Adventurer of the Seas - Review (Not impressed) - Dec. 12, 2010

[Nessa1dc]

Well, we're back. We arrived in Puerto Rico on Friday, December 10th for our Sunday, December 12th Cruise. We stayed at the San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino. Nice hotel, the pool bar and restaurant were HORRIBLE. Avoid it at all costs. The service was horrific.

 

We arrived at the Port on Sunday at about 12:30pm. There were 2 large lines, but very little organization. We stood in one line to deposit our luggage (luckily we found someone to take our luggage), and then stood in another line to get into the terminal. We stood in line for over 4 hours. They were having Customs issues. I heard a number of reasons, 1. someone died on the cruise before, they only had 10 customs agents for over 3000 people...I really don't know but RCCL never sent anyone to tell us. We had an elderly member of our family who became ill waiting in the heat with no chairs for over 4 hours and when I discussed her condition with RCCL, I was basically told "sorry, nothing we can do". I'm not used to that when it comes to RCCL.

I'm going to be general with everything, please feel free to contact me if you need more specifics.

 

Room - We had a Deluxe Oceanview with Balcony on the 6th floor (Rm. 6308). The room was neat the balcony confining...no glass doors, all metal, large enough for us. Our friends were in a connecting room in 6306. Our Room Attendant was Al, and was our personal star for the week.

 

Ship - The ship is lovely, no big difference from the others in her class. We have and will always LOVE Royal Caribbean ships.

 

Food - I'm not a picky eater, but quite honestly, it wasn't that good. The EXACT same breakfast every morning, and they were always running out of food, and all the stations were never open in the Windjammer. In the main dining room we had the surf and turf on Friday evening, only to have one of the lobsters be spoiled...that wasn't cute. Our waiter was ok, our Asst. Waiter was very personable and our Headwaiter was also very nice...Dining was not our favorite part, which it usually is. Not so much the food, but the interaction with the Waiters.

 

The Crew - Well, this was disappointing...everyone had a very laid back attitude...almost to the point of lazy. No extra efforts, no nothing. We met some stars but most everyone was quite laid back.

 

Ports - We went to: Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Croix. St. Maarten was the best as it always is for me. I love the shopping.

 

I have been on 5 cruises with RCCL, and by far, this was the worst. If there was one event to epitomize my trip, here it is:

 

We made an appointment with the Loyalty Ambassador on Thursday evening at 7:30pm. There were 12 of us. We arrived at 7:30pm only to find a sign that said that she wouldn't return until 8:45pm. When she returned, she apologized and explained that she was alone and had to attend the Platinum and Diamond event. No problem at all. We completely understood. We made a reservation for the Allure for next year. Gave her our specifications for dining, and rooms and made our deposit via our credit cards. She asked that we write each card number down on a piece of paper. She said that she would send me the confirmation numbers later that evening. I gave her my room number and made myself the lead contact. Nothing came Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. Please note that I went to her office daily to ask, only for her to tell me it would be there that evening. On Sunday, during debarkation, we saw her in front of the Platinum meeting area (We are Platinum members) and I asked her again. This time she said that she sent the information to one of our rooms the night before. Noone received it and she only had my room number....so it all sounded fishy. I called Royal Caribbean in route to the airport and asked about our reservations. They were made, but not held with a payment, so that meant that she lied to me. She couldn't have sent any paperwork until she made payment. She did eventually do everything yesterday (Monday) morning. 2 names misspelled, no crown and anchor numbers, and incorrect ages. So basically, thats how I felt the whole cruise...like I was being told one thing, and given another.

I still love Royal Caribbean, I will continue to be a loyal supporter, but I won't do Adventurer, I won't come out of San Juan, but I will be on the Allure on December 4, 2011.

We enjoyed our cruise and our vacation, it just wasn't the quality of service we expect from Royal Caribbean.

[Venusleo1]

Thank you so much for posting your review.

Can you possibly elaborate on why the pool bar was so horrible at the San Juan Marriot and Stellaris Casino?

We have booked a night there post cruise to enjoy the pool and relax. We were so looking forward to it.

[Nessa1dc]

Well when we arrived at the hotel, our room wasn't ready, so we met up with some friends who had arrived earlier and we told them we are going to the pool bar and restaurant. They said, the food is good, but the service horrible. I just thought they had a bad experience. As soon as we sat down, we knew exactly what they were talking about. The waiters stood in front of the bar, eating, chatting, laughing, horse playing and we sat and stared at them. Noone came over for 15 minutes. We ordered, and waited about 20 minutes. I saw our food come out and looked at it at the bar...our waitress disappeared, so I went over and got our food. The food was good. I complained to management and got a free drink and $20 off the bill, but it was terrible.

 

Everywhere else on the property was fantastic. You will enjoy your stay. Stay away from the Pool restaurant.

[bigeagle12]

We have stayed at the Marriott 5 times and have had great service everytime. May be a little slow as is everything in the Caribbean .. relax and enjoy. Still our favorite hotel in PR and I have been there dozens of time.

[Alexis]

Thank you so much for posting your review.

