Adventure of the Seas Review
Great Cruise - DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO EVENING EVENTS
Rating by category
Additional details
The ship:
Immaculate. Anyone who thinks it's aged, dirty, or showing any signs of wear must work for a competitor because this thing was as clean as the day of its maiden voyage. The ONLY 'damage' I saw anywhere on the ship was my cabin's bathroom mirror had a small scratch on it. Big deal - it was tiny and in a corner.
The cabins are wonderful, if not in need of a colour change for the linens. If that bothers you, you probably shouldn't be cruising at all - how could the colour scheme really ruin or even remotely affect your vacation? You're on vacation! THE SHIP IS BEAUTIFUL, that is all you need to know. Amazing ship.
Cabin Review
Oceanview Stateroom
We had a forward-facing oceanview cabin in the corner. It was an odd-shape (more of a triangle), which actually gave us way more living space. The bed felt like a King size, not Queen, and I could barely reach my girlfriend when I tried stretching out. It was super comfy, too (and I have a rheumatic disorder - so trust me, I would know). The shower doors are great, and there was plenty of space inside the bathroom. Plenty of closet storage, too.
New TVs installed last year also made for better watching before bedtime.
Only issue with it is that when you get into port in the morning (before 8am), you will hear the bow thrusters and the winches for the cable lines that hold the ship to the dock. It will wake you up, but I would still take this cabin again - the view was really neat once under way :)
Port Reviews
Aruba
We got day passes at the Occidental for $77pp from this website:
http://caribbeandaypass.com/#/occidental-grand-aruba/4558320715
It worked perfectly, the beach was beautiful, and the sunset is something to behold.
Aruba is VERY windy, however, and your drinks will blow over, as will your towels, etc. It's warm, though, and I didn't mind it terribly.
St. Thomas
Magens Bay Beach is easily accessible by Taxi/Minibus ($8pp) and has a $4 admission fee. When you get there, walk to the left (while facing the water) for seclusion.
This is a shopper's Mecca, as well.
San Juan
Go to the Parrot Club restaurant for the BEST Pina Colada (seriously, it's like nothing you've ever tried) you could imagine. So creamy, so good!!!
We walked around old San Juan - took about 45 minutes - the day before the cruise. The Forts and the people are lovely, and the food was decent. It wasn't expensive, but wasn't 'cheap', either.
BY THE WAY - THE ADVENTURE LEAVES FROM THE PAN AMERICAN PIER, NOT THE PIERS LOCATED IN OLD SAN JUAN! IT'S ABOUT A $15 CAB RIDE AWAY FROM OLD SAN JUAN AND THERE ARE NO HOTELS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF IT! PLEASE BE ADVISED!
AFTER the cruise, when you get out of the building, there will be independent tour operators offering tours and transportation to the airport - if your flight is late enough, I highly recommend it - our driver gave us a wonderful history of the island and was very courteous - all for $25pp! Cheap, considering the taxi to the airport is $23 total.