---> !!ALLURE OTS REVIEW!! <--- Complete Pictorial Guide! [Jun 29, 2013]

[swim13]

Mike - I know this review has required significant effort on your part, so I am really glad everyone is enjoying all your hard work!

 

I still think you may have a career in photo journalism - there must be some way to combine that with your new major in hospitality and tourism (although I think your idea of including business is also really brilliant!)

 

Have a great weekend!

Maureen

 

I'm glad you are still here enjoying the review! Thanks so much, maybe I can have a side business? :p Maybe Gambee and I could collaborate, lol!

 

I am sending something your way either tomorrow or Monday!

[swim13]

Fantastic!!!:)

 

Thank you!!

 

Great shots Mike!! =)

 

Thanks, glad to see you again!

 

All I have to say is WOW! What an awesome review. We sailed the Oasis in early June and booked the Allure for June 2014. We love the western itinerary mainly because of Labadee and the zip line is a huge fave with my husband and 12 yr old daughter. BTW, I was happy to see Allan Brooks was the CD on the Allure. He was absolutely AWESOME in 2010 when we were on the Freedom. We miss him and hope he will continue on the Allure for 2014 but as we all know they shift them from ship to ship so who knows but he's a top notch CD for sure. We did the All Access Tour on the Oasis and absolutely loved it. Can't wait to see your pics. Thanks for a great review and allowing me to re-live our cruise.:)

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I would love to try Oasis next but I think we'll be planning one leaving from the North for next summer. You are going to have a blast, I'm so jealous! =D Allan was really funny, we got lucky with all the guest stars and staff.

 

Stay tuned for some All Access pics!

 

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing!

 

You're welcome, thanks for viewing the review so far!

 

How did they get statues of my husband and I? All he does is talk, talk, talk, and I can't get a get a word in edgewise. :p Thank goodness he doesn't do anything here on CC. I guess that is why I do all my talking here.;)

 

More great pictures. Keep them coming.

 

Gwen :)

 

Hahaha!! My mom, Jeff, and Josh all say I talk way too much...I guess I have to agree with them sometimes! =P

 

Thanks for your continued support!

 

Enjoyed the pictures. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! Central Park was one of my favorite places.

 

Thanks! Central Park is just crazy, still can't believe its all on a ship! One thing they should add to the new Oasis ship that will be built is a little grass area people could just sit on and enjoy or eat a sandwich on a towel, idk just a thought!

 

Have to thank you for a fabulous review along with the wonderful photos! Have been on Allure four times so far and will be sailing on her again for a B2B in may next year. Love the crew, the ship, the food, the shows, the casino, etc etc.The only problem is now next may will seem like forever after your review!!!:)

 

Ahhhhhhhh I am seriously so jealous of you!!! If I could just vacation on this ship for like 4 months, that would be so amazing! =D

 

Enjoying your review

 

Thanks!

[gwt119]

Great review so far! We are traveling on Allure next summer doing the Eastern itinerary so I'm preparing early-lol!. My daughter was 18 last year, and found on Oasis it was easy to meet folks her age even though she aged out of the teen clubs.

 

If you go to Falmouth again, RCI offers an excursion called Chukka Beach Break that takes you to a beach 20 minutes from the port and can include a jerk chicken lunch if you choose the excursion that includes lunch. Gorgeous beach with a bar and lots of chairs and umbrellas. Best $42 I spent.

 

Keep the gorgeous pictures coming!

[swim13]

Great review so far! We are traveling on Allure next summer doing the Eastern itinerary so I'm preparing early-lol!. My daughter was 18 last year, and found on Oasis it was easy to meet folks her age even though she aged out of the teen clubs.

 

If you go to Falmouth again, RCI offers an excursion called Chukka Beach Break that takes you to a beach 20 minutes from the port and can include a jerk chicken lunch if you choose the excursion that includes lunch. Gorgeous beach with a bar and lots of chairs and umbrellas. Best $42 I spent.

 

Keep the gorgeous pictures coming!

 

Thank you! Yeah, it really was not hard to meet friend my age!

 

Thank you for letting me know about the Chukka Beach Break, we will definitely do that next time if we go back to Falmouth, almost looks nicer and only 20 minutes away makes it much more attractive!

