May 26 Adventure - an alternate review

[Jkaczanowski]

We were also on the May 26 Adventure and had a very different experience, so I thought I’d share my review.  Sailing were me, DH, and my 2 teenage boys in one of the deck 11 junior suites and my in-laws in a deck 7 balcony.  This was our 4th RC cruise since the restart - previously sailed Oasis and Wonder Star class and Independence in a Grand suite.  This cruise was booked during the double points promo as a fun long weekend getaway that would get us to diamond and only required DH to take 2 days off work.  
 

We arrived at 10:15ish for our 11AM time, dropped our luggage at the terminal, and parked at Bayonne in the overflow lot.  Port had busses running from the lot to the terminal so although I don’t think they should charge the full $25/day, it was doable.  In-laws (in their 80’s) and mobility challenged, have their handicap placard and were directed into the parking garage.  Our set sail times (and no other documents) were checked and we were allowed immediately into the terminal, through security, and checked in.  DH, I and the boys were seated in the suite area; in-laws in the assistance area.  At 10:45 boarding proceeded - suites, assistance, and general boarding all at once.  Woman letting people through suite door was snippy because our whole family didn’t all each have our set sail passes in hand (they were all on my phone).  
 

We immediately did muster drill.  Nice it was available because they weren’t open at boarding on Independence in February and then went to Chops to make reservations for dining as my immediate family had the UDP.  Handed Alvin a sheet of paper with all my requested times and he had them made in no time.  No problems getting any of the times we wanted.  Went to sign waivers for flowrider but they weren’t open yet (opened at 1) so walked around ship until lunch at Chops at 12.  Food was mediocre - steaks were butterflied for medium well which made them tough.  Rooms were ready as we finished lunch, so we went to drop our carryons and the kids got into their swimsuits.  Luggage was waiting in the hall.  Room was beautiful and well appointed.  No maintenance issues.  Stateroom attendant (Ram) mentioned he was taking care of our floor (6 rooms) and some on deck 10 so he gave me his card in case we needed to reach him.  pictures of room 1104 are below.
 

Went to flowrider.  Teens are advanced surfers who also love boogie boarding.  There were at least 3 hours of advanced per day with plenty of hours of boogie boarding.  Weather was cool, so wave was never really busy. Boys had their wetsuits so the boys were on it ALOT.  Staff members Camilla and Pedja were so helpful and encouraging that I gave boogie boarding a shot and was able to get up on my knees.  I tried stand up but could only stay up a couple seconds.  No surfing lessons on ship so that was a little disappointing.  
 

skipping ahead - boys also enjoyed the climbing wall and Optix teen club.  1 disappointment in that app showed teen boogie boarding night 4 which was canceled but the app was never updated.  
 

Food - After the disappointment for lunch day 1, we did 4 of our dinners at Giovannis and 2 addl lunches and 1 dinner at Chops.  Food after that 1st lunch was amazing and servers Red and Santos did an amazing job.  Roger - the host at Giovannis - was also very friendly.  Breakfasts in windjammer were very good with a decent selection.  No problem getting seats except debarkation morning when it was extremely crowded at 7:15ish.  Sorrentos on Adventure is now using tiny little plates, and 1 of the staff would only serve 3 pieces at a time even when no one was there.  2 teenage boys were not pleased as they like to bring it back to the room.  
 

DH had Deluxe beverage and I had refreshment package.  Bar staff was friendly and the milkshakes at Johnny rockets were delicious.  2 lunches there were also good but nothing to write home about.  In-laws ate at MDR and had no complaints.  DH tried to get coffee at Royal Promenade 1 night but the lines was so long it was ridiculous.  
 

Line for tender tickets for Bar Harbor was ridiculous.  We weren’t planning on getting off until 11 or 12 so we didn’t bother waiting in it.  We spent a week each summer during COVID times camping at Acadia / Bar Harbor, so we just walked around town and brought teens fudge back from their favorite confectionary.  Ship used boats from a whale watching company to tender which were very comfortable.  
 

Entertainment - DH and I never attend comedy shows.  2nd night was supposed to be Invitation to dance but there were stage issues so that got moved to night 4 and can’t stop the rock was canceled.  There was a music showcase instead.  1 of the singers (the one past reviews said had done her own show) had a phenomenal voice, and the orchestra and other singers were very good.  Ice show was OK.  Skaters were very good but show itself wasn’t as good as Oasis or Independence.  Invitation to Dance was so boring, I fell asleep during it.  To be fair, that was the day we were in Halifax and it had been a long day.  Cruise Director Tonya? Seemed upbeat and fun but shows were definitely lacking.  

