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

[cruiserdudebobby8]

love your pics! i love the oasis class ships

 

 

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[Gig103]

I love that every Oasis class reviewer has a different eye for things, so each one has some unique elements. Dazzles is new to me (I haven't cruised Oasis, just in spirit though CC!) and your photos are great with fantastic colors!

Edited July 11, 2013 by Gig103

[Sophia2007]

Very much enjoying your review! Thank you!

 

Early next summer, we are taking our 4 kids on the Oasis. DD-19, DS-17, DD-15 and DD-11. How did your family plan on meeting up daily? How often did you see your folks? I am trying to get realistic on how often I see my kids!

 

I look forward to reading more. :)

[Canadian Tyler]

Enjoying reading along, keep it up!

 

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2

[iCruise717]

Glad to see your review! You are MUCH more organized than I was, I'm sure everyone appreciates that :D Can't wait for more!!!!

[Twibes]

Great photos Swim13!! I was amused on a photo that's on page 2 of two girls near a railing overlook at the elevators. Looks like one is sitting on the railing.. I wouldn't wanna fall off that! Thanks for posting these :cool:

[AlBell509]

We got to the hotel and got a snack before bed. We were on the 5th floor and I got really excited because I saw the famous 4 stacks from our room, I knew I would be able to see the ship in the morning! We were walking to our rooms and there were people yelling loud from one room and I made a comment saying, "well that doesn't sound very good!" and the guy walking behind us walked in that room... I have to learn to keep my mouth closed sometimes! =D Oh and it was awkward because I was in the same elevator as that guy walking in the room a few days later on the cruise!

 

HOTEL: Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center

 

My mom has a Marriott Rewards card and had enough points to get us two rooms for free. This hotel is great, has all of the amenities (free breakfast, pool, gym, etc.) and was recently renovated. I would totally recommend this hotel! I didn't get many pictures of it but it is in the perfect location from the airport and cruise port. There was free WiFi, it was clean, and the rooms have a large bed with a small separation from the living area (pullout bed where I slept), a nice bathroom with the sink separate from toilet and shower. Oh and for all the guys out there, the TV is HUGE.

 

Our view straight out from the room

 

THERE SHE IS, I WAS SO EXCITED!! P.S. I wasn't able to sleep very good because of my level of excitement.

 

Nice, clean bathroom

 

 

 

This is my second home if anyone was curious from my username and avatar, haha!

 

Awesome review so far... so glad yours includes your before cruise stay...

We are staying at this hotel as well! Glad to hear you enjoyed it and it has great views! :thumbup:

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[mringenoldus]

Mike - you made my day! What kind words from a wonderful young man. I have no doubt that your future is going to be as bright as you are!!

 

For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mike, he is a remarkable young adult. As we waited many months for the our cruise, we on the roll call were graciously included in his senior year accomplishments. Mike would not promote himself - but I can tell you that the roll call members were all proud when he was elected prom king, finished his finals and graduated from high school. We cheered when he, as a lifeguard at the country club pool, saved a child struggling in the water.

 

So, Mike, I'm going to leave you with an Irish blessing.....

 

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warmly on your face

And the rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand

 

See you again soon, my friend!

maureen

[Dolby1000]

I'm a bit late to the party, but great review, keep going.

 

I've passed through Lake Seneca, so I know right where it is.

 

Love your pictures. This brings me back to our cruise just last April.

 

Allure is just such a great ship, as this review, and many others attest, the ship IS the destination.

 

OWD

[gambee]

You have some truly exceptional pictures, I am particularly taken by the the taken looking upwards by the elevators. Back when I did my allure review that was one angle that I had yet to experience with.

 

Funny that someone mention that the smoke towers in port Everglades are going to be demolished. Up until now I had not noticed them, and I have been living in south Florida for quite some time. But I can see how they are kind of an eyesore.

 

Anyway, great work so far. I am intrigued by Labadee, you keep bringing it up, curious to see what you mean.

[swim13]

Wow thanks for the great responses everyone!! I read through most of your comments and I will reply very soon, I just got home from work and need to take a shower...we finally saw the sun in NY today so it was a sweaty one at the pool! =P

 

Cruise compass is going to be scanned next and then I have to edit the pictures but I don't think that should take too long since most of them actually turned out pretty good! I also have a little surprise for everyone although don't get too excited, its just something neat that I haven't seen anyone do yet but I'm sure it has been done!

