Just back from the Adventure - Wow cant believe the differance

[jughead78]

:) I was on the AOS sept 11 cruise as well. For me, the entire experience was pleasant, I couldn't have asked for a better cruise. I must have missed the "incident" on the pool deck; however, I swear I was in the vicinity at the time mentioned. Evidently it wasn't out of hand enough to grab my attention; I must have been too busy watching the drunken sun burnt guy dancing on stage near the pool bar! Also, I did not witness the same issues with the artwork on the cruise. I even did a little tour of the ship to view all the different art (there is an art guide provided on the coffee table in the staterooms, which gives further background on each work of art--very cool). I did notice that there was a little dust on one of the glass enclosed stone tablets; however, i did not notice any vandalism whatsoever. Also, I didn't see any name carvings, but again, I may have been too busy enjoying the view of the ocean from the windjammer, or perhaps staring at my plate full of food...not the table. I have to agree with longandfosterjames, the carpet in some areas of the ship was beginning to show its age, however, I have a feeling it's pretty hard to keep carpet in mint condition with the amount of foot traffic that it must receive.

 

 

My partner and i had a wonderful time on this cruise, and San Juan was a wonderful departure port for us. We took advantage of the 25 cent bus, and traveled to a wonderful beach on our pre- and post-cruise days. Our hotel (the Sheraton Old San Juan) was fabulous, we had a suite with a balcony that overlooked the harbor. We could see the AOS pull in prior to our cruise, and depart again after our cruise was over--which I have to admit was a little saddening to see her leave without us.

 

 

Again, I'd like to reiterate what was discussed by others: these cruises are all what you make of them. I loved my tablemates, the variety of cultures aboard was delightful, the ports of call were magnificent. If there was ever a point during the cruise I was concerned about safety, it would have been in Antigua--those taxi drivers are crazy!! But aside from that, please don't be afraid to cruise AOS out of San Juan. I've sailed the Mariner out of Port Canaveral...and AOS was equally as exciting. If a 20 something white boy from backwoods Michigan can handle a cruise that embraces a little diversity, I think you all can too!! I also don't think RCI will stop cruising out of San Juan; the southern Caribbean itinerary is too appealing! If you want a cruise that has minimal teenagers, children, and cater to the well-to-do, perhaps you should look to a luxury cruise line that is a little more cost prohibitive to the middle class. But just remember the message that RCI leaves us with during the final dinner...when they all come out with the different flags of the world...they say something like "people from 100 countries are harmoniously cruising together, wouldn't it be nice if the rest of the world could do the same?"

 

 

Best of luck to all of you on your future cruise adventures!! :)

 

 

P.S. I'm also very disappointed in the people who signed up for Meet and Mingle and then never showed up!!!

[lovetocruiserccl]

Was on it in August. Had a good time. Your tripis what you make it. Stop worrying about what other people are doing and do your thing. There were 700 kids on our cruise. No problems. They have their own things to do.

[ckrobyn]

I am cruising on the AOS in January, and although I read these reviews with interest - every cruise is subjective.

 

I'm keeping an open mind.

[jillba]

I'm not sure where all of you heard RCCL sells discounted cruises to San Juan citizens (I think maybe it just keeps getting passed on) but it is not true! When I was looking to book my cruise & wanted AOS I read that rumor on this board, I asked RCCL about it they said that it is true alot of citizens from San Juan sail on AOS simply because they don't have to pay airfare. I also work with someone from San Juan whose family still lives there (& cruises quite often) and he confirmed RCCL story. They cruise on those ships because they don't have to pay airfare, that's it!

 

Also, I sailed on AOS in July and had a wonderful experience. THose of you that are sailing in the future there is nothing to be worried about...I didn't notice any wear at all...in fact, during the entire cruise they were constantly upgrading, replacing carpet, etc. No, the ship is not brand new anymore but it is still in excellent condition.

 

I sure hope people from other countries don't complain "there were alot of Americans on board when I sailed from Florida".

