LIVE from San Juan and Adventure of the Seas - 2/22 to 3/2!

[Floski]

Kayla

 

Please don't apologize - you're on vacation, so don't create added stress for yourself!!!

I'm pretty sure we'll all be quite happy with a few pics/recs/write-ups after you disembark or whenever.

 

Love the picture!!!   Y'all just keep having fun!

 

[KathyC]

20 hours ago, KLAconQueso said:

Officially earning the title of worst live blogger ever - I am so sorry for not staying up to date. This is officially live-ish and I will be absolutely leaving official reviews on everything we did by Sunday evening. That said - Good Times Catamaran in Barbados is officially my favorite excursion I’ve ever done. 

That said, we are currently abusing the last of our drink package in the pub and I’m maybe not entirely sober. 

Cheers! 

 

Good Times Catamaran isn't listed as a Royal excursion, where did you book it?  We're visiting Barbados for the first time in November.

[FlaPackFan]

On 2/17/2018 at 10:28 AM, KLAconQueso said:

I'm a little over excited, so I'm going to go ahead and start the thread and give a bit of a cruise preview. If you guys have any questions or things you'd like me to check out, post it here!

This is my first time on this ship (and class of ship!) and all of the ports are brand new to us, so this will be a very exciting cruise.  

My husband and I plus 10 members from his side of the family (!!!!) will be traveling to San Juan early in the morning on February 22nd, and finally arriving around 3:00 PM (San Juan time). We are staying in Old San Juan in an Air BnB that we are splitting with our siblings in law (two other married couples all around the same age). My in laws and others are staying at the Casa Blanca Hotel. We got a great deal on this AirBnB, so really excited that we were able to find something reasonable in the area of the city that we wanted to be in!  

The cruise doesn’t embark until February 24th, so we will be spending two days exploring the city prior to our cruise. I know a lot of questions have come up here regarding the condition of the city, so I will be sure to share whatever pictures and information that I can!  

Now for our itinerary, we will be visiting St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados – leaving us with only one sea day! VERY port heavy itinerary.  

St. Maarten – We will be taking a Bernard’s SXM Tour (Third Party Excursion) 

St. Kitts – We have an early afternoon Island History and Rum Tasting Tour booked through the cruise line 

Antigua – We will be taking a taxi to Valley Church Beach 

St. Lucia – We are taking a Jeep Adventure and Beach Break excursion that we booked through the cruise line (and swinging by a brewery “tap room” with great reviews near the port!) 

Barbados – We have chartered a private catamaran tour for only our group with two snorkel spots, lunch buffet, and drinks included (SO excited for this!) 

As I mentioned, each of these ports are totally new to us so really excited to see what’s in store.  

For our cabin, we started out in an interior cabin beneath the casino. However, thanks to some price drops, we were able to move up to a Deck 8 Interior Promenade Cabin! It’s our first time in this type of stateroom and we are really excited to check it out based on feedback we’ve had.  

I don’t anticipate we will be doing any specialty dining this cruise (unless we can convince some in the group to join us in the newly added Izumi!), so we will be going to the Main Dining Room with our group during traditional early seating. Additionally, we DID spring for a Deluxe Drink Package this cruise once we saw it drop to $39/pp per day – worth it to us, especially since we are not diamond and do not get the perk of the nightly happy hour (though, this is our first cruise as Emerald!). I did also purchase a single VOOM code to stay connected back home (I worry about our dog!), and also to share our trip with you guys of course!   

Thanks for reading – very much looking forward to sharing our upcoming ADVENTURE on the Adventure of the Seas!   

Please share if you have the Cruise Compass, it's been almost a year since anyone posted a copy! 

Thanks ?

[accio7]

Hi Kayla,

Thanks for your live report and photos, hope you and hubby had a safe trip home :) 

Yes, please, I would love it if you could please scan in your Cruise Compasses and send to Matt! 

[KLA]

I do have all of the cruise compasses! I will get them in to Matt this week. 

Good Times Catamaran is a third party excursion and not offered through the cruise line. They are bookable online via their website (http://www.goodtimesbarbados.com/en/) - I will offer a more extensive review on them in a few days, but I’d recommend just go ahead and book it. You won’t be disappointed. 

[rjac]

On 3/2/2018 at 7:59 PM, KLAconQueso said:

Officially earning the title of worst live blogger ever - I am so sorry for not staying up to date. This is officially live-ish and I will be absolutely leaving official reviews on everything we did by Sunday evening. That said - Good Times Catamaran in Barbados is officially my favorite excursion I’ve ever done. 

