Middle Aged Drama Queen Goes BIG: Solo & Last Minute on the ALLURE!!!

[KansCocoa]

Bravo, bravo! Thank you for a thoughtful, funny, and extremely helpful review. So many photos, so much information. I have already adjusted some of my plans based on the information I found in this report. :)

 

You're welcome - and thank you! I'm glad the information was helpful - that's my goal! I want every other cruiser to have the same fabulous time that I did!

 

 

Oh Sherri I feel your pain I too am one of those who has done the same.

 

Having just returned from Radiance of the seas here are some photos of Izumi for you. The same (I think for the first course) that you had but now have no photographic proof.

 

We did the Royal Dining Package and had a credit of $20 (I think) we did a package @ Izumi that cost us $2 more than our credit.

 

I have no idea how to put in full sized images so if you want full sized ones let me know.

 

Yay - that is EXACTLY what I had at Izumi! Thank you for those photos - that will help me remember my amazing meal there...especially the Dessert Sampler! Did I mention in my review that my waiter didn't charge me for that sampler? I'm not sure if it was an oversight - or what - but oh well...I LOVED it!

[KansCocoa]

Loved loved your review. Quick question - did you do the dining package or pay for each night at the spec. restaurants separately. I can't decide what is best for us. I do know that we prefer not eating in the MDR. We are going on the Constellation just before you - wish I would of know about the "food" cruise - I would of switched.

 

Hi, Barbara! I did the Central Park Dining Pack - which shaved off a little. This was the better deal - for me, anyway - since I knew I'd be dining at 150 Central Park. This gave me 150 Central Park, Giovanni's Table, and Chops.

 

I only knew about the food cruise on the Constellation because Hubby and I are avid fans of "Top Chef" - and we saw it advertised on TV last fall. I couldn't believe it, when after seeing the commercial a few times, Hubby looked at me and said, "You DO have that booked, right?" Well...no. But I think 3 seconds after he said that, I did indeed have it booked! No twisting MY arm!

 

 

You see....there's a reason I want to be a naval engineer ;)

 

 

Thank you very much for the great entertainment....this was amazing, as always. Even though I don't have plans on sailing on Oasis/Allure soon I enjoyed this as if I cruised with you! My sister and brother-in-law just booked their first cruise on Oasis (bro-in-law's 2nd cruise ever!) in about a month and I sent them the link to this (though I'll probably have to tell them everything you wrote about...they're lazy to read and not as cruise geeks :o ). Anyways, it was a good read and already helped them (indirectly) with their own cruise (i.e. I had to...let's say...threat them that they HAD to get an oceanview balcony as opposed to the so wanted central park #sorrynotsorry).

 

I see that you have a cruise on Connie soon so hope you enjoy that to its fullest (after all, you need your rest after so much work both in NJ and writting this!). Celebrity is awesome, our favorite line, and I'm sure you'll have a much needed rest "in style" :cool: We'll be here waiting for pictures and another funny, informative review from that famous critic ;)

 

ps: People creeping is the best past time on a cruise...or wherever, really....don't worry, you're not alone (pshhh don't tell anyone :rolleyes: )

 

Ah, Rico - thank you...I'm glad you enjoyed the picture of the Engine Room...or was it the picture of Gisele that you liked, more?! ;)

 

And you're right - I DO need rest! Not really. I mean, I DID need rest after working in NJ/NY, but I'm all rested up now...just in time for my surgery, woot! Can't wait to start the review of the Top Chef cruise!

 

And I'm glad I'm not the only creeper/stalker on here...hee hee. Your secret is safe with me.

[KansCocoa]

Ohh no! It's over! :( I really wish it would have gone on forever. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this EPIC Fabulous review. I loved it!! I also loved your Freedom and Serenade reviews and am now a big fan of yours. If I ever run into you on a cruise ship, don't be surprised if I ask for your autograph.

