Just back from AOS 2/20-2/27

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Just got back from AOS- it was our 7th cruise, and in many respects the best one ever.

What was our worst cruise? VOS in Feb 2002. I was a bit reluctant to go on RCCL again since my experience then was bad service, bad food and LONG lines where ever we went on the ship. We went on RCCL again because we heard these types of things had improved and we loved the itinerary.

Embarkation - we had 6:40 am flight out of EWR so we got to the ship at 12:30, check in was a breeze and we were able to board the ship right away.

 

Grabbed lunch at the Windjammer and it was delicious! Explored the boat a bit, unpacked when our luggage arrived. People who got on the boat after us got their luggage before us, but thats just the way it goes. Our cabin steward, Julio, was wonderful. On our other cruises we were on deck 8 or 9, but this cruise we had a outside room with a balcony on deck 6, forward. Our children had an inside cabin right accoss the hall. We LOVED this location more than we thougth we would because we were just one level above the promenade and just took the stairs instead of always waiting for an elevator.

 

Dinner- we had the late seating. We were 8 adults at one table and 7 children (ages 13 - 17) right next to us.

Our wait staff were excellent... Tyrone and Bernadette could not have been more wonderful. Hassan, our assistant Maitre D took care of us very well. Overall the food was excellent. Loved the ceasar salad, which you can have every night if you want and lobster night was great. We ate at Portofinos one night and that was excellent too. We were going to eat at Portofinos a second time but didn't want to miss lobster night! Loved the dining room experience so much that I did not miss going to Portofinos a second time.

 

Ports - we loved the itinerary and did things that we had never done on a cruise before. In Aruba, we rented ATVs, quad runners. We booked this on our own. We went to the natural bridge, rode along the spectacular coastline, stopped at the lighthouse and other sights as well. We all had a blast that day and got very, very dirty. However, the operator did not offer helmets and we had to ask for them. They did not have enough for all of us, just the kids had helmets. Also did the sunset catamaran cruise (we've done that before in Key West) which is always a lot of fun. We booked this through the cruise line. It would have been nice if we had some munchies to go with our drinks.

 

Curacao - Some of us did the Animal Encounter Scuba adventure and some did the dolphin swim. I did the Dolphin swim with my 13 year old daughter and it was just as wonderful as we thought it was going to be. The next morning the Captain announced that we had actually returned to Curacao in the middle of the night for a medical emergency. Evidently, a 5 year old boy badly broke his arm on the little climbing wall in the childrens program and needed more medical attention than was available on the ship. Poor kid!

 

St. Maarten - we did the 12 Metre Americas Cup sailing regatta. It was amazing and an incredible experience. Very windy and very high seas that day. The boat just flew through the waves and we actually participated in sailing the boat. If this is something you think you and your stomach can handle, DO NOT miss this. We did the 10 AM time, which has fewer people than the afternoon because they don't offer the morning times to the hotels. Unfortunately, we heard that a 48 year old man from our boat drowned while swimming at a beach in St Maarten. We heard that he was trying to help his son who was caught in a rip current. Someone else was able to save the boy, but not the father. We were so saddened by hearing this news and felt so badly for his family. I don't know if any beaches have lifeguards, so please be careful!

 

St. Thomas - we shopped in the morning. Some of us returned to the boat to sit by the pool and look out over the gorgeous harbor. Others went to Sapphire Beach which I heard was quite beautiful.

 

Overall the service was wonderful and the food was great! They must have made changes to direct people traffic because I never waited in line for more than a moment in the Windjammer, the promenade cafe or the photo gallery. Since it was President's week, we were told there were 900 children on the ship. Most of the little ones went to the childrens programs. My kids, 13 & 15, feel they are too old to meet others in such a controlled situation and wanted to meet other teens on their own, which they did. My children had a great time. I think security could have been better, it was inconsistant at best. I think some bartenders asked to see ID and some did not. I was pleased to see a lot of security in the casino and young adults being asked for ID all the time. However, late at night there were lots of kids out and about. Most of it was pretty harmless stuff. Sometimes security enforced the 1 AM curfew for those under 18, sometimes they did not. I think that some parents feel that as long as they know their kids are on the boat, they can come and go as they please.

