"Live" from Adventure of the Seas - January 15 - 25

"With the roads to the exalted places we all want to visit more crowded than ever, we look more and more, but see less and less. But we'd don't need more gimmicks and gadgets; all we need do is reimagine the way we travel. If we truly want to know the secret of soulful travel, we need to believe that there is something sacred waiting to be discovered in virtually every journey."

- Phil Cousineau – The Art of Pilgrimage

It is -17F on the thermometer outside our home. With windchill, it is -40 - 50F. Unbearably cold. Uncomfortably cold.... a perfect day to be catching a flight to San Juan PR and an escape from the nightmare that can be January in Wisconsin!

There are as many forms of travel as there are proverbial roads to Rome. The tourism business offers comfort, predictability, and entertainment. The Cruise Business has tapped these three keys to almost a fault – various cruise lines cater to different social economic interests. The predictability of our experiences are something that these critic boards are full of – was the food "good"?. How was the entertainment? Is this cabin a "good" cabin or not? The centuries-old tradition of touring to add to social status endures – and taking a cruise fits this drive for many of us.

For our drive for travel, there are more resources than ever. Bookstore shelves groan under the weight of guidebooks that cover major sightseeing – there are guidebooks available for virtually every stop on our cruise itineraries, covering regional restaurants, architecture, gardens, homes of famous artists/authors, guides for safe travel – there is even a guide on how to find "the most dangerous places" during each of our stops.

A bit about us. We are a happily married (20 years in 2009) couple from far western Wisconsin. We are in our early 40's. We have two wonderful daughters - one 17, one 9, whom we love very much. I am an investment manager and financial advisor. My wife takes care of our home, our children, and just as difficult, her husband! We travel with our family throughout the year - but each winter, we try to get away - just the two of us - to revisit, reaquaint, and renew our life contract.

All of these roads to Rome are legitimate for different travelers, at different stages of life. But what if we are at the crossroads, as the blues singers moan, longing for something else, neither diversion nor distraction, escape nor mere entertainment? What if we have finally wearied of the paladins of progress who promise worry-free travel, and long for a form of travel that responds to a genuine cri du coeur, a longing for a taste of mystery, of something different, within the norms and crowds of cruise travels?

That is our quest. Of course it is to inform, to educate, to answer those details which are so essentially cruise-specific – the ship, the food, the staff, the ports – but also to attempt to answer the cry in the heart of any traveler that has existed for millennia – to have a meaningful journey, a pilgrimage, that satisfies the need for relax – rather escape – from the worlds from which we traveled. We will post often – to travel with one thru one's eyes is a decent substitute for those who still yearn towards pilgrimage but have not yet the means or more commonly the time necessary to complete a pilgrimage at this time and are looking ahead to their time to travel. We will answer all specific questions that we can. With words, pictures, and even sounds, we will attempt to bring you all along with us. Like our heros before us, such as Radio, these tomes will be full of our opinion – we hope you find them useful but do not expect you to necessarily always agree. Always, a journey done properly is a journey of risk and renewal. For a journey without challenge has no meaning; one without purpose has no soul. Our purpose is to bring you along.

BRL

Next up - thoughts on travel and our flight to San Juan, PR,

Bill-

I thought it was cold here in Orlando this morning (39), until I read what you said it was there when you left. Brrrrrrrrrrrr. Hope that you have a great flight and are able to soak up some of that San Juan sunshine later this afternoon.

This is my last day at work and I am already in vacation mode !!!

See you soon.

VIcki & Ed

The wife and I will be joining you for this Cruise......we however still have a few days left in chilly Ohio before our flight :-( . Hope you enjoy that great weather in PR (we keep checking the forecast)

Hope you enjoy your trip, this is a great itinerary!

Have a safe trip Bill. We will be there soon. Its Thurs. 9:25am here on Cape Cod the temp is 18 (a heatwave for you Bill...LOL) and its snowing to beat the band. Expecting another 6 inches today. At least there are no more storms predicted for here until Sun., and we'll be gone by then. Enjoy that warm sunshine.

John & Nancy:D

Have a good flight and enjoy the AOS, we had our 2 best cruises on the AOS. If you should happen to see a Bar server named Yadira, call her Brian and say that Simon & Heather say hello. Also look out for Shelley Ann, those two are the best bar servers we've ever had:D

Please post info about the traffic going to Pan Am pier.

We are scheduled to cruise AOS on 4/5/09 and will be arriving in San Juan about 12noon the same day the cruise departs. I have read several posts about the terrible traffic going from the airport to the pier and would like to know if things have improved.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your review.

