Kirsten

24 hours is the rule of thumb lately, so you are either right on it or should be getting it soon.

NO you can not but that would be a genius idea for RCL to publish your photos on your PAST CRUISE history and let you purchase them digitally after the fact.

Review of RC Adventure of the Seas and Comparison to DCL.

Just a heads up, this is going to be a long post.  Also, when I say compare, there are a few things I am going to be able to compare, and some things that I am not.  I am not going to compare Staterooms, since I had a suite on RC and never had a suite on DCL.  Also, ports, I will not compare, since I chose this Itinerary based on ports.  Although DCL goes to some of the same ports, it is not fair to compare what happens on the port and compare it to another cruise line   Most of the things that happen outside of the port are totally not in control to the cruise line.  However, I will compare Labadee, Haiti, to Castaway Cay, Bahamas.

To get started, I started to look at cruises for Spring Break about 14 Months before the actual cruise.  I first looked at Disney and the prices were very high, and it would have been on the Disney Fantasy, doing the Western Caribbean, again.  This is a cruise that we have already done, and the only Itinerary that my Daughter has done.  I wanted something different.  So, I started looking at different cruise lines.  RC had an 8-night Eastern Caribbean going to 4 ports, with 3 sea days.  2 of the ports would be totally new to me, 3 for my Wife, and all 4 my Daughter.  Looking at the difference in cost, I would be able to save a boat load of money, and stay in a Grand Suite on RC, compared to a Deluxe Inside Stateroom on Disney.

Adventures of the Seas is in the Voyager class of RC.  I thought the ship was beautiful.  It definitely has a different style than Disney.  Would I stay on this ship again? Definitely yes.  Staying in a Grand Suite gave us some perks that come along with staying in a suite.  Priority Embarkation (Definitely was a nice perk).  We used the saved seats for the shows twice.   We were very happy to have the saved seating for the Ice Show, since it was sold out, and we were able to show up only 15 minutes before it started.

Pros:

Flowrider, Rock Climbing Wall, Ice Skating Rink.  I would have to say that I enjoyed all 3 of them being on the boat.  Unfortunately we didn’t get to do the flowrider as much as I would have liked, but that was because of a few things.  1 was the times it was available, the other was just timing of other things we had going on.  The Rock Climbing wall we only did once, and for me, it was very quick, but my Daughter was able to go up at least twice.  My daughter really enjoyed the Ice Skating Rink.  She went at least 3 times.  I know I went once, and that was enough for me.

Cons:

Windjammer Buffett.  Although it was open a lot, the food selection for Breakfast and Lunch really didn’t change that much.  We don’t know about Dinner, since we ate in the main dining room every night.  The service from the staff in the windjammer were very nice, but it was the same menu with many 1 or 2 things different.  Also, no outside seating, except by the pool, which you had to walk through people smoking.

Evening activities – at least to us were so-so.  The Ice Show was awesome, but other than that, nothing really appealed to us.

Pools – The pools being Salt water are always are downer, we love that Disney uses Fresh water.

Drinks – Having to buy sodas during the day, I understand smoothies, milkshakes, and coffees (which is the package we bought)

Smoking – Smoking was allowed in areas of the boat that we would have to walk through, especially on deck 11 by Windjammer.

Comparison between Disney and RC.

As I said earlier, I would definitely do RC again, especially if the time, cost, and ports were what I was looking for.  The cost being a lot cheaper was definitely a plus.  The ability to have more selection of ports, both departure and during the cruise is a benefit to RC, however, Disney is working that way with the 3 new ships coming in the future.

Food – the food was comparable in the Main Dining Room, but the options by the pool on Disney, are much better.  More options to be able to go to in your bathing suit, no shirt on Disney.  On RC, I needed shirt and shoes to go eat at the buffet, or even Café Promenade.  We did miss rotational dining on Disney.  Going to the same restaurant was kind of boring.

Service – I would say the service was very comparable.  Everyone was very nice.

Pools – I liked Disney pools better, mainly because they are fresh, compared to Salt water.

Other entertainment – RC wins this one.  The flowrider, rock climbing wall, and ice skating rink were a nice touch.

Evening entertainment – Disney wins this one, other than the ice show, there was nothing that I, or the others wanted to see.  At least on Disney, there are things and shows that the other 2 would like to see.  I am not a huge show person, it is normally nap time for me.

Casino – a cause to a lot of the smoking on board.  With is being on deck 4, the smoke went through the whole ship.  I didn’t notice it as much, but others did.  I only went once and that was to learn craps.  Otherwise, it was space that Disney uses in other ways.  I think the casino is one of the reasons that RC is cheaper than Disney.

Kids Club – My daughter decided to finally go to the kids club and had a good time.  I think she is starting to open up.  When she went to the kids club on Disney ships she had a good time.  So, I really can’t say which is better, but for her to want to go to kids club means that it was good and kept her entertained.

That is my review and comparison, if you have any questions, please let me know.

We just took a couple of photos on our phone and uploaded them. As long as the photo mainly has you in the frame it is fine. It only took us a couple of minutes to do. The photos they take at the port aren’t great quality so it not hard to improve on them doing it at home.

Thanks for posting current prices.  We're heading out on Oasis in April on a Transatlantic; we've done the Deluxe package before, but the prospect of shelling out over $700 each has me considering trying to take advantage of Happy Hours, Drink of the Day, and C&A coupons . . .

It's great when they offer the dink cards...10 drinks for $x (I forget amount offhand) that can be shared.  Don't think it's always offered though and it's later in the cruise.

My 10 year old wouldn't go first time on Anthem. But last month we sailed and he loved going! Totally changed his mind. I'm sure your kids will love it and the staff is accommodating.

