Just Got Home from the AOS

[premiumrican]

Just got home Sunday from the AOS 4/18 sailing. Had a wonderful time . Thanks to everyone on this board for the helpful advice I received before my trip. Now it is time for me to help others, if anyone has questions regarding the AOS or it's ports of call(Aruba, Curacao, St. Martin, St. Thomas) I will be happy to try to answer them.

[DMorris]

How was it going through immigration in St Thomas? What time did you get in line and when were you off the ship? Glad you had a good time.

 

Email: Deanna34769@wmconnect.com

 

Until our Martian Yatch Club Adventure

 

RCCL Adventure of the Seas 11/14/04

RCCL Voyager of the Seas 10/26/03

Carnival Pride 11/9/02

Premier Cruise Lines (5 sailings)

[tlsearay]

I am planning a trip on the AOS for next year and could really use advice on shore excursions. I have 2 children 13 and 15. We all like water.

 

Thanks

[premiumrican]

Dmorris: Immigration in St. Thomas wasn't bad at all. When we got downstairs to the Mozart dining room on deck 5 the line was starting to reach the beginnings of the Royal promanade. It was a very intimidating line but it moved very quickly I don't think it took more than 20 minutes. We got our gangway pass and were off the ship by 8:30 and at Megan's bay by 9 am.

 

Tlseary; As for shore excursions, I personally only did one in Curacao, the Canoe safari and Snorkling. I don't think it was worth the 69 dollars. Curacao is not really a beach island since all it's beachs are man made. My table mates did the "BOB" in St. Thomas, they said it was great. If you going to do water excursions stick to Aruba, St. Martin or St. Thomas. Also heard the SeaTrek is also great.

[Jimbo]

Anything happening on the ship that you could see that the dry docking is soon. Adventure of the Seas is scheduled for May 12th, just wondered if they have started to work on anything as of yet?

 

Jimbo

 

May 2nd, 2004

Adventure of The Seas

 

10/3/04 Legend of the Seas

Panama Canal 14-Nights

 

 

2/13/05 Carnival "Miracle"

 

 

 

[premiumrican]

Jimbo:

 

I didn't see anything that would indicate that the ship is dry docking soon. The ship looks great. They could use a few new lounge chairs on deck there are some that have taken a beating.

[Corkle]

premiumrican,

Did you get any indication as to what the big dinning announcement is going to be? My family and I sail in June and I'm curious! If you post a review or pictures soon let us know! Thanks!!

 

Happy Sailing!!

Corkle

<img src=http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;20;7;33;00&timezone=GMT-0800> Adventure of the Seas

[theseas4me]

Glad you had a great trip- we sail in June. What did you do on St. Maarten? Also any suggestions for Curacao? We don't snorkel, so are looking for something else to do. Thanks for your help!

[DMorris]

What time do you suggest we go down for the immigration procedure in St Thomas?

 

Email: Deanna34769@wmconnect.com

 

Until our Martian Yatch Club Adventure

 

RCCL Adventure of the Seas 11/14/04

RCCL Voyager of the Seas 10/26/03

Carnival Pride 11/9/02

Premier Cruise Lines (5 sailings)

[rogerp5]

We were on the same trip and also had a great time. As far as the immigration process, the earlier the better. That day Windjammer is very busy as the dining rooms are closed. In terms of St. Maarten, we have been there twice and both times have done the 12 metre regatta and will do it again next time we are back there. it is great.

[raerae]

What time did they start letting people on the ship? How busy was the pier and how long were the lines?

 

Cindy

[premiumrican]

Raerae: We got to the pier at 10:15 am. We were number 10 on the line outside the terminal. Nothing was ready yet. The porters were still helping the returning passengers with luggage. About 10 mins later the porters started to collect our luggage. At around 10:45 the doors opened and we went thru security and went directly to the counter to check in. Check in lines are designated by deck number. The lady that checked us in told us to make a right around the counter and sit in the first group of chairs because that is the first group to board. At 11:00 am we were seated and waited to board.

 

We thought we were going to be on board before noon then we just sat and sat and sat. Seems Customs had problems clearing the passengers from the last cruise. We didn't get to board the ship until 1:15 pm. They told us that the week before the ship was cleared for boarding by 11:30 am.

 

Once we got the ok it was simple get your security pictures and off you go on board. We were the firsts on board. It was great!! Felt like you had the ship all to yourself. By that time our cabin was ready and we dropped off our carry on's and dashed to the spa to make our spa appointments and to Portofinos. We were the first ones at both!

 

My Advise is get there early!!! It does pay off.

 

Theseas4me: In St. Martin we just went to Orient beach for most of the day and shopping during the afternoon since I have been there 2 times. Curacao wasn't to my liking since their beaches are man made, it didn't appeal to me. Did more shopping, If you want to buy linens buy them in Curacao, got great deals at Little Holland.

 

Corkle: I don't understand your question. What big dinning announcement? I would be glad to answer if you can clarify your question.

 

[This message was edited by premiumrican on 04-27-04 at 06:16 PM.]

[jagmanss1]

Glad you had a great cruise, We are going on her in November.... Sorry, But I have another St. Thomas immigration question as it was not answered as to what time do you suggest to go??? How early??? What time does it start?? 6 AM? 7 AM?

 

We are trying to schedule a 9:00AM day sail with a charter CO. and don't want to miss it. Can you be more specific on the time it starts?

 

Thanks for any info

 

UNTIL OUR NEXT ADVENTURE

 

Adventure of The Seas 11/14/04

Enchantment of the Seas 11/1/03

Sovereign of the Seas 11/28/02

SS Oceanic (Big Red Boat) 10/98

 

 

[sbgrace]

We'll be sailing the same itinerary, but unfortunately not till next May. Any good buys in Aruba?

Did you go to San Juan the day before? Where did you stay and would you recommend the hotel?

Thanks!

Chris

 

Adventure of the Seas

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[kfrauman]

We were on the same cruise in late March. We went to immigration about 7:30 and had no problems. It was very well organized and only took about 10-15 minutes, even though the lines were back by the shops.

 

In Curacao, we did the dolphin encounter and walked into town. It is very picturesque.

 

If you haven't done the regatta in St. Marteen it is a great excursion. We've also gone to Pinal Island to snorkle and to Marigot on a catamaran.

 

I second doing your water sports in Aruba. We snorkled this time at Palm Island. Have also done the Atlantis Sub and the See and Sea tour. Just don't do the semi submersible. It's the only time in I have ever felt sea sick.

[premiumrican]

Sbgrace: When it came to shopping didn't do any in Aruba. We rented a jeep from thrifty car rentals and just drove the whole day and then did palm beach most of the afternoon. All the stores in Aruba close at 6pm by law.

 

As for staying in San Juan, we flew in the night before by doing that we saved money on air fare. I stayed at the IHP Hotel El Consulado. It is located in the condado area. It is a small intimate hotel. Minutes from the pier only $14 to get to the pier by cab. Btw do not use Hotels.com. I used them to make the reservation when I got there, the hotel had no reservations for me. It was an ordeal but the front desk person told me they always do that and they always keep a room available for situations like this. In the long run I got the room cheaper for what hotels.com was offering. $76.00 instead of the 103.00 that hotels.com was offering. Not a good way to start off a cruise but didn't let it ruin my vacation it all worked out.

[theseas4me]

beachlab- did you not like the Sea & See tour in Aruba? We had thought about trying this one. I would appreciate your pros & cons.