safcftm Posted December 27, 2014 #26 Share Posted December 27, 2014 I would go on option 2. if you and your friends like a laugh then Cozumel will be great for some fun bars for cocktails etc. I also think Labadee is a great experience, the best of the private islands in my opinion. I'm not hot on Jamaica but I know alot love it and Dunns river falls is a good excursion. Sent from my D6503 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessay Posted December 28, 2014 Author #27 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Quite surprisingly, option 3 ends up being the cheapest by like $50 including airfare. Can anyone tell me which port in San Juan RCI goes to? From what I read there are to ports in SJ one in old San Juan and another location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whitshel Posted December 28, 2014 #28 Share Posted December 28, 2014 For what its worth, the balconies on the Adventure are not as nice as the Indy. They are encased in steel and no glass except about a foot. The Indy you can sit and watch the ocean go by, on Adventure I'm not sure that's the case. Plus Indy is a larger class ship. Just saying.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessay Posted December 28, 2014 Author #29 Share Posted December 28, 2014 (edited) For what its worth, the balconies on the Adventure are not as nice as the Indy. They are encased in steel and no glass except about a foot. The Indy you can sit and watch the ocean go by, on Adventure I'm not sure that's the case. Plus Indy is a larger class ship. Just saying.... Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Forums mobile app I've only been on Enchantment, as all of my other cruises were on Carnival. I was thoroughly impressed with both Enchantment's overall 'presentation' and my balcony room, which I believe will be a step up whether I choose Adventure or Independence. Edited December 28, 2014 by Jessay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsconley19 Posted December 28, 2014 #30 Share Posted December 28, 2014 (edited) Quite surprisingly, option 3 ends up being the cheapest by like $50 including airfare. Can anyone tell me which port in San Juan RCI goes to? From what I read there are to ports in SJ one in old San Juan and another location. We sailed from the Pan American Pier in San Juan. This is across the channel from Old San Juan. Ships visiting San Juan for the day usually dock at the piers of Old San Juan in front of the Sheraton Old San Juan. Tom Edited December 28, 2014 by tsconley19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchcanrican Posted December 28, 2014 #31 Share Posted December 28, 2014 AOS docks in Old San Juan but not directly. You have to take a cab. From the Airport it's 10-15 (depends on traffic) minute cab about $20 for 2-3 people. If you find a van you can all jump in. I did a similar trip on AOS. I will be doing your trip in Nov. 2015. I selected the trip because of the itinerary and it had the least days at sea. "Half of a DINK and proud of it!."😜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCI Cruisers 004 Posted December 28, 2014 #32 Share Posted December 28, 2014 We would go with option 2. We really enjoy the stops and I would definitely try for a cabana at Labadee ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2chiefs Posted December 28, 2014 #33 Share Posted December 28, 2014 I've sailed both ships. I did an 8 night Eastern Caribbean on the Independence. Also did a 7 night Southern (A) on the Adventure. The Independence is my favorite ship to date. The Adventure is close behind. We're sailing the Adventure again in March doing the itinerary you posted (B). We've done the (A) itinerary to Aruba etc... And absolutely loved it. For wow factor of a ship I would pick the Indy. For a port intensive itinerary, I would pick the Adventure. The Puerto Rican's on the ship are friendly albeit loud at times of competitions on the ship. Very proud people. Having been to San Juan several times, I never felt unsafe. Old San Juan is absolutely beautiful for exploring. Can be done in 1 day prior to a sailing.The Adventure has been "refreshed" not "refurbished" that means they added some upgrades on the ship. Large poolside television screen. Touch screen finders near the elevators, and refreshed the cabins. Full refurbishment doesn't come until 2016 when the add a flow rider and additional restaurants etc.. You can't go wrong with either ship. Indy is newer and larger and more of a WOW factor. Eastern Caribbean IMO is better than Western. Southern is better than them all. Both ships have a Royal Promenade walking mall in the center of the ships. Indy's is slightly