For all those who have booked or are going to book the AOS - read this!

[JamFan]

I just wanted to say that my family loved this cruise. We originally booked a Junior Suite on deck 10, but when we arrived we found we were upgraded to a Family Suite on deck 8, an aft cabin too. It was amazing.

 

Mike the Cruise Director was great as was almost all of the staff. I say almost because the only thing we were disappointed in was the camps.

 

My 13 year old said the staff was lame and didn't really try to do anything with them. She said they had Guitar Hero hooked up and that's all they really saw kids doing while the staff "tended bar". Since we were traveling with a large group she had many of her friends on board. None of them enjoyed the camp but since they all had each other they still had a great time.

 

My 8 year old absolutely hated it - the camp, not the cruise! I think part of the problem was that he knew his sister had the run of the ship while he was "stuck at camp".

 

Now I have to say, my friend's son was in the 5 year old camp and loved it, so much so she paid the $5 per hour almost every night.

 

They sort of messed up our dining arrangments, but we visited the dining area as soon as we boarded and had everything straightened out. There were 40 of us at 5 different tables and we were all in the same section.

The head waiter was so nice, and our assistant waiter was the greatest. Our main waitress was extemely slow, but she was so sweet. She had the smallest table, but we were always the last out of the group to finish up. They would all be finishing their desserts before we even ordered ours. We were on vacation, so it wasn't really a big deal. We did get to the ice show late even though we told her we had reservations, but it wasn't that bad. We took seats up by the tables so we didn't disturb anyone else.

 

Some of the events were hit or miss. Poolside was awesome. Battle of the Sexes stunk. Quest was hilarious. Bingo was fun. Casino was great - I came home a winner and my friend hit 2 big jackpots on different nights. The only downside was the smoking. I visit Atlantic City often and am used to non-smoking casinos.

 

I enjoyed all the Ports of Call. My husband did book the golf excurion in Curacao and hated it, it was so bad that everyone who went ended up complaining and I'm pretty sure they are all getting some sort of refund.

 

In Aruba we did Jolly Pirates, then spent the rest of the day at Eagle Beach.

 

In Curacao we went to Kontiki beach - which is now Cabana Beach. Don't let the outside area fool you, trust me it is beautiful on the beach.

 

In St. Maarten we went to Little Divi Resort and I wasn't impressed. They did say they were recovering from Omar. The water was nice, the sand not so much. We were able to get a group rate for parasailing - it originally started at 70 a person and we got him down to 45 each. All in all it was just an okay trip.

 

In St. Thomas we went to Coki Beach. I hated the beach area itself, but the fish were amazing. We brought bread from the ship and were hand feeding them. I have to say this was the only place I didn't feel safe leaving my bag, but like I said, I was traveling with a large group, there was always someone around to keep an eye on things. Some of them also went across the way and rented jet skis. They loved it.

 

All in all it was a great trip and I can't believe it's over!

[ckrobyn]

Jam Fan - so glad to hear you had a fantastic cruise on the AOS :)

Congrats on your upgrade!!!!

I think Adventure Ocean is hit or miss most of the time. A lot of it has to do with the mix of kids in a particular age group. I'm sorry to hear that the staff were less than attentive with the kids. Did you have the opportunity to fill out the AO comment card? I'm sure your feedback will be good information for the staff to have.

Only 103 more days and it's my turn.....again! LOL

Welcome back!

[Nothin' But Sun]

they will want to require a minimum $25 purchase to use a credit card, despite the fact that this is in violation of their agreement with the credit card companies.

Theron

 

Thanks for the info, I was not aware of this.

[MJT]

I have learned so much reading this thread! Thanks to all who have posted, (and Robyn for answering my specific question).

 

We are sailing Nov 16th and I hope I have something to add when I return. AND just found out we've been upgraded to a Grand Suite. Anyone want me to say hi to Dede for them! This first cruise is setting the standard pretty high!

[ckrobyn]

I have learned so much reading this thread! Thanks to all who have posted, (and Robyn for answering my specific question).

 

We are sailing Nov 16th and I hope I have something to add when I return. AND just found out we've been upgraded to a Grand Suite. Anyone want me to say hi to Dede for them! This first cruise is setting the standard pretty high!

