Seven day Southern Caribbean cruise on the Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan, December 7-14, 2008. Background. RCCL Diamond, been on all the Voyager Class except Explorer. Saturday Dec 6. Pre-cruise Arrival at SJU hassle free. Buffalo Hot Wings across the street from baggage claim, very good, Cab ride $23.50 to Caribe Hilton. Had a Priceline room, $130 + $11.90 resort fee. Room was a hike from the main pool and facilities. The Hotel's grounds were great. The room was rundown, with a lot of machinery noise. Sunday Dec7. Got a bagel at the Starbucks in the lobby. They wanted big bucks for breakfast at Hotel eateries. Went to get cab. Cabbie stated pier was gridlocked and would not take us for fixed fare of $13.50. Hotel stated there was nothing they could do. Finally got another couple going and were charged $20.00 a piece. Road into pier was a mess. Took over a half hour to get to pier. Once at pier, no lines, was on the ship in 15 minutes. Beware, of buying liquor at the duty free in the pier. They have a sign stating liquor can be taken on the ship. It can be taken as far as the x-ray machine on the ship, where it will be confiscated. It will be on the ship, but not in your cabin. Windjammer food was good. Dinner is a half hour later, (6:30), on the first night. DeDe was running the Concierge Lounge with an iron fist. The CL was crowded, but not unbearable. The welcome aboard show had a comic. He was terrible. One NFL game was on in the afternoon. The Sunday night game was also on/ Monday Dec 8. This was a sea day. Pool no that crowded. Meet and Mingle had about 20 persons show up. The activities director ran it, one prize given away. It was the mouse. The show was Revolution, a Beatles cover band. They were good. Hit a slot jackpot on first pull in the Casino. Monday Night Football was on. Tuesday Dec 9. Aruba. Walked around the town. Went to a beach next to the Renaissance Hotel. Almost took a tour, but observed how they pack the people in the minivans, and changed our minds. Of course, departure was delayed by latecomers to the pier. The ice show was good, Wednesday Dec 10 Curacao. Like the town a lot better than Aruba. Rode the bridge. The World was docked by the big bridge. Again drama at the pier. Watched a girl try climbing over the fence because she was so late, the gates were locked already. This was the first show night. It was a Las Vegas Review slanted toward the Islanders. Yes. There were 1700 persons from Puerto Rico. The rumor was inside cabins going for $199 per person. Thursday Dec 11. Seaday Pool was not that crowded. The Windjammer was packed all week and it took a few minutes to find a seat, but the waiters were good, and found people empty spots when needed. The Thursday Night NFL game was on, though impossible to watch, due to an in and out feed. Friday Dec 12 St. Martin. Took the public bus to Maho Beach. It was $2.00 a piece one way. Maho was great. Did not see anything bigger than a 737, but still cool. Drinks were relatively cheap at the Sunset Bar. $3.00 for Heineken, $5.00 for mixed. Rain very hard for awhile, flooding the streets in Phillipsburg. The show featured dancing and was okay. Saturday Dec 13 St.Thomas. Shopped near the pier. Hung around onboard. The comic, Kivi Rogers was great. The Gaucho guy was okay. Once you've seen a Gaucho, the fourth or fifth time..... There was a liar's club game show. It features the CD, Mike, and Kivi. It was very good. Sunday Dec 14 Departure day. Slept in late. Did breakfast in the dining room. Hung around till 9:30. Got in the long line to get off. The line moved no place for a half hour. Then it moved quickly. Found our bags handed over the customs form and were in a cab. I think they were very stringent with immigration with the first people off. The road on the way out was a lot better than the way in. Go to the Hilton and had to wait an hour to get the room.

General things.

They have a lot of activities planned during the day. Plenty of trivia, name that tune, etc... The problem is a lot of overlapping, so only one thing can be done. Puerto Rico is a hassle as far as a Departure port. Prices are ridiculous.