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

[relaxatsea]

WOW! I just discovered your review today and had to read it through to the end!

 

I loved all of your descriptions and photos and I enjoyed Surprise #1 at the end.

 

We will be going on Allure in November for the second time. I saw some things in your pictures that I missed the first time, so can't wait to explore the ship again.

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to do such a spectacular review.

 

You are right up there with the other famous CC reviewers.

 

Congratulations!

[hscruiser]

I just wanted to say how much I, too, enjoyed your review! Your photos are just stunning - they really look professional! I'll be on Allure next month, and I plan on doing a pictorial review as well, but there is no way your photography can be beat! :)

[swim13]

Great videos! Loved that we can see how the ports look before we go!! Thanks again!! :)

 

Thanks so much!! I am back to my normal routine except for my eating routine. :mad: I never knew it would take this long to eat normal foods again. I am just dying for some pretzels, goldfish, pizza, strawberries, ahh the list can go on forever! I can eat but I don't want to get food trapped in my holes, I wish they would just all of the sudden close up.

 

Wow what an amazing review. Your pictures are great and I loved the time lapse video. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

Thanks so much!

 

I am really enjoying your review, and your pictures are the best. Will be on her 8/ 2015.

 

Thanks! Have fun!

[swim13]

WOW! I just discovered your review today and had to read it through to the end!

 

I loved all of your descriptions and photos and I enjoyed Surprise #1 at the end.

 

We will be going on Allure in November for the second time. I saw some things in your pictures that I missed the first time, so can't wait to explore the ship again.

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to do such a spectacular review.

 

You are right up there with the other famous CC reviewers.

 

Congratulations!

 

So glad you found it! :D Thank you so much, I hope you have a ton of fun on her for the 2nd time, I am SUPER jealous!

 

I just wanted to say how much I, too, enjoyed your review! Your photos are just stunning - they really look professional! I'll be on Allure next month, and I plan on doing a pictorial review as well, but there is no way your photography can be beat! :)

 

Thank you! I noticed your signature says you're in high school, I just graduated in June! It is a lot of work but it is worth it. I'm sure I will see your review, I usually look at all of the Oasis/Allure ones!

[swim13]

So I decided I would give you my final comments before the second surprise because I can't guarantee when it will come out, sorry!

 

 

 

The Ship

 

As I said before, we mainly went on this ship because of the ship! =P Honestly, we mainly cruise for the ship and of course love the amazing destinations they go to. As we get more cruises under our belt, we are now starting to transition to choosing based on ports. Luckily Quantum/Breakaway are sailing to Bermuda, where we really want to go next! =D Anyway, the ship is something that is truly indescribable but I will try to do my best to explain how amazing it is. I think the real winner of this ship is how it spreads out over 6,000 passengers in places where there is something for anyone ranging in the age of 1 to 100. One of the coolest things about exploring the ship is seeing how advanced we have become, in the world, in technology and ship building. Let me put it this way, while I was swimming, there were people surfing, zip lining, playing basketball, strolling through Central Park listening to birds and looking at living plants, playing bingo, ice skating, eating, drinking, playing putt putt, participating in a flash mod, giving away money in the casino, eating more, and of course the list goes on. I also love new, modern things and this ship of course is beautiful and fits the bill, did I say that already?! =P I can't say enough good things about this ship, I know many of you love my pictures but they don't do this ship justice, I hope every one of you reading this has already had the chance to experience it or will experience it some day in your life!

 

 

 

Cabin - #9614 & #9615

 

We really had no issues with out cabin at all. Our attendant Edy was excellent, he really did a great job! The beds were super comfortable, even my pullout bed! There is so much storage that the three of us had absolutely no issues finding a place to put something, even the bathroom had a ridiculous amount of storage! The bathroom also had a good amount of surface space, the glass shelf above the sink really helped a lot. We also love how most of the RCI ships have doors to the shower, our bathroom on the Carnival Dream had just a curtain and it got kind of annoying after awhile. Our balcony was HUGE, I don't remember what it was like on the Freedom but we weren't even in a hump and we just had so much space! The lighting is very good, I loved the little mood lighting over the artwork! =P There were plenty of outlets, never an issue. There was reading lights on each side of the bed that you could control without getting out of bed, oh and there was a light switch near one side of the bed that controlled all of the lights so you never really have to get out of bed if you get way too tired all of the sudden! =P The walls are metal so you could bring any kind of magnet to hang things, I know a lot of people bring shoe holders for extra storage. Uhh what else...Oh! The safe is average size, easy to use, could fit all of our passports, wallets, phones, an iPad, jewelry, and something else the size of a case for glasses. I am sure it would fit a DSLR, my compact size camera fit but I never put it in there because we trusted Edy! =D The Central Park View has an amazing window seat that is actually surprisingly large and comfortable! Any more questions, just ask!