larger/wider. Similar shops and restaurants. Perhaps you could get a consensus of what your friends want to do. Ports vs. ships Also go to YouTube and type in each ship. There will be many videos posted for you to review. An excellent wat to see real up to date conditions of the ships. Good luck on your decision, you really can't go wrong with your choice. Tom Tom I'm glad you pointed out that the AOS was "Refreshed" and not "Refurbished". I was about to point that out as well. We just got off the AOS and had a great time but we were disappointed with the condition of the ship. We have not been on the Indy but have been on Voyager and Mariner and both are much nicer that AOS in our opinion. AOS is showing her age. Even the artwork in the stairwells have been "worn" by people abusing it. It's ready for a refurb. The staff was friendly and attentive. I believe they were in the process of turnover of the ship singers and dancers during our cruise so the production shows were lacking. It should be fine by the time you sail. We went B2B so we got to experience both itineraries which were great. Embarkation and Debarkation in San Juan is great. Easy on, easy off. We stayed at the Hilton Caribe the night before which is a very nice property. To the OP: You can't go wrong with any option! Keep in mind that itineraries are great but most of your time is actually spent on the ship. Cheers Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BillOh Posted December 28, 2014 #34 Share Posted December 28, 2014 . I've read how cruising out of Puerto Rico isn't the best idea, but I really would love to hear what you all would think is the best in regards to both the cruise and itinerary! Thank you! I loved cruising out of San Juan and this itinerary, ,but your friends who never cruised before would probably be more wowed with the Freedom class ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted December 28, 2014 #35 Share Posted December 28, 2014 For what its worth, the balconies on the Adventure are not as nice as the Indy. They are encased in steel and no glass except about a foot. The Indy you can sit and watch the ocean go by, on Adventure I'm not sure that's the case. Plus Indy is a larger class ship. Just saying.... We don't find the view from Adventure balconies above deck 6 to be that much different than the newer ships. We also like the greater privacy on the Adventure balconies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stones902 Posted December 28, 2014 #36 Share Posted December 28, 2014 I will be celebrating my undergrad graduation this May, and my friends and I are trying to select a cruise. We're all aware that we need to make a decision ASAP, but we're having a difficult time deciding with the many pros and cons of each ship, so I thought that the boards may be able to help. Thank you on advanced! Below are our options: Option 1: INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS Day 1Fort Lauderdale, Florida Day 2Cruising Day 3San Juan, Puerto Rico Day 4Philipsburg, St. Maarten Day 5Basseterre, St. Kitts Day 6Cruising Day 7Cruising Day 8Fort Lauderdale, Florida $3,869.40 Option 2 Independence Of The Seas Day 1Fort Lauderdale, Florida Day 2Cruising Day 3Labadee, Haiti Day 4Falmouth, Jamaica Day 5George Town, Grand Cayman Day 6Cozumel, Mexico Day 7Cruising Day 8Fort Lauderdale, Florida $ 3,666.68 Option 3 ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS 13-JunSan Juan, Puerto Rico 14-JunSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 15-JunPhilipsburg, St. Maarten 16-JunSt. John's, Antigua 17-JunCastries, St. Lucia 18-JunBridgetown, Barbados 19-JunCruising 20-JunSan Juan, Puerto Rico $ 3,436.76 I've done all itineraries (except south carib.), but I'm taking some people who have never even been on a cruise, and I really want them to be impressed. I've read how cruising out of Puerto Rico isn't the best idea, but I really would love to hear what you all would think is the best in regards to both the cruise and itinerary! Thank you! A close call but I'd go with #3 All are very good itineraries. Unlike some folks, we very much enjoy sailing from San Juan. We always head to port a few days early and SJ has some fabulous beaches and nightlife. It is tougher to get there and isn't cheap but sailing the S Caribbean itinerary out of SJ is always a favorite. Good luck - you can't make a bad choice here. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reallyhooked Posted December 28, 2014 #37 Share Posted December 28, 2014 IMO, yes to #3. We had no problem boarding in San Juan ( 4 cruises) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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