I am so excited!!!:D We are on AOS right after you. Take good care of the ship. I will be reading every post and asking you lots of questions. I thought this was going to be a long week of waiting, you just added more fun and anticipation to it. Thanks Debbie

PS your countdown clock says birthday cruise is it your birthday or DW? Happy Birthday!!!!

I'm very much looking forward to your updates.

I'm sailing AOS in April with my parents and my boyfriend.

It will be my first cruise so I'm trying to learn as much as I can ahead of time.

Safe travels and enjoy the warm weather!

Ta ta from Canada

-Chiara

I'll be watching this with interest too. We're next!!

What an eloquent start to your live updates!! I love your writing style. You could write some of those tour book that are making bookstoe shelves moan!!!

Anyway, we will be sailing AOS at the end of March...Can't wait. It's bitterly cold here in Indianapolis too.

Keep the updates coming...

Thanks

We will be on the ship with you! We will be escaping 10degree temp which is very cold very our area. Can't wait to be in sunny San Juan on Sunday!!!

A 100 degree temperature difference can make any Vacation start with a HUGE smile on your face. This morning, while driving from our home to Minneapolis to catch our morning plane, it was -22F. That does not include windchill, which placed the temp in the -50F range. As I write this, it is 9:38 PM in San Juan – it is 80 degrees. So we have “achieved” an over 100 degree change. Life is good!

All our journeys are rhapsodies on the theme of discovery. We travel as seekers after answers we cannot find at home, and soon find that a change of climate is easier than a change of heart. The bittersweet truth about travel is embedded in the word, which derives from the older word travail, itself rooted in the Latin tripalium, a medieval torture rack. As many a far-ranging roamer has suspected, there are moments in travel that are like being “on the rack.”

To many, one of the largest “racks” we face is the flight itself. We’ve all have experienced (or at least heard) the horror stories. You get off the plane for a connecting flight home. You immediately know something is wrong. Hordes of desperate people crowd the terminal. You quickly learn that flights headed to where you are going are canceled due to a storm/mechanical/stike/fillintheblank! The earliest you can get to/from the cruise ship is Tuesday. The ship leaves on Sunday. A gate agent stands on the counter and shouts to all: “Don’t ask us for help! We cannot help you!”

The real problem is that incidents like this happen every day, to everyone who flies, more and more often. It happened to us last year on our trip to San Juan (See “Live from Serenade” from last year). It really gets to me, though, because I am j u s t old enough to remember what it used to be like….

I remember the days gone by when flight attendants would get in trouble if the linen napkin was not put in the lower right-hand corner of the dinner tray. I remember when there were THREE dinner options on flights across the country – in COACH! Once, when stranded on a tarmac for hours, we got McDonald hamburgers and fries courtesy of the airline.

I have experienced the decline of service along with the rest of the public. But if like me you REMEMBER what it was like to fly when airlines/employees took pride in how their passengers were treated…

Today, passengers aren’t served at all. During the meal-less flights, with scowling flight attendants who have snickered when I asked for a blanket and the seat pockets crowded with trash, I can’t help but remember how magazines used to passed out, playing cards were offered to us bored passengers, my coffee cup was refilled. And it was a real coffee cup – not some paper thing that you MIGHT get today.

Now before anyone gets too up tight about my “remembrances”, I know that Airlines offer valid excuses for cutting back service. But what are they gaining when passengers leave a flight disgruntled, mistreated and hungry? It is surprising how easy it is to please us. Cereal and lots of coffee in the morning can do wonders for someone who had to leave home at 4 a.m.

Today, American Airlines gets the chance to turn back the clock. Flight 2427, with service from Minneapolis to Dallas Fort Worth, then a 1 hour layover before catching Flight 2058 into San Juan. The flight leaves at 8:40 a.m., but we live just under 3 hours away…. And the night is long, but full of pre-trip excitement (I can only imagine how I will feel for the return drive..) Seats 26A and 26B will be our home on the first leg. First check – does the Flight Attendant have a nametag on? Yes!! Her name is Jay. Is she personable? Sort of. She does her job. Although the flight gets off late, the pilot is able to make great time and we arrived almost :20 minutes early. So the first leg gets a score of B – start late, bad. Get in early… Good!

On the second leg, we get off a bit late :10 minutes, but also make good time and arrive on schedule. No glitches. The 757 we were on had 2 flight attendants in our section. One was a very nice young man - Emanuel - with mini-dreadlocks who engaged almost everyone he spoke to. As we were landing, he provided an “out this window you’ll see” and a mini history lesson. He got a huge round of applause when he finished. The other flight attendant – who did NOT have her name badge on – looked like the world owed her an apology. She was not pleasant – she did not impress - she brought down the overall score.

