Kinda Live Review of Allure June 11-18

Thanks for the review.

You're welcome. Hope you liked it.

Amazing review. Thanks for sharing. It's nice seeing all the MDR pictures too. Brings back memories like 'hey, i remember having that'. Looks like you had a great cruise. We were on Allure and loved it.

Thank you! I love looking back at food pics too. We really had a great time. I'd definitely sail her again.

Enjoyed your review! What were the prices of pictures? Trying to decide if we should get the package or not. TIA!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm sorry but I don't have that information. I vaguely remember something like $149 for 10 pics and the digital prints. We only bought 5 and I think we paid around $60? If I can find out I'll get back to you.

Great review. Very informative and interesting. We board the Allure in January so really appreciate your insight. Thanks so much.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Very nice review. Thanks for taking the time.

Ok, not done yet.

 

Day 8 - Disembarkation

 

Woke up around 6:30 and we were already docked. Turned my phone off airplane mode and got a bunch of non imessages. With VOOM I was well connected all trip. Don't know if that's good or bad. Got ready and went up to windjammer for breakfast. It was already pretty busy. I think it closed at 8am. Lot of people already making their way off the ship. Since we had the latest time, we took our time. But we had to be out of our cabin around 9am. So we went back down to our cabins and packed up our carry on bags. Left our cabins by 9am and went to the Silk dining room to wait with the rest of my family.

 

It was a little bittersweet sitting around talking about the cruise and trying to figure out when we'd see each other again since we rarely do. Finally by aunt, uncle and family had their numbers called and we had to say goodbye. My parents and I were left to wait for another 10 minutes before we were called. We were literally the last ones called. They basically said "Ok, everyone else, get out now!". Exited the ship on the Royal Promenade level, down the ramps and into the terminal. Had to wait on line to get down to the main level where the luggage and customs were. Finally made it down and we could see our luggage from the escalator as they were by our number and there weren't many bags left. Grabbed bags and got on the customs/exit line. Took about 20 minutes. You could probably call your uber when you're close to the end of the line. I waited until we were through customs and exited the building so we waited 15 minutes for our uber. Customs was quick and painless. They didn't open anything or look through any bags. As soon as we exited the building the pickup area was right in front. I ran into my cousins there waiting for their uber. Since we were the last ones off (there were literally nobody behind us on the customs line) the waiting areas weren't that full. Just waited at curb for a few minutes and the car was there. Got the the airport within 15 minutes and off to the Delta Sky Club for a few hours before we could board.

 

Well that ends my trip on the Allure. It really was a great time. The boat is great and so big with so much to do. The crew was amazing. Very helpful and friendly. The food was above average, just wish there were hot items available past 9pm, other than Sorrentos pizza. Entertainment was very good. I did the survey that RCL wants you to do after I got home and I more or less gave them solid 8, 9 and 10's. Though they weren't too happy with the few 8's I gave because they asked for follow up.

 

Thanks to everyone who followed and I hope you found my review informative and not too boring. It was nice having you along for the ride. I'm actually going on a cruise to Alaska on July 14 but on Norwegian this time. Don't know if I'll have time for that in depth of a review but I would like to compare and contrast. Plus I'll definitely take pics of menus and food again. I'll also be on excursions at every stop unlike this trip. Well look me up on the NCL board next month if you want to hear about it. ;)

 

If anyone has any questions about this cruise I'd be happy to answer them if I can. To all those going on the Allure in the near future, have an amazing time!

Just wondering if you called uber before your trip to set things up or just when you called after getting your luggage. Never have done uber, but I am set up with the app. Thanks. We leave in 13 days.

Just wondering if you called uber before your trip to set things up or just when you called after getting your luggage. Never have done uber, but I am set up with the app. Thanks. We leave in 13 days.

I didn't prearrange any rides with uber, I "called" for an UberXL when I was ready to be picked up. It was honestly the most convenient thing.

When at the airport the commercial pickup area is close to each terminal.

Uber is cheaper than a hotel transfer to the pier.

Pickup area at pier at end of cruise is right as you exit the terminal after going through customs.

Fabulous review! Thank you so much for taking the time to do it. I especially loved that you included pics of the food and the menus. I think I already know what I want for dinner most nights on my upcoming cruise on Allure!

Great review, thank you!

Will be leaving on October 1!

