Royal Caribbean - Adventure of the Seas - What to Expect

“Let the sea set you free.”

Anonymous

Royal Caribbean - Adventure of the Seas

The much awaited cruise day is here. Today Joe and I are getting on the Adventure of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean voyager class cruise ship that is sailing to Bar Harbor, Maine, Saint John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia for a six day cruise. We are leaving from the port city of Bayonne, New Jersey.

Statue of Liberty with Empire State Building and World Trade Tower

While driving up the New Jersey Turnpike, our Google Map GPS guided us off of the turnpike at exit 13 instead of exit 14 as it should have. We ended up paying a $15 dollar toll to get us onto Staten Island, New York to take us back to Bayonne, New Jersey. That was my first time on Staten Island.  Joe asked the toll gate lady if this would take us to Bayonne, which she said, yes. But we knew we were not supposed to go to New York, via New Jersey to get to New Jersey, but here we were. I guess that is when a map comes in handy. It worked out fine and did get us to Bayonne but with a costly lesson. So lesson learned, if you are going to Bayonne, New Jersey, take exit 14. FYI

New York City

We drove to the Bayonne Cruise Parking which was about half the price of the cruise ship terminal parking. We drove through a pretty sketchy area heading towards the cruise ship and when we first pulled into the parking area we were not so sure if the savings was worth it, but it worked out wonderfully. They were very helpful and nice, and let us self park – keeping the keys to the car and parking in an easy in and out area. It is a secured lot and they helped us load our luggage into the back of their shuttle van and then drove us the short 1.5 miles to the cruise ship. At the terminal, they unloaded our luggage also. We were very happy with their service and would recommend this parking area for this terminal. When we got off the ship, it was very easy also. The shuttle was parked outside and got us back to the parking area pronto and all was fine. We were able to just drive off the lot and head for home. We would recommend this parking facility to anyone cruising out of Bayonne.

Looking back at where we entered the cruise port

Store before entering ship

Sit and wait

When we got to the cruise ship, the porters took our large luggage and we kept our carry ons. They guided into the terminal where we showed our passport and ticket for the cruise and we headed to the security area. We put all metal items, phones, purse, and our carry ons through the x-ray machine. The security guard raised his eyebrows when he saw that Joe had a bugle in his carry on. I do believe he had never seen one go through before.

Entrance to Cruise ship.

Smile for your first picture of the cruise

After we got through security, we once again showed our passport and ticket to the Royal Caribbean crew. They took our picture and then told us where to sit to wait to board the ship. While waiting in this area, you can get a picture taken with a picture of the ship behind you, get a cup of coffee, or go into the gift shop to buy a trinket of your choice. In about an hour, they boarded us by rows. We went up the escalator, showed our boarding pass and boarded the ship, and embarked on our journey. That went easiest boarding that we ever had on a cruise ship. Way to go Royal Caribbean.

This cruise ship was built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards Turku New Shipyard in Finland and was completed in 2001. She is 1020 feet in length and has 15 decks. She holds 3,114 passengers as well as 1180 crew members. She goes to ports in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Canada. She is a beauty.

The ship as we walked up the gang plank

Lady Liberty standing strong

First drink of the cruise.   Yum.

Lighthouse on the Hill in Bayonne, NJ

Splashaway for Kids

Windjammer Cafe

Windjammer Cafe

Long buffets with lots of food in the Windjammer Cafe

Windjammer Cafe

After boarding the ship around 10:30, we were told our rooms would not be ready till 1:00 which is normal on cruise ships as the crew ready the rooms for everyone. We headed to deck 11, where the pool was and sat in a comfortable lounge chair overlooking the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty. We both ordered a drink and started our relaxing vacation. This is the life. What a great view. Deck 11 is where the pools and hot tubs are located along with the movie screen and lounge chairs for sunbathing. They offered outdoor movies throughout the week to watch while lounging on deck chairs near the pool. For the children, they have Splashaway Bay just for them. The Windjammer Cafe is located on that deck also where they have a buffet where you can choose from a variety of foods to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was open and busy when we got on the ship. The Arctic Station is there also where you can get soft ice cream.

