Royal Caribbean’s
Adventure of the Seas is one of the world's largest cruise liners, ranking beside her sibling Voyager class ships,
Voyager of the Seas and
Explorer of the Seas .
Adventure of the Seas was completed and made her maiden voyage in 2001. Registered in the Bahamas, she has a 29-ft draft and a cruising speed of 24 knots. She carries up to 3,114 passengers and is 1,020 feet long with a beam of 157.5 feet. She weighs 138,000 tons.
Although her clientele is international, the majority of passengers are from the U.S. The ship rarely seems overcrowded, and housekeeping and maintenance are excellent. Throughout the ship, service is attentive, friendly and welcoming.
Adventure of the Seas sails 7-night cruises from San Juan to the southern Caribbean. Her year-round schedule comprises two alternating cruise routes: Aruba, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Thomas; and St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. The first itinerary includes two days at sea, while the latter provides just one.
The ship's decor, modern and fresh, is identical to that of her sisters. The Royal Promenade serves as an indoor street, lined with duty-free shops, a sports bar, an English pub, a champagne bar and the Cafe Promenade. This last venue is a 24-hour cafe serving drinks, pastries, cookies, sandwiches, frozen yogurt and delicious pizzas. A coffee and tea area proffers hot drinks. Weekly parades of dancers and musicians stream down this route, and diners can enjoy them from tables and chairs outside the eateries. The customer relations area and excursion desks are the final stops on the promenade. The long list of excursions includes shopping, sightseeing and sports-related activities. Upstairs, the Casino Royale features the customary slot machines and table games. Several bars are located throughout the ship, and waiters traverse the outdoor decks serving island drinks from trays. Stunning water views can be seen from the Viking Crown lounge and bar, adjacent to the Crow's Nest atop the 15 decks.
The three-level theater accommodates 1,400 for nightly shows that range from Broadway-style musical revues to comedians and jugglers. Another entertainment option is the ice rink, which hosts popular evening performances with professional ice skaters. Guest are welcome to ice skate here during the day. If they prefer in-line skating, they can find it on the sports deck, which also houses a basketball court, a rock climbing wall and a miniature golf course. Exercise and aerobics classes are available at the ShipShape Spa, along with an assortment of beauty treatments. Relaxation awaits at the whirlpool, steam rooms and saunas. The three pools and whirlpools on the lido decks are often surrounded by hordes of people enjoying live music. This ship caters to children of all ages with a dedicated Adventure Ocean program that organizes activities for them. Teens have scheduled activities as well, including a private nightclub (Optix) complete with a bouncer, and parents are not allowed inside! This popular and safe alternative for teenagers is a strong draw for families. A huge arcade is located next door. Jesters nightclub, popular with adults, features a dance floor, a bar and nonstop music nightly.
Formal dining is in the Vivaldi, Strauss and Mozart restaurants, where the elegant decor centers around a grand three-story staircase, wood paneling and burgundy fabrics. Here, guests congregate for all three meals in a formal setting (dinner is in several courses). Seating varies, and small parties are usually grouped together at large tables. Requests for private tables are not always accommodated. Those seeking a quiet meal can dine on Italian cuisine at the more intimate Portofino, but they will pay a surcharge per person for reservations. The famous Johnny Rockets diner serves burgers, fries and shakes and can be crowded at times. The Windjammer cafe serves breakfast, lunch and snacks buffet style in a more informal setting. Room service is available at all hours.
Of the 1,557 cabins, 757 have balconies and 138 look inward to the Royal Promenade. Small cabins feature bunk or queen size beds, limited closet space, a desk and small bathroom with shower. Larger cabins feature more space, most notably in the bath. Suites have VCRs, plentiful closet space, tubs, king or double beds and additional sofa beds.
A concierge lounge is provided for category B suites and higher featuring complimentary drinks, evening hors d'oeurves and concierge service. This mega-cruise ship can be mega-fun for families, couples and vacation travelers.
