Pictorial Review: Allure of the Seas Eastern Caribbean

[nekzaadvakil]

Loving your review. We just booked on the Allure for January. We have never been on a large ship before, so looking forward to it. this review is valuable in helping us learn about the ship before sailing. I assume there are several venues for included meals other than the Main Dinning room and the Windjammer?

 

Yes, there are PLENTY of places to eat apart from the MDR and the informal Windjammer Marketplace.

 

In the Royal Promenade, you have 2 options - Sorrentos Pizza and the Cafe Promenade - both complimentary. The cafe is open 24 hours I once grabbed a couple of slices of Pizza at 2PM after finishing from the casino.

 

On the Boardwalk, there is the DogHouse (I can't believe I didn't try this place even once) and the cupcake shop where you get donuts free in the morning. I also believe that Johnny Rockets (also on the boardwalk) is complimentary for breakfast.

 

At Central Park you have the Park Cafe which I thought was excellent.

 

On the pool deck look out for the complimentary ice-creams (Arctic Zone); I absolutely loved them.

 

I think I've put on a couple of pounds just thinking about all these amazing venues spread across the ship. I am going to cellulite hell.

[nekzaadvakil]

The food at the Park Cafe was excellent. I tried the Kummelweck sandwich that nearly every reviewer had raved about. Even though beef is my favorite meat, I was underwhelmed by it. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but I've had better beef. The Tuna sandwiches were excellent and I ate them a couple of times later on the cruise as well. DW had a vegetarian panini type of thing and she also said it was excellent.

 

We then made our way to the Boardwalk for our show that evening - Oceanaria in the Aqua Theatre. The boardwalk looked amazing with the lights on and the sun setting.

 

 

 

 

The show was enjoyable. Some of the divers were really talented. They went right to the top of the ship and dived into the water. Quite unbelievable to see this, let alone on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

 

 

The show lasted for around an hour and we found ourselves in the casino later. Another enjoyable day, was absolutely amazed by the beauty of St. Thomas. Was looking forward to the next day in St. Maarten where we were itching to get to Maho Beach. We had heard so much about the beach with the planes landing just behind, we had seen so many amazing videos and couldn't believe that FINALLY it was our turn to experience it.

 

Next Up: Day 5: St Maarten

[lovelife]

Thanks for taking the time to relay your thoughts and experiences. She's my favorite ship and I'll be back on her in 61 days!!

[nekzaadvakil]

Day 5: St Maarten

 

So, we woke up raring to get out and explore St Maarten and Maho beach. Having read so much about Maho beach and the low flying planes (which I love as well) this was honestly one of the key reasons why we chose the Eastern Caribbean itinerary over the Western/ Southern itineraries.

 

We took a cab to Maho Beach and were there in less than 20 minutes. The beach was alot smaller than we anticipated and pretty crowded as well. But that didn't stop us from jumping right into the water. The water was alot more rough than the waters at Magen's Bay. The planes flying overhead is really something that needs to be experienced. However the sun was really beating down on us and after spending a couple of hours here, we headed back towards the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the folks headed back to the ship, whilst DW, I and others from our group decided to get off at the beach close to our ship. We're so glad we did since this was an amazing beach, probably better than Maho.

 

There were quite a few shops and bars close by which were pretty well priced. We shopped around a bit and also went back into the water at this beach which we enjoyed.

 

[nekzaadvakil]

And here are some more pictures of our day at the beach. Its funny how often you come across real gems like this when you least expect it, when you plan for something totally different, just by exploring a place on foot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We headed back to the ship, a little sun burnt but with over 2 full sea days in front of us, we were not going to let that bother us.

[swim13]

St. Thomas is so beautiful! I want to go back there so bad. I am just loving the pictures of Allure because it is bringing back such good memories! :) Oceanaria was one of my favorite shows on sea ever! Also you are spot on with Park Café. Such a great place for lunch that I actually never went to the Windjammer for lunch on our Allure cruise! :p Your Maho beach pictures look so familiar! ;)

[marcyjane]

Has anyone been in a broad walk balcony # 9213 or # 9211 that might have photos of views.

 

Loving the photo's and review. Have a long wait don't sail Allure til April 2017. :)

[Kayla103]

Loving the review so far! :)

[nekzaadvakil]

Day 6 & Day 7: Sea Days

 

After a couple of port days which we REALLY enjoyed, we were looking forward to having our first ever 2 back-to-back sea days. Having cruised mostly in the Med, with ports so close by, we've never had 2 sea days in a row and while booking this itinerary we loved this since it would give us a chance to really explore this huge ship.

 

I can tell you now, that all plans to 'explore' the ship went out the window. Some of the places like the jacuzzis, casino, solarium, central park, royal promenade and our balcony were so comfortable and so enjoyable, along with the numerous things to do on sea day like the belly flop, bingo, battle of the sexes and shows - you really don't know soon time flies!