[srvdmy4usn]

Great job so far! 65 days before I will be on the Allure for an Eastern trip!!!

 

 

PS. I was a swimmer & lifeguard back in the day myself :)

[DonnaK]

Awesome review Mike! I like your writing style, and your photos are wonderful.

Congratulations on your graduation!

[canadian-nurse]

We are doing this cruise in September and have been counting down the days! Thanks for helping us live vicariously through you! :)

[Virtopia]

Your pictures are amazing, especially the one with the sun setting through Dazzles.

[swim13]

Your review is awesome so far!! I celebrated my high school graduation on Mariner of the Seas a few years ago. And don't knock your own pictures they are terrific and very creative! Your review actually made me consider changing my honeymoon from the Jewel to Allure/Oasis, but alas I shall remain on the Jewel. I am going to find my way onto these ships one of these days. I can't wait for the rest of your review!

 

Thank you so much! That looks like an awesome ship, the Voyager class is great and the Navigator and Mariner are even better! You definitely have to make your way on one of these ships. Congratulations by the way!

 

Subscribing - great so far!

 

Woohoo, thanks!

 

Thanks for the review. My two girls swim for a USA club in State College, PA. We have to take our yearly vacation after the eastern zone meet in August and before short course training starts. We our going on the Oasis on August 17 sailing. I have reviewed the cruise compass for the Oasis and see they have lap swimming in the sports pool. I keep joking with my kids that they can keep up their training on the ship, but the pool is so short as soon as they would do a flip turn they would be at the other end.

 

Ron

 

That is awesome, the world needs more swimmer! =P Your girls must be great swimmers if they compete in the Eastern Zone's meet! Yeah I heard there might be lap swimming in the sports pool but I honestly only brought swim trunks and sunglasses although I wish I brought a jammer and goggles! =D The pool is longer than I thought it would be but it is still extremely short compared to the pools were used to for practicing. It's funny, back on the Navigator my dad actually made me practice in the mornings and I would get so mad. I remember looking out to Puerto Rico and being like, Dad can't we just get off and explore?! =P I'm on a break right now, I start swimming in college this fall.

 

You might know the user "iCruise717", her sister swims and I believe they are near you!

 

Anyways, thanks for coming along and I hope you stick around!

 

Loving your review! And your pictures are fantastic! I've read Gambees' review ... I've read Kanscocoa's ... I've read Randy's and I've read Familygoboston's ... i've read others too but cannot remember their screennames! Keep it coming! We will be on her next year with lots of young men and one young lady* ranging in age from 13 to 24 ... it is nice to hear your point of view! (*along with their parents, myself included!)

 

Keep it coming! :D and thanks ... I wrote a lengthy review last year on our Carnival Freedom cruise ... it's a lot of work, so thanks in advance!

 

Thank you!! I have read most of those reviews too. =D This ship will be PERFECT for the age group you are sailing with. I will offer more of my perspective as we get further in the cruise and as it comes to a close. Yes, making a review like this takes a lot more work than I thought it would but I enjoy it!

 

Just such wonderful photos. They bring back such happy memories being as we were on the same cruise. You are writing an awesome review. Keep it coming.

 

I'm glad I was able to bring back great, happy memories and thank you! I love your username by the way!

 

Too post today to read ... This is fantastic.

 

Haha, thanks for all of those smiley things! =P I remember using those on AIM wayy back in the 5th and 6th grade when that was the "cool" thing to do since most of us didn't have cell phones, crazy right?!

 

P.S. I'm sorry I had to delete them in your quote because CC was telling me I was over the 6 image limit on this post, haha!

 

OMG!!

 

I am loving your Pictures............such a fresh perspective!!! The Allure is such an amazing ship....your doing it right!

Thank you so much

 

No, thank you so much! =) I do agree, the Allure is an AMAZING ship

 

Keep up the good review. Thanks for letting me cruise through you. I have a 11 month old and won't be on a cruise for many years. Did you get to pick this as your graduation gift?

