Adventure of the Seas Review: A Relaxed Caribbean Cruise with the Right Mix of Ports and Sea Days

This summer, our family of four sailed aboard Adventure of the Seas on an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from Port Canaveral. The sailing included visits to St. Croix, St. Maarten, San Juan, and Nassau, along with four sea days.

We chose this itinerary for a few reasons. Brandon and I visited both St. Maarten and San Juan on our very first cruise together, and we wanted our kids to experience those destinations as well. Nassau gave us the opportunity to visit Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and St. Croix was a completely new port for all of us.

As a family, we tend to prefer Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Freedom Class ships over the larger Oasis Class ships. While the mega ships offer more restaurants and attractions, we often find the atmosphere on the mid-sized ships more relaxed and easier to enjoy.

First Impressions

Adventure of the Seas felt familiar from the moment we stepped onboard. Having previously sailed three of the other ships in the same class, Mariner of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas, we were already comfortable with the overall layout.

The public spaces felt updated and well maintained, though our connecting balcony staterooms on Deck 7 showed some wear and tear. The kids' cabin in particular still had older carpeting and décor. None of it impacted our vacation, but it was noticeable.

The ship was easy to navigate, never felt overwhelmingly crowded, and offered plenty of places to relax without constantly feeling like we were competing for space.

Why We Prefer Voyager-Class Ships

One thing this sailing reinforced is why we often gravitate toward Royal Caribbean's mid-sized ships.

The larger Oasis Class ships offer an incredible amount of entertainment and dining, but sometimes that abundance creates its own challenge. There is always something happening somewhere, which can leave you feeling like you're missing out if you're not constantly moving.

Adventure felt different.

We spent afternoons reading on our balcony, evenings dancing at Boleros, and sea days enjoying the ship without feeling pressured to fill every moment.

The Windjammer is another great example of why we prefer a smaller ship. The layout on smaller ships flows much better than the Oasis class which has multiple island food stations that people dart between creating traffic. Also, we never struggled to find a table, even during peak meal times.

Oasis class ships have more restaurants and other venues, but they are smaller so you really have to time your arrival for meals and entertainment or be prepared to fight the crowd to get a seat. We don’t feel that as much on the smaller classes of ships.

Dining Highlights

Our cruise started with embarkation day lunch at Chops Grille, followed by dinner that evening at Giovanni's Table.

Giovanni's was one of the culinary highlights of the sailing. The eggplant parmigiana and wild mushroom risotto were both excellent and easily ranked among our favorite meals of the week. The tiramisu was also outstanding.

The Main Dining Room was consistently good throughout the cruise. We were fortunate to have a window table on Deck 5 and attentive servers who quickly learned our family's preferences.

One interesting note involved dining times. We originally booked My Time Dining and reserved 6:45 p.m. dinners throughout the cruise. When we received our SeaPass cards, however, we discovered we had been converted to traditional dining because a fixed 6:45 p.m. seating was available. It wasn't a problem for us, but travelers who value complete flexibility may want to verify their dining arrangement once onboard.

Entertainment and Activities

The standout show of the cruise was Cool Art... Hot Ice in Studio B.

We've seen several Royal Caribbean ice productions over the years, and this may have featured the strongest cast of performers we've encountered. The lead skater's enthusiasm was infectious and elevated the entire performance.

The Invitation to Dance production show in the Lyric Theater was also entertaining, even though we have seen this show on other ships. The featured ballroom dancers also instructed a couple of dance lessons throughout the week.

Our family also spent plenty of time participating in trivia, game shows, and activities around the ship. Some of our favorite memories came from these smaller moments, including a visual puzzle competition won by Brandon and our daughter and a hilariously humbling Queen trivia game in the Schooner Bar.

For our son and me, no sea day is complete without a trip to the FlowRider. We visited every sea day, continuing a tradition that started several cruises ago when we both became unexpectedly competitive about boogie boarding.

Hidden Gem: The Peek-a-Boo Bridge

One of the most overlooked spots onboard is the bridge viewing area accessible off the port side of the Solarium.

Often called the "peek-a-boo bridge," this small viewing area allows guests to look directly into the bridge. It's a fun stop for both kids and adults and remains one of our favorite hidden features on Voyager-class ships. We always stop by at least once to wave at the captain.

Who Is Adventure of the Seas Best For?

Adventure of the Seas is an excellent fit for families, couples, and multi-generational groups looking for a balanced cruise experience.

If your ideal vacation includes nonstop attractions and dozens of specialty dining venues, you may prefer one of Royal Caribbean's larger ships.

But if you enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere, manageable crowds, strong entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to actually unwind, Adventure of the Seas deserves a closer look.

One thing prospective cruisers should know is that the balcony staterooms felt slightly smaller than comparable cabins we've had on other Royal Caribbean ships. The balconies are also recessed into the ship's hull, which makes them feel a bit more enclosed than the open-style balconies found on some newer vessels.

Final Thoughts

One of my goals for this cruise was simple: spend more time slowing down.

I read on the balcony, danced with Brandon at Boleros, watched the ocean go by, and enjoyed a sailing that balanced interesting ports with plenty of sea days.

In many ways, Adventure of the Seas reminded me of why we fell in love with cruising in the first place. Not because every moment was packed with activities, but because it gave us the space to enjoy time together.