CaribbeanCrushed

2 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

Yes on water and soft drinks.  Not sure what you mean by "Ice".

 

You are allowed 12 containers of non-alcoholic beverages per stateroom, each no larger than 500ml.

Thanks!

We know that you can now carry wine on board the ship. My mother-in-law (this is her first cruise) likes the Ice, soft drinks and water. Is the policy still the same regarding those items? Will we be able to bring those on board?

6 days 'til the Allure!

14 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

The climate in the Mediterranean is not like in the US - October and November is usually fine (ever notice the palm trees in Rome?).  June through September is usually uncomfortably hot and over-crowded.  

 

But are you sure you want to get snapshots of just a few hours in several ports?

Good point. Maybe a land vacation is the way to go.

What time of year do you prefer to cruise the Mediterranean?

6 minutes ago, Nectarologist said:

If you get off early, you should have no issues getting your pick of what you want.  We got off within the first hour we were allowed to and it seemed empty and the other ship was already there and unloaded before us.

Thanks! That is great news!

6 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

Yes, it's been reported here before and people say it was not too bad.  Lines at the water park were longer.

Thanks! I'm just hoping for a spot on the beach. 

We'll be at Coco Cay in a couple of weeks. I heard that there will be another ship in port on the same day. I'm wondering how crowded it will be? Has anyone experienced this?

1 minute ago, cruiseryyc said:

Hope its a closed loop cruise and she doesn't actually require a passport!

Yes, it is. We are definitely going to encourage her to get a passport for the next time though.

20 hours ago, denmarks said:

Even though Washington state does recommend the above site you can phone them direct and maybe save a few dollars and days.

https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/BirthDeathMarriageandDivorce/OrderCertificates

New birth certificate is on the way. Thanks again.

8 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

The day/night before your stop at CocoCay, your cabin steward will give you a glossy brochure about the port, and there is a map in it.  The smoking areas are marked on the map.

Thank you

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Deck 15 portside or the casino.  Yes there are areas on CocoCay 

Thanks.

My mother-in-law is a new cruiser and a smoker. We'll be on the Allure. I need to break the news to her that she will not be able to smoker on her balcony. Can someone tell me where on the ship she'll be able to partake? Also, I'm assuming that there are designated areas on Cocoa Cay.  

Thanks

18 minutes ago, denmarks said:

Even though Washington state does recommend the above site you can phone them direct and maybe save a few dollars and days.

https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/BirthDeathMarriageandDivorce/OrderCertificates

Thank you!

1 minute ago, Capt_BJ said:

https://www.vitalchek.com/birth-certificates

Thanks!

Our cruise is 3 weeks out. Yesterday, my 74 yr. old mother-in-law realized that she has misplaced her birth certificate. We live in Missouri, but she was born in Washington state. Has anyone ever had this issue arise? 

Thanks

20 days! First time on the Allure!

On 12/31/2019 at 2:39 PM, JosieRhodes said:

 

Thanks.  Ha, well at least I was in the air for the Ravens game and heard that sad outcome later.  I will have to check what “Pittsburgh Dad” said about the game.

Just too many injuries to overcome this year. I'm looking forward to next year. Hope Ben can get back to where he was before he got hurt. 

4 hours ago, JosieRhodes said:

Hi,

 

Not a full review, but since find cruise critic so helpful, thought I’d put down some thoughts for others.  If I get around to it, was going to post some pics but has been such a long time since posting pics here, would have to figure out how to do it again.

 

 1)  Starting at the end, disembarkation was really easy.  First time walking off our ship with our luggage shortly after 7am, and it was a breeze.  We went right out to taxi line and got one to FLL for $13 plus tip.  Believe we were thru security check point shortly after 8am for our 10:45am flight.  I think could of actually taken the 9:45am flight if really hustled, but felt we had some wiggle room if there had been unexpected delays.  What was nice was finding seats and grabbing coffee while airport relatively empty as it became extremely busy/crowded as morning progressed.  Also (and not that we were up this early), the windjammer opened at 5:30am.  Other places were serving breakfast too.

 

 2) Embarkation was a little more confusing - maybe because hadn’t cruised in a while, as I missed the expedited entry line which think could have used.  It was right in front of us, but I wasn’t quite sure about it.  However, the general line moved at a good clip so didn’t worry about it, and we were on ship around noon.

 

Note:  We originally had three cabins for six people - 2 in each cabin.  One of our family was unable to make cruise.  The cruise was booked so far in advance (at very good rate) that took advice from these boards, and just checked in five people, didn’t mention that one was going to be no show.  Automatically removed from cabin after sailing with no additional effort on our part, and no single occupancy supplement was charged.

 

3)Just booked traditional early seating and have to say it was peaceful just to walk to our table each night.  If it had been port intensive, would have used MyTime to eat s bit later.  I did have to scramble to get sunset pics on one night.  I know food is so subjective, but we had no issues with eating in MDR each night.

 

4)Solarium Bistro was a good choice for breakfast for us.  I found more peaceful and enough selections available.  However, I did venture into Windjammer for the made to order waffles (that loved with chocolate syrup and whipped cream).

 

5)I’m usually pretty easy going related to food but have to mention that the free coffee seemed worse than our last cruise, so even I ended up breaking down and using some of our OBC for Starbucks coffee by mid week.  I will say I also paid about $3 for hot chocolate in Promenade Cafe.  It was excellent/worth it.

 

6)When rock climbing not in session, I liked grabbing a chair on that small deck in back, very peaceful.

 

7)Two onboard activities really enjoyed included a free “captain/senior officers” talk that was held in comedy club venue (extremely interesting and funny) and a behind the scenes kitchen tour, including brunch.  Signed up for it right at dinner table when offered for the next day.  Very interesting and loved the discount 😊.  Maybe not enough people booked it online?

 

8)Finally, in St. Martin arranged for a private tour with Dexter Tours/Mr. Bow Tie. Local number 1721-5227551.  Very flexible and will customize tour based on interests - highly recommend.  One of the places we visited was Fort Louis and got beautiful photos/view from top.

 

so that’s my quick review😊

 

ps. Sad that couldn’t see Steelers game onboard while still in FLL port.

 

 

 

Happy to answer any questions if I can.

Nice pics! And unfortunately the Steelers game was not worth watching. I wished I'd have been on a cruise and could only hear the outcome...

17 hours ago, mcgore83 said:

For Bob, if he is reading this.  The drink special showed up on day 4 at $79 for 10 drinks.

 

Hope you are not on the ship to watch any TV.  Numerous ship channels.  ESPN, one news channel, two additional tv channels, and that's about it.  They do have a good selection of free movies, which I enjoyed.

 

Now, my biggest complaint.  The cruise director!  Jimmy Rhodes absolutely sucked.  He was not visable at all! Saw him once getting on an elevator and after the Blue Planet show to announce the evening activities.  His assistant, Kim was great.  She attended the meet and mingle, led the Quest, Ocean Aria, pool activities, etc.  I don't think you would know who he was if you didn't watch the morning shows.  Even then, he gave inaccurate information about the weather and daily scheduled activities.  No words.  Jimmy, you are no Matt Mitchum (carnival).  That is all.a

 

I will try to answer any questions and will post more thoughts as they come to me.  Once again, I love the Allure and would sail on her again without reservation.

Enjoyed your review. We will be on the Allure in 3 1/2 weeks. Pretty excited.