Adventure of the Sea Review w/photos.

[waterbugohio]

Day 4, Wednesday Night

 

Since we had such a long tour today, we opted for a later dinner. I think I stated earlier that we did the late show. We actually did the 7:00 ice show and then dinner after the show. We did not need tickets for the ice show, and we did not get there till about ten minutes before show time. We had no problem getting a seat. While we didn't get in the main middle section and were off to the side, it was still a great show and to me, not really a bad seat in the house. The show did pretty well fill up till right at show time. But definitely didn't need to stand in line for seats.

 

The only other thing I can saw about the ice show: It was awesome!!!

 

A few photos:

 

 

 

 

Off to a late dinner, a little time in the casino and then we headed to bed pretty early. Again, another long day in port really wipes you out!!

[waterbugohio]

Not sure why some of my pictures aren't coming up.

 

Will try them again

 

 

[waterbugohio]

Day 5, Antigua

 

Today we decided to do a slow day. No excursion planned.

 

A couple of our group just did some walking around the port area and a little shopping. My hubby and I decided we would spend half the day at the beach. I had read about the beaches on Antigua before leaving, but left my notes back on the ship. Of course, I remembered incorrectly and thought that Valley Church Beach was the one that was closest to the port. Wrong, VC beach is about 20 min from port. We walked outside the actual cruise area and after being hounded by numerous people, we decided to take up a guy on his offer to take use to the beach.

 

Well, as "port smart" as I though my hubby and I are getting. We picked a local that we found out later wasn't the most trusted of taxi drivers. He walked us to a little car that didn't look like it was going to make it. The backseat was half filled with a bass speaker. Loud music playing in my ear the entire trip. Started to get a little nervous going, as I though this beach was lots closer and the longer it took, the more I worried about where we were going to end up. But we eventually pulled into the Beach. The trip was suppose to be $25 round trip. We made arrangements for him to return to pick us up at 1:00.

 

After our time at the beach, we waited till about 1:15 and no sign of our driver. After talking with several other drivers in the area, we find out we should have only trusted the taxi drives with all the matching shirts. Several warned us that this guy would recharge us for the return trip. Well, not wanting to give him any more money, we just took one of the reputable taxi drivers and headed back to port. The return trip was in a nicer/newer mini van and cost us $8 pp. We did see our original driver pulling into the beach area as we left, but we were glad to be in a trusted, clean and road worthy vehicle for the ride back. Lesson learned...... don't try to save a buck or two, Just go with the drivers that are all dressed alike and are actual contracted taxi drivers!!

 

Now for Valley Church Beach. Even though it cost us $25 going and another $16 back to the ship.. The Beach was well worth it. Very very clean beach. A little crowded, but just walked away from the areas aroudn the bar and restaurants, and it was better. The white sand was awesome Not the very fine sand, but more course and thicker sand. You got in the water about 3-4 feet and you actually sank about 10-12" into the sand.

 

Since we were not staying all day, we decided not to rent chairs or an umbrella. We just used our towels and laid on the beach. Spend most of the time in the water or just sitting on the edge of the water.

Again, I will let the pictures speak for themselves::

 

 

 

 

My favorite for the day:

[waterbugohio]

Did a little shopping when back at the port and had a snack and a few beverages at a local bar.

 

 

A row of phone booths at the port

 

 

Back on the ship and enjoyed a wonderful sunset:

 

 

 

[waterbugohio]

Tonight was probably the only night we had trouble getting the time and the table we wanted in MTD. Because of the show schedule for tonight, we decided a 7:00 dinner time would work the best for us. Well, in order to get a 7:00 time slot, we had to move tables. Which normally wouldn't be a big deal.

 

But tonight we were celebrating my Mother in Laws 82 birthday. The new table and new servers were great and just as attentive and pleasant as the ones we had every night previous to this. However, the fact that it was the first night meeting them and they didn't "know" us, it just wasnt as special when it came time to sing Happy Birthday and brink the cake out for my MIL.

 

My suggestion to others would be... if you want something other than the close to normal 6-6:30 or 8-8:30 time frame. Make sure you make the reservations early in the week or before the cruise. 7:00 dinner reservations were hard to come by!!