Walking area

Duck in Dog Tavern

This trip would not have been possible without the help of Mike Moyer (www.MikeMoyerTravel.com), the best travel agent ever and our friend, who organized this trip (the 113th Army Band’s 2nd Reunion) for us and took care of all the details. He made our trip worry free and for that we owe you our deepest gratitude. Thank you for everything and we so enjoyed having this time together. Really, if you are looking to take a trip, he will take all the worry out of the plans.

Exercise class

one of the many pools with life guard

One of the many hot tubs

Running track

This ship is beautifully designed and is a gorgeous ship full of color and class. The Adventure of the Seas was in pristine shape and spotless with beautiful details throughout the ship. The décor was amazing. There was so much to do everyday that there is no way you could ever get bored. Every day you get the Cruise Compass, a news letter delivered to your stateroom that gives detailed information of what is happening on the ship on that day.

Perfect Storm Water Slides

Splash  -   wheee!!

Miniature Golf

Flowrider

Johnny Rockets

The Perfect Storm Water Slides at night - beautiful

Basketball Court

Rock Climbing Wall

Kids Play Area

Entrance to Kid Play Area

Entrance to Kid Play Area 

Video arcade 

On deck 12, there was a rock climbing wall, amazing and beautiful water slides called the Perfect Storm, a Flowrider, a basketball court, and a miniature golf course. There was also a Johnny Rocket’s Restaurant there if you wanted to have a great burger and shake for a cost. If you are unfamiliar with cruising, each ship has a few fine dining or special places where you can eat but pay extra to eat there.

Joe at the Duck and Dog Tavern

Schooner Lounge

Schooner Lounge

Relaxing

Our friends started coming in and we enjoyed some time with them all reminiscing before going to our rooms. It was so wonderful seeing our great friends from some odd thirty years ago. It was as if no time was lost. That is how you can tell that we are all great friends.

Our Room -   Love it

Our quaint bathroom

Our Balcony -  Pure Heaven

Night time gifts from Vanessa - we will call this one Edward

Mollie the Monkey

Radar the Rabbit

Folding Towel Demonstration

We headed to our room 6216 on the 6th deck and found it to be a very nice room. The sixth floor was just rooms. We met Vanessa who was our room steward and was a sweetheart. She took care of all our needs this week including making us quite little towel animals to amuse us. We had a king size bed, end tables, closet, sofa, and vanity with a small bathroom with a shower, and a good size balcony. There was a safe in the room to lock up our valuables as well as a small refrigerator and television. We were very satisfied and happy with our living accommodations for the week.

Tear Drop Memorial

Walking out on our balcony, we could see the Russian memorial they sent to the USA after 9/11. It is known as the “Tear Drop Memorial” and officially entitled - “To the Struggle Against World Terrorism” in Harbor View Park. It stands 100 feet high and contains a jagged tear. The tear is a 40 foot stainless steel teardrop representing the sadness of the loss of life. It was the work of the Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli. It was dedicated on September 11, 2006 to the 3,000 lives that were lost. What a moving tribute to those who we lost on that tragic day.

View on our way out of New York Harbor

Joe played his bugle for all to hear as we left the port of Bayonne. A great way to start our cruise. Our suitcases hadn’t arrived yet so we took off to explore the boat. They showed up about two hours later and we went back to the room and unpacked our things before dinner that night.

  

Just  a decoration on the ship

Picture station on the boat

Deck three had Studio B which is where they put on an amazing ice skating show. When the show was not on, you could actually schedule to go ice skating. It was amazing to see on a cruise ship. The picture gallery was also on that floor where you could go and buy pictures that were taken of you from the cruise.

Part of our gang at Dinner 

Main Dining Room

Main Dining room during  lunch time

More views 

Another view of the dining room

Lunch where they made a chopped salad - yummy

Dessert they brought for Royal Caribbeans 50th anniversary

Shamir

John

Mike, Ray, Sue, Leo, Joe

We had our muster on the fourth floor in a lounge where we were all instructed what to do in case of an emergency right before the ship was leaving port. There were shuffle boards on that deck as well as where the emergency life boats were hung. Deck Four was also where the main dining room is located. Actually the main dining room has three levels but our table was located on the fourth floor. We had the 5:30 time scheduled so we could all eat together. We had great times there with our friends joking and enjoying each others company throughout the cruise. Our main waiter, Shamir and his assistant, John kept us laughing and well fed throughout the cruise. They were excellent. The staff all got together and sang a song for us on the last two nights sailing. Wish we could  bring them home to continue to be pampered.  

