Our last cruise on Adventure was 2.5 years ago, and my memory is pretty bad at times. I think the Windjammer (buffet) might still be the traditional buffet line set up, as opposed to the "pod" set up. These probably are not the correct terms. On other (newer) Royal ships I've been on, they've had the buffet tables essentially set up in pods where you could freely flow between the different food stations. While it does cause some confusion at times, if there are multiple people trying to get to the same item, it does prevent the inevitable long cafeteria line that forms at a traditional buffet (and that one line stinks when all you want is one thing and people give you dirty looks for trying to get that one thing you want!). Don't ask me why I remember this. Maybe because the line was particularly long one day? haha!
We've always enjoyed Royal's food. I'd say that the
DCL's buffet is better than Windjammer's overall, in terms of quality, but I think the rest of the food is comparable. Food is always subjective, though! There is a different menu every night in the main dining room on Royal, with about 5 or so entrees each night along with different appetizers, soups, and salads.You can do a google search for the main dining room menus; they were updated in the last couple years. We really enjoy Royal's dining room for lunch on sea days. They have their "tutti" salad where you pick out your lettuce/toppings/dressing/etc, and then the chef chops it all together and tosses it with the dressing in a bowl. It's quite yummy. You can do the tutti salad in addition to ordering off the menu, or as your lunch entree if you want. We enjoy the dining room for breakfast also. Over the last several years they have started having essentially a "mini buffet" in the dining room at breakfast. You can still order off the menu, but there is also a basic buffet line in the center of the dining room with breakfast basics. Eggs, breakfast meats, fruits, potatoes, etc. This allows us variety and the ability to eat quickly if we want, without having to deal with the masses up in the Windjammer. You can't beat ordering room service for breakfast on your balcony! The room service breakfast isn't fantastic, but it does include hot items (unlike DCL where you can only order pastry-type items, I think?).
I don't particularly remember thinking that Adventure looked "old" or "tired." I know the ship didn't look brand new, but that's to be expected because it's not brand new. I really like the Royal Promenade, because it disperses the crowds and prevents the bottleneck that can form on some ships that have narrow corridors.
The skating rink on Adventure is fun. There will be a production show on the rink, and there will be times where you can skate too. There is a rock climbing wall that may excite some adventurous folks.
There are always a lot of deck chairs on Royal's ships, just don't expect to find one near the pool easily! Just like any cruise, expect them to be popular on sea days.
Airfare to PR is more expensive, but the cruises tend to be cheaper. So it tends to almost even out in the end.
But I own it! *laugh*
