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

[RCCL Fan]

6 hours ago, karena1 said:

I have a question for you.  I have read your review and loved following you on this journey.  But can I ask 1 - did you have to pay for and fill out the Bahama Health Form before you got to Nassau?  and 2 - it was rumored that Royal was going to put the cost of the Form on your account as OBC.  Did that happen?  Thanks

 Yes I paid for the form.   And I have no idea if they gave me an OBC.  I didn't look.  As long as my bill doesn't seem crazy at the end,  I hardly ever look at it.  

[retiredgram]

Thanks for the update.  Will be awaiting the rest of the story and hopefully no more panics like the luggage fiasco.

[karena1]

28 minutes ago, RCCL Fan said:

 Yes I paid for the form.   And I have no idea if they gave me an OBC.  I didn't look.  As long as my bill doesn't seem crazy at the end,  I hardly ever look at it.  

I just read on FB the don't.  No biggie to us

[RCCL Fan]

Day 3 --- Coco Cay  Part Deux

 

 

We totally decided on the first day we visited Coco Cay that our trip was a success, it was truly a perfect day.  Our Carnival folks were downright converted,  my kids felt the hype of the island was worth it, and my wife was all smiles.   We kept laughing because no one could describe the day as anything other than perfect.

 

No one could argue with a second day back at CocoCay.

 

We did leave the island, after day one and drive around in circles  the night between the first and second visits.... no one really quite got why.    The casino was open all day, while docked,  shops opened  too,  so not sure what benefit leaving gave.   Some said there  was a need to "make water"  for the ship to operate, but I dunno i think it was just plan.... leave  drive around and come back.

 

 

There was certainly some benefit as our circling brought us through the great cruise ship parking lot.   Dozens of ships bobbing in the water near CocoCay awaiting orders.    We got to see Odyssey, Grandeur, Symphony, Brilliance, Freedom, and Explorer.... a few HA ships too.    It really was nice to see them but disappointing they weren't at work.  I do wish we could have gotten closer,  close enough to wave and cheer and encourage the crew that a new day is coming. 

 

 

 

Our second day on the island was the adult day....   a trip to the coco beach club.

 

Again my wife was wanting to rush out there, but the rest of us were dragging after a day in the sun previously.

 

 

Bill Wither's "Lovely Day" song was blaring  just like the day before.  It wasn't until I got on the tram to the island that I realized Royal had commissioned a rewrite of the song to "Lovely Day at Coco Cay".

 

My girls made fun of me, because for the whole pandemic I had sang the "perfect day" song from the movie Legally Blonde....  switching it out for "It's a perfect day.... perfect day at coco cay"

 

 I digress. 

 

We hopped the tram over to the Beach Club, actually missed the stop, and had to walk back from the next one.... no big deal it was just a few feet ahead. 

 

 

Anyway the walk into the club was amazing, I instantly knew I was going to love this place.

 

We were greeted at the entrance, and asked to make reservations for lunch.  I didn't realize reservations were needed.  I hadn't done them ahead of time.... and still not sure where and how I was supposed to make them ahead of time.  But nonetheless, I was told there was nothing left but 2pm, but to try at 1:30pm and they might be able to get us in.   

 

The pointed out the snack shack wasn't far away, but we had exhausted that place the day before....  I do wish I had tried the main buffet the day earlier.

 

Ok....

 

 

We easily found some chairs front and center on the beach for our party of 8.  II parked myself on my green chair and prepared for a day of guarding the beach bags and raising these little green flags on the chair to call the attention of the bar servers.

 

 

As I look through my phone as the photos I took that day, I did fail a bit at vacation.  They was some stuff happening at work and I may have sat there for quite a bit sending info back and forth to the office, helping them through it,  but hey, it sure beat the home office I have been stuck in for so long.

 

 

 

I lay and watching my beautiful wife get a floating mat and enjoy the sea.... before the kids joined her and made it a bit less peaceful lol

 

 

The beach club was calm, quiet, and very serene.  This is the place to go if you want to nap read, and just relax.   I was worried the kids would get bored, but not one bit.   

 

 

There was a flag flying letting us know of marine life prevalent in the water.... and the kids were on the hunt.  The sea didn't disappoint.  We saw tiny stingrays, huge schools of fish,  even a baby shark or two (cue the music)  

 

I don't snorkel, I have trouble with the breathing tube, but no need I saw so many fish through the clear water, it was gorgeous.

