Review: Adventure of the Seas - "Because this will NEVER happen again"

[hollowgirl]

This is such a crazy ride so far! You handle stress way better than most Sir! 

[Darkingnj]

Thanks for this review...beautiful family...looking forward to the rest.

[poocher]

I agree, I’d be curled up in a ball (albeit at the bar!!) if half of your problems happened to me.  You are my hero!

[dunedinmaiden]

41 minutes ago, RCCL Fan said:

  Day 1  ---   It's CRUISE DAY!!!

 

 

 

 

Waking up that morning was so tough knowing our ship was right around the corner of the hotel and we couldn't see it!   My wife and kids decided to get dressed and go outside to check it out.   While I was dispatched across the street to McDonalds for breakfast.   FYI -- there are no McCafe drinks there... lol

 

 

 

 

Anyway, we had the noon check-in time, first time RCI gives out.  Around 11:30 we decided to wheel the bags down and be in place to check in.    As we got off the elevator the lobby was busy!  Nothing like just an hour or so earlier. Lots of people sitting in chairs, and staff of Leisure Tour Company EVERYWHERE in purple shirts.

 

Leisure is in charge of the checkin process, and I don't know what Royal is paying them, but it was enough for them to have a staff member or 3 every 15 feet.

 

We were immediately directed to staff who took our suitcases from us and brought them to a waiting truck (I would have felt better if they had some type of Royal Caribbean logo on their clothes... but the porters in the US don't either) 

 

 

We were shown to the stairs to go upset for the dreaded final covid test.   My youngest daughter had to take an antigen test just before boarding and this worried us most.   How horrible would it be to fly all the way here and find out minutes before getting on the ship that she was an asymptomatic  carrier.

 

The room set up for testing was empty,  clean, and filled with staff from Doctor's Hospital in New Providence who were doting on my daughter.

 

We were directed to sit and wait while her test was run.  A staff member walked over to us and checked us in using an ipad while we waited for those dreaded results. 

 

Finally the word came she was negative!!!  We were immediately cleared to walk downstairs and board a bus to the ship.

 

 

 

  By 12:06pm  we were driving over  to the pier!.  Thanks to someone onboards or shuttle with a walker we were driven past the entrance and the long walk to the ship and our bus went directly to the door of the ship.

 

Everyone has their own story from this moment.   One friend hugged the metal wall, another got on the ground and kissed, some got teary.

 

 

I didn't know what i would do.... but as I walked behind my family disappearing into the doorway I threw my arms up in the air and yelled out a loud.... "THANK YOU!!!"  I just was so happy it was really truly happening. 

 

Entering on deck 1 takes some of the "wow" out of things.... most definitely. I'm usually really good at my memory and notes for the review  But honestly the next bit of this was a bit of a blur.  I remember just looking all around and seeing something so familiar and so foreign all at the same time.

 

 

 

We had purchased the 3-night specialty dining package, so I went to confirm our reservations for the week. I had been warned they were hard to come by.

 

Good move.   We were among the first on the ship and there were very few slots left.  Royal needs to figure out a way to let you book your reservations online at home like you do if you reserve the restaurants individually.

 

 

After that, it was time for a tour of the ship.... immediately I noticed the size.  I hadn't been on a Voyager class ship since Mariner was like a year old....  and yes as soon as I stepped in the Royal Promenade and started walking I realized wow  Voyager class ships are decently shorter than Freedom Class. 

 

My wife loves small ships,  but I love the promenade and features of the larger ones,  I quickly realized this ship might make both of us happy.

 

Adventure herself looked very nice.   Usual RCI quality, well kept, good first impressions.  Didn't feel anything like our last cruise on Enchantment which I felt needed to head to the scrapyard.  

 

 

 

Our friends were traveling to the ship day of, from Memphis.  They told us they were onboard, so we rushed to the promenade and our daughters yelled and ran to each other with the biggest hugs. (photos from then and now)  Everyone in the promenade was going aww!   We were all so happy to be reconnected.

 

We ran up to Windjammer for lunch, and the whole "reservations required" thing wasnt a thing.

 

Yes, there's a sign that says two lines, one for reservations and one not.... but no one used it.

