Allure 1/09 and 1/16 sailing

[Cruising89143]

Just returned home today from two weeks on the Allure. Overall it was an outstanding cruise and the Allure gained from having her sister going into service first.

 

Areas of improvement that we noticed.

 

Crew - Last year on the Oasis the service was good but many of the crew seemed tired and were having a hard time adjusting to a new class of ship. On the Allure we noticed a much more relaxed crew and many stated that they introduction of the Allure was much easier due to learning from the Oasis. Service throughout the ship was outstanding. Very friendly. No complaints here at all.

 

Boardwalk. The addition of Rita's and the Boardwalk Dog House were a huge addition. The Boardwalk had a lot more traffic than the Oasis had on our two cruises last year. We thought that Rita's was good but the menu needs to be tweaked a bit but overall much better than the Seafood Shack and much busier. The doughnut shop is gone and has been moved across to the seating area of the Ice Cream Parlor. It is now a small self serve cabinet that holds four different types of doughnuts. Did not try them. They were not good on Oasis so I passed this time. The Dog House was also good and I never saw a long line waiting. Also they added improved street lamps and circular bench seating. The entire area looks much more inviting.

 

Central Park - Gone are the steps that are on the Oasis when enterting or leaving the specialty dining places. The steps have been replaced with ramps. A lot of people were tripping over the steps. The only set of steps that I noticed were in Chops on the patio.

 

Check in was just as quick as the two cruises on Oasis last year. They also did a great job in the handling of the B2B on turn around day. No issues here.

 

 

We did not dine in the Main Dining Room once the entire two weeks using the specialty dining and room service. We also dined only once in the WJ and that was turn around morning last Sunday. It was as bad as the last time that we tried the WJ for breakfast on the Freedom. Not sure what they are trying to pass for scrambled eggs but they missed the mark big time. They were nasty.

 

Chops, Giovanni's and Samba were very good. We dined at these locations multiple times over the two weeks. Service here was outstanding.

 

Rita's was good and the Fiesta is well worth the twenty bucks that they charge. You receive a wrist band with three tabs. Each time that you order a drink, you hand your server a tab. You can order beer, mixed drinks, soda or bottled water. Menu is set with an appetizer tray, main crourse of fajita's and a dessert. Again service here was good.

 

We went to all of the shows more than once with the exception of Chicago. Not to take anything away from the performers (they were very good) but I had a very difficult time staying awake. We did not enjoy it and would not sit through ninety minutes of this again. IMHO RCI missed the mark on this show. Hairspray was much better. Blue Planet and OceanAria were great. Ice Games was good but we enjoyed the show on Oasis better but entertainment is like food. Very subjective. I think you should try them all to see for yourself.

 

On Friday, we had Taylor Swift in concert while docked in Cozumel. This was a very nice addition. I wasn't originally looking forward to it but once the concert started, it was great. There were TS contest winners from across the US on this cruise. RCI also had contests on the ship to give away passes and along with those that were in suites or D+ receiving tickets.

 

Videos here of Taylor Swift

http://cruisingator.smugmug.com/Travel/Allure-of-the-Seas-Videos/15560705_77DWv#1165689110_QowA2

 

 

As I stated in the first part of the post, it was a great cruise. We booked two more weeks on the Allure. It is our ship of choice when cruising the Caribbean. I'm sure that I will think of more in the days to come. Here is the link to my photos. Warning. A LOT of photos.

http://cruisingator.smugmug.com/photos/swfpopup.mg?swfPop=true&noClickURL=true&url=http://cruisingator.smugmug.com/Travel/Allureoftheseas/15556899_nC2y6#1165415502_BJsjb

[joand452]

Welcome home! We board in less than 60 days for our b2b on Allure (and first time on that class ship). What did you have to do on turnaround day? Did they make you leave the ship for any period of time? How did you get your new seapass?

 

Thanks! I'll be looking at your photos and video now, too.

[Cruising89143]

For those on a B2B, they will hold a short meeting the day before the first cruise ends to cover all of the information. Basically you will meet at a certain time and location and then be escorted off of the ship. All guest must go through customs/immigration and then once the ship is cleared, you are the first group brought back on board. Last week we were on board at 11:30. You receive your new SeaPass card after you go through immigration/customs and before returning back to the ship.

[emmy]

Gordon..thank for your review.. very good video of Taylor Swift. :) Those with Boardwalk balconies were all set to watch.

 

Time to check out your photos...thanks again:)

[ShariNJim]

Thanks for the review, we leave in a week. How crowded is it when you get off at the ports? We are doing the Western itinerary. I must go pack!