 

We didn't go to many shows, but do not miss the ice show! It is so much fun to watch and enjoyed by all ages in our group. One night the show was a music group called "Revolution", who were Beatle impersonators and they put on a great show.

I think most of the people on our cruise had a great trip. We did and I am so sorry its over. We're supposed to get 12 inches of snow tonight!

[eileen226]

Thanks for the review! We are sailing in July! Do you remember what time the late dining seating was? I have read on these boards 8:30 (nine on the first night) and also posts that state dinner was at nine every night? Also, who was your cruise director and captain! Thanks

[2VaCruzers]

Sheryl-ann...thanks for the positive review. There are a bunch of us here in VA that are booking this cruise for summer of '06 as soon as bookings become available. Sounds like you had a great time!!

[mdmourges]

Nice review. Getting amped up. We leave on 3/6/05. My fianbce and I are taking my son and one of his college buddies. The grown ups get a GS and the kids get an iside room. Sounds fair to me.

 

Mark & Janet

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Hi Eileen-

Our late seating dinner was at 8:30 PM, except for the first night it was at 9 PM because the muster drill was at 8:00 or 8:30, I can't remember the exact time. I don't know if the late seating time is changed during the summer months...no one mentioned that to us during our cruise. The cruise director name was Richard Spacy, I believe. I really don't pay too much attention to the CD. I don't remember the captain's name. He had a dutch accent and basically made two announcements a day about the weather forecast, the port of call, things like that. I saw him briefly, from a distance as he greeted the crowd from a bridge across the Royal Promenade during the Captains gala.

[like2cruise]

Thanks for the review...going for 2 weeks in June! We are very interested in more information from you regarding the ATV rental in Aruba...where, how long, how much, how to book etc. Any information much appreciated!!!!

[stuffic]

Thanks for the great review, sheryl-ann (by the way, my name is cheryl ann:D ).

 

It's good to hear some positive reviews about the food on AOS for a change! I'm going in May and am looking more forward to it than ever! In your opinion, what's the best night to go to Portofino's? Which night, would you say, has the "worst" menu in the Dining Room? Thanks!

[jrayph]

Great review! We are going in April and can't wait. We had Richard Spacey on the Voyager in October and he is the best we have ever had. Hope he is n this ship in April.

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Info about the ATV rental in Aruba- my girlfriend made the arrangements through Watapana Tours. Their e-mail address is watapanatours@setarnet.aw. I believe they charge $80 per driver for 3 hours which we did, or $100 per driver for 4 hours. In their confirmation email to us they said that the children must wear helmets, but we had to ask for helmets when we got there. Still, we had a great time. It was quite an adventure. Have fun!

[Guest OBAYbee]

Unfortunately, we heard that a 48 year old man from our boat drowned while swimming at a beach in St Maarten. We heard that he was trying to help his son who was caught in a rip current. Someone else was able to save the boy, but not the father. We were so saddened by hearing this news and felt so badly for his family. I don't know if any beaches have lifeguards, so please be careful!

 

Oh my how horrible! We had something similar on Mariner of the seas December 2003. A 48 yr old man had a heart attack while scuba diving with a tour from the ship. Very sad when something like that happens. So far away from home too.

Glad you had fun otherwise. We plan to be on that ship in August. Nice to see a really good review from someone who loved the ship and ports.

[grmgr]

Did anyone see that karaoke contest. I think that guy ryan was robbed. His performance was spectacular. he had the whole auidence getting into it and it was just a great time. I hope to see him if not as a cruise director a passenger. If anyone else saw the performance please let me know what you think.

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Hi Cheryl Ann-

We went to Portofinos on Monday, the first formal night. One night does not stand out as a "bad" night in the dining room. There were 8 of us at our table, and I can't remember anyone sending anything back... just asking for seconds! I really enjoyed the second formal night (Thursday) in the dining room and did not want to miss lobster night (Friday). If I had to do it again, I guess I would go on Tues or Wed night. Enjoy!

[eyeskatermum]

When we were on the EOS I had access all day to the lemonade. I see now that the drink cards are for sodas & juice - does that mean that the drink machines in the windjammer are gone and I have to buy a drink card for my never-ending lemonade attacks?

