8-Day Christmas Cruise on Adventure of the Seas, Southern Caribbean (lots of pics!)

[LittleMissMagic]

Thank you for taking the time to post a fantastic review!

 

I sail on the Adventure in 3 weeks and your review has me over the moon excited!

 

I have two questions for you, would you by ANY chance have a copy of the cruise compass? I'm going on the same route! (Well, somewhat..our cruise is 7 days, not 8) And is there a Ben & Jerry's? I loved enjoying an ice cream each night on the Liberty :D

 

I was wondering - which port was the add-on for the holiday cruise?

 

I'm sorry, but I don't have copies of the compass. I used to keep every piece of information/stationary from our vacations, but then I had a big rubbermaid box filled with vacation memorabilia that I really had no use for!

 

Yes, there was a Ben & Jerry's in the Promenade.

[Spoiledliz]

I was wondering - which port was the add-on for the holiday cruise?

 

I'm sorry, but I don't have copies of the compass. I used to keep every piece of information/stationary from our vacations, but then I had a big rubbermaid box filled with vacation memorabilia that I really had no use for!

 

Yes, there was a Ben & Jerry's in the Promenade.

 

It was worth a shot! Thank you anyway!

 

One of my favorite parts of the Liberty cruise we went on was enjoying an ice cream later at night with my husband and just people watching in the Promenade! So I am beyond excited that the Adventure too has a Ben & Jerry's!

 

And your stops were St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Lucia and Barbados, correct?

 

My cruise is stopping in Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Croix.

[LittleMissMagic]

And your stops were St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Lucia and Barbados, correct?

 

My cruise is stopping in Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Croix.

 

I had a feeling that St. Thomas was an add-on.

 

Those are all wonderful ports! We visited St. Croix on the Serenade a few years ago and took a wonderful jeep tour around the island. :) Enjoy your cruise!!!

[LittleMissMagic]

When we arrived at the Marriott Stellaris, it was CRAZY!!! Everyone was either leaving for their cruise or getting back from their cruise. We found a family who was going on the Adventure of the Seas and gave them our C&A coupon books - hopefully they got some use out of them.

 

Because of the craziness, our room wouldn't be ready until 4. They were handling the crowd well, though - had a bartender circulating the lobby and pool area with complimentary rum punch. Rachel and I changed into our swimsuits and hit the beach. I passed out!!! I was exhausted!!!

 

 

 

Dad brought us lunch from Wendy's.

 

 

As you can see, the rules were strictly enforced...

 

 

 

[LittleMissMagic]

For dinner, we met up with our tablemates in Old San Juan. We were trying to eat at Raices, but the wait was ridiculous, so we went to Mojitos. The food was pretty good, though it was weird - we had our menus for a while before ordering and when our waitress finally took our order, we found out that what we wanted wasn't available (they were apparently out of beef). I don't know why she didn't tell us BEFORE we ordered. :confused:

 

It was great hanging out with our tablemates one last time. They were flying back to Canada the next day. It was super sad going into Old San Juan and seeing the cruise ships. :(

[LittleMissMagic]

The next day, we did the same thing - vegged at the beach all afternoon. The problem with the hotels being so tall is that during this time of the year, they cast a massive shadow on the beach. It was a struggle to stay in the sun.

 

That night, we decided we just wanted some good ole American food for dinner... so we walked to Chili's.

 

 

This restaurant was recommended by our doormen, but we never got the chance to eat there.

 

 

[LittleMissMagic]

On the way back from Chili's, we decided to check out the La Concha as another option for staying in San Juan. It was much flashier than the Stellaris. It seemed like a much more "adult" resort (not to mention an architect student's heaven!!!) - we were impressed!

 

 

 

 

 

[LittleMissMagic]

 

Excuse bad photos, please - iPhone flash is too harsh!

 

 

The best thing about this pool? It was WARM!!!!

