Just Returned from AOS sailing 1/7-1/14

[lauren0309]

Adventure of th Seas

 

Saturday-

 

We left a day early and at first was off to a bad start. We were on the plane in Newark, the plane just pulled away from the gate when the pilot announced we were having engine trouble. We sat on the plane while the mechanics checked it out and said it was the starter and it needed to be changed. He said it would take about an hour so he had to bring the plane back to the gate and we all had to get off the plane while they fixed it. They gave us food vouchers for breakfast in the food court. After about an hour, it was fixed, we got back onto the plane and was off to Puerto Rico! (That is another reason to always have insurance. The problem only took an hour to fix but if it would have taken longer and if you sail the same day then you could miss your ship and with no insurance you lose your money and your vacation).

 

We stayed at the Comfort Inn. $79.00 for the night. Found it clean and adequate for a one night's stay.

 

Sunday-

 

We left the hotel at 11:30, got to the pier at 11:45 and was on the ship by 12:30. The lines moved very fast. The first thing we did was make reservations at Portofino's then we had lunch in the Windjammer. After lunch we walked around and took pictures. Then our room was ready. We had a cabin on Deck 7 and our first balcony cabin. I read once you have a balcony you can't go back to a window room and it's true. We loved it!.

 

The cruise director was Richard Spacey. I was surprised he was still there since I heard he was leaving. Fortunately we got to see him before he left. We were his last cruise. The show the first night was a comedian Eric Lydon. He was okay. We had late seating for dinner and had prime ribs. The prime ribs were really good. The best we've had on a ship in a while. At midnight we watched the parade down the center promenade. Afterwards we went to Jester's nightclub but found the crowd to be young and didn't care for the Latin music they were playing so we left and went to our cabin for the night.

 

Monday-

 

Sea Day. The weather was warm and sunny. After breakfast we lined up for Ice Show tickets. We got tickets for the second formal night since we didn't like what was on the menu for that night plus we figured it was going to be a sea day so we wouldn't have to rush back onto the ship to see the show. After we got the tickets we changed into our bathing suits and sat by the pool. The weather was warm and sunny. Our Meet and Mingle was scheduled for 5:00 so we left the pool and changed and went to the Blue Moon lounge to meet the people I have been corresponding with for months. They were very nice people. In face they were also on our flight going to the cruise so I saw some of them beforehand. We were snacks and they had a raffle and we won a bottle of champagne. The show that night was an impressionist/Singer, Finis Henderson. He was very good. We went back to our cabin around 12:00. Had to get up early for our first stop in Aruba.

 

Tuesday-

 

Arrival in Aruba. We rented a jeep from Royal. It cost us $72 cash. We had it until 6:00. First we headed to California Lighthouse, then we stopped at the Natural Bridge that collapsed, then an old Gold Mine. It's a small island so you can't get lost. Some of the roads were dirt and bumpy but we enjoyed it. We stopped at Eagle Beach which was beautiful. On the way back to the ship we passed Palm Beach which is right next to Palm Beach. Eagle Beach is by the low rise resorts while Palm Beach is by the high rise resorts. It was now 4:00 and we were tired so we returned the jeep and went back to the ship to wash up. We had an early dinner and went back off the ship into town. We were going to go to Carlos and Charlie's but it was crowded so we went to Iguana Joe's instead. We also walked toward a casino which was a nice walk at night. We got back onto the ship in time to watch the Love and Marriage show which we always enjoy.

 

Wednesday-

 

Arrived at Curacao. We had a ship tour of the island and stopped at a beach at Blue Bay Beach Resort. It was a nice beach but had lots of pebbles in the sand especially as you walked into the water. We had chairs under a palm tree so there was lots of shade. After about an hour and a half the cloiuds started rolling in and then it started raining. The tour was ending anyway so we all got back onto the bus and headed back towards the ship. After the rain stopped, we went back off the ship and walked around town. It was a pretty town with pastel colored buildings. We walked across the floating bridge. While we were walking across, the horns signaled that the bridge was going to open to let boats through so we ran across to get to the other side. We walked around town and the bridge was still open (which we found out stays open for about 40 minutes so if you have to get back to your ship in a hurry its best to take the ferry to get back across) so we took the ferry back across. We went back to the ship, had a late lunch and relaxed. Tonight was the Welcome Back Reception for repeat cruisers. It was very nice. Drinks were free, and they served snacks. The Captain was there (Olav Syseter) and he gave us a brief history of himself and had a question and answer

session. The show that night was 50's, 60's, 70's show and dancing contest.