Thank you much for this awesome review. Loved the pictures and I'm a planaholic so the pictures helped me already decide what's for dinner 😂

Can you remember what the cruise directors name is? First and last if you remember. On the first day the cruise compass may have included the pictures and names of all the officers and heads of departments.

Thanks so much!

Will be leaving on October 1!

Thank you much for this awesome review. Loved the pictures and I'm a planaholic so the pictures helped me already decide what's for dinner 😂

Can you remember what the cruise directors name is? First and last if you remember. On the first day the cruise compass may have included the pictures and names of all the officers and heads of departments.

Thanks so much!

Thanks! Our cruise directors name was Mitch. I honestly didn't have much contact with him. The most was when he hosted the Love and Marriage game show. Not sure of his last name and I couldn't find it in the Compass. I posted all of them in the review. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Thank you for your amazing review! We have group sailing next October on the Allure and this review just made everyone that much more excited!

Thank you so much for this great review. It was great to see current MDR menu's as we will not be dining at any specialty restaurants. Enjoy your Alaskan cruise, hopefully I'll get there someday. We will be on Allure in May and it's only my 3rd cruise, first with Royal.

Thank you for a great and informative review. My husband and I are sailing on Allure on July 23. Bringing our oldest granddaughter (age 11). This will be her first cruise.

Have cruised many times but I appreciate the tip about taking pics of the daily compass so you don't have to carry it. Never thought of doing that. So thanks again.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you for a great and informative review. My husband and I are sailing on Allure on July 23. Bringing our oldest granddaughter (age 11). This will be her first cruise.

 

Have cruised many times but I appreciate the tip about taking pics of the daily compass so you don't have to carry it. Never thought of doing that. So thanks again.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This was really one of the best unintended tips that I figured out doing this review. Without fail every day or night somebody in my party would have a question that I could answer by bringing up the compass pics on my phone.

Also as a matter of safety, the compass has emergency numbers (US Embassy, Port Agent, Local Law Enforcement) for every port and the All Aboard time. I for one know that I never make note of those numbers before I get off the ship.

Enjoyed your review possibly going on Allure through a casino invite after 16 comped cruises through NCL CAS. How would you compare NCL casino and casino reward program? Did you get any credit at the end and would they comp or discount in the future? How did RCL compare to NCL have gotten spoiled with free drinks and free specialty dining - not sure if they offer any perks like this? Since I'll be an invited casino guest would we get drink cards like NCL? Would like your thoughts on comparing your experiences.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Enjoyed your review possibly going on Allure through a casino invite after 16 comped cruises through NCL CAS. How would you compare NCL casino and casino reward program? Did you get any credit at the end and would they comp or discount in the future? How did RCL compare to NCL have gotten spoiled with free drinks and free specialty dining - not sure if they offer any perks like this? Since I'll be an invited casino guest would we get drink cards like NCL? Would like your thoughts on comparing your experiences.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I've usually gone on NCL because I get offered comped cruises or discounts through CAS. This was my first time on RCL and I wasn't a guest of their casino rewards program. I didn't get any credit at end of cruise and honestly I didn't play enough to expect any. I mostly played poker and I don't think that would get me much from the reward program. I normally play more craps but I was turned off by the 1x odds on pass bets. I thought that was a little too greedy on their part and didn't want anything to do with it. Of the casino games I really played roulette more than anything. That should tell you something. But I was in casino every night.

They scan your SeaPass card when you sit at a table. But like I said, I don't expect much from it. Going on NCL next month and my brother and I got some discount on the cruise through CAS. I didn't see a lot of people with drink cards like I do on NCL. And the casino host didn't make himself known. On NCL I usually meet the host within hours of boarding. RCL's casino experience is more similar to a land based casino. NCL's casino experience is more intimate. Staff was excellent though. They knew me pretty quickly.

If you do go on Allure, good luck.

Awesome ship..

Thanks for the great review!!! My niece and I are sailing on Allure on July 30th

Greatest review ever!

Looking forward to Dec. cruise.

How much was the Uber ride to FLL?

Thanks.

Great review. I'm going on Allure this weekend.

Just like you, I usually go NCL on the Casinos dime. This will be my first Royal Caribbean cruise, also on the Casinos dime.

I have enjoyed all of my NCL cruises, how did your RCL cruise compare?

Just worried my kids won't have as much fun.

Do you remember what other card games they have in the Casino? My host said no Pai Gow, so I'm hoping they have Baccarat at least.

I enjoyed your review and appreciate all the tips.

OP....great job with this post.