[Ocean Boy]

I would bet that on sailings that are not selling well, very big discounts are offered to the residents of Puerto Rico to fill up cabins.

 

As for what RCI told you, if you were to ask them any question that can be answered yes or no and talked to 10 people at RCI, you would most likely get 5 yes and 5 no responses.

[RonUSVI]

I sailed the maiden voyage out of SJU on the AOS. It was November after 9/11. The ship had a lot of cancellations. To make up for it, RCCL sold the remaining cabins really cheaply to people in Puerto Rico. Something to which they(Puerto Ricans) reminded us of every day! They all were proud to say they were sailing at $35 per day! I was disappointed that they could have at least upgraded us full rate payers to the suites and give them our cabins, but no, they got the best in the house and rubbed our noses in it. The cruise was perfect other than that. RCCL sort of made up for it on my next cruise with some amenities and a seat at the captain's table.

I sailed again on her again a few years later and noticed something new. The ship was over 35% Puerto Rican. I have seen posts on this issue They changed things a bit like having everything written in both languages as well as announcements. There was more Latin music as well and that lounge by the casino is their hang out!

I have come to the conclusion the the Puerto Ricans have dubbed the AOS their national ship! I see them here in port every time she sails in. Puerto Ricans were voted the most happy people in the world. They like to party and make noise. You just need to be aware of it if you book the AOS. On that second cruise of mine they even had kids in the adult hot tub. I guessed they have beefed up security to keep an eye on things. I was on the Mariner last January with no such problems.

[jouset_1345]

I sailed the maiden voyage out of SJU on the AOS. It was November after 9/11. The ship had a lot of cancellations. To make up for it, RCCL sold the remaining cabins really cheaply to people in Puerto Rico. Something to which they(Puerto Ricans) reminded us of every day! They all were proud to say they were sailing at $35 per day!

 

HI ! I do remember those great prices on that cruise afther 9/11 .

 

But it was $ 45.00 a Day p/p . but thats not a total price. 45.00(7 days)

= 315.00 + 189.05 ( port taxes and feeds here in Puerto Rico) =

$ 504.05 p/p in a Cuadruple cat N

 

Grand Total = $ 2,016.20 - Original price before the resident discount....

$ 2,116.20. Now tell me thats a big deal ?

 

I hope you understand that here in Puerto Rico the cruise fare its completele appart from the taxes and port feeds. If a Puerto Rican say I got a $ 300.00 deals ...... that plus ++ port charges and feed and travel agency feeds.

 

Many Puerto Ricans on that mayden voyage of the Adventure, book the cruise months in advance whitout any discount. So not all of them get great prices to get on the ship. For example I have almost 200 puerto ricans sailing on the Adveture on Dec 23 / 2005 . 10 nights and prices get from $ 4,000.00 to $ 9,000.00 . Many puerto ricans have the money to get on a cruise so if you se one on the ship that not mean the pay a cheap cheap price to get on it.

 

I hove you understant.

 

I you would Like to track how much puerto ricans are paying for their cruise or the time you are sailing got to this web page.

http://www.crucero.com

 

Remember to + the port charges and feed below every ship, to the price you see.

[DutsCruiser]

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.

 

This is a very good point... even here in the Netherlands (reasonable US minded/focus country) I notice differences in these kind of things.. like tipping or waiting in line for something.. Like: you don't cut in line at a supermarket but nobody considers it strange when you do at a bus/train stop. I'm not saying we consider it good behaviour to do it but nobody thinks twice about it anymore.

 

Fortunately I adjust easly but even so I may have offended a few people without knowing it. Just remember that most cultures are different and most people don't try to offend people on purpose. (I sure don't!)

[leighuf]

I'm here to defend AOS. It was the BEST cruise I've ever been on. I can go on and on about my wonderful experiences with the staff, fellow shipmates, the condition of the ship, and the shore excursions. It was an A+ cruise!