 

Debakation was fast and easy - we were self disembark so we walked off a little before 8 with our luggage.  Traffic was horrible getting across the GWB to go home.

 

Would we cruise Adventure in a junior suite again - ABSOLUTELY!  It’s nice having the genie and all the amenities (including bigger room and 2 bathrooms) that come with it (edit: Star class on Wonder and Oasis) but depending on price point, sometimes it’s just not worth it.  We looked into booking another cruise on Adventure but just couldn’t make the timing work.  

None of the 6 of us came down with Covid and I have only seen isolated reports on my social media group for the sailing of reported positives. MIL did trip on a stair in the casino midnight night 4 and had some bruising, so security brought her to medical to be checked out.  The medical center doctor called our room to talk to DH (who is a physician).  DH went down there to talk to him and said he and the nurse were very nice and he had no complaints about the care she received. 

 

[Cruise a holic]

We were also in a Junior suite- didn't have a Genie- how did you get one?  Have you ever sailed on the Oasis class ships- big difference- many choices for specialty restaurants and entertainment venues.  Glad you seemed to have a better experience then we did.

[Jkaczanowski]

3 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

We were also in a Junior suite- didn't have a Genie- how did you get one?  Have you ever sailed on the Oasis class ships- big difference- many choices for specialty restaurants and entertainment venues.  Glad you seemed to have a better experience then we did.

Oops - switched word “it” to star class on Wonder and Oasis.  No genie or even suite/diamond concierge on this Adventure sailing.  We sailed Star class on both Wonder and Oasis.  I will agree that there are more dining venues on Oasis - We particularly missed 150 Central and El Loco Fresh, but the food and service on Adventure was very good.  For entertainment, flow rider times and hours were much better on Adventure than Wonder. Lines were also much shorter - not sure whether it was weather or that there were 1/2 the passengers.  I would agree that shows on Adventure need work  

[Cruise a holic]

6 minutes ago, Jkaczanowski said:

Oops - switched word “it” to star class on Wonder and Oasis.  No genie or even suite/diamond concierge on this Adventure sailing.  We sailed Star class on both Wonder and Oasis.  I will agree that there are more dining venues on Oasis - We particularly missed 150 Central and El Loco Fresh, but the food and service on Adventure was very good.  For entertainment, flow rider times and hours were much better on Adventure than Wonder. Lines were also much shorter - not sure whether it was weather or that there were 1/2 the passengers.  I would agree that shows on Adventure need work  

We had Dennise in Diamond lounge on the Adventure- nice lady-  And our teenage granddaughters were probably on the flow rider line with your sons!  They spent a lot of time on it and were also disappointed that nobody (staff)  should up for a posted session. 

[c-leg5]

31 minutes ago, Jkaczanowski said:

Oops - switched word “it” to star class on Wonder and Oasis.  No genie or even suite/diamond concierge on this Adventure sailing.  We sailed Star class on both Wonder and Oasis.  I will agree that there are more dining venues on Oasis - We particularly missed 150 Central and El Loco Fresh, but the food and service on Adventure was very good.  For entertainment, flow rider times and hours were much better on Adventure than Wonder. Lines were also much shorter - not sure whether it was weather or that there were 1/2 the passengers.  I would agree that shows on Adventure need work  

Thanks for another opinion although both reviews are confusing - did you both sail MAY 26th?
 

The ship sailed from Galveston in March.

 

+1 for Santos! Agree there are some organizational areas that need some work but doesn’t sound different to what is commonly reported  across the fleet presently. I am surprised there was no suite concierge - we had suite and diamond concierge on all our Adventure sailings and the loyalty ambassador was doubling in Pinnacle lounge.

Edited June 8, 2022 by c-leg5

[Jkaczanowski]

5 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Thanks for another opinion although both reviews are confusing - did you both sail MAY 26th?
 

The ship sailed from Galveston in March.

 

+1 for Santos! Agree there are some organizational areas that need some work but doesn’t sound different to what is commonly reported  across the fleet presently. I am surprised there was no suite concierge - we had suite and diamond concierge on all our sailings and the loyalty ambassador was doubling in Pinnacle lounge.

Yes, May 26th. Sorry about that.  There may have been a suite concierge, but I meant that with a junior suite we had no access and while Junior Flores was great as suite concierge on Independence, the lack of access to a concierge on Adventure didn’t “break” the cruise.

[Cruise a holic]

2 hours ago, Jkaczanowski said:

Yes, May 26th. Sorry about that.  There may have been a suite concierge, but I meant that with a junior suite we had no access and while Junior Flores was great as suite concierge on Independence, the lack of access to a concierge on Adventure didn’t “break” the cruise.