[swim13]

I'm chugging along! Don't worry everyone! 50% done

Edited July 20, 2013 by swim13

[vpat48]

I'm chugging along! Don't worry everyone! 50% done

 

I am not going to lie. Refreshed the thread quite a few times today :D

[swim13]

All Access

Tour!!!!

 

We are finally here to one of my favorite parts of the vacation! This was going to be so different from anything I have done and what better of a way to explore my favorite ship than go behind the scenes? I remember hearing about this back during Kanscocoa's review of Allure, I decided from then that I would be doing this tour on my vacation. I have a ton of pictures to show you, a lot of information, and many facts throughout the tour.

 

The Basics:

 

-This tour has a limited amount of space and is not well known. Once I was able to pick my jaw up from seeing the Royal Promenade for the first time, I went for Guest Services to reserve my spot as I know the tour sells out fast. Service was extremely good, and fast. A very friendly lady came up to me and asked if I needed help, she gave me the information and took my SeaPass and came back promptly with my ticket and SeaPass!

 

Cost: $150

Days: Day 6 (Cozumel/Friday) or Day 7 (Sea Day/Saturday)

Times: 9:00 AM or 9:20 AM

Max Capacity: 15 persons

Requirements: Pants & closed toed shoes

Duration: Around 3 or 3 1/2 Hours

 

Places visited:

Galley (Deck 3, 4, and 5)

Storage (Food/Beverage)

I-95 (Ship length hallway)

Engine Control Room

Laundry

Crew Area (Lounge, Cafeteria, Bar)

Backstage of the Amber Theater

Mooring Operations

Helipad

Bridge

 

Do: Bring a camera, comfortable walking shoes, and a free spirit!

Don't: Wear a skirt, shorts, bring a video camera or bag.

 

In the envelope you receive, there will be a release form that you must sign and bring with you to the tour. It was just a fast two page form that is the same as you would sign for any of the activities in the Sports Court or in Labadee.

 

Where to meet?: Adagio Dining Room, Deck 5

 

Your tour guide will start collecting your forms, sign you in, and I also think she checked our Sea Pass'. I have heard on some reviews that people got specific badges for the tour but I honestly don't remember receiving any such badge. I was alone, unfortunately, but it was way worth it!

 

The Tour:

 

I kind of just want to start posting the pictures now and then explain things as we go along! I will say that this tour is definitely worth the money and you will get to see many places you can't believe is on the ship with all of the public spaces! I hope you guys enjoy!

 

 

Starting...Galley on Deck 5 to Galley on Deck 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was wondering if I was looking at my Royal Shrimp Cocktail I would have for the night! =P

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

So I'm not sure how accurate this is but I would assume these were the correct numbers of C&A members, and kids for our sailing since it was hanging on one of the bulletin boards. I thought it seemed weird to only have 2264 C&A members on a sailing with 6,382 passengers on it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh rolls made daily, no wonder my sourdough rolls I got every night were so yummy and soft!!

 

 

 

Dinner break, more to come soon! Hope you are liking the tour so far. =D

[Snooksi]

Loving it so far, Mike. It's great to be able to see behind-the-scenes without having to take the tour.

 

I look forward to the rest and thanks again for sharing!! :)

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you see all of the pans lined up? Those are all going to the Windjammer!

 

 

GREET & SMILE! Signs like these were posted everywhere, no wonder the service is so excellent! =P

[swim13]

Now we were on Deck 3 where breakfast was still being served. The Galley was BUSY!! I felt really bad because they were being so kind and some people were in the way. Its crazy how fast they all work behind the scenes. I saw our head waiter there but he didn't see me!

 

 

 

 

Mmmm one of my favorite parts! We got to sample some of the ice cream and chocolate covered strawberry's, delicious.

 

 

 

 

Recipes for all of the yummy desserts!

 

 

Here is the REAL ship map! I believe the black elevator shafts on this picture are the service elevators that we usually have no clue about.

[swim13]

Okay, I want to just pause for a moment and mention how hard these people work. I know most of you can appreciate their hard work but did you ever realize some of them have more than just one job? The lady touching the boxes on the right was just serving us the night before in the Amber Theater and now she is down below, moving heavy boxes of soda around. The whole operation is just incredible. Bravo to all 2,000 + workers on board, they really deserve good tips!