 

Thursday-

 

Sea Day. Sat by the pool awhile. Had lunch at Johnny Rockets which was a big mistake since we had reservations at Portofinos' for that night and we stuffed from the burgers and onion rings at Johnny Rockets. So it was hard to fit all that good food in from Portofino's. After lunch we played Bingo. We didn't win anythig but it was fun anyway. One woman won twice. The first time she won $400 which she had to split with someone else and then she won again a cruise! Boy was she lucky winning twice at one Bingo game. Then we were off to the 5:00 ice show. The show was very good. One of the best shows on the ship. 8:00 was Portofino's. The food and service was excellent.

 

Friday-

 

St. Martin. We took a ship tour. First we had a tour of the island by bus and then we spent 3 hours on Orient Beach. It was a pretty beach. We had to rent an umbrella because there were no palm trees for shade and after awhile the sun gets to be too much. For the price you get a chair and also a lunch is included. You have lunch in a restaurant and it is served. You get a choice of ribs, chicken or fish. A drink is also included. After we left Orient Beach we had the bus drop us off in town and took a slow walk back to the ship because there were lots of shops along the way. It was about a two mile walk back.

 

Saturday-

 

St. Thomas. W had planned to go by taxi to Sapphire Beach since we have been to St. Thomas before and have seen the island already but my husband was too sunburned from the day before so we decided to skip the beach. We got off the ship (after clearing immigration which you have to do in the dining room before you get off) and just walked around the mall close to the ship and did some shopping. That night which was the last night was the Farewell Show. Richard Spacey also announced it was his last night on that ship. He didn't say where he was going next. He was great though. His actions are so funny to watch! After the show we spent the last of our onboard credit and bought some photographs and gifts in the giftshop and off to our cabin since it was early wakeup to get off the ship.

 

Sunday-

 

We had to be out of our cabins by 8:00. We had number 2 which meant we were supposed to get off the ship between 8:30 and 9:30 but there was a delay getting off. The Captain announced that we were 1 hour and 40 minutes late arriving in Port because the ship in front of us had a bomb scare and was not allowed in port and they closed the port in San Juan so we had to sail around for an extra 1 hour 40 minutes before they would let us dock. He announced that some people with early flights would probably be missing their flights home (another reason for insurance). We had to wait for quite awhile before they started calling numbers. We had a 1:00 flight home and was starting to get nervous. They finally started calling numbers after a very long wait. I forgot to mention we had Continental Air Express luggage service. For $10 a person they take your luggage from the pier to the airport, give you your boarding passes right on thes ship and you don't see our luggage again till you arrive at your destination. Well worth the money. Customs went very fast and we hopped right into a cab and was at the airport by 10:50.

 

To sum it all up, the ship was beautiful and in good shape, the crew was very helpful and courteous and the food in the dining room was better than any other cruise we have been on.

 

Overall this was one of the best cruises we have been on. It's a close tie with the Serenade cruise we were on. Where shall we go next ?! :)

[Fury1995]

Great quick review. Brought back memories. We've sailed Adventure twice (both itineraries) and loved both cruises. Thanks for spending the time to tell us about your cruise.

[cruisindoggie]

Nice Review. Sound like a great ship. I usually shy away from the mega size ships. Although, We may try one next year.

