The Fun Researcher

Just circling back to say that table 444 on the Allure was a fantastic location and the wait staff was top notch. The table is located at the very port rear of deck 4 dining. It was a 10 person oval table located right next to 2 windows and out of the way from any busy walkway or bussing areas. Our head waiter, I WAYAN, and assistant waiter AKHMAD were amazing, and the head waiter Maurice was amazing with my niece who has dietary restrictions. Couldn't ask for more. Our dinners in the MDR were just wonderful. Dan

LOL. I guess I shouldn't assume like that. I'm just glad we all tested negative today (with NAAT even). No need for the CoR that we went through the work to get, just in case. Dan

Well we all tested negative today so no worries!! Hoping the same for you. It is port by port dependent. Makes sense they would be let off at Labadee since it it the exclusive, self enclosed RCCL privately owned portion of Haiti. Some ports let you off with a CoR, some don't as far as I'm aware. I'm just going by what RCCL's website says. I don't remember the exact verbiage, but if you are curious you could call RCCL and provide your itinerary and they can let you know if any of the ports won't let you off with only a CoR, etc... Dan

You will be good to go as long as you have the proper CoR. That's the whole point of the CoR (in case you still test positive within two days of the cruise). If you do test positive, with any test, show them the CoR. The only limitation with the CoR has to do with your ports. Some countries will not allow individuals off the ship with only a CoR. Dan

Thanks again for bringing up this topic. We were able to get my son a certificate of recovery for our upcoming cruise on Saturday. He tested positive (rapid test) for Covid May 5th. So we got him PCR tested a couple of weeks later and he was still positive. We used that positive result to get his certificate of recovery from our doctor. This week Thursday, even if he tests positive on Thursday with a rapid antigen test for some strange reason, we can still use the COR in order to get him on the ship Dan Just remember that the CoR needs to have this information: A certified medical health certificate from a doctor stating that you have fully recovered from COVID-19. It must meet the following requirements: ◦ Official letterhead from a healthcare provider, public health official or telehealth provider showing: ▪ Their name ▪ Their address ▪ Their phone number ▪ Confirmation of your recovery and completion of isolation ◦ Must be typed (not handwritten) and signed by the provider ◦ Must confirm the sample collection date of the positive PCR test, which must be a minimum of 11 days and a maximum of 90 days before the departure date of your cruise you will also be required to show the actual positive PCR test results from when you got tested

Hope it's a short bout with it, and no long term effects. Dan

Thank you SO MUCH for mentioning this. This was one of my main concerns since we can't embark Saturday until 2pm. (also 8 night southern) We'll make sure to book shows right away and it's good to know we should be fine. Happen to have a show schedule that you could post? Dan

Yup, platinum and up are able to get robes. Our kids love them so we'll request a few when we see our cabin steward the first day or two. Dan

I get what you're saying. I was hoping from my original request that a table map would exist and show us roughly where our table would be. We've sailed enough with Royal to have a good enough feel just from that if we needed to physically check out our table prior to showing up at 5:30. We're not super picky. I just don't want to be by the entrance to the dining room or on a main path were you have other guests buzzing your chairs our entire meal. 🙂 Just the fact that we're deck 4, which is one of the upper levels bodes well already. Plus, the fact that they sent the table location means (hopefully) that they tried to accommodate our request. If we have time I'll have us all swing by the MDR when we embark 1) to show them how beautiful the MDR is, and 2) show them our table and see if it'll work. Dan

Great summary. Thank you! We'll be on the Allure on Saturday for the same itinerary. Did you have any trouble with booking the shows? We can't embark until 2pm so I'm a tad concerned with availability being used up by the time we can book shows. Hopefully this isn't the case though. Good to know about the buffet. In our experience the Oasis class has the weakest (and most crowded) buffets of all the ships we've sailed. However, we've only done one cruise on the Oasis, so not a good sampling size. It is the only buffet that had people spilled out in line regularly waiting to get in though. I think We'll stick to the MDR for as many meals as possible, including lunches when available. I just like that atmosphere more. This is the first cruise for 5 of the 10 in our party and it's all immediate family so more relaxing, quiet time in the MDR may be better. Did you make use of the solarium? Was is ok finding a spot to sit/lay in there? A number of us have the soda package. We'll be at CoCo Cay our first full day. I would hope the soda package works there too? Dan

Thanks for the helpful response! Sounds like a great location if indeed that close to where our table is located. Regarding others mentioning that table number locations change... It's hard to imaging table numbers changing toooo much otherwise the person walking you back to your table wouldn't know where the heck to go. There has to be some reasonable consistency from cruise to cruise. Of course I can do that. This is my parents, nieces, and sisters first cruise. We are spread out between Michigan and Seattle, WA so our time together at dinner is going to be one of the highlights of the entire cruise and I was hoping to make it as special as possible. Knowing in advance doesn't change where the table is, but I would be able to give them some exciting news that we have a nice spot for our dinners. Dan

