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Adventure of the Seas was built in 1999 and debuted in 2001 as the third in the series of Royal Caribbean's game-changing Voyager-class vessels. Though Adventure has been bypassed in size and amenities by the Freedom-class trio, the Quantum-class ships and the massive Oasis-class quintuplets, it's still among the world's larger ships, with a range of the most uncruise-like venues at sea, such as an ice-skating rink and rock-climbing wall -- not to mention the bustling hub that is Royal Promenade, a shopping mall-esque boulevard of retail stores, bars and cafes. The Adventure of the Seas length is equivalent to 3 soccer fields (1,020 feet long) and at maximum capacity can hold 3,807 guests.
The Adventure of the Seas Deck Plan Combines Family Fun and Adult-Only Areas
The Adventure of the Seas deck plan is almost a carbon copy of its sister ships’, with a number of elements that allow both a good night’s sleep and great passenger flow. Only a relatively small percentage of rooms share deck with public spaces, which helps keep the noise at bay on most levels. Light sleepers may want to avoid cabins on decks 2, 3 and 6, but most others should offer pretty quiet nights. Ambience variety is key – and Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas does it well. The Lyric Theater has a nifty Art Nouveau interior; the adult-only solarium pool evokes the glories of Venice; and the Casino Royal centres on a Hollywood theme. The English Pub is perfect for Anglo-philes, Champagne Bar is elegant and Boleros nightclub resonates with a Latin vibe. This ship is so well designed -- with lots of very distinctly themed rooms and with even the larger venues like the Lyric Theater and Imperial Lounge feeling unexpectedly cosy -- that Adventure of the Seas has the potential to spoil first-timers and even seduce some of us crusty ol' cruise traditionalists. There are so many things to do on Adventure of the Seas that passengers will struggle to do everything during a week-long sailing – movie nights, rock-climbing walls, ice skating, mini-golf, tons of workshops, a gym, a spa and plenty of shows keep guests of all ages busy. Does Adventure of the Seas have slides, you may wonder – yes, two of them actually, and they’re called The Perfect Storm. While this cruise ship is clearly geared towards families, adults can also find pockets of peace here and there – in particular, at the adults-only Solarium, which features a small pool, two whirlpools, a sun deck, and a bar. Although it’s on Adventure of the Seas deck 11, the adult-only area is enclosed and the noise from the family pool, the splash pool for kids, and the Windjammer buffet doesn’t carry. The 2018 Adventure of the Seas refurbishment left the ship sparkling, and added new specialty dining venues, and generally refreshed all public areas and cabins.
Brilliance of the Seas vs Adventure of the Seas
We love Royal Caribbean because it manages to cater to a wide range of cruisers. While the Voyager class to which Adventure of the Seas belongs and the larger Oasis- and Quantum-class ships are wonderful options for families seeking a fun-filled, bustling vacation at sea, Brilliance of the Seas and other Radiance class vessels are the way to go if you want a more traditional cruising experience. They may not have as many bells and whistles as the newer ships (no massive water slides, fewer dining options) but Radiance vessels are mellower and quieter. If you’re trying to decide between Brilliance of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas, for example, you may want to ask yourself whether you want loud music, non-stop family entertainment and high-adrenaline activities (go for Adventure) or a more relaxing, classic cruising experience that also offers a few child-friendly amenities, including a kids’ club and a splash area (book Brilliance).
**Daytime:** Dress is quite casual during the day.
**Evening:** There are two formal nights where most men wore suits and women wore dressy (but not long) cocktail gowns. Otherwise, people dressed in "smart casual" which varied from country club wear to dressy. We saw all types. A couple of nights were themed and you could wear, say, country-western garb or '50's styles.
**Not permitted:** No tank tops, bathing suits or baseball caps are permitted in the main dining room or specialty restaurants, and footwear is always required. Shorts are not permitted at dinner, except in the buffet.
Theatres and Shows on Adventure of the Seas
Throughout the day and night, there's often some type of performance along the Promenade, either a parade or jugglers and comics who wander through the giant mall-like space and perform with the crowd. At night, there are two kinds of entertainment -- the traditional-style cruise productions -- singing and dancing shows in The Lyric. Bar venues, of course, offer a variety of musical performances that are aimed to please just about everybody at any time -- classical guitar, country/western, jazz. Beyond the usual, where this ship excels is the unique. Studio B (the ice rink) hosts full production ice-skating shows. (There is no charge but the venue is small so tickets are limited. They make announcements about when you can pick them up.)
