Nov 4, Allure of the Seas, Western Caribbean - A Review and Complete Pictorial Guide!

[gambee]

You Rock my world!!! Love every little bit of this review!

Would you pretty please post what your final Calendar looked like?

Jen

 

Honestly I don't have one, but I will make one later on.

 

I'm trying to figure out how you make such a detailed calendar BEFORE you set sail. Are all of those ship activities posted somewhere online, within your cruise documents, before setting sail?

 

Well the show reservations open up a few weeks in advance. The rest of the activities, yes a lot of reading and research in this forum.

 

PLEASE, PLEASE post your cruise compass. Thanks.

 

I am posting them day by day to keep everything organized :)

[gambee]

Come on now... set up a wifi hotspot with that snazzy new iPhone5 and post away :P LOL

 

I have not yet activated the hot spot feature, I miss it dearly from my old iphone :(

 

Love the pictures !! I think this is the first review I've seen that had pictures of the Vintages menu and the food there. Thank you! :D

 

Dee

 

You're welcome. I looked for them everywhere before my cruise and I actually found them, but you're right not here.

 

you are doing a great job...no worries!

 

great pictures!!! in fact you got me looking for one of these cameras..me thinks i gotta increase my budget a few more hundred bucks!!oh my! :p

 

thanks for posting your review, it really is great!

 

You will love that camera. Thanks for joining.

[Iluvcruising2]

Good stuff! Keep it coming!!

[Just The 3 Of Us]

Gambee - I am so loving your review - love your sense of humor, too... I find myself constantly smiling at your comments. You are adorable!!!

 

Barb

[gambee]

Good stuff! Keep it coming!!

 

Thanks :). here comes my next set.

[gambee]

I really did not write many notes on these two contests, there is no point since they are all differ in every sailing. I will comment on the site, it is crazy that they have to do this contest in such a big pool here in the Allure. But I guess it is the only way on fitting that many people in one place, it actually makes a perfect location once they turn on the big monitors and record the entire show.

 

Before the beliflop contest started I decided I was ready for my first drink, I asked mom if she wanted something but she refused. She found one high top table near the bar and sat there, I headed towards the bar. The bar was packed, but I waited patiently, as so soon as it was my turn the bartender skipped me, its not like I am that easy to forget, remember I had that annoying blue hat. Then he skipped me again and again, he was so busy that you had to hunt him down, once I got his attention I ordered a long island and I also asked for a mojito, since I knew that mom would end up drinking my drink anyway. He said he could not make the mojito, he just made one for the guy in front of me, I said ok, no problem, then a strawberry daiquiri, he had the same answer. I said forget it, just give me the Long Island, if I am correct this was the only time that I did not tip extra that week. I was not mad, because I could see he was packed and I understand that, but I believe he did not do me right to deserver the extra tip, the 15% would had to do.

 

So about 15 minutes later I joined mom in the table, first thing she does? grabs my drink and takes a sip, this later becomes a trend in the cruise, that is why I wanted to get her, her own drink. But what can you do, I was not going back to that bar and I know she can't really drink long islands that easy anyway.

 

 

 

By now the contest had started.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got two short videos of the guy that won, they are fun to watch, feel free to see them.

 

 

 

Ok now lets comment on Ken Rush (I hope I am spelling it right), he has a huge job, I could not imagine what it takes to be the cruise director of a ship that holds 6600 people. The few times that I saw him he was moving, the never stopped. At one point he stopped for about 10 seconds on the On Air venue and he was running, my hat goes off for him. During our cruise mom and I discussed when does he sleep? I mean this guy gets super early to do that morning show and I bet he goes to sleep very late. But every time we saw him he had more energy than a child after his halloween candy run. All that said, I could not relate to him. In my past cruise our cruise director was a lady named Candy, I fell in love with her, the most personable lady ever. With Ken, that never happened, he was somewhat funny, but I never felt that connection. I am not saying he was bad, because anyone that takes that position is a hero in my book, I just never felt a connection, maybe I did not spend much time watching him. who knows.