 

I also asked the room steward to keep a pitcher in the room for me for when I "balconyed." I'm sure that is still available too?

[Turn4]

What night was the picture taking in the dining room with the 'pirates'? This has occured in the past and I assume still is done? Thanks

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Dear Skatermum-

The drink machines in the Windjammer are still there. My son is pretty sure you don't need a soda card for lemonade and that it is still at the drink station. Hope you get all the lemonade you want!

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Dear Turn4-

Yes, they still have picture taking in the dining room with the pirates. I'm pretty sure they had the pirates on Wednesday night.

[BornToTrave;]

We said the AOS in January. Yes, lemonade was always available in the Windjammer. Our cruise director was Jill. She did an OK job, but certainly wasn't memorable. Our captain was Captain Remo. We heard from him only once or twice a day when he made announcments about the weather and our sailing time, speed, etc. That was fine with us. I'm not sure what else people really expect from the captain. We had smooth safe sailings so no complaints from me.

[redjoan]

So glad you enjoyed your recent cruise on AOS! We are sailing on her April 17. Do you remember if there was a headliner as part of the entertainment? There usually is on voyager class ships?

[gsb]

the midnight comedians?

[Penguinlo]

Glad to hear you had a great time. I was wondering if you can tell me how those in your group liked the animal encounter in Curacao. We are considering this and have not seen any recent feedback. I would really appreciate any info you can give! Thanks!

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Hi redjoan-

I'm sorry- I think I think I saw someone described as a headliner, but I don't remember who it was. We loved the ice show and the "Beatles" show. At night, we usually went to the casino and/or to Jesters (DJ played great music to dance to). The band in the Viking Crown Lounge on deck 14 (I think thats the name) was usually very good and there was dancing there as well. The view is just wonderful there, and we saw people dancing to salsa music from the band by the pool. There's something for everyone. You'll have a great time.

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Hi gsb-

The daily schedule (you know, the one you get in your room at night) tells you where and when there is music (DJ, piano or band) and what kind they play. I know we had a 50's night, although I did not much music from the 50's that night. There is a wide variety of music choices. Sorry, I did not hear anything about the late night comediens.

[BornToTrave;]

There was a headliner, but I dont remember who it was either since we missed that show. I think he was billed as a 4 time star search male vocalist winner. The shows we did see - midnight comedian, ice show, and velvet rope were all very well done. In addition, most of the bars had live entertainment every night and there was a karoake (sp?) competition which lasted 2 or 3 nights that was also fun to watch. This was definitely not a boring cruise.

[lovetocruiseandrun]

Hi Lorie-

6 adults and 6 kids (ages 14 - 17) in our group did the animal encounter. My husband and son LOVED it. My son loved feeding the stingrays and being underwater with them. The staff was helpful and friendly. There were tons of fish, many many sting rays and one huge old grouper swimming around in the tank with you. The turtles (my son said they would eat anything) and sharks were behind the plexi-glass. They told me the turtles were very hungry and the sharks were not (sounds good to me). The photos the guides took of them were wonderful! They put the photos on a CD for us (or they can print them for you...) which we played on our laptop back in the cabin. There were at least 70 photos.

 

However, my girlfriend did not enjoy the experience. She never felt comfortable in the scuba gear and just felt there were too many fish in the tank for her. Everyone else enjoyed the experience and if it sounds like something you would enjoy then I would book it!

[reddy2go]

Hello,

Glad to hear some recent good things about the AOS. Thinking about going in the summer. I love the itinerary but I am a little nervous about the service and food. I have heard good and bad on both. Two years ago, I went on NOS. I had a great time! My outside balcony cabin was fantastic. On that ship there was more of a variety of restaurants to choose from like sushi, steakhouse, and italian restaurants in addition to the dining rooms. And I don't remember there being a charge for Johnny Rocket's. Noticed that there is a charge now to eat in Johnny Rocket's (in addition to the drinks). I think it is $3.95 per person. What's that about? Is that just a AOS thing? Can anyone contribute more information regarding the food? Menus? I am going with a bunch of foodies. Is the ship still in good condition? This is adding up to be a pricey vacation. Want to make sure it is worth it!