ravensfan52

Can't wait to read more! I will never be able to stay in such an awesome room, so I will devour all the details you want to share about the room, the experience, etc. The balcony is incredible - I can see why you wouldn't want to leave :)

Can you tell me the cost of the anniversary decorations package for your room? My parents will be celebrating their 50th anniversary while we are on the cruise with them and I would like to surprise them by having their room done up like yours. Did you pre-order that before your cruise or did you arrange for it when you were on the ship? Thanks in advance for the info! Glad you guys are having so much fun, it's definitely been a good thread!

After reading through a recently revived thread regarding an Allure review, I was unable to see the pics included in the review for some reason. The poster mentioned spending quite a bit of time on "secret" aft balconies open to the public on Decks 11,12, and 14. I thought I also read separately about one on Deck 7. Can someone post either a pic of the actual ship with an arrow showing where the balconies are, so I can visually locate them, and/or pics of the balcony itself so I can see how spacious it is. Thanks in advance. Will be on Allure in March and was hoping to scope out a nice place for my parents to sit and get the balcony feel, as they are in an inside cabin.

Thanks BillOh. I was just thinking that if the main pools were too crowded, we could take a dip in the back one, unless they put the nets on whenever it is not in active use by staff.

I believe they do charge your card right away, because I have seen people mention that when they cancel and re-book at a lower package price, the credit doesn't come back on your card as quickly as they charge the new price, so you are left double-paying for a short time before the refund arrives to your acct. I know you can use OBC for excursions, not sure about dining packages.

Regarding the pool at the back of the ship that they use for the water shows, is that open during the day for passengers as a normal pool, or is it only for use for the shows? Seeing as how there is stadium seating all around, just wondering if it is a "public" pool or is not open for public use?

Thanks!

Barely any change from Platinum to Emerald for all that $ spent. "Welcome water and snacks" Whoop dee doo. Seems like there is some room for improvement there!

We have cruised numerous times before but are gearing up for a 10 person cruise that includes both sets of parents, After perusing the suggestions, I will be getting the following things to add to the packing list: Clorox/Lysol wipes for first day cleaning of surfaces, lint roller (dispose at end of trip), some sort of min-desktop plug in fan so I can have some noise and air movement at night, a Febreze Plug In's night light for bathroom (double duty!), binder clips for hanging up wet swimsuits, travel size downy wrinkle release, quart and gallon ziplocks ( we used these many times on previous trips). I will also do a modest decoration for my parents 50th anniversary on the door so they can find their room easily. Now about the power strip... I have seen people saying you are not allowed to bring these anymore. Are the smaller ones acceptable still or is it NO power strip type units anymore? I could bring an extension cord that has 3 plugs on it, if needed. Anyone been on a recent RCCL cruise know if they were able to bring a multi-outlet power source? I also plan to bring carryon bottled water and a 12 pk Diet Mt Dew, will just slap 2 luggage tags on them and hope they make it to the room.

Thanks!

Can you elaborate on the "tutti" salad in the MDR for lunch? As I understand it is a "make your own" salad station - is that correct? If so, what are all the options (is there fresh spinach, grilled chicken, fresh veggies) available as toppings? Thanks in advance. It would be nice to know of a healthy salad option for lunches.

So happy to find this thread of kindred Type A planners!! We have a cruise with 10 people going on RCCL Allure OTS March 31, 2019 and the planning is going well. I am the family travel agent, like many of you, and this cruise will be a bit different as we have 2 sets of parents and one set of uncle/aunt (all 60's-70's to 80), my SIL and her hubby ( 50-58) and my DH and myself (47 each). I feel like I need to spend a bit more time "watching over" my parents to make sure they are enjoying themselves and doing fun stuff, while the others have cruised with us numerous times so they can do what they want. Hopefully it will all work out so that they don't get lost or feel overwhelmed. I am planning group excursions in Nassau and Costa Maya, so I have to also take into account the physical condition of the older folks, which varies. It's too early to book flights, but I will take care of that when the time comes, and ensure everyone meets up at same hotel the day before, etc. Half the time I think I am alwasy the one most excited for the trip! I was thinking about making little goodie bags for everyone, or door decorations, but am torn as to whether they would care or not. Now, for my parents, they are celebrating their 50th anniversary, so I will be decorating their room and doing some other special things for them throughout the trip, but I don't know if the others would appreciate the time/effort I would spend on doing something cute, so I don't know if I want to bother. Has anyone made up little cruise themed goodie bags/gifts for their cruise mates?

