"Live" from Adventure of the Seas - January 15 - 25

[ckrobyn]

Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us.

My husband and I (and 3 other couples) will be sailing on the AOS the week of March 15th, 09. It is our first cruise ever because I get motion sickness very easily. The doctor has given me the patch to wear behind my ears for the duration but I am still leary. In your opinion, do you think I will be alright? I dont want to ruin anyone elses holidays, including mine so if you have any hints in that department, I would be ever so grateful!

Belated Happy Birthday! Mine is two days before we sail.

Thanks again!

 

Remember to start your sea sickness meds the night BEFORE you cruise, that way it is already in your system working it's magic when you board!

 

Bonine works great - try it. The only real side effect is sleepiness, but if you take it before bed, you are sleeping anyways :rolleyes: it works for 24hrs. I have heard of some not so pleasant side effects of the patch including blurred vision :eek:

 

Don't worry about sea sickness - take your meds and you will be fine :)

[Seaside2358]

BRL-

 

Nice to see the pic of Carl and Cathy from PA. I work with Cathy. Tell her I said to keep the sunblock coming and also how nice she looked on formal night.

 

Deb

[Justme50]

Remember to start your sea sickness meds the night BEFORE you cruise, that way it is already in your system working it's magic when you board!

 

Bonine works great - try it. The only real side effect is sleepiness, but if you take it before bed, you are sleeping anyways :rolleyes: it works for 24hrs. I have heard of some not so pleasant side effects of the patch including blurred vision :eek:

 

Don't worry about sea sickness - take your meds and you will be fine :)

 

 

Thanks, its scary to think of the side effects but I guess I'll manage as I go. I would not like to sleep thru the whole trip:(

[ckrobyn]

Thanks, its scary to think of the side effects but I guess I'll manage as I go. I would not like to sleep thru the whole trip:(

 

Bonine can make you sleepy, but as I said - if you take it before bed, who cares??? :D

[SnowBird Cruzer]

for the info on Portifino's (and Johnny Rockets)

I just might have to include a dinner at Portifino's.

 

I see RCCL offers a Mystery dinner in Portifino's and my DW likes those.

So much to do and so little time!

[Moon&Stargazer]

On our cruise this past April, I had the same problem... and a friend had me try the herb ginger. It worked great~

[Moon&Stargazer]

Thanks, its scary to think of the side effects but I guess I'll manage as I go. I would not like to sleep thru the whole trip:(

 

On our cruise this past April, a friend in our group gave me the herb 'ginger' and it worked great... just another idea for you ~

[CruiserTK]

I am thoroughly enjoying this thread. When we were on AOS two years ago, I believe that it was on your advice that we ate at the Flying Fishbone -- and what great advice that was. Just know how much your musings and photos are appreciated. Thanks again!

[ginger2000]

BLR - we are leaving for Adventure tomorrow morning so we will miss your last posts. Thank you, thank you for sharing your"adventure" with me. So excited more than ever now after seeing all your pictures and reading all your posts. You took out so much time in your vacation to do all this for us who will be sailing in the future.

[Kikkycat]

BLR - we are leaving for Adventure tomorrow morning so we will miss your last posts. Thank you, thank you for sharing your"adventure" with me. So excited more than ever now after seeing all your pictures and reading all your posts. You took out so much time in your vacation to do all this for us who will be sailing in the future.

 

What she said, exactly, times 2.

[sueb]

Thank you so much, BRL, for the review, pics and insights! Best I have Read!

Are you planning on expanding on the infor you recieved on AOS dry dock at some point? Trying to decide between SOS and AOS for 11/09 cruise. Looking foreward to the rest of your posts!

[BuyReallyLow]

Thank you so much, BRL, for the review, pics and insights! Best I have Read!

Are you planning on expanding on the infor you recieved on AOS dry dock at some point? Trying to decide between SOS and AOS for 11/09 cruise. Looking foreward to the rest of your posts!

 

Best information available right now is 2 weeks in April. Not sure if its first two, last two or inbetween.

 

Go to the web site and check to see what dates are NOT available in April for an exact answer.

 

Thanks for the kind words,

 

BRL

[BuyReallyLow]

Purchased Champagne last night (a bottle) and did not see it as a choice in the Champagne Bar. The least expensive for purchase is $42.00. The most expensive is Dom, which is $184 (I think).

 

UPDATE!! Asti is available in the main dining room for the low 20's.!! Hope this helps!

[BuyReallyLow]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce the winning team that BEAT the staff at Dodgeball…… Our good friends and traveling companions, Scott & Amy, our new friends and table mates, Carl, Kathy and Darrell… and your truly. The Gold medal completes my medal count –Gold, Silver and a Bronze. It’s good to be a Champion….!!