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for the review, we leave in a week. How crowded is it when you get off at the ports? We are doing the Western itinerary. I must go pack!

 

It wasn't crowded in any of the ports. This was our first time going to Costa Maya and we did not like it at all.

 

By the way, Ken Rush left the ship today and Alan Brooks took over as CD today. Captain Johnny took over last week for Captain Zini.

[C & L]

Just some fantastic shots. Where were the rest of the cruisers?!?!?!?

[lusitanica]

Thank you for nice photos (taken from Hyatt Regency - I guess).

Very good.

[Babyberger]

Thank you once again for an excellent review! I am excited to hear the change made to Allure and your perception of them.

 

We did in fact book an ATS (after you sailed in one and shared pictures) for our upcoming Allure sailing. We were able to go walk thru one on oasis the morning of demarkation and the kids were sooo excited! I agree, not exactly what you expect from a suite, but with a 6 & 8 year old it will be perfect!

 

I can't wait another 10 months to experience Allure!!!! Thank you again for always sharing your adventures!

[BabyMoon2007]

Just curious what lines were you on that no longer exist?

[Merion_Mom]

Absolutely amazing video quality, Gordon!

 

What kind of camera were you using?

 

And how did you get TS to look STRAIGHT AT YOU for so long? ;)

[Cruising89143]

Just curious what lines were you on that no longer exist?

 

Dolphin, Premier and Commodore.

[Cruising89143]

Thank you once again for an excellent review! I am excited to hear the change made to Allure and your perception of them.

 

We did in fact book an ATS (after you sailed in one and shared pictures) for our upcoming Allure sailing. We were able to go walk thru one on oasis the morning of demarkation and the kids were sooo excited! I agree, not exactly what you expect from a suite, but with a 6 & 8 year old it will be perfect!

 

I can't wait another 10 months to experience Allure!!!! Thank you again for always sharing your adventures!

 

Both ships are great but we like Allure just a little more. :)

[Cruising89143]

Absolutely amazing video quality, Gordon!

 

What kind of camera were you using?

 

And how did you get TS to look STRAIGHT AT YOU for so long? ;)

 

Carol it's a Sony Cybershot. It did look as though TS was looking straight at us.:)

[PH8]

SUPER pics Gordon..........how did you ever manage "slumming it";) in those dinky cabins??? haha...........AMAZING!!!

[Merion_Mom]

Carol it's a Sony Cybershot. It did look as though TS was looking straight at us.:)

 

Woohoo! That's the kind that I bought!

[queen of cruising]

Your cruise pictures are unbelievable, the best I have ever seen.

How did you manage to take so many of your pictures without a lot of people around?

Thank you so much

[sharktums]

Great photos, thanks for sharing!

 

Something caught my eye...

 

There appears to be some sort of slide on the boardwalk? Behind a Mexican themed facade?!?! I have not heard of this prior...is it a slide? Are people allowed on it? Do tell!

[andnickali]

Thanks for the review- we are leaving next Sunday and will look forward to comparing the ship to the Oasis.

 

Where did CD Alan Brooks come from. I think he was on EOS a few years back- not sure though.

[Roscopicotrane]

Looked at every pic. Great Review!!! Wish I had the cash to cruise Royal!

[joand452]

Fabulous photos and video! It was nice to see that Elvis was in the building (in the video) ;) Taylor Swift seems awfully sweet -- hope she stays that way! I liked how she went into the crowd and hugged the little kids. What a thrill for them!

 

Your suites were awesome! I'd never leave the balcony.

[NancyB84]

Excellent pics. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Rockfan2]

A friend of ours was on the same two B2B cruises on Allure as you.

 

I can't wait to hear his stories.

 

I watched your slideshow and thought I might has spotted him but there weren't many people in your photos. Were they taken very early/late in the day?

 

Thanks,

Rockfan2

[green eyed lady]

Thanks for the review- we are leaving next Sunday and will look forward to comparing the ship to the Oasis.

 

Where did CD Alan Brooks come from. I think he was on EOS a few years back- not sure though.

 

Alan Brooks was on Explorer at one time. We had him a couple of years ago -my son reminded me that he is the one that kicked up his heels at the end each time he was on stage :D I would have to say not counting Richard Spacey, Alan would be our favorite!

[Cruising89143]

SUPER pics Gordon..........how did you ever manage "slumming it";) in those dinky cabins??? haha...........AMAZING!!!

 

Yeah, it was agony. :)