 

Even the seagulls were quiet and non annoying over here.

 

Since the ship was so empty, the island was too and many of the cabanas were empty.  I wish RCI had lowered the prices.   I would have given them $600 for one... but $1600 remained the price to the end, and I wouldn't do that.

 

 

I did however, meander my way into a couple of the empty ones, just to try things on for size.    Great views, comfy loungers, and I'm sure had I had a cabana attendant it would have been heavenly.

 

Well actually I did have one, who politely ejected me from my freeloading spot. 

 

 

We definitely worked up an appetite that morning and 1:30 didn't come early enough.    We headed over to the restaurant for lunch.

 

Wow I had looked forward to this for so long.... but to be totally honest, after two days in the sun, I was feeling drained, and really couldn't each much.  I just felt like I needed a nap and a IV of gatorade.

 

Nevertheless, we ordered.

 

 

the starters weren't really for me....  I love hummus, my stomach doesnt.   dislike eggplant, and my red onion allergy meant no ceviche.   So I had shrimp cocktail and celery stalks lol

 

but for the entrees, my eyes wanted everything, my body was saying, I can't do it.

 

 

I ordered the lobster and the grouper....     The grouper was amazing  absolutely amazing.    The grilled lobster while beautiful to look at was a bit dry for my taste.

 

 

 

I finished things up with the most amazing sorbet I ever had.

 

My wife was raving about her filet, actually everyone who had it were.  Lobster was split with some in the group thinking it was amazing and others like me preferring the usual preparation.

 

 

Nonetheless we sat, we ate, we laughed, and had an absolutely perfect day.

 

RBC is truly the specialty restaurant of the islands.  It could be called "Chops at Cococay"   Great food and service in an upscale environment. 

 

 

We enjoyed time in the infinity pool, and back out in the ocean and were literally some of the last ones on the island about 30 minutes before sailaway as a storm moved in.   

 

 

The rain didn't come until we were safely back on board, and we waved away our island we had dreamed about so much..... it gave us two truly perfect days.

 

I haven't told you much about our nights on board..... was saving a lot of the ship comments/experiences for the sea days.....   we have our first tomorrow.... and yes.... it was pretty perfect too.

 

 

 

[RCCL Fan]

On 7/6/2021 at 1:04 AM, Tree_skier said:

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

 The space was great. We have never sailed in a D1 with the kids....   and I was nervous, but the space was great just like our usual JS.    On the voyager class the walk back isn't so bad either.....  There were a few downsides, but that's with everything.

[RCCL Fan]

On 7/7/2021 at 7:55 AM, bobmacliberty said:

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". 😁

 

My wife posted a few pics of my youngest scaling the poles and my guy friends were all like..... Um.....  DAD!!!  

 

lol

[Tree_skier]

Just now, RCCL Fan said:

 The space was great. We have never sailed in a D1 with the kids....   and I was nervous, but the space was great just like our usual JS.    On the voyager class the walk back isn't so bad either.....  There were a few downsides, but that's with everything.

With all the eating and drinking I do I definitely need the walk. I’m loving your review so much, it is keeping me stoked for my next cruise coming up soon. 

[Lorey2007]

Great review I'm really enjoying it thanks for posting.

[MadamG2U]

Thank you so much for taking us with you!  I can't wait to go to CocoCay for the first time.  We are on the Oasis 0n  9/19

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

We enjoyed time in the infinity pool

 

 

This is a postcard if I ever saw one. Beautiful ! You sold me on the "Beach Club" for our next visit to Coco Cay. Btw you and I have a mutual friend I think, Carlton Houston? He worked for us when he was a youngster straight out of J school at Mizzou. Great guy. Also I hope you can leave work at home, you are on vacation enjoy...."miss can I have another cocktail please?"

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Sea Dog

[Jtd724]

Thanks for your review. We booked a Coco Beach Cabana and I can't wait for the peace and quiet!

[perfect match]

Thanks, @RCCL Fan! Loving your review!

[Bailey & Sophie]

 

We've been to Coco Cay a couple of times but did not partake of the offerings. Your visit looks amazing. We may have to check it out on our 2023 cruise.

