Just back from the Adventure - Wow cant believe the differance

[eagleatr]

Well we just got back from the Adventure of the sea's yesterday. This was our 6th cruise on this ship and wow what a change from the first 5 times we were on it. First off were not picky or ratial people we love this ship. The cruise was nice and the staff was 125% as in the past. But after this cruise we felt different. First off I have always read posts on web regarding people feeling the rudeness by the people from San Juan. I have never felt it in the past but after this cruise I really felt out of place on this cruise. One major think we noticed was the amount of security people walking around the ship. One night we spoke with one of them and they were telling us that there were over 683 kids on the ship and they have been having problems with kids running out of control and damaging the ship. There was even a fight on our sea day at the main pool between a lady from San Juan and a black lady which was right there main and center which exploded with even more people getting involved. The thing that really got me was a bounch of people (i would guess around 10 people) yelling to the black people around this fight to get off of there ship. Ship security was there but could could not control the problem. Now as I said I have cruised on this ship 5 other times and have not had a problem but I was really concerened that this was happening right out in front of the whole pool deck area. We were to the point of feeling uneasy about our safety and other guests on the ship we talked to felt the same way. Our second issue was how the ship is looking. We sailed her last May (2004) and could not believe how much it is showing its age. The crew is doing a really good job on cleaning it and trying to keep it looking nice. But we noticed names carved into a couple of tables and chairs in the windjammer, art work displays that were enclosed in glass is no longer there and even some of the art work damaged by people. Like I said the cruise was great but I really felt the issue of rudeness and kids out of control on this cruise. As Diamond members we were really treated great by the staff and they really worked hard to make people have a great time. But I think were done sailing out of San Juan (on "there ship") for a while.

[dlhamlten]

Thank you for passing on your impressions - even though they are alarming.

 

Has anybody recently aboard THE SERENADE OF THE SEAS ( also sailing out of San Juan ) experienced similar incidents ?

[missbear]

I just want to see if I got this right:

 

After that fight you witnessed (or heard about-not so important to me), were people telling the black people in the area-not associated with the fight-to get of the ship?

 

If that's correct, please tell me some white folks stepped up and said something? Really only say it if it's true, but it's sure what I want to hear.

 

btw: I hope no one gets nasty with the op for honestly reporting what happened.

 

Thanks. I'm sailing on her very soon.

[Shelby on AOS]

We're sailing on AOS next Sunday. I am very concerned. I hope we get more responses. Why are so many children on this cruise?

[justaknucklehead]

If there are already 20 or 30 people involved in a scuffle, believe me, I'm staying out of it. There were already enough people involved. And I don't care what color you are.

[Nieuwcruiser]

I've read other posts about rude people on board out of SanJuan too. I've never run into that before. I wonder if its a certain time of year when the ships aren't full and locals get an awesome deal. It's too bad everyone can't simply be laid back and enjoy the vacation it is for everyone!

 

I'm a bit surpised about the condition of ship. I would think RC would be right on top of that kind of stuff. I don't understand vandalism, where is the joy in that?

[comfortcove]

Wow, that sounds pretty bad. I did witness 20 somethings, abaze with tatoos, getting really drunk and disorderly one time on Carnival. They were kind of fighting, more playful, I think. Sercurity was right on it and took them away from the pool deck.

[eagleatr]

Im not saying it was a mob kinda thing just a verbal/pushing fight between 2 woman then more people got involved. It was not a riot but a scen that got out of control and right at a place that got everyones attention. One person sitting by us at the pool said it was like a scen from west side story. I can not comment who started the fight just that it got our attention after there was scream and 2 groups of people and ship security trying to keep them apart. Like I said I have sailed this ship 5 past times and never a issue and im hoping it was a one time thing and hope RCCL can keep it from happening again. It was just not a scen that anyone needs to see and hear on a cruise. People need to treat each other with the same respect that one expects. Were adults and humans and were all created equally. RESPECT each other and if you cant then please dont cruise. I just posted this issue because i was hoping to get other peoples insite that saw the whole thing.

[jebl]

I have sailed out of San Juan twice and don't really care for it. I don't think it's necessarily rudeness by other standards just by our American standards.

 

What we consider rude is normal behavior for some cultures. There is often misunderstanding of the norms of behavior from one culture to another. For instance, some cultures are used to rushing to get on an elevator, train, bus, etc. By our standards that is rude.

 

Rather than condem their norms I avoid it if it bothers me that much.

[figment86]

:o Hello:

 

I'll be sailing on Adventures of the Seas in a few weeks. Since reading your account of what happened on your cruise, I am concerned about my safety and having an enjoyable vacation. Did the security guards intervene when this fight broke out? Were the Black people not associated with this fight actually told to get off this ship and by whom? Did you experience any racial tension?