 

You just walked up,  let the hostess scan your card and you were in..... directed to washy washy and then to half of the windjammer which was open, the other half was closed all week.

 

 

The bar in the middle of windjammer was an odd location to me, but those of you heading on board, stop there.  the staff here was great and made me my signature frozen mojito drink which I shared with my friend.  She got one and was in love!

 

After lunch chatting about our flight issues, and checkin experiences, we were back out to explore.

 

 

We made our way to the new e-muster drill.   One person needs to play the video.... on their phone and then you all go to deck 4 and show your phone to the staff, and go through an in person demo.  Quick, simple, easy, and a long long needed improvement.

 

Rumor around the ship was that rooms would be ready around 2pm, but the fire doors were open.... and we peeked down the hall and saw no signs of cabin stewards working to ready rooms.

 

So we started venturing back toward our cabin.   Ran across a steward and asked if we were permitted in and he said absolutely!

 

Weird for us.... only one seapass was in the envelope on our door,  my 12 year old daughter. All the rest of us had no seapass in the envelope or the room.   Had to go to guest services and get them all printed.

 

 

 

We had cabin 1688, aft facing, corner room, with the infamous stripper pole in the center of the room.   

 

We're usually Junior/Grand Suite people.   But I've read so much about how this particular cabin is the same size as a junior suite, at the same price of a regular balcony......   it was open and I decided to try it out.

 

 

Well... as soon as opened the door, and my gymnastics crazed 7 year old started scaling the pole, I decided it would no longer be named the stripper pole, and now be the fireman's pole, which all the girls had to try.  My wife wouldn't though! lol

 

Anyway....the room was impressive.  It's wide and plenty of space of the 4 of us,  It definitely felt like a mini junior suite, It's a nice room for a family of four, but does have some drawbacks we'll get into later.  

 

 

View from the balcony was great!   We all were getting settled in and unpacked.... the kids immediately were asking for independence, and ice cream cones. 

 

 

We were visited by one of the officers of the ship at our room. He stopped by and wanted to personally thank us for being a part of the Royal Comeback, and told us how very important it was to the cruise line to have us back and to make sure our vacation was perfect.  He gave us his card, introduced us to our cabin steward, and promised the staff was there for anything we needed, just say the word.

 

 

 

Vacation was officially underway.  I missed words like this so much.  It felt so good.

 

Now, everything was not perfect....   it became clear soon, that we were just 3 weeks in to sailing again and the crew was still learning the ropes.

 

For example, at the Hilton Check-in, my 12-year old was told she had to wear the adventure ocean bracelet that indicated her muster station.   Now at 12 Royal says she's now in the teen club, not kids club, so she was confused, but complied. 

 

When we walked onto the ship, my 12 year old was stopped by security.  "You have a wristband on, you must wear a mask"  he told us.  

 

We explained she was vaccinated, had her documents.  Immediately pulled them out.   He had to triple check before he let us onboard.

 

She got 15 steps in and another person questioned her about a mask.  So we immediately went to guest services for some clarity. I didn't want this to continue all week.

 

Adventure Ocean staff member helping with questions was there and said no, she didn't need the bracelet, she's 12, not in adventure ocean.   She directed us to a woman behind the counter to cut it off.  That woman said no and said 12 year old had to wear the bracelet. 

 

I looked back at the adventure ocean lady.  She and the guest services lady went back and forth.   Then the guest services supervisor came over to see what was going on and she said, "well i trust the adventure ocean person, cut it off"   

 

As that's being done an officer of the ship was there and he said, no  it has to be on.

 

I got so annoyed.   I couldn't get a clear answer and there were now a crowd of 6 people around us debating this wristband.

 

I finally said, "Listen, she's vaccinated, and she's too old for adventure ocean, she's not wearing it. I'm taking it off unless you can conclusively tell me another reason she needs it"   They couldn't and concurred.

 

Everyone was well-intentioned, but had been away a while and were clearly just getting back into the swing of things.

 

 

 

It was also this day we got an email from Royal that told us we would no longer be allowed to do private tours, because we had an unvaccinated minor with us.