 

[gambee]

For the sexist man competition mom managed to get us two nice beach chairs in the last row, it was a great place to enjoy that game. While the game started, I took some additional pictures of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a side note on this type of camera, swapping lenses can get very annoying, I was used to pulling my camera out of my pocked and just start taking pictures. Now things are a little different, you have to think what lens you might need prior the set of pictures. Its not horrible, but just something to consider.

 

 

[gambee]

Then the game started, it was fun to watch some contestants had a lot more energy than the others, but overall I give them all credit for even participating.

 

 

Activities director, I forgot his name. I kind of liked him better than Ken.

 

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

:rolleyes: this guy was something else...

 

This guy could of easy won, but he had no personality.

 

I think he won, but not sure

 

 

The winner you ask? well mom tried telling me but I really can't remember. Half way through the contest, my memory card was full, I had forgotten to format it the night before. So we had to run to the room to empty out the pictures into my computer. I went into the stateroom and mom headed to the aft balcony to finish watching the show. Unfortunately for me the process was slow. I had over 8gbs of data to transfer and it took longer than I expected. So yeah I missed the ending of the show, but no worries, it was not going to kill me. I was not going to risk all my data, for anything.

 

[gambee]

Next up we were supposed to meet my bf in the entrance of the casino, because my mom wanted to play and she said my bf was her good luck charm. The problem was that we were running late, we were supposed to meet him there at 3pm and it was 3:04 that memory card was taking her sweet time to unload. We left our state room and got there at around 3:06 and he was not there, you have to understand that is extremely rare for me to be late for anything, him on the other hand is comfortable being late.

 

While we waited there for a little while I took some pictures of some art work that was on display.

 

 

 

 

 

He arrived soon after, good thing because we were about to leave. He claimed that we initially said 2:30 and he was right, it was a miscommunication. So we ended up being very very late, we then headed inside the casino and towards one of those machines.

 

I will comment very little on the casino, we of course went to the non-smoking side, if I am correct that was the starboard side. Mom asked me for $20 and I gave them to her a few minutes later those $20 turned into this.

 

My mom's idea of playing in the casino is putting the money in the machine sit there and people watch, while I or someone else plays with her money. I don't understand... But she is my mom, she can do whatever she wants.

 

 

Then the bf made another attempt with his $20 and the result was even less. Please don't get mad at me, but I really don't understand the obsession with casinos, I have plenty of friends that don't get tired of going to casinos and loosing all their weeks worth of money. But to each their own I guess, I have my own set of flaws. So after donating $40 to RCCL future ship fund, we decided to go up to the promenade to try the cafe there.

 

 

 

[gambee]

 

While walking towards the Cafe we noticed that some people were practicing the flash mob dance for the last day of the cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

 

 

My mom got one those.

 

The bf and I each got a plate like this, it was very good

 

Mom's was ok, mine was much better. I wish I could of tried the mozzarella one, but I did not have the lactose pill with me. It was too much cheese for a no pill scenario, it would not have been a good result at all, :D lol

 

[gambee]

After a light snack we all headed up to the room, mom and I needed to get changed so we could go to the Jacuzzi. This was on the was up to our room.

 

 

 

 

 

We got changed said bye to my bf and left, he stayed in the room watching a movie and studying. While in the elevator we decided to go to the flowerier, we had yet to see it. I really was not sure if I would try it, I was scared of injuring my knee, I had recently had knee surgery and had yet to get on a board after the surgery. Although I was way in the green to try it.

 

These are on the way to the flow rider.

 

 

 

 

And for those of you thinking that I used the miniature effect again, no, this one is a real miniature, lol. Just messing with you. It was a very nice replica.

Edited November 15, 2012 by gambee

[gambee]

 

 

 

Again not a perfect panorama, but you get the idea of the space.

 

 

There was a film crew filming RCCL latest commercial. And in the back is the windjammer below from the loft suits.

 

[gambee]

Gambee - I am so loving your review - love your sense of humor, too... I find myself constantly smiling at your comments. You are adorable!!!

