Steve

Age: 27
Occupation: Professional
Number of Cruises: 6
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Name of Ship: Adventure of the Seas
Sailing Date: December 1st, 2002
Itinerary: Southern Caribbean

Preface:
If you have not cruised on a voyager class ship by RCCL, you are truly not cruising. This is our second cruise with RCCL (last one was on the Explorer). These ships combine classic style elegance, lively atmosphere, quality service, fine dining, endless activities and first class entertainment and the smoothest-hassle-free cruising experience available.
Great for all ages and hardly any kids as long as you go when kids are in school. Very mature cruise. Prime ages 25-55.

Embark: Hassle free in San Juan. $15 taxi ride plus tip from major hotels in Old San Juan. Ship has its own port separate from all other ships making it less crowded! We arrived at 1pm, boarded at 1:30pm, finished lunch and a drink in the Windjammer by 2:30 and had our luggage at 2:35pm. Amazing job!

Ship: In our opinion the best decorated, most elegant of all voyager class ships so far. You have to experience to believe! Much nicer than Carnival, Celebrity and Princess lines. Lounges have opulent Asian themes, the dining room makes the Titanic look like McDonalds (the best dining room at seas—BY FAR), cigar bar very classy and warm, royal promenade like streets of Paris/Venice. Ship is immaculately clean, light wood and marble textures, vibrant jewel tones and high-tech lighting throughout. Disco known as Jesters better than NYC clubs! Casino large yet intimate while being glitzy. 1 craps table, 5-6 blackjack tables, 4-5 poker tables, other games, several roulette wheels and slots everywhere.

Stateroom: Category DA, balcony-8594. Exactly midship, deck 8. Large balcony w/ table and 2 chairs, outdoor light, sliding glass door that you can keep open. Beds form a king, light wood and pastels, well appointed, lots of lights, very spacious with TONS of room, safe, mini bar, walk in closet, interactive TV, extremely SOFT sheets, bathroom all custom tiled, shower has sliding doors (no gross curtains) and built in soap dispensers, plenty of storage. Incredible job on the room RCCL!

Food: 4 ½ stars out of 5. Excellent.
Johnny rockets for great burgers, fries, onion rings. Windjammer for ‘good’ quality lunch buffets and ‘excellent’ quality breakfast buffets. Dinner was also very good.

Formal dining room was the best for dinner. GO W/ THE LATE SEATING!!!! Lobster tails (I had 3, my friend 5), filet, prime rib, fresh fish, vegetarian stuff, etc. Appetizers just okay, salads okay, soups very good, entrees excellent to superior, deserts fabulous. Café promonade for pizza, sandwiches, sweets—very good, open 24hrs. Ice cream bars throughout open most of day/night.

Service: Exceptional. Dinner seat 372—Alex and Cornelias are the BEST. Room service food = fair. Maid service excellent.

Entertainment: Ice show not to be missed-I will leave it at that. Velvet rope is broadway quality. Other production show was great too. Lounge acts just okay, better on explorer—very Spanish themed on adventure.

Bars: Over 15 bars. All must be hit, HARD. GREAT DRINKS, GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT PRICES $2.75-$4.50 only. Best spots are: royal Viking lounge, jesters, irish pub, champagne bar, cigar bar, pool bar, sky bar.

Ports of call: Who cares? No really here is a brief summary:

San Juan: Charming Old San Juan. Good food, friendly people, clothing bargains. Nice city. Bacardi factory cool, beaches very nice.

St. Martin: Beaches absolutely suck despite what many people say!!! AVOID BEACHES and shop instead—BEST BARGAINS HERE!!! French side is nothing like France, Dutch side dirty. Beers $1.

St. Thomas: Opposite St. Martin=BEST beaches, worst shopping.

Curacao: Skip beaches (they suck) and go in town.

Aruba: Do 4x4 safari on wild north side, then hit quiet beaches on south/west side. Use ABC tours. Club scene cool, but does not crank till 2am. Shopping not good.

Debark: 15 minutes total—WOW!!!

Spa Services: Scalp massage $26, foot and ankle massage $39, reflexology $109…all splendid. Look for specials. Spa is incredible and gym is state of the art.

Ask a Question About Royal Caribbean Cruises