 

Here are some pictures of the ship, the amazing views of the ocean and skies from the balcony and some of the ice skating shows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nekzaadvakil]

And some more pictures of the ship and my days lazing around in general...

 

The ice show was quite nice. I remember seeing the Ice show on the Mariner in 2011 and this one was just as good.

 

I had also being eyeing the zip line since day 1 and planned on doing it sometime during the cruise. DW loves rides while I am a big chicken when it comes to these things, unless its over, under or in water.

 

On day 6, they didn't open in the morning due to the weather and we tried again on day 7. We were amongst the very last people that did the zipline, they closed the line 2 people after me.

 

DW went first and did pretty well. She enjoyed it. I was super nervous and I was sure I would chicken out at the last moment. I was all geared up and when my turn finally came, the lady had to give me a nudge. I didn't look down and prayed that my lunch didn't make a re-appearance. Before you know whats happening, you're on the other side. In the end I was quite happy I went ahead and did it. It was quite an experience.

 

Made my way to the casino on the last day and tried my luck at Roulette again. On this day, my sister and her husband had just boarded the Oasis of the seas for their Eastern Caribbean cruise from fort lauderdale so it was fun playing in the casino at the same time (although we were on 2 entirely different ships). My sister and I love playing roulette together. Invariably she wins whatever I end up losing.

 

Managed to keep a memento from the ship casino. They took several of these from me, so I was keeping one.

 

We ate our last dinner of the cruise in our favorite Windjammer since we had eaten in the MDR the night earlier (2nd formal night). The spread was really good and everyone in my group thought that the quality of food was also extremely good. I gorged on burgers, fries and pizza to drown my sorrows. I couldn't believe how soon 7 days had past. Time really flies when you're having fun.

 

 

 

 

 

[marcyjane]

Loving all the photo's your posting. Thanks for giving us all a look at Allure.

[nekzaadvakil]

After 7 days that went past really fast, the dreaded last day of the cruise was upon us. It had been an excellent 7 days, alot more relaxing than our previous European cruises where we were out every single day, exploring each new city on foot.

 

The Allure of the seas lived up to its hype. The ship is absolutely stunning. The various neighborhoods gives its passengers so much to chose from. The Royal Promenade, Solarium and Central Park really stand out. The Boardwalk is also unique in its own way. The shows were excellent, led by MammaMia. The service was absolutely top notch and the food also was comparable to Celebrity (which we love). For the number of people on board, it NEVER felt crowded which was our only worry before we went.

 

The crowd was excellent as well. We've always found Americans the sweetest, most friendly people and having a majority of fun loving Americans on board made the cruise even better.

 

We were thrilled to hear that Royal Caribbean has ordered 2 more Oasis class ships after the Harmony. I'd love to cruise on this class of ship again (depending on the itinerary). I hope to see an Oasis class ship permanently placed in Europe soon.

 

We bid goodbye to the Allure. Usually this is when the depression starts setting in, but with 5N in Vegas followed by a 7N Alaskan cruise coming next, we weren't feeling all that bad.

 

Next up: My detailed pictorial review of our Alaskan cruise on the Explorer of the Seas.

[Aboat1]

What a wonderful review. Thank you so much. Awaiting your Alaska review!

[mjtripper]

Great Review - We board the Allure on Sunday 1st time sailing this class of ship. Looking forward to it!

[Nolefan95]

Great review. I enjoyed reading. Thanks for taking the time!

[nekzaadvakil]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. DW and I really enjoyed our trip on the Allure and have already started planning for a cruise on the Oasis/ Harmony. But hopefully we'll try a Quantum Class ship before that :D

 

P.S. My review of our Alaskan cruise that followed this one is now live. Link in my signature below.

[BettyPC]

Beautiful pictures and great descriptions - I might need to try Alure!

[SusakNole]

Excellent review. Could really capture the excitement and great time you had. We're sailing on Allure in a week and this was a great read to get even more excited for it.

[nekzaadvakil]

Beautiful pictures and great descriptions - I might need to try Alure!

 

Excellent review. Could really capture the excitement and great time you had. We're sailing on Allure in a week and this was a great read to get even more excited for it.

 

Thanks Guys! We can't wait to cruise on an Oasis class ship again.

[gabbiesk]

Excellent and much appreciated review Nick! We are cruising on the Allure on August 14 and your review was super helpful! Enjoy the rest of your vacation!

[Yorkvillain]

Loved the review Nick. Thank you for doing it!

[Yorkvillain]

 

The bar on the pool deck was well stocked and well serviced.

 

 

 

Oh and I love seeing not one but TWO bottles of Tito's Vodka behind the bar. :D

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

Great pictures, thanks we are sailing on Oasis in September, I am sure they aare similar.

 

Brian J

[moonltnite]

Fantastic review! We'll be on the same cruise on the Allure in March. We can't wait!

 

 

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[Surfguyxxx]

Oh and I love seeing not one but TWO bottles of Tito's Vodka behind the bar. :D

 

:D I was looking for the Grey Goose bottles myself :D