Adventure of the Seas...June 3, 2017

[riclop]

Thanks for the review.

[reallyhooked]

Great review

[saibutterfly]

Day 6...Barbados

 

 

We had an excursion to Harrison's Cave so we got up early and had breakfast in MDR. We were meeting in the port so we gathered our things and made the short walk towards the port center. After some waiting, we were shuffled into our buses, and we had the #1 Chris as our driver and tour guide. He was informative and knowledgeable and took us to the caves.

 

The caves are really cool. Lots of beautiful landscape. There's not much to say about the caves because it's a cave, but it's all really cool views.

 

 

 

 

After the cave tour was over, #1 Chris took us to a spot with beautiful views. I think it was called the Highland spot...it really was beautiful.

 

 

Toured around the immediate port center after we got back to shop for DH's shirt and magnet, and we were back on the ship. We braved the windjammer for a burger. It's good when you need something quick.

 

I don't remember what the theme was for dinner, but it was the last Formal Night and was Steak and Lobster night! On this sailing, formal nights were night 2 and night 5.

 

Brian and I had the same thing for dinner:

Creamed Wild Mushroom Pastry

Poblano Pepper and Corn Soup (the only thing I did not like on this sailing. I had our assistant waiter take it away.)

Lobster

Prime Rib (go ahead and order both!)

Baked Alaska (me)

Chef's Choice Dessert - White Chocolate Mousse (Brian)

Grand Mariner Souffle (Brian)

 

After dinner, we went to the Can't Stop the Rock Show. The singers, dancers, and band did an incredible job. After the show, we went to watch the Quest. Always so much fun and lots of laughs. Once again, the Cruise Compass tells you that this is an Adults Only activity. I saw young children at the Quest. One mom spent a good portion of the activity covering her child's eyes. Parents, please leave your kids out of the adults only events. I may not be the popular opinion on this, but you're not having fun trying to censor for your child, and your child isn't having fun trying to dodge your hands. Take the advice that the planners give you and find more appropriate activities for your kids.

 

We really enjoyed all the ports, but the next day is a sea day...

[saibutterfly]

Last Day on the Ship (Sea Day)

 

Three Cruises and we managed to finally get a picture with Casey!

 

Woke up and ate breakfast in MDR. We got some tip envelopes so we could tip all the people we wanted to tip above our pre paid gratuities. Tip your people! These people work incredibly hard and do not get a lot of time off to relax. All of this to support their families so tip your people.

 

Also, we spent money at the T-shirt sale. Don't buy a t-shirt until the last day on the ship. They do their version of "Black Friday" where the shirts are $10. We bought shirts for our people at home and then went to the casino to learn how to play the table games. We dropped our stuff off and started to pack before lunch.

 

Lunch was the Tutti Salad Bar in the MDR. I had heard a lot about the salad bar, and it was really good. If you like salad bars, this is a really good one. They were also offering a make your own pasta bar, but I had so much food this cruise, I was not partaking of probably what was very good. Brian also had the barramundi fish, and that was very good as well. After lunch, we finished packing :( and hung around the ship. We missed the belly flop competition, but we saw it on the tv later that day.

 

My dinner:

Bay Scallops and Chorizo

Rigatoni Pasta with Prosciutto Chardonnay Sauce

Fish, Seafood, and Mash

Elmer brought me a brownie with ice cream because I didn't like the options on the menu. We LOVE Elmer!

 

Brian's Dinner:

Bay Scallops and Chorizo

Spanish Tapas

Fish, Seafood, and Mash

Key Lime Pie and Butter Almond Ice Cream

 

After dinner, we went to the Farewell Show and saw Lou Jackson. He was really funny, and we returned for the Adult Comedy Show later that night. Unfortunately, we were getting off the ship the next day.

[saibutterfly]

Disembarkation and Cruise Tour

 

Our traditional "don't want to get off the ship" picture...

 

We had a tour scheduled to tour New and Old San Juan. We got up early and had our last breakfast int he MDR with Elmer. After breakfast, we reported to the Lounge so we could meet our tour.

 

Earlier in the week, we purchased a tour of San Juan. Basically, it was a tour and they took care of our luggage. They transported our luggage to the airport while we were touring, and the tour concluded by dropping us off at the airport. Our favorite part was the tour of the fort, and I wish we had more time there. We only had about 30 - 45 minutes there, and I could have spent another hour there. After the fort, they took us to the town center to wander around for an hour or so. We found Cafe Fortaleza, and I had an amazing Pastrami Sandwich. Brian was able to get his last cup of the Puerto Rican coffee he loved so much. Our tour driver then drove us to the airport. I wouldn't recommend this tour. The reason I wouldn't recommend this is because I could have done this on my own. Finding a cab is easy in San Juan and there are places that will hold your luggage so you can tour. If I were to do it again, I'd go on my own.

