Back from Allure--Is Big Better? Not For Us

[Madison Madhouse]

My DW and I, big-time fans of the Radiance class and not enamored with the first of the mega-ships, Voyager of the Seas, just returned from the March 25 cruise aboard the monstrous Allure of the Seas. Based on the above mindset, why would we try Allure? Well, as veteran cruises (our 18th) and Diamond members, who couldn’t be intrigued with this “wow” vessel? So, happy with long-time friends Bob and Julie joining us, we hit the open seas truly with open minds.

 

Specifics will follow; our top line overview: Never again on a ship this size and this layout. Yes, we experienced a number of high points, but we still significantly prefer our cruise ships be designed to focus on passengers looking out on the ocean, not inward surrounded by kitschy attractions and “neighborhoods.” Also, we don’t seek a ship that seems to be trying to replicate a Disney cruise with characters, parades and the like. And, we want a ship that pays more attention to the meals in the main dining room, rather than practically forcing guests to turn to the for-charge meals in the specialty restaurants for quality dining.

 

First, I will begin with the good stuff.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Chicago and Blue Planet were, hands down, the best shows we’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. Superb performances all around. Don’t miss these two shows.
  
• We loved the Aqua Theater, not so much for the Ocean Aria show (average, in our minds), but for the events at night held in the ocean air, such as the 60’s dance party and the showing of the movie Grease (a sing-a-long version) on the two big screens.
  
• The Solarium – spacious, tranquil, comfortable seating, great views, its own free restaurant/buffet and, yes, no kids.
  
• Embarkation and debarkation, as noted by many here, simply outstanding.
  
• Chops continues to deliver great cuisine.
  
• Outstanding service…from our stateroom attendant Roman and gracious bar servers throughout the ship as well as our waiters and the guest relations folks.
  
• Cruise director Ken Rush, an RCI institution, does a great job. Super high energy and enthusiasm, even though he would leave the ship at the end of the week for a long-awaited vacation.
  
• Smoothest cruise we’ve even had…although the perfect weather certainly played a role here.
  

LOWLIGHTS (or not to our liking)

 

• As noted earlier, why go on a cruise if views to the beautiful waters and outside are de-emphasized? It begins with the dreadful Royal Promenade, a fancy name for a very wide-aisle replicate of an upscale shopping mall. Didn’t like it on Voyager, and sure didn’t like it here. I still can’t figure out why so many people consider this a plus when you can experience this at one of a thousand malls across the country. Please, enlighten me.
  
• Our favorite RCI lounge, the Schooner Bar, is tucked away in a corner on the Promenade, dark, not appealing, and not very crowded. Its navigation theme going to waste when compared to other ships’ Schooners with numerous outside views. The Champagne Bar suffers similarly. So sad.
  
• Another favorite of many on this board and in reviews, Central Park, is assuredly a novelty. Folks express joy at walking through the park, even listening to the piped in noise of birds chirping. Really? Listening to taped recordings of birds chirping while walking one block is a highlight? And, here too, no views of the seas, only the sky. Plus, Chops looks out on the park, but unlike other ships, nary a window looking to the real outside world.
  
• Yes, I mentioned the great shows. But, as others strongly recommend, you really should, before you leave home, pick out the performances you wish to attend and reserve your seats. I understand the need for this with so many guests aboard. But the freedom and flexibility you lose are major drawbacks. I much prefer the ability to go with the flow and determine while on board when I want to see the headliner, Broadway music, etc. The Allure (and Oasis) essentially prevent this (or offer the stressful option of waiting in a line to determine how many reserved guests don’t show up before you can enter…with the worst seats available).
  
• Oh, my, also as cited above, the very average quality of food in the main dining room. Another disappointing development, certainly driven by the huge numbers of diners that must be served and, certainly, a strategy to send some of us to the $pecialty restaurants. Plus, on this cruise (albeit, during spring break), the dining room was crammed with tables; I’ve never seen tables configured so tightly. I heard a couple of waiters citing the challenges of moving about. I could see why – a trip to the men’s room required some nifty maneuvering around tables and chairs.
  
• While on the subject of food – the pizza at Sorrento’s was worse than the cheapest frozen variety. The praise I had heard on this board for Boardwalk Dogs is very hard to understand – mediocre and the hard buns didn’t help.
  
• I had pretty much accepted the increase in the “nickel and diming” for things onboard. But what’s with the CHARGE for orange juice (and cranberry juice) in the dining room for breakfast, as well as the Café Promenade. Yet, they serve some kind of orange juice at no charge in the Windjammer. I don’t get it. And, perhaps, the ultimate insult in this area – charging for small box of popcorn on the Boardwalk. Yep, $1. I know…getting picky, here. But I’m talking about the principle here. Even tacky taverns will give away popcorn…so you can DRINK and spend more.
  