 

Also, thanks a bunch for taking the all access tour and for sharing it with us. I have read a bunch of books/memiors of folks who worked for cruise ships and have always wanted to get back there and see for myself! Now I had originally planned on splurging at the Spa but now I know I want to do this tour instead!!!

 

Yes. All good things must come to an end. ;) But - another cruise is less than a month, so there's another EPIC review in the works, right?!

 

The tour was pretty cool...I liked how "open" it was - with photos AND questions. They would answer ANY questions anyone had....just have really good walking shoes, because you'll be on your feet for 3 hours!

 

 

Very entertaining review, I have been following along each day as you added new sections. You write really well btw.

 

I was going to guess TW as a deck meant "The Water" because I figured it was below the water. But Tween makes sense too.

 

Looking forward to your next journey!

 

Gary, Fort Lauderdale

 

Thank you, Gary (fellow Floridian!) "The Water" works for me! ;)

[KansCocoa]

Sherri, sorry but I've been catching up with your excellent review since we got back from Las Vegas yesterday (and battling the jet lag from a 10 hour flight and -7 hour time difference, not to mention the 40F drop in temperature!). Anyway, many thanks for your comprehensive review of the 'Made in Paradise' shore excursion. We booked this a long time ago and have been searching for feedback without success until now! Many thanks, and with a backdrop like you've shown, who couldn't enjoy the cooking demo? Thanks again. At least 6 weeks today we'll be back in the warmth of Florida on our way to board Allure on Sun, May 12th!

 

Hi, Pete! I'm glad my review helped you with some ideas of what to expect on the "Made in Paradise" excursion. I should have mentioned - take a bottle of water with you off the ship - because there's no water until you get to the cooking demo...and it could get hot! And what a view on that beach, huh?! It was amazing! Have a great time...and come back to review it for us!

 

 

What a fun, entertaining and fabulous review. I had quite a few laughs. Between yours and gambee's reviews I really want to go on this ship! If only my family will take me seriously. Looks like there is plenty to do especially for my 3 Klingons :). Thank you and I am looking forward to going back and reading your previous reviews.

Barb

 

Hi, Barb - YES! Lots to do onboard - for both adults and Klingons!

[KansCocoa]

Thanks for the great review. I started this morning to catch up and came back to it throught out the day. Had the best chuckle about the leaking rum and licking fingers.I am ready to book a big ship cruise even if I have to go solo. Have done 2 solo's and have had a great time. I am still in contact with a couple I met on my first solo. Thanks again. Pat

 

Thank you, Pat! Hey - you're a veteran solo cruiser, so you know that no ship is too big or too small - no matter if you're solo or not! I met some pretty cool people onboard, and I don't know if I would have done that if I'd had Hubby with me....Good luck!

 

Thanks so much for the great review! We are going on the Allure in June, Western itinerary, but I'm sure it will be very similar. Now on to your Serenade review. Serenade will be in New Orleans in 2014. Hoping I'll be on her! Wish I could do Europe, but that will have to wait.

 

Have fun on the Allure - enjoy the ship AND the ports! :) And I hope you enjoy my Serenade review...I took lots of photos of the ship, so you'll see how beautiful she is! (And we were in the Royal Suite for that - it was amazing!)

[KansCocoa]

Sherri,

What a great review & great pics! I'm normally a "medium sized ship" type person, but you've pretty much got me sold on the Allure! GREAT writing style! Thanks for taking the time to share!

Kris

 

Thanks, Kris! Hey - I thought I'd NEVER enjoy a "big dog" like the Allure - but I was proved wrong! Glad I could convince you, as well! I think it's worth taking a chance to see if you like it!

 

 

I just got back from my Silhouette Cruise and noticed your review has come to an end =(, I will have to see where I left off and read from there :).

 

From what I read you had a great cruise!

 

Yes, I did, Gambee - thanks, in part - to you and your 5-Star Review! I can't WAIT for your newest review! (And to read about your Mom - and how many drinks/meals she mooched off of you!)