So the ultimate checklist score looks like this:

- Did the plane get us to our destination? CHECK

- Did the plane get us to our destination on time, with little or no hassles? CHECK

- Did our luggage make it to our destination in a timely manner? CHECK

- Can I hear the ocean? CHECK

The ancient Greeks taught that obstacles were the tests of the gods, and the medieval Japanese believed that the sorrows of travel were challenges to overcome and transform into poetry and song. We are on vacation – we can look at the trying times along the road as either torment or chances to “stretch” ourselves. Today we were not faced with any trying situations. We were treated like the cattle that airline travel has become. But at least I can hear the ocean – I’m where I want to be – and it is NOT -22!

Next UP – The Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino.

Bill-

 

I thought it was cold here in Orlando this morning (39), until I read what you said it was there when you left. Brrrrrrrrrrrr. Hope that you have a great flight and are able to soak up some of that San Juan sunshine later this afternoon.

This is my last day at work and I am already in vacation mode !!!

 

See you soon.

 

VIcki & Ed

Looking forward to meeting you both!

The wife and I will be joining you for this Cruise......we however still have a few days left in chilly Ohio before our flight :-( . Hope you enjoy that great weather in PR (we keep checking the forecast)

 

 

Hope you enjoy your trip, this is a great itinerary!

Looking forward to meeting you both!

Have a good flight and enjoy the AOS, we had our 2 best cruises on the AOS. If you should happen to see a Bar server named Yadira, call her Brian and say that Simon & Heather say hello. Also look out for Shelley Ann, those two are the best bar servers we've ever had:D

Will Do - made a note!

Lucky you leaving Wisconsin! Have a GREAT cruise! :D

Please post info about the traffic going to Pan Am pier.

We are scheduled to cruise AOS on 4/5/09 and will be arriving in San Juan about 12noon the same day the cruise departs. I have read several posts about the terrible traffic going from the airport to the pier and would like to know if things have improved.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your review.

mdcruzer - will make sure to place the traffic situation into our posts on embarkation.

According to the dictionary, the word pilgrimage derives from the Latin peligrinus, foreigner or wayfarer, the journey of a person who travels to a shrine or holy place. Another older derivation, more poetic, reveals that pilgrim has its roots in the Latin per agrum, “through the field.” This ancient image suggests a curious soul who walks beyond known boundaries, crosses fields, touching the earth with a destination in mind and a purpose in heart. We have chosen to arrive a few days early to San Juan in order to touch Puerto Rico and Old San Juan to search for its heart. We’re glad to have you along!

Founded in 1510, San Juan spreads out along the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Its nucleus is Old San Juan, a seven square block walled area, sitting on a point of land between the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay. Old San Juan is filled with history and culture, and is a living museum. It is preserved in all its natural grace and beauty, and at 500+ years of age is far from being decrepit. Some of its narrow streets are paved with small blue-gray cobblestones which came to the port hundreds of years ago as ships’ ballast.

According to About.com Puerto Rico Travel blog, there is an excellent article on how to spend three days in San Juan. Since we are arriving on a Thursday night, and boarding on Sunday, I thought we would take Friday and Saturday to do much of this list, and then since our flight is a late one during our return journey, we might spend some additional time on our return Sunday.

This will be our 5th visit to San Juan – our 4th using San Juan as a departure point and once as a cruise stop. We have spent quite a bit of time in Old San Juan, which is a wonderful- must see event. Old San Juan is framed on the southside by two forts – El Morro & Castillo de San Cristobal. If you have only one day in San Juan, make sure to walk these narrow 7 blocks and take in at least one of these forts. It is arguably the most beautiful city in the Caribbean. But as mentioned, we’ve been there-done that. (but might do it again!!) So here is our Itinerary: Day 1 – El Yunique, Day 2 – A Day of Rest.. (It’s also my birthday…), Day 3 (upon Return) Aricebo.

But it is night – and we have just arrived. Our first night in San Juan will be quiet – let’s take in a good dinner at the hotel, maybe examine the grounds a bit, and then it is to bed…

We have chosen the Mariott Stellaris Casino for our lodgings. This will be our 2nd time staying here – we’ve also stayed at the other Mariott and have enjoyed them both. After check in , we have cabin 1214 – a room that faces the ocean. I am running my audio recorder on the balcony to record the fantastic sound of the crashing sea – I hope to find a way to post it so anyone can hear it. I used Marriott reward points to get the room for 3 nights, so unfortunately I can’t share how much the room cost us. Upon settling in, we went to the La Vista Restaurant and Ocean Terrace. Tonight they had a Prime Rib and fresh fish buffet. The buffet was very good – the Prime Rib was excellent. They had a Rice station at which they would make you up a dish of rice with additions that you would choose. If you have had a pasta bar at a nice hotel, it is the same thing except with rice instead of Pasta. They also have fresh tuna, grouper and Mahi-Mahi, that they will cook to order. The price per person? $32.95 – not including tax or gratuity. Food quality – Very Good – Excellent for a Buffet. But at $32.95 – be prepared!

