Solid B for thIs ABC Cruise

Item: Adventure of the Seas
Rating: 4
Author: rtruppord

Adventure of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

rtruppord

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 09, 2017

Ship: Adventure of the Seas

Cabin number: 7268

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

A fun pre-holiday cruise to solid ports. Hope to repeat, in portion, in years ahead.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

As smooth a line as any. Disappointing to have to board Day 1 all the way down on Deck 1 (upper gangways in PR still disabled from the storm). Truly appreciate 830 PM departures though.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Two room service breakfasts were good. Windjammer food was better than other reviews imply, but the room was chaos. Impeccable service in MDR each night with very strong appetizers and deserts. Entrees average, a bit over salty.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Flow rider is a super addition to Adventure. Thank you RCL!!! Cruise Director staff one of the best we’ve seen in 6 cruises on RCL

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Shows were good (went each night) but not quite the caliber I’ve seen in the past. Also they were a little late each nite for us (915 or later with no early show)

Children's Programs

No Kids!

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

First rate, friendly service from bow to stern. My favorite, our MDR asst waiter having my cocktail hit the table each night the moment I hit the chair. That is damn impressive.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

AOS is the perfectly designed ship for us. Not giant, not small with great amenities. That said, she’s starting to show some age on exterior decks and on lounge and room upholstery

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Comfort was standard. Decent stowage space. One of the best balconies we’ve enjoyed. Plumbing problems in the bathroom though and a leaky drain. Couch like an old dorm room.

Ship tip

If it’s sailing out of PR and you are not comfortable with multicultural cruise mates, seriously consider a different port.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Juan, Puerto Rico

4 out of 5

Great to see Old Town bouncing back strong. Looked great

Thumbs Up 15

Willemstad, Curacao

4 out of 5

Mambo Beach Club was enjoyable, strong island not unlike others in the Carribean.

Thumbs Up 2

Kralendijk, Bonaire

5 out of 5

Everyone should see this speck of unspoiled nature before the die. True bucket list.

Thumbs Up 11

Oranjestad, Aruba

3 out of 5

If you cruise for shopping, restauants and resort experience, this is heaven. Other wise good beaches and the rest.....meh

Thumbs Up 2

St. John's, Antigua

4 out of 5

Extremely crowded with four lines in port. Still had a great time horseback riding on the beach. Pleased to visit the cathedral and hear the first mass in many years will be said Christmas Day. I will be there in spirit.

Thumbs Up 1

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

So sad, but smooth.

Traveler Photos

14 Comments

rtruppord 6 years ago

My first cruise six years ago was with Royal and it set a bar. Went in poor NCL cruise next followed by a decent RCL cruise and an awesome NCL cruise. Next RCL was good, but slipping from first. This RCL, moreso. I still give the win for service and food to RCL. NCL is beating them now on ships and amenities on the 10-15 year old ships in service. In the end, I think NCL is also a better value. Status on RCL will keep me coming back, but I wouldn’t walk away from a good NCL offer and itinerary.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

pamela27 6 years ago

Fantastic ship with a great itinerary. ❤

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Budguy372 6 years ago

How would you compare Royal with Norwegian?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Budguy372 6 years ago

Excellent review, thank you!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

MatthewMarko 6 years ago

Sounds good. If I think of anything else I'll get at ya! Thank you

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

rtruppord 6 years ago

Never too bad, but it is a sauna standing in the tower. Very fun though. And Flowrider is awesome.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

MatthewMarko 6 years ago

We don't usually eat in the MDR much, one or two nights, this time we did the BOGO specialty dining and the first reservation is on embarkation day so I was wondering what time the muster drill was at... how were the lines on the water slides?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

IkeDeb 6 years ago

No doubt, you had a great cruise!!!!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

rtruppord 6 years ago

Gotcha. We did my time at 6 (early eaters) and it was shear chaos in the MDR. I’d suggest 7 or later.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

MatthewMarko 6 years ago

The one we are going on is the repositioning cruise to new jersey, so 3 days at sea will be exciting! Only port will be St Maarten, which is on my bucket list. Thank you again, appreciate the help!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

rtruppord 6 years ago

If it’s the ABC itinerary, let me know and happy to share Compasses

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

MatthewMarko 6 years ago

Awesome. Thank you so much! We are trying to plan our My Time Dining, that was the exact info I needed! Thanks again

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

rtruppord 6 years ago

Muster was 530-545. There was make-up muster drill for late arrivals on the sea day.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

MatthewMarko 6 years ago

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. My wife and I will be cruising AOS in may... with the 830pm sail away... what time was the muster drill?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Adventure of the seas

Awesome ship

First ABC islands Adventure