Live from the Allure 22nd June 2014

[Deeliteful]

I will write a full review when I get home but thought I would post a few thoughts live from the ship.

 

We flew into Miami from Vegas where we had stayed for six nights. We used Larry's Limos to pick us up and take us to the Hilton Marina for our overnight stay. Great service and reasonably priced IMO, they will also be picking us up post cruise.

 

The Hilton is absolutely fine, good location and nice friendly staff. Probably wouldn't want to spend a week there but one night is fine. Took a taxi to the port around 11 am. Very busy but check in was a dream, very well organised.

 

Thanks to a Cruise Critic suggestion we had arranged to have lunch at Giovanni's table and so after wandering the ship for a little while that's what we did - excellent suggestion and I would highly recommend it, a really nice way to start off your cruise. Food was excellent as was the wine and service.

 

We checked into our room about 2.3O and all cases were already there. I was a bit shocked by how small the room was - seemed much smaller than others I have travelled in. The wardrobe is a real pain to get stuff in and out.

 

The Allure is a beautiful ship but I would probably not sail her again as I find the ship just too big. I think it's great for families - lots of big family groups on her this week, but I will be back on the smaller ships in future.

 

The Casino is ok with the one side smoking, you can't smell the smoke on the non-smoking side. It also has a poker room but it is machines(3) not a live dealer other than for the main tournament which is played on sea days but is a bit if a crap fest! There are also nightly tournaments and cash games $100 buy in and $1-$3 no limit. I won a tourney the first night, my brother won one the 2nd night and I won $1400 playing cash! So a good start so far.

 

Apart from lunch on the first day we have eaten in the MDR which has been fine. We did ask for a large table but got a table of 4 and unfortunately had to change it. We now have a table for two. Like others have said the menu is very much limited now but have enjoyed both meals in there so far.

 

The Spa is amazing, we have already spent lots of time there :-)

 

Looking forward to St. Thomas tomorrow.

 

Any questions, please SHOUT and hope I'll be able to help.

 

Cheers

 

Pat

[matj2000]

I think there is somebody else already doing the "live from Allure" this week.

Thanks anyway..

[DonnaK]

The other live post is from Oasis. But even if there were 10 live posts from the same ship during the same sailing, each one would still be welcome and interesting.

 

 

 

To the OP, thanks for sharing your experience with us, and enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Edited June 25, 2014 by DonnaK

[sleepless]

I think there is somebody else already doing the "live from Allure" this week.

 

Thanks anyway..

 

The other live post is from Oasis. But even if there were 10 live posts from the same ship during the same sailing, each one would still be welcome and interesting.

 

 

 

To the OP, thanks for sharing your experience with us, and enjoy the rest of your cruise!

 

 

Yes, it is great to have another live report from the Allure. I will be boarding her on Sunday. Can't wait. Hope the rest of your cruise goes well.

[Paulette3028]

Thanks to a Cruise Critic suggestion we had arranged to have lunch at Giovanni's table and so after wandering the ship for a little while that's what we did - excellent suggestion and I would highly recommend it, a really nice way to start off your cruise. Food was excellent as was the wine and service.

 

We checked into our room about 2.3O and all cases were already there. I was a bit shocked by how small the room was - seemed much smaller than others I have travelled in. The wardrobe is a real pain to get stuff in and out.

 

The Allure is a beautiful ship but I would probably not sail her again as I find the ship just too big. I think it's great for families - lots of big family groups on her this week, but I will be back on the smaller ships in future.

 

Pat

 

Interesting suggestion to have lunch at a specialty restaurant....DH and I have a tradition of going to WJ, so I can have paella for lunch....add to that we don't usually do specialty dining venues. For the first time, when we sail Allure on 6/29, we will go to Izumi. We love Japanese food and this will be nice.

 

Which cabin category do you have, that you are saying is so small? I don't expect you to tell us what cabin specifically you are in.

 

What specifically makes you feel the ship is too big? Is it more walking to do, or difficulty finding where things are because of its size or something else?

 

Thanks,

 

Looking forward to being on Allure

[Deeliteful]

Thanks all, I don't think you can have too many reviews :-)

Paulette, we are in a balcony cabin 12288 which is category D I think. It may be perception of size the way it is laid out of course.

There isn't really one reason re size of ship, I was a bit apprehensive pre-cruise but there are so many positives from other reviewers eg. No big crowds etc., plenty of space but it just doesn't suit me.

 

Don't get me wrong, we're having a ball and there are so many things available to do but they are not my sort of thing. You will have a great cruise. I've yet to have a bad one :-)

Edited June 25, 2014 by Deeliteful

[MandyMooToo]

I will write a full review when I get home but thought I would post a few thoughts live from the ship.