 

We had planned a private tour in Freeport and in Cozumel were going to go to Mr. Sanchos for the first time.  We always avoided the place because it looked too spring break party crazy loud music for us.    We thought on a half empty ship of Royal Caribbean regulars it would be more tame.

 

But now that was out.

 

What was even more frustrating was that the tours were now full price, and not the discounted price they had been online for months.  I asked if they would honor the online price do to this last minute change and was told no.

 

 

We headed back to the room and were preparing for dinner, when I got "the text"

 

 

 

Yep, our friends, who have driven to port on every cruise they've taken...... didn't collect their bags when they got off the plane in Nassau.

 

They thought the cruise line would collect them and bring them to the ship.  Apparently this is what Disney does and well, based on the way the instructions were worded on their Air2Sea transfers they thought the same thing.

 

I raced downstairs to meet them just as tears were starting to well.    The staff on the ship was saying the airport was closed, and they would work to get the bags tomorrow morning.and have them flown to a small airport near coco cay but it would be very expensive.

 

Airport is closed???  What?  at 6:50pm??? I couldn't believe that.  We were told they were on the phone with the Royal Caribbean port rep and he said the airport was closed.  

 

I got out my phone googled Nassau airport, dialed the number, hoping it would go through, and it did.   I asked to be connected with American Airlines baggage folks.

 

Long story short after some begging and pleading, and discussions about drive times,  the woman on the other end of the line agreed to give the bags to the Leisure Tours people (purple shirts at the Hilton)  who were at the airport, and have them drive them to the ship.  I didn't hang up the phone until I was told the bags were in a car and on their way.

 

Crisis averted. 

 

Our own created crisis, but still.

 

We raced up to dinner, and I who am not a big drinker, ordered a drink or two, letting out relief that I prevented my friends first Royal cruise from starting in one of the worst ways.  By the way... we were handed disposable paper menus every night of the cruise.

 

 

After dinner we rushed up to the pool deck for sailaway.... ok some of us bolted before dinner was complete.   But it was awesome sailing away at night watching Nassau disappear.   

 

 

 

Tomorrow --- Years in the making ----in all my years of RCI cruising my absolute first visit ever to  CocoCay!!!!

 

 

We had the "stripper pole" room on the Freedom and loved it!

[Sea Dog]

@RCCL Fan Wow what a great read and story. Boy do I feel your pain. Sounds like you handled the pressure beautifully, and yes needed a cocktail in the end. My guess it will take Royal some time to iron out the kinks. It’s interesting in that several Royal people could not decide what are the protocols. I imagine you will not be the only one to experience the new normal in cruising. Can’t wait to hear about your experience at Coco Cay. I’m going to go out on limb and bet  you loved every minute of it as I did. 
Cheers Greg the Sea Dog

[papajak]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this! You are a beautiful family!

[RG306]

5 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

Holy cow!  I’m all in, usually, for convenience and just enjoying the trip, but that is insanely over priced.  I’m with your wife on this one — and will be looking for something nearby instead, lol.  Probably not McD’s though, cuz that’s too far in  the other direction 😜

the fish fry is a good option 🙂

[3kidsncats]

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

  Day 1  ---   It's CRUISE DAY!!!

 

 

 

 

Waking up that morning was so tough knowing our ship was right around the corner of the hotel and we couldn't see it!   My wife and kids decided to get dressed and go outside to check it out.   While I was dispatched across the street to McDonalds for breakfast.   FYI -- there are no McCafe drinks there... lol

 

 

 

 

Anyway, we had the noon check-in time, first time RCI gives out.  Around 11:30 we decided to wheel the bags down and be in place to check in.    As we got off the elevator the lobby was busy!  Nothing like just an hour or so earlier. Lots of people sitting in chairs, and staff of Leisure Tour Company EVERYWHERE in purple shirts.

 

Leisure is in charge of the checkin process, and I don't know what Royal is paying them, but it was enough for them to have a staff member or 3 every 15 feet.

 

We were immediately directed to staff who took our suitcases from us and brought them to a waiting truck (I would have felt better if they had some type of Royal Caribbean logo on their clothes... but the porters in the US don't either) 

 

 

We were shown to the stairs to go upset for the dreaded final covid test.   My youngest daughter had to take an antigen test just before boarding and this worried us most.   How horrible would it be to fly all the way here and find out minutes before getting on the ship that she was an asymptomatic  carrier.