[KansCocoa]

Whew, after reading this much anticipated ending, reading the Freedom and the Serenade reviews, having booked a med cruise before finding your reviews, waiting patiently... (not so), I finally ended up jumping ship, cancelling my med cruise on the norwegian epic and booked the liberty of the seas in a junior suite, go figure why I did that, AND booked the Allure for next March in the process...! I know I'm crazy like that too! :p

 

Now I have to change my CC signature, start another roll call, etc. Work, work, work. Geez!!

 

Reading the grand finale, I realized that you (might) have cancelled your Oasis cruise, not seeing it in your signature?

 

I hope you have a great cruise on your next "chef's" cruise (being also a foodie), I can't wait to see (nice) pictures :D of your meals on the Celebrity.

 

I also really hope you feel much better, and much less congested.

 

Sherri, Happy Easter to you and your family.

 

Pascale (in French, my name signifies all that's related to Easter)

 

Thank you, Pascale! Love the name - Happy Easter, btw! I think you've made a GREAT choice - even though it means more "work" for you...but what fun work, huh?!

 

And yes...I cancelled the Oasis this summer...only because after my Red Cross stint in New York, I convinced Hubby and Daughter that we needed to go back to NYC this summer for our vacation - instead of the cruise.

 

I KNOW - crazy, huh?! But I fell in love with the city, and there's still so much to see and do...and EAT. ;) Can't wait to write a review of NYC on my blog - should be interesting, as we have lots and lots planned to see and do. And eat. ;)

 

And thank you - I'm feeling better by the day, just in time for the upcoming cruise - and then the surgery. Gah.

 

Thanks for the great review. We will be on the Allure 1 week from today! My mom is coming to our house to watch our dog while we are gone, I'll have her read your review while she is here and I'm sure she'll feel like she is traveling with us...heheheh :)

 

Oh, woot! You have GOT to be excited!!!! So, your Mom gets the dog and you get Gisele...and Brad Pitt...and Cameron Diaz-twin...and Chai...and chocolate... and amazing shows....

 

...sounds like a fair trade to me! ;)

[KansCocoa]

Sheri you went above and beyond the call with your review. We start packing tomorrow for our month long journey ending with the Allure cruise.

 

Norine

 

Thank you, Norine - the Quilting Queen! (My mom is a huge quilter...me...not so much!) A month long journey?! Wow! Have a great trip!

 

 

Steve...if you're reading...thanks so much for this picture. Ever since sailing on the Allure, I've been wondering if they use 3 ring binders in the Engine Control Room. You have confirmed my suspicions. :D

 

Oh my goodness, this made me laugh. As Amy said, DON'T encourage Steve!

[KansCocoa]

Sherri, thank you so much for a wonderful review. You will LOVE Celebrity. WE just got off the Reflection a month ago. Service and food are excellent.

 

I am hoping you have a speedy recovery from surgery. Thank you for the tips on Ft. Myers. I'll post some of my favorite Alaska excursions for you on this thread in the coming week.

 

Happy Easter and may Many Great Adventures be in your future! We will all enjoy reading about them!

 

Thank you - and thanks for the info on Celebrity...I can't wait! I'm glad the tips on Dunk City (aka FM) helped! I look forward to the Alaska information...I need to start planning that, soon!

 

Happy Easter to you - and yes, I will always have adventures...and will always blog about them. :)

 

Sheri, Loved the review!! Wondering if you remember if there are coffee mugs with lids available in the cafe that I can use to take coffee back to the room for my wife for Breakfast? Thanks!!

 

Good question...I had a lid on my Chai tea, so I would imagine you can get coffee with lids to go...Hope someone else knows for sure, though!

[KansCocoa]

Well, now that i have spent the entire Easter afternoon thoroughly enjoying this review, I have to convince my DH that perhaps the Allure is a ship we shouldn't miss! Thank you for this detailed account. Your pictures spoke a thousand words!

Perhaps this will be our fall cruise for 2014!

 

Thanks again!