• Also, as many have mentioned, the Windjammer is too small, very crowded and with much less food selection than other Royal ships. It’s simply not pleasant eating up there.
  
• Although not specific to the ship, a couple of comments about the ports. Falmouth in Jamaica is a travesty…yes, likely more development is planned, but more cheap shops is not going to improve things. Guess Falmouth provides good access to other attractions like Dunn River Falls, but, in general, the country, for us, is not very appealing. In addition, we long for the days of the simpler Labadee, not the touristy feeling it has become.
  

I will stop here, and can answer comments and questions if folks respond. I know I’m in the minority here based on the member reviews and those on this board. Don’t get me wrong; we had a wonderful time. One can’t beat cruising. But we know the kind of ship that makes this the optimum experience – and Allure simply is not for us.

[critterchick]

Thank you for your thoughtful review. I agree with many of your points, although I've only been on Allure for 2 nights. We will likely sail on her again because DH really wants to and he occasionally gets his way.:). But she's not on my bucket list.

[Familygoboston]

Wow! Not a cruise for you clearly! Did you cruise in an interior cabin? I found my balcony and the Solarium lovely places to see the sea. The public decks on 11 and 12 and the boardwalk with its wake view were all places I enjoyed often. I generally find I enjoyed the other areas at night, when one cant see outside in the dark anyway.

 

Honestly, I don't love the Promenade ( not a shopper, gambler or drinker) or spend a lot of time there, but it does serve to keep the crowds off the pool decks;)

 

How long have you cruised with Royal? I've been at it since the 90s and, frankly the food has never been " great"... IMO. I like the mega ships because at least they offer more options ( and I mostly use the free ones), which sure beats that same boring menu cruise after cruise after cruise! Was it really ever better, and when?

Must have been long before my time (2 decades ago)! Not trying to be snarky, but I really dont get this " food going downhill" complaint I hear everywhere...IMO it's been in the foothills for quite a while!

 

Thanks for sharing your review! At least now you know what you like and you can save some money by not having to sail this class again!

[Madison Madhouse]

Familygoboston, we did have a balcony and certainly enjoyed it with two room service breakfasts and afternoon reading. And, as I noted, the Solarium was a highlight; we spent a lot of time there. But the views throughout the Radiance class ships are just so wonderful. The food? Well, our first cruise with Royal was in 1998, with many to follow, and DW and I just feel the meals were definitely a step up in those early days. Thanks for your thoughts.

[SB9]

Thank you for the review. It helps rein in my expectations of my upcoming allure cruise. After allure I need to try one of the smaller ships before they sell them all off or scrap them.

 

Op would you try the sunshine class when it comes out?

[Cruising89143]

Thanks for your review. The Oasis class is not for everyone but they are our favorite RCI ships now. Actually the Radiance is our least favorite. The Jewel felt the most crowded. I will be back on the Jewel in a few days. I will see if I feel differently after this cruise about the Radiance class.

 

The good thing about RCI is different class ships offered within the fleet. Something to fit just about everyone's needs.

[Madison Madhouse]

Thank you for the review. It helps rein in my expectations of my upcoming allure cruise. After allure I need to try one of the smaller ships before they sell them all off or scrap them.

 

Op would you try the sunshine class when it comes out?

 

I believe Sunshine class will just be just a downsized Oasis. If that is true, still too big. By the way, we also enjoy Celebrity Solstice...still rather large, but not so over the top.

[Madison Madhouse]

Thanks for your review. The Oasis class is not for everyone but they are our favorite RCI ships now. Actually the Radiance is our least favorite. The Jewel felt the most crowded. I will be back on the Jewel in a few days. I will see if I feel differently after this cruise about the Radiance class.

 

The good thing about RCI is different class ships offered within the fleet. Something to fit just about everyone's needs.

 

I agree the different class ships offer the variety we all seek. Interesting how you feel about Radiance class. That's the beauty of all of this -- different perspectives and thoughts from all of us,

[Ren1216]

Thanks for the well written review, I appreciate your opinion greatly. I'm really torn with whether or not I will try this class of ship, for all of the typical reasons. Have you ever been on one of the Freedom class ships? If so, what was your impression of that size and layout?