Tonight was the 2nd Formal Night. Everyone looks so nice! I believe that for our next cruise I will rent a tuxedo. I have done that numerous times in the past, but always seem to forget (1) How much my DW likes me in one and (2) how much it saves the hassle when packing! Packing two suits, two shirts, two ties, socks, shoes, etc. makes for a lot of clothes! Note to self for our next adventure.

The entertainment tonight was the Nelson brothers. Our cruise director Mike began the show by alerting us to how popular this group has been – it has been voted the #1 act by Royal Caribbean passengers. And Royal Caribbean has been voted #1 in overall entertainment by Conde Nast Magazine – so you could say Nelson is the best of the best. We were not disappointed. The show is called “Ricky Nelson Remembered”, and consists of the his sons, Matthew and Gunnar playing songs from his father all the way back to Ozzie and Harriett (the Nelson boy’s grandparents). Ricky grew up on their show, and then continued to make music all the way to his death in an airplane crash in 1985. Matthew and Gunnar have had #1 hits as well in the early 80’s – when they looked like Sweedish Models with the long hair. Each song is interspersed with video clips with famous celebrities talking about Ricky’s influence on them or the music of the times, from Paul McCartney to John Fogerty to Bob Dylan. It was a great show, and the boys are happy to shake hands, talk with you and sell you their latest CD. They seem very down to earth. If you get the chance, this show is a must see.

After that, it was to the Champagne Bar for our nightly cocktails, and then back to the cabin. We went to sleep a bit earlier than normal, as both of us are bothered slightly by something we ate in the dining room tonight. Let’s hope it is a quick passing bug – we don’t want to miss our shopping day in St. Martin tomorrow.

 

[BuyReallyLow]

St. Martin

January 23, 2009

84 degrees

There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old,

Seek what they sought.

- Matsuo Basho

For some travelers the meaning of a cruise is in the moment of arrival. For others, the meaning is in the journey itself, where every step reveals a piece of the answer being sought. The seventeenth-century poet-pilgrim Matsuo Basho is one of the supreme examples of this tradition. “The passing days and months are eternal travelers in time,” he wrote in his most famous book, A Narrow Road to Far Places. “The years that come and go are travelers too. Life itself is a journey….”

From the age of twenty-two until his death in 1694, Basho devoted himself body and soul to his two passions: writing poetry and going on pilgrimages to the places written about by the immortal Japanese poets. “There will be hardships enough to make my hair white,” he wrote before he set off from Soka, “but I shall see with my own eyes places about which I have only heard! I shall be fortunate if I but return alive, I thought, staking my future on that uncertain hope.”

We hear in this desire to “see with my own eyes” the dreams of travelers all over the world. St. Martin was discovered and named by Columbus in 1493. In the early 17th Century, the French and Dutch arrived, built small settlements and eventually drove the Spanish off the island.

Divided between two countries for 350 years now, St. Martin/St. Maarten is harmoniously shared by the French and the Dutch. It is the smallest island in the world to be inhabited by two countries.

The border between north and south is all but invisible, and in most ways...St. Martin/St. Maarten is simply a strikingly beautiful neighborhood with two distinct cultures.

The French side (St. Martin), is certainly more relaxed and sophisticated, The first-class resorts and white sand beaches are mostly secluded. Marigot is Mediterranean resort-like, with yachts in the harbor, and open-air markets and shops lining the waterfront. A bit to the north, Grand Case is known for the island's best restaurants.

The Dutch side (Sint Maarten) is a lively destination of white sand beaches, casinos, historical sites, shopping venues and lot of nightlife. Philipsburg, a duty-free port, is the main entry point, and it vibrates with Caribbean colors, sounds and cruise ship passengers.

We’ve been to St. Marten (and Sint Maarten on the French side) on each of our trips (with the exception of our one trip to the Western Carib and one short trip to the Bahamas. Normally, we have rented a car and have cruised around the entire island, checking in to our regular haunts and beaches. But this time, we’ve chosen St. Marten as our shopping/recharging spot. Our friends are taking in the America’s Cup event today, actually working on the boat and “racing” another boat. Sounds like a lot of fun to me, but to my dear wife…. Well…. Let’s just say I would be searching for another “life partner” after being blessed with the same one for 20 years. So our plans for today is to do some shopping for our gifts for friends and relatives. St. Marten is a wonderful island, and if you have not visited, I would HIGHLY suggest you rent a car and take in the island. This island is much more than Orient Beach.

There is a shopping center right off the end of the pier, but the main shopping takes place on Old Street. To reach this area, you need to take a Water Taxi. The water Taxi is $6.00 round trip, and will drop you off right at Old Street, where you can wander to your left or right on the old narrow cobblestones finding shops for your hearts content. My goal is to find Fine Scotch for friends back home, and this was easily accomplished – finding a Long Grow 10 1992 at a fine price. Do your pricing back home, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself saving 20-25%. We also picked up gifts for Parents, Grandparents and children, and were safely back on board the ship within 2 hours. This brings us to our “recharging” day – a day where the ship is not busy as many are ashore – affording us better chairs near the pool and chance to enjoy the ship with less people. So we settle in, grab a quiet lunch, and lather ourselves with sunscreen. It’s going to be a fine afternoon….. as we prepare for dinner tonight and the evenings entertainment….