Marilyn

 

Hey - I was putting down a laminate floor all afternoon...sounds like you had a better deal!

 

Good luck - let me know if I need to convince DH, as well...he won't regret it!

[sstepson]

Steve...if you're reading...thanks so much for this picture. Ever since sailing on the Allure, I've been wondering if they use 3 ring binders in the Engine Control Room. You have confirmed my suspicions. :D

 

My pleasure!

 

I wondered the same thing, and as it turned out, the binders are quite impressive...! :D

[sapphireblue]

 

I FINALLY had my tickets for Ice Games – the ice show down in Studio B. When I arrived, I saw a HUGE line winding its way around to the Casino. I initially got in line, and after a minute or two, I asked the people in front of me, "What's this line for, anyway?"

 

Isn't it funny how we jump in lines without knowing what they're for??!! Or am I the only one who does that??

 

 

Oh.... this made me chuckle.... about the line thing.

 

I was just recently on a cruise and a 'moment' happened and I TOTALLY thought of you. Yes - you came to mind instantly. 'Cause it seemed such like such a 'Sherri' thing. I was rushing back to the ship and noticed a crowd of people filling the sidewalk/vendor area enroute to the ship. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what was so intriguing there that they'd all be blocking the sidewalk. More photos of the ship? Great deals from vendors? What? So, I, in an effort to avoid a delay, I 'excused' my way forward and forward and forward until I realized ...... oh sheesh...this IS the line to get on the ship. Ok - I had walked quite a distance and was close to the front. Agh! Do I go back? Do I keep slinking forward? "This is so a Sherri moment," I thought. I chose the latter and slithered my way right up to security and silently slipped through. Success! I had pulled a successful 'Middle Aged' move ..... perhaps out of sheer ignorance or inability to handle embarrassment. Not sure. :D

 

I have enjoyed all of your very detailed and informative reviews and enjoy following your blog as well. You see, I feel I know you so well now - clearly - as I now am 'referring' to you in my situations. Thanks for your entertaining writing and sharing your adventures with all of us. This Canadian is hooked!

[peteukmcr]

Hi, Pete! I'm glad my review helped you with some ideas of what to expect on the "Made in Paradise" excursion. I should have mentioned - take a bottle of water with you off the ship - because there's no water until you get to the cooking demo...and it could get hot! And what a view on that beach, huh?! It was amazing! Have a great time...and come back to review it for us!

Thanks for the tip about water, much appreciated, and I'll be back to provide a review, not as good as yours, but I will provide 'the good, the bad and the ugly' as I have just done for our trip to Las Vegas!

[Winnigirl]

Wow! If I smoked I'd be lighting up a cigarette right about now!

 

This has to be the most amazing report I've read - and the good news is - I haven't read your last reports - so I have them to look forward to!!!:D

 

Thank you Sherri - and YES - you may come along on my next cruise. (See I was paying attention). Best Wishes for successful surgery and a speedy recovery! Can't wait to read about your future adventures!

[waseatravel]

Sheri, Loved the review!! Wondering if you remember if there are coffee mugs with lids available in the cafe that I can use to take coffee back to the room for my wife for Breakfast? Thanks!!

Good question...I had a lid on my Chai tea, so I would imagine you can get coffee with lids to go...Hope someone else knows for sure, though!

 

When we were on in Feb, they had lids behind the counter. You had to ask for them or if no one was around just reach for them.

 

They also have coffee on the Boardwalk at the Donut place. And they did have lids.

[Steeler Nation At Sea]

Steve...if you're reading...thanks so much for this picture. Ever since sailing on the Allure, I've been wondering if they use 3 ring binders in the Engine Control Room. You have confirmed my suspicions. :D

 

How observant! Especially when it's two ring binder!:rolleyes::D:D:rolleyes:

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[d4nigirl]

Oh Sherri, always a pleasure to read your reviews!

Sailing on Allure in August for our Honeymoon can't wait.