 

We flew into Miami from Vegas where we had stayed for six nights. We used Larry's Limos to pick us up and take us to the Hilton Marina for our overnight stay. Great service and reasonably priced IMO, they will also be picking us up post cruise.

 

The Hilton is absolutely fine, good location and nice friendly staff. Probably wouldn't want to spend a week there but one night is fine. Took a taxi to the port around 11 am. Very busy but check in was a dream, very well organised.

 

Thanks to a Cruise Critic suggestion we had arranged to have lunch at Giovanni's table and so after wandering the ship for a little while that's what we did - excellent suggestion and I would highly recommend it, a really nice way to start off your cruise. Food was excellent as was the wine and service.

 

We checked into our room about 2.3O and all cases were already there. I was a bit shocked by how small the room was - seemed much smaller than others I have travelled in. The wardrobe is a real pain to get stuff in and out.

 

The Allure is a beautiful ship but I would probably not sail her again as I find the ship just too big. I think it's great for families - lots of big family groups on her this week, but I will be back on the smaller ships in future.

 

The Casino is ok with the one side smoking, you can't smell the smoke on the non-smoking side. It also has a poker room but it is machines(3) not a live dealer other than for the main tournament which is played on sea days but is a bit if a crap fest! There are also nightly tournaments and cash games $100 buy in and $1-$3 no limit. I won a tourney the first night, my brother won one the 2nd night and I won $1400 playing cash! So a good start so far.

 

Apart from lunch on the first day we have eaten in the MDR which has been fine. We did ask for a large table but got a table of 4 and unfortunately had to change it. We now have a table for two. Like others have said the menu is very much limited now but have enjoyed both meals in there so far.

 

The Spa is amazing, we have already spent lots of time there :-)

 

Looking forward to St. Thomas tomorrow.

 

Any questions, please SHOUT and hope I'll be able to help.

 

Cheers

 

Pat

 

Thanks so much for the live review! We have been on Oasis and will be on Allure this August so I am soaking up all I can in anticipation!!

 

 

Interesting suggestion to have lunch at a specialty restaurant....DH and I have a tradition of going to WJ, so I can have paella for lunch....add to that we don't usually do specialty dining venues. For the first time, when we sail Allure on 6/29, we will go to Izumi. We love Japanese food and this will be nice.

 

Which cabin category do you have, that you are saying is so small? I don't expect you to tell us what cabin specifically you are in.

 

What specifically makes you feel the ship is too big? Is it more walking to do, or difficulty finding where things are because of its size or something else?

 

Thanks,

 

Looking forward to being on Allure

 

Last summer on Oasis we wondered how a larger ship would be...impersonal? Too much going on? Crowded? Not for us! We loved Oasis and all she had to offer! The staff was wonderful and attentive, there was always something to do if we chose to be active or there were quiet places to go otherwise. As for crowds we never felt crowded unless we were getting off at a port. We enjoyed Oasis so much that we booked Allure for this year. You'll have an amazing time!

Edited June 25, 2014 by MandyMooToo

[slp1323]

I'm so excited to see this Live review. My daughter and her new husband are on Allure right now for their honeymoon. Enjoy St. Thomas today...we love this port. :)

[Paulette3028]

Thanks all, I don't think you can have too many reviews :-)

Paulette, we are in a balcony cabin 12288 which is category D I think. It may be perception of size the way it is laid out of course.

There isn't really one reason re size of ship, I was a bit apprehensive pre-cruise but there are so many positives from other reviewers eg. No big crowds etc., plenty of space but it just doesn't suit me.

 

Don't get me wrong, we're having a ball and there are so many things available to do but they are not my sort of thing. You will have a great cruise. I've yet to have a bad one :-)

 

I fully agree, the more reviews the better....new people are here all the time, and new perspectives should always be welcome.

 

DH and I have cruised on Her Majesty as well as Navigator and every class in between and looking forward to boarding Allure on 6/29. I have a ball on every cruise I go on, and fully expect to have a great time on this one. We will make new friends and hopefully put together the plans for our next cruise, likely on Independence.

 

If it doesn't 'suit you' then it doesn't. It's like clothes, there are lots of styles and some you like and some you don't.....but you try them, to see what 'suits your taste the best'. As you have said, you are still having a ball....

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.....and I look forward to reading more about your cruise.

[maggieq]

I like the closets better on the smaller ships.

[marti1]

I am sure you are having a wonderful time. Any info you can get me on the balcony rooms that overlook the Central Park or Promanade will be great, thinking of one of them for Feb.

 

 

Marti

[Clarea]

I like the closets better on the smaller ships.

Us too. I think they took a step backwards with the closets on Oasis/Allure.

[Paulette3028]

I like the closets better on the smaller ships.

 

What was disappointing about the closets?

[Clarea]

What was disappointing about the closets?