[Familygoboston]

Familygoboston, we did have a balcony and certainly enjoyed it with two room service breakfasts and afternoon reading. And, as I noted, the Solarium was a highlight; we spent a lot of time there. But the views throughout the Radiance class ships are just so wonderful. The food? Well, our first cruise with Royal was in 1998, with many to follow, and DW and I just feel the meals were definitely a step up in those early days. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

I do agree with you about the Radiance class, we sailed Jewel recently, and it really was beautiful! I do think every public room except the casino and theater has a view outside!

Our first sailing was Monarch in 1993. Little bitty Monarch ( or her sisters) was the largest thing afloat at the time, so it's not like going bigger and bigger is something new for RCL. It's been their operational strategy from the get go!

 

I just honestly didn't find the food remarkable then, or now. Maybe I'm not discerning enough, but I do appreciate more varied ethnic and healthier foods available now vs then. I wonder if the decrease in the traditional " meat and potatoes " meals doesn't appeal to some types of cruisers. Anyway, genuinely puzzled by that every time I read it!

[Langley Cruisers]

Yep. You know, it's not for everyone. This class was not for me (for several reasons), but DH loved it. Suffice it to say that since it is both our vacation, I doubt we will sail this big again. We both love Voyager class, and loved Brilliance last year to the Med. Will sail again on Radiance class later this year.

.

[maxxedout2]

Thanks Madison.

 

Heard several similar comments so we're not anxious to

book the Big O or A.

 

Voyager class is nice. Freedom also. I want to try Jewel out of Tampa.

Just tried Majesty for a weekend....nice for a twenty year old ship.

 

 

:cool:

[LBumb]

good review

[cruise pup]

Thanks for confirming my suspicions about the Oasis and Allure and I'm glad I haven't booked a cruise. I was just on the Voyager for a week and spent 3 glorious sea days on the outdoor promenade on deck 4 where I could read, listen to my iPod or snooze while I counted the waves. No quiet place close to the sea level exists on these ships and I would have to pay an arm a leg for a stateroom facing the sea. I learned my lesson on Norwegian Epic which has a similar setup where there's no ocean view promenade deck. The view is completely blocked by the life boats.

 

I did not pay for o.j. on the Voyager. I know they try to push freshly squeezed o.j. for an additional charge but regular o.j. should be on the breakfast menu in the m.d.r. at no additional charge. I understand something similar is pulled on MSC ships regarding water. Unless you specificy tap water they may bring you bottled water and then charge you for it.

 

Lastly, I disliked the pizza at Sorrentos on board Liberty of the Seas but last week on Voyager I found the pizza (served at Cafe Promenade) quite good.

[alaska_planner]

great review!! thanks!!!

[praline3001]

Very honest review. Thanks!

 

We are sailing May 27th on the Allure. I will admit this ship was not my first choice. We have 3 older children (17,15,11) who were dying to sail on it.

 

My concerns are mostly the ones you spoke about. I have seen tons of reviews about the quality of food in the dining room. One or two reviews and you take it with a grain of salt. I have seen about a 100 complaining about the food. I tried to get into Chops or Giovanni's Table but they are booked solid for the times I need. My daughter is an angel but is 11 so can't dine after 7 as per the rules. I am hoping concierge will be able to book our dining.

 

Did the ship seem crowded to you? That is another one of my concerns. I am hoping everyone spreads out nicely. I know some people have different expectations then others so asking if it felt crowded is kind of subjective LOL I love MY kids but not so crazy about other people's kids :D ok .. ok.. so I tolerate my children (shhh don't tell them I said that Ha Ha)

I am concerned that there will be a huge crowd of kids and it will be Fantasyland at the Dumbo ride all over again :eek:

[molly361]

Thanks for the review. Was it the fresh squeezed juice that you had to pay for in the dining room or it that something new I wonder??

 

We did not pay for OJ on the Allure last year at breakfast.

[B-52]

Thanks for the good, honest review.

 

I too, am not a fan of the Mega Ship. If I can't feel the ship moving, what's the sense of even being on a ship? That's why I lean towards a smaller ship.

I'm into the CRUISE itself, not all the other stuff.

One of the best cruises I have ever been on, was on the Mariner skirting around hurricanes. Going out on the life boat deck and feeling the spray hit your face! You knew you were out at sea!

 

Maybe it's something still ingrained in me, but when I was in the Navy, and we would have liberty at our favorite ports, all to ourselves, it would all go downhill when the carriers (Mega Ships) would show up.

[Madison Madhouse]

Thanks for the well written review, I appreciate your opinion greatly. I'm really torn with whether or not I will try this class of ship, for all of the typical reasons. Have you ever been on one of the Freedom class ships? If so, what was your impression of that size and layout?

