Spring break on the Allure...a photo review

[Hydrant328]

Awesome review. We're booked 6/18, with a balcony on deck 10. Already prebooked everything, including my time. Can't wait to beat a chair hog.....!

 

 

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[Sue1260]

Loved, loved loved your review. I also hate the lizards I think they look like snakes with legs (I absolutely hate snakes also) I remember those fun days of sailing with teens every other thing out of their mouths is "your so embarrassing" Now thankfully mine are grow and they are my dogsitters while we are cruising. Allure is definitely on my must cruise list. But for now I'm booked on Breakaway to Bermuda leaving on mother's day.

[aimee0803]

Look, you've had your WHOLE LIFE to spend time with your dad, but you haven't even spent ten minutes with me! I'm sure he'll understand...

 

Personally, I figured he'd love the idea...But alas, I asked...and he said no....

 

We'll just have to plan something even better without him and make him jealous!

 

Sir yes sir! Hopefully this will work...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1992004

 

Woohoo!!! Another one! :bottle-pop:

[bettyboop16]

Okay, so we left off talking about the public bathrooms on Allure. They were very pretty but I like a little variety in design when I'm taking a powder, you know? So, this isn't a comparison review or anything, but I like Celebrity's public toities better than Allures.

 

Anyway, we've already established that I'm a bit weird. Got it. And clearly I have a bizarre sense of smell, because there is another smell I noticed. In. Every. Bathroom.

 

Have you noticed it? Is their bathroom cleaning lady named Mary Jane? Are they taking the POT in potty too seriously? Tell me, have you noticed...that all the bathrooms on Allure...smell like marijuana???

 

I'm guessing it's some sort of sanitizer they use- but holy schnikies, it really, seriously, totally, completely- smells like weed. Everytime I left the bathroom I had a weird craving for Cheetos.

 

Please, tell me someone else has noticed this...

 

 

Now that's funny!!!!:')

[micmacmissy]

I think I'm on my last post, you guys. On very rare occasions, I run out of stuff to say. And that's sort of where I am right now.

 

Overall, this cruise exceeded our expectations. I was expecting the crowds to be tougher to handle and the food to be more mediocre, so those were both pleasant surprises.

 

Highs and Lows...

 

HIGHS

 

⛴ Embarkation, debarkation, organization. They are so efficient in all their processes.

 

Crew. With the exception of the snotty bartenders at the Trellis Bar, the service was really terrific. These people seem to enjoy their jobs, which is nice to see. Snark aside for a minute, RCCL does a great job in this area.

 

Food. Listen up, review readers. If you take as gospel all the stuff you read on these boards, most CC'ers will have you believe that RCCL is serving uninspiring lukewarm slop on a basis so repetitive that people are actually losing weight on cruises. Well, I am here to tell you that THOSE CC'ERS ARE BRATS WHO ARE TAKING CRUISING FOR GRANTED. Yep, go ahead and flame me, but for those of us who are only lucky enough to cruise once every 2-3 years (even those of us who are foodies at home), the food is plenty good! I'm not shopping for it, cooking it, or cleaning it up, and that helps. Imagine cruising so often that you have each menu memorized, and complain about the lack of variety? Come eat at my house, you whiners, and see if you like the 7-night rotation of meatloaf, veggie tacos, pasta, steak, hamburgers, and Chik-Fil-A takeout.

 

Entertainment. I can't believe I'm actually complimenting the entertainment on this ship, because I am a notorious cruise ship entertainment hater. But yep, Allure managed to keep me in my seat for the duration of Oceanaria, Mamma Mia, Blue Planet, Ice Games, AND the Comedy Show. I admit it: I'm a jaded spoiled brat when it comes to this stuff, and I was entertained. Anyone who is even a little less jaded than me will probably love it.

 

☀️ Solarium. This spot was our favorite of the week- and one of the few public place where you can have PEACE and QUIET. (Imagine wanting that on vacation!). We loved how easy it was to access food in the solarium, that little cafe had everything you could possibly need right there. The plunge pool was cold but refreshing, and the hot tubs were not too terribly hot (which was nice). Also quick access to bathrooms (albeit pot-scented ones), and shady tables perfect for reading or cards, and you have a winner in the solarium.

 

Central Park. Loved hanging out here. Even better in the evening with a drink and some live piano...having the specialty restaurants there makes it nice too- nice views of the park.

 

Ship condition. Normally on cruises I don't touch ANYTHING and am super cautious about handrails and stuff. Every surface on this ship was immaculately clean. (Except the MDR menus, which were grubby.)

 

Walking/jogging track. Imagine that....a track you can actually run on! We enjoyed not having to dodge chaise loungers.

[micmacmissy]

Now for the lows. (And really, this is if you force me to come up with a list.)

 

Top 10 List: Most Annoying Things about Allure

-------------------------------------------------------

 

10. The sweaty feet/cheese smell in the promenade.

 

9. Blaring music on pool deck...shhhh!

 

8. Shore excursions purchased through ship was like a cattle call (moo)

 

7. Their Next Cruise office had no big, comprehensive RCCL catalogs like you used to be able to pick up at your travel agent. (I know, everything is available online. But don't act like that giant catalog wasn't your favorite toilet reading material in the pre-iPhone days. I still like a good catalog!)

 

6. Their pool side ice cream machine is not adequate to handle the traffic flow, and is not wiped down often enough, so it looks like a biohazard. (Didn't stop me from sucking a few down, however.) Why don't they have homemade, hard scoop ice cream in the buffet area like Celebrity does?

