Showing posts with label Royal Caribbean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Caribbean. Show all posts

7.04.2016

CRUISING ON THE ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS

We recently completed our 9th cruise (slowly moving up the cruise ship loyalty ladders!). We cruised on Royal Caribbean for the 5th time (we've made it to platinum-level of the Crown & Anchor society), this time on the Voyager-class Adventure of the Seas.

Here is the ship docked in Curaçao...





All Voyager-class ships have the Royal Promenade which is like an indoor shopping mall traversing nearly the length of the ship...it is the heart of the cruise ship. Passengers can shop for jewelry, perfume and clothing, taste a multitude of imported beers in a pub, get pizza, coffee, snacks or pastries at the open-24-hours Café Promenade, check out the latest sports scores at the sports bar or just find a seat, relax and people-watch. 









































At least once a cruise the ship's crew puts on a spectacular parade up and down the Promenade with elaborate costumes. 



























Of course, you don't go on a cruise to stay indoors. If passengers aren't relaxing on the Royal Promenade, they're hanging out at the pool deck. On the pool deck there are 2 side-by-side pools plus 4 whirlpools for passengers of all ages...


















And the adults-only Solarium area with its pool...



and two oversized whirlpools. That's husband frolicking in the frothy waters.







Besides water activities on the ship the other main activity is of course eating. There are a multitude of places to eat on Adventure of the Seas: besides the buffet style Windjammer Café, there is the 3-deck main dining room...we chose the My Time dining option. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the dining room. The dinner selections and service were all excellent the times we did eat here.



If you like burgers and milk shakes, there's Johnny Rockets, a 1950s style old-fashioned diner...there Is a small fee to eat here.






For something different, try Giovanni's Table...but make sure you are really hungry when you go. Three filling courses of delicious Italian specialties. There is a charge for eating here, but sometimes it's nice to splurge. We enjoyed it very much.



















For those late night cravings, Café Promenade is open 24 hours. Here you can also purchase specialty coffees and Ben and Jerry's ice cream.









Of course if you're not eating, then you're drinking. No shortage of bars/lounges on Adventure of the Seas. There is the Duck and Dog Pub, an English-style pub featuring a multitude of imported beers...


Keep up with the sports scores at Gravity, the ship's sports bar. NOTE: While you're at sea, most sports is ESPN International. Hopefully you like soccer...but did you come on a cruise ship to watch TV?


Prefer a glass of the bubbly? Order a glass in the Champagne Bar...






There is the appropriately-named Schooner Bar...


Another Royal Caribbean signature bar, enjoy views of the surrounding ocean and the pool decks from the Viking Crown Lounge located high up on the 14th deck. A bar during the day, you can dance all those calories off at night when it becomes a dance club.

As beautiful as the ship is now and although just in 2014 she received a Royal Advantage upgrade, later this year Adventure of the Seas will undergo a $61 million renovation. In addition to new waterslides and Flowrider, two new restaurants will be added, another lounge and more than 100 new cabins and Suites Lounge for luxury travelers.

Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner

All photos were taken by my husband and me in May/June 2016. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

2.07.2015

A PRIVATE PARADISE: VISITING LABADEE

Our final port stop was Labadee. A small peninsula nestled at the base of the lush hills on the northern coast of Haiti, Labadee is a private resort leased by Royal Caribbean.





















In 2009, Royal Caribbean spent over $55 million improving the facilities including upgrading the ship dock in order to accommodate their large Freedom-class and Oasis-class ships, like our Independence of the Seas.






















The beach is the main attraction on Labadee. A crescent-shaped area of sugary sand, located on the calm cove waters, is shaded by numerous palm trees. Complimentary lounge chairs are available. 













































NOTE: There is a water slide, roller coaster and floating water apparatus for kids to use, but the rental fees are priced too high in my opinion.


However, we did rent the floating mats and took turns enjoying the refreshing Caribbean waters and our tropical refreshments.













































Local merchants are allowed to sell their colorful wares...it was interesting haggling prices with them!
We did purchase one of the small colorful artworks. 

Instead of taking the tender back to the ship, we decided to walk back to the ship which allowed us to see more of Labadee.  How strange to see these conifer-like trees in the midst of tropical palm trees...












































We were able to see the spectacular Atlantic Ocean side...

















and the amazing Dragon's Breath Flight Line...a 500-foot long zipline ride directly over the water!
Colorful Haitian dancers welcomed back to the ship.


As we sailed away from Labadee, we knew we still had one last full sea day on the ship before sailing back to Fort Lauderdale.






















Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner 

All photos in this post were taken by my husband and me during our Caribbean cruise in May, 2014

1.25.2015

COLORFUL OLD SAN JUAN

As we sailed into the port of San Juan, we passed the dramatic Castillo San Felipe El Morro...my shore excursion which was a walking tour of Old San Juan included a tour of the fortress.






















But first, let me show you my captures of the beautiful, colorful buildings and architecture of Old San Juan.






















The beautiful courtyard of the Museo de las Americas...



















Every building is a different color...



















The Hotel El Convento is the yellow building to the right...

Beautiful architectural detailing along with the color...























 




More and more colorful buildings...
Beautiful tiles decorate the side of buildings and tell you the name of streets...
























 





Detailed ironwork embellishes the buildings...

Every street has so many colorful buildings...
























Even this small, narrow, colorful house has character...




























Look at the building decorated with Mudéjar tiles based on the Spanish influence...

I just can't get enough of Old San Juan! Fortunately, we'll be back in three months for our cruise departure in April, 2016.

























 






Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner 

All photos were taken by me during my Caribbean cruise in May, 2014.