 

I've been a on a few RCCL cruises and have seen kids run amuck on eastern and western cruises also. The only place where I actually did not see any children misbehaving was on the Disney Wonder cruise ship. I think the blames lies with parents who choose not to supervise their children or just feel that they (the parent) need a break from parental supervision and they may feel -- how much trouble can a kid get into on a ship? Unfortunately, due to boredom and just plain mischief, I seen children of ALL nationalities cut up and misbehave. Too bad RCCL doesn't make parents sign a stipulation that makes parents financially responsible for any damage that their child may inflict upon a ship that is enjoyed by many. Since RCCL have cameras in many public areas about the ship, perhaps RCCL need to pull the parent's coat tails and show them a little video of what their little "angels" are doing when they are not in their parents presence. If you hit parents in the pocket book and made them accountable for their children's actions, perhaps there would be less vandalism on the ship. Just something for RCCL to think about for the good of all vacationers who would like a pleasant cruise.

[SPARKLE10]

Hi:

 

My DH and myself are Diamond members with RCI, and we're getting ready to go on the Radiance this weekend to Hawaii. We're really looking forward to this cruise, as we've sailed on the Radiance before and have been to Hawaii several times. What really has me concerned is the review of the Adventure of the Seas that I just read, about how different it is from the first time they cruised with her and not in a good way. We have this cruise booked for next year, spring break, as we're taking my daughter, her husband and my three grandkids, all teenage girls. I'll be spending a lot of money for this cruise for 7 people and I have been on the Voyager when she was new, so I knew how great this class of ship is and I was looking forward to showing my grandkids the AOS. After reading this post about San Juan and all the kids and damage to the ship, I'm thinking that maybe I should change my deposit to a different ship and itinerary. I hate to spend this much money and have them see a ship that's damaged and a lot of fighting onboard. Does anyone know if spring break here is the same time as the San Juan schools? This post about the negative AOS sailing, really has me thinking about changing our cruise. Has anyone else been on the AOS lately, and what has your experience been?

Thanks.....

Just sign me off as a concerned grandma who was looking forward to showing her family a great ship and now I really have concerns about the Adventure.

Sparkle 10

[Ocean Boy]

Thank you for passing on your impressions - even though they are alarming.

 

Has anybody recently aboard THE SERENADE OF THE SEAS ( also sailing out of San Juan ) experienced similar incidents ?

We sailed Serenade this past April. We experience nothing of the sort. The ship was spotless, nothing was trashed, and we had a great time in Old San Juan.

[EmJakeBubbie]

Hats off to OP for truth-be-told commenting! my last cruise from San Juan was on Celebrity's Constellation 12/04. I have never experienced such run-amuck-outta control kids! such loud, rude, obnoxious adults! The ship was great - the ports were great, but it was a challenge to enjoy the theatre shows when the rude adults were loud and obnoxious and whenever someone shhhh'd them (and many did), they simply got louder! Many complained to guest relations and not a single thing was done. We are headed back to San Juan with kids-in-tow - OMG, I hope there won't be any trouble. The Serenade promises to be lovely, but all it takes is a few bad apples..... Surely, Security has ability to control? a.k.a. "throw off at the next port" ! I'm more than slightly concerned after this posting.

[curlyjbs]

I dont think any of you future AOS cruisers have anything to worry about. Each week there are thousands of different people onboard. I'm sure this fighting and stuff does not happen on a regular basis and IF and WHEN it does happen it could be on ANY ship or other vacation spot.

 

Enjoy your cruises!

[nosnobunny]

I'm so sorry to be reading about this but at the same time must thank the OP for their honest comments. :(

Beth

[julesbeara]

When RCCL doesn't have a full ship they market discounted cruise rates to San Juan residents. We met an elderly couple (shared our dinner table) when we sailed on the Adventure this past May that couldn't have afforded to cruise without the discount (they paid 1,000.00 for a Deluxe Stateroom). They were apalled by the bad behavior by residents from San Juan and commented about it at dinner. Cruisers from San Juan took over the bar outside the casino and made it almost impossible to walk thru the area. They also took over whole areas by the pool. We just avoided them, but it was unpleasant. It definitely had an effect on other people, which isn't fair. I love the Adventure (it is my favorite ship), but the atmosphere has changed.

[Alexis]

I am not saying that what the OP posted isn't fact, I believe every word he wrote to be true. But, it is not an everyday occurance going out of San Juan, or going out of any port. My husband and I have sailed out of San Juan many, many times starting in 1989. We also sailed the Adventure while she was brand new in 2001. Were there kids running around at all hours of the night yelling and screaming? Yes. But, we have found that to happen on almost all the cruise lines we have used leaving from other ports, not just out of San Juan. Our last cruise out of there was this past December on the Empress 11 night Caribbean. No kids yelling or screaming on that one, no fights on board the ship, it was a great cruise.

