't be as rushed and stressed if you go to St. John as you think to (only guessing) since so many of the itineraries include St. Thomas but not St. Johns you have less opportunity to get to St. Johns. That sort of thing.

 

 

 

I think we are there 8:00 - 5:00. So I don't want to feel rushed the entire time BUT we do have a full sea day and then a 3 full beach days to follow.

 

 

 

I know a lot of pressure and no problem if you don't want to sell me but I'm really not too excited even after all the information I collected on St. Thomas.

 

 

 

We have been on the St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Croix itinerary. So my desire is to get to lots of different places at least once.

What you decide upon depends on what you like to do. If you have never been to St. John before, it is totally worth the trouble to go there. I never felt rushed during our day there.[emoji3]

What is this Borrachinas in San Juan and (if a restaurant) under what conditions do they take your bags for you? If you eat there or do they charge you (how much) per bag. Where is it in relation to the Airport? In other words after you leave the Cruise Port what part of San Juan would they be dropping you off at?

 

 

 

Just to clarify that it's in a town with shopping available?

It is in Old San Juan. There is plenty of shopping available! They expect a tip of a few dollars per bag. It is a 25 minute ride to the airport and about 15 minutes from the pier.

If I can jump in?

 

I had a later flight booked but was them confused. Not enough time for an excursion but way too early at the airport. And for you if you get off the ship later then an excursion is really difficult. There's the option of a cab to OSJ and leave bags at borrachinas and wander for a bit but we had had 5 days of that already. So I moved us to the noonish flight, changed our disembarkation time to earlier, and we did that. Disembarked, met up with bags again, got a cab. There's a subway outside the secure area so hubby and son had some food there and we changed stuff in bags around. Had to take up time because we were still over 3 hours early for the flight. :)

 

Checked bags hit security. Did some duty free shopping (little travel organizey things) then wandered out way through via the little shops and lazed at the gate.

 

 

OP, there must have been a problem between our cruises because I don't remember a stain on the couch. Darn those people in between messing up our cabin like that. :)

Good plan, getting an earlier flight! I don't like to get hot and sweaty, then go to the airport like that. Ewww! I didn't the Barrachina thing once, but not in years.

We got a sub at the same subway! The one that they have past security is always mobbed.

Yes. The couch was a mess. It had an icky stickiness. I think something sweet got spilled on it.

1) I am interested in your rental experience on Aruba. We rented a car there over 23 years ago while on a Celebrity stop. We just stumbled across a rental "place" when we got off the ship.

 

There 2 of us plus our 3 teenage sons. Could you provide how you went about it, pricing, how did you arrange the time of pick-up and drop-off, fuel refuel, etc. Was it easy finding parking at Baby Beach, Eagle Beach, etc.

 

2) The beach stop in St.Kitts sounds great. We did the Thenford Gray tour there in Dec.'15 and would like to do something simpler. Where there rentals there for anything?

 

3) You mentioned doing a day at the Marriott in Condado. How long ago was that and what kind pricing and was it direct at the front desk. We have a 5:30PM flight out.

 

4) Sorry there were engine issues on your trip to and back from Trunk Bay. You mentioned shops and a sandwich stop while you were there. Is it close to the beach? Also, we have only did catamaran/snorkel stops to St.Johns', your day sounds great, with the security blanket of getting back to the ship okay. Are they fairly clear on the time and meeting place to catch the boat on your return.

 

5) Lastly, exactly where on the ship were you able to print your boarding passes. We always drive to FL from SC so now flights required.

 

Sorry for all the questions but you review has opened up lots of great things for us.

 

Again, thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and experiences. We do the exact stops that you did on 7/22/16.

I read about Royal car rental on Cruise Critic. I went on the website and filled out an email request form. Here is their website: https://royal-arubacarrental.com

They emailed back within 24 hours and told me what vehicle they had available. I filled out the online reservation form. I was instructed to find an agent outside the port gates at 9 am, our agreed upon meeting time. As promised, there was a guy holding a sign with my name in it right at 9 am. He walked us to a parking lot that was very close. We signed the paperwork at the vehicle and we were off. It was very easy. We met the same guy at the same place at 5 pm. It costs $20 more to keep the car past 5.

The beach at Carambola is beautiful. There is snorkeling, but no motorized water sports that I could see. There were small sailboats available for rent.

As you may remember from my review, I had to change our St. Kitts plans the morning we got there since our RCL excursion was cancelled. I HIGHLY recommend the excursion I was meant to do. It is called Fan-ta-sea catamaran sail to Nevis with snorkel. I have done it twice before and it is one of the best excusions that I have ever done (and I've done a lot). You may want to consider it.

