Adventure of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas is a buffed-up Voyager-class ship that offers a ton of fun for families and children. All of its itineraries sail the Caribbean and focus heavily on 6- and 8-night cruises, so it makes sense that the ship has stepped up its game when it comes to activities under the tropical sun. Adventure of the Seas is a mid-range ship that delivers the mega-resort experience well, with awesome features like a waterpark, multiple waterslides, an ice rink, and plenty to keep you busy for a week… just don’t forget your sunscreen.

What we like about Adventure of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas is one of the oldest Royal Caribbean ships to feature a waterpark, Splashway Bay, which is perfect for young kids and families. Splashway Bay isn’t huge and is mostly aimed at children up to 8 years old, but it includes a small waterslide, a splash area, and a few water cannons. We all know it doesn’t take much to keep kids playing for hours, so it’s a welcome addition to Adventure of the Seas, giving parents more ways to play with their children and keep them entertained.

This ship also offers plenty of entertainment for families, but don’t expect the crazy attractions you see on the newest ships, like go-kart tracks, roller coasters, or skydiving simulators. Adventure of the Seas is a mega-resort at sea… from 2001. That means it does have an ice skating rink, an arcade, mini-golf, a FlowRider, and multiple waterslides. Today, that might not seem like much to some guests, but it’s enough for a week in the Caribbean for most families. If you’re used to sailing on ships like Wonder of the Seas or Icon of the Seas, though, you might feel the ship could use a few more attractions for week-long itineraries.

Adventure of the Seas is a very middle-of-the-road ship when it comes to Royal Caribbean. It got an update in 2021, adding features like the FlowRider. It doesn’t feel super old, but it’s also not new. It’s not a huge ship, but it’s not small either. The ship offers some great ice shows and at least four original dance performances to keep you entertained at night. Dancing, by the way, is a big focus here, from live shows featuring highly skilled performers to salsa and sometimes tango lessons in some of the lounges.

This ship also offers great value for Caribbean itineraries. It focuses on 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises, and a starting price of $570 is just amazing. In theory, you can pay less than $100 per day for an entry-level stateroom, while enjoying free food and the chance to visit some of the most beautiful beaches. As we mentioned, newer ships like Icon of the Seas offer far more entertainment and dining options, but they cost about twice as much as a cruise on Adventure of the Seas.

What we don’t like about Adventure of the Seas

The main problem with Adventure of the Seas is one that can plague basically any ship that is from the 2000s: it feels dated and a little run down in some aspects. There are dents in the walls in some areas, some casino tables feel a bit old and you can find rust spots in some balconies. Some guests also report a few leaking problems in the bathroom and AC units not working, but those are rare and usually fixed pretty fast. 

Conclusion

Adventure of the Seas is a prince of the Caribbean and an excellent choice if you want a week-long trip to Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. The ship shows a bit of its age in some areas, but you’re paying a good price for a vessel that still offers plenty of fun entertainment and lots of cool activities, especially for children.