AOS July 11 Review

AMAZING is the word to describe the cruise we took aboard the AOS on July 11-18 (Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Thomas). As a first time cruiser, I must admit the cruisecritic message boards played an integral role in preparing for the vacation of my life. Thanks to all out there for your help.....

I'm 26 and my fiance 25....Yes, we were the couple that got engaged during the Captain's Champagne Gala on the Royal Promenade Bridge. Thanks again to all of those who congratulated us and bought us drinks on the ship. You made our trip that much more special! ONTO THE SHIP REVIEW....

Day 1...SJU Airport.....Embarkation (THE 3 HOUR WAIT)....Departure

We left Newark airport at 7:10am and arrived at SJU around 11am. After collecting our luggage, we secured a taxi (tons available) for $19.50 (2 people and 4 checked pieces of luggage). We arrived at the terminal around 11:40 and then prepared to wait for 3 hours. I later came to learn that the previous travelers had issues clearing US Customs. At about 2:30 we entered the AOS and proceeded to deck 6 (6560). We had a balcony room in the middle of the ship and it was phenomenal. The views, the sound of the Caribbean at night, the room service breakfast every morninig all made the balcony that much more enjoyable. After checking in, we felt like kids in a toy store and toured the ship. We were amazed at the luxury this ship possesses. Just an experience that cannot be descibed with words. At 9pm, we went to our table of 8 where we had a nice family of 3 for the first night, but people from our state of NJ moved to our table on night two. We loved hanging out with them and will remember them for years to come. Our waiter (Richard from Jamaica) and asst. waiter (Ardeth) were top notch. Their humor and graciousness astounded us.

Day 2...At Sea

Relaxed, Pool, Sexy Legs Contest (hysterical), Captain's Dinner, Engaged on the Bridge....

Day 3...Aruba

My fiance's family was vacationing in Aruba so they treated us first class as we toured the entire island. From Baby Beach (awesome snorkeling site) to the Natural Bridge to the Lighthouse to dinner at Mirandi's (must go if interested in dining on the island...don't be deceived by the front of the place...the restaurant is in the rear on the beach and the food is amazing) to the Alhambra Casino to downtown drinking. Many of the people we hung out with on the ship went to Carlos and Charlies. Apparently the place to be, but just not enough time. By the way....be sure you're on the ship at 12:30am. It was rumored that a couple missed boarding the ship and had to rejoin the ship in Curacao. When they say be on time......be on time!

Day 4...Curacao

Took a taxi to the Hato Caves ($16 each way). Great spot. Saw a natural cave with stalagtites and stalagmites. Beautiful place, just can't take pictures (except for one spot which isn't that picturesque).

Afternoon....went to the Dolphin Swim. For those of you who are saying...a bit expensive...not sure what to do....will I like it....JUST DO IT!!! The scene is like nothing you've ever experienced. The place the tour takes you to is a cove that is naturally fed by the Caribbean, and blocked off so the dolphin cannot leave. 12 people are in a group....6 in the water at any given time for 45 mins each. Chance of a lifetime. The pictures they took were awesome...we bought 9 of them and had them burned on the CD....much cheaper than buying the prints. $60 I believe.....as opposed to $10 per print. When the cruise ship says that you swim with them.....you actually do. The trainer tells asks the dolphin to swim around....you literally swim alongside and rub them. Tricks are done....then a dorsal ride....Just incredible!

Day 5...At Sea...

So tired we slept until 10...pool, sun, dinner, drinking. Awoke to find dolphin jumping alongside the ship. Cool site to see from our balcony room.

Day 6...St. Maarten & Portofinos...

Most beautiful island of the four (in my opinion). Did the Rhino Riders in the morning. They are sort of a hybrid waverunner/jet boat (outboard motor in the back with a fiberglass flat hull). Pretty zippy and fun. They take you to a snorkeling site which they claim is great....IT SUCKS! Little fish, not much coral.....go on the beach and hang out!

That was the only tour booked through rc.com for that day, but we wanted to see the island. So, for $60, we secured a cab driver for 3 1/2 hrs. "The Man of the Land" took us around and was great. We went to all the hot spots in St. Maarten....including Orient Beach (yikes.....not 25-26 yr. olds walking around nude....more like 75-76 yr. olds) Tipped $20 for all the pictures he took and the gracious host he was.

We ate at Portofinos that night. Phenomenal Italian food, made to order. For $20 per person.......It is well worth it! Just like in the dining room, you can order as many appetizers, entrees, desserts as you want. I'd say Friday night is a good night to go, since the main dining room is serving Italian. The trick is to book this the first day aboard the ship. The room isn't huge, so doing it early assures the day and time you want.

Day 7....St. Thomas

What a waste of the morning we had. The trick to the day at St. Thomas is to wake up at 6am and get on line to clear customs. The day we arrived, only 2 US Customs officials boarded the ship to clear US citizens. We walked down to clear at 8am....the line wrapped through the Promenade.....Some people waited on line for over an hour...we decided to use this time to pack. Came down at 9:30 and took 30 mins...Left the ship to go to Paradise Point.