[ReneeFLL]

On 7/7/2021 at 3:25 PM, BecciBoo said:

You should have gone in the old days when it was a hidden paradise.  No big crowds because they tendered, lots of critters in the ocean and total solitude if you wanted it.  I admit I like it now, but back then it seemed a lot more special.  They cut down this beauty to put in the Beach Club, this was South Beach back then,  

 

I would have loved to have seen it back in the day. When did they start putting in all of the stuff?

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by ReneeFLL

[ReneeFLL]

11 hours ago, karena1 said:

I just read on FB the don't.  No biggie to us

What is happening today might very well change tomorrow and possibly won’t be current for your cruise. You should get an email with what all is needed.

Edited July 9, 2021 by ReneeFLL

[maureencruiser]

4 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

I would have loved to have seen it back in the day. When did they start putting in all of the stuff?

 

 

Mar 22, 2018 at 9:12 AM Royal Caribbean announced a $200 million upgrade to CocoCay as part of its Perfect Day Island Collection. The private island will get a 13-slide water park including the tallest slide in North America and wave pool. Also at the resort will be the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, zip line, helium balloon and more.

[kruzinkel]

Glad to see you back on a ship, Wayne.  Memphis misses you!

[lovelife]

On 7/9/2021 at 4:09 AM, ReneeFLL said:

I would have loved to have seen it back in the day. When did they start putting in all of the stuff?

 

It was indeed a hidden treasure back then.  These guys all over!

 

 

 

[MississippiMom]

I am a bit slow at jumping in here, and thanking you for taking the time to share your cruise with all of us.  Looks amazing!

[reney313]

Thoroughly enjoying your review.  I can't wait to read the rest!

[WAHMto5]

Thank you for the great review!

[EllieinNJ]

Looking forward to more.

[death_star]

On 7/4/2021 at 6:27 PM, RCCL Fan said:

Day 0 -- Headed to Nassau

 

 

We knew this trip would be different in many ways.... one of the hardest parts though was the fact that things were so up in the air.

 

Royal had promised guidelines 30 days out from the cruise but that deadline came and went and they kept asking us to bare with them.... before we finally got word.  No masks on board if vaccinated.  PCR test for everyone required 5 days out,  private tours allowed on the island. 

 

Our oldest daughter we rushed to get the vaccine day 2 after they became available. Our youngest isn't able to take it.  So she would have to wear masks onboard.

 

 

 

We decided to self quarantine her two weeks pre cruise.  No friends over, parties, nothing. She spent time in the pool "practicing" for the cruise. 🙂   Five days out we got a required PCR test and OMG  us and almost everyone our our social media page for the cruise was freaking out as some got results within a few hours, and others had nothing more than a day and a half later.

 

 

There were reports of log jams in testing centers, and results taking longer.  We started to panic, what happens if we don't get the results back in time, especially since flying in early.

 

We had same day backup tests planned at $200 per person, worried CVS had lost our swabs.... but finally the email came and we were cleared.

 

 

Getting ready for this trip was a mess of paperwork.

 

American Airlines sent an email requesting we download an app called Verifly, and upload all our documentation there.  Passports, health visa, covid vaccine records and that by using this app it would streamline the process. 

 

I had to take photos, upload a ton of crap and got it done.

 

American also sent an email about another app "Airside" which would allow me to do touchless bag drop at the airport. 

 

Basically check in online on the AA app,  have documents approved via verifly, and drop off the bags at the kiosk, using airside.  Skip all the lines and have a touchless experience.... avoiding all the 2+ hour lines at the airport.

 

People on our social media page for the cruise were talking about checking in the night before because international terminals lines were so long.

 

So even though I'm not a tech person, I downloaded and did all the apps to be prepared.  Yeah.....  waste of time.

 

 

24 hours before our flight the AA app asked me to check in online.  Tried to... nope, it wouldn't allow us to check in because "We hadn't downloaded and completed documents on verifly"  But we had.   Went back triple checked everything, Verifly said we were "completed and ready to board"

 

AA app says we weren't.

 

Called... "oh that happens a lot, just check in at the airport"

 

yeah well I heard horror stories at the airport.

 

 

 

I live about 10 minutes from the airport, so I just ran over there the night before...  agent said, "you don't need that verifly app, i'll just check you in"

 

So he checked me in, handed us boarding passes, and said,  just go to the kiosk in the morning and print luggage tags and I'll be good.

