Royal Caribbean-Adventures of the Seas Any recommendations?

Question

Hi everyone I am going to be going to the Southern Caribbean this summer on the Adventures of The Seas. This will be my first Cruise and I am VERY excited!! Can anyone give me some advice and reccomendations. I would really appreciate it. Also does anyone know if they offer any all you can drink prepaid cards or what drinks are free?

Answer 1

For coke/pepsi you will need a soda card and you can buy those on the ship. Also if you don't already I would get a passport because it will be required going back in the US since I assume that you are probably leaving from San Juan, PR.. but if it is a longer cruise then you could be leaving from Florida and i say this because the passports are in demand right now and they are taking longer to do like 10 weeks instead of the usual 6.

Answer 2

If you want to use the spa or any of those type of services - book them as soon as you get on the ship to get the best possible time for your appointment.

Usually the only drinks that are free are coffee, tea, lemonade and stuff like that.  Sodas and alcohol are a separate charge.  Most cruise ships usually some sort of drink plan for sodas.  As far as alcohol, keep an eye on daily activities, there are often rum parties and wine tastings that offer free drinks.  Also see if your ship has refill cups or glasses, that will help cut down on costs.

PS Be sure to hit the beach in Barbados, they have some fo the best in the Caribbean

Answer 3

You may be going on the same cruise and ship that we are going on in May, out of Puerto Rico.  Here's the scoop on cruises.

First of all the terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom.  The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Suites and penthouses can be between 350 and 1300 square feet. Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, and a life jacket for each passenger.

Once you are on ship the staff caters to you, its whatever you want. There is something to do all day every day. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card.  Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship.  Infants and small children may be required to wear an ID bracelet (like in the hospital) in lieu of carry a card.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations.  Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service.

All ships have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to.  There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. The newer Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall and the newest one has a pool for water surfing.

There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf.  Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent).  There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music.  Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave.  On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .      

On ship they have some things to drink that are always free:  tap water, iced tea, hot tea, coffee, milk, juices, punches.  If you want soft drinks or alcoholic beverages you must pay for them.  Soft drinks like Coke or Pepsi will be about $1.50 a can or for a fountain soda.  Beer, wine and other liquor will cost from about $3.50 to $7.00, depending upon what you order.  You can buy soft drink beverage cards for a set fee for the cruise; like $30 to $35 for a 7 day cruise. Each person must have his/her own card.  I have never seen alcoholic beverage cards offered on any of the cruise lines I have been on: NCL, Princess, RC, Celebrity.

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain.  The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire.  But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women.  Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown.  You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up.  (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).  The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM when they request that you wear "sports casual" attire.  That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc.  You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.

Enjoy your cruise.

Answer 4

My fiance and I are going on the adventures of the seas in May for our honeymoon. I heard you can get prepaid cards for your drinks. Soda are free, but you have to pay for your alchol.