Daily Things to do on Adventure of the Seas
Where do you even begin? It can be very hard to relax on Adventure of the Seas -- even on sea days -- because of the head-spinning array of activities that run from dawn to dusk and beyond! The ship's entertainment staff offers an intriguing blend of options, and everyone, from the most traditional passenger to the completely contemporary traveller, will find something to do. Highlights? During the day, you'll find plenty of traditional cruise activities, such as bingo, dance lessons (line-dancing), rock-climbing wall competitions, horse racing, art auctions, seminars (on everything from healthy eating to gemstones), Mr. Sexy Legs contests, bridge pairing, art and craft workshops and films in the tiny cinema. Poolside, throughout the day, a live band plays a blend of Caribbean and American songs. Royal Caribbean does not offer much in the way of onboard enrichment lectures.
Pools and Hot Tubs on Adventure of the Seas
Even on sea days, everyone has plenty of room around the two pools -- an admirable feat. One interesting feature about the hot tubs is some are double-sized, which again makes room for more folks. Tiered decks surround an outdoor theatre, where everything from "men's sexiest legs" contests to live dance band performances take place. There are two bars by the main pool. The Solarium pool and whirlpools are situated in a quieter, more laid-back setting; the area is adults-only.
Ice Skating and Outdoor Things to Do on Adventure of the Seas
All of the major (outdoor) athletic activities -- the nine-hole miniature golf course, rollerblading rink, full-size basketball/volleyball court, golf simulator and rock-climbing wall -- are tucked into a "sports centre" that lies aft. The pocket-sized ice skating rink is tucked well below, into the bowels of the ship. Note that some of the more specialised activities -- rock climbing, rollerblading and ice skating -- are offered only at specified times so check your daily compass for available hours. The ship's jogging/power walking track winds around the main pool area. One nice touch: Royal Caribbean does not layer on a lot of extra fees for equipment "rental" -- there is no charge for using everything from ice skates (you can choose between hockey and figure models) to rollerblades.
Spa and Fitness Centre on Adventure of the Seas
The 15,000-square-foot spa spans two levels. One houses the quite ample fitness facility (no overcrowding here) and a workout room where classes are offered. Upstairs in the spa and salon facility, a wide range of treatment programs are offered, such as facials, massages, manicures and hair-styling. A couple of caveats: The prices for treatments have risen to breathtaking levels, though the spa did offer "discounts" on port-of-call days (and as the cruise wound down), but that just brought the prices down to industry-normal levels. In addition, treatment employees will engage, way too aggressively, in the much-loathed product pitch at the end of your appointment. The products are also over-priced. Just say no.
What's nifty about this ship is there is no one recurrent theme. Feel like an Asian atmosphere? Head for the Imperial Lounge. Feel the urge for a clubby, elegant salon? Try the Sky Bar. Most of the major indoor venues are located off or along the Royal Promenade, which tends to really come alive at night. There you'll find shops (the usual cruise-style boutiques that sell logo items, duty-free liquor, perfume and cruise wear) and bars like the Duck & Dog British style pub (though many of its draught beer choices are puzzlingly non-Brit), and the somewhat-elegant-but-mostly-bland Champagne Bar. However, the highlight is the 24-hour Café at the Promenade, which is a great place to snack and people watch. Off the main promenade, in various directions, are the Imperial Lounge (the ship's secondary theatre with entertainment ranging from line-dancing classes to cooking workshops) and the Duck & Dog Pub. Connected to the Promenade, via various stairways, are additional entertainment arenas, including Casino Royale, the Schooner Bar, the Aquarium Bar (with its huge fish tanks), the Lyric Theatre and Bolero's. Tucked away on Deck 2 -- easy to miss -- are the ship's intimate cinema and conference facilities. Each of the performance venues -- Lyric Theatre and Imperial Lounge, for instance -- has its own bar as does Studio B, the phenomenal ice-skating rink/show lounge on deck three. Overlooking the Royal Promenade is the Library, with an adequate collection of books and comfy leather chairs, and an area for future cruise bookings. The ship has an Internet café and cabins are wired for Internet usage; various Internet packages are available to purchase. The Photo Gallery on Deck 3 is the place to giggle over silly photos of your shipmates and buy your own for outlandish prices. You'll find fabulous vistas in the Viking Crown Lounge at the top of the ship. On the same deck you'll find Seven Hearts Card Room, 19th Hole Golf Bar and Cloud Nine. Adventure of the Seas has a nondenominational chapel called the Skylight Wedding Chapel.
