Live from the Allure 22nd June 2014

[novalab]

So envious! We LOVED our recent Allure cruise & just hated having to leave her. We tried most of the specialty dining options & have to say that Giovanni's & Izumi were our favorites. If you like French toast, try the variation they serve in the MDR for breakfast...it was really yummy & the warm cinnamon aroma was fantastic!

 

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

Edited June 26, 2014 by novalab

[Paulette3028]

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

 

Yes, still reading and looking to read your comments about Izumi. DH and I will be on Allure next week and don't usually do specialty restaurants....but we are doing Izumi. I am looking forward to your opinion.

[Deeliteful]

Yes, still reading and looking to read your comments about Izumi. DH and I will be on Allure next week and don't usually do specialty restaurants....but we are doing Izumi. I am looking forward to your opinion.

 

Izumi was excellent. Great service and food was good and plenty of it. We don't generally eat Japanese food (more Chinese and Indian) so can't really compare it. We both had soup - miso for me and shrimp wonton for DB, followed by firecracker spring rolls and the hot rocks, beef and chicken for DB and sea food for me (mix of salmon, lobster, prawns and scallops) and served with veg and rice and dipping sauces.

 

Played poker in the casino as usual and an early night for me.

 

Looking forward to relaxing in the sun on our sea day tomorrow, will also have some spa time, introduce DB to the roast beef sandwiches and get to see more of the ship. Formal night tomorrow and we're having our final MDR night so must thank our excellent waiter Devon.

 

Our stateroom attendant is Desiree and she has been excellent. Nothing too much trouble and always a smile and hello from her.

 

By the way we are both on the PP drinks package, DB upgraded on day 3 from his beer and wine package. I Probably broke even on the 2nd night :-/

 

Did I mention the Hot dogs on the boardwalk. Well we'll be going back! I had the German one which is lovely and spicy with sauerkraut and onions and DB went for the beef New Yorker (probably not getting the names right but will check when we go again).

 

We haven't done any of the shows so I think you can understand why I wouldn't necessarily choose Allure again, as there is so much going on which we will never take advantage of. However, it really is a beautiful ship with tons to do so if you are sailing her soon - enjoy!

[Paulette3028]

Izumi was excellent. Great service and food was good and plenty of it. We don't generally eat Japanese food (more Chinese and Indian) so can't really compare it. We both had soup - miso for me and shrimp wonton for DB, followed by firecracker spring rolls and the hot rocks, beef and chicken for DB and sea food for me (mix of salmon, lobster, prawns and scallops) and served with veg and rice and dipping sauces.

 

Played poker in the casino as usual and an early night for me.

 

Looking forward to relaxing in the sun on our sea day tomorrow, will also have some spa time, introduce DB to the roast beef sandwiches and get to see more of the ship. Formal night tomorrow and we're having our final MDR night so must thank our excellent waiter Devon.

 

Our stateroom attendant is Desiree and she has been excellent. Nothing too much trouble and always a smile and hello from her.

 

By the way we are both on the PP drinks package, DB upgraded on day 3 from his beer and wine package. I Probably broke even on the 2nd night :-/

 

Did I mention the Hot dogs on the boardwalk. Well we'll be going back! I had the German one which is lovely and spicy with sauerkraut and onions and DB went for the beef New Yorker (probably not getting the names right but will check when we go again).

 

We haven't done any of the shows so I think you can understand why I wouldn't necessarily choose Allure again, as there is so much going on which we will never take advantage of. However, it really is a beautiful ship with tons to do so if you are sailing her soon - enjoy!

 

Thank you for your review of Izumi. One question, was it fixed price or 'a la carte' and price by what you ordered?

 

Either way looking forward to eating there after seeing Chicago next week!

[Deeliteful]

Thank you for your review of Izumi. One question, was it fixed price or 'a la carte' and price by what you ordered

 

A lacarte pricing Paulette, starters etc approx $7, mains (hot Rock) $15 and desserts (we couldn't manage a dessert!) $5. Enjoy.

[Paulette3028]

A lacarte pricing Paulette, starters etc approx $7, mains (hot Rock) $15 and desserts (we couldn't manage a dessert!) $5. Enjoy.

 

That fine...thanks!

[Deeliteful]

Penultimate day :-( slept in really late, 11 am wow! Paid off my cruise bill with my poker winnings which was nice and went for brunch at the Park Cafe - yes more beef sandwiches. They weren't as good as yesterday's but still pretty awesome.

 

Decided to hit the casino for slot tourney and Blackjack tourney, neither of which we have played before but thought it would be fun. Both lost on slots but probably the best workout I have since I boarded - work those bingo wings!

 

Came 3rd in BJ tourney for 7 x entry fee so not bad. Had some late sun following a cup cake and spirited coffee treat. DB now in the spa whilst I do my grocery shopping on the internet. (Unlimited package $161 with my discount and neede by both of us for work, been pretty good signal too).

Then getting ready for 2nd formal night, we're going for drinks on the rising tide bar which looks fun.

 

Will check in later.

