cruisin_cutie216

Hi there friends! Been a while since I've been here to chat with you all! Planning my first cruise with my SD for this coming summer or fall :-).

Thank you guys so much! I'm feeling much better about it. Honestly, it's true. Its unfortunate that situations are handled this way.

It's been so long since I've been around! Loving the photos and tips (had to play a bit of catch up). Since I last was here, so much has changed. I recently acquired a psychiatric service dog (my golden Disney) for PTSD and anxiety and she has been a god send. We are cruising later this year and am a bit nervous about taking her but glad this forum is here.

I did have a somewhat unrelated topic. Being that I have Disney as my SD now, the doctor has a note for me describing why I need her, I have an interesting situation. I am going out of town for work in February and we have one girl who is allergic to dogs on staff and my office manager flipped out about me even bringing her in the building. I work in an orthodontist office and even some of my co workers had said that it would be rather odd and make patients uncomfortable if I had her. Any suggestions on what I could do? Sorry for the off topic post but it had been wracking me all day

I decorated our stateroom door on my first cruise on the Allure. I have photos on my review pictorial feel free to take a look!!!

I am in LOVE with your review!!pictorials are the best :-)

My b/f's mom and sister were on your sailing, good to see some photos and live their cruise almost semi vicariously through your review. The Breeze looks like a gorgeous ship! I would love to sail her in the future! Keep the review coming, I'm enjoying it so far!

Like someone else said, you are not allowed to take an in-training dog on cruises. The right is for the disabled person, not the dog, and even a disabled person cannot take their in-training dog onboard. I am sure your program has a way you can send your dog to another puppy raiser or to them while you travel. I don't even know why you would WANT the hassle and expense and inconvenience (including having to skip getting off at certain ports and miss out on certain types of tours) of bringing the dog; the only reason those of us with trained dogs do it is because we NEED the dogs' help in order to go on the cruise! :)

I had been told in the past that my pup in training wouldn't be a problem. We were going on a cruise to nowhere and wouldn't be stopping at any ports (literally, 2 days of nowhere). Perhaps I was given some misinformation.

I honestly didn't think it would have been an issue to take her on a cruise to nowhere (we would of course have called the line first and seen if it is all right and not just shown up. we even have to do this when we fly). Its not an issue for me to leave her at home (she will be staying home for our upcoming cruises) just felt that the cruise to nowhere wouldn't have been an issue being that we wouldn't be stopping at a port.

As far as self trained dogs, I'd like to chime in on that if I may. I have a good friend of mine whom was in a car accident and suffered a neurological injury (she's still in an ongoing settlement with the driver who hit her. its been a long road). She has used her boxer as a service dog [she trained her mostly by herself and they worked with a trainer that was able to get Kashmir the public access testing] because large crowds, sensory overloads, and the sudden pain attacks of her head were hard for her to manage so she needed Kash to alert her as of to when the onsets were going to strike. Since then, Kashmir doesn't work anymore due to health issues. (terrible hip problems, elbow issues, etc.)

As far as dremmeling, that's all I've ever used on my dogs. My oldest can't stand the clippers we have so when time comes I have my friend [same one who owns KAshmir] come to trim his nails cause heaven forbid if mom does it lol! On my golden I've used the dremmel. I've found that I don't have to get a nail trim so quickly with that. Takes some introduction to it though. I used it on my foster lab last year and even with slow introduction she wasn't having it! Guess its not for everyone.

Roz: hope all is well! Hoping to hear from you soon! <3

So friends! Its been a while since I've posted and I totally forgot to post the professional fancy schmancy photos that Rob and I took on our Allure cruise.

We did our shoot out of the Picture This photo studio located on deck 8 in Central Park. Our shoot was at 6:30 a little after sunset and it was phenomenal. We took shots in the following locations

Central Park- Outside areas.

Central Park- Vintages wine bar

The Boardwalk- Carousel

The Boardwalk- ambiance areas

The Boardwalk- Aqua Theater

Our photo shoot took about 1hr 1/2 - about 2 hours and we had 2 photographers to follow us about and take awesome shots. Central Park was truly BEAUTIFUL and very romantic at night. Most of our final shots we selected from Central Park and Vintages. They also took a few shots in the actual studio.