 

 

 

Alcohol :O

 

Now I know there were no pictures of alcoholic beverages in this review and I am sorry for that, you all know my age does not coincide with the drinking age limit, on the ship! But for those of you who like the alcohol on the ships, my mom and brother are going to contribute a little to the review! They both said that all of the drinks were good, the alcohol used on board is the "good stuff"! =P They don't skimp on the liquor in the drinks either, most were strong although I remember hearing my mom say "super leaded" when asked how much alcohol to add on the pool deck so I don't know how accurate that is, lol! Expect to pay around like $5 or $6 for beer, $7 or $8 for mixed drinks, sorry I never looked at the prices!

 

 

 

No Designated Club for 18-20 Year Olds?!

 

Pshh! =P Being 18, you are allowed to party at Blaze. I NEVER had an issue with meeting people my age, in fact Matt and I made good friends on this trip! There is actually a meet and mingle type thing for 18-20 yr olds one night. There seemed to be a good mix of people my age to people who were in their 30's and maybe even 40's, but it was rare to find people that age in the club, especially late in the night, or early in the morning, however you describe 2am, lol! Beyond the club, the ship is perfect for anyone my age. There are SO many activities that you are going to have a blast!

 

 

 

Food

 

As I said, I ate in the Windjammer only twice. There are so many free options that is unlikely you eat a lot in the buffet as well. My favorite place to eat for lunch? The Park Cafe! I never tried any of the specialty restaurants besides Johnny Rockets and Rita's so I can't speak for all of the other options. The Park Cafe was just the best, the roast beef sandwiches, my favorite chips, make your own salads, quesadillas, desserts, lemonade, etc. It did get crowded but I always found a seat. The MDR was also very good. People seem to be very picky with their food, we always enjoy our food on cruises! Johnny Rockets was yummy, yummy, yummy! I also suggest using the buy one, get one free milkshake coupon if you are a gold member at Johnny Rockets, very good. There are plenty of options for you if you are a vegetarian or vegan, no need to worry.

 

 

 

The Bad?

 

Good question, I had to think hard for this one!!! I guess I missed being able to walk under the lifeboats on Deck 5 that you are able to do on Freedom OTS and many other ships. Although I think putting the track down there was a very good idea, I just really missed that closer connection to the ocean. Even though finding a deck chair was EASY, the pools can become quite crowded. Lets see...hmmm. I guess the elevators could become a nuisance every once and a while, maybe if they added 2 more to each side, that would offset the wait time. Other than that, there was seriously not much bad!

 

 

I can't think of anything else that I didn't really cover! If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask me!! I really hope this review has helped everyone, I would book another trip on this ship if I could!

 

The surprise should come out sometime early next week so make sure you come check back to finish the review!

 

See you all soon!

[Sheryl1133]

Mike, I can't thank you enough for such an awsome review. Now for the negative, I feel like we got jipped on our Oasis all access tour. We didn't get to see the theater backstage, we didn't get special treats/drinks and we didn't get a "goodie bag". Even though at the love & marriage show our CD Amy said you would get a bag if you did the tour. Next year, if we do it again on the Allure I will be sure we get what we missed on the Oasis. I believe one other CC member mentioned that they were going to sign up for the tour on the Oasis. A word to the wise....make sure you get what you pay for.

 

Now on to more positive things...my daughter is also on a community swim team. She is 12. It's really in her genes as her dad and his family are all swimmers (7 kids total in his family). The 2nd oldest brother went out for the Olympic trials but unfortunatley, that was when Jimmy Carter was in office (I'm really dating myself) and the U.S. boycotted the summer Olympics that year so he never made it to the Olymics. Anyway, she is a natural born swimmer but her passion is with acting...go figure. However, we are supporting her acting as long as she sticks with swimming (you learn how to compromise when you're a parent). She is the best freestyler and backstroker on her team and we just can't let that go to waste. Best wishes for you as you venture on into college!:)

[cruzinlady1947]

Thanks Mike. I thoroughly enjoyed your review and am looking forward to your 2nd surprise. You really did a great job and I hope to read more reviews from you in the future. I always hate to see these excellent reviews end. I hope to sail on the Allure sometime in the future. You certainly peaked my curiosity with your review and pictures.

 

Thanks again and I'll keep checking back here.

 

Gwen :)

[flyawayca]

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write this amazing review. Great pictures as well!

 

I'll be sailing on the Allure this September for my 30th birthday and couldn't think of a better way I would want to celebrate such a terrible birthday :p :D

[TAZOUT]

I am sailing on Allure TODAY!!! Can you tell how excited I am? I went to sleep around 12:30 and was up at 4 AM...