That said, we are currently abusing the last of our drink package in the pub and I’m maybe not entirely sober. 

Cheers! 

Kayla you should clean the lens on your smart phone/camera. It's not doing your husband any justice, looks like he left his razor home! Glad you're having a great cruise!

[KLA]

Sorry again for the lateness! Turns out getting home was a little more difficult than anticipated. 

Disembarkation from Adventure was pretty easy - we did self-carry disembarkation around 9:30 AM, and the line getting through customs was fairly quick. Ship to curb, around 10-15 minutes. Keep in mind, due to damage they're still dealing with at Pan-Am Pier you will be embarking and disembarking at level 1 at San Juan. Getting a taxi was pretty easy as well - if there are more than 6 in your group, plan on splitting between two taxis. Getting back to the airport from the port is ~$30 plus $1 per bag. 

Due to all of the super fun storms hitting the east coast, our first leg of our flight got delayed enough that we were going to miss our connection in CLT. Due to some kind of miracle, all 12 of us were able to be moved around to different flights later on in the day. So, we spent about 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM at SJU following the cruise. We landed in ATL around 8 PM, and made our final leg back home putting us in Dayton, Ohio around 11 with an hour drive back home on top of that. Needless to say, we were all exhausted and ready to be home. Yesterday was a day of recovery (and also green juice and other healthy things).

... so, that's why I haven't followed up quite yet. The specific excursions I will be reviewing in greater detail:

St. Maarten - Bernard's SXM Tours (spoiler: book it!)

St. Kitts - Island History & Rum Tour (spoiler: maybe pass on this)

Antigua - Valley Church Beach (spoiler: go!)

St. Lucia - Jeep Safari & Beach Break (spoiler: book it!)

Barbados - Good Times Catamaran (spoiler: book it IMMEDIATELY)

I'd also like to talk a little bit more about the main dining room and other complimentary dining, as well as our feelings in the interior promenade cabin. As mentioned, I DID save all of our cruise compasses and I will be sure to get those to Matt quickly. 

 

[KLA]

On 3/1/2018 at 12:56 PM, Floski said:

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer, but can one legally bring a few bay leaves back to the states.

 

Please...don't judge me for my stupidity.

So - dried spices and hot sauces seem to be okay. Before we were able to even get to ticketing at SJU, the US Agriculture department was screening bags for that kind of thing. Not worth it! 

[KLA]

On 2/25/2018 at 5:57 PM, enjoylife5 said:

Have a great time! I really enjoyed that route last year.  I'm going again in a few weeks.  I'm curious about the VOOM on your trip, i'm hoping it has improved since the last dry dock.  Last year it was not worth the money we spent, but I'd love to purchase it this year if its improved.  Please let us know what you think. I hope it gives you the capability to scope and post pics! Enjoy!

I had VERY good luck with VOOM - besides some slightly slower upload/download times, I was able to do everything I needed to do with ease.

[Matt]

Glad you all got home safely!

[Ogalthorpe Haywood]

Does adventure still have the mystery dinner theater?

[KLA]

14 minutes ago, Ogalthorpe Haywood said:

Does adventure still have the mystery dinner theater?

Yes! This was able to be booked in the Cruise Planner ahead of the cruise, and I also saw it advertised on board early on in the cruise.

[WAAAYTOOO]

UGH.  Sounds like a horrible return trip...but I am glad that you are home safely !!

[Ogalthorpe Haywood]

20 minutes ago, KLAconQueso said:

Yes! This was able to be booked in the Cruise Planner ahead of the cruise, and I also saw it advertised on board early on in the cruise.

Thanks, it’s not in my cruise planner, I sail on may 18th so maybe it’s all booked up. I’ll keep checking or follow up once we board. I’ve heard it’s a fun night.

[Ray]

Great blog 

lots of good information regarding excursions for me to consider 

Glad your home safely

[KLA]

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

UGH.  Sounds like a horrible return trip...but I am glad that you are home safely !!

It's better than the few minutes half of our group were thinking they'd be spending an extra night in San Juan after they told us they didn't have enough places for us! 

[Beyond Vertical]

Hate to beat on my old drum, but did you make it up by the new rooms on deck 12? Any updates on status?

[KLA]

3 minutes ago, Beyond Vertical said:

Hate to beat on my old drum, but did you make it up by the new rooms on deck 12? Any updates on status?

So, I didn't get to walk back in to them, as the area was taped off (literally, with masking tape) and smelled like fresh paint at the end of the cruise. Progress is moving along! 