There was no sitting fee or charge for the viewing of our proofs. Just a charge for the ones we wanted to purchase. We had well over 800 photos to choose from! it was super hard for the both of us to agree on what to get seeing as Rob isn't a huge picture taking person but he still found it to be a pretty intimate and wonderful experience for the both of us.

The pictures were pretty pricey. Ours came out to be about $580 bucks (this included the shipping and handling being that our photos weren't finished before the end of our sailing). We got 8X10s, 5X7s, and we also got a large photo to frame when we were ready (I neglected to snap a photo of this one). HOpe you all enjoy our shots! Please let me know if you have any questions!

<3 Missy <3

Hello friends! Its been a while since I've posted on the board and wanted to stop by and say hello!

I am pleased to announce that Future Leader Dog #1 is now a working guide in Arizona! Since then, I have acquired puppy #2, a golden retriever named Disney and am hoping to cruise with her at some point. Wanting to do RCCI on Allure of the Seas next summer, Carnival, or Disney Cruise Line. Not sure what to go with and wanted to know if you all had any suggestions? Several of my puppy raiser friends have cruised with their FLDs but for the life of me I have either lost touch with them or they don't raise anymore. Any help/tips would be great!

Meredith and FLD Disney

First, I want to say that you are doing an awesome job! I wish I can take you as my personal photographer and have you document every trip I go on. lol! Maybe I can take you as a stow away for my Allure cruise...? HMmmmm....

 

That's it, we have to cruise again in the future!

 

 

 

Cruisin Cutie... do my eyes deceive me, or are we sailing the same dates on the Allure?? If so, cool! I would love to meet you and your bf, maybe do a double date with me and my bf lol.

Aww that would be fun!!! Here's the story. We were thinking about going on the Allure once more with my mom for her birthday but as of now the trip is up in the air due to some unexpected health problems on my end (*sad face*). For the moment, we aren't entirely sure that we will be boarding the Allure of the Seas in November :-(. If we do, that most definitely would be super fun!!!

Gambee: I can't wait to read more!!! I look forward to your reviews cause they are so full of details. Makes my planning that much more easier.

Absolutely LOVING the new review Gambee! Thoughts go to you on your sweet four legger crossing the Rainbow Bridge :-/. All your CC friends are here for you!

In happier news, darling boyfriend and I are looking at doing a Disney World/Disney Cruise vacation this fall cause we both could use a break. This review is going to be super helpful for the two of us adults looking to do a Disney cruise.

I just found your review!!! What an incredible adventure! You brought back all the excitement of my first cruise...so many years ago! Enjoy your future cruises...each of them will provide you a different 'experience' than the one before!

 

P.S. I am also from R.H. MI. Maybe I will get to meet you and Rob in person! :)

Oh how awesome!!! It was an incredible adventure absolutely!! We hail from C.T. MI and are always out at the dog mall with our pups. I would love to meet a fellow CC'er from MI. ALways great to meet new friends!

Hi Missy,

I am a little late to the party here, but I LOVED your review. I think my favorite picture is the lobster night photo of you and your American Hero. Please accept our family's thanks for his service and going forward yours as you support him. You are a beautiful young lady inside (most importantly) and out. Continue to care for the puppies and Rob and enjoy each day. I am traveling next year on the Allure and enjoyed your review.

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for the wonderful words and comments. So glad that you loved the review! No worries on being late to the party, the party never stops (well kinda! lol). So glad tat I could give you an inside look from my eyes at the Allure and I hope you enjoy your cruise on her. She was truly a wonder and it was super awesome to have sailed on her for my first cruise.

I will most definitely thank him for you and your family and you are most welcome for my support. I told him that no matter where the Army takes him, I'll be there right by his side. It truly is a blessing each day to be a military girlfriend.

I hope to write another review when I take my next cruise ( was supposed to be at some point this year but due to some unexpected challenges, they may not happen). Hopefully as good if not better than this one!

Thanks again so much for reading along!

alaska planner: we were on deck 10; central park view and it was rather quiet and the view at night was spectacular. Central Park is a great place to go visit the wine bar Vintages before dinner or go to Giovannis for a special dinner. Our room was close to the front of the ship and it was perfectly peaceful during all times of the day. There were also ocean view balconies on our deck and we weren't too far from the stairs at all.

