pinkroses

I think that they are treated well and fairly, yes they do work hard and longer hours than most that cruise. However many of them have worked on board for many years and obviously keep coming back for more. Also we have witnessed many being promoted over the years to Middle and Upper Management posts, so yes I think quite well :D

You did great! I chased that stupid bug around my screen trying to get rid of it ! Now who is stupid!?:rolleyes:

We travelled Allure during March Madness. As was mentioned, the Airbar has lots of tv screens. Infact there is a huge screen on the outside of the bar right in the promenade where we were able to watch playoffs. Last summer we were cruising the Mediterranean during the World Cup, I think. Time differences caused the game my DH and DS wanted to see to be on around 3:30 am. They just set the alarm and ordered an early breakfast from room service!

We run to our Cabin in upstate NY every weekend up to Clark Summit and 81 n or just take the tp to exit 115 jump 81 to 6 bypass then the backway at Waymart. How far up is the Sheetz? I haven't ran across it just get diesel at the Sunoco or dumpy Exxon.

From Krispy Kreme sheetz is not more than a half of a mile. Continue west on route six.

Mighty Lights recommended to me on cruise critic. Motion activated light. Runs on battery. Size is about 2" x 2". Our plan is to use it in the bathroom as the Allure is the only ship we have been on that has a night light in the bathroom. Tried it at home first. Great little things! I got them from Amazon.

I would include the very small packets of Tide. They come in groups of threes designed specifically for the sink. I love these!!

I am a teacher as well and will go on my second Thanksgiving week cruise. I go this week due to the fact I have 3 kids two are in high school swimming so that week does not really disrupt their sports schedule. Wish I could travel at other times for price especially but we had a great Thanksgiving cruise once and hope Allure delivers also. Good luck making your cruise choice!

 

Barb

From a fellow elementary teacher. Allure will NOT disappoint! She is wonderful with so much to do and places to eat!! With so many people onboard. We never noticed a crowd! It was perfect!

Can anyone suggest a beach for snorkeling and how to get there? Thanks

We are trying to book a short gulf beach stay before a cruise out of Galveston. I have read the Texas beaches are covered in seaweed and are not very nice right now. Any recommendations for beach/hotel would be appreciated. It doesn't matter distance from port. Thanks!

We looked at this trip as a once in a lifetime. Did it June 2013. We used Rome in Limo. Absolutely the best! In Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. They plan an itinerary but you can change anything you want. My son had been in Florence earlier in the year and had a favorite sandwich restaurant. The guide found it. What we liked about them was the love of country. Each guide lived in the area they escorted you through. It was so fun!!! The vehicles are immaculate and the drivers wonderful. Infact, I think there might be a whole thread devoted to this company. Look in the Europe Ports area.

We did Athens with a private guide as well as Ephesus, Turkey. Turkey was with a group of 14 from our roll call. In Cannes we rented a car and drove to Nice. There is a lot of beautiful shopping in Cannes as well as gorgeous boats in the wharf. Many took a tour of Cannes, Nice and St. Paul. Santorini is also a DIY. Rent a car so you can see all of the island.

Read Mid Life Drama Queen's review. I also got alot of information from Virtual Rain's DIY in ports.

Really cool storm pictures! Thanks!

We haven't done the Chef's Table either but will have to after reading these responses! We had the Allure dining package but didn't get to Izumi.

Giovanni's - we didn't know we could order more than one appetizer and pasta so keep that in mind. We dined outside at Chops and that was very nice. I like the appetizers there the best although the entire meal was better on the Serenade. On boarding day we tried Vintages. It was fun and good and very nice for a light lunch of tapas and wine! even if you are not a wine drinker. Being in Central Park the first day on the Allure is a wonderful way to welcome your vacation! It was calm and beautiful! Central Park is my favorite area of the Allure!! We also did the Brazilian Steak house. Can't remember the name. It was a fun experience especially if you are a big meat eater!!!

That said, we would do Vintages and Giovanni's again and again. And will try Chef's Table!!

Karemark, Thank you for the wonderful review & the beautiful pictures. My DH & I set sail on the SOS on July 10th and your review is getting us even more excited (if that's possible, LOL!) for our dream cruise!

Make sure to read the review by the middle aged drama queen too. And virtual rain has lots of cool pictures to add to your excitement!

Yes, I would agree with the germs you may come in contact with at home or on a ship or hotel for that matter. Because the OP mentioned that her friend watches too much CNN with norvo etc I thought perhaps use of wipe might alleviate her fears and make a more enjoyable experience for her. Just passing on information I found on CC!

This may sound like a germaphobe but I take packets of Lysol or Clorox wipes and wipe down the cabin doorknobs, remote control, phone etc. I also bring a travel size spray Lysol. It works for us!!

On previous cruises on the beach we always had to rent umbrellas if they were available or find shade because my husband is very fair. I found some light weight portable beach umbrellas which are not the heavy duty big ones like we see on the beaches. They are very portable and about the size of a quiver and are carried the same way. Our plan is to use these on the islands and discard them at the last port. My question is, does anyone know if RC allows these onboard? Thanks!

On the Allure walk on the track. It is on deck five I think. You can look right into the lifeboats from there.

I wouldn't worry. I imagine there are many more people on the ship that are not on cruise critic roll calls.

One that I use. Students will arrange themselves in order of their birthdays starting with January without speaking

We used Stingray Sailings a few years ago. We had 23 people. It was great! Not only did we visit Stingray City but we also did snorkeling in two other sports. It was terrific!!

Good luck apartment hunting!

Found a couple. The needs of a 24 year old are quite different from those of her parents!! Lol

Welcome! Make sure you go to hula hut while you are here and sit out on the pier.

 

 

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Will do! So far visited Rudy's and Baby Acapulco. Lovin it!

Here is a blog about Austin and has a great map of the areas more 'central' and what they are called...

http://www.westcampusliving.com/blog/austin-neighborhoods/the-city-of-austin-tx

 

Clarksville is awesome but very pricey. Since she would be working up north neighborhoods like Allandale or Crestview might be nice. The closer you get to the river (runs between Downtown and bouldin creek/soco/Travis Heights) the more expensive it gets. There are trails along that river plus up shoel creek which runs through Clarksville and Old Enfield etc... If you get north of 183 Austin gets very industrial/modern and more like Dallas to me. The Arboretum is very beautiful too.

 

Hopefully the map will help out some.

Thanks for the info! We arrived in Austin today and will begin our search for apartments tomorrow. It is a bit overwhelming!

We used this on the Serenade last June. We were able to fit lots in the bag. We also carried small packets of Tide too

I think you can't overstate how beneficial NOT taking the elevator is. On my last cruise we didn't take the elevator one time. Day 1 I'd get a little tired, HR elevated and even a little lactic acid buildup. By Day 7, I could practically run up 6 decks like it was nothing.

 

I ran 4 day and I still gained weight! That's just because I allow the wheel to come off the cart on a cruise. Desert at literally every meal and lots of bread at dinner.

The breads are the best!!

No, but as there is no transatlantic to Galveston, sailing the next best thing to bring a new ship home:)

We live about two and a half hours from Bayonne so that is an easy commute. Will have to check flights from Galveston. We are doing the Explorer repo in November but have been spoiled by the Allure!

We did lunch there on the allure! Sat outside and loved it! Really enjoyed the tapas. If you don't get enough to eat just add another restaurant to you evening!