Adventure of the Seas restaurants include free and fee options serving a range of cuisine types, from Italian to Japanese and American. From the meals in the dining room to the buffet choices in the Windjammer to the options available at the 24-hour Café Promenade, food on Adventure of the Seas is consistent and well prepared, especially considering the capacity of the ship. And options are pretty plentiful. Those looking to try several of the ship’s specialty restaurants may want to get one of the Adventure of the Seas dining packages, which offer big discounts. Royal Caribbean offers two packages: 3-restaurant plans and the unlimited option, which includes discounts for wine bottles. Dining on Adventure of the Seas can be as casual or as formal as you wish, with a range of venues that cater to most tastes. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available in most restaurants; vegans may struggle with variety.
The **Main Dining Room** spans three rooms, offering Royal Caribbean's flexible My Time Dining program during dinner. Passengers can choose between assigned early or late dining, or opt for flexible dining, in which you pick a preferred mealtime, but can change your reservations on a daily basis or walk in when you're hungry. (Note: Those choosing My Time Dining must pre-pay gratuities -- Royal Caribbean does not automatically add gratuities to your final bill if you've elected set-seating.) Cuisine is generally well prepared, if not innovative; Royal Caribbean doesn't pretend to be a gourmet-dining cruise line. Each menu includes healthy fare options, vegetarian dishes (at least one, like vegetarian chili, but sometimes there's an Indian vegetarian dish in addition) and a standard in-case-nothing-else-appeals selection of entrées (rigatoni with marinara sauce, Atlantic cod, chicken breast and black angus top sirloin). Breakfast and lunch are open-seating, though you shouldn't take that to mean that you can always snare a quiet little table for two. The main dining room opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The **Windjammer**, Adventure of the Seas' buffet restaurant, is open for breakfast and lunch, and it features mediocre, steam-table cuisine. Kudos must be given, however, to the egg station at breakfast (where you can request a variety of prepared-to-order dishes) and the carving station at lunch. Baked goods are consistently excellent. Vegetarians will do much better in the main dining room at lunch. The Windjammer is also open for dinner and is an option for those nights when flexibility is preferred. The buffet features the same items as are on the main dining room menu.
On the Royal Promenade, the **Café Promenade** features light fare at all times – pastries in the morning, sandwiches at night. While passengers familiar with Royal Caribbean may miss Sorrento’s, Café Promenade is the de facto Adventure of the Seas pizza joint. Give it a try, it's excellent.
**Chops Grille** serves up classic American steakhouse dishes, including hand-cut steaks, carpaccio, sides such as cheese tater tots, creamed spinach, truffle French fries, mac and cheese, and salads. Seafood is also available. Chops Grille opens for dinner; lunch is available on sea days only.
Tucked away between shops on deck 5 of Adventure of the Seas, **Izumi** serves sushi, sashimi and other Japanese favourites for lunch and dinner. Menu items are priced à la carte.
**Chef’s Table** is the cherry on top of Adventure of the Seas’ dining. With just a handful of seats available per night and a formal dress code, the experience blends gourmet cuisine (think filet mignon with truffle potato purée and bordelaise sauce; salted caramel gelato, and lobster salad) with wines from around the globe. Chef’s Table is a prix-fixe venue (and an expensive one at that) that only serves dinner.
**Giovanni’s Table** is a popular option for families. It offers a traditional trattoria menu in a themed dining room that transports you to the heart of Italy. This is a great spot for a hearty pasta bowl with the family after a morning in the nearby pools. The restaurant is also open for dinner.
At **Johnny Rockets**, the 1950's-style burger joint, passengers can indulge in burgers, hot dogs, chili fries, apple pie and onion rings. Royal Caribbean has instituted a per-person cover charge (plus 18 percent gratuity) for both in-restaurant and take-out dining (and beverages -- including shakes -- are additionally charged).
