Adventure of the Seas Review

2021 Health and Safety Protocols

Cruises on Adventure of the Seas are leaving from Nassau in The Bahamas for summer 2021 All those who are eligible to be vaccinated --passengers ages 16 and up (until July 31) and then 12 and up from August 1 onward -- must have proof to go.

Children 11 and younger are not required to be vaccinated but will need to have proof of a negative PCR test for COVID-19 taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the ship. All crewmembers are fully vaccinated and tested weekly.

The ship is sailing at reduced capacity to encourage physical distancing. Guest numbers initially were capped but will continue to rise as additional sailings set out.

Adventure of the Seas is following the rules laid out by The Bahamas when it comes to health and safety protocols. That means that you'll need to wear a mask during check-in, and outdoors and indoors before you get on the ship. (Check in is currently being done at the British Colonial Hilton as the terminal is under construction).

Once you are on the ship, all vaccinated passengers can remove their masks. Crew are still wearing masks, even though they are vaccinated.

Because of the distancing requirements, Royal Caribbean has temporarily limited all public gatherings that involve food and shared platters. This includes Cruise Critic's Meet & Mingle onboard events. The line is also not staging large sailaway parties or other major gatherings.

While The Bahamas does not have a PCR test requirement for vaccinated tourists, passengers are required to take a rapid antigen test before boarding. Everyone returning to the United States will also be required to take an antigen test onboard before disembarking. The cost of this is covered by Royal Caribbean and it's administered either the Thursday or Friday before you leave on Saturday.

Policies are evolving and changing all the time as policies on land change as well. Policies outlined here are current as of this writing, but can change at a moment's notice, even mid-cruise.

Before boarding

• Proof of a full vaccination by approved companies, such as Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
• Completed Bahamas Health Form to enter The Bahamas. You can fill this out 10 days before you arrive. You will need to show it when you check in for your flight in the US and also when you arrive in The Bahamas. While you will have the information in an email with a QR code, print out a copy to go through lines more quickly.)
• Pre-boarding antigen test. You will take this at the hotel that once you arrive to the port, at Royal Caribbean's cost. Results will come in roughly 30 minutes.

• Check in. You can complete your check in at home and have the information on your Royal Caribbean app.

Onboard

• Social distancing in bars and restaurants
• Capacity limits in the theater
• Menus available on the app or via QR codes instead of physical menus; paper menus are available on request

• Sanitizing stations shipwide

Off the ship

• Independent shore excursions are allowed, although you might have to wear a mask, per local regulations

Adventure of the Seas debuted in 2001 as the third in the series of Royal Caribbean's game-changing Voyager-class vessels. Though Adventure has been bypassed in size and amenities by the Freedom-class trio and the massive Oasis-class quintuplets, it's still among the world's larger ships, with a range of the most uncruise-like venues at sea, such as an ice-skating rink and rock-climbing wall -- not to mention the bustling hub that is Royal Promenade, a shopping mall-esque boulevard of retail stores, bars and cafes.

Ambience variety is key. The Lyric Theater has a nifty Art Nouveau interior; the solarium pool evokes the glories of Venice; and the Casino Royal centers on a Hollywood theme.The Duck and Dog Pub is perfect for Anglo-philes, Champagne Bar is elegant and Bolero’s nightclub resonates with a Latin vibe.

This ship is so well designed -- with lots of very distinctly themed rooms and with even the larger venues like the Lyric Theater and Imperial Lounge feeling unexpectedly cozy -- that Adventure of the Seas has the potential to spoil first-timers and even seduce some of us crusty ol' cruise traditionalists.

A 2018 refit left Adventure of the Seas sparkling, and added new specialty dining venues, and generally refreshed all public areas and cabins.