Allure and the Sea

[Midwestgal]

This may sound silly to some but I hope my fellow CC can shed some light on my question.

I plan on booking Allure and have only one concern , do you feel like your on a ship and not at a resort? I love the sea and that's one thing I love about cruising but I'm afraid it's so big and everything seems to be inside, I don't want to loose the at sea feeling. What can you tell me about this. Is there plenty of outdoor space?

[canrubu]

It's funny you are asking. We have never been on her. We have good friends on the Allure right now. She just emailed me today. She said she feels like she's at Disney.

 

Happy sailing, Candy

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

The view of the ocean from the Solarium area at the front of the ship is spectacular. Another area I particularly like is the aft area of the ship where the Flowriders, Zipline and putt putt gold course are. The wakes of Oasis and Allure are double and they are very beautiful.

 

You can walk or jog on the Prominade running track. Some folks feel the view is blocked by the lifeboats, but it isn't a wall of lifeboats. There is plenty of space between and you are closer to the water than on upper decks.

 

You can get good views of the water from the large public balconies at the back and sides of the ship. The Windjammer buffet also has water views.

 

Also we always book an ocean view balcony rather than the Boardwalk or Central Park balconies, but you can see the ocean from some Boardwalk balconies. Some have better views than others.

 

Another factor. Oasis Class ships generally are quite stable, but if the water is especially rough, you will feel the ship move. My son and his wife were in a far aft Boardwalk balcony up quite high. The ocean was so rough one night, that the TV kept sliding back and forth, the desk drawers opened and shut and the closet doors opened and shut. That is pretty rough, but you know you are on a ship.

[Midwestgal]

I for sure will book a ocean balcony, I just want to be able to go on deck and see the stars and hear the waves. I don't want to be inside so the open air space is a concern. I hear its something to really see and I know once will be enough for me as I tend to enjoy the smaller ships.

Thanks!

[DonnaK]

There are plenty of places to see the sea on Allure. If this is important to you, you will seek them out. We didn't have an issue finding them.

[Cru1s1ng2009]

it looks like these ships dont have the lower floor outdoor walk way. is this true? i love sitting in these quieter locales feelig the salt spray and reading a book in the shade.

[Bella O]

The jogging track is on the 5th floor, and I believe I saw some spots you could sit in the shade, but not sure. I saw many other nooks and crannies though, that you could sit in the shade and read a book away from the poolside crowds.

 

The pool decks are much like any other ship, the sea is everywhere to see! Take a walk up there at night, and no mistaking you are in the middle of the ocean. I also really like the Crown and Viking lounge for really great views.

 

I never felt like it was Disney. Anywhere. The promenade felt a bit mall-ish, but I feel that way on all the inside promenade areas on ships, so I tend to avoid them. For sure, Central Park feels like a park and not the sea, but for me anyway, in a really peaceful and beautiful way, one of my favorite parts of the ship.

 

The Allure is simply amazing, the best cruise we've had! I do hope you get the chance to explore her for yourself.

[Merion_Mom]

it looks like these ships dont have the lower floor outdoor walk way. is this true? i love sitting in these quieter locales feelig the salt spray and reading a book in the shade.

 

For you, there are the public balconies at the far aft end of the hallways on Decks 11 & 12.

 

Here on CC we refer to them as the "secret" balconies because most people don't seem to know about them!

 

But now YOU do!

 

:)

[redlobster]

We sailed on the Allure last year and there was always plenty of ocean air and view. Plus there are those special places on this and every ship where you find your "spot."

[peteukmcr]

Just back recently from Allure and yes, the Royal Promenade is so wide it's like a mall, a lot of bar/lounges do not have sea views as on other RCI ships. However, as mentioned the Solarium has great views, so do a lot of the more secluded areas on the pool deck. The aft public balconies on decks 11 & 12 are great places to relax as they are often quiet, but great views of the wake. At the aft on deck 5 there are numerous wooden steamer chairs where you can relax in the shade (or not it's up to you) and watch and listen to the wake.

 

Central Park at night is great too to be able to see the night sky IMHO.

 

Deck 11 port side.

 

 

The view from the deck shown above

 

 

 

[peteukmcr]

Central Park at night

 

 

[NorthernVAPirate]

I sailed on the Oasis a year ago and the only way I'd sail on her again would be if the cruise were free. The ship is beautiful and there are plenty of things to do, and its not overly crowded, but I completely lost the sense of being on a ship. We had a Central Park balcony so no water views there so I basically had to go to the upper decks to see water. I like to be able to wander around the outside of the lower decks of the smaller ships to really get a feel for the ocean. I think there may have been one lower deck near the main dining room where I could walk outside but it was very limited. Just my two cents.

 

 

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[sleepless]

it looks like these ships dont have the lower floor outdoor walk way. is this true? i love sitting in these quieter locales feelig the salt spray and reading a book in the shade.