 

The Headliner tonight was Comedian/Impressionist Scott Record. We very much enjoyed him and thought he was funny. After this we stayed in the theatre and watched the Love and Marriage show. While some do not enjoy this show, since the questions have not been changed in forever, we still enjoy this. We had three very honest/open couple playing and none of the couples seemed to be "rehearsed" in the show. Was really surprised with the prizes they gave away to the winners. Not sure if this is just the Adventure or something new. I think all the couples got a wine package and the winning couple got some spa treatments and several other items.

 

Kinda makes me want to try it on our next cruise!!! Well, maybe not!!! hahah

 

A late night stop in the casino and called it a night!

[waterbugohio]

Up next, a full day tour on St. Maarten. But for now, its time to turn in so we can make it to early Easter Church Services.

 

Will try to continue the last couple days tomorrow night.

 

Wishing everyone a Blessed Easter tomorrow. God Bless

[yannabeld]

Thank you for your great review I am following along. I will definitely try cosol tours but I do have 2 young children. My parents and aunts will be there too. Is it ok for young kids? 6 and 4. Love the pics I'm so excited now!

[rose102798]

Didn't realize this until you commented. Looked it up online and found that the Adventure is doing a 6 nighter the first part of May. Then back to 7 nighters but leaving on Saturdays. Not sure the reason.

 

Yes thank you -- I looked that up too. (Only this morning though . . . wish I would have looked it up last night before I went to sleep -- restless night wondering about it . . . .LOL)

 

Happy Easter! (Oh and your formal night photo is beautiful)

[Familygoboston]

Going to try, but not much help here.

 

A couple of questions if you'll indulge me!?

-Did they serve Starbucks at the Promenade cafe?

 

Don't drink coffee so I'm not sure. I think there is one

 

-If any in your party are Diamond, did you know if they loaded "diamond lounge" drinks onto your sea pass for use anywhere? (They would know since non Diamonds aren't welcome in the lounges, even if it's you 82 yo MIL and any Diamonds in your party wouldn't likely have left your dear MIL behind:eek:

No one in the party is diamond. So again no help here.

-did they serve those Caribbean lobster tails on the 1st or second formal night. That's one of our favs, need to make sure I don't have Giovanni's scheduled for that night!

 

This one I can tell you. Lobster was served on the second formal night. Which was thursday night.

 

-I'm hearing no tickets needed for the ice shows, did you find that to be true?

 

No tickets needed for the ice show. Our sailing they did two shows. Day 2, monday (sea day) at 4:00. and again on Day 4, Wednesday. at 9:00. We actually ran a little late on dinner that night and didn't get there till about 8:50. Still seats open, we were off to the side, but still able to see everything.

 

Maybe you'll reveal all,this in due time in which case I'll (try) to wait patiently! Thanks for sharing, I'm really enjoying...we are so excited...I'm all packed, making our last minute plans!

Thank you! All your details are very helpful! I did get my drink question answered on "the All things Adventure" thread, and for anyone else wondering, the answer is yes, 3 Diamond (+) drinks are preloaded on your card for use in any lounge on board!

 

Sunday? Did I miss something because we leave on Saturday on this same cruise in June.:confused:

Also CKRobyn, the "All things Adventure" thread godmother ;) mentioned that after Jewel stops porting in SJ for the season, Adventure moves to a Sat change day. Probably easier to staff and supply than Sunday's , and with just one ship, they can move it to the more convenient day!

 

Enjoying your review, we have a private tour planned in St Lucia as well, and we are skipping the mud baths to do some other activities. After seeing your photos, I am glad, it doesn't look like it would be popular with my particular group! But I glad you folks indulged and enjoyed! :D Happy Easter! 🐣🐣🐣

[milleidie12]

Was Tino carriillo in the adventure

[micmacmissy]

Great review Ohio...I'm trying to talk my husband into this itinerary for next spring break.

 

And FamilyGoBoston...I'm so excited knowing you're going soon and have your review to look forward to upon your return!!! (Um, you will be doing that, right? Right??!??)

Edited April 5, 2015 by micmacmissy

[PositiveLad]

Hey waterbugohio!

 

Thanks for this great live blog of your cruise! I've been on AOS in the past so it's great to see her again - one of my favourite ships.