 

Barb

 

Mom says I have my fathers sense of humor, mildly perverse and sarcastic. I guess I had to inherit something else from him besides his eyes :D she is not very proud of it.

 

Thanks for following along and taking the time to comment :)

Edited November 15, 2012 by gambee

[gambee]

 

 

 

[gambee]

Me and the Flowrider a day to remember.

 

Ok folks remember I promised you something funny? Well here it goes.

 

When we got to the flowerier I was pretty excited, I used to snowboard and wakeboard and I was pretty good at it. So as I looked at the people there, I thought "I think I can be very good at this" wishful thinking of course. Mom took a seat on the bleachers and I decided to take out my camera and take a video of the people using the flowrider.

 

There was a girl using it and she was very good at it, here a short video of her. PLEASE NOTE you have to watch the entire video to get what happens next, lol. The video is short go ahead and watch it.

 

 

 

Well not to be vulgar I will say it mildly, when she fell somehow she managed to hit me in the family jewels. It did not hurt that much at that second and I was actually more worried about her, she went down really hard. It does not look it that way, but she slipped very hard, I am sure she was sore the next day. I guess in the process of trying to safe her fall she hit me in my precious little area :-(

 

A few minutes after she left, I said screw it, the knee is ready. And I unloaded all my gear and explained to my mom how to use the camera on burst mode, I was really hoping that she would get the sequence. I did not want a video, because I really rarely make use of video, but pictures I use a lot.

 

Anyway I went and got in line to wait for my turn, I could tell mom was worried about the knee. But I knew I could handle it. The wait was about 4 minutes before I realized I needed my bracelet to be able to ride it. So I went around the corner of the aft bar and got my bracelet, you have to sign the release form, but I had already done that online weeks ahead. So I went back and got online again, while waiting in line one of my testicles started hurting, that is when I realized that the lady might of hit it harder than I thought. Before I knew it, it was my turn, I was a nervous wreck and sweating like a pig, not to mention my lower pain. But I was ready to go. The lady asked me if it was my first time, she gave me a quick lesson and off I went. By the way the Flowrider staff is FANTASTIC!!! LOVE THEM!!! Thank you for all your help!

 

 

 

 

Well Ill let the pictures tell you the story, here it goes. Please don't laugh…… ahhh what the hell, laugh away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 15, 2012 by gambee

[gambee]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gambee]

 

Now in addition the prior problem, my back was on FIRE!!!! But I had enough motivation to do it one more time, here is the sequence for that second try. Mom did an amazing job at getting all the pictures, soooo proud of her.

 

 

 

 

You can the expression of the people waiting in line.

 

 

[gambee]

 

 

 

I was beat up, as you can see I landed on my back and rolled towards my neck (I would pay for that the next day). As I was walking away the flowrider attendant told me come here and try again, I though what the hell Ill probably just fall again. That last time I managed to stay on the board for about 18 seconds, I was so happy, I HAD MASTERED IT…..yeah right, lol, but it was better than nothing.

 

So with a red hot back, sore neck and blue "previously mentioned body part", I left the flowrider that day. Not bad for my first try huh?

 

 

That's it for now, I have to start writing the next part. I just wanted to give you something to read at work today, hope you enjoyed :D

 

Edited November 15, 2012 by gambee

[dmwnc1959]

Please don't laugh…… ahhh what the hell, laugh away!

 

Ok...bwahahahahaha.... ;)

 

Nice action shots! Glad there wasn't any permanent damage. I do remember reading somewhere on CC that Flowrider participants should wear some kind of water shirt.

 

.

Edited November 15, 2012 by dmwnc1959

[kac31]

The personal messages at the bottom of the cruise compass makes me laugh because we were on the October 7 sailing of Allure, and we had those same messages.

[Brittasbay]

Your mom did great with these pictures! Great review, I am enjoying it soooo much! You are making it hard not to book a cruise on Allure right now!!!!!! ;):rolleyes::o:D

[Beth C]

The bf and I each got a plate like this, it was very good

 

Great minds think alike ;)