Allure Star Class - first and maybe continuing impressions 5/29

[Merion_Mom]

I had to cut my last post short because the show was starting and I was front row.

 

The Jazz on 4 venue is really nice. And getting to see the Mamma Mia cast in that setting was very cool. Andrew, thanks once again for suggesting something. I never would have paid attention to.

 

But first, can someone please identify this towel animal? A snake with a scarf ? A four legged bird? Huh?

 

 

 

I'm gonna go with "seated ostrich." :D

[Merion_Mom]

Mouse & Squirrel? Seriously??? Two rodents?!?!??! :eek:

[MattInFLL]

Mouse & Squirrel? Seriously??? Two rodents?!?!??! :eek:

 

 

 

Ostrich was my first thought. But they have 2 legs. Still stumped.

 

Oh. And Ron corrected me. MOOSE and squirrel. :)

[MattInFLL]

Almost forgot. Tonight when we got back to the cabin after the show, there was an extremely personalized gift(s) waiting for us with a lovely note from Francesco and Rainier. They clearly read the questionnaire and this is definitely not the usual Royal gift/amenity. A really nice Genie touch.

 

I thought tomorrow's cocktail party would be the special touch so this was a nice surprise.

[A&L_Ont]

Ostrich was my first thought. But they have 2 legs. Still stumped.

 

Oh. And Ron corrected me. MOOSE and squirrel. :)

 

Could it be a giraffe seated like a dog?

 

Enjoy Cozumel Matt. We did a jeep tour our first time there, to the far side of the island and drove the shore to a beach spot. It was great. Hopefully you have the same great experience.

 

From your description your friends put on a great show. Were they on board the whole time or did they join the ship thru the cruise, possibly in Falmouth? I would think they are having just as much fun on board as you are. Enjoy your last few days.

[Bellyflopchamp]

Looks like you are having a great time. Enjoy the Jeep tour. As for the towel animal, I would guess ant eater maybe? They are pretty goofy looking like that thing.

[MattInFLL]

I had signed up for a private Jeep

Tour through Cozumel shore excursions . Net. I basically paid the same rate as a couple ($138). You meet right outside the pier in the sports store almost directly across the street. They didn't know quite what to do with me as a single traveler but after a call to the main office they sorted it out.

 

Side note - they are expanding international pier. They are building a whole new set of stores.

 

Anyway Sergio was my guide and the taxi unions make you drive the jeep in or out of the city. You must be able to drive a stick! I love manual trannies so no problem for me. The jeeps can be a little old but it was fine. Since I've been to Cozumel so often there were only a few things I wanted to do. I always want to drive to the east side. I also wanted to see the lighthouse and do the chocolate tour. I really liked the chocolate tour. For some reason I never knew the Mayans were so responsible for the development of chocolate.

 

We finished at a west side beach side restaurant for the included lunch. I had chicken quesadilla and it was tasty. I had a good day with Sergio and would recommend him.

 

We were out for 4 hours which was plenty for me. Then a stop at my favorite pier store, Los Cincos Soles for some gift trinkets.

 

 

Sergio and the Jeep

[Merion_Mom]

Ostrich was my first thought. But they have 2 legs. Still stumped.

 

Oh. And Ron corrected me. MOOSE and squirrel. :)

 

Oh, MUCH better.

 

Clearly, they mean this:

 

[MattInFLL]

Oh, MUCH better.

 

 

 

Clearly, they mean this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly.

 

The smokers bar - which is outside under the helipad and pretty dark and hot - is called the Britto bar because there's a huge Britto mural in front of it only for the crew to see. (Funny now that there are no more Britto stores on the ships.) There's also a dance club and another large bar behind the theatre. Most of the crew use the pub or the Britto. They pay about $1.50 for a cocktail btw.

 

Oh - and they pay for Voom access. I can't remember exactly what the sheet said, but it was basically month passes that seemed reasonable. We saw the rec rooms where they pay ping pong etc and they have a room of computer terminals. Those might be free for them.

[MattInFLL]

Tonight was a full night. Cocktails in our suite for our friends. Followed by 150 CP. then Blue planet. And now the absolut 20 deck/white party.

 

Cocktails were awesome. Our Genie earned his tip. He took care of everything and added details like you would expect. Such as they brought chips in small bags like for a box lunch. And had them bring proper bowls. They also did an amazing job on the anniversary cake we ordered - which was delicious. Our bartender was Rinrin who I have gotten to know through the cruise and I was glad it was her. She took very good care of us.

 

We got to 150 CP just in time. And they accommodated our request to do it in 90 mins. Best mix of flavors and service on board yet.

 

We rushed to blue planet. Thanks to Genie seating we got in no problem. The first 3 rows behind the sound board on deck 4 are suite/pinnacle. I would prefer in front of the sound board. Oh well.

 

Blue Planet was meh. Some great moments in a sea of clumsy and badly mixed vocals. The singers have better voices than they processed. Would not go again.

 

 

Carnival Dream trying to overtake us leaving Cozumel.

 

150 Central Park

 

Edited June 4, 2016 by MattInFLL

[MattInFLL]

Better perspective of the great job they did on the cake we ordered for our friends.

 

 

One more tidbit. There's a roped off VIP Star Class seating section for the white party, just off the dance floor. I only see a plum card sign. And no, I'm not going in. I'd rather be in the mix at the bar.

Edited June 4, 2016 by MattInFLL

[Merion_Mom]

Beautiful!

[A&L_Ont]

What a great day Matt. Congrats to your friends as well. The cake looks delicious and the dining table was the perfect set up for your party. As for Blue Planet we went once and that was enough for us. It was interesting once but we haven't done the show repeatedly on return cruises.