 

Thank you (again) for preparing me for this adventure. I look forward to seeing Surprise #2 when I return...but certainly am not wishing the week to pass by quickly.

 

~Tamara

[Fall2010]

Thank you for the great review and wonderful pictures! You did a fantastic job!

[swim13]

Little update: worked a lot on the surprise today and I am making good progress!! Better than I was thinking a few days ago. :D

[swim13]

I am sailing on Allure TODAY!!! Can you tell how excited I am? I went to sleep around 12:30 and was up at 4 AM...

 

Thank you (again) for preparing me for this adventure. I look forward to seeing Surprise #2 when I return...but certainly am not wishing the week to pass by quickly.

 

~Tamara

 

BON YOAGE!! Have fun, I AM SO JEALOUS!!!!! :D

[DonnaK]

I am sailing on Allure TODAY!!! Can you tell how excited I am? I went to sleep around 12:30 and was up at 4 AM...

 

Thank you (again) for preparing me for this adventure. I look forward to seeing Surprise #2 when I return...but certainly am not wishing the week to pass by quickly.

 

~Tamara

 

 

Tamara, could you do us a huge favor and let us know if Allan Brooks is still the CD, or if Ken Rush has returned from his break??? The CD handover is *supposed* to be today.

[gambee]

Love the time lapse, well done!

[TAZOUT]

Alan Brooks is still onboard. Allure had a surprise health inspection today and passed with a grade of 99!

[swim13]

Mike, I can't thank you enough for such an awsome review. Now for the negative, I feel like we got jipped on our Oasis all access tour. We didn't get to see the theater backstage, we didn't get special treats/drinks and we didn't get a "goodie bag". Even though at the love & marriage show our CD Amy said you would get a bag if you did the tour. Next year, if we do it again on the Allure I will be sure we get what we missed on the Oasis. I believe one other CC member mentioned that they were going to sign up for the tour on the Oasis. A word to the wise....make sure you get what you pay for.

 

Now on to more positive things...my daughter is also on a community swim team. She is 12. It's really in her genes as her dad and his family are all swimmers (7 kids total in his family). The 2nd oldest brother went out for the Olympic trials but unfortunatley, that was when Jimmy Carter was in office (I'm really dating myself) and the U.S. boycotted the summer Olympics that year so he never made it to the Olymics. Anyway, she is a natural born swimmer but her passion is with acting...go figure. However, we are supporting her acting as long as she sticks with swimming (you learn how to compromise when you're a parent). She is the best freestyler and backstroker on her team and we just can't let that go to waste. Best wishes for you as you venture on into college!:)

 

First off, thank you so much for coming along and giving such a nice compliment! That is really surprising that you did not get those "goodies" that were on the Allure! Maybe it is only for the Allure AAT? Definitely make sure you get what we did on your tour! We got the bags near the staff lounge behind the stage. It was random, the other treats were planned!

 

Second, that is so cool about your family and swimming! My dads side of the swimming is a swim family as well! One of my dads cousins swam for Penn State! Acting could be an amazing career for her but never let her give up on swimming until she gets older. There were many times I wanted to quit but in the end, it was well worth it to keep with it! I actually ended top 10 in the state this year for high school swimming! Maybe she could get a role on a movie or TV show based on swimmers/swimming! =D

 

Thanks again!

 

Thanks Mike. I thoroughly enjoyed your review and am looking forward to your 2nd surprise. You really did a great job and I hope to read more reviews from you in the future. I always hate to see these excellent reviews end. I hope to sail on the Allure sometime in the future. You certainly peaked my curiosity with your review and pictures.

 

Thanks again and I'll keep checking back here.

 

Gwen :)

 

Thank you so much for being so involved in my review and for the awesome compliment! =) You definitely have to try the Allure, I am sure you would love it. I really hope I can do another review in the near future, looking at cruises for summer of 2014 and 2015! Possibly Breakaway and Quantum!

 

P.S. the surprise may come out sooner than I thought, surprise! Lol!

 

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to write this amazing review. Great pictures as well!

 

I'll be sailing on the Allure this September for my 30th birthday and couldn't think of a better way I would want to celebrate such a terrible birthday :p :D

 

You're welcome, thank you for coming along! You are going to have a terrific birthday!

 

Thank you for the great review and wonderful pictures! You did a fantastic job!

 

Thank you so much!

[swim13]

Love the time lapse, well done!

 

Thanks Gambee, glad to see you here! And do I see you are sailing on the Disney Dream in 18 days?! Can't wait for another review!!!!!!! :D

 

Alan Brooks is still onboard. Allure had a surprise health inspection today and passed with a grade of 99!

