Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	419
Accommodation	200	155
Food	400	242
Service	400	283
Entertainment	100	83
Cruise	400	311

How this score is created

Adventure of the Seas is a large, floating, family-friendly leisure resort (sister to Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas, which debuted between 1999 and 2004). It was named in New York City by Mayor Giuliani on November 10, 2001, together with representatives from the Fire Department of New York, New York Police Department, and the Port Authority Police Department in a moving ceremony at the New York Passenger Terminal at Pier 88. At that time, Royal Caribbean International made a $50,000 contribution to the Twin Towers Relief Fund, in the aftermath of the terrorist atrocities inflicted on the city.

The propulsion is derived from three pod units (two azimuthing, and one fixed at the centerline), powered by electric motors instead of conventional rudders and propellers, in the latest configuration of high-tech propulsion systems.

With large proportions, the ship provides an abundance of facilities and options, rather like a small town, yet it manages to have a healthy passenger space ratio (the amount of space per passenger). Being a “non-Panamax” ship, it is too large to go through the Panama Canal, thus limiting its itineraries almost exclusively to the Caribbean (where only a few islands can accept it), or for use as a floating island resort. Spend the first few hours exploring all the many facilities and public spaces aboard this vessel and it will be time well spent.

Although Adventure of the Seas is a large ship, the cabin hallways are warm and attractive, with artwork cabinets and wavy lines to lead you along and break up the monotony. In fact, there are plenty of colorful, even whimsical, decorative touches to help you avoid what could be a very clinical environment.

Embarkation and disembarkation typically take place through two stations/ access points, designed to minimize the inevitable lines (that’s over 1,500 people for each access point). Once inside the ship, you’ll need good walking shoes, particularly when you want to go from one end to the other – it really is quite a long way.

A four-decks-high Royal Promenade is the main interior focal point; it’s a good place to hang out, to meet someone, or to arrange to meet someone. The length of two football fields (American football, that is), it has two internal lobbies (atria) that rise through 11 decks. Cafés, shops, and entertainment locations front this winding street and interior “with-view” cabins look into it from above.

It is designed loosely in the image of London’s fashionable Burlington Arcade – although there’s not a real brick in sight. It is, however, an imaginative piece of design work, and most passengers (particularly those who enjoy shopping malls) enjoy it immensely.

The long super-atrium houses a “traditional” pub. There is also a Champagne Bar, a Sidewalk Café (for continental breakfast, all-day pizzas, speciality coffees, and desserts), Sprinkles (for round-the-clock ice cream and yoghurt), and a sports bar. There are also several shops – jewelry shop, gift shop, liquor shop, perfume shop, and a logo souvenir shop. Comedy art has its place here, too, for example in the trompe l’oeil painter climbing up the walls.

The Guest Reception and Shore Excursion counters are located at the aft end of the promenade, as is an ATM machine. Things to watch for: look up to see the large moving, asteroid-like sculpture (constantly growing and contracting). At times, street entertainers appear, and parades are staged, while at other (carefully orchestrated) times it’s difficult to walk through the area as it is filled to the brim with tacky shopping items – like a cheap bazaar.

Arched across the promenade is a captain’s balcony, and in the center of the promenade a stairway connects you to the deck below, where you’ll find the Schooner Bar (a piano lounge that is a feature of all RCI ships) and the colorful Casino Royale (large and full of flashing lights and noises). Gaming includes blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, roulette, and craps, as well as 300 slot machines.

Aft of the casino is the Aquarium Bar, while close by are some neat displays of oceanographic interest. Royal Caribbean International has teamed up with the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science to study the ocean and the atmosphere. A small onboard laboratory is part of the project.

There’s also a regulation-size ice-skating rink (Studio B), featuring real, not fake, ice, with “bleacher” seating for up to 900, and the latest in broadcast facilities. Superb Ice Follies shows are presented here. Slim pillars obstruct clear-view arena stage sight lines, however. If ice-skating in the Caribbean doesn’t appeal, you may enjoy the stunning two-deck library (open 24 hours a day). A grand $12 million was spent on permanent artwork. Drinking places include a neat Aquarium Bar, complete with 50 tons of glass and water in four large aquariums (whose combined value is over $1 million).

Other drinking places include the small and intimate Champagne Bar, Crown & Anchor Pub, and Connoisseur Club – for cigars and cognacs. Lovers of jazz might appreciate Blue Moon, an intimate room for cool music atop the ship in the Viking Crown Lounge, or the Schooner Bar piano lounge. Golfers might enjoy the 19th Hole – a golf bar, as they play the Adventure Links.

There is a television studio with high-tech broadcast facilities, located adjacent to rooms that can be used for trade show exhibit space, with conference center seating 400 and a multi-media screening room that seats 60. High atop the ship, lovers could tie the knot in a wedding chapel in the sky, the Skylight Chapel; located on the upper level of the Viking Crown Lounge, it has wheelchair access via an electric stairlift. Outdoors, the pool and open deck areas provide a resort-like environment.

Families with children are also well catered for, as facilities for children and teenagers are quite extensive. “Aquanauts” is for 3–5 year olds; “Explorers” is for 6–8 year olds; “Voyagers” is for 9–12 year olds. Optix is a dedicated area for teenagers, including a daytime club (with several computers), soda bar, and dance floor. “Challenger’s Arcade” features an array of the latest video games. Paint and Clay is an arts and crafts center for younger children. Adjacent is Adventure Beach, an area for all the family; it includes swimming pools, a water slide and game areas outdoors.

Remember that, if you meet someone somewhere and want to meet them again, you’ll need to make an appointment – for this really is a large, Las Vegas-style American floating resort-city for the lively of heart and fleet of foot. The best advice I can give you is to arrange to meet somewhere along the Royal Promenade.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008