OCSC Mike

On Allure now. We booked last minute (like 4 weeks out). Many things were sold out. I had no worries about getting into anything as I’ve sailed enough and agree with everything you wrote. That said, they hold enough spots back that I was able to book anything I wanted (besides adult comedy) via the app around 1:00 after we boarded. I understand why newer cruisers panic and wish RC made it clearer that they will still likely get to see whatever they want.

No but mostly because we have a churrascaria at home we love. We used to go there for my bday every year (they gave you a free bay meal and it was like $50/person so that was part of it, lol, then they changed to $25 off which is still nice.) I’m sure we’d like it but my wife is very picky (she eats only filet) so we never took a chance. We both love Giovanni’s Table (just ate there tonight actually) & don’t do a ton of specialty so we stuck with that. Thanks, we’d survive but we would obviously be disappointed if we missed it.

FWIW, it’s 5:15-5:30 on Allure (yes it’s listed as a range). I believe someone else had the same range on another ship recently. Possibly @PompeySailor.

Experiencing once-a-day for the 1st time on Allure right now and can barely tell the difference. We got extra hangers & towels on day one per request, chose morning and offered to be first b/c we get up early, still get ice twice a day, still see him in the hallway and get a big smile and asked if we need anything, still got a towel animal on day 2 (complete with googly eyes & a rubber band to keep the bear’s legs in perfect shape). To each his/her own but it’s not an issue for us.

We were supposed to have rough seas overnight (on Allure) sailing southbound from PC and felt hardly anything. Hopefully it’s not too bad & you get to dock.

I’m sitting on the top level of Allure’s Solarium right now & it’s quite nice (granted it’s not super hot out at sea right now & there’s a nice breeze). Not trying to convince you of anything, just sharing. Several people have said Wonder’s can be warm. I’ll know better in March-July. We never sit by any pool, too crowded & too much sun for me & my pale skin, lol. We all like what we like.

Admittedly I didn’t really look at the price & I have no idea what prices are like in Europe as a baseline. That said, I’m on that non-amped ship now & while I miss Playmakers & some newer features from a ship like Wonder, it’s still a great ship IMO. Best Oasis class CL there is, no slide blocking the aft view (as mentioned), Sabor if you like it… Allure definitely has some positives depending on your loyalty level & personal preferences.

They’re free on the ship ya know. 🤣

I’d expect business as usual. You’ll take someone’s spot who just left.

Those stories/pics always remind me of when I sailed with my then 3-year-old niece about a decade ago. Shrek came to our table during character breakfast & she was so scared of him she hid under the table. 🙈

Ship looks good to me so far. I have the newness & features of Wonder in my head from my last cruise so I keep noticing little differences but nothing that would prevent having a great cruise of course. I just need the winds around CocoCay to die down a bit when we head back north. 🤞

On Allure right now. Left yesterday with our revised itinerary that has us scheduled to be on CocoCay on Sunday (originally today which I knew would be a problem). Hope we can both dock but it does look like the wind is sticking around. 🤞

FYI, no restrictions on Allure’s 1st cruise from PC that left yesterday. Was nice to be in the only Oasis class CL left with a view while enjoying my HH breaded shrimp before dinner. It wasn’t full at 5:00 but there were a decent number of seats taken.

FYI, there was tons of parking at Terminal 1 for Allure yesterday, even at noon. Since they made some Indy passengers park in the surface lots Monday, people who got there early parked at the top of the garage (not sure if it was only the top level). They made us go through the loop in the garage for some unknown reason then we came back out & parked in the new lot right next to the garage. It’s so close to the porters & terminal entrance it didn’t take much longer (if any) than parking on level 2 & waiting for the elevator can. It’s outdoors, of course, but given the situation this week, it went very smoothly & tells me having 2 Oasis class ships there won’t be a problem (or Star & an Oasis class when we get to that point).

Sorry, that's crappy. This makes me feel very fortunate that our CocoCay day was moved from tomorrow to Sunday. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to dock there. Seemed very windy.

We book direct with the vendor whenever possible after researching on the forums here and sites like TripAdvisor. I don't like dealing with a 3rd party if I don't have to and don't book through RC for the previously mentioned reasons.

Much better food than that on Wonder in June and on most of my Oasis class cruises. Only Indy last year had terrible snacks.

I thought the joke was about us liking different things, lol. No biggie either way. Hectic day with the itinerary change and this already being a last minute cruise.

That's why I said... 😁

We've been there several times but somehow we've never tried Nochi Cocom, which I know everyone seems to love... so I just booked it for Friday. So yes, we're happy about it, lol. We weren't excited about Labadee. We're not beach people and the food is awful there. I don't eat hot dogs and burgers in WJ, I don't need them at Labadee. Give me good food and drinks and I become a beach person... hence why I like CocoCay and wanted to try Nachi. 🤣 I just need to change my 2 specialty dinner nights onboard now because of the changes but that shouldn't be a huge deal I hope.

I'm low maintenance like that. 😁

Dear Guest, We’re excited to welcome you onboard Allure of the Seas for our October 25th, 2023 sailing! Before we set sail, we have an important itinerary update to share. Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig, Setzer, we’ve been monitoring some adverse weather along our intended path. To ensure a safe and comfortable sailing, we’ll now visit Cozumel, Mexico instead of Labadee, Haiti. Additionally, we’ll now enjoy Perfect Day at CocoCay on Day 5. We’re sorry for the last-minute change. Please know your safety is our top priority and being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather. Our revised itinerary is below for your convenience. Date Day Port of Call Arrive Depart 10/25/23 Wed Orlando (Port Canaveral), FL 4:00 PM 10/26/23 Thu Cruising 10/27/23 Fri Cozumel, Mexico 9:00 AM 6:00 PM 10/28/23 Sat Cruising 10/29/23 Sun Perfect Day at CocoCay 7:00 AM 5:00 PM 10/30/23 Mon Orlando (Port Canaveral), FL 7:00 AM

You've spent way more time thinking about the parking situation than I have. Again that makes sense. Every other cruise I've taken has been "show up around 10am and take one of the many open garage spots on level two" and I like routine so I just don't want to deal with any issues when I get there... hence my flexibility as far as not caring as long as I can park. I just want to board and get my first drink and bite of food, asap, lol.

More often than not, we wind up not getting dinged for as many vouchers as we actually use on CocoCay. I knew they showed up later, of course, but your explanation makes sense as to why it's so unreliable there. It doesn't really matter since we don't use many there and I don't go over our total just because it may be that night and I think I have an extra one but I've definitely noticed from being ocd and checking our account in the app a few times a day.

That seems reasonable. Like I said, I don't care where I park as long as it's somewhere.