Lady Allure #5

[lovelife]

This is my take on the 8/21 Allure sailing. There are tons of Allure photos and reviews out there (including my own) so this one will be brief with just a few photos.

 

ABOUT US

 

We are a mature Diamond Plus couple on our 46th cruise - 36 with RCCL. This was our fifth time on Allure, my favorite ship.

 

PRE-CRUISE

 

After flying into Ft. Lauderdale the day before departure we spent the night at Embassy Suites. With the included breakfast, free evening cocktails, and close proximity to shopping, dining, the airport, and cruise port, this is our hotel of choice pre-cruise.

 

 

 

 

She's here bright and early. From our balcony.

 

 

DEPARTURE DAY

 

We arrived by taxi about 11 a.m. and expected after reading others in suites had special baggage handling that we would also, but it was just like everyone else’s. In fact, by that evening we still didn’t have our luggage so I went searching for it down the hallway and found it in front of a cabin ten doors down. Check in was a breeze and we went to the suite area to wait. Next to us was a separate area for the folks in Star Class. I was anxious to watch the genies come and get their peeps but it never happened – like us, they were told to get in line and walk out just ahead of us.

 

ON BOARD

 

We headed to the suite lounge but lunch was not available yet. As everyone knows by now, to get a seat at Park Cafe on embarkation day, you must head there immediately. We did and were among the first ones there. We easily found a seat, but when leaving the place was packed. Had my favorite Asian noodles and shrimp.

 

EXPLORING THE SHIP

 

We did a little exploring while waiting for our cabin to become available which happened exactly at 1:00 p.m.

 

 

CABIN

 

We had grand suite 8660. It was wonderful and had one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on. One big issue was the balcony had no loungers. There were two straight back chairs.

 

 

When we met our great suite attendant, Marcia, later in the day she advised on this ship the grand suite next to ours could have loungers but ours could not. Surely you jest!!!! We had grand suite 9660 (directly above) previously and it had loungers as has all our grand suites. This seemed so ridiculous. I refused to accept that so she asked her supervisor for special permission to give us loungers and brought two of the nasty ones from the pool deck. She added them to the other furniture and it was crowded and a chore maneuvering out there.

 

IMG_7283

 

DINING

 

Breakfasts were in Coastal Kitchen, Windjammer, Park Café, MDR, Wipeout Café, and Johnny Rockets (which was best).

 

Lunches were in Park Café, Boardwalk Dog House, Windjammer, Solarium (best), and Barefoot Beach on Labadee (yummy).

 

Dinners were in MDR (only two nights and very good), Windjammer, Giovanni’s (best), and Coastal Kitchen (one dinner served cold and the second on lobster night they didn’t even take it out of the shell like they do in the MDR – I know, that should be the least of my worries, but boy did I have difficulty getting it out!).

 

One evening in the Windjammer they had crepes. So very delicious!

 

 

We enjoyed our BOGO milkshakes at Johnny Rockets.

[troykahack]

Following We are in 8654 soon... but not soon enough..

 

I don't remember is you mentioned if it was Eastern or Western cruise? How many ports was the Starboard side the best position for docking view?

 

Looking over the pier runners and port cities.

[lovelife]

ENTERTAINMENT

 

Oasis class ships have the best entertainment at sea IMO. Oceanaria was as good as ever. Mama Mia was excellent and just as good as on Quantum and although very long, the time flew by. Blue Planet was still terrific (but the rude people behind us never shut up the entire time – why go to the show if you aren’t going to pay attention?). Guest entertainer Marcus Terell and the Serenades was good. The Comedy Club was a hoot – absolutely side-splitting. Ice games was dazzling as usual.

 

 

 

 

Let Me Entertain You was also enjoyable.

 

 

Surprisingly, I didn’t see a listing for the normal glow party. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but I did not see it in the Compass.

 

Cruise director Tim Connor was pretty good.

 

PORTS

 

Labadee:

 

As suite guests we were privy to Barefoot Beach with the wonderful upgraded barbecue. Those seafood skewers were some of the best food I had all week and DH enjoyed a couple steaks. We had a wonderful time in the water and relaxing.

 

 

 

Falmouth:

 

We shopped a little within the port area and then were able to enjoy the ship pools and hot tubs sans the crowds.

 

Cozumel:

 

We took a taxi to downtown since we hadn’t been down there for many years. Still the same and no reason to go back.

[lovelife]

Following We are in 8654 soon... but not soon enough..

 

I don't remember is you mentioned if it was Eastern or Western cruise? How many ports was the Starboard side the best position for docking view?

 

Looking over the pier runners and port cities.

 

Western. I think starboard for ports but that could change per sailing. Maybe someone else can remember for sure. Hopefully you'll get loungers!

[lovelife]

Some random shots:

 

Sea Day

 

 

 

 

Zumba in the Promenade

 

 

 

One of several towel animals

 

 

 

Solarium Sunset - I must say it was way too hot to stay in there during the day

 

 

 

Love the Boardwalk!

 

[Lionesss]

We sailed just two weeks before you on August 7.

 

But, I must say you have a keen eye with your pictures......

 

BEAUTIFUL

 

You have captured the ship areas in a unique way.

 

 

Waiting more.

 

Thanks

[troykahack]

Western. I think starboard for ports but that could change per sailing. Maybe someone else can remember for sure. Hopefully you'll get loungers!