[Madkitty]

she's beautiful isnt she - I want to live on her :D why not try liberty like us - the only way is up :p

[Ocean State]

Thanks for your review - we are leaving this Sunday on AOS for our first cruise. What was the weather temperature at the ports? Was the ship crowded? Are you glad you booked your excursions thru RCC or could you have done some on your own? We are traveling with our 2 boys, ages 7 and 9..and will do most of the ports on our own. Thanks for any more details!:)

[scher]

Loved your review we are on the ship in about 5 weeks. I wonder who will replace Spacey I hear he was awesome. I hope the next one is just as good. You did not mention your age. When you said the nightclub was filled with younger people what did you mean by younger? I find you were very lucky in Newark. They actually let you off the plane and gave you food vouchers, normally I hear they make you sit on the plane and give you nothing and just make you twiddle your thumbs.

[ckrobyn]

Great review - thanks for posting :)

 

I am even more excited now about our B2B than ever before!

 

Did you find out who is replacing Richard Spacey?

 

Any word on new bedding?

 

Thanks again!

[sunlover5]

Lauren, thanks for the review! We will be on AOS Feb. 25. We are flying Contiental down and back also. Our flight home was changed from 1 to 12:50, but how do I go about and get the express luggage for $10.00, did you sign up before you left??? or on the ship?? My husband and I would love that and not have to mess with luggage. Thank you!

[Puerto Rican Cruiser]

Adventure of th Seas

 

Saturday-

 

We left a day early and at first was off to a bad start. We were on the plane in Newark, the plane just pulled away from the gate when the pilot announced we were having engine trouble. We sat on the plane while the mechanics checked it out and said it was the starter and it needed to be changed. He said it would take about an hour so he had to bring the plane back to the gate and we all had to get off the plane while they fixed it. They gave us food vouchers for breakfast in the food court. After about an hour, it was fixed, we got back onto the plane and was off to Puerto Rico! (That is another reason to always have insurance. The problem only took an hour to fix but if it would have taken longer and if you sail the same day then you could miss your ship and with no insurance you lose your money and your vacation).

 

We stayed at the Comfort Inn. $79.00 for the night. Found it clean and adequate for a one night's stay.

 

Sunday-

 

We left the hotel at 11:30, got to the pier at 11:45 and was on the ship by 12:30. The lines moved very fast. The first thing we did was make reservations at Portofino's then we had lunch in the Windjammer. After lunch we walked around and took pictures. Then our room was ready. We had a cabin on Deck 7 and our first balcony cabin. I read once you have a balcony you can't go back to a window room and it's true. We loved it!.

 

The cruise director was Richard Spacey. I was surprised he was still there since I heard he was leaving. Fortunately we got to see him before he left. We were his last cruise. The show the first night was a comedian Eric Lydon. He was okay. We had late seating for dinner and had prime ribs. The prime ribs were really good. The best we've had on a ship in a while. At midnight we watched the parade down the center promenade. Afterwards we went to Jester's nightclub but found the crowd to be young and didn't care for the Latin music they were playing so we left and went to our cabin for the night.

 

Monday-

 

Sea Day. The weather was warm and sunny. After breakfast we lined up for Ice Show tickets. We got tickets for the second formal night since we didn't like what was on the menu for that night plus we figured it was going to be a sea day so we wouldn't have to rush back onto the ship to see the show. After we got the tickets we changed into our bathing suits and sat by the pool. The weather was warm and sunny. Our Meet and Mingle was scheduled for 5:00 so we left the pool and changed and went to the Blue Moon lounge to meet the people I have been corresponding with for months. They were very nice people. In face they were also on our flight going to the cruise so I saw some of them beforehand. We were snacks and they had a raffle and we won a bottle of champagne. The show that night was an impressionist/Singer, Finis Henderson. He was very good. We went back to our cabin around 12:00. Had to get up early for our first stop in Aruba.

