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

[swim13]

 

 

Okay remember how I told you I never realized the ship was a light blue on the bottom?! I got a good picture here to show you. It was funny, my mom was like I think the bottom is a light blue, I said no its most likely the reflection of the water! And then we walked further out when we were in Labadee and it was clear as day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here is what the $10 High Speed Internet shack looks like for future reference!

 

 

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We didn't have much time in the room until we were going to head up to the secret decks in the back of the ship for the first time to watch us sail away! We all went to Deck 14 (you can also go to Deck13) to access the secret aft deck. All you do is walk all the way back to the end of the hall on either the port or starboard side and there will be a glass door on the left or right side (depending on what side of the ship you go on). It was actually very nice to watch us sail away from there since it was our own private balcony since no one else joined us! We got a beautiful 270 degree view of the island as we left.

 

It was the kids last day in school when we were leaving on July 3rd. Some of the kids in a school near the port came in and watched us sail away. They were extremely excited, singing, dancing, waving, and saying BYEEE!! It was really a powerful moment especially when you could hear everyone on the ship yelling for them and clapping. I am getting chills now just typing what happened! It was so awesome!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[cruzinlady1947]

Great pictures and beach. Looks like there wasn't many people at the beach. That must have been a nice thing.

 

Keep up the good work. You are doing an excellent job on your review.

 

Gwen :)

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Coming up next: Dinner and the rest of the night! :p

 

P.S. sorry its taking a while, I'm posting on breaks at work!

[S.C.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome pictures!

[endobaby]

Great pictures..hoping you are making a great album as a keepsake. :)

[polyesther]

Just wanted to chime in and tell you what a great review this is, Mike! It's so organized and well laid out, a pleasure to read! I really like how the Cruise Compass says Happy Canada Day on July 1. What a nice touch for Canadian guests!

 

Can't wait to see the rest of your review. :)

 

P.S. I am also a huge Walking Dead fan! And I loved World War Z also.

[scoob2010]

I am totally enjoying your review and all the great pictures.

We'll be going on the Oasis in March of next year and this is getting me excited again.

 

PS- My wife and I just finished the catching up on the Walking Dead series.

If you haven't seen it yet, rent "Warm Bodies" for a new and funny take on the zombie franchise- very different from anything I had ever seen before. I would recommend the movie to anyone.

[swim13]

Where did we leave off?!

 

 

So we all went back to the room after sailing away and got ready for the night. I don't really remember what happened before dinner but I'm sure we went to the Royal Promenade and went to some of the shops, I had my eye on that model ship for quite some time now! =P

 

Here is the Royal Shrimp Cocktail, one of the appetizers I ordered every single night, they were perfect shrimp!

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

After dinner we headed to the casino. Mom and I wanted to venture off and go up to the Promenade for something and we were surprised to be caught in the beginning of the 70's party! I have been around this kind of music my whole life so I knew most of the songs. It honestly was a lot of fun! The lighting in the promenade is INCREDIBLE. They really show off what they can do in this neighborhood during this show, it turns in to a huge dance club! I couldn't stop taking pictures of everything! It was very high energy, they were throwing out free stuff which included rings that light up. There were dancers and even a disco ball!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice the male dancers in this picture?

 

 

Look who joined the party!!

[whitshel]

Thanks!

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Thank you so much! I absolutely loved your pictures of Labadee, especially the ones where the sun was coming down, just amazing! I have to look into an itinerary in the future that leaves Labadee later. I also want a cabana, they looked amazing but my mom couldn't justify the price.

 

Thanks Mike!! We absolutely love Labadee and my wife says now that every cruise we go on has to go to Labadee and we have to have a cabana. Haha..

 

Ya the price is a little steep but when we split it with the inlaws its not too bad ($125). And as you probably saw I have 2 teen girls and to buy us all an excursion would be at least $300 so for me its actually a bargain :D They were going to do the zipline (with their own money) but its was too windy that day so they were all canceled. So they will try again in March ;)

 

Once again, Great Job!!!!