 

The room set up for testing was empty,  clean, and filled with staff from Doctor's Hospital in New Providence who were doting on my daughter.

 

We were directed to sit and wait while her test was run.  A staff member walked over to us and checked us in using an ipad while we waited for those dreaded results. 

 

Finally the word came she was negative!!!  We were immediately cleared to walk downstairs and board a bus to the ship.

 

 

 

  By 12:06pm  we were driving over  to the pier!.  Thanks to someone onboards or shuttle with a walker we were driven past the entrance and the long walk to the ship and our bus went directly to the door of the ship.

 

Everyone has their own story from this moment.   One friend hugged the metal wall, another got on the ground and kissed, some got teary.

 

 

I didn't know what i would do.... but as I walked behind my family disappearing into the doorway I threw my arms up in the air and yelled out a loud.... "THANK YOU!!!"  I just was so happy it was really truly happening. 

 

Entering on deck 1 takes some of the "wow" out of things.... most definitely. I'm usually really good at my memory and notes for the review  But honestly the next bit of this was a bit of a blur.  I remember just looking all around and seeing something so familiar and so foreign all at the same time.

 

 

 

We had purchased the 3-night specialty dining package, so I went to confirm our reservations for the week. I had been warned they were hard to come by.

 

Good move.   We were among the first on the ship and there were very few slots left.  Royal needs to figure out a way to let you book your reservations online at home like you do if you reserve the restaurants individually.

 

 

After that, it was time for a tour of the ship.... immediately I noticed the size.  I hadn't been on a Voyager class ship since Mariner was like a year old....  and yes as soon as I stepped in the Royal Promenade and started walking I realized wow  Voyager class ships are decently shorter than Freedom Class. 

 

My wife loves small ships,  but I love the promenade and features of the larger ones,  I quickly realized this ship might make both of us happy.

 

Adventure herself looked very nice.   Usual RCI quality, well kept, good first impressions.  Didn't feel anything like our last cruise on Enchantment which I felt needed to head to the scrapyard.  

 

 

 

Our friends were traveling to the ship day of, from Memphis.  They told us they were onboard, so we rushed to the promenade and our daughters yelled and ran to each other with the biggest hugs. (photos from then and now)  Everyone in the promenade was going aww!   We were all so happy to be reconnected.

 

We ran up to Windjammer for lunch, and the whole "reservations required" thing wasnt a thing.

 

Yes, there's a sign that says two lines, one for reservations and one not.... but no one used it.

 

You just walked up,  let the hostess scan your card and you were in..... directed to washy washy and then to half of the windjammer which was open, the other half was closed all week.

 

 

The bar in the middle of windjammer was an odd location to me, but those of you heading on board, stop there.  the staff here was great and made me my signature frozen mojito drink which I shared with my friend.  She got one and was in love!

 

After lunch chatting about our flight issues, and checkin experiences, we were back out to explore.

 

 

We made our way to the new e-muster drill.   One person needs to play the video.... on their phone and then you all go to deck 4 and show your phone to the staff, and go through an in person demo.  Quick, simple, easy, and a long long needed improvement.

 

Rumor around the ship was that rooms would be ready around 2pm, but the fire doors were open.... and we peeked down the hall and saw no signs of cabin stewards working to ready rooms.

 

So we started venturing back toward our cabin.   Ran across a steward and asked if we were permitted in and he said absolutely!

 

Weird for us.... only one seapass was in the envelope on our door,  my 12 year old daughter. All the rest of us had no seapass in the envelope or the room.   Had to go to guest services and get them all printed.

 

 

 

We had cabin 1688, aft facing, corner room, with the infamous stripper pole in the center of the room.   

 

We're usually Junior/Grand Suite people.   But I've read so much about how this particular cabin is the same size as a junior suite, at the same price of a regular balcony......   it was open and I decided to try it out.