Edited June 27, 2014 by Deeliteful

[Deeliteful]

Just in case anyone is still reading! Drinks in the Rising Tide bar pre-dinner and had some formal photos taken - they really put you in some strange positions! Should be a giggle when we see them later today.

Dinner in MDR was excellent yet again. We both had seafood salad, DB went with a corn and pepper soup whilst I had the duck consomme. Seafood main for me - lobster tail and prawns and prime rib for him. All very tasty, Devon - our waiter offered us seconds but we were too full.

Guess what? Yes casino time again! Boring for some but we love it (mainly when we're winning lol)

 

Some real characters at the poker table and managed to make a bit more money there tonight.

 

So today is our final day on the cruise. It has been fabulous butI'll stick with my original comments that I prefer the smaller ships.

 

We have spa treatments today, some sun and Chops tonight.

 

If you're still reading - thanks :-)

[dacsmom]

I am enjoying your review. I cannot wait to try Izumi, it sounds very good.

[cruiseturbo]

Can't wait to hear about your chops dinner! I think they have the new chops menu by now but not sure. Thanks

[Deeliteful]

Well tucked upin bed ready for a day at South Beach tomorrow before flying home in the evening.

Missed breakfast yet again and ate in the windjammer for the 2nd time, enjoyed steak and salad whilst DB had the curry. Had our special spa treatment Razul, fantastic! This involved full face and body scrub, face mask and mud body mask, seating in a steam chamber and then being showered. Wonderful. This spa is the prettiest and best run spa on any ship I have been on. I will try and upload some pics when I get home.

Enjoyed some sun whilst DB watched the World Cup.

Packed :-( and went for our dinner at Chops. Now I'm probably going to disappoint a few a few of you because we didn't eat any meat! I know going to Chops for fish. We both had scallops, followed by lobster. Both were delicious and other diners' steaks looked amazing. Service was excellent, oddly they don't have glasses of champagne on the wine list,only bottles but our waiter went to another bar to get both of my glasses, so great service IMO.

 

The night ended with yet another winning visit to the casino!

 

Once I'm home and over jet lag I'll try and add to the review and post some pics. No food porn though!

For those yet to cruise Allure, enjoy. You'll have a blast. No such thing as a bad cruise IMO

Happy sailing.

 

Pat

[Paulette3028]

Well tucked upin bed ready for a day at South Beach tomorrow before flying home in the evening.

Missed breakfast yet again and ate in the windjammer for the 2nd time, enjoyed steak and salad whilst DB had the curry. Had our special spa treatment Razul, fantastic! This involved full face and body scrub, face mask and mud body mask, seating in a steam chamber and then being showered. Wonderful. This spa is the prettiest and best run spa on any ship I have been on. I will try and upload some pics when I get home.

Enjoyed some sun whilst DB watched the World Cup.

Packed :-( and went for our dinner at Chops. Now I'm probably going to disappoint a few a few of you because we didn't eat any meat! I know going to Chops for fish. We both had scallops, followed by lobster. Both were delicious and other diners' steaks looked amazing. Service was excellent, oddly they don't have glasses of champagne on the wine list,only bottles but our waiter went to another bar to get both of my glasses, so great service IMO.

 

The night ended with yet another winning visit to the casino!

 

Once I'm home and over jet lag I'll try and add to the review and post some pics. No food porn though!

For those yet to cruise Allure, enjoy. You'll have a blast. No such thing as a bad cruise IMO

Happy sailing.

 

Pat

 

As you say -- there is no such thing as a bad cruise. Such is correct. Today we board Allure to have a great time.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[shipshape78]

Well tucked upin bed ready for a day at South Beach tomorrow before flying home in the evening.

 

Thanks for the review! How are you dealing with luggage until your evening flight? I'm facing a 7:30 pm flight after we disembark from the allure in a few weeks and are looking at options.

[Deeliteful]

Have a fabulous time Paulette, I know you will. Do tell us all about it :)

 

Thanks for the review! How are you dealing with luggage until your evening flight? I'm facing a 7:30 pm flight after we disembark from the allure in a few weeks and are looking at options.

Hi Shipshape, we hired a car from Larry's Limos for our trips from port to Miami airport and back (highly recommended by the way, we will definitely use them again) and left our luggage at Miami airport, Central Terminal, Eastern, level 2 then got a cab to South Beach.

 

Cost for our three bags was $26 for the day, you just need to show confirmation of your flights and your passport. Great service. The other thing I have done in the past is take a cruise excursion with RCI so you luggage is in the bus with you but usually they drop you at the airport around 2 ish.

 

At Miami airport now after a lovely day at South Beach. Refreshed and changed in the airport and now waiting to board for first leg of our journey home. We should be home by 4.30 tomorrow(Monday) evening. Looking forward to my own bed and to seeing my beautiful dog, Millie pic attached but upside down for some reason! This face had just been at plants on my garden!

[Deeliteful]

Back in the Uk on the final leg of the journey. Will add more info over next few days and one or two pics.

[Deeliteful]

Does anyone know if you can still order photos after your cruise?

 

Thanks in advance