[KLA]

ALSO - COFFEE CARD: 

Yes, you can use it at Cafe Promenade for the Starbucks coffees. Since there isn't a branded Starbucks Kiosk on Adventure, it makes that whole bit a little bit easier. I heard them talking about it on an interview the CD had on repeat on the tv.

[Boston Babe]

Sounds like you had a great time Kayla! So happy you finally got home safe and sound! Thank you for all the updates and pics! Really looking to AOS!!

[KathyC]

6 hours ago, Ogalthorpe Haywood said:

Thanks, it’s not in my cruise planner, I sail on may 18th so maybe it’s all booked up. I’ll keep checking or follow up once we board. I’ve heard it’s a fun night.

We're on May 18th too!  Did you see that there is a big boat race our day in Port Canaveral?  Whole area is going to be busy.  Not sure what you've got planned for the day, but our plans have now drastically changed.  We were going to meet up with periscoper friends at Grills for lunch, then take an Uber or shuttle to Cocoa Beach for leisurely walks along the beach.  I'm hoping we can at least get off for lunch, as the races are at noon and 2, hoping everyone vacates the port area to go to Cocoa Beach to watch.  But Race Village is located in the port (Fishlips) so not sure how many stay around.  Then I guess back on the ship. :( 

https://thunderoncocoabeach.com/ 

[Ogalthorpe Haywood]

No I had no idea, thanks for the heads up. We were thinking about going to cocoa beach as well but with this info we will rethink our plans. We did the same  itinerary last year on Anthem and they made everyone go through customs drastically cutting into our time so we didn’t do anything. Got off then had to wait an hour to get back on. 

[JLMoran]

Glad you're home safe after one last unexpected adventure! Looking forward to the final recaps after you've had a chance to rest up and gather your thoughts. 

[Beyond Vertical]

18 hours ago, KLAconQueso said:

So, I didn't get to walk back in to them, as the area was taped off (literally, with masking tape) and smelled like fresh paint at the end of the cruise. Progress is moving along! 

Thanks for the update

[enjoylife5]

On 3/5/2018 at 9:07 AM, KLAconQueso said:

I had VERY good luck with VOOM - besides some slightly slower upload/download times, I was able to do everything I needed to do with ease.

Thank you for the follow up! Looks like a fun trip!

[KathyC]

@KLAconQueso something Josh said in his live blog reminded me of a question about Adventure.  Now that they have Izumi, did you notice if is there still a Jade section in the Windjammer?  

[KLA]

12 hours ago, KathyC said:

@KLAconQueso something Josh said in his live blog reminded me of a question about Adventure.  Now that they have Izumi, did you notice if is there still a Jade section in the Windjammer?  

I don't recall seeing Jade featured in the Windjammer - I think now it's just an "International" section as it is on most ships. 

[DDemuth]

KLAcQ,

Thanks for the blog.  Followed along even if I didn't contribute to the discussion.  Loved the grainy photo of you and hubby abusing the drink package.  Maybe conveyed how you two were viewing your surroundings at that time...  

[mom2mybugs]

Thanks so much for the blog.  It has been so much fun reading all your posts!  Jane

[KLA]

Follow up to my St. Maarten excursion posted on the Shore Excursions forum - 

 

[RestingBird]

On 3/5/2018 at 6:58 PM, KathyC said:

We're on May 18th too!  Did you see that there is a big boat race our day in Port Canaveral?  Whole area is going to be busy.  Not sure what you've got planned for the day, but our plans have now drastically changed.  We were going to meet up with periscoper friends at Grills for lunch, then take an Uber or shuttle to Cocoa Beach for leisurely walks along the beach.  I'm hoping we can at least get off for lunch, as the races are at noon and 2, hoping everyone vacates the port area to go to Cocoa Beach to watch.  But Race Village is located in the port (Fishlips) so not sure how many stay around.  Then I guess back on the ship. :( 

https://thunderoncocoabeach.com/ 

The speed boat race is a pretty big deal I guess.  They do a parade and everything.  I was taking a break at work one day and caught the parade in downtown Cocoa Beach...it was about 30-45min of big boats going down A1A.

[BethBean98]

On ‎2‎/‎28‎/‎2018 at 3:21 PM, Floski said:

I meant to ask kayla...or whatever this but forgot - why do you need a luggage scale?  Is that an airlines thing?

 

I tend to over pack, so if we fly, I need to make sure we are not over the 50 lb limit

[Floski]

10 hours ago, BethBean98 said:

I tend to over pack, so if we fly, I need to make sure we are not over the 50 lb limit

Yeah, that was ignorant of me.  I've only gone out of Port Canaveral and I guess just kinda assumed that most folks drove to their port of departure.