 

 

 

Well....  next morning we got to a very busy airport, fought to find parking, and wait for the shuttle bus (remote lot north DFW was a zoo) and went to the kiosk, only to be told, by agents, "Nassau can't print bags in the kiosk, have to wait in line for full service check in"  

 

So.... that trip the night before was pointless. 

 

 

Wait wasn't too bad.  My wife and kids zipped through pre-check,  I did the regular line, (my approval didn't come in before the trip, still hasn't.... my wife went 2 days after me and got hers in a day)  

 

We got to the gate just in time to sit and hear.... GATE CHANGE.

 

lol

 

 

 

hopped the train to a new terminal and got lunch.... which had finely chopped red onions in it, which were not listed on the menu.  I'm allergic to red onions and instantly felt a reaction coming.

 

Oh no!  Not missing this trip.

 

I bought some benadryl and downed that as we boarded the flight and hoped for the best.

 

 

 

Flight left on time, was uneventful, except for American's new thin seats which well... WOW, super uncomfortable.  I was leaning forward and rubbing my back after about 2 hours. My daughter came back from the bathroom and was like, "Dad I don't think you can fit in there, it's so tiny. I barely fit"   Ah the changes to air travel.

 

 

My oldest daughter and I sat in one row and my wife and youngest daughter were behind us.  There was lots of hand reaching between the seats and tapping on my shoulder during the flight.   By the time we were landing in the Bahamas, I was a bit annoyed and was like "Yes what now?" lol

 

I was so glad I got that tap, "Is that our ship?"    Looked out the window and there was Coco Cay right below us.  Adventure was docked and a second ship was hovering right off the pier.    Turns out Freedom was letting off a sick crew member to the employee housing on the island.

 

 

Caught a great shot, and was so excited to see the ship,  this was getting real!

 

Landed uneventfully. 

 

Protip:  Don't stop at the restroom! We were in the very front of the plane, and got to immigration just in time as 3 other planes landed with us and the line got super super long.  Rush to get there first.

 

We claimed bags,  went through customs  (yes immigration, bags, then customs)  and emerged to find our driver from First Choice Limo's waiting for us outside with a sign.

 

 

He was quiet, but got us safely and securely to the Hilton British Colonial.

 

We chose this hotel because it was where Royal was doing check in and figured it would be easiest to stay here.

 

 

Check in was long but smooth.   The hotel is old and there are signs of the age... rust here and there, and a door which wouldn't close. But staff couldn't have been nicer, and that made up for the property's age.

 

 

We had a large corner room with a great oceanview and windows on two sides.  Unfortunately the location made it tough to see the ships docked, so when we woke up Adventure was not in view.  But....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should probably edit and blur out your portion of the CVS texts to be safe. 

[LouChamp]

On 7/8/2021 at 7:55 PM, RCCL Fan said:

Day 3 --- Coco Cay  Part Deux

 

 

We totally decided on the first day we visited Coco Cay that our trip was a success, it was truly a perfect day.  Our Carnival folks were downright converted,  my kids felt the hype of the island was worth it, and my wife was all smiles.   We kept laughing because no one could describe the day as anything other than perfect.

 

No one could argue with a second day back at CocoCay.

 

We did leave the island, after day one and drive around in circles  the night between the first and second visits.... no one really quite got why.    The casino was open all day, while docked,  shops opened  too,  so not sure what benefit leaving gave.   Some said there  was a need to "make water"  for the ship to operate, but I dunno i think it was just plan.... leave  drive around and come back.

 

 

There was certainly some benefit as our circling brought us through the great cruise ship parking lot.   Dozens of ships bobbing in the water near CocoCay awaiting orders.    We got to see Odyssey, Grandeur, Symphony, Brilliance, Freedom, and Explorer.... a few HA ships too.    It really was nice to see them but disappointing they weren't at work.  I do wish we could have gotten closer,  close enough to wave and cheer and encourage the crew that a new day is coming. 

 

 

 

Our second day on the island was the adult day....   a trip to the coco beach club.

 

Again my wife was wanting to rush out there, but the rest of us were dragging after a day in the sun previously.

 

 

Bill Wither's "Lovely Day" song was blaring  just like the day before.  It wasn't until I got on the tram to the island that I realized Royal had commissioned a rewrite of the song to "Lovely Day at Coco Cay".

 

My girls made fun of me, because for the whole pandemic I had sang the "perfect day" song from the movie Legally Blonde....  switching it out for "It's a perfect day.... perfect day at coco cay"

 

 I digress. 