 

WOOHOO!! What a nice thing to know before you sail! Alan is awesome, have fun! You are already on the ocean sailing away by now. LUCKY! :cool:

[Ocean Boy]

Wow, I'm not sure how I didn't find this review before today but what a great read it has been this afternoon. Allure is our next cruise unless one gets squeezed in before. Great review!

 

I just watched the youtube time lapse. That was fun.

Edited July 28, 2013 by Ocean Boy

[swim13]

Wow, I'm not sure how I didn't find this review before today but what a great read it has been this afternoon. Allure is our next cruise unless one gets squeezed in before. Great review!

 

I just watched the youtube time lapse. That was fun.

 

Glad you found it and thanks so much! Check back later for the last surprise! :cool:

[KansCocoa]

Hi, Mike!

 

Sorry I'm late to the party - as you know, I'm crazy busy writing our NYC adventures on our blog - but....

 

WOW!!!!!

 

Seriously. You're really only 18??!! That's incredible. I am very impressed - not only with your maturity and incredible writing style, but your incredible photography skills, as well. Sigh. I can write words, but I can't take photos worth a darn. What if you, Gambee and myself took a cruise? Imagine the review we'd come up with - it would be BEYOND Epic!!!!

 

I also like your name. That's my Hubby's name. Hee hee. Easy to remember.

 

Seriously, your photos are amazing - I love the different perspectives you took. I enjoyed seeing the ship in a new way.

 

I'm glad you found my blog - be sure to comment on it, if you ever find the time. I know how busy 18-year old boys are. ;)

 

And finally - thank you, thank you, thank you for mentioning me in your dedication. It seriously gave me chills...what an honor for a fellow writer. I appreciate it SO much - it made my day! :)

[patsfan78]

Thanks for all the time and effort posting this review. You did a remarkable job.

[swim13]

Hi, Mike!

 

Sorry I'm late to the party - as you know, I'm crazy busy writing our NYC adventures on our blog - but....

 

WOW!!!!!

 

Seriously. You're really only 18??!! That's incredible. I am very impressed - not only with your maturity and incredible writing style, but your incredible photography skills, as well. Sigh. I can write words, but I can't take photos worth a darn. What if you, Gambee and myself took a cruise? Imagine the review we'd come up with - it would be BEYOND Epic!!!!

 

I also like your name. That's my Hubby's name. Hee hee. Easy to remember.

 

Seriously, your photos are amazing - I love the different perspectives you took. I enjoyed seeing the ship in a new way.

 

I'm glad you found my blog - be sure to comment on it, if you ever find the time. I know how busy 18-year old boys are. ;)

 

And finally - thank you, thank you, thank you for mentioning me in your dedication. It seriously gave me chills...what an honor for a fellow writer. I appreciate it SO much - it made my day! :)

 

Ahh! Thank you so, so much for your awesome compliments! Yeah, I am only 18 but I guess I have had a lot of experience blogging which is so similar to writing a review. I used to own a blog about Club Penguin when I was younger, lol! I miss blogging but I am way too old for that game now, oh well! :p

 

Giving you a dedication wasn't even a question, I was planning on it for a long time! I think we all need to plan a cruise on Quantum together so we can make that epic review happen! :D I am eagerly awaiting the Constellation review!

 

Your comment actually made my day too! Can't wait to see what you think of my 2nd surprise!

Edited July 29, 2013 by swim13

[swim13]

Thanks for all the time and effort posting this review. You did a remarkable job.

 

Thank you!

[BabySam99]

I also want to say that Mike for a fellow your age you are very kind, polite and sweet young man...it's nice to see that out of a teen these days! I have a 14 year old and he is being raised the same way...tell your parents they did a great job! :)

Thanks again for the fabulous review!! I want more pictures!!! LOL

[swim13]

Surprise #2 - Allure of the Seas Cruise Vacation Video Recap!!!!

 

 

Ahh its finally done and uploaded. The second and final surprise. =( I apologize in advanced for this taking so long! It was supposed to be up last night but it is a longer video and took FOREVER to upload then all of the sudden failed. Tried it this morning, fail!! Then I tried it once again and it literally just finished and is now available!!

 

I do not believe this is supported on mobile devices so watch from your computer!

 

This is just a little recap of our amazing cruise. You will finally get to see my face, lol! But you have to guess which one I am. I will give you a hint, I usually have a camera bag strap around me, HaHa!!! I hope you all enjoy!

 

Click the link, remember to turn the quality to 1080p once you get to YouTube! You can do so by clicking the gear symbol on the right side under the video. Enjoy!