 

Tuesday-

 

Arrival in Aruba. We rented a jeep from Royal. It cost us $72 cash. We had it until 6:00. First we headed to California Lighthouse, then we stopped at the Natural Bridge that collapsed, then an old Gold Mine. It's a small island so you can't get lost. Some of the roads were dirt and bumpy but we enjoyed it. We stopped at Eagle Beach which was beautiful. On the way back to the ship we passed Palm Beach which is right next to Palm Beach. Eagle Beach is by the low rise resorts while Palm Beach is by the high rise resorts. It was now 4:00 and we were tired so we returned the jeep and went back to the ship to wash up. We had an early dinner and went back off the ship into town. We were going to go to Carlos and Charlie's but it was crowded so we went to Iguana Joe's instead. We also walked toward a casino which was a nice walk at night. We got back onto the ship in time to watch the Love and Marriage show which we always enjoy.

 

Wednesday-

 

Arrived at Curacao. We had a ship tour of the island and stopped at a beach at Blue Bay Beach Resort. It was a nice beach but had lots of pebbles in the sand especially as you walked into the water. We had chairs under a palm tree so there was lots of shade. After about an hour and a half the cloiuds started rolling in and then it started raining. The tour was ending anyway so we all got back onto the bus and headed back towards the ship. After the rain stopped, we went back off the ship and walked around town. It was a pretty town with pastel colored buildings. We walked across the floating bridge. While we were walking across, the horns signaled that the bridge was going to open to let boats through so we ran across to get to the other side. We walked around town and the bridge was still open (which we found out stays open for about 40 minutes so if you have to get back to your ship in a hurry its best to take the ferry to get back across) so we took the ferry back across. We went back to the ship, had a late lunch and relaxed. Tonight was the Welcome Back Reception for repeat cruisers. It was very nice. Drinks were free, and they served snacks. The Captain was there (Olav Syseter) and he gave us a brief history of himself and had a question and answer

session. The show that night was 50's, 60's, 70's show and dancing contest.

 

Thursday-

 

Sea Day. Sat by the pool awhile. Had lunch at Johnny Rockets which was a big mistake since we had reservations at Portofinos' for that night and we stuffed from the burgers and onion rings at Johnny Rockets. So it was hard to fit all that good food in from Portofino's. After lunch we played Bingo. We didn't win anythig but it was fun anyway. One woman won twice. The first time she won $400 which she had to split with someone else and then she won again a cruise! Boy was she lucky winning twice at one Bingo game. Then we were off to the 5:00 ice show. The show was very good. One of the best shows on the ship. 8:00 was Portofino's. The food and service was excellent.

 

Friday-

 

St. Martin. We took a ship tour. First we had a tour of the island by bus and then we spent 3 hours on Orient Beach. It was a pretty beach. We had to rent an umbrella because there were no palm trees for shade and after awhile the sun gets to be too much. For the price you get a chair and also a lunch is included. You have lunch in a restaurant and it is served. You get a choice of ribs, chicken or fish. A drink is also included. After we left Orient Beach we had the bus drop us off in town and took a slow walk back to the ship because there were lots of shops along the way. It was about a two mile walk back.

 

Saturday-

 

St. Thomas. W had planned to go by taxi to Sapphire Beach since we have been to St. Thomas before and have seen the island already but my husband was too sunburned from the day before so we decided to skip the beach. We got off the ship (after clearing immigration which you have to do in the dining room before you get off) and just walked around the mall close to the ship and did some shopping. That night which was the last night was the Farewell Show. Richard Spacey also announced it was his last night on that ship. He didn't say where he was going next. He was great though. His actions are so funny to watch! After the show we spent the last of our onboard credit and bought some photographs and gifts in the giftshop and off to our cabin since it was early wakeup to get off the ship.

 

Sunday-

 

We had to be out of our cabins by 8:00. We had number 2 which meant we were supposed to get off the ship between 8:30 and 9:30 but there was a delay getting off. The Captain announced that we were 1 hour and 40 minutes late arriving in Port because the ship in front of us had a bomb scare and was not allowed in port and they closed the port in San Juan so we had to sail around for an extra 1 hour 40 minutes before they would let us dock. He announced that some people with early flights would probably be missing their flights home (another reason for insurance). We had to wait for quite awhile before they started calling numbers. We had a 1:00 flight home and was starting to get nervous. They finally started calling numbers after a very long wait. I forgot to mention we had Continental Air Express luggage service. For $10 a person they take your luggage from the pier to the airport, give you your boarding passes right on thes ship and you don't see our luggage again till you arrive at your destination. Well worth the money. Customs went very fast and we hopped right into a cab and was at the airport by 10:50.

