CruisingCaraCat

My bucket list is to make pinnacle before I sail away for good.:p

1. Back-to-Back. (Actually doing this in September!)

 

2. Freedom of the Seas (see 1)

 

3. Allure or Oasis (or both!)

 

4. Sail on a Radiance class ship (because people here really seem to like that class)

 

5. A southern Caribbean itinerary sailing from San Juan.

 

6. Mediterranean!

 

I've done all these except the Southern Caribbean and I would say you have a great list. I love the Oasis and Allure and Freedom and for my money the Med cruises are the absolute best.

I would recommend those who are concerned about static menus look at the menus for each of the four (or five) new restaurants available on the RCI website. Not only do they look enticing (my opinion of course) but there is a large variety in each menu which should allow a diverse enough experience for anyone over the span of a cruise.

I watched the video and I am confused by all the people here who are claiming now that all dining venues cost extra. I am a little old but I just didn't catch that one at all.


As far as RCI beoming a mall, circus, kiddies playground, whatever: all I can say to that is 'I cruise to have fun'. If others just want to sit in a deck chair with a blanket over their lap for seven days I am sure there are some cruiselines that will accomodate them.






i

I had forgotten that the Beach pool was a salt water pool, but I'm wondering why someone as a user would prefer a salt water pool. Aversion to Chlorine maybe?

Salt water is very good for your skin, especially filtered sea water. It is a little roguher on swim suits as they will fade faster. I always use a salt water pool over a chlorinated one if possible.

And thank you very much for the review.

 

I think you have pretty much the same attitude as I do when things go wrong. I have been on enough cruises that I have had similar situations - my feeling is to go to the right person and it almost always gets fixed and quickly.

 

I am in kind of a rut since I like the Oasis and Allure enough that our last 10 cruises have been on one of those (except for one time on Freedom). the reason I bring that up is becaus in my very humble opinion those two ships have the best food and entertainment by far.

Jack, yeah I feel your dilemma. It was interesting not to feel compelled to rush to the CL. But we ended up there 7 of 8 nights for an hour or so. If you drink adult beverages other than beer especially during the day, you should come out ahead. They have priced it smart. Like I said, on an itinerary that does not include Coco Cay or Labadee we wouldn't have done it. It also helped that San Juan was basically a sea day when it came to drinking. ;)

 

Thanks for the input. I am not a heavy drinker but I do like a couple of beers during the day when at the pool and then a martini or three before dinner. I am a snob though since my martini must be Bombay Sapphire and "surprise surprise" they don't serve that in the CL or DL. My martinis are when my wife is dressing for dinner - that can take a while.

 

Still debating but wonder if I did take the package if I would be on the floor by the time the boss arrived at the bar....that has a tendency to spur a bunch of caustic commentary and looks....

I'm glad to see your review. I have a related burning issue as I am going on the Allure in May (for the 5th time) and I am torn about getting the premium booze package. My wife doesn't drink much at all so when they decided only one person in the cabin had to get one it got me thinking.

 

My problem is as a D+ I am wondering if it would be a mistake since I do drink 'some' in the CL and/or the DL during happy hour. That being said I do prefer an outside bar due to my drink preferences and I am kind of intrigued with trying different drinks.....problems, problems, problems :confused:

I know this is purely anecdotal but I have been on over 60 cruises and the only time I got the virus was when I took a plane trip from Arizona back to Atlanta. The plane was filthy and just about 48 hours after I got home it hit me. That makes me wonder if people actually get the virus on the plane trip to the cruise and it shows up 2 days into their cruise.

 

Just a theory of mine.

Many thanks for the review. I would like to say that you have described the '150 experience' more elegantly than anyone previously. I have been on Oasis 3 times and Allure 4 times and on day 1 we have always eaten at 150.

 

It has always been a wonderful experience for me and I completely agree with you that it is a dinner for people that LIKE FOOD. Not the ones that are saying 'I don't eat seafood' or 'I just want a steak and baked potato' or 'I'm not gonna eat something I haven't had before', etc..

 

I agree that it is the best meal on the seas and the best bargain for what you get either on board a ship or on land.

I have eaten in 150 six times on the Allure and 4 times on Oasis.

 

Obviously I enjoy it but I would not say it is for everyone. If you are of the 'I can't eat seafood' type or concerned about not having multiple choices for each course then I would say 'stay away'.

 

That being said I have enjoyed almost every dish I have had on both ships. I can and will eat almost anything though.

Thanks so much for a COOL review. I am jumping on Allure for the fifth time on May 18 and it is always greate to read reviews for the anticipation factor.

 

I was curious as to where you guys are from. We lived in the Baltimore/DC area for 20 years (left in '89), our last house was in Saverna Park. Since you flew into BWI and had to get through the football traffic I was just wondering if you are close to the city.

Um, mystery meat pies..........ate one once. Never again.