Paradise Point was had breathtaking views of St. Thomas and the small islands around it. Great photo opportunities here. A bar is there...Bushwackers are their drink of choice....not a great drink....but many people think they're great. I'd call it a mudslide if I were in the states.....

We then headed back to the ship to BOB. For months I had read of how "great" this excursion was. Does anyone agree with me that this excursion offered is OVERRATED? If you don't like snorkeling, then this might be for you. If you enjoy snorkeling.....don't waste your time! You board a boat and go to the site (30mins later). They break you up into 3 groups....each "BOBBING" for (20-25 mins). The Bubble....makes everything appear much farther away than it is....the fish were non-existant in the area we went around....just a real let down. While you aren't in the BOB, you can snorkel. I found much more fish and amazing coral snorkeling on my own at the site than when in the BOB. People we spoke with on the ship heading back made good point about those who are chlostrophobic (spelling?). If you are....I would not do it.

Day 8....Disembark

We had a noon flight. For those worried.....don't be. If your flight is between 11am and 12:30am you are the first to get off the ship. At 9:15, we left the AOS, cleared Customs, got our luggage and were in the airport at our gate at 10:15.

Final thoughts....

Great ship.....Mike, the cruise director, was tremendous... The staff aboard were awesome.... The appetizers in the main dining room were tasty, the entrees another story (fair at best...aside from lobster night....the lobsters were great!). The Blue Moon had a cool band almost every night with a great view of the ship at night.... Karaoke in the Imperial Lounge was a site to see...The entertainment in "The Lyric" was excellent.... Ice Show is a must see as well...

It's obvious we had a blast.....any questions.....just post them.....

Thank you for sharing your experience. I can't wait until November for ours. Was Hato Caves worth the trip? We were thinking of just hiring a taxi to tour the island.

I was on the same sailing and enjoyed reading your review. It is making me remember it all over again.

:D Great review Adam. With such a wonderful engagement, what are you planning for a wedding? Congratulations and a lifetime of happy memories.

/Sue and Ray from N.Y. -->who was standing on line with Adam and Danielle for over two hours waiting to board.

Awesome review, most helpful I have read to date.

Ironically from someone my same age and from the same state.

Me and my future wide are taking are honeymoon on this ship, with the same destinations in late August this year.

We are more the party type, I'm 25 and she is 23, Like drinking and staying up late, live music, dancing, margaritas poolside etc.

Just curious if this is the cruise we should be booked on, I am really stoked about it, and would like to hear someone my ages opinion.

Thanks and I hope to get a reply soon.

Later

Damn spellcheck...I obviously ment wife instead of "wide"...she probably won't be my wife if she read that..lol

We were on the 7-ll sailing also. Speaking of Karoke, my son, Dooley, tall, handson, and black sang in there several times, as did our friends daughter, Alana, she sounds a lot like Whitney Houston. We had a fab time, and everthing was great. They also sang in the talent show. No complaints from me.

WVUGrad....this ship is everything and more! There were a ton of honeymooners on the ship. They even have on the 2nd night of sailing a "Honeymooners Hangout" at Jesters (the club onboard). That should be a great time to meet other people. Another tip...since you are doing the same route, be sure to walk around on the SEA DAY and talk to people. We did that day and met some great people we hung out with the rest of the trip.

The clubs are open until 2 or 3. Drinks are always available in the casino, should something close. Just have fun!

As for Hato Caves.....nice trip....took the taxi.....would do a tour of the island if you were interested in seeing a lot on it. There are taxis all over the place at the port.....no need to book through RC.com......unless you like something they are offering......

Hope this helps.......Adam

Great review Adam! We are doing this same trip on 8/22 and congrats on your engagement.

When you were in Curacao, did you happen to find any info out about the Amstel tour? I've search all over and get find any info on this. Would appreciate any info you may have. Thanks.

Jan

Congrats on your engagment. Did you happen to save your compasses on this cruise. We sailing on the same ship and itinerary in feb.

Jan...

Can't say i know anything about the Amstel tour. Truthfully, the best excursion in Curacao is the Dolphin Swim. Just Do It! Chance of a lifetime. I'd recommend an island tour with a cab driver as well. The cab fares at all the islands are reasonable and I found the people very friendly and accomodating to taking you all over!

Have fun!

Anyone else....feel free to pick my brain. My fiance and I spent little time on the ship....Off by 10 and we would always return to the ship around 4:50.....

Do you know if there are taxi's that can handle 8-10 ppl in Curacao?

We were 8 and found one with no problem.

Taxis at every port are all over the place. Remember....tourism is the primary industry in aruba, curacao, st. maarten, & st. thomas. They have cabs of all sizes.....buses, usual nyc style cabs.....whatever your need, they have.