 

 

Beer or soda anyone?

 

 

How about a Corona?! =P One interesting note is that they do the tours on the last two days because it just wouldn't be feasible to tour this area with it full of stock!

 

 

 

 

There was nothing wrong with the camera and there is nothing wrong with your screen! We entered a storage area with temperatures below 26 degrees fahrenheit! It made for a few cool shots.

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I-95!

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were getting close to entering the Engine Control Room. Before we enter, we met with security staff members who scanned us, similar to getting scanned at the airport, you know what I mean? I also had to turn my camera on to show that it was actually a camera and not a case to hide something. It is a very secure area!

 

 

 

 

[CntPAcruiser]

 

Fresh rolls made daily, no wonder my sourdough rolls I got every night were so yummy and soft!!

 

 

 

Dinner break, more to come soon! Hope you are liking the tour so far. =D

 

On my one galley tour, we were told the sourdough rolls were baked for each seating at dinner! The ones for early seating were out of the ovens, and the second batch were on racks proofing. I forget what the quantity was, but it was many, many.

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

Look at all of the cameras showing the live feed from the engines!

 

 

This monitor shows all of the smoke detectors, the engineers can change the location to monitor them all over the ship. Sometimes they will get false alarms due to a really hot shower or anything that produces smoke. Someone will go down to that location to make sure everything is fine.

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the incinerator, they will actually burn what they need to. I believe when you see the darker smoke coming out of the stacks, they are burning something. I believe they burn trash but I can't remember!

[joand452]

Awesome photos! I doubt I'll ever do the AAT with DH due to the cost (unless we win big at the casino;)), but sooo interesting.

 

I did have a chuckle at the coffee machine -- all hi-test and no decaf beans!

 

Keep up the great work!

[swim13]

Here is the elevator monitor! This is so cool, I believe there are some 20 + elevators total. This monitor will tell them a % on how full the elevator is, whether it is operational, etc. If the elevator is over the weight limit, it will not move!

 

 

The very top of the stacks are able to lower and they have only been lowered once. This was when the ship was leaving the shipyard and had to pass under the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark where there was very little room between the bottom of the bridge and the ship!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

Alright, next time you complain about the stairwell being too small during the awesome and fun muster drill, just look at the size of the stairwell for the staff!!! :O Let me tell you that this is honestly hard to walk down or up! No pretty artwork or comfy carpet...

 

 

This is great, RCI definitely pays attention to their staff! There is a crew activity board that has an event on it every single day. They even have raffles, parties, etc. There is also a HR office to ensure all staff members are happy, if anyone is unsatisfied they will go here and they can set something up.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the laundry section! We were now below the water line, crazy right?! I couldn't believe it, I know some of you may be thinking that it may feel different, maybe more stuffy or warm...no difference at all. The operation is amazing, the machines are larger than people and do everything automatically.

 

 

 

 

This machine behind the man will fold all of the linens for them, it really makes their job a lot easier and also makes everything come out more perfect.

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

I took this picture to show you what the ceiling is like everywhere, its almost like a jungle of lights and wires with the occasional piping and smoke detector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ever do the all you can stuff in a bag laundry deal? Your clothes will make it down here. I remember seeing one of the workers folding someones underwear, it was quite the thing to do in front of a group of people! =P

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

Anyone notice the pepper shaker on the left? LOL! I have no clue what that's doing there!

 

 

Can you believe we are still under water? Just crazy.

 

 

 

 

In the way back, there are some shops for the staff...the normal bathroom items, etc. Kind of like a convenient store. Then there is the coffee cafe with........MAMA MORTON from Chicago!! She was so nice, we all congratulated her on an amazing performance a few nights ago.

 

 

Welcome to the secret Windjammer! =P

 

 

[swim13]

Hmmm looks like the trampolines from Blue Planet!

 

 

 

 

You can see a live feed from inside the theater while backstage.

 

 

 

 

Our guide pulled back the curtain so we could see what it looks like for the performers. This is the funny part, people were filling the theater for one of the last Bingo games, it may have even been the last, and I saw my mom, Jeff, Josh, and Eric sitting! I started waving and practically everyone in the theater waved at me while my family didn't! =P Eventually they saw me and started waving! Crazy how small the ship can be sometimes! =D