Royal Caribbean's **room service** options are available around the clock via 24-hour menus that offer a range of snacks and sandwiches. At breakfast, Continental dishes, along with a handful of egg entrées, are available both in cabins and suites. Only the Continental breakfast is available without a charge; all other orders carry a set surcharge (regardless of how much you order).
Out of 1,557 staterooms, 939 of these have an ocean view (765 have balconies). All cabins come with a twin-that-can-be-converted-to-queen bed, private bathroom, phone, closed-circuit television, mini bar and hair dryers. They're decorated in festive Caribbean-esque colours, from mist-green to buoyant oranges and yellows. While all cabins have a similar design, there are a few staterooms to avoid on Adventure of the Seas if you are looking forward to getting a good night’s sleep – in particular those on decks 2, 3 and 6, as they are subject to noise from the theatre and/or the restaurants, which are often cleaned at night.
Adventure of the Seas Rooms Provide Decent Array of Options
Adventure of the Seas cabins are cosy but offer a decent amount of storage space. They range in size between the 106-square-foot Studios and the 1,260-square-foot Royal Suites. At 277 square feet (plus a 50-square-foot balcony) Adventure of the Seas Junior Suites are the smallest of all suites, but they can sleep up to 5 guests, making it a reasonable option for families on a budget. Slightly more spacious than Studios – which are for one passenger only – are the Interior Adventure of the Seas cabins, which offer 160 square feet of space. Just a tad bigger are Interior Promenade staterooms, which overlook the Adventure of the Seas’ engaging thoroughfare. A warning however: Privacy is at a premium with these cabins because they do not have privacy glass windows. Also, due to the late-night revelling that goes on, all but night owls may find them noisy. Ocean View cabins on Adventure of the Seas come in different configurations: Standard (161 square feet); Spacious Ocean View (211 square feet), and Ultra Spacious Ocean View (328 square feet). In addition, Adventure of the Seas features Spacious Panoramic Ocean View staterooms, which have large windows offering excellent ocean views. These staterooms come in at 191 square feet. Adventure of the Seas Balcony staterooms can sleep 3 guests and offer 189 square feet of indoor space plus a 46-square-foot balcony. Just slightly bigger are the Spacious Ocean View cabins, with 203 square feet inside and a 42-square-foot veranda. Moving up a notch is the Junior Suite. It's the smallest suite, coming in at 293 square feet with a 66-square-foot balcony. Adventure of the Seas Junior Suite perks include a bathroom with tub and a bigger living room area.
Adventure of the Seas Suites Give Families More Room
For those wanting concierge access, the remaining suites, definitely moving into the higher-ticket arena, start with the Adventure of the Seas Grand Suite, which can have either one of two bedrooms. At 381 square feet, the One-Bedroom Grand Suite features two twin beds that can be turned into a king bed, plus a double sofa bed. This suite sleeps up to five guests and has a 95-square-foot balcony. The bathroom has a tub instead of a shower. Two-Bedroom Grand Suites offer 547 square feet indoors plus 234 square feet outdoors. These suites can sleep up to eight passengers. Adventure of the Seas Ocean View Panoramic Suite is the only suite that doesn’t have a balcony. Instead, it features floor-to-ceiling windows offering expansive ocean views. These suites come in at 406 square feet and can sleep up to six guests. The Adventure of the Seas Owner's Suite offers more amenities and features even beyond increased squared footage; passengers booking this category of accommodations get a bathroom with whirlpool, bidet and separate shower, along with a bedroom and separate living areas (with queen-sized sofa bed). Measurements are 506 square feet for the cabin and 64 square feet for the veranda. And finally? The pièce de résistance aboard the Adventure of the Seas is the Royal Suite, which comes with all the Owner's Suite amenities plus a baby grand piano, a balcony that measures 215 square feet (outfitted with better-than-standard furnishings, including a dining table); the stateroom itself is 1,260 square feet, while the terrace is 170 square feet. Tip: Families should book as far in advance as possible -- a year ahead of time if you can -- to have the best choice of family-friendly staterooms (including connecting cabins), particularly if you are travelling during school holiday periods.