 

 

 

 

[LittleMissMagic]

They also had an infinity pool overlooking the ocean for guests 15 years and older. That was really appealing to us after our hot tub experience earlier...

 

 

 

[RosiePosie1013]

Thank you for the great review and pictures. We leave on the Adventure in 2 weeks. You two sisters are absolutely adorable! Loved all your beautiful dresses you wore each evening too!

[NeuroQueen]

After reading this review for days ( very enjoyable, BTW) I feel like I know your family. I personally think you would LOVE Oasis/Allure. It really does not seem that much bigger and as a student of architecture you will be blown away. You could easily spend two weeks on the same ship. We were so sad to leave after one week and missed so many things that we are going again. Next year I am doing a B2B on Allure no matter what.

[LittleMissMagic]

After reading this review for days ( very enjoyable, BTW) I feel like I know your family. I personally think you would LOVE Oasis/Allure. It really does not seem that much bigger and as a student of architecture you will be blown away. You could easily spend two weeks on the same ship. We were so sad to leave after one week and missed so many things that we are going again. Next year I am doing a B2B on Allure no matter what.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking, too - we'd do the Eastern/Western itineraries and the ship is so large, we couldn't possibly do everything in a week!

[cruiserking]

Great photo journal LittleMissMagic, really enjoyed all your Caribbean pictures, feel like a just took a little trip.

 

Jonathan

[SailingDeanna]

Love this review and all the pics! I'm headed to Adventure in a few weeks! Thanks so much for letting us travel with you on Cruise Critic!

[Choozin Croozin]

Love this review and all the pics! I'm headed to Adventure in a few weeks! Thanks so much for letting us travel with you on Cruise Critic!

 

Please post a review when you return. Of course we aren't expecting a masterpiece like this one :)

[SuchAVirgo]

On the way back from Chili's, we decided to check out the La Concha as another option for staying in San Juan. It was much flashier than the Stellaris. It seemed like a much more "adult" resort (not to mention an architect student's heaven!!!) - we were impressed

 

We stayed at La Concha for 1 night pre cruise. We considered stayed at the Stellaris but finally choose La Concha. We arrive around noon and our room was ready and had really good service. The hotel was crazy packed I think partly because it was labor day weekend.

 

Have a great time on the Monarch. Thats my husbands favorite ship because it was our first cruise together :)

[debshomespun]

LittleMissMagic: Great review. Your family is so cute. Loved the pictures! We leave on the Serenade next Saturday.

 

I would suggest you do a week on the Oasis, then a week on the Allure. This way, you will get to see different shows, the entertainment is fantastic! We did this in October. If you do these 2 ships B2B, RC will put you up in a hotel in FLL, free of charge. One of the perks when you do a B2B on 2 different ships with a day in between them.

[LittleMissMagic]

LittleMissMagic: Great review. Your family is so cute. Loved the pictures! We leave on the Serenade next Saturday.

 

I would suggest you do a week on the Oasis, then a week on the Allure. This way, you will get to see different shows, the entertainment is fantastic! We did this in October. If you do these 2 ships B2B, RC will put you up in a hotel in FLL, free of charge. One of the perks when you do a B2B on 2 different ships with a day in between them.

 

I had no idea - thanks for the info! We'll definitely look into that.

 

Right now, we're deciding what to do for spring break... to cruise or do a land vacation (Rachel is pulling for St. Kitts, my dad is thinking Vegas - though if we're going to do Vegas, I'd like to wait another year so I can drink! :D Already been three times underage!)... decisions, decisions!

[Jimbo]

What dates are spring break?

 

Explorer of the Seas...