 

Ever see Sweeney Todd? ;) :eek:

 

If that's your concern I would suggest you never eat at McDonalds either:)

This is too funny! Showing your seapass to get two towels at the beginning and end of your cruise seems to be a major burden. Yet creating your own luggage tags was not a chore!

 

I believe this new policy will aggravate the chair hog problem.

 

Hi - Actually I think I disagree. If the customer is not going to be charged for a missing towel the pool guys should be less reluctant to remove towels from chairs after the 30 minute allowance period,.

I'll just add my 2 cents to the variety of opinions here. I think 150 is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. I have sailed Oasis 3 times and Allure 4 times and we eat there at least once each cruise. I have never experienced bad or tasteless food and the service has always been faultless.

 

Now all that being said, it is often stated that food is a totally subjective subject and I think this is even more true at 150. Not knowing exactly what the dishes are going to be, even after viewing the menu, can put some people off.

 

As mentioned above the wine pairings are very generous and is too much for me alone, and I am not a shy drinker. I also have to differ from those that were still hungry after dinner - the servings are small but it is rich enough that I have always been satisfied.

I think this is one of the best posts I have read on CC. I completely agree with the OPs points and I am glad he wrote extensively enouigh to ge that point across.

 

To those that feel offended I guess I would suggest not reading this post or stop in the middle when your feelings get hurt.

 

I have cruised over 50 times on a variety of ships (which does not make me an expert) but I have to say I have never encountered anything that has made me wonder whether cruising is not something I really enjoy doing and will continue to do.

Thanks for the review I really love the Allure.

 

I would only recommend seeing Chicago, I think it is the best show on the water.

Hello, we are doing the QOS inaugural and I think with the new terminal being completed by then the embarkation process should be much easier and less painful. Enjoy your weekend.

 

 

I'm sure you are right Donna. Whether we make it or not depends on if my wife is business travelling that week. I sure hope we can, it seems RCI is trying a lot of new things on QOS...

By the way I love your swinging kitty!!

Just want to add my thanks for this wonderful review. Congratulations on your retirement, mine is planned for 6 months from now.

 

I'll have to admit that I haven't sailed from New Jersey since I went on the inaugural for Freedom, mainly because that embarkation was very painful. I was happy to read that it seemed much easier for you, maybe I should try it again.

 

I may get an inaugural on the Quantum which I understand will be sailing from that port so I could get that chance.

 

thanks again for your review!!! (since you were a teacher maybe you can check my spelling:))

I completely agree about the french fries, really good. For the adventurous (or the Indian food lovers) it seems like they have benn putting out Saag Paneer (sp?) lately and it has been some of the best I've ever had.

 

Before the questions - it is curried spinach and 'farmers' style cheese.

Hi - first as with everyone else let me thank you for your terrifically entertaining reviews.

 

I just got off Allure from the 3/10 sailing and this of course reminds me of the wonderful time I had.

 

I know your review is not complete but I am hoping you did not miss seeing Chicago. We have been on the Allure three times now and I think I enjoy that show more each time.

 

By the way we had the same menu in 150 and I thought it was just wonderful.

Thank you for this wonderful review. You are doing a terrific job of reminding me of some of the ethereal days I have spent in Spain, Italy and Greece. Being a food gourmet (or is that glutton) I must interject by saying that the best thing I ever had in Sorrento was the fresh grilled seafood (actually the best I have had anywhere) and the very best pizza I have ever eaten was in Naples. But I am glad to have your wonderful pictures and descriptions.

This is terrific, I'm really enjoying it!!

We have spent some pre-cruise days in Barcelona a couple of times and I am always impressed with the city. The tapas are unbelievably good and as you found out you must have hot chocolate (very thick) and churros for breakfast.

Being a cat person and always undergoing the same guilt inducing behavior that you got from your furry children that's just another aspect of your novel that I am enjoying....Gracias

Definitely an issue and I'm running into that with my Allure cruise. Show reservations are still not open. Okay, I'll say, "it depends." If you want to do the Chef's Table, BOOK IT. If you have one special dinner in mind, book it. If you're going to do all specialty restaurants, then you need some flexibility.

 

Hi Brian

 

We tried show booking for April 22 last weekend and noticed that it looks like March 25 was the latest sailing open for show reservations so yours might open in 2 weeks or less.

 

I went ahead and booked 150 for first night which has been our pattern and I am planning on dining there twice this cruise. I don't want to book the second until on board and checking for when the menu changes.

I agree completely with your advice that shows should be reserved before booking restaurants with the possible exception of Chef's table because of the limited seating.

 

Again enjoy the Allure - I'll be looking for your opeinion.

Good sailing to ya!

 

I'll be looking for your experience/opinion on her after your cruise.

 

Although I loved Oasis I liked Allure just a wee bit more.:)

 

Have a great one.