 

 

Well... as soon as opened the door, and my gymnastics crazed 7 year old started scaling the pole, I decided it would no longer be named the stripper pole, and now be the fireman's pole, which all the girls had to try.  My wife wouldn't though! lol

 

Anyway....the room was impressive.  It's wide and plenty of space of the 4 of us,  It definitely felt like a mini junior suite, It's a nice room for a family of four, but does have some drawbacks we'll get into later.  

 

 

View from the balcony was great!   We all were getting settled in and unpacked.... the kids immediately were asking for independence, and ice cream cones. 

 

 

We were visited by one of the officers of the ship at our room. He stopped by and wanted to personally thank us for being a part of the Royal Comeback, and told us how very important it was to the cruise line to have us back and to make sure our vacation was perfect.  He gave us his card, introduced us to our cabin steward, and promised the staff was there for anything we needed, just say the word.

 

 

 

Vacation was officially underway.  I missed words like this so much.  It felt so good.

 

Now, everything was not perfect....   it became clear soon, that we were just 3 weeks in to sailing again and the crew was still learning the ropes.

 

For example, at the Hilton Check-in, my 12-year old was told she had to wear the adventure ocean bracelet that indicated her muster station.   Now at 12 Royal says she's now in the teen club, not kids club, so she was confused, but complied. 

 

When we walked onto the ship, my 12 year old was stopped by security.  "You have a wristband on, you must wear a mask"  he told us.  

 

We explained she was vaccinated, had her documents.  Immediately pulled them out.   He had to triple check before he let us onboard.

 

She got 15 steps in and another person questioned her about a mask.  So we immediately went to guest services for some clarity. I didn't want this to continue all week.

 

Adventure Ocean staff member helping with questions was there and said no, she didn't need the bracelet, she's 12, not in adventure ocean.   She directed us to a woman behind the counter to cut it off.  That woman said no and said 12 year old had to wear the bracelet. 

 

I looked back at the adventure ocean lady.  She and the guest services lady went back and forth.   Then the guest services supervisor came over to see what was going on and she said, "well i trust the adventure ocean person, cut it off"   

 

As that's being done an officer of the ship was there and he said, no  it has to be on.

 

I got so annoyed.   I couldn't get a clear answer and there were now a crowd of 6 people around us debating this wristband.

 

I finally said, "Listen, she's vaccinated, and she's too old for adventure ocean, she's not wearing it. I'm taking it off unless you can conclusively tell me another reason she needs it"   They couldn't and concurred.

 

Everyone was well-intentioned, but had been away a while and were clearly just getting back into the swing of things.

 

 

 

It was also this day we got an email from Royal that told us we would no longer be allowed to do private tours, because we had an unvaccinated minor with us.

 

We had planned a private tour in Freeport and in Cozumel were going to go to Mr. Sanchos for the first time.  We always avoided the place because it looked too spring break party crazy loud music for us.    We thought on a half empty ship of Royal Caribbean regulars it would be more tame.

 

But now that was out.

 

What was even more frustrating was that the tours were now full price, and not the discounted price they had been online for months.  I asked if they would honor the online price do to this last minute change and was told no.

 

 

We headed back to the room and were preparing for dinner, when I got "the text"

 

 

 

Yep, our friends, who have driven to port on every cruise they've taken...... didn't collect their bags when they got off the plane in Nassau.

 

They thought the cruise line would collect them and bring them to the ship.  Apparently this is what Disney does and well, based on the way the instructions were worded on their Air2Sea transfers they thought the same thing.

 

I raced downstairs to meet them just as tears were starting to well.    The staff on the ship was saying the airport was closed, and they would work to get the bags tomorrow morning.and have them flown to a small airport near coco cay but it would be very expensive.

 

Airport is closed???  What?  at 6:50pm??? I couldn't believe that.  We were told they were on the phone with the Royal Caribbean port rep and he said the airport was closed.  

 

I got out my phone googled Nassau airport, dialed the number, hoping it would go through, and it did.   I asked to be connected with American Airlines baggage folks.

 

Long story short after some begging and pleading, and discussions about drive times,  the woman on the other end of the line agreed to give the bags to the Leisure Tours people (purple shirts at the Hilton)  who were at the airport, and have them drive them to the ship.  I didn't hang up the phone until I was told the bags were in a car and on their way.