Monday, March 19, 2012 Cape Liberty - Bayonne - N.j. -- 05:00 PM

 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Thursday, March 22, 2012 Labadee, Haiti 09:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Friday, March 23, 2012 San Juan - Puerto Rico 02:00 PM 10:00 PM

 

Saturday, March 24, 2012 Philipsburg - St. Maarten 09:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Sunday, March 25, 2012 St. Johns - Antigua 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Monday, March 26, 2012 Basseterre - St. Kitts 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Thursday, March 29, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Friday, March 30, 2012 Cape Liberty - Bayonne - N.j. 08:00 AM --

 

 

Jimbo:)

[Jimbo]

What dates are spring break?

 

Explorer of the Seas...

Monday, March 19, 2012 Cape Liberty - Bayonne - N.j. -- 05:00 PM

 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Thursday, March 22, 2012 Labadee, Haiti 09:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Friday, March 23, 2012 San Juan - Puerto Rico 02:00 PM 10:00 PM

 

Saturday, March 24, 2012 Philipsburg - St. Maarten 09:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Sunday, March 25, 2012 St. Johns - Antigua 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Monday, March 26, 2012 Basseterre - St. Kitts 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Thursday, March 29, 2012 Cruising -- --

 

Friday, March 30, 2012 Cape Liberty - Bayonne - N.j. 08:00 AM --

 

 

Jimbo:)

[LittleMissMagic]

What dates are spring break?

 

Explorer of the Seas...

Monday, March 19, 2012 Cape Liberty - Bayonne - N.j. -- 05:00 PM

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Cruising -- --

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Cruising -- --

Thursday, March 22, 2012 Labadee, Haiti 09:00 AM 05:00 PM

Friday, March 23, 2012 San Juan - Puerto Rico 02:00 PM 10:00 PM

Saturday, March 24, 2012 Philipsburg - St. Maarten 09:00 AM 05:00 PM

Sunday, March 25, 2012 St. Johns - Antigua 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

Monday, March 26, 2012 Basseterre - St. Kitts 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

Tuesday, March 27, 2012 Cruising -- --

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Cruising -- --

Thursday, March 29, 2012 Cruising -- --

Friday, March 30, 2012 Cape Liberty - Bayonne - N.j. 08:00 AM --

 

 

Jimbo:)

 

That's an awesome itinerary! Unfortunately, I only get a week for spring break - it's March 17-25 including the weekends.

[Dawgfan6291]

Wooo!!! I've won one over! :D

 

We've got a lot of school pride - I don't know how many people we told to check out Clemson!

 

Great review but Clem$on? Try not to be to upset when we beat you guys in 2013 and 2014. ;)

 

Signed a UGA student. :cool:

[LittleMissMagic]

Great review but Clem$on? Try not to be to upset when we beat you guys in 2013 and 2014. ;)

 

Signed a UGA student. :cool:

 

Ah, we do play in 2013! I think it will be a good game - especially since Sammy Watkins will be a junior! I'd like Nuk to stick around until his senior year... wishful thinking.

[Dawgfan6291]

Ah, we do play in 2013! I think it will be a good game - especially since Sammy Watkins will be a junior! I'd like Nuk to stick around until his senior year... wishful thinking.

yeah pretty much all of our offense will be back but we will lose 10 guys for sure next year on defense (I am assuming the women beater :mad: gets to stay on the team), and Jarvis and Alec could both be top NFL picks. Y'all may get lucky at home, the next year in Athens though.....:rolleyes:

 

I will however be pulling for you when y'all play Tech next year. (and I think Auburn too) :D

[terpfan101]

Victoria,

 

Great review...one of the best I've seen on CC, probably because you're around my age...I'm 26 and my girlfriend gives me a hard time for being on here so much and that I must be the youngest one posting on here. Glad to see several other 20 something users!

 

You and Rachel are adorable and I enjoyed seeing the fun you had with your family...it was so addicting that I spent a bit too long reading during work! Oops. Anyway your review has convinced me to do a southern route for the next cruise I book! Oh and how did you develop this deep love for cruising?

 

Jeremy

 

PS. I'm a UMD graduate...our basketball team plays you guys down there in a few weeks...rawr