 

Looks like you had a blast :D

[trev71]

Thanks enjoying your review so far cruising on her in May. The prices of the drinks makes me wonder how much I will be drinking now. I will be having some but will be for sure cutting back if that is the case

[waterbugohio]

Was Tino carriillo in the adventure

 

Not sure I know who/what Tino Carriillo is, sorry

[waterbugohio]

OK, Continuing on.....

 

Day 6, St Maarten.

 

Today we had a private excursion planned with Bernards tours. Another company that comes highly recommended on these boards and on trip adviser. We had friends do his tour a couple years ago, so we went with him. Since we had 7 of us, we were able to do his private tour, for about the same $$ as a larger group, so this is the route we went.

 

We started the day/tour with a little glitch. We were told to meet in front of the information desk near the information center outside the cruise terminal at 9:00 Am. We were out there at 8:50 and stood and stood. Ask a couple people, everyone kept telling us they would come get us. Unlike other ports, no one holding signs with private excursions. We walked down to where the the taxi and shuttles were. One person told us to keep walking, another tells us to go back to the information center. So quite the run around for probably 20 minutes or more. Finally a port worker says, "follow me" And walks us outside the port area, to a white tent that Bernard has set up. We apologized to Bernard about our being late and also the confusion. Bernard was not happy with this, apparently the terminal workers are suppose ask groups and take them to his tent. He is not allowed inside the terminal area, so he needs to rely on their help.

 

If you do this tour, make sure you keep asking until someone takes you where you are suppose to go!! Don't just stand and wait like we did!!!

 

So a little late start, but off we go in a nice new van with a wonderful driver, Michael. We was with us all day and very informative. We kinda commented on a couple of things we wanted to see, and he took us accordingly and stopped at other well known places and photos ops.

 

Here is Michael and I at the end of the tour. I apologize for how ragged I look. It had been a long day!!!

 

A couple stops along the way around the island

 

 

 

 

[waterbugohio]

Next stop was an Iguana farm. Well, not really a farm. Just a stop along the road where they stop everyday and feed them. So of course there were lots of them. Can't really call them "cute", but I did take lots of photos of them anyway!!!

 

 

 

 

From here on we go to Orient Beach. Of course, you have to drive by, "Club Orient" on the way, the famous au natural beach. Just slowed down long enough to get a picture of the sign!!!

 

 

Our driver Daniel parked at a hotel/restaurant on Orient Beach called La Playa. A very pretty hotel and I have put this in our notes to check out if we ever come back to St Maarten to stay.

 

[waterbugohio]

Several shots of Orient Beach. We have been there before and love the beach here and all the bars. This time we didn't have much time to relax here. We had a couple in our group that wanted to parasail and we needed to keep moving if we wanted to make it everywhere on our list.

 

Just a few photos to share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a couple shots from the air

 

 

[racerxspeedy]

Day 5, Antigua

 

Today we decided to do a slow day. No excursion planned.

 

A couple of our group just did some walking around the port area and a little shopping. My hubby and I decided we would spend half the day at the beach. I had read about the beaches on Antigua before leaving, but left my notes back on the ship. Of course, I remembered incorrectly and thought that Valley Church Beach was the one that was closest to the port. Wrong, VC beach is about 20 min from port. We walked outside the actual cruise area and after being hounded by numerous people, we decided to take up a guy on his offer to take use to the beach.

 

Well, as "port smart" as I though my hubby and I are getting. We picked a local that we found out later wasn't the most trusted of taxi drivers. He walked us to a little car that didn't look like it was going to make it. The backseat was half filled with a bass speaker. Loud music playing in my ear the entire trip. Started to get a little nervous going, as I though this beach was lots closer and the longer it took, the more I worried about where we were going to end up. But we eventually pulled into the Beach. The trip was suppose to be $25 round trip. We made arrangements for him to return to pick us up at 1:00.

 

After our time at the beach, we waited till about 1:15 and no sign of our driver. After talking with several other drivers in the area, we find out we should have only trusted the taxi drives with all the matching shirts. Several warned us that this guy would recharge us for the return trip. Well, not wanting to give him any more money, we just took one of the reputable taxi drivers and headed back to port. The return trip was in a nicer/newer mini van and cost us $8 pp. We did see our original driver pulling into the beach area as we left, but we were glad to be in a trusted, clean and road worthy vehicle for the ride back. Lesson learned...... don't try to save a buck or two, Just go with the drivers that are all dressed alike and are actual contracted taxi drivers!!

