Allure of the Seas 3/30/14 Review with photos and some video!

[Robinola]

Day 2 - Bahamas:

 

We woke up shortly after mooring. We got ready and headed down to the MDR for breakfast. We ordered a pair of mimosa's and made way for the buffet. The buffet isn’t anything fancy. It has your staples - eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, fruit, etc… We had gone to breakfast disguising our swimwear. After we ate, we made way for the pool deck. We set up shop at the beach pool.

 

 

We enjoyed the beach pool on the Oasis, so why fix what isn’t broken - right? As we approached the beach pool, it was obvious the water level was much higher than the on the Oasis. We had our fair share of loungers available, we sat in the front row briefly, the water level was under us. With our bags and floating flip flops...we moved back a row. The water came up pretty close, but it gave us plenty of clearance to put our things down without them getting soaked. Throughout the morning, the pools never filled up.

 

 

We left our spot for lunch at the Windjammer. We got a great window side table. We ate while looking down at the beautiful water as well as the homes on the coast. We could see Atlantis in the distance. After we ate, we made our way for the sports deck, where we got a better view of the resort.

 

 

 

 

We grabbed some drinks, enjoyed the sun and I did some boogie boarding on the flowrider. Just before it was my turn, it was solo riders only - once it was my turn to go, they split it off for shared riding. Just my luck! I’m 6’0” and 240lbs, lets just say I didn’t get to enjoy it very much. (I did on the last night of the cruise, more to come on that later!).

 

 

We walked to the solarium where we plopped down and relaxed some more. I jumped in the hot tub and made some new friends with some nice retired people from Virginia. They asked me all about Boston - from sports to the bombing, it was a very nice conversation. I asked them about Virginia, only to be told, “Well...it’s Virginia…” - HA! They were great.

 

 

After a short while, we ended up back at the Main Pool. The crowds were starting to fill up the ship and we ended up grabbing some seats poolside. We ordered some pina coladas and soaked up the sun...when this happened:

 

 

Yup, that guy is sitting in a hot tub, using a tablet that is “sealed” in a ziplock bag. To each their own, I suppose…

 

We weren’t out there very long, it was nap time! We crashed hard before dinner. All that sun and “1 or 2” drinks caught up to us. We woke up, freshened up - it was Formal Night afterall! I had rented a tux and shoes (I should back up here. On departure day, when we checked into our room, the tux was hanging in the closet but no shoes. I called the tailor, who asked my shoe size saying he’d be right up. He arrives with two shoes, neither of which were my size. I’m a 12.5/13. He brought me a 11 and 14.5. I tried the 14.5 first, it was massive. There was no way i could wear it. Next, I tried the 11. With the shoehorn and the power of Zeus I was able to squeeze into it. It hurt, it was tight and i could feel the seems unraveling. The tailor stated they only had 2 pairs of 13s on the ship, both of which were missing. He was out of anything higher than an 11. So he left me both pairs, but he didn’t charge me for the shoe rental). The tux was a little worse for the wear. The pants were great. The two shirts had dark mascara stains on them, one had food stains on the cuff as well as a busted button on the sleeve. The vest had a nice dark stain on it. I didn’t want to make an issue out of it, I put on the monkey suit and we made way for the promenade - we stopped to take a few pictures and headed for the MDR.

 

more to come!

 

Both the guy in the tub with an ipad in a baggie as well as the description of the completely disgusting tux TOTALLY GROSSES ME OUT! Both are no-no's!!!!!!!!!

[CapeGal]

[sure am Becci. I just don't post that often. :D[/size]

Are you on our roll call? Less than 30 days CapeGal....see you then.:D

Edited April 12, 2014 by CapeGal

[dazza74]

Was on the Allure back in March and have enjoyed reading your review. Brought back fond memories. Thank you.

[dpmfloyd]

Was on the Allure back in March and have enjoyed reading your review. Brought back fond memories. Thank you.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[johnstoc13]

 

 

This may sound funny, but this picture is exactly what I've been waiting for since we booked this cruise! Breakfast and coffee on the balcony! I'll just have to wait a few more days....in the meantime, it's been nice reading your review. Great pictures and review. Thanks!

[dpmfloyd]

This may sound funny, but this picture is exactly what I've been waiting for since we booked this cruise! Breakfast and coffee on the balcony! I'll just have to wait a few more days....in the meantime, it's been nice reading your review. Great pictures and review. Thanks!

 

thank you for the kind words! to me, it was amazing. and I'm sure you'll agree. I wish we did it more. a nice sunny morning, coffee and some nice breakfast bites is the best way to start the day. breakfast in sunglasses is my kind of breakfast! :cool:

[TravelGal68508]

Great Review! Thanks for sharing! I'm counting down the days until my Aug 2014 sailing!

