Newbie to RCI and Adventure of the Seas

[Missbrightstar]

Hi, I've read lots of threads now about RCI and AOS but I still have a few questions if anyone could help?

 

With dinner in the main dining room what drinks are included?

 

Are the drinks prices higher on the UK sailings because the tips are included? RCI advised the only gratuities I need to pay are for cabin staff and dining staff as drinks are included in the price on UK sailings.

 

If you get a soft drink package do you have to carry your souvenier cup around with you in order to get soda?

 

Are there pool/snooker tables?

 

Where can you smoke?

 

Are there three places where food is free (windjammer, MDR and the promenade café)?

 

Where do you get the free ice cream from?

 

What sort of food do you get in windjammer for lunch?

 

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

Laura

[racerxspeedy]

I can't speak for the UK sailings, but in general:

 

Free drinks in MDR - Tea (hot and iced), coffee, lemonade.

 

Tips - no additonal tips are required - but it may help to get to know some of the bar staff at the beginning and give extra for good service

 

The new coke machines require the cup, but I don't believe you need the cup to get a soda at dinner in MDR.

 

Can't speak for smoking areas

 

No pool tables on AOS that I have. Seen

 

You are Correct on the free food locations, windjammer food can change from day to day and throughout the day. Early in the day has less selection. I like the MDR for breakfast and lunch.

 

Free soft. Serve Ice cream machine is at back door (outside windjammer) near pool, and sometimes in promenade.

 

Hope this helps

[Dajbman22]

MDR Drinks Included: Water, Tea (hot/iced... unsweetened), coffee, lemonade. At breakfast from-concentrate juice is also available (fresh squeezed for a fee).

 

Gratuities: A 15% gratuity on all additional purchases of food and beverages is automatically added for all sailings, US or UK. It is not included in the menu price on US sailings, just on the receipt, but I am not 100% if they reprint the menus for the UK sailings to avoid confusion.

 

Souvenier Cup: Since the Adventure does not have freestyle coke machines and as far as the current info says it will not be getting them this April either, you can get your soda from the unlimited package in a regular cup at any bar using your seapass (it will have a sticker on it showing the package you purchased, and if swiped it will say you have the package and you will not be charged). You can also use your souvenir cup as well, but it won't be necessary. It is only required on ships with the freestyle (self-serve) machines, and only for those machines (not needed at the bars). This is because the cup itself has a chip that unlocks the machines.

 

Billiards: Unfortunately only the Radiance Class ships have the pool tables (AOS is Voyager class). If you ever get on one of the Radiance class ships, the self-righting tables are a marvel to behold, though. They also cost money to use if memory serves me right.

 

Smoking: Not a smoker so not 100% sure of all places, but there will be designated smoking areas on deck 4 outside, the upper decks outside, in the casino, and if it's a pipe/cigar, in the Connoisseur's Lounge on deck 5 (at the very end of the Royal Promenade, just before the Imperial Lounge).

 

Complimentary Food: Windjammer, MDR, Cafe Promenade (24hr), Room Service (free until Midnight, available for a fee until breakfast), and at certain days/times a small buffet may be set up on the pool deck. I have also heard you can get crisps and/or nuts from many of the bars on the ship if you ask.

 

Free Soft Serve Ice Cream: Outside the Windjammer, I believe on the starboard side (at least that's where it was on the sister ship, Voyager, 8 years ago).

 

Windjammer Lunch: It may be different on a UK cruise, but on a US-based Caribbean cruise, the menu rotates with various ethnic specialties as well as salad bar, some kind of carved roast, staples like burgers/hot dogs, basic casseroles, and various baked goods/jellos/fruits for dessert. On sea days a smaller selection of items, including grilled items like chicken may be served on the pool deck itself in addition to the windjammer. Don't forget that on most days there will also be lunch available in the MDR, including a salad bar set up there (not available on embarkation day though). Sandwiches and Pizza are also available at that time in Cafe Promenade as well.

[londongal796]

Worth adding that lemonade is not like UK lemonade (similar to Sprite), but instead closer to a watered down version of cloudy lemonade. (Not sure exactly what it's like on a UK cruise yet though, as this will be my first time cruising from the UK in June!)