 

Now for Valley Church Beach. Even though it cost us $25 going and another $16 back to the ship.. The Beach was well worth it. Very very clean beach. A little crowded, but just walked away from the areas aroudn the bar and restaurants, and it was better. The white sand was awesome Not the very fine sand, but more course and thicker sand. You got in the water about 3-4 feet and you actually sank about 10-12" into the sand.

 

Since we were not staying all day, we decided not to rent chairs or an umbrella. We just used our towels and laid on the beach. Spend most of the time in the water or just sitting on the edge of the water.

Again, I will let the pictures speak for themselves::

 

 

Great review - Looking forward to Adventure in 166 days!!

 

We were just in Antigua and took the advice found in the "Port" forums. Take the local bus to Valley Church Beach for $1.50 per person, We walked back to the road and found a returning bus in 1 minute. Bus Station is very close to the ship. Did the same thing in Grenada

 

Thanks

[waterbugohio]

From here we head around the island,

 

If my memory is right, this is the town of Marigot

 

 

Next stop is Maho Beach. And wow, talk about crowded. Five ships in port today and its standing room only. We did manage to snag one beach chair and umbrella (had to pay $15 for just an hour) so that my mother in law and aunt could sit and get some shade as we watched the planes come in. Although we have been to St Maarten before, this is the first time to Maho. It is suomething everyone needs to check out at least once. Pretty cool seeing those planes fly in so low.

 

 

Everyone waiting on the "big one"

 

 

Here it comes:

 

 

[waterbugohio]

We were just in Antigua and took the advice found in the "Port" forums. Take the local bus to Valley Church Beach for $1.50 per person, We walked back to the road and found a returning bus in 1 minute. Bus Station is very close to the ship. Did the same thing in Grenada

 

Thanks

 

Racer, I am the organizer of the group. Normally I am all over the boards and know what is where and how to get there. I know I had read about the buses, but with trying to organize for the whole family, I was a little stressed. Will know better for next time!!

 

Glad you mentioned the buses for others.

[waterbugohio]

From Maho, we head back to Phillipsburg and our tour comes to an end.

 

We walk the boardwalk and find a restaurant, that a friend of a co worker, of my Brother in Law owns. So a late lunch at the Blue ***** Bar/Taloula Mango Cafe. Nice place if you ever have a chance to stop. And great food. But let me warn you the drinks are strong!!!!

 

 

 

After this, we go in search of a bar we have heard about. These photos are for those fellow Buckeyes that are following along........

 

 

 

Had a chance to talk to the owner of Pirates in Paradise, a former Buckeye!!!

[waterbugohio]

My feelings for St Maarten.

 

This is one of the islands we hope to return to soon for a week long stay. So much more we want to see and do on this island.

[waterbugohio]

Tonights show was "Can't stop that rock" Again, in my opinion this was a very good show. Maybe not broadway or as good as some people are used to. But to us the performers do a good job and we were not disappointed. I guess some people are just never satisfied.

 

Sorry, no pictures of this show. Not sure why some nights they asked you to not take photographs and others nights its not mentioned.????

 

Later that night we once again attended Quest. Again, some people do not appreciate the fun of Quest. For those new cruisers reading this, I won't give away what quest is. Just trust me and go if its your first time cruising.

To me, the quest is more fun on the ships where its held in one of the lounges. Just kinda hard to participate when in Studio B.

 

A few shots:

 

 

[Familygoboston]

Great review Ohio...I'm trying to talk my husband into this itinerary for next spring break.

 

And FamilyGoBoston...I'm so excited knowing you're going soon and have your review to look forward to upon your return!!! (Um, you will be doing that, right? Right??!??)

 

You bet! And live blogging during the trip where I can! :D

[Familygoboston]

My feelings for St Maarten.

 

This is one of the islands we hope to return to soon for a week long stay. So much more we want to see and do on this island.

 

Never seen this! That's fun! We stayed a week on Orient Beach one, several of the villas on the hill include breakfast and you get comped a beach chair and umbrella at any of the beach clubs.