Can you possibly elaborate on why the pool bar was so horrible at the San Juan Marriot and Stellaris Casino?

We have booked a night there post cruise to enjoy the pool and relax. We were so looking forward to it.

 

I am also curious about that?

It surprises me to read this as I always recommend this hotel to people sailing from San Juan who ask where to stay. In fact it is the only one I recommend.

My husband and I always stay there before and now, after our cruises.

It is a 4 star hotel with outstanding service. Their personnel are extremely helpful and friendly.

We have eaten in the Restaurant many times for, breakfast lunch and dinner throughout the stays and our service and food was always excellent.

 

Well when we arrived at the hotel, our room wasn't ready, so we met up with some friends who had arrived earlier and we told them we are going to the pool bar and restaurant. They said, the food is good, but the service horrible. I just thought they had a bad experience. As soon as we sat down, we knew exactly what they were talking about. The waiters stood in front of the bar, eating, chatting, laughing, horse playing and we sat and stared at them. Noone came over for 15 minutes. We ordered, and waited about 20 minutes. I saw our food come out and looked at it at the bar...our waitress disappeared, so I went over and got our food. The food was good. I complained to management and got a free drink and $20 off the bill, but it was terrible.

 

Everywhere else on the property was fantastic. You will enjoy your stay. Stay away from the Pool restaurant.

 

Which place are you talking about?

The Restaurant and the Pool Bar are two different Venues.

The Pool Bar also serves food out side sitting around the bar.

The restaurant has inside or outside seating areas.

 

The food was good, but it was terrible

That is confusing? :D

[cb at sea]

This is the 2nd less than stellar review of this particular sailing....they must have had some sort of "glitch" in the system!

[Nessa1dc]

I am talking about the Pool Bar...not the restaurant (sorry). We ate at the restaurant in the morning and the service was fine. The Pool Bar was horrific. The food was good, the service was terrible.

 

I'm not saying that the property was bad, I'm saying that the Pool Bar was bad. It wasn't just our experience, and it wasn't the "laid back" nature of the caribbean, it was down right bad service.

 

The rooms, the front desk, the lounge in the hotel were all GREAT....no problems at all. The Pool Bar was bad.

[Alexis]

I am talking about the Pool Bar...not the restaurant (sorry). We ate at the restaurant in the morning and the service was fine. The Pool Bar was horrific. The food was good, the service was terrible.

 

I'm not saying that the property was bad, I'm saying that the Pool Bar was bad. It wasn't just our experience, and it wasn't the "laid back" nature of the caribbean, it was down right bad service.

 

The rooms, the front desk, the lounge in the hotel were all GREAT....no problems at all. The Pool Bar was bad.

 

Thank you for coming back to explain. ;)

The pool Bar is the one place we have never eaten at and I am sure that we probably never would anyway.

But I am glad to know that the rest of the hotel was fine for you.

I would hate to find out that things had changed that bad since I was there last Dec.

I hope your next cruise will be better than that one.

I am also changing to the Serenade next year. ;)

[Nessa1dc]

We are doing the Allure of the Seas in December of 2011 out of Ft. Lauderdale.

 

CB - It was less than the usual class of service you receive on RCCL. The embarkation was terrible...4+ hours in line, in the heat. No communication, no nothing...they did give cups of water.

 

Very laid back in much of everything...I wasn't happy, this is the worst cruise I have been on with RCCL...it gave me a sour taste for the Adventurer and sailing out of Puerto Rico...there system is so different from Florida. I'm just spoiled. There is one line to deliver luggage and another line to get into the terminal, no signs, no nothing. I'll stick with Florida for awhile.

[Wilda]

This is the 2nd less than stellar review of this particular sailing....they must have had some sort of "glitch" in the system!

 

Just what I was thinking- two reviews on the first page detailing the hassle of embarkation!

 

Personally, I would complain to RCI about the Loyalty ambassador. I get the impression (from the OP's outline) that they were treated like second class citizens. Why would a staff member book the appt for 7:30 if they knew they weren't going to be there until 8:45. And once they realized they were not going to be able to make the appt., someone should have called you so you did not waste YOUR valuable vacation time trying to put more money into THEIR pockets!!!:eek:

[Nessa1dc]

Just what I was thinking- two reviews on the first page detailing the hassle of embarkation!

 

Personally, I would complain to RCI about the Loyalty ambassador. I get the impression (from the OP's outline) that they were treated like second class citizens. Why would a staff member book the appt for 7:30 if they knew they weren't going to be there until 8:45. And once they realized they were not going to be able to make the appt., someone should have called you so you did not waste YOUR valuable vacation time trying to put more money into THEIR pockets!!!:eek:

 

In her defense on the appt....she didn't know the other Loyalty Ambassador would get sick, and we made the appt. on Tuesday and they didn't have our cabin number...so while I was frustrated, I let that pass. But to be lied too, was unacceptable, and to be told one thing while doing another was a Big NONO.