 

Hey, there is always Royal Babies & Tots!! Thank you and kind of, my mom and stepdad like to cruise too and we were "due" for a cruise. My mom knew how much I wanted to get on one of these ships since they were first introduced so they saved and decided we would celebrate my graduation on this cruise since it would be a few years when we started looking into it! It was really awesome to celebrate that on my dream ship =)

 

Fantastic review & pictures!! I am taking the same itinerary on Oasis in October so I'm looking forward to your review of the ports.

 

I'm going to be sad when the candy canes are gone. I loved seeing them from the plane when landing at FLL.

 

Thanks a ton, I am excited to review the ports! I saw them when we landed in Ft. Lauderdale, they are going to be missed! Some people do see them as an eyesore though

 

Such an amazing ship! Love your review!

 

Thanks!!

 

 

Alright, I have to go eat dinner now but I will finish responding to everyone after that. Day 3 Cruise Compass is all scanned! See you all later tonight

[retiring soon]

HI all!

 

Mike ~ I'm really enjoying your review & pictures!:DThey're making me excited for my Allure cruise in November & stay at the Hyatt. BTW I see I've been on 3 of the 4 ships you have which makes me wonder....

 

Gambee are you still going on Breeze? I hope so as I've booked it for the week before I go on Allure & am looking forward to your review.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

[McDebbie]

Wonderful pictures! We are actually going on the Oasis but the title of your thread made me want to check it out. Thanks for the tip on getting a starboard cabin for the Western Carib trip!

[mailmama]

Can't say thanks enough for posting this review! I won't be on the Allure again till next May, but you have made the time pass much faster with this review. Good job on the pictures also!!

[swim13]

Great review. You've got a good eye for photography. Don't worry about not eating at the buffet. I never even entered the Windjammer on my Oasis cruise and don't expect to on my Allure one!

 

Thanks a lot, I do love photography. My family doesn't understand, they would always made jokes about taking a picture of everything!! They would be like, Hey Mike, take a pictures of this sugar packet! =P

 

love your pics! i love the oasis class ships

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Thanks, I do too! They are by far my favorite class of ships between RCI, Carnival, or Disney!

 

I love that every Oasis class reviewer has a different eye for things, so each one has some unique elements. Dazzles is new to me (I haven't cruised Oasis, just in spirit though CC!) and your photos are great with fantastic colors!

 

You know what, I totally agree with that. It does seem like you see something new every single time! I always felt Dazzles needed some more love. I really wish I went back there and got some more pictures. Thanks!

 

Very much enjoying your review! Thank you!

 

Early next summer, we are taking our 4 kids on the Oasis. DD-19, DS-17, DD-15 and DD-11. How did your family plan on meeting up daily? How often did you see your folks? I am trying to get realistic on how often I see my kids!

 

I look forward to reading more. :)

 

Glad you are enjoying, thanks for coming along! Your kids will LOVE this ship. We always just set up a time and place to meet up and it worked great to be honest. Also using the phones in the room and calling our friends cabin was really easy and there are even phones near the elevators to call a room. I saw MANY people with walkie-talkies and it seemed to work good for them. I believe RCI will also give your party a few iPhones to use to communicate for a one time charge although I never studied up on that. During the day, I didn't see my parents very much but at night we were always together. I would meet them at the room around 5:30-6 to get ready for the night then we would go somewhere then all have dinner together. Usually after dinner we would go to the casino and then go to a show together. Whenever the show would get out, I would meet up with my friend Matt and we would hang out with our new friends until like 2 am! =P But I saw them a lot but I also had a lot of time away, it was a perfect medium.

 

Hope to see you later on!

 

Enjoying reading along, keep it up!

 

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2

 

Thanks, hope to see you here!

 

Glad to see your review! You are MUCH more organized than I was, I'm sure everyone appreciates that :D Can't wait for more!!!!

 

Yay, you made it! =D Your review was the last one of the Oasis class ships I read before my cruise, I loved it! I don't know if I'm much more organized than you! Hope to see you stick around, thanks!

 

Great photos Swim13!! I was amused on a photo that's on page 2 of two girls near a railing overlook at the elevators. Looks like one is sitting on the railing.. I wouldn't wanna fall off that! Thanks for posting these :cool:

 

Thanks so much! I know what you mean, that height is CRAZY!! My mom said she was glad I took pictures of it because she couldn't stomach the view. =P I think I had white knuckles when I had my camera over the edge :O

 

Awesome review so far... so glad yours includes your before cruise stay...