We sailed May 26 from Bayonne to Maine and Halifax.  On the Adventure of the Seas

[Merion_Mom]

2 hours ago, Jkaczanowski said:

Yes, May 26th. Sorry about that.  There may have been a suite concierge, but I meant that with a junior suite we had no access and while Junior Flores was great as suite concierge on Independence, the lack of access to a concierge on Adventure didn’t “break” the cruise.

 

Only you, the OP, can request that the mods correct your title.

[c-leg5]

8 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

We sailed May 26 from Bayonne to Maine and Halifax.  On the Adventure of the Seas

Unfortunately that wasn’t what your review said

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2856361-adventure-of-the-seas-march-26th-2022/#comment-63350858

 

[Cruise a holic]

44 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Unfortunately that wasn’t what your review said

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2856361-adventure-of-the-seas-march-26th-2022/#comment-63350858

 

You are correct.  May 26.  Can it be corrected?

[c-leg5]

46 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Unfortunately that wasn’t what your review said

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2856361-adventure-of-the-seas-march-26th-2022/#comment-63350858

 

Yes as @Merion_Mom just posted you need to report and ask mods to change it.

[Cruise a holic]

8 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Yes as @Merion_Mom just posted you need to report and ask mods to change it.

Just contacted Laura and asked her to change.

[meadowlander]

5 hours ago, Jkaczanowski said:

 

We arrived at 10:15ish for our 11AM time, dropped our luggage at the terminal, and parked at Bayonne in the overflow lot.  Port had busses running from the lot to the terminal

 

Sorrentos on Adventure is now using tiny little plates, and 1 of the staff would only serve 3 pieces at a time even
 

Line for tender tickets for Bar Harbor was ridiculous.  We weren’t planning on getting off until 11 or 12 so we didn’t bother waiting in it.

 

 

 

 

I was also on the May 26 Adventure sailing from Bayonne. Good to know buses were transporting people from the overflow lots back to the terminal. On disembarkation, I saw some cruisers with luggage heading to those lots, they were far from the terminal. I was aware of the outside lot close to the terminal, these other lots were quite far.

 

The computers went down on the 26th which delayed the check in process. Took me 2 hours 20 minutes to board. One cruiser took 4 hours from the time she queued outside to step onto the ship.

 

I went to Cafe Promenade once for pizza, it was the day we were in Halifax. It was 5:50, had just returned to the ship & was hungry. Out of 4 possible pies, one single slice was available otherwise no pizza was ready. Luckily a cheese pie came out 2-3 minutes later. I asked for 6 slices and was countered with a "how bout 3 slices"? 

Your explanation of their 3 slice rule helps. I left with the 5 cheese slices available, all on a single plate.

 

There were 2 distribution times for tender tickets. The first at 5:00 pm was much too long to wait. The second, at 7:30, had no line, no wait. Got tender ticket # 5, I was glad I did not wait on the 5 pm line to get a tender ticket 15-30 minutes earlier.

[Blur]

21 hours ago, meadowlander said:

I was also on the May 26 Adventure sailing from Bayonne. Good to know buses were transporting people from the overflow lots back to the terminal. On disembarkation, I saw some cruisers with luggage heading to those lots, they were far from the terminal. I was aware of the outside lot close to the terminal, these other lots were quite far.

 

The computers went down on the 26th which delayed the check in process. Took me 2 hours 20 minutes to board. One cruiser took 4 hours from the time she queued outside to step onto the ship.

 

I went to Cafe Promenade once for pizza, it was the day we were in Halifax. It was 5:50, had just returned to the ship & was hungry. Out of 4 possible pies, one single slice was available otherwise no pizza was ready. Luckily a cheese pie came out 2-3 minutes later. I asked for 6 slices and was countered with a "how bout 3 slices"? 

Your explanation of their 3 slice rule helps. I left with the 5 cheese slices available, all on a single plate.

 

There were 2 distribution times for tender tickets. The first at 5:00 pm was much too long to wait. The second, at 7:30, had no line, no wait. Got tender ticket # 5, I was glad I did not wait on the 5 pm line to get a tender ticket 15-30 minutes earlier.

I was on the same cruise.  I thought everything was great including food and flowrider.  @Jkaczanowski You'll get the white band next time 😉.

 

The 3 slice thing was funny.  I literally was the only person in line and I asked for a pie.  They said 3 slices and wouldn't budge even though I was the only person there and they had plenty of pizza just sitting there.  I asked if I can just get back in line and get 3 more.  He said yes so that was literally what I did... Make the little circle back into line and repeat.  I understand they put in rules to limit pizza but that was super silly.

Edited June 9, 2022 by Blur