[NicNac4498]

Day 5 - continued…

 

After a nice nap, we got ready for the 2nd formal night. I held off squeezing into my dress shoes for as long as possible. We arrived to a small crowd. Once we checked in we were asked to be seated until we could be seated. We sat down and the moment our butts hit the couch we were called. We were walked into the MDR and a wave of non-formal attire hit my eyes.

 

 

We were seated next to a fairly large family. They were a party of 6 with two adults and 4 children/young adults appearing to be aged between 14 and 20. Flip flops, shorts, busted up jeans, t-shirts… Every rule in the MDR book for formal attire: broken. All you can do is shrug your shoulders. I’m 34. I don’t get dressed up often, when the time allows - my wife and I enjoy it. I know not every person/couple/family/group will have the same mindset, and I’m ok with that. However, if I didn’t feel like heeding the advice in the daily compass, I’d make alternate dining arrangements.

 

 

Anyone that’s sat in the MDR knows, depending on where you are seated - it can be close quarters. You can hear the conversations around you and sometimes join in and make new friends (or enemies). The family next to us was anything but quiet. One of the young adults in the group asked one of the adults, “Why is everyone dressed up?” The response floored me, “Everyone is an idiot.” Followed by, “...you see, everyone has the option to pick a seated/scheduled dining time or dine on a more flexible schedule called My Time Dining. We aren’t scheduled so we come when we want. The people that are scheduled between the two seating's are required to wear formal stuff, we’re not - so anyone you see up here wearing something doesn’t know any better.” The daughter followed up with, “Well, it looks fun.” The parent scoffed.

 

 

Like many, I simply wish they’d suggest people change or eat at another location on board. Hell, I’d be happy if they segregated parties that felt the need to wear anything other than formal or casual attire. It is easier to simply allow everyone in and avoiding any conflicts.

 

 

After dinner I changed, it was time for me and the 2 sizes too small shoes to part ways. We grabbed a quick drink before heading up to the theatre for Blue Planet. We sat in the balcony with a great view of the stage. We arrived early, which allowed for a few more drinks to be delivered to us :).

 

 

The show starts. The music hold my attention while the earth spins on the stage… from then until the end, very little kept me interested. There were a few really cool visual effects, which I feel could have been played up more. These effects were spoiled by mind numbingly boring routines. The music was mostly reimagined versions of popular songs paired up against routines that left me wondering what the hell was going on.

 

 

There was one very cool visual effect where they dropped a foggy-transparent screen at the front of the stage. On the back of the stage was the image of the desert. Between the two, were dancers playing it up that they were struggling walking through the dessert. They were wearing these long pieces of clothing while a fan blue wind into them. The screen allowed for this really cool effect, when about a minute in, the raise the front screen and all you have are people crawling to one side of the stage. Huge let down.

 

 

Another act they lowered the same screen, this time projecting water onto it. Slowly, behind it - a bridge lowers. I remember rolling my eyes and thinking, “Oh my God, they are literally going to do bridge over troubled water” - and wham… I was right. The act for this routine? Someone using both sides of the bridge as parallel bars. It was corny. I know it isn’t easy and the massive amount of strength needed to perform is far greater than anything I can do. I simply felt this mans abilities were wasted.

 

 

My wife did a lot of dance and enjoyed performing as a kid and young adult, she left this show shrugging her shoulders. We’ve been spoiled by other shows and performances. I made the mistake going into this show thinking this was THE show to see on board. It was my fault for raising the bar so high. I was told Blue Planet is better than Come Fly with Me on the Oasis. I did not see Come Fly with Me on the Oasis and I wanted to make sure we didn’t miss BP. Now, I really wish we did.

 

 

We wrapped up the night with a quick stop at the casino, followed by a night cap and pre-bed slice of pizza.

 

 

Coming up Day 6 - Sea Day/impromptu bar crawl/packing

 

Come Fly with Me is FAR superior to Blue Planet in my opinion. It might not be as technically amazing, but the engery is SO much higher the entire show. Next time, do not miss Come Fly with Me!

[yogaddict]

Thanks for the review! I'll be on the Allure soon, so this is quite helpful!

[rdsxgrl28]

Loved this review, really oneof the best I have read. It did make me rethink some of our plans.

 

I think breakfast on the balcony is now in the cards!!

[dpmfloyd]

Loved this review, really oneof the best I have read. It did make me rethink some of our plans.

 

I think breakfast on the balcony is now in the cards!!

 

 

I'm just one of many. If you have any questions I'd be happy to help. Your plans could be great and perfect for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[my3cees]

Wow, awesome review were going in Feb on the Oasis, our first cruise with RC, I can't wait. Now looking at we're to stay, we always come in the day before, after viewing your review, I'm looking at staying near the port or at least somewhere where we can walk over and watch the ships leave out.

[dpmfloyd]

Wow, awesome review were going in Feb on the Oasis, our first cruise with RC, I can't wait. Now looking at we're to stay, we always come in the day before, after viewing your review, I'm looking at staying near the port or at least somewhere where we can walk over and watch the ships leave out.