We are staying at this hotel as well! Glad to hear you enjoyed it and it has great views! :thumbup:

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

 

Yeah, I noticed a lot don't usually have a before cruise stay! You will absolutely love the hotel, its very nice. I wish I got some more pictures for you!

 

Thanks!

 

I'm a bit late to the party, but great review, keep going.

 

I've passed through Lake Seneca, so I know right where it is.

 

Love your pictures. This brings me back to our cruise just last April.

 

Allure is just such a great ship, as this review, and many others attest, the ship IS the destination.

 

OWD

 

Hey you are never late to my party, besides that we are only beginning Day 3! =D That's so cool, I never know many people who have heard or even have been through the area! Thanks!

 

You have some truly exceptional pictures, I am particularly taken by the the taken looking upwards by the elevators. Back when I did my allure review that was one angle that I had yet to experience with.

 

Funny that someone mention that the smoke towers in port Everglades are going to be demolished. Up until now I had not noticed them, and I have been living in south Florida for quite some time. But I can see how they are kind of an eyesore.

 

Anyway, great work so far. I am intrigued by Labadee, you keep bringing it up, curious to see what you mean.

 

Wow thanks so much Gambee, that means a lot coming from you, the CC review guru! I can't believe you haven't seen those stacks before, lol!! See you around, friend!

 

Great job so far! 65 days before I will be on the Allure for an Eastern trip!!!

 

 

PS. I was a swimmer & lifeguard back in the day myself :)

 

Ahh, I am so jealous! Take me with you!!! =D But thanks, I remember reading all the Allure reviews I could before our sailing, it really builds some anticipation!

 

That is so cool, swimming is awesome and a Lifeguarding job is perfect for us! I love working with the kids too!

 

Awesome review Mike! I like your writing style, and your photos are wonderful.

Congratulations on your graduation!

 

Thank you so much!

 

We are doing this cruise in September and have been counting down the days! Thanks for helping us live vicariously through you! :)

 

Oh yeah, I remember counting down the days! Luckily I had an iPhone app to help me out with that, but still. =P You are going to absolutely love it. Do you have extra room for me?? =)

 

Your pictures are amazing, especially the one with the sun setting through Dazzles.

 

Thanks!! I almost didn't even take a picture of this, we were walking by the second floor entrance on our way to dinner and heard music playing so we decided to check it out real quick and I decided to get it out of the case and snap a few pictures! =P

[Sweetest Sin]

Great pics Mike! I'm glad you liked the Maine gift.

[swim13]

Mike - you made my day! What kind words from a wonderful young man. I have no doubt that your future is going to be as bright as you are!!

 

For those of you that haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mike, he is a remarkable young adult. As we waited many months for the our cruise, we on the roll call were graciously included in his senior year accomplishments. Mike would not promote himself - but I can tell you that the roll call members were all proud when he was elected prom king, finished his finals and graduated from high school. We cheered when he, as a lifeguard at the country club pool, saved a child struggling in the water.

 

So, Mike, I'm going to leave you with an Irish blessing.....

 

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warmly on your face

And the rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand

 

See you again soon, my friend!

maureen

 

MAUREEN!!! I'm so glad to see you here, please stay, you will see pictures of your cabin! =D Also, please email me at ccswim13@gmail.com because I have some pictures to send to you!!

 

I'm glad I could do that but they are just truthful words! You actually made me smile the whole time I read this. Thank you so much for your kind words, I appreciate it more than you know. Oh and thank you for your Irish blessing! I really wish we could have all met up at the going away lunch, maybe another time!

 

See you around!

[swim13]

It feels like I'm never going to get to Day 3, lol! Don't worry, its going to happen tonight. I just have to drive to my dads now, then I can start editing and posting! Oh and now I have a few more people to respond to.

 

Thank you for being patient, I've been working on this during all the free time I've had! Tomorrow I only work until 12 so I will be able to get a lot of pictures done. And I still have to work on something that may take awhile...its another surprise for everyone that I am going to attempt, it may not be good but its worth a shot! Gambee knows what I'm talking about, you can ask him for a subtle clue!

 

See you soon everyone!

[swim13]

HI all!

