sjmbruce

Our Itinerary:

March 31: San Juan - Depart at 8:30

April 1: Cruising

April 2: Curacao 8am-8pm

April 3: Bonaire 7am-5pm

April 4: Aruba 7am-11pm

April 5: Cruising

April 6: St Maarten 8am-5pm

April 7: Disembark in San Juan

Several years ago we took a family trip to The Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northern Michigan, rented a cabin and went hiking, tubing and a slew of other outdoor activities.

We all had a really good time and wanted to do another family vacation but couldn’t agree on a destination (Gatlinburg, TN? Myrtle Beach?). We finally decided a cruise was the best choice. We had to book our trip the week of spring break so my niece wouldn’t miss any school. We booked right after the 2018 schedule came out in early 2016.

We're taking our granddaughters (13 & 15 by then) on AOS in April, 2020, so we eagerly read any reviews we find. We're especially interested in things that might appeal to them. Thanks.

At 12, my niece was too old for the younger age group in the kid's club, but my sister didn't feel comfortable leaving her in the older group. It seemed like the teen group met each other in the teen room, but didn't really hang out there. My niece loves to swim and spent a lot of time on the water slides, pools and flowrider. She also liked the mini golf course, ping pong tables and all the games they had on the deck (chess, checkers, etc.). While she didn't participate in anything structured or spend much time with other kids, she was seldom bored and had a great time.

So who is my family?

I am 31 and traveling with my 41 year old husband. We currently live in rural Michigan. We have done a few cruises before, but this was our first one with Royal Caribbean.

My parents are in their 60’s and haven’t cruised extensively but have sailed exclusively with Royal.

My sister and niece also joined us. My sister is 28 – her first and only cruise was almost 15 years ago. This was her 12 year old daughter’s first cruise (and first time on a plane).

I haven't asked them yet if its okay to post their pictures during this review, so there may or may not be some of them as I go.

My family and I have been off of the Adventure for a few weeks now after a fantastic 7 day Southern Caribbean trip. I think we all want to get back on board, as we left sunny 85 degree weather to return to below freezing temperatures, snow and frost. Where is the blue water outside my window? We’re done unpacking and finally finished with the dreaded loads of post vacation laundry.

I was a little hesitant to write this, but when I am planning a vacation I will read anything and everything I can find. So here goes anything and everything.

The Adventure:

My final thought/feeling on this trip was that the cruise was pretty great. There were a few things that were off, but nothing that affected our overall enjoyment. It was great being able to wake up in Cabo thanks to the overnight visit.

Also, extend your trip for a few days if you've never been to the L.A. area. There is so much to see and do that I wish we had spent more time there.

Other than that, sorry for the extended time it took to write this and thank you for reading.

This is the worst I have ever been at completing a review! There wasn't much left to our cruise after we got onboard for lunch on our 2nd day in Cabo. Sail away was right after lunch, we had dinner, enjoyed another day at sea, and then it was time to disembark.

What I did want to add is that I prebooked with On Time Transportation at for a ride to LAX at 9:30. We were off the ship early in the morning, went through customers quickly, and were ready for our ride earlier than we had anticipated. We called anyway and the driver was already waiting for us in the parking lot. We booked a private car and it was probably the nicest transfer experience we have ever had.

We arrived at the airport way before our flight was to leave. In some ways this way a good thing, as the line to check bags was an hour long. However, our flight home was scheduled at 1:45pm and we were sitting at the gate watching the 12:00 flight I could have booked leave. I'm a worrier and it's better to be safe than sorry, but we ended up being at the airport for longer than I would have liked.

Plan your weekend for October and we can go together! If it could work out, that would be terrific. Thank you for the info. And just fyi, I'm not a young, girlie type doing all of the petting zoos and kissy face with animals! In Idaho, I was in line to bottle feed and pet/kiss the baby grizzlies (3 months old) and I was surrounded by kids, oh about 3 yrs. old to 12 yrs. old. LOL And I was in my mid-40s. :'):')

Oh man I wish I could plan a trip to the LA area for October. I also found really cheap tickets from DTW to PDX in June and am really fighting the urge to go. Travel addict problems :)

Hope you are enjoying your trip.

 

Two questions:

Did you need to make reservations in advance for the shows?

 

Any way to get a picture of the kids menu in the MDR?

 

Thanks in advance!

Kid's menu in the MDR:

Awesome! I had been tossing around the idea of pre-purchasing the surf internet so it's good to know that buying it onboard can save a little money. I was also considering pre-purchasing $$ to go towards the arcade but wasn't sure if there was really any point. Any thoughts on the arcade? Thanks!

My husband and I only stopped in there once. We tried to play two different games and both of them were broken. I have heard other reports of similar issues, although there were a lot of people in there playing other games at the time.