 

Crisis averted. 

 

Our own created crisis, but still.

 

We raced up to dinner, and I who am not a big drinker, ordered a drink or two, letting out relief that I prevented my friends first Royal cruise from starting in one of the worst ways.  By the way... we were handed disposable paper menus every night of the cruise.

 

 

After dinner we rushed up to the pool deck for sailaway.... ok some of us bolted before dinner was complete.   But it was awesome sailing away at night watching Nassau disappear.   

 

 

 

Tomorrow --- Years in the making ----in all my years of RCI cruising my absolute first visit ever to  CocoCay!!!!

 

 

Wow — you get the cruise hero award!  You earned both of those cocktails and then some

[3kidsncats]

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

 

since we had an unvaccinated child who still had to take an antigen test,  and the Bahamas has an amazingly low vaccination rate, we made a point not to venture out. 

If any of my kids were still kids, unvaccinated and with us, I would probably pay the $175.  I still probably won’t want to venture too far anyway, but fingers crossed there is something more reasonable at hand— fish fry is sounding like the winner

Edited July 5, 2021 by 3kidsncats

[Biker19]

6 hours ago, F27TW said:

 

Ahahahahahahaha <deep breath> hahahahaha

On time performance for early morning non-stop flights (the ones most people take and should consider) is above 90% in most markets/airlines.

 

Biker, who would take those odds any day for most things in life and twice on Sunday,  when the performance is even better.

[exm]

Thanks for the review (so far), another Adventure review to follow. Enjoy your cruise and keep on posting updates!

[MamaMia2]

Oh my goodness what a crazy day you had! I hope the rest of the week was smoother and far more relaxing! 

[ReneeFLL]

9 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

Check in at the hotel or the ship? 

 

Hotel had a line when we got there,  and just two check in people so it was a bit of a wait, but nothing worth complaining about.

 

as for dinner

 

  My wife is much more frugal than me, she was agast at the cost and would have done something else.   I just wanted convenience and simplicity and it offered that.  $175 for two glasses of wine,  2 lemonades, two salads, a hamburger, and a fish filet. 

 

Ouch, that’s expensive.

[ReneeFLL]

Y’all definitely had a crazy start. Hoping the rest of the cruise went off as planned. 

[Mimi19510]

Following 

[PhoenixCruiser]

13 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Because the airlines are very good at keeping their planes flying and usually on time.

Maybe before the Pandemic but lately it has been a mess.

[Tree_skier]

We had 1688 on our last cruise!  Loved it. Would book it again in a heartbeat. 

[perfect match]

Thanks, @RCCL Fan! I’m loving your review so far. Can’t wait to read the rest. Thank you for taking the time to share with us.

[kernow]

So pleased to have just found this, I always love your reviews.

 

We did MSC Virtuosa a few weeks ago and know exactly how you felt first boarding the ship, I was a bit teary too!

[vettegal99]

Such a great review.  I’m constantly checking in to see your latest update.  Thanks so much for taking the time to do this.  Adventure of the Seas is a favorite of ours

[wolfganghowell]

Wonderful to see your reviews again.  Thanks as always.

[Lido deck main]

Oh my, just did my daily read of your report.  I am so glad everything worked out with the luggage.  Not so nice they don’t give you a good price break on the excursions due to the younger unvaccinated child.  I like your writing style makes me feel like I can  imagine being on the ship, even though I am on the edge of my seat waiting to read how everything is going to turn out.  I saw some great smiles, so I imagine the stress melting away.  

[Baowen]

20 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

We had 1688 on our last cruise!  Loved it. Would book it again in a heartbeat. 

I've had 1388 and 1688 a few times. They are great rooms and I always try to book them if its an option  !  I like that the balcony wraps around.

[BIBPhotography]

Sir I cannot THANK YOU ENOUGH for this!  I've waited patiently for a cruise review and you are delivering in a big way.  As I sit here drinking my coffee, I can smell the salty air, hear the ocean and count down the next days to our next cruise!

Keep it up sir!

[bobmacliberty]

I'm late to this thread but am loving it so far.  Great start!  As a father of 2 daughters, I FULLY support renaming it the "fireman's pole". 😁