For our upcoming cruise this week on the Allure, I put a request in for our table of 10. I didn't want to be too specific and needy. I just requested: near a window if possible, away from the entry/main walkway. They were nice enough to respond back!, with a table location of 444. I assume this means deck 4, but I have no idea where 444 is? LOL Anyone of you super researchers have a table layout or seating map for the Allure? (or another Oasis class that may use the same seating locations) We are early seating traditional dining by the way. Thanks!! Dan

My wife and my son are in this situation. They both had Covid with symptoms around May 3rd. Our cruise is June 10th so a little over a month before the cruise. I'm glad I read about the certificate of recovery because it looks like we'll need that for my son. We had them PCR tested last week and my wife already came back negative but my son still tested positive. Fortunately we have enough time between the positive PCR test and the cruise for our doctor to complete the COR. It has to be a PCR test, and enough time fo the doctor to verify that the patient is indeed recovered and no longer a risk to other guests. We will all (10 of us) be getting rapid testing within two days of the cruise, but if my son were to test positive for some strange reason at least we have the COR to show instead. Guessing he'll test negative with a rapid antigen test but just in case... Dan

OP, it's just up to you how much of a risk you are willing to take. Personally I would carry them in one of those cloth like wine carriers with just the tops showing. That's how we bring our wine on every time and they hardly glance at it. In the proper carrier, probably wouldn't look much different than a normal 750mL bottle that way. This is one of those areas where technically you are over the allowed limit, but really is it going to decrease their liquor sales because of it? Doubt it. Worst case they hold it until after the cruise I believe. Dan

I'm an uber planner and still missed the 45 day information. I did know that we can't book shows until onboard. Didn't get the email saying we could check-in until 31 days out. It was my fault to wait another few days but it's hard to wrangle 4 reservations and get all the required check-in info. (passport info, photos, payment info, etc...) I'm checking everyone in since I'm the only one who's familiar with the process. Even so, I was surprised that the earliest check-in 26 days out was 2pm. It is what it is. Live and learn

Yes, in the past we've intentionally waited to board after 1pm so we could go right to our cabins and set down our stuff before we go off to explore the ship. I'd much rather have a relaxing lunch on land than to battle the masses at the Windjammer or other locations. So yeah, don't mind the 2pm check-in one bit. Plus, it's an 8 night cruise, so getting on the ship a few hours later is no big deal. We have LOTS of time remaining on the cruise. However, yes the shows are the ONLY thing I'm concerned about. If you truly have most of the 1st day to reserve shows, then that would be great. The shows are very important this time because my parents (mid 70's) are with us, we well as my sister and her college age daughters. They have never cruised before (and who knows when/if they will be able to again) so the evening entertainment is a huge part of their experience that we don't want to miss out on.

I don’t mind 2pm. I prefer to walk on the ship after staterooms are ready anyway. I do however mind having my check in time affect my ability to book activities and shows. It’s better when they used to open it up before the cruise to everyone at the same time. Good to know about the 45 day early check in times. I’ll try to remember that. Dan

Finally got around to checking in our party of 10 (cruise is 26 days out). 4 cabins, with guests spread between Michigan and Washington state. All the earlier check in time slots must be already taken, so all we can get is 2pm. I'm fine with that, EXCEPT I don't want to miss out on booking the shows. A few things: If we show up early will they make us wait? Can you book shows from inside the cruise terminal? How fast are the shows booking up? Thanks! Dan

Thanks for letting us take the journey with you!

Oh yeah OP, wanted to say that I appreciate your good spirit and humor as you navigate the covid protocols! Hope you feel better ASAP Dan

Sorry to hear that OP. We have a cruise on the Allure coming up June 11. Kind of makes me wish our entire group (10 family members spread between WA state and MI) gets covid right now so that we don't run into your situation. My wife and son just had it last week. We are all vax'd and boosted but dread two things. 1) Testing positive within the two days of sailing. This is our biggest concern 2) Getting sick on the ship. This is lesser concern because we are spread between 4 cabins and at least most of the group could still enjoy the rest of the cruise.

Great review. Love all the photos! BTW, we also love the MDR for lunch when it's available. Actually breakfast too but I'm not normally up early enough except port days if we have an excursion. LOL Dan

We love Celebrity. Plus versus Royal: Food overall was a slight uptick versus Royal. Not night and day though Service was a slight uptick as well LOVED the grassy areas and sunset bar at the back of the Solstice class ships Minus versus Royal: The ship interior layouts aren't quite as good IMO. (we love the promenade on Royal's ships that have them) Less to do later at night. Pool area a little more cramped and not as open Some of the floor surface in the pool area was nuclear hot and could easily burn the bottom of your feet (85F sunny day)

Having a cruise cancelled more than a year in advance, versus your experience of actually successfully sailing but not enjoying your experience, are two very different things IMO. That's all I'm saying. Never said changes don't happen with RCCL, just that it seems way blown out of proportion by the member I quoted. I'm not a RCCL fanboy. I do like their product, but also had a great cruise on Celebrity, and even enjoyed (to a lesser extent) the NCL Getaway last Christmas.