 

Matt, you know you are killing me with the cabin pics.;) I'm checking a few times a day to see if 1720 comes available for our short booked August cruise. We are just two rooms away in 1724, but I will miss it for our family of three. I'm not even worried about the Genie perks, it's the balcony and extra space that I will pine for. Nicer cabins are available, but they don't have that aft view that you know I need.

 

Enjoy your final day on the ship with all your friends. With all the special moments you have mentioned this cruise is one for the books!:)

 

Andrew

[cruisemeister8]

I'm checking a few times a day to see if 1720 comes available for our short booked August cruise. We are just two rooms away in 1724, but I will miss it for our family of three.

 

Matt,

 

I have been following this thread all week, and I've really enjoyed your pictures and perspective. Really? Is it the last day already???? Every trip I follow, I dread the empty "last day" feeling online as much as I do on board. Anyway, I look forward to your final pics and thoughts.

 

Andrew,

 

I followed your last trip, too. I can see why you miss "your room." Did you know that you can be put on the waiting list for a particular cabin number? That way you don't have to check several times per day. IF, and only if, that cabin becomes available for whatever reason, Royal will contact you and ask if you are still interested in moving rooms. It's worked for us. (Thank you whoever cancelled and got out of "our room." It was a lovely trip.) Just call Royal and ask to be waitlisted for 1720. It doesn't affect your current reservation. Then hope for the best.

Edited June 4, 2016 by cruisemeister8

[MattInFLL]

Yes, the last day is always bittersweet. But all good things.... Ron is ready to go home. In a good way. He thinks it was a perfect cruise but 7 days was enough. Of course I could easily do another week.

 

Andrew I totally understand why you like this cabin so much. And of course the added benefit of the view.

 

I got to see Tom's GLS and that would be great also. But totally different vibes.

 

We got up very late today. And I'm always concerned the cabin guys are waiting. Not an issue on this ship. They definitely schedule with the idea people on 17 are going to sleep in or enjoy their cabins more. Their shift does not seem to start until after 9 on sea days.

 

We wanted a very light lunch so we popped into CK. Leilani our waitress has been a smiling ray of sunshine all week.

 

After lunch we asked Francesco to stop by to go over departures. He also has a copy of the bill so that you can identify any problem charges and he fixes them.

 

For departure. You have to be out of the cabins by 9. You can then use Vintages as a departure lounge until 10 if you need to. We opted to just be out at 9. Bags need to be out by 8:30. Franky will pick us up at 9 and escort us directly to customs in the terminal where our bags will be waiting. He says it's the part guests seem to like best the whole week. :)

 

We took the opportunity to hand Franky his "envelope" for the week. Originally we were going to tip what seems to be many's consensus. About $50 day since he's not acting as a butler. But he did such a good job on the party and really ran it for us, so we went higher. Hopefully he will be pleased, as we have really enjoyed the experience.

 

Spa appointment next. More pics later.

[jaspercat]

Wow -- great looking cake! I'm hungry:) Nice presentation they did and table layout.

 

 

Andrew --- I can understand why you love this cabin! It is awesome and that view!! (I can only dream of staying in it:))

[MattInFLL]

Suite sun deck:

 

Bye bye great cabin

 

[MattInFLL]

For Andrew:

 

 

 

Random Solarium shot. The lunch in the solarium cafe was basically windjammer lite. Park Cafe seems exactly like the cafe 270 on Anthem.

 

[MattInFLL]

Best of the best passenger Flowrider voting:

 

 

The girl on the far left was the clear winner, although her biggest trick seemed to be soaking the audience :)

 

The Staff Flow Show:

 

I got there a little late so I didn't have the best vantage point.

 

Edited June 4, 2016 by MattInFLL

[A&L_Ont]

Matt, Owen and I want to say thanks for the flow riding photos. Also, thanks for the Genie disembarkation info as well as the tip parameters. I really loved Tom's cabin when we toured it but the aft is way for me.

 

Enjoy the final evening and if you don't report back tonight I wish you and your friends a safe trip home.

 

Andrew

[terkov]

We are sailing same room 8/21. First RC cruise ever! I have to know now that it is over was star class worth the extra$$? What was your favorite perk? Safe travels!!!!

[Merion_Mom]

I love the Solarium Bistro for lunch.

 

LOVE the "gazpacho bar".

[MattInFLL]

I will have more to say after we disembark and I reflect.

 

Andrew - glad to give you guys a taste of "home". It was a good show too.

 

As for tipping - because I've worked in restaurants and bars and as a hotel bellman and concierge - I'm just really sensitive about tipping. It takes just awful service for me to tip less than 20% in a restaurant. I just know everyone has bad days.

 

Anyway I think we were very generous with Ranier and Keith. Ranier had to squeegee the deck after a passing squall before the cocktail party and Keith had extra work doing a mini clean before the party. Plus they were just so damn pleasant. Anyway I told Ron if our towel animals were hanging by a noose we'd know something was wrong :)

 

But funny enough, the towel animal did look like a giant axe. But then I figured out it was a sting ray :)

 

Tonight was Giovanni's. Food excellent as always. But the service was off tonight. It did not spoil our moods.

[MattInFLL]

Oh. Forgot to say - we asked about the mystery animal. They don't know either. It's on their "list". They call it the creature ! :)

[Merion_Mom]

oh. Forgot to say - we asked about the mystery animal. They don't know either. It's on their "list". They call it the creature ! :)

That is so funny that THEY have no idea, either! LOL

Edited June 5, 2016 by Merion_Mom