 

That is so awesome!!! Congrats on the upgrade :D:D

 

Have a fabulous cruise and be sure to come back to this thread with a full report, ok??

 

Yes - please tell DeDe that Robyn sends her very best regards!!!

[Debde]

I am thrilled to see this thread still going and CK Robyn is still here praising now my favorite ship too!!!.

We sailed on her January 2008-Grand suite and loved it. Dede is great. The upgarade was well worth it as the extra space was great. We travelled with 2 teens .

I popped in because this year we are doing a resort. My husband prefers alternating one year cruise-one year resort. I am thinking about my 1/2009 vacation just around the corner and have to admit-I'm wishing I was back on my favorite ship. My teens even said-they wished we could cruise again too. They loved the shop and had a great time.

But-next year is my turn and it will be AOS in 2010!!!

[ckrobyn]

I am thrilled to see this thread still going and CK Robyn is still here praising now my favorite ship too!!!.

We sailed on her January 2008-Grand suite and loved it. Dede is great. The upgarade was well worth it as the extra space was great. We travelled with 2 teens .

I popped in because this year we are doing a resort. My husband prefers alternating one year cruise-one year resort. I am thinking about my 1/2009 vacation just around the corner and have to admit-I'm wishing I was back on my favorite ship. My teens even said-they wished we could cruise again too. They loved the shop and had a great time.

But-next year is my turn and it will be AOS in 2010!!!

 

Hey Deb!!! Glad you popped in :D

 

So.....you now have a favorite ship do you? :rolleyes: LOL!

 

Sorry you won't be cruising this year....but just think how excited you will be when January 2010 rolls around!!!!!

 

Keep in touch! :)

[ken_nyc]

Our cruise is in August, when do you think I should try and bid for our pre-stay in San Juan on the Priceline site? Thanks in advance!

[Debde]

Hey Robyn!!!:) Oh boy I sure do.

Funny-I dont think I told you this,last year-when we were leaving I thought of you. I believe you did a B2B last year and all I could think is..... I wish I was Robyn right now-still in my stateroom!!!

Quick re-hash:

Last year-right around my trip some really bad posts/reviews were done about this ship and port. All I could think is what have I done. Although I had saided with RCCL twice befor[4 night and 5 night] this was my first 7 night cruise-opted to get a GS, Flying from NY to PR and I was in a state of panic with all the money I just spent. A family of 4-to me-is quite the expense and I save all year for my one vacation. Simply put-what I did was I went on my best vacation to date.

Two teen boys and hubby can get bored real easy. So not the case!

Getting the GS for the room alone is well worth it. Four in any room can be crowded. We were all quite comfy. I'm even planning on doing an OS in 2010. I did not do it for the CL. We are not big drinkers. The extra space was a blessing. The CL was great for my morning cappucino and brought some pastries to our room for breakfast on the balcony. My boys would go a pick out DVD movies and loved that they could do that.

 

Whoever is off on AOS-Great time ahead!!!

 

The only thing I can say I did not like and would change for next year is my pre-cruise hotel. Although the hotel itself was great and at a good price-too close to the airport. Very loud.I'd like to find something close to the port next year.

[Deborito]

Our cruise is in August, when do you think I should try and bid for our pre-stay in San Juan on the Priceline site? Thanks in advance!

 

According to Toonjie the Priceline guru :) It is never too early to try Priceline. He has won hotels a year in advance. Check out the San Juan ports of call section there is lots of info there. Good luck and happy bidding. Debbie

[ken_nyc]

Thank you Debbie, will go and do it over the weekend.

[sslkrissi]

I am considering switching from the Crown Princess to the AOS for my honeymoon in March of next year. I would love to see the compasses for the Aruba route, if anyone has them. In addition, the menus would be nice to see as well. My email is klswedding09 at yahoo dot com. Thank you so much!

[ckrobyn]

I am considering switching from the Crown Princess to the AOS for my honeymoon in March of next year. I would love to see the compasses for the Aruba route, if anyone has them. In addition, the menus would be nice to see as well. My email is klswedding09 at yahoo dot com. Thank you so much!

 

I had the compasses scanned and on my desktop at my old job...when I transferred all of the files over to my laptop I couldn't seem to find them.