 

I contacted Royal Caribbean post cruise division and expressed my disappointment...but I think a letter should be sent as well. I appreciate you understanding our disappointment

[reallyitsmema]

In her defense on the appt....she didn't know the other Loyalty Ambassador would get sick, and we made the appt. on Tuesday and they didn't have our cabin number...so while I was frustrated, I let that pass. But to be lied too, was unacceptable, and to be told one thing while doing another was a Big NONO.

 

I contacted Royal Caribbean post cruise division and expressed my disappointment...but I think a letter should be sent as well. I appreciate you understanding our disappointment

And that is my whole point about the ship name, if you send a complaint letter and don't even get the name correct, I doubt they will take you seriously.

[shakes the clown]

And that is my whole point about the ship name, if you send a complaint letter and don't even get the name correct, I doubt they will take you seriously.

 

 

I seriously doubt they are going to disregard a letter from a customer because they missed a letter in the ship's name. Its a letter from a customer, not a letter from someone applying for a job.

 

I think you need to get off your high horse.

[reallyitsmema]

I seriously doubt they are going to disregard a letter from a customer because they missed a letter in the ship's name. Its a letter from a customer, not a letter from someone applying for a job.

 

I think you need to get off your high horse.

High horse? Because I commented on a ship name? The OP is going to send another letter and will get a better response if their information is correct, plain and simple.

[Nessa1dc]

And that is my whole point about the ship name, if you send a complaint letter and don't even get the name correct, I doubt they will take you seriously.

 

Are you serious? Or are you upset about my review? I apologize for adding an "r" to the Advernture of the Seas in my earlier posts...but really?

 

Well, let me say this....if they can cash my check...they can accept my letter concerning the "Adventurer of the Seas"....I like my spelling better:D

[Merion_Mom]

Are you serious? Or are you upset about my review? I apologize for adding an "r" to the Advernture of the Seas in my earlier posts...but really?

 

Well, let me say this....if they can cash my check...they can accept my letter concerning the "Adventurer of the Seas"....I like my spelling better:D

 

Oops, you did it again. You seem to have a love affair with extra *r*'s!!! ;) :D

[reallyitsmema]

Are you serious? Or are you upset about my review? I apologize for adding an "r" to the Advernture of the Seas in my earlier posts...but really?

 

Well, let me say this....if they can cash my check...they can accept my letter concerning the "Adventurer of the Seas"....I like my spelling better:D

Why would your review upset me? It is your opinion, not mine. Personally, I doubt I will ever sail that ship because I prefer the design of the second generation Voyager class ships. I also would only sail from San Juan if I got cheap airfare since we don't usually pay for airfare to port (we use miles).

 

As far as the letter, good luck, I hope you get the response you want. I have just found a well written letter gets you a better response, which does mean less one less "r" in this case.;)

[WillieC]

For a great hotel experience try the Intercontinental in San Juan. Very nice joint in a good neighborhood on a great beach.

[Let'sGo!]

Sorry you had a bad embarkation experience in PR.

For what its worth, it's been a couple of years since we sailed on Adventure, and we too found the whole embarkation very confusing.

 

There was one line for dropping off luggage - unlike other ports where porters come to get your luggage, these guys sit at one end of the line and wait for you to come bring your luggage to them.

 

The 2nd - much longer line - is for the actual embarkation. And there was ONE person who needed to see each and every person's paperwork before you could even enter the door, then you had to show it to another person inside the door, THEN you could enter the cues to get in line to register. There was certainly no Priority Boarding lines for anyone.

 

Disembarking wasn't a real piece of cake either as I recall.

 

It's too bad the pier in San Juan hasn't figured out a way to get the whole process better organized. The Southern Caribbean itineraries are our favorites - but we just shudder at sailing out of San Juan.

 

And my two cents -- Hotel Convento is the most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed at - ever. I'm sure it costs a little more, but it's a wonderful way to kick off a vacation in San Juan!!!

 

Hopefully your experience on Allure will be soooo much better!

 

Ann

[shakes the clown]

For a great hotel experience try the Intercontinental in San Juan. Very nice joint in a good neighborhood on a great beach.

 

 

or go next door to the El San Juan which is nicer but probably a little more expensive.

[Nessa1dc]

Oops, you did it again. You seem to have a love affair with extra *r*'s!!! ;) :D

 

I love r's....rrrrrrr...:D

[Nessa1dc]

Why would your review upset me? It is your opinion, not mine. Personally, I doubt I will ever sail that ship because I prefer the design of the second generation Voyager class ships. I also would only sail from San Juan if I got cheap airfare since we don't usually pay for airfare to port (we use miles).

 

As far as the letter, good luck, I hope you get the response you want. I have just found a well written letter gets you a better response, which does mean less one less "r" in this case.;)

 

I won't be looking for a response, a free cruise, $200...nothing...I love RCCL and I want them to improve on this ship and on this kind of situation, that's all. I'll watch my r's...but if I write a letter as a Platinum loyal member of RCCL...and I add an r (by accident) and thus they disregard my letter...it might be time to move on...and not just for me either.

[Merion_Mom]

I love r's....rrrrrrr...:D

 

Remember the old advertising campaign?

 

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRuffles have rrrrrrrrrrrrridges"?