Adventure of the Seas Review

Time to try a different cruise line.

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Adventure of the Seas
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Chompers22
10+ Cruises • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Jan 2016
Cabin: Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony

This was our tenth cruise on RC. (We've also done Celebrity and Carnival one each). Just a disappointment. I tried to understand that "times have changed" and costs DO go up in this economy, but the level of service has declined dramatically. I think my biggest disappointment was in the ENTHUSIASM and cheerfulness of the staff. I know things have changed for them as well (gratuities, bar packages, etc.), but very few staff members gave you that feel like they enjoy being there. On day one our waiter didn't crack a smile (and they usually make your week in regards to dinners), most of the bartenders just served drinks -- never made an effort to talk to you, get to know you, etc. no matter how dead the bar was. Our drink guy was a drag at dinner ... almost felt like he was avoiding us b/c he didn't want to work. Only ones that seemed happy to be there was our stateroom attendant. Some bartenders even seemed annoyed we were sitting at the bar (Viking Lounge to be specific).

SHIP SHAPE

The ship's overall shape was decent. You have to know going into it it's not a new ship, so overall it's in decent shape. If this was my first cruise, I'd be happy. Entertainment was good -- always impressive.

Cabin Review

Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony

Had a nice stateroom attendant (always do). We had to move the touch to look for a pair of earrings and didn't like what we found. They don't clean behind the couches/side tables often. They had to do some painting/varnishing while we were docked one day. We like to come back and nap before dinner, but could hardly breathe from the fumes. The stateroom attendant warned us, but was an inconvenience. We had an EMPTY refrig the entire week and had to buy water from the bars in order to have anything available in our room. The Noro Virus hit the week prior, so they emptied out the rooms to clean everything out, but we never did get a stocked refrig for our week.

Port Reviews

St. Thomas

Beautiful as always. The Big Kahuna bar is on the strip and has amazing food if you're looking for a good lunch with a nice view (good drinks, tuna and fish tacos!). Shopping is as always ... make sure you know what you want before you hit the jewelry shops. We've bought plenty of jewelry here, but not this time around. We always have had a good experience with Rocky from RC Watches (they sell more than watches). Bought a bracelet for $20 from the venders in the market at the beginning of town and it broke that night at dinner. In visits past we did a tour with a local and it was SO worth it. Don't pay for a tour w/ the ship -- there's plenty available at port once you get into town. Shops right off the boat are a rip-off. Don't bother. The cabs right off the ship are pre-booked for excursions, etc. Walk a little bit into the shop w the towns to catch a group taxi.

St. Croix

After many years of cruising we no longer book excursions w the boat. This time we booked a four-hour tour of the island with a tour company right off the boat ($25/pp). Not all their fault b/c the island is what it is, but it wasn't good at all and we were tempted to find a cab to take us back to the boat. Not much to see on this island -- first hour was all trees; second hour was dirt roads .. just not a lot to see and was a waste of a day for us. Did a little shopping in Christiansted as part of the tour ... lame. Lunch at Angry Nate's .. was average. Service was good, though.

St. Lucia

Do NOT book with the ships. Our excursion was with Papa Boat tours and was amazing. Saw the Pitons, took us to a beach w/ snorkeling, offered to go into town to get us lunch for $15 b/c the restaurant was outrageous due to the resort we were at), then saw Marigot bay and had lunch, rum punch, beers, etc. all for $60 per person. Best part of our cruise.

Grenada

Took a water taxi ($4/pp one way) to Grande Anse Beach, but it's a walk to get to the ferry and I can say I didn't feel 100% safe when they were shifting people from side-to-side to balance out the boat. Upon arrival we walked about 1/2 mile to Umbrellas Bar/Grill which was recommended by a friend who stays here often (chairs were being offered for $20/couple along the walk). Drinks at Umbrellas was good - food was good. Worth it if you want to burn some calories walking the strand. Stopped at the spice market on the walk back -- prices were about the same as they are off the boat, so don't kill yourself to get to this special market off-site if you're not interested in the beach. Paid about $3-4 for a packet of spice. Good rum punch and pina coladas at the spice market on the beach, though. It's a bit of a walk to the water ferry, but has to be the cheapest route compared to a regular taxi to get to this beach.

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