 

There are 2 fabulous cruisers that just came off the AOS and I think they may have copies? Their names are Schplinky and Ottawapuppy - maybe if you do a search using their names, you will come up with something. In the meantime, here is a link to their cruising website -

 

http://web.me.com/thecruiseguys/The_Cruise_Guys/Welcome.html

 

I haven't checked through it, so I don't know if the compasses are there, but certainly take a look.

[sslkrissi]

ckrobyn,

Thanks for the information. I will try to search for the other two that you mention. The website you pointed me to is wonderful and has lots of information on it. Unfortunately, though, it is not for the Aruba route. I wonder if the compasses are similar though, considering that the last two days of the cruise are the same???

 

Thanks again!

[moofus]

ckrobyn,

Thanks for the information. I will try to search for the other two that you mention. The website you pointed me to is wonderful and has lots of information on it. Unfortunately, though, it is not for the Aruba route. I wonder if the compasses are similar though, considering that the last two days of the cruise are the same???

 

Thanks again!

We are doing the Aruba route for Christmas,,, and although I have done a bunch of research,, well, I want a few things to be "surprises" or something I can discover when I get On Board... for me, it makes it all the more exciting. But thats just me...

[roe2ship]

I am considering switching from the Crown Princess to the AOS for my honeymoon in March of next year. I would love to see the compasses for the Aruba route, if anyone has them. In addition, the menus would be nice to see as well. My email is klswedding09 at yahoo dot com. Thank you so much!

I still have "ckrobyn" compasses saved and will forward them to you.

[ultrashell]

I still have "ckrobyn" compasses saved and will forward them to you.

could you also forward the compasses to ultrashell@comcast.net.

Thanks

[Mommy4lyfe]

Doing the Doc Dance!!!!!

This is 1st Cruise on AOS. Sooooooooo Excited:D:D

[roe2ship]

could you also forward the compasses to ultrashell@comcast.net.

Thanks

Sure.....

 

Robyn, I'll send them back to you too.:D

[sunset seeker]

If it's not too much trouble could someone send them to me for the Aruba route?? We leave on the 30th. Thanks!!! :p

 

fergie@suddenlink.net

[roe2ship]

If it's not too much trouble could someone send them to me for the Aruba route?? We leave on the 30th. Thanks!!! :p

 

fergie@suddenlink.net

I just sent them.

[donvets]

And while we are not going until next October, can never be too prepared. could you email them to me at donvets@yahoo.com ? Thanks

[Mommy4lyfe]

Just received docs:D:D and the docs stated that they suggest you arrive at the port no earlier than 2pm:eek:. I was under the impression that we can check our luggage, get our sea pass and board the ship but could not get to our stateroom until 2pm. Here is my delima, I planned on arriving at the dock around 11am, drop of luggage, get sea pass and than take Segway Tour from 12noon to 2pm. We are platinum members and understand that SJ has a separate line for us to drop of our luggage if the other lines get over crowded.

 

I am asking all of you to share your boarding experience so that I will know what to expect. Are my plans doable?

 

Thanks so much for sharing your boarding experiences.

 

[moofus]

Mommy, I always arrive earlier.. I try to get on by 11... but I've never sailed out of SJ

[love2vacation]

Just received docs:D:D and the docs stated that they suggest you arrive at the port no earlier than 2pm:eek:. I was under the impression that we can check our luggage, get our sea pass and board the ship but could not get to our stateroom until 2pm. Here is my delima, I planned on arriving at the dock around 11am, drop of luggage, get sea pass and than take Segway Tour from 12noon to 2pm. We are platinum members and understand that SJ has a separate line for us to drop of our luggage if the other lines get over crowded.

 

 

You can drop off your luggage- no problem. We arrived at 11:00 and there was already a line. You will have to wait till they open the doors to get your sea pass though- this may not be till 11:30 or so just depends. We were on board the ship by 12:00 and having our first drink the in bar and then moved on the have lunch in the Windjammer. This timing was about right because by the time we finished lunch it was 1:00. The doors to the cabins open at 1:00.

 

Re- separate line for platinum. I did not see any separate lines except once in the main terminal - but I was not looking for this outside.

 

Either way- you can for sure drop off luggage and leave. We saw many people doing this.

 

Have a super trip!