mattpro

Aquahound

I think your'e on a small ship that I don't go on in the port at St. Croix.

lovelife

Though you posted you were on the ship a few weeks ago, the picture you posted appears to be one from awhile ago on a southern Caribbean cruise, before it's last drydock.

The desk for the rock climbing wall appears to be on the port side.

After the last drydock the card room became the Suite Lounge and the Diamond Lounge's veranda is no longer open since they moved the rock climbing desk there and installed scrubbers.

Because of hurricane Matthew they couldn't complete the original drydock on time and had to wait another year for them to do so.

Before the first drydock the Adventure was the most smoke-friendly ship in the fleet. At that time smoking was on the starboard side so you could smoke out on the veranda with a cocktail and appetizers. Also the Connoisseur Club (cigar bar) was still on deck 5. Other smoking venues were outside on deck 4,11& 12 and inside in the casino.

Now the smoking is on the port side (can't smoke on the veranda of the SL).

Too bad - I loved sailing on that ship

lovelife

Haven't been on the ship since April.

If you look at the colors of the toeholds on the rockwall you will find eight.

Yellow, blue, green and red are the obvious ones.

If you look closely you will see gray, mauve, black and orange. Not many - but - they are there.

Lovelife - trivia question for you

On the rockwall in the background of the basketball player how many different colors are there for toeholds on the rockwall ?

FYI: The other 3 players colors were yellow, blue and green.

Also the total number of their combined jerseys equaled 36. - 2 were shooting - 2 were defending.

basketball guy was on Adventure

So, who would want to sail on a POS (phenom)

Bonaire

The cigar bars are gone and leaving because of revenue.

The old Concierge Lounge located on deck 9 was moved to the card room (deck 14 port side with an outdoor veranda) and renamed the Suite Lounge ( for suite guests & Pinnacles, Diamond + no longer allowed access) .

The rock climbing wall desk was moved from the port side to the starboard side, which means the Diamond lounge has lost it's veranda.

The freed up space on deck 9 was used to put in more interior cabins …….. REVENUE.

The last ship that I know of currently is the Freedom with a cigar bar...…………. until the beginning of Jan. 2020...…..…….when it goes into drydock, with the first cruise scheduled afterward starting Feb. 23, 2020.

Captain Thomas Busto is a huge fan of the Connoisseur Club and says he will fight to keep it on the Freedom...…..….serious uphill battle...….but he'll be trying.

To make Cats more enjoyable read on line about the musical and it's plot.

Otherwise, at intermission you'll most likely not return.

One of the few times I ever saw Captain Thomas Busto lose his cool is when they had him dock the Adventure at the far pier.

He was totally irate.

He said "this will never HAPPEN AGAIN while I'm captain of the ship."

Now that he's on the Freedom, I don't think his view has changed.

However, he's on 10 weeks - then off 10 weeks, when Captain Sean McDuff is on - perhaps then they will dock further away.

The way it was explained to me is that having over 10,000 points makes you a Prime player on your next cruise.

This entitles you to free drinks in the casino and a waiving of the 5% fee if you take money from your seapass card.

The new program should have those amenities loaded on your seapass for your next cruise, so you don't have to visit the casino host to have a sticker placed on your card.

You should also receive a next cruise certificate at your stateroom for dollars off on your next cruise or perhaps even a certificate for a free cruise.

It's the Mega, however it's mooring is at the spot closest to the town.

The other dock requires an extra 1/2 mile walk to get to Freedom's spot.

Yes they have the cards

Just ask any of the pit bosses for one

FYI:

U.S. passports cost $110.

If you wear glasses take them off before you are photographed.

In the past you were allowed to wear your glasses - but that no longer is the case.

When you go outside after immigration head for the taxi's.

Generally there is a transport (minibus that holds up to 20) from Miami to FLL and reverse if you're in FLL going to Miami.

Last year the charge was $25 per person.

However, this is spotty due to the amount of passengers on your particular sailing.

You may want to check this out before you go on ship for your first cruise.

Tour of the Mariner

St Maarten

You can see the beach from the ship.

3 options to get there

20 minute walk along the road.

$7 boat ride

taxi ride - price depends on people

Umbrellas and loungers available, some come with a deal that offers a bucket of beer.

At the beach all the shops and restaurants are right behind you.

St. Lucia is a wonderful island for many diverse excursions.

However - it has the worst roads in the Caribbean.

So if you're doing a land (road) excursion make sure you book it thru RCL - even though it will cost more.

The reason is simple - through an RCL sponsored excursion - the ship will WAIT FOR YOU !!!

On your own make sure to take your passport with you.

Roads are still under repair from hurricanes from as long as 3 years ago - detours all over the place.

On your itinerary the best port to walk around town is St. Maarten.

The others are best for excursions.

The Adventure has an excellent program for your children.

This much I can say - if they sign up - you will not be able to get them out of there - the kids just love it - the staff is beyond excellent.

Enjoy your cruise

Drydock will be in Jan. - Feb. 2020.

First cruise after drydock is 2/23/2020.

The answer is no.

You can call Casino Royale at 1-888-561-2234 for your inquiry how their program works.

Table games have a minimum bet of 5 dollars for 3 card poker, Caribbean stud, craps , roulette and Ultimate Texas Hold'em.

Black Jack I believe is 10 dollars, however, during the day sometimes 6 dollars.

Not exactly sure about BJ because I don't play that game.

Slots start at a penny and go up from there.

There are cash games in the evening for Texas Hold'em - though the play is spotty due to the 10% cut for the house.

The best place for lunch is Park Café on deck 8.

Excellent salads - decent roast beef sandwiches - chips & desserts.

Beautiful outdoor setting looking up to an open sky with real trees and flowers.

Of course if you have access to Coastal Kitchen - that's a no brainer.