 

I can't help but wonder if reading threads, like this one, only hurt the cruise experience. I haven't cruised since becoming a CC member, but I do have 2 upcoming cruises in October and November. So, I'll let you know!! On my 4 previous cruises I never knew what a 'chair hog' was until I started reading CC . . . I had never noticed children running wild, underdressed individuals on formal nights, or crying babies at night etc. Maybe they will appear on all my cruises since becoming enlightened! :D

[bobbie0253]

They may appear, but you like me, will probably only be humored by them.

 

Knowing so many people take offense to so many different things, it's kinda fun to understand more about pet peeves and watch peoples reactions to them. I just add that to my entertainment on my cruise. We once had a stroller next to us in the dining room. Before CC I never would have noticed. It just made me laugh.

 

Chair hogs really DO bother me though. To me it's just rude to "hold" a chair from 8am-2pm and then decide to sit in it for 45 minutes and then leave.

 

Oh well, at least I had a chair to watch the progress of the hogs from :) I had to get up at 8am to get that great chair though. It was nice to be able to spend the day by the pool with the hot Caribbean sun and cold drinks. I can hear it now...."Bar service? Bar Service?"

 

Bobbie

[RonUSVI]

 

But it was $ 45.00 a Day p/p . but thats not a total price. 45.00(7 days)

= 315.00 + 189.05 ( port taxes and feeds here in Puerto Rico) =

$ 504.05 p/p in a Cuadruple cat N

 

Grand Total = $ 2,016.20 - Original price before the resident discount....

$ 2,116.20. Now tell me thats a big deal ?

 

That may all be well and good, but they were staying in suites and balconies. I paid well over $2500 for my balcony and did not appreciate someone staying in a cabin better than mine rubbing it in that they paid less. Your analogy makes no sense.

[jouset_1345]

but they were staying in suites and balconies. I paid well over $2500 for my balcony and did not appreciate someone staying in a cabin better than mine rubbing it in that they paid less. Your analogy makes no sense.

 

 

HI !

 

I am a Bussines Executive, of the Rccl and Celebrity cruises representative here in Puerto Rico. My company sold cruises and those special discount to agencies here , and just to say in my 10 year experience working here we have never give up a balcony or a Suite for a so non inteligent price. We yes give some Discount on September and October sailing but from $ 100-300 dollars per cabin no more and only on 2% of cabin avaible on the ship. I have many clients that love the adventure and cruise almost 3 times a year on her but the pay the price everyboby pay for the cruise. they cant be rude ,happy or everything you say but believe they have to money to pay for it. Many puerto ricans read this boards and dont liKe the term locals because they are Puerto Rico Residents a comonwealth of the united States and USA residents. and that word some Like degradating. so please dont generalize and say that all the Puerto Ricans onboard are there because they get a local discount as you say.

[RonUSVI]

I suppose we are talking two different things. I never referred to anyone as locals or a local discount.

I am talking specificaly about the maiden voyage cruise I took November 2001, two months after 9/11. What goes on now I can't speak of. People are entitled to get whatever discounts.

I am just talking from personal experience as I was there and heard it over and over again. Period.

I have also noted that the Adventure is the favored ship to Puerto Ricans. More power to them.

[rockyhou]

I don't really care what terminology you use "locals" "peurto ricans" or "discount customers"....no matter what any self proclaimed rep from RCCL says the clientel on this ship is different than others in my expierence.

 

Having sailed several times out of San Juan I have booked yet again to go in just 13 days !!! Don't care who else is on board I am going to make the best of my trip.

 

But I know in past trips there were far too many people who originated in San Juan tell me just how much they paid and it was WAY less than what I did. And working in the travel industry I know too many people who have told me the same thing...they would never again depart out of SJU. Now that did not stop me from booking again as I really want these ports. But I am going with an open mind and hoping for the best.

 

But if I find RCCL does a poor job at maintaining a safe environment for ALL customers then I will be forced not to return to SJU. If people continue to complain to RCCL especially those with their Platinum and Diamond Level status...I hope they would eventually listen.