The last time we did the Marriott day pass was 2014. I believe you need to reserve from a third party. Here is a link: http://www.resortforaday.com/Marriott-San-Juan-Shore-Excursion-Resort-Pass-p/sjumrs-l.htm

The deli we went to is North Shore deli. It has very good food. There are concessions at Trunk Bay, but they are slow and expensive, IMO.

http://www.mongoosejunctionstjohn.com

It is in a little outdoor mall as you get off the ferry in St. John. It is not easy to see from the street. Cross the street and turn left. You will see the shopping center. It is only a 10 minute taxi drive to Trunk Bay from the shopping center.

They are very clear about when and where to meet the return boat. I recommend this excursion. It is the third time I have done it. It is a safe way to get time on St. John.

The RCL online lounge is on deck 9 just outside the aft elevators in the centrum. I used those computers ro print boarding passes. You will need a internet package or purchase minutes to log in and print your passes.

Happy planning!

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when it's mentioned there's also a charge for bags is that only suitcases or does it include the usual backpack and "purse" taken on the plane and kept in my lap on the taxi ride?

It is not for bags that you carry on your person, only bags that are loaded into the back.

How was SJ airport and what did you do for the 3 hours or so beforehand? This is our first time flying Southwest and not sure what to expect. We have a 4:30 flight out so we want to stay on the ship as long as possible and see if there is any kind excursion we could do that would have airport dropoff. We are going on the ship in April with the same itinerary. We've been to St. Thomas only once on our very first cruise and have been to Aruba 2 times staying there. We are very excited to go on Adventure, especially because we've been on Explorerer and loved the ship. Hope you had a great vacation and thanks again for taking the time to write your review.

We just sort of sat and hung out. There is a lot of shopping in the terminal now. you will see it when you come out of the TSA area. SouthWest uses the terminal to your right when you exit TSA. If you go left, there is a Subway, Churches chicken, and a Starbucks. We got coffee, got a sandwich, and just waited. Not too exciting, but a 2:30 does not give much time for anything else.

RCL has a Rain Forrest excursion that is good. They will drop you at the airport afterwards. It is only for those whose flights are after 4 pm. You could also get a day pass at the Marriott in Condado. I have done that a few times. Go to the San Juan boards for ideas.

Did the crowd go down when first seating dining started? We are cruising with friends, they refused to go to late seating, so we thought we would spend time in the DL while they were at early seating.

Yes! It was like a gong went off every day at 5:55. Everyone would get up and go, just like that!

I did that, not trusting it, but I now have 2 reservations for 5/2.

Great News! I hope that you get your Birthday dinner!:)

Finally read from the start. :)

 

You had our room. We disembarked 12/24. And it goes to show how everyone's perspective is different because we found the furniture to be fine and unstained (or maybe the people from the three cruises in between were pigs?).

 

And we found the bed to be fine. Don't wish for an update on the mattress! We stayed in freedom's 1864 in March, and the new beds are *harder*.

 

Last March as far as I can tell was one of the last times Royal docked in Charlotte-Amalie. Very soon after we returned we heard it was all Crown Bay now.

 

I was petrified of the Pullman bed above the big bed but it was fine. I had images of it crashing down. Almost changed the sheets to put our feet under the Pullman!

 

DS, who was about 5'6" at the time (at least an inch taller now), was super comfy up there.

 

Thanks for the confirmation that they'll weigh you for the slides. I'm so disappointed for my hubby that they went with a weight limit like that. They were just opened or opening on our cruise and I quietly mentioned the weight limit so we never went near.

 

 

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It looked like someone had spilled coffee on the couch. I just put a towel over it so it wouldn't come off on my clothes. The cabinets were pretty beat up too. It did not affect my enjoyment of the cruise in any way. I mentioned it since it is such a big topic on CC.

The bed thing is completely subjective. I confess that I am picky. It is enough of an issue for other cruisers that there have been entire threads on the topic of the RCL beds. It is good to know that I am not the only one who doesn't like the new mattresses!

WOW. So to the point. Much thanks.

 

We were told the same thing about the taxi driver setting up a time to come get us at Grand Cayman two weeks ago but he did NOT show and then in Cozumel the reviews led us to believe our taxi driver was staying at Buccanos Grill & Beach Club also known as Cozumel Club Calibre while we were there. Not so. Much confusion when the manager left and we had to ask TWO people to call us a taxi. Not having such a good experience with transportation.

That is terrible, and stressful to say the least! I found the people in Curacao and St. Kitts to be very friendly and accommodating. In both places, the driver returned for us at exactly the appointed hour. No worries at Carambola: you will definitely find a ride back. Taxis are plentiful there.

 

You didn't really offer much comment on Baby Beach and I don't want to assume that lack of comment meant (and moving to two others) "not so much". LOL

Thank you for your kind words!

I love Baby beach. I will try to give you more details with a list of pros and cons:

Pros

-Calm, shallow water

-wide beach

-good parking

-restaurant

-snorkeling (if you bring your own equipment)

-chairs and cabanas available for rent

-uncrowded

-beautiful scenery

Cons

-It is farther away and off the beaten track. 40 minute drive.