 

Mike ~ I'm really enjoying your review & pictures!:DThey're making me excited for my Allure cruise in November & stay at the Hyatt. BTW I see I've been on 3 of the 4 ships you have which makes me wonder....

 

Gambee are you still going on Breeze? I hope so as I've booked it for the week before I go on Allure & am looking forward to your review.

 

~ Jo ~ :)

 

I'm glad you are enjoying the review!! Well I guess we have good preferences on what ships to go on! 8)

 

Wonderful pictures! We are actually going on the Oasis but the title of your thread made me want to check it out. Thanks for the tip on getting a starboard cabin for the Western Carib trip!

 

Thanks a lot! Well I mean Oasis and Allure are pretty similar so thanks for deciding to come take a look. Wait until you see the pictures I'm about to post from our cabin, you HAVE to book on the Starboard side!!

 

Can't say thanks enough for posting this review! I won't be on the Allure again till next May, but you have made the time pass much faster with this review. Good job on the pictures also!!

 

Ah you will have a great time, thanks so much!

 

Great pics Mike! I'm glad you liked the Maine gift.

 

Hey, I was hoping you would see this review!! I think on one of the last days I saw you and your family at Johnny Rockets (I was walking on the Boardwalk) but I didn't know if you saw me! I think we are going to use the syrup soon and of course the pen is put to good use! =) Thanks again!

[swim13]

LABADEE, HAITI

The esoteric island -

 

Welcome back everyone! I love to see that we may have gained a few new followers! So from this day on, I neglected to take notes...we are going to put a test to my memory! =P As many of you already know, this day was the day I was most looking forward to. I was excited for the beauty this island has and especially for the Dragon's Breath Zipline excursion I had planned! I had hoped to get up about 40 minutes before our expected arrival in Labadee so I could capture a time lapse entering port, that plan failed since we arrived extra early. I woke up to the curtains already pulled back, my pullout is next to the window so I could see the view right away. I have OCD about things going perfect on vacation so I really wanted this day to be nice and sunny! I looked out and it was completely cloudy...darn, I wanted to escape the clouds we always have up here in NY! I will say it cleared up and it ended up being a BEAUTIFUL day so no worries here! This morning we decided to try out room service for breakfast, which is free at every time of the day except from midnight to 5 am. We ordered the normal breakfast plates of eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, etc. It was delicious and of course since we were on the Starboard side, we had a gorgeous view to go along with this yummy meal!

 

Some time passed and we got everyone together via the room phones. We all met on the dock towards the end. This was my first time actually having a good view of the ship from afar and I couldn't believe my eyes!! I have a picture from Jamaica to help explain what I'm about to tell you but you'll have to wait and see it tomorrow. I never, ever knew the ship was painted a light blue from the rescue vessels down. :O I couldn't believe after thousands of reviews and pictures, I never knew this!!

 

Now we were walking in the island and trying to find a good beach to set up "camp", everything we brought could probably last us a few days. Trust me, never under estimate what a mom can put in one bag! =P It was extremely humid and pretty hot so most of us went right for the water! I told everyone to follow me to Barefoot Beach (that's one of the best beaches on the island) but they were all ALREADY cranky and decided to just stay at the beach where you can watch all of the zip-liners fly by. The water there is very rocky so make sure you bring water shoes!! I was the only one who brought them and it really made it a lot easier for me to get in the water. I think Jeff actually got a sea urchin stuck in his foot soooo you really might want to invest in those water shoes!

 

My excursion wasn't until 11:50 am so I gathered Matt, Eric, and I to go explore the island since I knew a few good spots for pictures and I knew it would be a good time killer, especially since they don't like to lounge on the beach. WOW the view is amazing from Dragon's Lookout Point, actually that whole side of the island is stunning. You will not want to miss the "Kodak Moment" opportunities there! That killed a good amount of time and soon enough Matt and I were heading to Dragon's Plaza to sign in for the zip-line. The whole process is very easy and even if you don't pre-book, there is most likely a space available to you but just make sure you go early. I'm going to save the sub review of the Dragon's Breath Zipline until after the pictures up until this point.

 

Before we get to the pictures, lets start with the Cruise Compass.

 

Day 3 Cruise Compass and Cruise Specials

 

 

Edited July 12, 2013 by swim13