Royal Caribbean Cruise Adventures & Clever eSIM Cruise Internet Hacks!
Sailing on the Adventure of the Seas: A Different Kind of Cruise
After cruising on some of the world's largest ships, setting sail on the Adventure of the Seas, a smaller, older Royal Caribbean ship, was a refreshing change! We snagged a last-minute deal, perfect for a family getaway, and the itinerary hit islands we'd never explored before. The smaller ship meant fewer crowds, less waiting, and no need to stress over a rigid schedule of games, shows, and activities. We simply enjoyed *everything*!
Ditch the Expensive Cruise Internet: eSIM to the Rescue!
Forget those pricey cruise internet packages! As I mentioned a few days ago, our family of four shared a GigSky 3G data eSIM for just $70 USD. Why pay $150 for the cruise's internet when all we needed was to check emails and send occasional texts? The best part? Our GigSky eSIM worked brilliantly even in the middle of the ocean! Despite having an inside stateroom, we could text via WhatsApp, Signal, and Messenger, watch YouTube, and check emails. Sweet!
The connection would sometimes drop when the ship transitioned cellular signals between sea and land as we approached a port. Internet access depended on the location of the cellular tower at each location. For example, we had no internet at Governor's Beach in Grand Turk, but it worked great in Puerto Plata and Cococay. Remember, this isn't free ship wifi! Don't assume wifi equals unlimited access. Limited bandwidth can restrict usage. For example, the free Adventure of the Seas wifi only worked for the RCI app – no emails or messaging.
Foodie Fun (and Beef Steak Bliss!)
The food wasn't *quite* the "wow" factor like on previous cruises (remember those epic meals from 15-20 years ago?). But, the complimentary beef steak on the Adventure of the Seas was surprisingly tender and delicious! We're not huge eaters; we prefer sampling a variety of global flavors, which cruise ships excel at providing. So, we skipped the specialty dining and enjoyed the diverse offerings.
BYOB (Within Reason!)
A few years back, most cruise lines allowed guests to bring 12 cans/bottles of pop (under 17oz/502ml each) and two bottles of wine (no hard liquor). This time, we brought six Coca-Colas and two bottles of our favorite wine. Sure, we paid a service fee, but it was way cheaper than buying a beverage package and we got to enjoy what we liked!
Island Hopping Highlights: Grand Turk, Puerto Plata & Perfect Day Cococay!
-
Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos): Beach Paradise Found!
Grand Turk is a tiny island famous for its stunning white-sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water. Some cruisers rent golf carts ($180-$200 USD) to explore. We skipped it since the beaches were the main draw. A 15-20 minute walk from the cruise port took us to Governor's Beach – one of the island's gems! Renting two chairs and an umbrella cost $20. Surprisingly, it wasn't crowded (most cruisers stayed near the port beach). The long, pristine beach and clear water were perfect! A small rocky area was ideal for snorkeling. We brought our own gear and spent hours watching colorful fish. A $5 USD taxi ride per person got us back to the ship.
-
Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic): A Local's Perspective
RCI cruise ships dock at Taino Bay, a recently built cruise port offering free amenities like pools, a lazy river, shops, restaurants, and a small zoo. Food and goods prices are comparable to cruise ship rates. You can walk to Puerto Plata city (about 20 minutes). As soon as we left the port, local tour guides offered city tours. These licensed locals provided a safe and authentic experience. Initially hesitant, we ended up with a fantastic private guide who showed us hidden gems and local eats during a 3-hour walking tour. Forget the $60 cruise tour – we tipped our guide $40 plus covered meals!
-
Perfect Day Cococay: RCI's Private Paradise!
Perfect Day Cococay, Royal Caribbean's private island near the Bahamas, is like a private resort with something for everyone. We pre-booked Thriller Water Park day passes for the kids, while my wife and I relaxed by the pool and beach. We brought our snorkeling gear (rentals are available) and snorkeled at Chilly Island. The marine life was incredible! Schools of fish swam right up to us – you could almost touch them!
Thanks for reading! If time permits, I'll share more tips on packing for a cruise, credit cards for Canadian cruisers, and airport-to-cruise port transportation.
```