Need Help - Adventure of the Seas, Sept. or Oct. 05

[cochino41]

Hello to all,

I am extremely exicted to have found this website. It seems to be incredibly helpful. So, I have a few questions, hope you guys can help. My husband and I will be sailing on Adventure of the Seas in Sept or October 2005, we haven't decided which month, but it will be at the end of one.

My first question is regarding the Southern Caribbean cruise, I have read so many negative reviews regarding food, and the people (kids), and the cleanliness of the ship. Is it really that bad? I mean I am considering changing our destination if it is so, but I was truly looking forward to this cruise.

Also, I am a permanent resident of the US with a Permanent resident card and my husband is a US Citizen, do we need to have passports for this cruise?

Does anyone have any suggestions for hotels in Puerto Rico? We are planning on flying in a few days before the cruise. And I would also appreciate comments on excursions in Puerto Rico...Thanks for your help!

[70sGringo]

Cochino41-

 

AOS is a marvelous ship. We just did the June 26 sailing. Take a look at the member reviews here. Look at the ratio of good vs. bad reviews: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=192

 

Staying in San Juan is very dependent on what you want out of a hotel. There are resorts and there are budget hotels. There is Old San Juan, Condado and Isla Verde. There is even a hotel right on the airport. The choices are almost limitless. Lonely Planet prints a good book on Puerto Rico. I found it most helpful and accurate. We stayed at El Canario by the Sea, preferring to be pampered on the ship and going on excursions, as opposed to spending our extra $$$ hoteling it in San Juan.

 

I don't think that passports for US citizens visiting the Caribbean are mandated until Jan 1, 2006. That being said, I cannot comment on your situation. I would venture a guess that your husband doesn't need a passport, but you need to bring as much documentation for you as appropriate. The only time we needed to show our personal IDs was at 1. check-in, 2. immigration clearance (walk through the dining room past US INS while in St. Thomas) and 3. once more when clearing US customs in San Juan (a real breeze for us).... never to set foot on Aruba, Curacao or St. Martin. Your SeaPass is what you need to get back on the boat.

 

Sail on AOS, unless you're one of those people who are NEVER satisfied. :confused:

[Epaul3]

My husband and I have sailed AOS twice.... once with a group of people from his company and once with our family ( us and 3 teenagers). Loved it both times!! My kids absolutely fell in LOVE with cruising. Lots to do on the ship. Cleanliness was never a problem with us and the service was wonderful. As far as food goes, it was probably typical cruise cuisine... some nights better than others... But I figure as long as I don't have to cook and clean up... it's all good!! We liked all the islands but St. Maarten and St. Thomas were our favorites. Different things to enjoy about each one.

Go and enjoy yourselves!

[cochino41]

Thank you very much for your comments, I greatly appreciate all of the help I can get. If my husband does not need a passport then more than likely I will not either. :)

This will be my husbands second cruise and it will be my third. It took alot of work to convince him to go on our first cruise last year, but after returning from a wonderful week on Explorer of the Seas I don't think he want's anything more than a cruise atleast once a year!:D

70sGringo I like your idea of spending the extra cash on other stuff other than an expensive hotel.

Epaul3 you are right about the not having to clean up and cook! I am right there with you.

[70sGringo]

Cochino41-

You can see a review of the El Canario by the Sea that I wrote up. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=197305

We also considered Hotel Milano, but they wanted more than one night's stay, during the weekend. I believe their website is www.hotelmilanopr.com. Initially, we thought we could walk to the ship from this hotel, but AOS docks at the Pan American pier, which is on the other side of the harbor and more to the interior than the other piers. You really can't avoid a car/taxi ride to this pier, due to its location and tangle of busy streets and construction currently going on there. There is alot of good info for San Juan if you visit "Ports of Call... San Juan" on this website. One thread has an aerial view with hotels, PA pier, etc pointed out.

 

In summary, both hotels get you a room (up to a double/double) for about $100/night. Hotel Milano would be good for location if you want to be in Old San Juan. El Canario by the Sea is good if you want to be 50 steps from the Condado beach. Staying at a resort looked to be at least $200/night.

You could try Priceline, but if you need more than one room/double occupancy, Priceline is not your best solution. I had to book three rooms minimum, so Priceline was out.

Cheers-

[stargate fan]

As far as San Juan hotels go, one thing I learned from my hours of research is that hotels with casinos are more expensive plus charge an extra 18% tax, even if you don't use the casino.

 

We will be staying at the Hampton Inn, but not until Feb. 06. We have read good things about it and they have free hot breakfast. Hey, free is good. All we really wanted was a clean room, free breakfast, and a poll/jacuzzi.

[cochino41]

I will definitely check out the Hampton Inn. Thanks.

[cochino41]

70'sGringo El Canario hotel sounds great. I read the reviews and I will definitely look into it. We are staying before and after the cruise so I may try both! Thanks for all of your help, wish us luck! :)