Thanks for the input!  I'll have my husband ask since he usually comes across as friendlier than me. ? 

I don't have an answer to that... If the apps dont need to connect to WiFi to check into etc, then they should Bluetooth sync as well but I am but that tech savvy on it!  Jane

Sorry, I was wrong.  You can use bluetooth with airplane mode.

I like getting dressed up at times- nothing too crazy, but I have some cute summer dresses, so I'm happy to see that there are a couple of formal nights so I have an occasion to wear them. ?

We loved it, we both agree that we enjoy the Oasis class more but we did like it!  I do believe that Two70 was one of my favorite areas on the ship, it was wonderful sitting there people watching as well as watching the aft portion of the ship.  Wife and I actually fell asleep in the chairs just prior to Next Cruise which is close to Two70, we had an amazing time!  Jamies was wonderful and the garlic bread there is to die for!!!  Don't even get me started in on the cheesecake........

We were on Anthem a little less than 4 weeks ago and I can assure you that they had two formal nights!  Not sure who gave you that information but I want to say that they were the second night and the fifth evening.  Hope that you enjoy your cruise! ?

If I can throw an alternative departure port out there, see what flights to Houston / Galveston cost vs. flights to Orlando / Miami / Fort Lauderdale. If the cost is a lot more reasonable, then you could look at sailing out of Galveston on Liberty of the Seas. She's recently refurbished, has the pools and waterslides to keep your kids happy, can take you to the western Caribbean, and IIRC has pretty good rates compared to the Oasis class ships that are newer and carry a sometimes significantly higher price tag.
This would let you try out Royal on a decent length cruise, have a ship that still gives a good number of modern amenities including things like the Broadway shows, see some good ports that have some nice excursion options (and beaches if you decide that's all you want to do), and maybe help save some money while you decide if cruising and Royal Caribbean are a good fit for you.

I like to 'bundle'. That is .. if I am going to spend all this time and money going all the way to [fill in the blank] I'm going to spend as much time and do as much as I can.
That being said I would consider the following.
Orlando has a ton of things kids would enjoy.
Port Canaveral is only 2 hours or less away by car.
That being said, perhaps combine them by spending 3 or 4 nights in Orlando and follow it up with a cruise.
Since it is your first cruise, consider a shorter, 3 or 4 night, just to test the water so to speak and see if you like it. Out of Port Canaveral there are a number of cruises that go to Bermuda and back. You have a good choice of cruise lines and ships to choose from. I am a RCCL fan and Royal has certainly upped the ante with being child friendly.
A shorter cruise will cost less and allow you the time (an money perhaps) to spend some time at one of the Orlando parks.
Don't overlook the Disney Springs area. You can spend an entire day there with no admission with a lot of things adults and kids both would enjoy.
The last time we were there we used Uber quiet a bit. It was reasonable, quick and convenient.
Hope you find the perfect vacation and build lasting memories with the kids.
Take care.
 

Also to note that formal nights are not required ?  just a fun experience to get all jazzed up if you want.  

Thank you!

Way back when the Quantum class was first sailing they had a concept known as Dynamic Dining. This allowed guests to pick between four different restaurants with completely different menus. As the feedback built up they transitioned to the split between My Time and Traditional dining times and each restaurant used the same menu that changed daily.
While the Dynamic Dining concept was going on The Grande was formal night every night with no true formal nights otherwise. After the change over to more standard dining arrangement the dedicated formal nights came back.
More info about Dynamic Dining: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/04/03/everything-we-know-about-royal-caribbeans-dynamic-dining
Abandoning of Dynamic Dining: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/09/12/royal-caribbean-abandons-dynamic-dining-anthem-of-the-seas
 

Wow, very strange that they would make a silly statement like that (maybe it's dated info)... I quickly peeked at 5 or 6 Cruise Compasses with various itineraries, 7-9 nights, from 2018-19 and they all have 2 "Formal Attire" evenings. Can't trust those generic cruise sites, LOL! The Royal experts (not me for sure) are all on here! ☺️
Have an amazing time!

I believe each ship has formal nights. Usually night 2 and 5,6 or 7 on longer cruises...but those can vary. You can also check past cruise compasses for similar itineraries to your cruise. 
 
There are are several threads about them. 

I have not sailed on Anthem yet, but as far as I know, all Royal ships (based on length of cruise) have at least one formal night (except Empress at times)... here is some general info from RC's website which covers how many formal nights and proper attire: 
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/formal-dress-code-guideline
Formal nights:
3/4/5 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 6 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 5 7 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 6 8 - 10 Night Cruises - 2 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing 11 - 14 Night Cruises - 3 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing 15+ Night Cruises - 3 or 4 Formal Nights, Days and number vary by ship and sailing Oasis and Allure - Day 2 and 5 on Western itineraries and Day 2 and 6 on Eastern itineraries Empress of the Seas - Formal Nights are not offered on some sailings  
As @JennyB suggested, the best way to get a good idea is to take a peek at prior Anthem Cruise Compasses with your specific itinerary (if available)... here is a link to the Cruise Compasses uploaded on the forum for Anthem: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=435

You Fitbit should be connected via Bluetooth to your phone.  That doesn't require an internet.  As long as you don't turn off Bluetooth, you should be good.

I would not take your phone out of airplane mode anywhere. It will connect with the local company and you will get a big bill. I have a samsung and was unable to sync with my fitbit because bluetooth won't work on airplane mode so I'm not sure you can do it. Maybe someone else knows how to do it but I couldn't figure it out and I had wi fi.

My Fitbit synced with airplane mode!!  However make sure if ship time changes you adjust your phone manually and resync.  Jane

Put your phone in airplane mode then just turn on Bluetooth and you should be fine. That is assuming that the Fitbit app doesn’t insist on an internet connection.