Adventure of the Seas - Spring break cruise

Hi everyone - my DH, I and 3 other couples went on the AOS from Puerto Rico during spring break in March. I have to apologize immediately - since

I have no pictures. I love the FOOD PORN - and I have to admit I completely forgot to take any food pictures....

This was our 3rd cruise - 1st on RCCI. Our 2 previous cruises were on Carnival ships. We flew into PR the day prior to the cruise - March weather made me a bit nervous as we had to change planes etc... We stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel which is in ZONE 1 from the airport. The cruise terminal is Zone 4.

If I were to do another cruise from PR I would want to stay closer to the Old town. Intercontinental was great - the food, pool, beach etc.. were very nice. The neighborhood around the hotel was ok during the day. I wouldn't want to travel around at night there. We had dinner with a great group of people we met on Cruise Critic Meet n Mingle board. Alfredo's in the hotel. It was pretty good!

Sunday morning - day of cruise!! We ate breakfast at Mi Casita a couple of blocks up from the hotel - it was pretty good - they advertise a $2.99 breakfast & we enjoyed it. The Wahlgreens up a couple more blocks was great for picking up water etc. to take on the ship with us. Packed it in a new Puerto Rico bag that I bought in the Wahlgreens. I will continue with more of this tomorrow!

Thanks and looking forward to more............ :)

We read alot about what time to get to the port... ALOT. I don't think we got it exactly right - since there was a BIG line. I knew about the separate line to drop off luggage & the line to stand on for boarding - thanks everyone! We got on line about 1:20 and were on the ship in an hour. We had cabin 8548 - a D2 on deck 8. It was great - plenty big enough for 2 people. Balcony was great and our friends were next to us. The balcony is welded closed - so can't open to make 1 big one. We had looked forward to that - but no big deal.

We had the late dining and that is how we kept our reservations - 1/2 of the 8 of us changed to "My time" dining. I didn't because the Travel agent would have had to charge us more INSURANCE - because we would have had to prepay the tips... I thought that was foolish - so I went to the Dining room when we first arrived - to get it changed.

We went for an informal meet n greet later in the day & met some of the folks we chatted w/online for the months & months prior to the cruise. It was fun & drinks were great - love a nice fru fru drink!

So the first night onboard we ate in the 8:30 dining room - didn't write down its name. Food was good - I ate the "Indian option" loved it - was great. 1 other couple of our original 8 were with us. We were assigned for a table for 8 and we were by ourselves. Service was good - don't remember (since I didn't write down) anyone's name I'm afraid..

We requested room service breakfast be delivered around 7:00 a.m. We did this each day - a couple cups of coffee & danish. Be advised - if you want it at 7:00 - and you ask for 7:00 - - you will have it at 6:45;) So we learned to ask for it later & we would get it just in time!

We have 2 small dogs at home so we are used to getting up bright & early to walk them.... Ok - Monday - St Croix. We had read on C.C. about different excursions and saw the Sandcastle Beach Break - $25. for 2 rum punches, 1 umbrella & 2 chairs! Perfect. We took a shuttle for $6. each roundtrip to the resort. Sandcastle has 22 rooms, right on the ocean. Very nice. Everything was great - talked to a lady from MA who comes down each year for the winter & buys a couple of months pass to the beach there.

Relaxing, quiet, beautiful. We stayed for several hours & then had lunch there at the resort - I had pulled pork plate & DH had fish tacos. Very good!

We had gotten to the resort around 10 or so & got back to the ship at 3:00. The shuttle runs every 1/2 hour back to the ship - so there were no problems. I would consider staying at Sandcastle if I were to give up cruising (lol).

When we returned - I ordered a cheese plate & chocolate chip cookies to keep us going until dinner! Great plate - grapes, crackers... I ordered it more than once!

This was formal night - so we got dolled up - - and we were able to eat all together - at My time dining with the rest of our friends - they worked on it - -while they were at dinner. Our time to dine was 8:30.... We had a standing reservation for 8 each night in Mozart dining room. Not sure what the point of "My time" when you have to come each night the same time - but i understand w/8 people - you need a reservation. My DH & I had the Duck. It was soooo good. Red cabbage, snow peas and a little potato log. The other couples liked their food also. 1 couple had the wine package & offered to share - though I declined... Its THEIR wine package. But very polite and sweet of them.

We took pictures at the table on formal night - but we could never find US... We found the rest of the table (they looked great....) So we bought no pictures.... During the later days of the cruise - I had a Photo employee try & help us find "us" - - but no sign of us. Strange - I know I posed w/my fair share of pirates, dolphins, etc... But no worries!

We changed into our 'regular' clothes & went to The Jackpot show - which was good- we enjoyed it.