 

thanks for reading! it was about a 20-30 minute walk from our hotel (walk down Rt A1A over a looooong bridge, head through a residential area and make your way towards the condos, there's a public path out to the beach). we stayed at the marriott renaissance cruise port hotel. there was only one other hotel that is closer, the hyatt pier 66. we chose the Marriott because we could walk to get food and pick up some last minute items at the walgreens across the street. enjoy! we were on the oasis in October 2012, we loved it!

[cruiseclues]

Very interesting & enjoyable...Thanks for your photo review. :):):):)

[Robinola]

Day 5 - continued…

 

After a nice nap, we got ready for the 2nd formal night. I held off squeezing into my dress shoes for as long as possible. We arrived to a small crowd. Once we checked in we were asked to be seated until we could be seated. We sat down and the moment our butts hit the couch we were called. We were walked into the MDR and a wave of non-formal attire hit my eyes.

 

 

We were seated next to a fairly large family. They were a party of 6 with two adults and 4 children/young adults appearing to be aged between 14 and 20. Flip flops, shorts, busted up jeans, t-shirts… Every rule in the MDR book for formal attire: broken. All you can do is shrug your shoulders. I’m 34. I don’t get dressed up often, when the time allows - my wife and I enjoy it. I know not every person/couple/family/group will have the same mindset, and I’m ok with that. However, if I didn’t feel like heeding the advice in the daily compass, I’d make alternate dining arrangements.

 

 

Anyone that’s sat in the MDR knows, depending on where you are seated - it can be close quarters. You can hear the conversations around you and sometimes join in and make new friends (or enemies). The family next to us was anything but quiet. One of the young adults in the group asked one of the adults, “Why is everyone dressed up?” The response floored me, “Everyone is an idiot.” Followed by, “...you see, everyone has the option to pick a seated/scheduled dining time or dine on a more flexible schedule called My Time Dining. We aren’t scheduled so we come when we want. The people that are scheduled between the two seating's are required to wear formal stuff, we’re not - so anyone you see up here wearing something doesn’t know any better.” The daughter followed up with, “Well, it looks fun.” The parent scoffed.

 

 

Like many, I simply wish they’d suggest people change or eat at another location on board. Hell, I’d be happy if they segregated parties that felt the need to wear anything other than formal or casual attire. It is easier to simply allow everyone in and avoiding any conflicts.

 

 

After dinner I changed, it was time for me and the 2 sizes too small shoes to part ways. We grabbed a quick drink before heading up to the theatre for Blue Planet. We sat in the balcony with a great view of the stage. We arrived early, which allowed for a few more drinks to be delivered to us :).

 

 

The show starts. The music hold my attention while the earth spins on the stage… from then until the end, very little kept me interested. There were a few really cool visual effects, which I feel could have been played up more. These effects were spoiled by mind numbingly boring routines. The music was mostly reimagined versions of popular songs paired up against routines that left me wondering what the hell was going on.

 

 

There was one very cool visual effect where they dropped a foggy-transparent screen at the front of the stage. On the back of the stage was the image of the desert. Between the two, were dancers playing it up that they were struggling walking through the dessert. They were wearing these long pieces of clothing while a fan blue wind into them. The screen allowed for this really cool effect, when about a minute in, the raise the front screen and all you have are people crawling to one side of the stage. Huge let down.

 

 

Another act they lowered the same screen, this time projecting water onto it. Slowly, behind it - a bridge lowers. I remember rolling my eyes and thinking, “Oh my God, they are literally going to do bridge over troubled water” - and wham… I was right. The act for this routine? Someone using both sides of the bridge as parallel bars. It was corny. I know it isn’t easy and the massive amount of strength needed to perform is far greater than anything I can do. I simply felt this mans abilities were wasted.

 

 

My wife did a lot of dance and enjoyed performing as a kid and young adult, she left this show shrugging her shoulders. We’ve been spoiled by other shows and performances. I made the mistake going into this show thinking this was THE show to see on board. It was my fault for raising the bar so high. I was told Blue Planet is better than Come Fly with Me on the Oasis. I did not see Come Fly with Me on the Oasis and I wanted to make sure we didnt miss BP. Now, I really wish we did.

 

 

We wrapped up the night with a quick stop at the casino, followed by a night cap and pre-bed slice of pizza.

 

 

Coming up Day 6 - Sea Day/impromptu bar crawl/packing

 

Gotta say, one of the best reviews. Your photography blows me away. Here is a zing...ok? You are 34 years old. When did your feet stop growing? Why can't men buy one pair of nice shoes that fit when women can find 150 pair that fit just fine?! I just do NOT get it!

[EMED2010]

Excellent review!! I really enjoyed it and your pictures are fabulous! I hope you will do more reviews in the future.