Casino

Statues in the Casino

Leading into the casino

Barmaid statue in Casino

The popcorn lady statue in the casino

Guest services - for excursions and/or questions

Just outside the casino

More casino decor. 

Show at the Lyric Theatre

The show - Impact

Impact

Tom McTigue - the comedian

Showcase show

The Lyric Theatre

Shuffle Board Fun

The fourth floor also has a Casino, Chops Grille (a specialty restaurant), a couple of bars, and the Lyric Theatre where the shows where every night. Royal Caribbean put on some good shows. One was called Impact and it was three men from Argentina who put on an energetic show with dancing and playing drums. There also was a Showtime Spectacular which was also high energy. We really enjoyed the comedian, Tom McTigue who put on a late night show that was hysterical. The ship offers a wide variety of talent to enjoy while cruising.

The Promenade

Introducing the Captain and Crew in the Promenade

                                         

The ships band

Jewelry fashion show on the Promenade

Marble staircase

Jess Lacoy entertaining at Duck and Dog Pub

Jess Lacoy 

On the 5th deck was the royal promenade. The promenade has stores, a couple restaurants including Izumi, the cafe promenade (where you can get food and coffee 24 hours a day), and the Duck and Dog Pub. There was a very talented female guitar player/singer named Jess Lacoy who we really enjoyed listening to at the Duck and Dog Pub.

Spa area

Huge Cake to honor those who served

Walking down the promenade, you can look up and see four floors above you. There are interior rooms that have windows overlooking this area. They have bands and events here throughout the week and the lighting changes here throughout the day giving this area a unique and beautiful ambiance. One event that moved me was the tribute to those who have served, whether military or police or firefighters. They had a nice ceremony with military and patriotic music and large cake to be shared by all. The ships band was excellent. The promenade is a great feature to this ship and one we just loved.

Deck twelve relaxing

View from Blue Moon Bar and Lounge on the 14th floor

Blue Moon Bar and Lounge

Stage at the Blue Moon Bar and Lounge

Ray, Leo, and Joe

Doris, Denise, and Mike

Steve and Sue

The Blue Moon Lounge and Bar was located on the 14th floor. That bar had the best views and was a great gathering spot. Joe and I brought some of our old pictures to look at from the band days and we all enjoyed a night of looking at old pictures and talking. Also on the floor was the area for the Diamond members which is an exclusive club.

The Chapel

Part of the Chapel

If you walk up the stairs from there to the 15th floor is where the chapel was located. It was a lovely area and quiet away from all the ships activities.

Joe at a pool side bar enjoying the sun

Great Calypso Band

Calypso Band with Steel Drum - wonderful

Blues Band

Latino style music -   Excellent

During the week, there were musicians playing through out the ship that we really enjoyed. It was so relaxing sitting in a lounge and listening to good live music. There was line dancing lessons, towel folding demonstrations, belly flop contests, shuffle board contests, bingo, poker tournaments, art auctions, humorous marriage shows, and much more.

Schooner Bar

Schooner Bar

Schooner Bar

Heather and Joe on Formal night

Before the ceremony

Ray doing his Eulogy at the ceremony 

On our last night of the cruise, we all had dinner together as usual and stretching our meal time out to almost two hours. Then we walked to the back of the boat on Deck 4 and we had a ceremony to honor those who had served and passed away from the 113th Army Band. Ray Claes did a great job eulogizing those we lost and then Joe played Taps. It was sad saying goodbye to everyone, but we know we will be cruising with them again. Till next time.

Outdoor Movie with Moon Lounge above

Nighttime on Deck eleven

Deck twelve around 10 at night

Beautiful moon lite night

This is an amazing ship that we would recommend with a big thumbs up. I hope you have enjoyed your trip with us through the pictures of this fine ship. Check out all their ships on their web site: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/. Good bye for now.