Ukigirl

2 hours ago, eabplus2 said:

We will be on the Allure in July 9th. It will be 4 of us in connecting cabins. Myself husband and 2 teen daughters. We are flying in a day early too. And flying back a day after the cruise ends. Looking forward to your review. How crowded is it? What is the Windjammer? Can you post some pictures of the pool and pool area? The last time I criused was in 2005. Thanks.

Elizabeth

Windjammer is the buffet, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pool deck was crowded because it’s a sea day, plus it’s hot and sunny 

3 hours ago, Tom_n_Sara said:

We could have but we just did the cash back. The worst part for us was that we had gotten a Black Friday deal on Coco Cay, and are unlikely to see it that cheap when we book another cruise.

 

Enjoying your pictures!

Thanks, hope we make Coco Cay, last two times weather was nasty so we ended up in Nassau 

17 hours ago, shellden said:

Thank you for sharing your trip!  We will be cruising soon always fun to hear of others experiences.  Good info on towels love that.   Wishing you a smooth sailing!!!

Thanks, it’s sunny and stunning 🤩 

First time here, was going to check out this book until I read the back 😳😳. Guess which floor I’m on?😬

Early night for me, I’m such a lightweight. I did go to the meet and greet at Schooner Bar and met some great people. I was encouraged to go to MDR for dinner and ask to sit with other solo cruisers so I’ll definitely do it sometime this week. Any other suggestions or “dares” from you guys would be great. It’s a beautiful morning, I walked around ship before the crowd and took some pics 

14 minutes ago, Tom_n_Sara said:

We were supposed to be on board with you all, but covid showed its ugly face.... 🤒😡 so i am looking forward to following your review!

Oh so sorry to hear, hope you recover quickly. The anticipation of that test was most stressful part of the process! I’m curious if you received credit for future cruise?

12 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

I see you finally departed almost two hours later than scheduled.   Did you hear the cause for the delay? 

 

All I heard was a “technical issue” but captain did keep announcing every few minutes that there were over 500 passengers who didn’t complete muster. If that’s the case I’m sure he would have said “buh bye” and sailed away 

We didn’t depart until after 6:00, not sure why. Long line at Windjammer and just some random pics, we are headed towards blue skies and leaving the nastiness behind. 

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

I have read that on some ships you need to request that your cabin attendant bring you a paper copy each night, otherwise they will assume you are just using the app.

Good to know, thanks

My pre-dinner snack, pizza was ok but grilled zucchini and fried artichokes, not so much.

Here’s my cabin sign for the week, hoping to meet some Ukrainian crew 🇺🇦🇺🇦. Raised in a Ukrainian community, my parents were immigrants so this is an extremely difficult and emotional time. All I’ll say is what you see and hear about the resilience and strength of the people is 100% true, it’s a beautiful country 😢

Let me know if you want anything looked up, I just reserved Aqua Show, Mama Mia and Comedy show for the week, passing on Ice show.

No paper copy of cruise planner for today, hopefully tomorrow.

Walked around a bit, so here’s some pics. The loungers are kind of disgusting so plenty of towels needed. I like the hand washing stations though and the fact that towels can be delivered to your room 

In the immortal words of Carrie Bradshaw, HELLO LOVER! Missed that feeling so much of first boarding the ship and it never gets less exciting. My first meal was the famous Kmmmmwhatever sandwich, after my first cocktail of course. Started with closest bar which was Champagne Bar and ordered a champagne cocktail. Used to love these but not sure if my tastes have changed or it wasn’t made the same but meh. Great thing about drink package is you don’t feel obligated to finish what you ordered. So far I’ve had the Bloody Mary (yum), peach daiquiri (meh not for me) and now drinking a margarita. 