Hope that helps!

Gambee's mom: thank you so much! I've been on board reading the review of yours and Gambee's recent sailing on X and its been inspiring me for my next cruise onboard Carnival in the not too distant. Looking forward to writing again! ever since my sailing I've been itching to cruise again!

xoxo Missy

a Carnival souvenir bag or glass at the Thrift Shop triggers excitement and not only do you buy them both but inquire on if there's more

Thank you everyone for the kind words!! I cannot wait to write another review. Hoping to be able to go on our next cruise in September on Carnival. It'll be exciting to see the difference between the two lines and also with the different experiences.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful feedback so far. I'm a little sad that my review is over!!! I will have a packing list section and an Allure of the Seas q &a with tips and tricks as well. I will also do my best to get the various compasses scanned in as well as the professional portraits that Rob and I had taken.

There will be plenty of more reviews!! Going on the whale tale hopefully in September so you will be seeing and hearing of mine and Ziggy's adventures again!!!

PLease, if you all need some questions answered and would like to see them in the Q and A section, let me know and I will be sure to include them!! Thanks!!!

xoxo Missy

Roz,

so sorry to hear about your loss. Sending nothing but hugs and prayers your way!!!!

Chapter 13: The finale.

After naptime, it was time to make further headway on packing up the luggage to get ready for debarkation in the morning. We would be carrying our luggage off ourselves due to the fact that we had a rather early flight that morning. I left out the dress that I had worn the first night of the cruise to dinner for tonight's meal and packed away all my other outfits and shoes. I decided to wear a pair of flip flops to dinner being that they were easy to pack and I could pack them last. In the morning, my Crocs were to be my shoe of choice (going through security was a breeze coming to FL due to the fact that the Crocs slipped on and off conveniently).

After everything was packed and I had double checked and tripled checked, Rob picked me up for the last time for our dinner in the MDR. He ended up picking me up rather early so that we could catch the Move it Move it parade on the Promenade. This parade was something to see!! It featured characters from the Dreamworks films and some amazing dancing and music. It was so much fun!

We left a little bit before the parade ended to beat the throngs of people heading to the Adagio for their dinner seating the same as us. We arrived a little after 8:30 and took our seats for what would be our final meal onboard the Allure of the Seas. I was certainly getting a smidge misty eyed this evening as I looked around the room. I had seen these passengers every night laughing, talking and sharing in a meal with each other and I was going to miss that. I had made so many memories during this trip and it was one that I was never going to forget.

We ordered our meals and since I'm a creature of habit, I went with the usual Royal shrimp cocktail {I know, not a very spectacular final hurrah}. For the main course, I opted for the pasta dish in a very delicious creamy sauce with tomatoes.

For desert, I decided to have some vanilla ice cream. Simple, but delicious!!!!

After dinner, our wait staff did a wonderful farewell song and dance for us as a sendoff and thank you for us during our trip. I know I had my ups and downs in the MDR but it was truly a wonderful experience. Honestly, I had major waterworks during the farewell performance. I wasn't ready to leave. We were very fortunate to have a picture with our wait staff to commemorate our final cruise meal.

After dinner, we headed back to the room to finish up any packing needed. Walking down the hallways was so surreal leading back to the room. Just six days ago, we were getting onboard and settling in. I was full of emotions of excitement, wonder, fear, and amazement. Now, I was full of joy and sadness. there's nothing more touching than seeing all the luggage being picked up by the cabin staff and taken away to the belly of the ship to only be seen until we disembarked in Ft. Lauderdale.

I had procrastinated as far as buying any souvenirs in the gift shop and wanted to save this for the final night so that I could just pack them in the bag and not forget them. I headed down to The Shop and snagged some keychains for each port of call and a really very cute Allure of the Seas t shirt.

Back in the room, I sadly plugged in my iPhone that I had retrieved from the safe along with all of my other important items as well. I knew, that in a matter of hours, I would be back to reality. The adventure would be over. Only to be picked up on another voyage.

Chapter 14: All ashore that's going ashore.