[Seaside2358]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce the winning team that BEAT the staff at Dodgeball…… Our good friends and traveling companions, Scott & Amy, our new friends and table mates, Carl, Kathy and Darrell… and your truly. The Gold medal completes my medal count –Gold, Silver and a Bronze. It’s good to be a Champion….!!

 

Tonight was the 2nd Formal Night. Everyone looks so nice! I believe that for our next cruise I will rent a tuxedo. I have done that numerous times in the past, but always seem to forget (1) How much my DW likes me in one and (2) how much it saves the hassle when packing! Packing two suits, two shirts, two ties, socks, shoes, etc. makes for a lot of clothes! Note to self for our next adventure.

 

The entertainment tonight was the Nelson brothers. Our cruise director Mike began the show by alerting us to how popular this group has been – it has been voted the #1 act by Royal Caribbean passengers. And Royal Caribbean has been voted #1 in overall entertainment by Conde Nast Magazine – so you could say Nelson is the best of the best. We were not disappointed. The show is called “Ricky Nelson Remembered”, and consists of the his sons, Matthew and Gunnar playing songs from his father all the way back to Ozzie and Harriett (the Nelson boy’s grandparents). Ricky grew up on their show, and then continued to make music all the way to his death in an airplane crash in 1985. Matthew and Gunnar have had #1 hits as well in the early 80’s – when they looked like Sweedish Models with the long hair. Each song is interspersed with video clips with famous celebrities talking about Ricky’s influence on them or the music of the times, from Paul McCartney to John Fogerty to Bob Dylan. It was a great show, and the boys are happy to shake hands, talk with you and sell you their latest CD. They seem very down to earth. If you get the chance, this show is a must see.

 

After that, it was to the Champagne Bar for our nightly cocktails, and then back to the cabin. We went to sleep a bit earlier than normal, as both of us are bothered slightly by something we ate in the dining room tonight. Let’s hope it is a quick passing bug – we don’t want to miss our shopping day in St. Martin tomorrow.

 

 

Tell Cathy not to come back with any more injuries. She just can't stay away from those sporting events, lol!

 

Deb

[Kikkycat]

I was just hoping you'd post a picture of the ship. I can see what will be my aft balcony in just 2 days!

[Cruisingjer]

BRL... Can you ask around and see if you can find out if MTD is going to be available soon and if you can only sign up at when on board? We are getting a lot of mixed messages, trying to find out if we can call ahead and reserve MTD.

 

Your updates have been outstanding, I am counting down the days!

[plyman69]

Hey can you do me a huge favor... we are going on the AOS in 4 weeks. Can you please email me a picture of the kids pool area .... my 8 year old is going nuts....

 

plyman69@yahoo.com

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Tom

[ckrobyn]

Hey can you do me a huge favor... we are going on the AOS in 4 weeks. Can you please email me a picture of the kids pool area .... my 8 year old is going nuts....

 

plyman69@yahoo.com

THANKS IN ADVANCE

Tom

 

 

Tom - if you scroll back a few pages, BRL has posted some GREAT pics of the kids pool area!!!! :D

[ckrobyn]

Here it is:

 

[Cruisin08]

Just read through (most) for your posts, and I am truly impressed, both with the information, photographs, and attention to details. My first cruise was last year on the AOS, and reading your posts has taken be back to that wonderful trip.

I'm sure everyone new and old to the AOS will truly appreciate the time and effort you have spent (on on your vacation no less) in sharing your adventure with us.

 

Cheers!

[nziggy]

Does anyone know if the Nelson brothers are going to be the enterainment on Adventure in a few weeks? We are on the 2/22 sailing and I remember them from the 80's ....it would be really cool to see them on the ship. Thanks for all of your awesome posts and photos you have shared with us. I can't wait to go on this cruise now because of all of your great info!!!

Nanette

[ckrobyn]

Does anyone know if the Nelson brothers are going to be the enterainment on Adventure in a few weeks? We are on the 2/22 sailing and I remember them from the 80's ....it would be really cool to see them on the ship. Thanks for all of your awesome posts and photos you have shared with us. I can't wait to go on this cruise now because of all of your great info!!!

Nanette

 

No idea - but I do know they were on the Mariner a few weeks ago. Maybe they are doing the cruise circuit? :)

 

See you onboard in 29 sleeps!!!!

[dacsmom]

Please let me know how your friends liked the Americas Cup sailing. That looks like so much fun. As usual, wonderful review. Thanks.