 

 

Deck 5, the Promenade level has the walking/jogging track. It is outside, and goes around the entire ship. The life boats are in this area, so there are some restrictions of views of the ocean. However, at the aft of the ship, the view is open to the sea. It is beautiful there, a nice quiet spot, plenty of loungers there for see viewing. In fact, when on the Oasis, it was a regular visiting place of mine first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee.

[sleepless]

The Oasis/Allure have many places for viewing the ocean. The pool deck is wonderful. The Solarium outstanding. There is an area on deck 11 at the front of the ship; we were there for sail away. Great views. Several aft balconies on both sides of the ship at a few of the decks. The Viking Crown Lounge has great views. The Boardwalk faces aft - eating at Johnny Rockets gives you a clear view of the ocean; in fact just sitting in the Aqua Theater will connect you to the sea. The walking/jogging track on deck 5 circles the entire ship; views can be limited, but there is a special area, in the aft that is great; several loungers just waiting for you, and it is seldom used.

 

Just as with other ships, you can not see the ocean from the Promenade, the Theater, the Casino, the shops. Views from the dining room are limited, as the windows are small.

 

Having a balcony helps you connect to the ocean.

[FTLAUDER]

WE will be sailing on the Oasis again in Nov, so this will be our 5th time on this class of ship. When you are on deck 5 and 6 you will fell like you are on Main Street in an exciting city. When you are on the upper outside decks you will feel like you are sailing along on the ocean, there are many great places to sit and watch the waves, sunrises and sunsets.

[shellunderwater]

Deck 5, the Promenade level has the walking/jogging track. It is outside, and goes around the entire ship. The life boats are in this area, so there are some restrictions of views of the ocean. However, at the aft of the ship, the view is open to the sea. It is beautiful there, a nice quiet spot, plenty of loungers there for see viewing. In fact, when on the Oasis, it was a regular visiting place of mine first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee.

 

Sailed on the Allure last year while training for a half marathon. So, I spent quite a bit of time on the running track on Deck 5. This track is quite large, plenty of room for runners and walkers. And even folks hanging around along the rail.

 

Yes the lifeboats are here, but you can easily get plenty of views of the ocean. And, the aft portion of the track includes the nice wooden deck chairs. People spent their mornings out there, with a book, a cup of coffee or tea, or just time with themselves and the great views.

 

I also enjoyed a sunrise off of Cuba in the Solarium. Amazing views. When I got there, I was only one of about a dozen folks there. Opened a window, enjoyed the breeze, the view and some quiet time.

 

And, we did sail away on one of the secret balconies. Great quiet place to enjoy a great view.

 

In Flamouth, we spent time behind the Flowrider while Capt. Johnny's crew backed the Allure into port. Amazing place to be to see Falmouth.

 

It can feel like a resort or a crowded pool/beach. And it can feel like a very private place. I believe its one of the amazing things about these ships. It can be what you want it to be. Do a little of everything, enjoy it all, and don't let the little stuff get ya!

[Midwestgal]

Just back recently from Allure and yes, the Royal Promenade is so wide it's like a mall, a lot of bar/lounges do not have sea views as on other RCI ships. However, as mentioned the Solarium has great views, so do a lot of the more secluded areas on the pool deck. The aft public balconies on decks 11 & 12 are great places to relax as they are often quiet, but great views of the wake. At the aft on deck 5 there are numerous wooden steamer chairs where you can relax in the shade (or not it's up to you) and watch and listen to the wake.

 

Central Park at night is great too to be able to see the night sky IMHO.

 

Deck 11 port side.

 

 

The view from the deck shown above

 

 

 

Great pictures, I like the balcony cabins a whole lot in this picture, also for some reason I thought the promenade was covered, I didn't realize you could look up and see the sky....nice!

I'm going to book for Feb 2015 for sure, I need to see what all the WOW's are truly about!

 

Let the foreplay begin!!!:p

 

Thanks everyone!

[Tweety63]

To each his own, but for our family there is NOTHING better than cruising on the Oasis or Allure!! We have sailed on both and for a second time on the Oasis next month:) There is something for everyone and like I tell my family, I work 51 weeks a year for my one week on the water and the big ships are the BEST!! Happy cruising...

[johneeo]

..... also for some reason I thought the promenade was covered, I didn't realize you could look up and see the sky....nice!

 

The promenade is inside. What you are referring to is the boardwalk.

[johneeo]

Here is deck 14 at the very front of the ship:

 

[pinkrosesdeb]

I think she is referring to Central Park in reference to the night sky mention? We like this class of ship but do feel more like we are at a resort than on a cruise. We don't spend nearly as much time watching the ocean as on other ships and we don't relax as much but we do enjoy them for what they are. Try it and see, you might be pleasantly surprised!

[johneeo]

Deck 5 aft:

 

[Midwestgal]

The promenade is inside. What you are referring to is the boardwalk.

 

Your right I guess it's the boardwalk in the pictures above I was thinking of.