After dinner, we headed up to the Concierge Lounge for a few drinks before they close (9:30 PM). We grabbed our beer and headed to our room to sit on our balcony (balcony snobs already!) to listen to the surf. While sitting quietly enjoying our beer, a light rain shower passed thru, enhancing our sitting (sheltered) and taking in the warmth, the saline breeze, and the relaxation that only the sound of pounding surf can do for us. Since it is night, the Camera can’t do justice for the grounds and the beach. We will make every effort to publish pictures tomorrow between our posts.

In the main lobby, live music is offered each Thursday – Saturday. Quite a few were taking advantage of the Caribbean beat and dancing. The large lobby bar is just outside the Stellaris Casino, which is VERY popular. So if you are looking for a quiet room – request a room on a higher floor – you can hear the band as you descend in the elevator beginning on the 3rd floor (approximately).

What makes a pilgrimage sacred is the longing behind the journey, reminiscent of the famous sixteenth-century woodcut of the Pilgrim Astronomer, who pokes his head through a slit in the dome of the sky so that he might gaze at the machinery behind the sun, stars, and moon and so unveil the mystery of creation. It is late after a very long day. We are going to turn in for the evening, for tomorrow begins the first full day of enjoyment – a day in the El Yunique Rainforest. My thanks to everyone for your kind words – many come from friends who will be joining us on Adventure of the Seas this Sunday! For the rest, I will do everything I can to answer your questions and share with you all our thoughts, experiences, images and sounds of Puerto Rico and Adventure of the Seas!

Good Night to all.

Morning here in San Juan. Partly to mostly cloudy skies - temperature in the upper 70's. Plan today is to go to the El Yunique rainforest. Pictures later this today on the Marriott Stellaris and the rainforest.

Enjoy your day (wherevery you are!)

BRL

Looking forward to your comments . . . on the AOS in July!

Have fun!

Cookieeater

Have fun on AOS. We are up next and am looking forward to your updates. I am really interested in the embarkation at San Juan, have read on the one of the recent departures and embarking was a huge pain.

Thanks

Can't wait to read your updates. We are leaving March 7th and your posts are helping make the time go by. It would be great if you could also post some shots of the ship once you are on her!! Enjoy your trip!!

Thanks for posting and I look forward to the rest. I'm not on her till next year, but I looking ofr all the info I can get. I'm also staying at the Marriott and I look forward to those pics.

We chose for the 2nd time the Marriott Stellaris Hotel and Casino for one main reason - the Private beautiful beach (one of the best in San Juan) and the Resort quality pool area. We have stayed at both Marriott Resorts on the island, and prefer the Stellaris if we are staying for more than one night in advance of our cruise, and the Marriott Miramar if we are only coming in the night before the cruise.

We are in room 1214. It is a balcony room that overlooks the Ocean and the sound of the pounding surf easily reaches up to fill our room with the sounds and smells of the Ocean.

As you can see above - Room 1214 is like any other Marriott Hotel Room. An advantage is that you KNOW what you are going to get with a Marriott Hotel Room. It is nice. It is consistent. It is a known variable. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am using Marriott Reward Points to pay for these three nights, so I don't know the cost per evening, but that can be determined simply by looking it up on the Marriott Website.

As mentioned earlier - its the pool area and the private beach that gets my DW's attention. It is resort quality - there may be many others in San Juan that have these qualities, and that may not be what your looking for if you are simply coming in for the evening before the cruise, but if you've got time.... it's a winner.

Here is the beach itself. High surf was occuring due to the winds in front of the cold front that is punishing much of the continental U.S. Notice the Red Flag warning on the first picture:

My DW and I are not gamblers.... but many also enjoy the Casino that is found on premise. My wife this afternoon turned $20 at the slots into $70 - let's hope she can keep it up!!

It's not large, but according to DW, it has all the games that most are looking for - slots, BlackJack, Craps, etc.

Just outside the Casino is a VERY large lobby Bar where live music plays each Thursday - Saturday night.

This is a very nice hotel, with very nice amenities. The concierge lounge has a outside deck on two sides. It is on the 17th floor - and one direction looks right down the lagoon where the Serenade will be parking early tomorrow morning for her Saturday departure, and Adventure will be leaving from on Sunday.

This is not looking in that direction, but gives an idea of what it looked like at 8:30 AM this morning.

So as you can see - no frills on this part of the review. For many, the hotel pre-cruise is just a place to lay your head. But if your coming down early to "peel the onion", we highly suggest the Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino.

Next up - My thoughts and images on the El Yunque National Rainforest.