We do pack a small rolling suitcase with cans of dh's soda and bottles of water for the cabin. For ships with a Starbucks onboard, I collect all the Starbucks gift cards that dh and my kids get as gifts over the year and use them onboard. I suppose if I were on a ship with no Starbucks, I'd buy the coffee card. I only drink one cup of coffee a day, so it has to be a good one :D

So is it true you can bring a case of soda and a case of water onboard with you? I have seen people say yes and no. I would definitely like to do this but want to be sure we can do it so I don't have to abandon a case of Diet Mt Dew and water at check-in...

Just checked my parents booking and got them a $-200 discount for SC resident rate. I also got our booking a $75 rate drop (not sure why), but it doesn't hurt to call and ask!!

Thanks! I just called them and they won't honor RCCL's price for past cruisers, so we will just stay with RCCL and keep an eye out for price drops.

Royal will not match the offer. However, if it has been less than 60 days since your initial booking, you can transfer the booking to the travel agent.

Do you just call up the other site and ask them to transfer it for you, or do I have to call RCCL and ask them to do it for me? Thanks - I have never done that before.

I have already booked directly with RCCL but now I am seeing a different site offer the same price for my same type of cabin and location, but they are offering free gratuities as well. I wonder if anyone has tried to call RCCL/C+A and ask RCCL to match this deal from a competitor, or will they just tell me to go pound sand?? TIA!

On Allure in March 2019 and price is $60/day right now. Definitely needs to be more like $45-50 to be worth it for me.

Did you ever get an answer to what the ink spots were in the water?? I am intrigued!!! Enjoying the review - so glad your parents are active and can enjoy the trip with you. Mine will be celebrating 50 yrs in Feb and we are all going on Allure on March 31, so looking forward to that!

 

7. What are some of the things we absolutely have to do and see on the Allure? Aside from the restaurants above, absolutely see the Water Shows; they're unique and fun to watch. Try to see if you can find a copy of the daily planner so that you can note the things you really want to do. If you want to do Rising Tide bar, you'll need to "schedule" it just like anything else you want to catch. The "departures" are posted every day and it will take a small chunk of your time to get a seat and go through the experience so treat it like trivia, or karoake, or any other onboard activity. The parades are fun and usually scheduled around 7-7:30pm so if you want to see them, eat early! We missed a couple because we had too many 6pm and 7pm dining times! If you like to see more tricks on the ice, see the iSkate show where the performers can all do their own routines. The main ice show has a story line and is also fun to watch but the tricks are more impressive in the other show.

Is the Rising Tide schedule in the Compass daily or is it physically posted right by the entrance? This is the first time I have seen this information, and I have read a bunch of reviews and studied the Compasses. Most people say it is hardly ever in operation, although I have seen on the Compass that they do a 2 hour all you can drink "Speakeasy" theme party on the Rising Tide one night for $35. If you have the ultimate drink pkg, do you still have to pay $35?

;( thank you Bob!

I am in 8160 on Allure. Based on what the map says, am I correct in thinking I have a balcony placement bed? God I hope so.

Does anyone happen to know the "fee dining" prices for lunch at the following locations: Johnny R's, Chops, Izumi, Giovanni's? I only saw dinner prices for the specialty restaurants in the posted CC's. Do they ever have discounted prices for lunch at these places? TIA!

Thank you Ken, that is reassuring! I am excited that all of you are so adamant about this being a great deck to be on. I am looking forward to the peacefulness of Central Park being right outside our door :) If you have any other Deck 8 secrets, let us know!

We just booked Allure 8160 ov balcony as the RC person said the big white box across the room on deck plan was a structural support. Looking elsewhere I see it may be a crew setup area and could cause noise. Now I am worried. Anyone stay in 8160 or 8153 on Allure?