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were having so much fun that we almost forgot about the Headliner show we had reservations for tonight! My mom and I went back down to the casino to find Jeff, Eric, and Josh but of course they were no where to be found! :O We decided that we weren't going to waste any more time and just go to the theater and they would have to go on their own if they wanted. We got there so late that they weren't even scanning for reservations anymore! Luckily we found them and they saved us two seats. Scott Record was the star of our Headliner show and he was AWESOME!! I think he is actually opening an act on the Vegas strip sometime soon. He did a lot of impressions and sang, he was terrific. Everyone was laughing all the time. The cruise director, Allan Brooks had said he was his favorite guest they have for a headliner! We got lucky we were on this sailing!

 

 

Now after that, Allan told us all that Battle of the Sexes would begin shorty in Studio B so we decided to head directly straight ahead to the ice rink! I have to say Battle of the Sexes was so much fun! It was really well put together. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but I would suggest going!

 

 

I went back to the room and got a picture of the towel animal. I went to Blaze and met my friends and we stayed there until I believe 2 or 3 am! :O It was a lot of fun. There were kids our age and even older ones who would hang out with us. If you're 18-20, you really don't need to worry!

 

 

DAY 4 IS DONE!! Will start to work on Day 5 pictures, this is sad!

[swim13]

Nice one! :P Thanks for the reassurance! I hope it's okay! :) Another question, are there many activities that go on daily that are actually fun? :P Btw, this is going to be my first time on a cruise and that's why I'm quite clueless on this kind of stuff!

 

Oops, I think I forgot to respond to this! Anyway, YES! There are many very fun activities throughout the day. There are many in the pool and sports zone and of course random events inside the ship throughout the day. Look at the cruise compasses I have been posting, they will tell you all the events that go on. Try to get involved, it makes it even more fun! As you will see, the night events are really fun like Battle of the Sexes and Quest! No need to worry, there is so many things going on that I need at least 3 more cruises on her to do most of everything they offer! You are going to LOVE it!

[Eng23]

Nice shots of the Falmouth port area. It looks so much better than it did when I was there in 2011. I'm guessing that you have a thing for the #13, but (I know I'm nitpicking here) there is no Deck 13 on the Allure. I think it is some kind of a mariner's/seaman's superstition and because of that there usually is never a Deck 13 on any ships (at least as I've been told). Although the deck plans for the new Quantum show a Deck 13 (maybe it's a misprint), so that would buck the superstition. :)

[whitshel]

Oh and Congratulations on your Graduation!! My oldest daughter will graduate next year.(yikes!!) We're actually going on the 8 night Indy next year to celebrate (a little early but its affordable).

 

One question for you, since you are 18 were u able to gamble in the casino? My daughter will turn 18 right before our cruise so she is excited to gamble a little. I told her I think she will be able to. Is that right?

 

Thanks

[swim13]

Great pictures and beach. Looks like there wasn't many people at the beach. That must have been a nice thing.

 

Keep up the good work. You are doing an excellent job on your review.

 

Gwen :)

 

Thanks again Gwen! Glad to see you still looking at the review! =D Most of the pictures were taken right when we got to the beach (we were the first group). The nice thing was that there actually weren't that many people but enough to make it not seem sketchy! =P

 

Great pictures..hoping you are making a great album as a keepsake. :)

 

Thanks, my mom makes big scrapbooks on every trip! I may have to dig out one of the pictures from a cruise a long time ago to share! =)

 

Just wanted to chime in and tell you what a great review this is, Mike! It's so organized and well laid out, a pleasure to read! I really like how the Cruise Compass says Happy Canada Day on July 1. What a nice touch for Canadian guests!

 

Can't wait to see the rest of your review. :)

 

P.S. I am also a huge Walking Dead fan! And I loved World War Z also.

 

I totally forgot to make a huge "Happy Canada Day" text on the review! But yes, they had a few of those signs all over the ship, it was nice! I'm so glad you are enjoying the review, its fun to write and I love to see the pictures again!

 

I am totally enjoying your review and all the great pictures.

We'll be going on the Oasis in March of next year and this is getting me excited again.

 

PS- My wife and I just finished the catching up on the Walking Dead series.

If you haven't seen it yet, rent "Warm Bodies" for a new and funny take on the zombie franchise- very different from anything I had ever seen before. I would recommend the movie to anyone.

 

Thanks! I have seen Warm Bodies, I thought parts of it were pretty funny and then some parts were totally weird! I'm still not sure what I think about it =P

 

Thanks Mike!! We absolutely love Labadee and my wife says now that every cruise we go on has to go to Labadee and we have to have a cabana. Haha..