So - we enjoyed everything - food, service, show - - Royal Caribbean was doing well with us. I should have mentioned this earlier Alicia was our Room attendant - whe was great - very nice - from Trinidad/Tobago. She was a put nervous about the "Cruise Critic" sign I had on my door - - she thought I was a critic.... No No - I told her-- seems she had been a kitchen worker on the ship for years - saw no future and decied to change to the Housekeeping Department.

She was very organized and friendly - the room was great and enjoyed her! We had 2 or 3 towel animals. No big deal -we are adults after all. I do remember on our last Carnival Cruise there was a towel animal each night.

Next up - St. Maarten

Ok - this is a BIG day for us - - We purchased the Best of St. Maarten tour - takes up to a private resort - the Westin & then to Philipsburg to shop. There were so many people signed up that they split the group on 2 buses - 1 bus went to shop first and then beach - - our group - my BFF & her DH, my DH & I were on the resort first bus.

We had met on the pier at 9:45 for our excursion. This Westin was on the Dutch/French border. I think I heard Divi beach.

My husband was on antibiotics during this cruise & was sensitive to sun - so when we got to the Westin - I was pretty surprised to see rows of beach chairs - - no umbrellas, no trees, no shade of any kind. We had

green wrist bands & were told not to go in the pool.. That was for guests only. The bar had shade & this excursion had unlimited drinks, a lunch & the use of the chair....

I contacted the lady who led us to the rows of chairs & told her we had to have an umbrella - or some cover - from the sun. No umbrellas... So after quite a conversation - turns out they have some CLAM shell things that people can rent - so I did - it was $25. Now - for $119. a person - I felt this was pretty poor planning - no shade... I tried to relax once we got our 'shell' - - but was pretty worked up. Lunch was a sandwich, I had a couple rum punches - bartender was snarky. No waiter service.

But - we had shade - so that was good. BFF & husband came into shade with us - but they are from Long Island - so they have "sun clothing" and were ok. 1 couple with 2 children took a taxi back to the ship - after about 1/2 hour at the Westin - due to the sun.

After our beach time - we got back on bus & went to the town -French side - we shopped for an hour & then back to the ship.

I went to the excursion desk to register a concern about this. The gentleman said someone would contact me (his manager). Ok - Mystery Dinner Theatre was this night! 6 of us in our party signed up for this event along with some of the Meet & Mingle Friends we made! More details later today after work!

We met at up on Deck 14 in the Blue Moon lounge for the Mystery dinner - they gave us a glass of champagne and we sat down to start the show.

It was a "mob" type of show - someone is shot & we must figure out who did it. We went from the lounge to Portofino's for dinner and the coninuation of the Mystery. We started with Antipasto and it was wonderful. After that I had the Garlic soup - wonderful. My entree was a filet which was excellent. My husband ordered the shrimp and it was fine - but the steak was SO great - the shrimp paled after his bite of steak. Dessert was Tiramisu (sp) in a chocolate cup.

I guessed the identity of the murderer and those of us who did were entered into a drawing for a prize & since I didn't win - I forget what it was. I thought the dinner theatre was good - it went a bit long at the end. I would do it again - since they seem to change it up.

My DH & i split up today. He signed up for Zip lining with 2 couples and I went w/my BFF & her DH to a ship tour - - Antiguan Crusoe Island Escape. DH went off ship to meet for his tour at 9:15 - my tour went at 9:45. We drove to our spot to go on a boat to get to our "island". I liked the driver and the tour. He told us a lot about Antigua and how the country is divided into Parishes. We went to an abandoned hotel under construction - but not finished due to the economic downturn. I took one look at the boat that they were going to take us over to the Island escape & i turned and walked back up the hill to the tour person & told her I couldn't get on that boat- and to please take me back...

It took a bit of convincing - they had me sign a paper saying I didn't want my money back - but they drove me back to the ship. I am not fond of small boats - I couldn't get myself to board that one. My BFF wanted to come back w/me - I told her to have fun. I would just go back & thank HEAVENS - I didn't have to get on that boat.

So - off I went to the ship & made my first trip to Ben & Jerry's. Then i hung around and read for a bit. DH came back from Ziplining and he loved it - had great fun and got the CD to prove it. They record everyone's trip and will sell it to you & it did look like fun.

Later we went to Trivia and won - got a neck wallet type of thing - it was fun and met some people who I kept running into at different trivia events!

This was our Meet & Mingle day - so at 4:45 we went back to the Blue Moon & hung with all of our fellow passengers we have been talking to. We had a great time - stayed for several drinks. I won $20. of internet service at the Meet N Mingle. Helped on the last day to print boarding passes.

Dinner tonight was Beef & Veal stuffed pasta and potato jalapeno soup. Chocolate Trilogy for dessert! Love & Marriage show was our net stop - then it was bed time - due to all the wine!