 

We hopped the tram over to the Beach Club, actually missed the stop, and had to walk back from the next one.... no big deal it was just a few feet ahead. 

 

 

Anyway the walk into the club was amazing, I instantly knew I was going to love this place.

 

We were greeted at the entrance, and asked to make reservations for lunch.  I didn't realize reservations were needed.  I hadn't done them ahead of time.... and still not sure where and how I was supposed to make them ahead of time.  But nonetheless, I was told there was nothing left but 2pm, but to try at 1:30pm and they might be able to get us in.   

 

The pointed out the snack shack wasn't far away, but we had exhausted that place the day before....  I do wish I had tried the main buffet the day earlier.

 

Ok....

 

 

We easily found some chairs front and center on the beach for our party of 8.  II parked myself on my green chair and prepared for a day of guarding the beach bags and raising these little green flags on the chair to call the attention of the bar servers.

 

 

As I look through my phone as the photos I took that day, I did fail a bit at vacation.  They was some stuff happening at work and I may have sat there for quite a bit sending info back and forth to the office, helping them through it,  but hey, it sure beat the home office I have been stuck in for so long.

 

 

 

I lay and watching my beautiful wife get a floating mat and enjoy the sea.... before the kids joined her and made it a bit less peaceful lol

 

 

The beach club was calm, quiet, and very serene.  This is the place to go if you want to nap read, and just relax.   I was worried the kids would get bored, but not one bit.   

 

 

There was a flag flying letting us know of marine life prevalent in the water.... and the kids were on the hunt.  The sea didn't disappoint.  We saw tiny stingrays, huge schools of fish,  even a baby shark or two (cue the music)  

 

I don't snorkel, I have trouble with the breathing tube, but no need I saw so many fish through the clear water, it was gorgeous.

 

Even the seagulls were quiet and non annoying over here.

 

Since the ship was so empty, the island was too and many of the cabanas were empty.  I wish RCI had lowered the prices.   I would have given them $600 for one... but $1600 remained the price to the end, and I wouldn't do that.

 

 

I did however, meander my way into a couple of the empty ones, just to try things on for size.    Great views, comfy loungers, and I'm sure had I had a cabana attendant it would have been heavenly.

 

Well actually I did have one, who politely ejected me from my freeloading spot. 

 

 

We definitely worked up an appetite that morning and 1:30 didn't come early enough.    We headed over to the restaurant for lunch.

 

Wow I had looked forward to this for so long.... but to be totally honest, after two days in the sun, I was feeling drained, and really couldn't each much.  I just felt like I needed a nap and a IV of gatorade.

 

Nevertheless, we ordered.

 

 

the starters weren't really for me....  I love hummus, my stomach doesnt.   dislike eggplant, and my red onion allergy meant no ceviche.   So I had shrimp cocktail and celery stalks lol

 

but for the entrees, my eyes wanted everything, my body was saying, I can't do it.

 

 

I ordered the lobster and the grouper....     The grouper was amazing  absolutely amazing.    The grilled lobster while beautiful to look at was a bit dry for my taste.

 

 

 

I finished things up with the most amazing sorbet I ever had.

 

My wife was raving about her filet, actually everyone who had it were.  Lobster was split with some in the group thinking it was amazing and others like me preferring the usual preparation.

 

 

Nonetheless we sat, we ate, we laughed, and had an absolutely perfect day.

 

RBC is truly the specialty restaurant of the islands.  It could be called "Chops at Cococay"   Great food and service in an upscale environment. 

 

 

We enjoyed time in the infinity pool, and back out in the ocean and were literally some of the last ones on the island about 30 minutes before sailaway as a storm moved in.   

 

 

The rain didn't come until we were safely back on board, and we waved away our island we had dreamed about so much..... it gave us two truly perfect days.

 

I haven't told you much about our nights on board..... was saving a lot of the ship comments/experiences for the sea days.....   we have our first tomorrow.... and yes.... it was pretty perfect too.

 

 

Thanks for the report and sharing.  Love Coco Cay and Royal.  As we are getting older and our bucket list is complete we are going to wait a bit before cruising again but please be blessed with health and safety.  As an aside we have pictures of our daughter in those loungers aboard every ship and island since she was six months old till about 19 lol.  Enjoy!

 

[wolfganghowell]

Where'd he go?