Its early.

Its still.

Its time.

We awoke around 5:30 and prepared for our 6:30 debarkation from the ship. I had smartly showered the night before and thus was able to save time as far as getting ready. Rob was up way before any of us and watched the sunset from the sundeck and the docking of the ship. Sandy was ready to go before all of us and was out of the room with her bags at around 6:10. I gingerly gathered my things, got dressed in my clothes I would be wearing on the plane, and with one more final glance, I exited our home away from home.

We headed to the Amber Theater to receive further instruction on how debarkation would work and where we would exit. No later than about 6:20 we were on the gangway scanning our SeaPass cards for the final time and heading off the ship. I had tears in my eyes and wasn't ready to leave. But like all good things, this venture had come to an end.

Once off the ship, we headed into the cruise terminal and over to the customs counters. I went solo as I wasn't in a family party but by myself. Cleared customs with no problem and we made our way outside to the taxis that were already waiting to take passengers to the Ft. lauderdale airport. I gazed out the window and watched our ship disappear into the distance. I watched until the city life had swallowed the ocean line whole.

I thought I would be alright once we got on the plane due to the amount of time my brain had to process what was happening. I think what sealed the deal for me was having our plane fly right over Allure.

My adventure was truly amazing. I had some amazing experiences, saw some amazing places, and made some wonderful memories. I wouldn't trade any of these things for the world. I would most certainly do it all again and again and again. Who knows where my next adventure will take me. I can definitely say, that after this first cruise, I have definitely caught the cruise bug!!! There's no turning back now!

And with that my friends, I can truly say. That my voyage onboard the Allure of the Seas.....was SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!

xoxo Missy and Rob xoxo

After our scenic drive to the Orient, we had finally arrived at Orient Bay/Bikini Beach. It was such an adorable beach with charming grass looking set ups that housed a restaurant, shower facilities/restrooms, and even water sports options. It was heaven!

We snagged two chairs by the water (costing us 12 dollars for both of us) complete with a small table and an umbrella for our relaxing afternoon at the beach.

Wow....your review is amazing :) I have a couple of questions about Bikini beach. You got both chairs and umbrella for $12.00? Did you have to buy lunch here for that deal? We were on Orient beach in March also, but went to Kakao beach and they charged us $20.00 for 2 chairs! Also....do you know if Bikini beach has free wifi?

 

We did eat lunch at the beach that day but it didn't factor into the chair pricing. I checked again with Rob (whom has been reading my review as well) and there's a correction, we got them for 20 bucks as well! Sorry about that!!! I tend to forget some details as there's so much to remember!!

 

Sorry you missed the ice show. So the ship changes time? I thought it always stayed on the same time.

 

We happened to cruise during daylight savings time (spring forward) and that's where things got a little wonky. I was soo bummed about missing the show! Broke my heart a little bit but hey you can't win em all!

 

 

To the rest of my readers, sorry about being away! the review is alive and well I assure you! Its been a hectic few weeks with Rob leaving to go out of town soon and getting him ready for that, volunteer work and regular work, plus the fiasco in Boston (I have a very close friend in the Boston area) its been just...wow. I will have more posted this afternoon as I FINALLY have a day off from anything! Hang tight everyone, I will be back!!!

 

xoxo Missy xoxo

either one hundred or two hundred something. Not too sure...its in my signature but its hard for me to remember the exact count without looking.

Chapter 12: Saying goodbye.

Saturday had come sooner than we thought and today would be the day that we would start packing up our things from our "home away from home" for the past week and prepare to disembark to head back to the mitten. It was a very emotional and bittersweet day for me. I wasn't ready for it to end. I felt like I was in the greatest dream of my life and I so badly didn't want to wake up. This was our final sea day and final day for me to check out some of the things that I had missed or things that I wanted to do over again. Waking up much earlier than normal, I decided to have a personal stroll through Central Park on my own and none the less, I had forgotten how tranquil it was inside the park. It was a calming and serene feeling that cannot be put into words. I snapped some wonderful shots of the park and got a little teary eyed knowing that come tomorrow, I wouldn't be walking down into the park for breakfast or to go for a walk. I would be going home.

the place we had called home

I simply LOVE this walkway! Especially when it was lit at night.