 

Again...I plan to hope for the best and keep and open mind.

[XEON]

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.

 

Save that liberal crap! Being rude, fighting, damaging the ship and pushing people out of the way is not a custom. It's called "being F@%$ing rude"! If they can't handle themselves in public, they should not be on the ship.

[xpcdoojk]

Save that liberal crap! Being rude, fighting, damaging the ship and pushing people out of the way is not a custom. It's called "being F@%$ing rude"! If they can't handle themselves in public, they should not be on the ship.

 

They don't screen passengers for rudeness, anymore than this forum does, otherwise, how can we explain that you are a member of this forum?:confused: :rolleyes: :p I don't do liberal crap either, but intolerance is ugly no matter what political point of view you prefer. :(

 

jc

[XEON]

No I agree, more just trying to be funny about it. Hell, sometimes it's funny to watch some of it. All I'm saying is, if someone is really doing something wrong, don't stick up for it, and certainly don't justify it by saying it's thier custom and we just don't understand. I don't care where you're from (or political party like you said, lol) people know right from wrong. The pushing and yelling I can deal with, its the damage and fighting that upsets me.

[JonP]

As the OP stated, this was their 5th time on this ship and the 1st with this type of incident.

The reason for this is that as the ships get older the prices drop, especially low at certain times of the year. This being the case it is a great time for people that don't cruise (low income) to board and see what cruising is all about.

Our first cruise was on a ship that was less than a year old and we saw none of this. Our second cruise was on the explorer this year and it is over 4 years old. No fights, but rudeness beyond belief. Pushing, shoving, cutting in line, loudness in the windjammer people yelling from one end to the other. Everyday it was something. It did not ruin the cruise for us at all but it was very noticeable. It's things you see in every day life so we were not shocked by it. Just that we did not expect it on a vacation were everyone should be relaxed.

[erniesband]

DH & I always appreciate translations to our native "English" so no problem to hearing everything duplicated in Spanish. We are hopeful our kinder will "pick up a little Spanish" whilst enjoying Adventure Ocean (we've been trying to teach them simple words at home & kids do pick things up quickly' date=' yes?) We travel with them for the cultural-learning experience beyond school books. We are hopeful our SanJuan cruise will be a positive experience.[/quote']

 

EmJake's Bubbie, you will probably find a different experience on Serenade than on AOS. We've sailed out of SJU 6 times so far, and are sailing Serenade again this coming January. We've done Rhapsody, Monarch, Radiance twice, Empress (the 11 night), and Serenade once before. We've enjoyed every single cruise out of San Juan immensely. Periodically we read about rudeness and other issues on AOS, but the Radiance class vessels seem to attract a slightly different clientele. Not as many children, and a more varied mix of people. It could be that they rarely have lots of cabins available near sailing time, and don't have a lot of space left to discount. I really don't know. But, we heard more bi-lingual announcements on Empress than we ever have, and have never experienced any of the issues we've read about concerning AOS. We love the time we spend in San Juan pre-cruise, and the people we meet, both in San Juan and on board. I'm sure you and the kinder will have a great time!

[PVDCruiser]

Kids + No Parents Around + 2:30AM = Bad :D

[jouset_1345]

I work here I now the prices going on here and I just want that everybody understant. I you dont belive me Its ok . But check this pages from travel agencies in PR and check prices. Tell me Wen you see a -300 dollar or more discount from its current price on any mayor travel agency .

 

http://www.crucero.com

http://www.mundotravelpr.com

http://www.aatourspr.com

http://www.travelwithsears.com

http://www.mundocrucero.com

 

Those all the most used here. So that you track prices on your cruises sailing from San Juan !

 

:)

[Ocean Boy]

The reason for this is that as the ships get older the prices drop, especially low at certain times of the year. This being the case it is a great time for people that don't cruise (low income) to board and see what cruising is all about.

I don't think that low income people who can't normally afford to cruise have a lock on rude behavior.