-I couldn't find a bathroom, even in the restaurant!

-large groups of school children come here for swim lessons. Didn't bother me, but may bother some.

-I saw NO taxis go there. You will probably need to rent a car.

In short, it is a great beach if you have the time and transportation to get there. However, there is nothing else in the area. It is strictly a beach-goers place.

I'm esctatic to have found your review via aubrey1988's. Even more excited to see since I had already decided on Carambola in St. Kitts (I've been researching for our next cruise for 10 days non-stop now) that the first picture appears to show the view I've read about called Timothy Hill.

 

I thought that my beach choice was going to circumvent this view and was constantly wavering on my prefered beach. Is there an overlook or pull off spot that the taxi might have stopped if you'd request?

Yes! We didn't even have to ask our driver. He just stopped for us. There is a place for the taxi drivers to pull over. I was delighted with Carambola. It was absolutely gorgeous!

It is a 15 minute drive from the port area. The views are incredible. When you get to Carambola, be sure to work out a time for your driver to pick you up, although there are taxis there all the time. You go inside the restaurant and pay for your chairs at the front desk. They give you a ticket and you see the beach attendant. The beach service was prompt and the food very good. We did not have anyone pestering us to buy things on the beach. We didn't try to snorkel, but we saw others snorkeling by the rocks to the right side of the beach as you face the water. There are showers and good restroom facilities. I would highly recommend this place!:)

What is with the extra Murphy bed looking mattress above the head of your bed? I've never seen anything like it. They didn't have these on the Adventure in 2014. Perhaps it's because of the adjoining door not allowing for a sofa?

There is no connecting door in this cabin. It is an E class cabin, 7688. The sofa is more of a love seat size. The D class cabins have the full sofa. Not all of the cabins have this type of bed, although I think all RCL ships have cabins almost just like this one. All 3 person E class cabins on Adventure have this configuration. The D class cabins have the upper bed over the sofa (if they have an upper bed). Some D cabins have an upper bed AND an upper berth or just the sofa bed. The bed will completely disappear into a panel on the ceiling when it is not needed. Our daughter slept up there. I slept on one for a cruise I took with my Mom and sister in 2012. They are actually quite comfortable!

We were on the same cruise. Try the beach at Divi Tamarind. You can walk from the cruisepier to that beach. It's about 25 mins. It's a beautiful, big, not crowded beach!

I might have to try that next time!:)

Oh dear......I have them booked for next month......

Try Spencer Ambrose. He is great. He will get you back on time. I have toured with his company 3 times.

Thank you so much for doing this review! I'll be on the Adventure in 40 days and have been waiting for some post dry dock feedback.

Not to hijack this thread, but I just finished a review on the 1/14/17 sailing.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2448208

Thanks for following along! I am surprised there are not more adventure reviews myself!

I just finished a review on the 1/14/17 sailing. I look forward to your perspective!

Thank you for this review. You have sold me on the idea of cruising from San Juan and this ship. Now the hard part is to convince hubby who loves the big ships with all their bells and whistles.

 

 

 

Barbara

Since the cruises from San Juan are so port intensive, you absolutely would not even have time for the "bells and whistles." Don't worry. The better weather and superior (IMO) ports MORE than make up for the fewer amenities on board. Adventure is a fantastic ship with a wonderful staff. Just go. I don't think you will regret it!

Thanks for your review khm1.

 

 

 

If you had to stay all day at one of the three Aruba beaches you visited on your trip which one would you choose and why?

 

 

 

I will be there in less than 10 days and Palm and Eagle appeal to us given the amenities available but Baby appeals because the calmness of the water. Eagle and Palm seemed very waving in your photos. Is that typical of these beaches?

 

 

 

TIA

I would choose Baby beach. It has calm water, snorkeling, and a restaurant with a bar. However, it is about a 40 minute drive (with traffic) from the pier. I prefer less developed, less crowded beaches.

I think there was a front coming through the entire Caribbean the week we were there. It was VERY windy! It was the worst in PR and St. Thomas and got a little better as we went south. Since I have traveled to the Caribbean a lot, I have noticed that it can sometimes get this way, especially in January. I think the locals call it a North Swell, but I could be wrong about that. It may be better in a week or two.

So, to answer your question, no, it is not typical. Every other time I have been to Aruba it was much calmer.

If you were to split the difference, I would probably say that you should try Eagle beach. It is close to the pier, food is just across the road, there were chairs, the beach is wide and comparatively uncrowded. Maybe I was in the wrong spot, but Palm beach seemed packed to me. It didn't help that some German lady yelled at me when we put our stuff down on the sand in a bare spot. She told me that she was planning on moving her chair to that spot and that we couldn't sit there. That was a big turn off. People seemed to be competing for real estate.

Great Pictures.

Thanks! Most of the photos were taken with my phone, a Samsung S7 Edge.