AOS -Just returned ... comments on SJU port

[wdw_dave]

First - We had a great time. The aft balcony was great and the JS was huge with along with the balcony. This was my first time on a Voyager class ship and was very impressed with the fact that there was very little waiting in lines and plenty of deck chairs and Windjammer seating for everyone.

 

Food was very good. Entertainment was fantastic. The comedian was one of the best on any cruise I have been on.

 

The casino staff was some of the friendliest.

 

My parents new to cruising had a great time with the kids and enjoyed the two tour excursions that they did. Our flight did not leave until 3:20 so we took a tour from a vendor at the pier for $25 per person and it was excellent.

 

I convinced to go on another crise my wife with a promise of a future purchase of diamonds and pearls for a 2008 cruise in the spring and booked on board.

 

They were doing a great job with the hand sanitizers. I can not believe the amount of rude people ingnoring the poor waiters trying to ensure everybody sanitized their hands. I actually yelled at a late teen 20 something 'kid' to not to ignore they guy and get back to sanitize his hands. No wonder the cruise lines have a hard time controlling the spread of this stuff!!

 

The doctors on board was fantastic .... my 4yo DS accidentially hit my 6yo DS in the mouth with a club at mini golf. Long story short he needed 5 stitches on his tongue and was on soft foods for the week.

 

The "Room for Improvement" items ....

 

According to my wife the staff in the Spa was terrible for both treatments ... made comments on the card for that.

 

Kids club seemed a bit more unorganized than on other cruises with activities starting very late or cancelled at the last minute.

 

In regards to the SJU port issue ... The cruise did not turn into a PR themed cruise which I was worried about. I was not concerned about the people just that I waned a Caribbean flavor and that is what I got.

 

One comment for families with kids that will most likely get me flamed .... When picking up my kids from the kids club I noticed one team of kids being very rowdy and not listening to the counselors and other group playing according to the rules and following instructions. Without any prompting I had two counselors comment that they typically need to group the PR children together when doing team activities as they can be somewhat disruptive. She was from PR and commented that the educational system there does not do a good job at teaching structured play and social attributes. From their experience they frequently need to group the children in the appropriate teams/play groups based on this.

 

** DISCLAIMER: This is hearsay and I do not know if it is true but I did see anecdotal evidence of this. **

 

I only mention this to give any families (PR and non-PR) looking to cruise out of PR with many children on board that it could be quite a rowdy bunch in the Ocean Adventures program. There were not a lot of children on board this particular cruise so it was not an issue.

 

So I will be on another RCCL Spring in 2008 and either RCCL or Princess for Alaska Summer 2008.

 

Dave O.

[Shannon12]

Inquireing minds want to know....who is the new cruise director?:)

[ckrobyn]

Thanks for the honest review!

 

What JS aft cabin did you have?? We are in 1694 beginning Feb 24th for 2 weeks.

[wolfcathorse]

wdw dave - who was your captain?

[wdw_dave]

Cruise Diector was Mike N .... Something I think he was from Australia. He was OK.

 

I was in 1394 right next door !!

 

One other item .. the captain was GREAT. We was in the dining room with the wait staff the last night. In my 8+ cruises I have never seen that. He was also out on the pier at one of the ports. Very nice man and around the ship in many locations talking with people and staff.

 

Dave O.

[wolfcathorse]

wdw dave - who was your captain? I need the name for the Current Captain thread, was it Capt Nyseter or Capt Kjonso?

[wdw_dave]

Cruise Diector was Mike N .... Something I think he was from Australia. He was OK.

 

I was in 1394 right next door !!

 

One other item .. the captain was GREAT. We was in the dining room with the wait staff the last night. In my 8+ cruises I have never seen that. He was also out on the pier at one of the ports. Very nice man and around the ship in many locations talking with people and staff.

 

Dave O.

[PrincessJen]

Great review. I'm glad your wife provided her feedback on the spa on the comments card. DH knows I always give constructive feedback when given the opportunity.

[wdw_dave]

Captian was Olaf .... forget the last name.

 

Can you get the theme ... I am terrible with names !!

 

Dave O.

[wolfcathorse]

Captian was Olaf .... forget the last name.Can you get the theme ... I am terrible with names !!Dave O.

 

You had Capt Olav Gunnar Nyseter. What was your sailing date, then I can update the chart

[CoronaCpl]

Dave O - thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Tactfully worded comments about the children's program were appreciated.

[wdw_dave]

You had Capt Olav Gunnar Nyseter. What was your sailing date, then I can update the chart

 

Correct - Sail date 1/14/07

[shungirl]

Do you get any perks being in the Jr. Suite?

[ckrobyn]

We will have 1694 and are really looking forward to it! How was the view from the balcony???

Did you have any full size shampoos or lotion in the bathroom??