Now I know it has been a bit since Ziggy had made a cameo appearance so I used this opportunity to grab a few photos of my favorite cruise critter!

He was a bit shy in this photo.

Watch your step ladies and gentlemen!

I was still feeling a bit under the weather from my sea sickness ordeal and come to find out it was due to us sailing rather near a storm cell which made for the seas to be choppier than usual. This of course didn't stop us from going to WJ for our last breakfast together onboard the Allure. It was unusually empty in the WJ this morning, probably due to the fact that most of our fellow passengers were in their staterooms packing their bags or shopping for those last minute souvenirs to bring home. Worked well in our favor cause the table choices were endless!

After grabbing our breakfast, Rob and I decided to head down to Amber theatre to play a round of bingo. We had snagged some free bingo cards at the 70's disco party the previous night and wanted to redeem them at today's game. We also had acquired the "secret password" that was given out so that we could snag a bonus card. I think we paid about 25 bucks to play bingo. They had bingo machines available that would play several cards at once and alert you to a bingo should you have one. We opted out of purchasing one of these as we were being a bit budget conscious.

BINGO was fun onboard and the staff did great with keeping it entertaining. Unfortunately, Rob and I walked away empty handed with no winnings but none the less, it was a fun moment together.

It had gotten to be a bit later in the morning/early afternoon so we headed back to my stateroom so that I could finish up some packing that I hadn't completed already. I had begun to pack little bits at a time starting on Thursday leaving less work for me to do come saturday so I had plenty of time to enjoy the rest of my time on the ship. Our party opted for self debarkation due to us having an earlier flight so we would NOT be placing our bags outside our stateroom at night. We carried our luggage off in the morning and through customs. [more on that later]

After I had taken some time to pack, I laid down for an hour nap. Now we had a bit of a "situation" here. I had mentioned to Rob that I had really wanted to see Ice Games one last time and after the show had wanted my picture in front of the rink as this had been something on my bucket list. IceGames was at 3:30 and he was going to come and wake me around 3:15.

I awoke at what I THOUGHT was 3:15 and headed with Rob down to the rink to find that it was closed. I was puzzled. The show was at 3:30, no way had we missed the seating. After checking with a crew member on the promenade, we were informed that it was 4:30 and the show happend an hour ago. I had forgotten that the time had changed over night and it was now an hour later than I thought. I was crushed. I was angry. I was done. I had been seasick, miserable, homesick, and now I had missed the one thing that I had wanted to see for the last time. No picture for me. Unfortunately, I took my frustration out on poor Rob who tried to empathize with me but to no avail. Frustrated and sad for me, he decided to head to the Boardwalk so that I could at least get my face painted ( I had wanted to do that so badly!!). Buut, to add insult to injury, we were too late for that too. Now I had steam coming out of my ears. Rob, as patient as he could be, decided that I wasn't feeling well and took me back to the room.

I wasn't feeling up to going down to the Park Cafe for lunch so I opted to order room service one last time. I ordered the famous "honey stung chicken", a caesar salad, and a glass of iced tea. My order arrived in about 20 minutes or so and I sailed right into it. It actually didn't taste too bad! Gobbled up the chicken but wasn't a fan of the sweet potato fries.

After my delicious lunch in bed, I decided that continuing my nap was the top priority on my list and decided to continue it before getting ready for our last dinner.

will pick this up in a few! Uploading more to photobucket! Coming up next: final dinner, farewells, upsets, and the closing chapter.

Hi Missy! I'm still following along. I finally have a picture of my new cruising buddy that will be going with me next month. Here is Andy:

 

 

He will be going to the Bahamas with me and 5 friends. I think Andy and Ziggy would be great friends! :D

Cheers. Harold.

Oh my goodness! He is adorable! I think he and Ziggy would be good friends! Absolutely! hope he has bunches of fun on your Bahama trip! Post pictures please.

Ha!!! I love that I am hearing DH here. I have to stop myself from typing it here as I was worried folks wouldn't know what I meant. In my world DH means darling or disney husband. Love to see this.

YAY!! I'm not the only one who uses the abbreviations and what not!!! Welcome to the party!!!