Went to the Vivaldi dining room at 8:30 this morning for breakfast. it was good. 4 of us went to 10:00 trivia and won. We got an Ipad or camera holder from royal Caribbean. We disembarked at got some gifts at the shops near the port. Had lunch on board at the Windjammer - then went for a dip in the Solarium hot tub. I liked that area a lot - - plus it was near the ice cream machine! Our friends went to Johnny Rockets for lunch - they really liked it. Went to yet another trivia - didn't win tis time.

Then had a snack of cheese & crackers and artichoke dip in our cabin. Hung around then until dinner - - I had Harina soup w/lamb and lentils. Shrimp Gzoya (sp) which was a chinese dumpling type thing - very good. Crab cakes were popular, my DH had the Indian meal for dinner - it was a bit bland for him - but good.

After dinner we watched some of the 70's parade and then went to the casino - put some money in a slot machine, won $20 - cashed out and off I went.

DH & I were up early & went down and got some Seattles Best coffee. We enjoyed the coffee - it was good. We then went to Windjammer for breakfast - - I forgot to mention that in the back of the dining room there is a line (early at least) for custom made eggs/omelets et... I had my eggs there each morning. I had some potato and bacon & I liked their sausage.

9:30 was trivia! My DH decided to go to Boatyard to the beach w/a couple of the others. I stayed and met a couple from Canada, their DD - and we played trivia & won - we were also the only group playing... We got keychains & luggage tags this time.

11:30 - more trivia - this time with Chrissie & sarah - we won more luggage tags. I read my book and enjoyed the solarium for a bit.

This is formal night - got dolled up and went to our MY TIME dining agan. Tonight was lobster i believe - my DH ordered the Filet Mignon (which is an extra charge - but worth every penny). I had the indian Chick pea curry - the others did the Fisherman's platter which held the lobster tail.

Went to casino - won $8. then off to the Quest game - what a panic. I liked Abel the cruise director he was personable & very funny. Swiss accent didn't hurt any either.

I couldn't believe we were facing our last day. I booked a cruise on board (didn't pick it out until the other day) got the credit card also - to gather points toward our next cruise!!

Breakfast today was in the dining room - same food for me - though - since it was the chocolate breakfast -I did try a choc. muffin along w/my eggs.

We went to several trivia that day (can you tell what I like to do). Won a R. C. notepad (plastic) with pen - hangs around your neck. Then we went to the Duck & Dog later & played Irish Trivia - luckily for our team - Chrissie played with us & we won - - this time R. C. ball caps! Pretty cool. Dinner was good -but it was the only evening I had anything not hot. Sent the soup back for them to warm it up a bit. Had a great time.

Ok - up early as usual - off to Windjammer. We elected to drag our bags off the ship & go directly to the airport.

I had read here that PR airport is a mess - - and it is! I have never seen such long security lines. Had 2 stations open for the TSA review. They also kept letting people about to miss their planes to cut in front of everyone on the line....

So - had plenty of time to get to our gate. 12:30 flight - we were at the gate by around 11:00. I really didn't want to leave - but once at the airport - I realized they wouldn't let me stay on the ship - so I might as well head home.

Got home safely - enjoyed the trip immensely.

I have to say that I had a great time on R.C. I also had a great time on Carnival. The food to me was about even. Every meal we had - - i enjoyed. I saw no rude people, I dont't sit in the sun anymore - so I don't care about chair hogs.

The staff was great - I enjoyed talking to the bar tender on our last evening up at the pool bar - on the 12th floor. Wish we had met him earlier.

Our dining team was great - - the only small annoyance was that several people asked us how we enjoyed our food. Waiters, senior waiters & head waiter - I'm not sure - - but we smiled at them and told them how much we enjoyed it. (better than no one asking i guess).

We got a $100. per person credit for the Excursion in St. Maarten that went wrong - so that is why I booked the Independence of the Seas. Not sure if anyone else is signing up (from our group) but we will go & enjoy. Sorry about no pictures - next time - i will really try & remember!

Great Review Betty. we will be on her this Sunday for two weeks!!!!!

Can't wait! :D

Very exciting - it was a great trip - all 8 of us REALLY enjoyed it!! Enjoy your trip - I know you will love it especially for 2 weeks!!!

I meant to ask, what was your tactic for getting water onboard? Did you buy a case?

i bought a Puerto Rico zippered bag at the Walhgreens (sp) and put 2 six packs in it. It was a nice heavy duty bag & didn't cost more than $10. I emptied the frig in the room & placed our water in there. Our great room attendant - Alicia made sure we had plenty of ice! I then put a tag on it & gave it to the porters

we are bring a small bag that we are hoping to put 2 12 packs of water in and a sleeve of soda. Hopefully it gets to our room. Did you walk to the Walgreens? Thanks for the info.

The Wahlgreens is near the Intercontinental - maybe 5 blocks up. We did walk (several times) my husband kept forgetting things!