Sliding doors so that both sides cannot be open at the same time. Safe is also in the closet, so one more reason to need to slide the door open.

[Paulette3028]

Sliding doors so that both sides cannot be open at the same time. Safe is also in the closet, so one more reason to need to slide the door open.

 

I can see an advantage to sliding closet doors and would not worry that both sides of closet cannot be opened at the same time. The safe has been in the closet on many cruises, hopefully it isn't on the floor, so my DH doesn't have to bend down to reach it.

[tigerwilf]

Hi Deeliteful, looking forward to your review, I will be sailing Oct 5 th on Allure. We are also from Harrogate.

[Deeliteful]

Hi all, thanks for reading do far.

Today we are in St. Thomas, last time here I did the cruise tour St. John's on your own and really enjoyed it. Pleasant ferry ride across, went to Trunk Bay and then shopped a little around the harbour. Lovely day.

 

This time my brother wanted beach time so we went to Mangens Bay. I am sure you can appreciate that with the Allure and two other cruise ships in port, it was pretty crowded, so not my idea of fun but he enjoyed it(do I sound like an old misery!? Lol ) I promise I'm not I just don't like crowded places.

 

Had a late lunch in one of the cafés at the port. This was excellent. Dishes of the day were oxtail with rice and peas and chicken curry we went with those, the oxtail was meltingly tender and little bro loved the curry.

 

Then back to the ship where I visited the spa once more for some relaxation and a lovely leg treatment (oh how I suffer!)

 

Just getting ready now for sail away and then change for drinks and dinner in the MDR. I think we have tickets for the headliner show tonight so let's see if we make it.

 

We have Izumi booked for tomorrow night and Chops Grille for Saturday.

 

Now looking forward to St. Maarten tomorrow.

 

Marti Central Park is a lovely spot and has always seemed quiet whenever I have visited, so I would think it's a great spot for a balcony room.

 

If the closets are the only thing we have to moan about, life is pretty good!

Edited June 25, 2014 by Deeliteful

[Paulette3028]

We have Izumi booked for tomorrow night and Chops Grille for Saturday.

 

Now looking forward to St. Maarten tomorrow.

 

Marti Central Park is a lovely spot and has always seemed quiet whenever I have visited, so I would think it's a great spot for a balcony room.

 

If the closets are the only thing we have to moan about, life is pretty good!

 

Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself, even though 'crowds' are not your thing, and the beach that you went to was a bit more crowded than you would have liked.

 

I am so looking forward to the CP balcony that we will have next week on Deck 11. I am going to try to do some reading, so that will be a good place to do it from I hope. I never seem to be able to read much in the sun....although the solarium might work (??).

 

I can't wait to hear about your dinner in Izumi. That is the only specialty restaurant we are planning to go to....we generally do enjoy the MDR....but we love Japanese food and do it about once a week at home....so since Allure will be our home next week, we will go out to dinner from there.

[DaniDanielle]

I think the rooms on the Oasis and Allure are smaller because they need to sell to more people. The ships are HUGE but wonderful. If it wasn't for the need to fly to Florida they would be the only ships we would sail....

[JamesEM]

We sailed on the Oasis last year and though the cabin was on the small side to this year DW and I booked a Jr. Suite.

[Deeliteful]

Beautiful dinner in the MDR tonight, we both chose the seafood ceviche and the rack of lamb - both really delicious, the lamb was perfectly cooked and really tender.

Had a Bellini Martini in the champagne bar pre-dinner which was also deelish! Then won $500 in the casino so a good night for me :-)

 

Will post again tomorrow.

 

James we did try to upgrade to a Jr. Suite but left it too late. Enjoy your cruise. The ship is so lovely.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the live updates!

[DaniDanielle]

We sailed on the Oasis last year and though the cabin was on the small side to this year DW and I booked a Jr. Suite.

 

 

so cool!

[Deeliteful]

St. Maarten today was very hot. I love this island. We just went to the town beach in St. Philipsberg (sp.) cushioned beds, a brolly and beers for $20. Also had my nails redone, shellac off and on at Blush Beauty Spa which is near where the water taxi drops you off, and the girl there was from Skipton (about 10 miles from Harrogate!) small world. Cost me $25 in total. On the ship they charge $20 just to remove the old shellac!

Watched the football US v Germany. Congrats to both teams for making it through. Nothing to say about England :-(

 

Back on the ship, Chris has gone to the spa and I am now at Park Cafe. Well we've all heard about those roast beef sandwiches and yes they are 5 stars, tough to each just one! I will be back.

 

Off for sail away now and Izumi tonight. Will check in again tomorrow if anyone's still reading.

 

Cheers

 

Pat

[Lionesss]

Thanks for the update.

 

Enjoy your dinner.

 

Keep posting.

 

Sea Ya