 

Ya the price is a little steep but when we split it with the inlaws its not too bad ($125). And as you probably saw I have 2 teen girls and to buy us all an excursion would be at least $300 so for me its actually a bargain :D They were going to do the zipline (with their own money) but its was too windy that day so they were all canceled. So they will try again in March ;)

 

Once again, Great Job!!!!

 

Thats a great idea when you have a big group like that! Hopefully they will get to go on the zip-line next time!

 

Nice shots of the Falmouth port area. It looks so much better than it did when I was there in 2011. I'm guessing that you have a thing for the #13, but (I know I'm nitpicking here) there is no Deck 13 on the Allure. I think it is some kind of a mariner's/seaman's superstition and because of that there usually is never a Deck 13 on any ships (at least as I've been told). Although the deck plans for the new Quantum show a Deck 13 (maybe it's a misprint), so that would buck the superstition. :)

 

Thanks! By the way, I remember this discussion in the Quantum thread! I doubt there will be a deck 13 on the ship but who knows. 13 is my lucky number!

[swim13]

Oh and Congratulations on your Graduation!! My oldest daughter will graduate next year.(yikes!!) We're actually going on the 8 night Indy next year to celebrate (a little early but its affordable).

 

One question for you, since you are 18 were u able to gamble in the casino? My daughter will turn 18 right before our cruise so she is excited to gamble a little. I told her I think she will be able to. Is that right?

 

Thanks

 

Thanks so much! I got an amazing cake last night that I will share at the end of the review!

 

I was able to gamble!! I actually won a lot on the last night, you will have to wait until that night in the review to find out how much! I have been able to gamble since February but this was the first time that I ever have.

[Snooksi]

Where did we leave off?!

 

 

So we all went back to the room after sailing away and got ready for the night. I don't really remember what happened before dinner but I'm sure we went to the Royal Promenade and went to some of the shops, I had my eye on that model ship for quite some time now! =P

 

Here is the Royal Shrimp Cocktail, one of the appetizers I ordered every single night, they were perfect shrimp!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks YUMMY!! I LOVE shrimp cocktail and thanks to your info, I look forward to eating it every night!!

 

I've read so many horrific reviews about the food and I just don't understand them. Your pictures look awesome and the food looks delicious!!

 

Enjoying your review sooooooooo much. THANK YOU AGAIN for taking the time to do it. I'm so excited about our upcoming cruise that I can't contain myself!!

[endobaby]

After dinner we headed to the casino. Mom and I wanted to venture off and go up to the Promenade for something and we were surprised to be caught in the beginning of the 70's party! I have been around this kind of music my whole life so I knew most of the songs. It honestly was a lot of fun! The lighting in the promenade is INCREDIBLE. They really show off what they can do in this neighborhood during this show, it turns in to a huge dance club! I couldn't stop taking pictures of everything! It was very high energy, they were throwing out free stuff which included rings that light up. There were dancers and even a disco ball!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notice the male dancers in this picture?

 

 

Look who joined the party!!

 

I am so going to love this party...Do you happen to know which night this fell on? I will be on the Eastern itinerary and trying to figure out my evening entertainment and really do not want to miss this show. Thanks:D

[d4nigirl]

Nice shots of the Falmouth port area. It looks so much better than it did when I was there in 2011. I'm guessing that you have a thing for the #13, but (I know I'm nitpicking here) there is no Deck 13 on the Allure. I think it is some kind of a mariner's/seaman's superstition and because of that there usually is never a Deck 13 on any ships (at least as I've been told). Although the deck plans for the new Quantum show a Deck 13 (maybe it's a misprint), so that would buck the superstition. :)

 

Didn't realize this!

In the words of the great Mitch Hedberg, "those on 14 will really know whats up."

[ctop59]

Great review & your pictures are awesome! I too purchased the NEX F3 after seeing Gambee's reviews. I am happy to see that pictures are awesome even with the kit lens. I am getting excited about our second Allure cruise next May. We went on the Western specifically to go to Labadee & the zip line on the first one. It is so worth every penny for the zip line. Doing the Eastern route next. Keep up the great review and congratulations on your graduation!