Adventure B2B Trip & Ultimate Beach Review 4/16/16 - 4/30/16 (photo bomb)!!!

[AZAficionado]

Thanks so much for the VERY entertaining review and photos. We set sail next week and this is providing a much needed distraction (who am I kidding, I am already very distracted this week). We have never done a B2B but certainly will someday.

You are very welcome!! :) I'm glad I could entertain (it was my goal). :cool:

[AZAficionado]

What an awesome review. I want to do a B2B so badly and have looked to doing one of RCL out of San Juan. Have done from there twice but not together and neither a Royal Caribbean ship.

 

Question for you ... did you have the drink package? Curious, if you did and if you thought worth it with all the time off the ship. I keep being torn about it and having it included on the Summit cruise I got spoiled but if I had to pay for it I keep second guessing.

I'm really happy you enjoyed the review!! :)

 

Yes, we both had the Premium package for both weeks. My definition of "worth it" is "the economics worked". I can say that it was certainly worth it for us (yea, we're drinkers). I was concerned with all of the port days, but it turned out to be no problem.

 

Here's how to tell if it is a good idea for you: You know what you drink and how much. Royal's pricing isn't a big secret. Beers are $5-6, drinks $10, martinis $12, wine is $6-16 (only $12 is covered). Add up a typical day (don't include gratuity). Then look at the package price without gratuity - which might be tough as Royal is changing the prices all the time.

 

For me, the package was $49 per day before gratuity. I drink $10 and $12 drinks. I'll have something either at breakfast or in the afternoon ($10). Then a pre-dinner cocktail (or two) ($12). A glass of wine with dinner ($10). Something to go with a cigar ($12). And at least one late-night drink ($12). That's $56 minimum. A no-brainer for me, even with Royal's crazy pricing.

 

It's that simple. :cool:

[sg1phileshipper]

I am very sad our trip is over <sigh>. Thank you for an awesome review and putting a smile on my face more than once :)

 

 

Cindy

[NemoCrownie]

Thanks again for the great photos and info....

 

Couple questions if you don't mind....

 

I know you did not stop in St. Lucia, (at least I don't think you did...if I missed that I will blame the side affects of looking at all your drink photos) but do you have a beach recommendation perhaps from a past trip? Headed there on our 12/31 cruise....

 

Also, the beach in St. Kitt's looks awesome, but we have 3 other ships in port that day with us, did you think it would be swamped? Looks like you were typically the only ship or with one. I fully understand it is speculation, but thought I would ask.

 

Thanks again!

 

Karen

 

Karen, a couple of other suggestions for your consideration. On St Lucia we used Serenity Vacations and Tours (Serenitytvl dot com), Fun at the Beach tour. It went to Pigeon Island and included a cooler of drinks (not unlimited but still nice), admittance fee to the park, loungers, etc. It was $40 or so per person which was a deal when you factored in the taxi fare, loungers, drinks, and park admittance. They also made a lunch run for the "best Roti's on the island" (we paid for lunch but it was reasonable) and our escort literally waited on us all day. Our group had wonderful day there.

 

On St Kitts we reserved a day pass at Carambola Beach Club (carambolabeachclub dot com) on South Friars (from the pictures I think that is where AZAficianado was, too). They limit the number of guests so there are no worries about crowding but I would make a reservation with three ships in port. I don't remember the cost but it was reasonable and included padded loungers and umbrella with reasonably priced drinks and a nice restaurant on site plus it is walking distance to other beach bars and restaurants.

[kmkristianson]

Karen, a couple of other suggestions for your consideration. On St Lucia we used Serenity Vacations and Tours (Serenitytvl dot com), Fun at the Beach tour. It went to Pigeon Island and included a cooler of drinks (not unlimited but still nice), admittance fee to the park, loungers, etc. It was $40 or so per person which was a deal when you factored in the taxi fare, loungers, drinks, and park admittance. They also made a lunch run for the "best Roti's on the island" (we paid for lunch but it was reasonable) and our escort literally waited on us all day. Our group had wonderful day there.

 

On St Kitts we reserved a day pass at Carambola Beach Club (carambolabeachclub dot com) on South Friars (from the pictures I think that is where AZAficianado was, too). They limit the number of guests so there are no worries about crowding but I would make a reservation with three ships in port. I don't remember the cost but it was reasonable and included padded loungers and umbrella with reasonably priced drinks and a nice restaurant on site plus it is walking distance to other beach bars and restaurants.