Snorkeling with Woodwind was amazing. Before we even got in the water it was the best experience we have ever had because of their attentiveness and service. They have every imaginable piece of equipment for you to use. My husband and I both opted to use long sleeved water shirts for the first time. They even had prescription goggles for my husband to use and were able to help him pick the best ones for his prescription. The snorkeling itself was gorgeous and we saw plenty of sea life. They had different beverages to choose from (water, soda, wine, beer, rum punch) and even fed us on the return ride. We got back right on time at 4:00, leaving us enough time to pick up a few souvenirs before all aboard at 5:00. I would use them again and definitely recommend Woodwind for snorkeling.

we just got off of the adventure and are sitting at the airport now. My kid niece left a few items behind and is super sad. Her and my sister were in room 8312. She left a stuffed dog and her green baby blanket in the room. I’m not sure what they do with left behind items but if anyone has a minute to ask about it, my niece would really appreciate it. Thanks so much.

If I had the money, I'd love to do smaller expedition cruises to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands.

What's a good last minute plan for Curacao? Are there any tour operators right at the port offering tours? Or what's an easy beach to get to?

Thanks!

Is there anything right there at the port to do? My parents are going to a beach in the morning as part of a cruise ship excursion. When they return in the afternoon, is there anything that can do in the port area without having to leave in a cab or bus?

My afternoon excursion involves a boat. If this is cancelled, what's a good last minute activity? Trying to figure out a Plan B.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! She is 12 and we'll be in the Caribbean, so a bag with lip balm, flip flops and other beach items would be perfect. I'm glad someone mentioned that there won't be traditional Easter candy on board, so I'll be able to throw some jelly beans and such in there without feeling too crazy. Thanks again!

I'd like to be able to give my niece an Easter gift or basket while onboard, but not sure what to bring. A traditional Easter basket with candy doesn't seem practical (packing an actual basket, bringing candy onboard a ship full of food). Any creative ideas?

I purchased the package that includes all photos taken during the cruise on a USB. Do I pick that up on the last day?

What about pictures that they deem as not included - will they just leave those off the USB and have available for purchase separately?

Thanks!

We just got home from San Juan and my suggestion is to use Uber and not taxis. Taxis were more than quadruple the price of Uber. We saved so much money by ubering everywhere. We started out using taxis, our total for 3 trips was $80, we did 9 Uber trips and our total was $58 including tips!

I might have to learn how to use Uber now. I am way behind my peers and just recently bought my first smart phone.

I read that taxis were reluctant to go down the busy narrow streets of Old San Juan. did you happen to use an Uber there? I'm wondering what their attitudes are about picking up or dropping off at our hotel in OSJ.

There are a lot of places..

Bebos cafe inexpensive local cafeteria style

La placita is the place to hang out friday nights...

Don’t worry you won’t starve.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Starvation is not imminent, but a picky, hard to please family is guaranteed. Thanks for your suggestions, Bebos looks promising!

My husband and I will be staying in OSJ for a few days before our cruise. My family will be flying down the day before the cruise and staying at the Marriott Stellaris in the Condado area. We'll be meeting them at their hotel on Friday evening (Good Friday) for dinner. Are there any decent restaurants within walking distance that will be open? Thanks!

I booked my first princess cruise today. It's the 6 day cruise to Cabo out of LA in October of this year. I am so glad I found your thread. LOVE the info. & photos. I've liked/following Gentle Barn facebook. I have pictures of me hand feeding: baby bear cubs at Bear World in Idaho, giraffe & baby rhino at SD Animal Park, kissing a bull elk (my friend ranch/raises them in Idaho), kissing a dolphin, etc. You get it.

 

Can you tell me what restaurants are pay extra money for and what are included with cruise fare? Thanks.

I'm so excited for your first Princess cruise! I've only sailed with them a few times and can only compare the line to one NCL cruise, but I find Princess so relaxing. I hope you get to visit the Gentle Barn and get some more pictures kissing and feeding adorable animals. I'm trying to plan a long weekend trip to LA so I can go hug cows again.

For included food, the Ruby has the main dining rooms for nice sit down meals. It is always open for dinner and hopefully someone else can chime in on when it's open for breakfast and lunch. There's also the buffet (Horizon Court). There is a grill, a pizzeria and ice cream near one of the pools. Everything at those places are included except for milkshakes. My favorite is the International Café. The coffee, alcohol and gelato are for a fee but the food is all included (pastries, desserts, salads, sandwiches).

For a fee, you can eat at Share, The Crown Grill, or the Salty Dog. There's also a couple of for fee meals that are more experience based, such as the Chef's Table, balcony dining, or The Crab Shack (seafood feast on a specific night).

If you have any other questions please ask. And have a great time!

I'm assuming I'd use this website to use points for OBC as well. Does anyone know how long it takes for the OBC to be credited to your ship account?

My husband and I will be staying in OSJ for a few days before our cruise. We'll need a few taxis during our stay (from the airport to OSJ, OSJ to Condado area and back, and then cruise pier to the airport at the end of our trip). Do taxis take credit cards or should we have plenty of cash for them?

How about restaurants, especially post hurricane? I generally don't carry cash, especially a lot of it, but am not sure what the credit card situation is at restaurants in OSJ and around Condado. Just trying to be prepared. Thanks!