 

To sum it all up, the ship was beautiful and in good shape, the crew was very helpful and courteous and the food in the dining room was better than any other cruise we have been on.

 

Overall this was one of the best cruises we have been on. It's a close tie with the Serenade cruise we were on. Where shall we go next ?! :)

 

Which ship had the bomb scare?

 

Where is going to be now Richard Spacey?

[Ocean State]

I think Richard Spacey is going to Freedom of the Seas... but who will be the cruise director for AOS??

[nlcentralchmps03]

I am even more excited now about our B2B than ever before!

 

Lucky :p

[Shannon12]

I think Richard Spacey is going to Freedom of the Seas... but who will be the cruise director for AOS??

 

This seems to be a big mystery! Hopefully there is someone from the boards on Adventure this week.

[lauren0309]

OceanState-

 

The weather in all the ports was warm in the 80's and sunny. Once in a while we got a quick shower but it only lasted for about 5 minutes.

[lauren0309]

OceanState-

 

Also the reason we did Aruba on our own was because we like to set our own pace and not have to do what the group is doing. We were able to drive where we wanted and stay on the beach as long as we wanted. We chose the excursion with St. Martin thru the ship becasue we have never actually have seen the island even though we have been there so we wanted to know more about the island.

[lauren0309]

Scher-

 

We are in our mid 40's.

 

CKRobyn-

 

I heard new bedding isnt until May. Our beds were comfortable though.

 

Sunlover5-

 

We didn't know about the express luggage for Continental either. 3 Nights before the cruise ended, papers were delivered to our room to fill out if we wanted the service. You fill out the form and bring it down to the front desk no later than Friday.

 

Puerto Rican Cruiser-

 

The ship that had the bomb scare was Carnival.

[maggieq]

We went downtown to the bar Blue at the Renaissance and our view was the adventure. Part of me wished it was taking me with it.

 

We have done the southern itin in April/May and i would love to try the southern in January. This was the first time we went on vacation this time of year. I wanted to be in the sun for the first time on my birthday.

 

Was the sailing rough?

[lauren0309]

Maggieq-

 

The seas were smooth the whole time. The only time it was rough was when we were headed back into Puerto Rico. We were really rocking!

[BopRN]

Great review! Thanks. We leave March 11 and can't wait!

 

When you rented the jeep, did you have to have cash? Did you pre-arrange it or are there places there to rent the jeep?

 

Anything you would do differently?

[Ocean Boy]

Great review - thanks for posting :)

Any word on new bedding?

 

Thanks again!

Be more like me. Get up at 5AM and go to bed at 2AM and you really will be able to sleep on just about anything!

[lauren0309]

We reserved the jeep from Royal. We reserved it in advance to make sure we would have one but you can rent when you get off the ship also. There are about 6 booths set up at the pier. You don't have to pay cash but we did to save a few dollars. We were very satisfied with the quick service when we got to the pier.

[TennisLover]

Thanks for your review. I am hoping we can do this one next winter!

[russnleanne]

Lauren, thanks for the review. How far is the Comfort Inn from the pier? How do you get to the pier and are there any stores and places to eat close by?

 

thanks

[CruiserTK]

Thanks. We leave March 11 and can't wait!

 

 

Why don't you join our roll call for the Meet & Mingle?

[Dani'sMom]

Thanks for the great review, I'm new to the board and find it very interesting and helpful as I'm going on AOS on March 25th. My daughter

just started working on the ship back in December so I am very eager to

see her as well as going on the cruise.

[lauren0309]

Leanne-

 

The Comfort Inn was a 5 minute ride from the pier. One block down on Ashford Avenue was a Gucci store and other shops plus restaurants.