 

 

Thank you Robin!

[AZAficionado]

I am very sad our trip is over <sigh>. Thank you for an awesome review and putting a smile on my face more than once :)

 

 

Cindy

I am too, kinda. On the other hand, Success (Qapla' in Klingon)!!! I put a smile on someone's face!!! Mission accomplished!!! :D

 

I'm really happy you enjoyed it. :)

[AZAficionado]

On St Kitts we reserved a day pass at Carambola Beach Club (carambolabeachclub dot com) on South Friars (from the pictures I think that is where AZAficianado was, too). They limit the number of guests so there are no worries about crowding but I would make a reservation with three ships in port. I don't remember the cost but it was reasonable and included padded loungers and umbrella with reasonably priced drinks and a nice restaurant on site plus it is walking distance to other beach bars and restaurants.

That is the place I was at.

 

Great suggestions. :)

[bobmacliberty]

Awesome, awesome, awesome review. And not just because I will be going to some of these islands in less than 3 weeks. Very informative and love your sense of humor. You also showed me drinks that I didn't even know existed, and that's saying something.

 

You also helped me with one of the final planning decisions that I have left for our upcoming Adventure cruise...The Boatyard or Harbour Lights in Barbados. Even though you never looked at the umbrellas, you've sold me on Harbour Lights. :D:D

[k1koala]

Good story to stick with. ;) The islands all kinda blur together after a while. This is made much worse with drinking. :eek:

 

Sorry for being ignorant, but how can one know/find out how many or what ships are in port at the same time??

[Hydrant328]

Cruisecal.com

[AZAficionado]

Awesome, awesome, awesome review. And not just because I will be going to some of these islands in less than 3 weeks. Very informative and love your sense of humor. You also showed me drinks that I didn't even know existed, and that's saying something.

 

You also helped me with one of the final planning decisions that I have left for our upcoming Adventure cruise...The Boatyard or Harbour Lights in Barbados. Even though you never looked at the umbrellas, you've sold me on Harbour Lights. :D:D

Thank you kindly. :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

 

Well, some of the drinks really don't exist. I mean, I drank them. But some of them were a one time thing invented on the spot. ;)

 

As for Barbados, I think those two beaches are toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe. I don't think you can possibly go wrong with either one.

 

Why did you have to bring up the Harbor Lights logos?!? They weren't just on the umbrellas - they were on everything (loungers, buckets, you name it). :eek: Shows how much I was paying attention.

[AZAficionado]

Sorry for being ignorant, but how can one know/find out how many or what ships are in port at the same time??

That's a great question that I do not have the answer to.

Cruisecal.com

And there's the answer. :) Linkified for everyone's convenience.

 

That's a pretty cool site.

[MikeBayAreaCa]

If you go to the Port page for each Island/country you can find ship arrivals.

[k1koala]

That's a great question that I do not have the answer to.

 

And there's the answer. :) Linkified for everyone's convenience.

 

That's a pretty cool site.

 

Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!!

[AZAficionado]

If you go to the Port page for each Island/country you can find ship arrivals.

That's pretty cool. :)

[AZAficionado]

Thank you for EVERYTHING!!!!

You are welcome!! But I had some help. :)

 

And as my disclaimer said earlier, I'm not responsible for EVERYTHING. I'm not going to get left holding the bag for all the vacation day dreaming about food, booze, and beaches. :eek:

[poffles]

I'm really happy you enjoyed the review!! :)

 

Yes, we both had the Premium package for both weeks. My definition of "worth it" is "the economics worked". I can say that it was certainly worth it for us (yea, we're drinkers). I was concerned with all of the port days, but it turned out to be no problem.

 

Here's how to tell if it is a good idea for you: You know what you drink and how much. Royal's pricing isn't a big secret. Beers are $5-6, drinks $10, martinis $12, wine is $6-16 (only $12 is covered). Add up a typical day (don't include gratuity). Then look at the package price without gratuity - which might be tough as Royal is changing the prices all the time.

 

For me, the package was $49 per day before gratuity. I drink $10 and $12 drinks. I'll have something either at breakfast or in the afternoon ($10). Then a pre-dinner cocktail (or two) ($12). A glass of wine with dinner ($10). Something to go with a cigar ($12). And at least one late-night drink ($12). That's $56 minimum. A no-brainer for me, even with Royal's crazy pricing.