Pleasantly surprised at how smooth check in went. At the terminal by 11:00, my check in time was noon but they let me right in. Have all your paperwork ready, family in front of me was going through all their backpacks looking for their stuff 🤔. So you need set sail pass, Covid negative paperwork (just made a copy of mine in case internet was spotty) and try and answer health questions before you get in line. I watched muster video on shuttle, so just went to Aqua Theater and they checked me in. And now the hamster walk 😄

Set alarm for 8, up at 6. Guess that’s enough sleep since I was out by 9:00 last night. Was going to track Allure on Vessel Finder thanks to @BennyBrunbut saw on Facebook that someone posted pic of her docked in port getting all spiffed up and loaded with important supplies like bourbon. 
I’m taking hotel shuttle which leaves at 11, my check in time is noon. 
Time for more coffee and back to room to double and triple check my bags.  I also posted itinerary for the week.

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

It's a shame you guys have so far to travel to get on a cruise ship. It's like I'm running out to the grocery store for a few things, be back in 7 days. 🤣

😡 Been reading some horror stories on Facebook for this cruise, several delayed and canceled flights and luggage not arriving. So far my only 😱moment is that I forgot to pack my contacts. 
Hubs would love to move to Florida but I still need to be convinced 

13 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Have fun with the review. Always nice to read new takes.

 

I have my first solo coming up in June

You are the OG of live reviews, I just love them 😄

7 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Have a great cruise. I have been on the Allure the last 3 weeks and tomorrow will be my 4th and last until some other time. I have sailed with hubby and without. Prefer to sail with him but because of his schedule he can't always make it. 3 weeks ago I was solo, next week was with him, this week I'm solo and I found out today he will be getting on with me tomorrow. 💃🍾🥂  

That’s wonderful! We’ve talked about doing back to back to back once he retires. Great that he’s able to join you!

Yay for the free evening reception. Free wine? Yes please, I’ll take two. Figured white pairs better with raw vegetables and chips.

4 hours ago, molly361 said:

Sorry for you loss.  I am also now (sadly) a solo cruiser 

 

Op enjoy your cruise.  I am embarking on the HM tomorrow.

I’m so sorry for your loss, I recognize your dog from other posts!

8 hours ago, nelblu said:

Enjoy your cruise.  I'm also a solo passenger, but for a sadly different reason.

 

Sailed on Allure 8 niter on January 22 and it was wonderful as the ship was only 40% of capacity.  The port is about 10 minutes from the airport and taxi at that time cost $20 with grats.

 

It took longer for them to place the white band indicating that I was vaxxed than the actual check-in.  It took no more than 15 minutes to board and went directly to CP Cafe and had a couple of Royal's roast beef sandwiches.😄

 

Because of the pandemic, the vaxxxed were separated from the unvaxxed in both the MDR & the theater.   For some ungodly reason even though I chose traditional dining at 5:30, I was assigned MTD which started at 6:30-6:45. 

I am so sorry for your loss!

Thanks so much for all the tips, I have MTD and I’ll try going once to see how it is. Haven’t decided if I’ll ask to be seated with other solo guests or just by myself.  Absolutely planning on seeing the shows and I’ll book them once I board.

I can already taste that roast beef sandwich, that’ll be my first meal!

4 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Embassy suites???

 

We will be there in 6 days.

 

Pool is awesome.

 

Be safe

Yeppers, it was nice except no one to bring me frozen cocktails lol, I actually have to get it myself. It’s a nice hotel, second time I’ve stayed here. Prices are through the roof this weekend thanks to the Grand Prix in Miami but no complaints because I’m on vacation 

Here’s a tip, be kind to employees (just be kind in general), there’s an evening reception with two free drinks but she gave me four because, I’m her words, I wasn’t an ***** to her 😬 so guessing she had a rough morning. 
Also got teary when I opened my luggage and found this 😢.

Our daughter is on vacation in Vegas and our son leaves for Cancun tomorrow so we will all be celebrating Mother’s Day in a few weeks and since it won’t officially be Mother’s Day I’ll probably end up cooking but, hey it’s all good.

I am a very anxious flyer and even minor turbulence makes me break out in a cold sweat but gotta say, this was the smoothest flight I’ve ever been on so thanks Mr Pilot man, my hands were only slightly clammy before takeoff. Made it to the hotel and I’m currently sitting by the pool waiting for a margarita (yes it’s 11:00 a.m. but I’m officially on vacation).  Room is nice, any clue where I’m staying?