 

Thanks for the comment, Ren. I've never been on a Freedom class. However, I also felt the Voyager was a bit too big for us (again, not enough views of the sea and I simply don't enjoy the Promenade), so Freedom likely not our cup of tea. But tea, like ships, has many flavors :)

[Madison Madhouse]

Very honest review. Thanks!

 

We are sailing May 27th on the Allure. I will admit this ship was not my first choice. We have 3 older children (17,15,11) who were dying to sail on it.

 

My concerns are mostly the ones you spoke about. I have seen tons of reviews about the quality of food in the dining room. One or two reviews and you take it with a grain of salt. I have seen about a 100 complaining about the food. I tried to get into Chops or Giovanni's Table but they are booked solid for the times I need. My daughter is an angel but is 11 so can't dine after 7 as per the rules. I am hoping concierge will be able to book our dining.

 

Did the ship seem crowded to you? That is another one of my concerns. I am hoping everyone spreads out nicely. I know some people have different expectations then others so asking if it felt crowded is kind of subjective LOL I love MY kids but not so crazy about other people's kids :D ok .. ok.. so I tolerate my children (shhh don't tell them I said that Ha Ha)

I am concerned that there will be a huge crowd of kids and it will be Fantasyland at the Dumbo ride all over again :eek:

 

For the most part, thanks to the size of the ship, people are spread out rather well. We did face crowds during events on the Royal Promenade (for example, Captain's welcome; the disco party), practically shoulder to shoulder. No fun. Of course, shows drew a lot of folks, but that often is the case. Of interest, leaving the ship in ports was a breeze, even early in the day!

 

Remarkably, even though we were on a spring break cruise, the many kids on board were never an issue for us! Of course, we hung out at the Solarium frequently, but the kids pools, special rooms for them, etc., really worked. So, enjoy your kids and don't worry about the others. And, yes, try to get into Chops.

[jewopaho]

My concerns are mostly the ones you spoke about. I have seen tons of reviews about the quality of food in the dining room. One or two reviews and you take it with a grain of salt. I have seen about a 100 complaining about the food. I tried to get into Chops or Giovanni's Table but they are booked solid for the times I need.

This isn't exclusive to the Allure ... it's a fleet-wide issue. I can't count the number of threads about the decline in food quality. Royal Caribbean will deny it ... but to me, there's no question but that they want to steer you to the specialty restaurants. The fact that they're booked solid is more than coincidental.

 

We're not fans of the mega- mega-ships either ... Voyager class is about as large as we're comfortable with, although we stay away from the Promenade during events there (reminds us of Black Friday at Wal-Mart). We've been on the Independence (Freedom class) ... don't think we'll be sailing on anything that size again.

 

The OP's post is succinct and forthright, which is the exception here ... for that I'm very much appreciative. We agree that bigger isn't necessarily better ... always nice to have options.

 

Al

[Beachin2]

Your observations mirror our thoughts - we have absolutely no interest in cruising on a ship that large.

[Heidils]

Great thread! Those ships are not for me. Just my personal opinion. They are amazing though. In terms of food, we eat some of the best food here on the coast of RI. Seafood is off the boat and local restaurants are awesome! That being said, I have not hated cruise food. It get's the job done. My husband can't understand why I order baked stuffed lobster from Spain Restaurant, when we get it free. However, no one makes it like SPain, so I'm used to being dissapointed when it comes to food.

 

Definately like the intimacy of the smaller ships.

[BillOh]

I certainly understand your perpsective, but with the number of people on that ship the nice thing about the Royal promenade is that the people who are there are not where ever you are! ;) That thought was a theme for us all Allure., I don't give a darn for the dreamworks characters but it kept a lot of the kids from being where I was. Some of your other issues do go pretty much across the board from Voyager and above. I enjoy them all, we will see what the new class has to offer.

 

I do agree with you on the WJ on Allure, but I wonder if that is inententional to drive you to other stuff.

[hazeleyez3]

Wonderful, candid review! While I did like the Oasis, I completely agree about the reservations being a pain in the a**. I think we may only reserve seats for Chicago on the Allure...take our chances on some of the other ones.

 

We've only done the larger ships, so I am anxious to see what my thoughts are of the Brilliance - we sail on her in a few months.

 

 

I tried to get into Chops or Giovanni's Table but they are booked solid for the times I need. My daughter is an angel but is 11 so can't dine after 7 as per the rules. I am hoping concierge will be able to book our dining.

 

Regarding Chops and Giovanni's...go to them soon after you get on the ship and see what they have.