 

It's that simple. :cool:

 

Thanks ... LOL .. ya I think it's the simple part that keeps challenging me. I know I will make it worth it but hate to accept that 'ya I'm a drinker too' and throw in the sticker shock to pay for it. I'm fighting with denial :D

 

And I want to add that your pictures are great!

Edited May 17, 2016 by poffles

[cccjenn]

Thank you for the wonderful review! We are leaving on Saturday on Adventure! Yay!

And we will apparently be going to the Champagne bar, where only good times await. ;)

Also, we were undecided about what to do in Barbados until I saw your pictures. Wow, that is a spectacular beach!

 

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Shortcake1012]

I must say, this is without a doubt the best review I have ever seen on Cruise Critic! My only regret is that it was published a week after our sailing on April 30th! Your writing style kept me wanting to read more and your photos were fabulous. I know that your review will give those who are awaiting their sail dates an abundance of information to make their cruise that much better. Thank you for such a detailed review and happy sailing!

[AZAficionado]

Thanks ... LOL .. ya I think it's the simple part that keeps challenging me. I know I will make it worth it but hate to accept that 'ya I'm a drinker too' and throw in the sticker shock to pay for it. I'm fighting with denial :D

 

And I want to add that your pictures are great!

Anything I can do to help. :)

 

I'm glad you like the pictures. :D

[AZAficionado]

Thank you for the wonderful review! We are leaving on Saturday on Adventure! Yay!

And we will apparently be going to the Champagne bar, where only good times await. ;)

Also, we were undecided about what to do in Barbados until I saw your pictures. Wow, that is a spectacular beach!

 

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

You are most welcome!! I'm glad you enjoyed it and managed to get something useful out of it as well. :D

 

As to the Champagne bar, having a team of regular customers really helps up the good times factor. ;)

[AZAficionado]

I must say, this is without a doubt the best review I have ever seen on Cruise Critic! My only regret is that it was published a week after our sailing on April 30th! Your writing style kept me wanting to read more and your photos were fabulous. I know that your review will give those who are awaiting their sail dates an abundance of information to make their cruise that much better. Thank you for such a detailed review and happy sailing!

Thank you. I greatly appreciate the very kind words. :D

 

If this one is the best you've seen, you need to read more reviews. :eek:

To be serious: There are *many* other great reviews out there, written by other great reviewers. I am humbled to be included in their company.

 

You are most welcome and happy sailing to you too!! :)

[Storm730]

Finally, after 30 minutes of wandering that I thought would never end, our cabin was ready!!

 

Just another typical Junior Suite.

 

Waiting in the cabin, was a bottle of champagne, our Diamond gift. Loyalty, perks, you know the drill... I had forgotten about it, so it was a nice surprise.

 

I should talk about the set sail time, muster drill, dinner and how all that interacts. Adventure sets sail at 8:30 pm, probably to allow people on the East Coast to be able to fly and sail in the same day, making a Saturday to Saturday cruise very appealing to those who work, have kids in school, etc. All aboard is at 5:30 pm. Check-in at the pier ends at 7:00 pm. Muster Drill is at 5:45 pm. Late seating dining is at 8:30 pm. Anyone seeing a problem here?

 

So, here's the deal. They expect most passengers to be aboard at 5:30 pm and hold the standard Muster Drill at 5:45 pm. However, passengers can continue boarding until 7:00 pm and those that miss the 5:45 pm drill must go to a special Muster Drill at 8:15 pm.

 

What about dinner? Everyone with the late seating has a choice: attend the Set Sail Party or Eat, pick one, make it quick. No, no, no. The late seating is moved from 8:30 pm to 8:45 pm on the night that Adventure sets sail. They also move the early seating time, but I didn't bother listening to the announcement. Yea, I know that I should listen to all the important announcements.

 

Sailing away from San Juan at night is absolutely beautiful. These picture pale in comparison to the actual experience.

 

 

Great reviews! Just one question, do the Jr Suite have coffee pots?

[AZAficionado]

Great reviews! Just one question, do the Jr Suite have coffee pots?

I'm glad you enjoyed it!! :)

 

The Junior Suite has a coffee maker with all the fixin's.

[kmkristianson]

That's a great question that I do not have the answer to.

 

And there's the answer. :) Linkified for everyone's convenience.

 

That's a pretty cool site.

 

I use one called cruise tt....if you goggle ships in port, it will pop up.

 

Sorry not smart enough to put a link in.....