 

Thank you, we did the Western on Oasis and our cruise on Allure is Eastern. We have a Starboard side GS on Allure but Port Side on 3 other cruises. We will get the side right sooner or later. I know it is always possible the ships may dock bow in or aft in, I just wonder how often they ships stick with a docking plan.

Edited September 9, 2016 by troykahack

[lovelife]

More Random Shots:

 

Interesting Sky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL

 

This was one HOT cruise and I mean weather-wise. Of course it was August. Just about every area of the ship was really warm.

 

The complimentary VOOM was virtually useless on my smartphone in all areas of the ship. I couldn’t even get on RCCL’s site one time the entire week (had to go to the business center to get on). I only got through to check my e-mails once. Big disappointment.

 

I finally saw a genie in the theater one night waiting on the Star Class pax to show up and claim their seats. The genies are dressed nothing like depicted on the website. They are very casual with their shirttails out and not dressy at all. Certainly not a complaint from me, just an observation. The front row of the suite section in the theater is reserved for Star Class (and believe me they have paid for any perks they get). One night a Pinnacle was giving the genies a royal fit asking, since she had been on over a hundred cruises, why Star Class should get a better seat than she got. I felt for the genies. I actually prefer the second row from the front of the suite section since I’m too short to see over the rail.

 

There were a good many children on board and some were pretty wild. As usual, we saw very small children alone in the pools and hot tubs. For a long while we watched one in particular who looked around three to four years old all alone. She pulled all the cones out of the ice cream station and threw them on the floor and then ran around a while and went into the pool alone. I’ll never understand how parents can let their precious small children run free on a ship. Each pool and hot tub on the pool deck had a crew member standing watch.

 

Children were in the suite lounge at all hours (with adults). Some were loud and disruptive but neither the parents nor concierges said anything to them of course.

 

The suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen on Oasis class are really nice areas. The concierge never said a word to us all week although he went around chatting up others in the lounge and Coastal Kitchen. I tried saying hello to him but he didn’t even look up from what he was reading. He was the same way in the former Allure concierge lounge on previous sailings. We usually only go to the suite lounge for a latte in the morning or to relax during the day. The two times we went in the evening we did not get waited on after ten minutes while the waiters visited certain tables repeatedly so we just left and used the complimentary drinks loaded on our sea passes.

 

This sailing was extremely smooth; I never once felt movement.

 

DEPARTURE

 

As a suite guest, we took advantage of the complimentary luggage valet. We had a choice of three departure times and were escorted off the ship and down to the end of the customs line where we were turned loose into the masses.

 

I am always in awe of Oasis Class ships whenever I step onboard. They are real engineering marvels.

 

Overall this was a great sailing and we can’t wait for our next!

 

Love you Allure -

 

[lovelife]

We sailed just two weeks before you on August 7.

 

But, I must say you have a keen eye with your pictures......

 

BEAUTIFUL

 

You have captured the ship areas in a unique way.

 

 

Waiting more.

 

Thanks

 

Thanks much. Love Allure!

[stickyshocker]

Lovelife,

.. about the shows, they say i don't need reservations so how does this work out at the entrance to the venue?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lovelife]

Lovelife,

.. about the shows, they say i don't need reservations so how does this work out at the entrance to the venue?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

If you are in a full suite, you do not need reservations for any show except the Comedy Club (definitely book that in advance). Just show up at least 20 minutes before the start and show your Sky or Star Class (or Pinnacle) sea pass to the crew member at the door and head to the section reserved for suites if you wish. Enjoy!

[kalliekae]

Enjoying your pictures especially the sky picture! We love the Allure, too.

[cruiser82]

Thank you for your review. Was there a charge for the Zumba in the promenade?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[lovelife]

Enjoying your pictures especially the sky picture! We love the Allure, too.

 

Thanks very much!

 

 

Thank you for your review. Was there a charge for the Zumba in the promenade?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

I wouldn't think there is a charge for Zumba. People were just dropping by and joining. Saw it another day too. A couple very little girls looked like they had done it before!

[cruiser82]

Thanks very much!

 

 

 

 

I wouldn't think there is a charge for Zumba. People were just dropping by and joining. Saw it another day too. A couple very little girls looked like they had done it before!

 

Thank you!

[cruzin76]

Enjoyed your review and pictures, thanks for sharing.

[lovelife]

Enjoyed your review and pictures, thanks for sharing.

 

My pleasure!

[troykahack]

Yes, thank you so much for sharing

[CatMom7]

Thanks for the review and great photos. We sail on Allure this Sunday.

 

Question on debarkation - as a suite guest, did the concierge take you to a separate area for suite luggage pickup and line for customs?

[lovelife]

Yes, thank you so much for sharing

 

You are welcome.

 

Thanks for the review and great photos. We sail on Allure this Sunday.

 

Question on debarkation - as a suite guest, did the concierge take you to a separate area for suite luggage pickup and line for customs?

 

We used the complimentary luggage valet so did not have to pick up luggage. The concierge led us off the ship and passed us over to a pier worker who took us down to the lower terminal. We were not asked if we had luggage but just turned loose into the rest of the crowd when we got to the end of the customs line. Have a great cruise!

[sdpete]

Don't think it was zumba. It was the flash mob dance practice and final performance. My wife participated on our last Allure cruise and enjoyed it.

[lovelife]

Don't think it was zumba. It was the flash mob dance practice and final performance. My wife participated on our last Allure cruise and enjoyed it.

 

Yes, I've watched those flash mob dances on previous cruises. This one was listed in the Compass as Zumba.