You put that many people together in one area and there are bound to be differences. Maybe a pool deck chair battle?

Do not worry about your upcoming cruises out of San Juan. What two people do that isn't good behavior will not ruin your cruise.

My husband and I go our merry way and are friendly to everyone. I have never felt threatened on any ship, from any fleet, from any port.

[Mildred]

This account of the disturbances on the Adventure out of Puerto Rico does not say to me to "GET OUT THERE"

 

Maybe it is time for RCCL to leave San Juan altogether.

[caviargal]

Thank you for passing on your impressions - even though they are alarming.

 

Has anybody recently aboard THE SERENADE OF THE SEAS ( also sailing out of San Juan ) experienced similar incidents ?

 

I was on Serenade in late Feb and was very lucky to have few kids on board. I heard from the staff that the week before there were many onboard and they were out of control.

 

When will cruise lines realize what a detriment this is and start enforcing some of their guidelines (like no kids in the adult areas, etc.). It is shame when extra security has to be hired because kids are allowed to run rampant. I have always felt that the number of kids per sailing should be limited based on a percentage. I have awful experiences with kids totally ruining what should have been a great cruise vacation (more than 900 kids were aboard Enchantment on a cruise I took 4 years ago - it was AWFUL!!!)

 

I was on AOS three years ago and there were definitely more kids aboard and it was not nearly as enjoyable as my Serenade sailing this past winter.

 

Good luck and hope you get as lucky as I did!

[Jeepers385]

I'll be on the AOS in a couple of weeks and although Eagleatr's posting is disturbing I'm hoping it was just isolated incidents for that week. I've sailed out of San Juan several other times and have never had a problem. Our cruise looks like it's almost sold out so hopefully everyone will be in the mood for having a great time, I know I will.:D

 

Debbie

[Alexis]

I do not think that RCCL will ever leave San Juan. After 9/11 the people of San Juan kept those RCCL ships sailing that leave from there. Too many people would not fly and as we know now, most of the travel industry got hit very hard. The Captain of the Adventure stated at the "welcome back party" how RCCL loves the people of Puerto Rico. He even mentioned that they would be changing the clubs over to include their style of dance and music. And, they have done that.

Yes, they get great discounts compared to us. My cruise in 2001 cost us almost $5000.00. (that included our air from Las Vegas, Nevada which is very expensive) The 3 wonderful Puerto Rican couples at our table paid an average of $500 for the same trip.

I would think that if there was a port closer to all of us, we would get great deals and be able to cruise with all our kids and extended families as they do..

[maggieq]

I researched prior to booking my trip since I had read on previous threads. I found a website that showed when the schools are out for San Juan. Thankfully, I had good luck in May of 04 on Golden Princess and in April on Adventure.

 

Might want to try going that route in the future and avoid holidays also.

[nfused2cruze]

But I think we're done sailing out of San Juan (on "there ship") for a while.

The OP's last sentence it the most important. This is not the first time I've heard about this and I have informed co-workers of this. It should be made known to RCI the decision that is being made regarding your plans. They need to know how their customers feel about the matter. They will get the hint when the only persons on this cruise are - (don't think I'm going to state a race!) - $500.00 payers! They'll change then. ;)

[mlh4wd]

We too sailed on the AOS this past week and did not notice anything out of the ordinary. There was a lot of visible security, but we thought maybe it was because of the proximity to 9/11. We spent most of the day at the pool on the sea day and saw nothing, so I guess the problem was not obvious to all. We saw quite a few children (small ones) but none that were out of control. The people from PR were not rude or in any way obnoxious....at least no more than anyone else. They tried to speak English to us as much as they could. All this to say that we have been on many cruises and felt that this was a good one on a good ship. The only place we found objectionable was Barbados....the locals were the usual panhandlers and we hate that. The rest of the trip was good and we never felt threatened in any way. Please have a good time and remember that people are just plain rude sometimes....no matter where they are from. And I wish we did live closer to a port too. Have a good trip and have fun!!!

[eagleatr]

MLH4 this issue happened around 430pm Saturday by the 2 big hot tubs in the main pool area, security even closed the hot tubs down to try to keep it under control. Like I said it was not a mob scene just a group of about 10-15 people that got into it. I have sailed on 21 other cruises and never scene anything like it and hope its not something that happens again. Like I said RCCL went above 125% to make it a nice cruise for us and other but this problem is something that really stuck out along with the rudeness of some of the locals on the ship. Everyone have a great time and dont let this stop you from having a good time just keep this in mind when cruising. I often read peoples comments and keep them in mind when I cruise. Have a great cruise !!!