Come July, I'll be searching this thread again for additional tips and pointers!

 

Hope you're feeling better!

[shaharis1701]

Sheri, Loved the review!! Wondering if you remember if there are coffee mugs with lids available in the cafe that I can use to take coffee back to the room for my wife for Breakfast? Thanks!!

Good question...I had a lid on my Chai tea, so I would imagine you can get coffee with lids to go...Hope someone else knows for sure, though!

 

When we were on in Feb, they had lids behind the counter. You had to ask for them or if no one was around just reach for them.

 

They also have coffee on the Boardwalk at the Donut place. And they did have lids.

 

Thanks for the info! Glad I don't have to drag travel mugs. :D

[Freq Traveler]

Sherri have requested "friend" to send you the Alaska information ...if that is OK with you. Would love to share with you our experiences to help you plan for your trip. Robbin

[grammaof8]

Hey - I was putting down a laminate floor all afternoon...sounds like you had a better deal!

 

Good luck - let me know if I need to convince DH, as well...he won't regret it!

 

BTW, loved the food pics. I always take foodie pics to send home to my kids. When one of our daughters went to New Orleans for their honeymoon, she and her new husband only took pictures of food. For 2 weeks we suffered viewing the most beautiful dishes. Now its payback! LOL! (He's an executive chef, and she graduated from culinary school as well so you can appreciate their mind set)

Once again, thanks for the amusing informative review! Can't wait to have time to read your other reviews. You have a way with words:D

 

Marilyn

[barbienj]

Thank you for the wonderful review! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Yes, make sure you walk the Highline when you are in the city, very nice walk. Also if you are on the lower East side, I can recommend doing one of the tours at The Tenement Museum.

 

What plays are you seeing? Nice Work if YOu Can Get It with Matthew Broderick was very good.

[caissonqueen]

I loved your review. I feel like I have cruised with you before. I will definitely try Allure in the next few years. Now I want cupcakes. :D

[kbinshawnee]

Thank you so, so much for scanning these in! They have been so helpful to me.

[kbinshawnee]

LOL! Your "cruising bug" totally fooled me. :)

[KansCocoa]

My pleasure!

 

I wondered the same thing, and as it turned out, the binders are quite impressive...! :D

 

OMG. Someone just HAD to encourage you. :D

 

Oh.... this made me chuckle.... about the line thing.

 

I was just recently on a cruise and a 'moment' happened and I TOTALLY thought of you. Yes - you came to mind instantly. 'Cause it seemed such like such a 'Sherri' thing. I was rushing back to the ship and noticed a crowd of people filling the sidewalk/vendor area enroute to the ship. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what was so intriguing there that they'd all be blocking the sidewalk. More photos of the ship? Great deals from vendors? What? So, I, in an effort to avoid a delay, I 'excused' my way forward and forward and forward until I realized ...... oh sheesh...this IS the line to get on the ship. Ok - I had walked quite a distance and was close to the front. Agh! Do I go back? Do I keep slinking forward? "This is so a Sherri moment," I thought. I chose the latter and slithered my way right up to security and silently slipped through. Success! I had pulled a successful 'Middle Aged' move ..... perhaps out of sheer ignorance or inability to handle embarrassment. Not sure. :D

 

I have enjoyed all of your very detailed and informative reviews and enjoy following your blog as well. You see, I feel I know you so well now - clearly - as I now am 'referring' to you in my situations. Thanks for your entertaining writing and sharing your adventures with all of us. This Canadian is hooked!

 

 

Oh, wow...that is too funny! Actually, I kinda' had this same thing happen to me on this cruise, altho I didn't write about it! When I came back to the ship at Nassau - I knew I had to go to the "front" entrance to get back onboard. I just walked past this big old long line - and didn't realize EVERYONE had to go through that line to go through security - before you "split" off to go either to the front or back gangway! So see - you know me VERY well!!! ;)

 

And you're right...you just smile, with a "I totally meant to do that!" look...and no one ever blinks an eye!