 

Pictures of the fort...

 

 

 

 

[saibutterfly]

Pictures of Beautiful San Juan

 

 

 

 

 

 

[saibutterfly]

Final Thoughts...

 

Let's start with the bad...there's really not a lot.

 

1. The airport on disembarkation day. You have to go through the Agricultural Line and have your luggage inspected. That was crazy. Not enough room for all those people. Very hectic...it moved fast, but it was hectic. Be prepared.

 

2. Royal Caribbean needs to do something regarding the Excursion Desk. Give them a bigger desk...give them their own room...something! However, I also think people need to come prepared to purchase. Grab the excursion booklet, look at it before getting in line, have your questions ready, have alternate options ready if you don't get your first choice, and be ready to book!

 

3. I heard a lot more kids this trip. When I say heard, I mean running up and down the hallways. This was not a RC problem, but a parent problem. Just be courteous to your other passengers, people. Take care of your kids...

 

Let's end with the good...

 

1. We loved the fact that it was port intensive, and we loved our ports. I was a little worried because I just finished my school year and some major projects and that my energy would not be able to keep up. It was actually amazing! Waking up somewhere new each morning and having the chance to do a little exploring was amazing! We had some fantastic experiences and this was a memorable trip.

 

2. One of the things I love about Royal Caribbean is they still employ live musicians. I know I didn't talk about them a great deal, but the band is fantastic. One of our favorite things to do each cruise is to go listen to the big band music show. They always do a great job, and quality music performed well is one of my favorites. Thank you, RC, for employing live musicians.

 

3. Staff makes or breaks cruises. It really was special to make contact with staff who we had in the past. I hope for more lucky accidents like this in the future.

 

4. The food was fabulous as always. I really like the BOGO deal we took advantage of, and when we sail on the Symphony next year, we're looking to do a specialty restaurants package exclusively.

 

5. San Juan is beautiful and incredibly easy to start a cruise. The airport is easy to navigate. Transportation and transfers are easy and upfront with costs. I can only speak of Old San Juan, but if you stay there, everything is within walking distance. There's incredible food, and DH really did love the coffee.

 

6. Being the only cruise ship in port is amazing! Last summer, we did a Western Caribbean, and there were 3 or 4 ships in port in Cozumel. WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE. However, we didn't share a port with any ship this cruise. Amazing!

 

7. Go to your Meet and Mingle! It really was fun, and I really liked the people I met.

 

This is probably my favorite cruise trip to date. We're really looking forward to the Western Mediterranean and to sailing on the Symphony. Our largest ship has been Freedom so we're really looking forward to the big boat. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

[Taishartrueblood]

Awesome, thank you for posting this and I am glad you all had fun! Definitely convinced me to go to the Meet and Greet as well as try out a couple of the excursions.

[rsharp83]

"However, I firmly believe RC knew we weren't going. Their unwillingness to be forthcoming with the information make me throw shady side eye at RC. I did not have anything planned in St. Lucia, but I felt badly for the people who did make plans. I wish RC would have let us know sooner instead of at the last minute."

 

This is my issue too. They kept telling us and telling us we would be going to St. Lucia. I was "guaranteed," "assured" and "promised" by RCCL staff on the phone that we wouldn't be going to Martinique. Just be honest and at least tell us there is the possibility we might have a port change.

[saibutterfly]

Awesome, thank you for posting this and I am glad you all had fun! Definitely convinced me to go to the Meet and Greet as well as try out a couple of the excursions.

 

I never thought that the Meet and Greet would go so well. It was nice meeting the people who have been on the roll call, and everyone was so nice. RC gave door prizes...wine, RC gear. They were so welcoming of the group, and once again, the people were very nice.

[saibutterfly]

"However, I firmly believe RC knew we weren't going. Their unwillingness to be forthcoming with the information make me throw shady side eye at RC. I did not have anything planned in St. Lucia, but I felt badly for the people who did make plans. I wish RC would have let us know sooner instead of at the last minute."

 

This is my issue too. They kept telling us and telling us we would be going to St. Lucia. I was "guaranteed," "assured" and "promised" by RCCL staff on the phone that we wouldn't be going to Martinique. Just be honest and at least tell us there is the possibility we might have a port change.

 

Allow people a chance to cancel plans if they made them with independent operators. Those are the people I felt bad for...RC would have gotten the short side of my tongue if I had plans that I couldn't cancel due to their change. Just let folks know!