icecreammama Posted May 6, 2013 #1 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Just got home yesterday and I will start off by saying this was one of the best cruises I have ever been on. The fellow passengers on this ship ranged from 30 to 60 and there were not many children. Everyone was friendly (always striking up conversations in the elevators) and it just started out very pleasant. As you all know, one of the problems with this ship is that the elevators get quite crowded at certain times, but if you are prepared for this you will not get frustrated. (it's really not that bad). I took the advice of these boards on cruisecritic and booked Giovannis' Lunch for the first day boarding the ship. We were a group of 11 people and no way were we going to eat at the Windjammer with the crowds. Too stressful. We did not know what to expect but the food was amazing (and we are Italian). The lunch took about 3 hours and they brought almost everything on the menu family style. This was a great way to start the cruise. We are from NYC and are used to some excellent restaurants and I would highly recommend Giovannis. It is worth it. After that we headed to our rooms. Those of you who have read my threads already know that I snapped up a crown loft suite for an amazing price of about $5100 for my husband and I. It was worth every penny. While these rooms are on Deck 17, it was perfect for us. The hallways are tremendous and our cabin attendant Ms. Brown was amazing. When I walked into the room I was blown away. It felt like I was in an apartment. Pictures and videos do not do this room justice. We had an aft suite and while some people do not like this view, I would not book anything else. We were in 1734 and we could see the whole back of the ship. I watched the Acqua Theatre show everynight from my balcony. I watched people on the flow rider, playing basketball and miniture golf. If I looked over the railing, I saw straight down to the Broadwalk. It was great. Also, we love sunbathing, so the pool deck and the windjammer were on Deck 16 and we could just take the stairs to get to them. For us, this was the place to be. The rooms had more than enough closet space and two bathrooms which did come in handy. I was even lucky enough to get a peek into the Royal Loft Suite and if I could afford it I would book it. That room was beyond belief. If any of you get a call for an upsell on any of the loft suites do not hesitate to take it. You also get the Concierge Lounge with this suite which gives you breakfast, lunch and free drinks. Beautiful lounge, great food and service and never crowded. All in all, wonderful. We did not go to shows so I cannot comment on them but we went to the comedy club one night and it was very good. Now, the food. As I've said, Giovannis was excellent. We also ate dinner at Chops and that was excellent as well. The dinner in the main dining room was just ok. While it was a beautiful dining room and they set us up right next to the captains table, the food was so-so. Not terrible but not that good. Next time, we might do my time dining because I think we would go to the specialty restaurants for dinner. For $15 per person you really are getting a much better quality of food in these restaurants. We did go to Windjammer once or twice to get a snack. Fried chicken wings were awesome. Park Central where you get the roast beef sandwiches was amazing. Funny thing is I did not care for the roast beef but you can make your own salad which was great (tons of toppings). They also have tuna sandwiches (my personal favorite) and egg salad sandwiches. This place was very good. On a side note: I did not overeat or over drink on this cruise but by day 4 my feet were very swollen. The people in my group than overindulged in food and drink practically could not get their shoes on. Just pay attention to what you are eating and drinking and watch your feet! HAHA I also forgot to mention that when you get a suite, there is a private sun deck with beautiful chairs and a bar that you can go in. This was very good for us on sea days because we could always get a chair and it is a beautiful spot with sun beds also to lay on if you want to take a little nap. There are also couches and tables up there. Great spot. So, in ending, I would recommend this ship. There is something for everyone. And thank you guys and gals for giving me in information I needed to make my cruise an enjoyable one for me and my family. P.S. Also used Luggage Valet service. It was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathykb Posted May 6, 2013 #2 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappyNappi Posted May 6, 2013 #3 Share Posted May 6, 2013 icecreammama, DH and I were lucky enough to be in CL 1734 on the Oasis last November and our feelings were the same. I would never hesitate to travel in a Crown Loft suite again. Well worth every penny if it is within your budget! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friend100 Posted May 6, 2013 #4 Share Posted May 6, 2013 icecreammama, thanks for the review. A question if you don't mind. If you were able to get a side-facing crown loft suite for the same price, will you prefer that or will you stay with the aft facing one? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecreammama Posted May 6, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted May 6, 2013 icecreammama, thanks for the review.A question if you don't mind. If you were able to get a side-facing crown loft suite for the same price, will you prefer that or will you stay with the aft facing one? Thanks. Yes, I would always get an aft facing. I was a little concerned because I love to look at the ocean, but the truth is you still see the ocean and all the activities going on around you. Trust me, it was great!!!!. And the best part was when you closed your balcony door, you heard nothing. One note: if you want to be able to see the Acqua Show from your balcony, you must book rooms 1734 through 1726 to get the view. The very middle of the ship is room # 1730 which gives you head on view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RainyJ Posted May 6, 2013 #6 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I'd love to see pictures of the room and the view from the balcony! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecreammama Posted May 6, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I'd love to see pictures of the room and the view from the balcony! Unfortunately, I am not advanced in downloading and posting pictures. Way too complicated for me. (I'm Old School) But you can check other people's pics and go to youtube and find amazing videos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginrom Posted May 6, 2013 #8 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I also have a terrible time with swollen feet and legs when I cruise so I always take a diuretic in the morning and at night along with drinking lots and lots of water during the day. I wont leave home without them now. My last cruise I went with low salt dinners in the dining room and it seemed to help a little bit where I may have been okay with taking 1 pill a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcl_cruiser Posted May 6, 2013 #9 Share Posted May 6, 2013 You are so lucky...I would do anything to be in a loft suite!!! I am hoping maybe the upgrade fairy will visit me for our cruise next month. Being a teacher, I just can't afford a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyAtSea Posted May 6, 2013 #10 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Just curious, where is the sun deck for suite guests? I have seen other people mention it but never discovered the location. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted May 6, 2013 #11 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Just curious, where is the sun deck for suite guests? I have seen other people mention it but never discovered the location. Thanks. Forward, up from deck 16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyAtSea Posted May 6, 2013 #12 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Forward, up from deck 16. Thanks. Deck plans don't show anything on 17 except the aft part with the CL suites. So it's above the Solarium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icecreammama Posted May 6, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Thanks. Deck plans don't show anything on 17 except the aft part with the CL suites. So it's above the Solarium? It actually is above the solarium. I could not find it either but I asked the concierge and he said deck 17 front of the ship, right in back of the solarium. There is not an elevator that goes there. You walk on deck 16 towards the front of the ship and you will see a stairway that has wooden gates on it. If you go up the stairs, that is the suite sun deck. Let me tell you, it was really good. The chairs were nice and cushioned and the bar was right there. Nice, quiet and peaceful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandyAtSea Posted May 6, 2013 #14 Share Posted May 6, 2013 It actually is above the solarium. I could not find it either but I asked the concierge and he said deck 17 front of the ship, right in back of the solarium. There is not an elevator that goes there. You walk on deck 16 towards the front of the ship and you will see a stairway that has wooden gates on it. If you go up the stairs, that is the suite sun deck. Let me tell you, it was really good. The chairs were nice and cushioned and the bar was right there. Nice, quiet and peaceful. Thanks! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFsouth Posted May 7, 2013 #15 Share Posted May 7, 2013 It actually is above the solarium. I could not find it either but I asked the concierge and he said deck 17 front of the ship, right in back of the solarium. There is not an elevator that goes there. You walk on deck 16 towards the front of the ship and you will see a stairway that has wooden gates on it. If you go up the stairs, that is the suite sun deck. Let me tell you, it was really good. The chairs were nice and cushioned and the bar was right there. Nice, quiet and peaceful. We had Cabin 1732 on Allure. Really love the Afts, lots of fun people watching! This deck is not above the Solarium. The Solarium is forward, Deck 17 is Aft. I have tons of pictures if anyone is interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcl_cruiser Posted May 7, 2013 #16 Share Posted May 7, 2013 We had Cabin 1732 on Allure. Really love the Afts, lots of fun people watching! This deck is not above the Solarium. The Solarium is forward, Deck 17 is Aft. I have tons of pictures if anyone is interested. I would love to see pics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCI Cruisers 004 Posted May 7, 2013 #17 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Thanks for the great review. I've been watching our cruise for a price drop, but it's still at $6,400. Plus taxes, almost 7. I guess our GS will suffice for now ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mringenoldus Posted May 7, 2013 #18 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Another request for Crown Loft photos! I had #1730 but have moved to #1742. Thanks for any pictures you may have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjudis Posted January 29, 2015 #19 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I am in 1734 on the Allure and LOVE this ship best view ever ! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjudis Posted January 29, 2015 #20 Share Posted January 29, 2015 the view from our room Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setsail Posted January 29, 2015 #21 Share Posted January 29, 2015 You have to rebook now so you can sample the coastal kitchen/suite lounge which I hope will be on Allure after dry dock. Its already on Oasis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjudis Posted January 29, 2015 #22 Share Posted January 29, 2015 here is another angle from our room, love it! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sj25 Posted April 3, 2015 #23 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Can anyone tell me if the aft of deck 11 is like deck 12 that has the door to an open balcony to the public? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKCruising Posted April 3, 2015 #24 Share Posted April 3, 2015 A couple of the views from 1722 on Allure... And the view from beside the Mini Golf back up. Note there is not a lot of privacy if that is what you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted April 3, 2015 #25 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Can anyone tell me if the aft of deck 11 is like deck 12 that has the door to an open balcony to the public? Not for much longer, should become a cabin during dry dock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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