 

5. There's too much to do, which makes you feel guilty for being lazy.

 

4. Chair hogs. RCCL, step up your game here!

 

3. Balcony chairs need a little footrest. Otherwise I'm forced to put my sweaty dogs up on the balcony glass while I'm reading, leaving behind two size 7 1/2 footprints. (Sorry about that, Edwin.)

 

2. The casino is way too smoky, so much so that I only lost like $50 all week.

 

...and the number one most annoying thing was...

 

1. Not enough ocean view...even though we chilled out on the balcony and the solarium a LOT, we missed ocean views in the bars, restaurants, etc.

Edited May 6, 2017 by micmacmissy
I changed my mind, okay!? Why do I have to answer to you, little editing box?!

[micmacmissy]

So that's it for me, kids. We are very glad we tried this class of ship, I think it's a great one to cross off the bucket list. I think this is a ship that can please a wide variety of people- you really can't go wrong.

 

That said, I'm not sure if we'd do another one on this class. Other cruises I really want to do (nothing booked, because God forbid we have two relaxing vacations in a row) are:

 

-Southern Caribbean leaving out of San Juan - possibly Jewel? Or maybe Celebrity, although they keep paring back those itineraries.)

 

-10 day Ultimate Caribbean on Celebrity Equinox...I just love those long itineraries but can't convince the hubs...

 

-Viking Ocean (not River - new branch of that cruise line) has a round-trip Miami on a ship that looks amazing - really, really want to try this as it looks like an older, richer, more tired crowd (in other words, my kinda people!)

 

-French Polynesia on Paul Gauguin. Just google it and drool. (This catalog is my current toilet read.)

 

-Celebrity Edge, if they can manage to go anywhere other than the Falmouth-Labadee-Cozumel route.

 

Unforunately, inside of having one or more of those cruises already booked, we have these incredible plans:

 

-New HVAC unit for house. Hooray!

-College tuition for kid. Fanta$tic!

-Beach week with the in-laws! (Shoot me)

 

...these are all equally painful ways to spend money.

 

Goodbye for now, friends. Thanks for reading along. I'll check back in case anyone has any questions that I'm not likely to be able to answer.

 

Happy Cruising!

xo,

Missy

[Pipodj1]

Thank you so much for the review! This was seriously the most entertaining review I have ever read. Well done.

 

It's very obvious to me that you are in the wrong line of work, you should explore the opportunity to work for cruise critic and get paid to travel for free and write their reviews.

[Ocean Boy]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the entertainment on the ship. I think that is where the Oasis class ships shine. I always thought the Royal Caribbean singers and dancers shows were cheesy and some of them I just can't stand. When we go back to the Voyager/Freedom class ships after a cruise on one of the big guns it makes those shows seem even more pathetic.

 

Unless something changes, Allure is again up next followed by Freedom. We haven't been aboard Allure since Mamma Mia was added and I'm looking forward to it.

 

Thanks for this thread!

[Jobe20]

Great report. Thanks for all those witty words and helpful hints. Enjoy week with the in laws and spending all that $$ on kids/house!

[Jobe20]

Yes, we booked all the shows ahead of time, including the Ice Games show. The only show we skipped was the Headliner (which was some Elvis impersonator, so I was like Yeahnothanks and skipped that).

 

I think the key to a more relaxing time on this particular ship is pre booking shows. (And consuming copious amounts of alcohol.)

Thanks

Alcohol intake ✅

[dpostman]

���� Food. Listen up, review readers. If you take as gospel all the stuff you read on these boards, most CC'ers will have you believe that RCCL is serving uninspiring lukewarm slop on a basis so repetitive that people are actually losing weight on cruises. Well, I am here to tell you that THOSE CC'ERS ARE BRATS WHO ARE TAKING CRUISING FOR GRANTED. Yep, go ahead and flame me, but for those of us who are only lucky enough to cruise once every 2-3 years (even those of us who are foodies at home), the food is plenty good! I'm not shopping for it, cooking it, or cleaning it up, and that helps. Imagine cruising so often that you have each menu memorized, and complain about the lack of variety? Come eat at my house, you whiners, and see if you like the 7-night rotation of meatloaf, veggie tacos, pasta, steak, hamburgers, and Chik-Fil-A takeout.

 

 

My wife and I feel exactly like you 100%

 

BTW, I live in an area in New-Brunswick Canada, very close by to a Mi'kmaq community. I've had the privilege of working with the health clinic team and a few of their elders to produce health related educational videos on a few occasions. Loved it every time.

 

Thanks gor your very entertaining review. Loved it.

dp

[micmacmissy]

Thank you so much for the review! This was seriously the most entertaining review I have ever read. Well done.

 

It's very obvious to me that you are in the wrong line of work, you should explore the opportunity to work for cruise critic and get paid to travel for free and write their reviews.

 

Aw, you're welcome, Pip. Glad to entertain.

 

And you're right, someone SHOULD pay me to take cruises and write about them. I'll just sit here and wait for that phone call. :confused:

[micmacmissy]

I'm glad that you enjoyed the entertainment on the ship. I think that is where the Oasis class ships shine. I always thought the Royal Caribbean singers and dancers shows were cheesy and some of them I just can't stand. When we go back to the Voyager/Freedom class ships after a cruise on one of the big guns it makes those shows seem even more pathetic.

 

Unless something changes, Allure is again up next followed by Freedom. We haven't been aboard Allure since Mamma Mia was added and I'm looking forward to it.

 

Thanks for this thread!

 

Yes, I think you were one of the folks who came to my defense a couple of cruises back when I dared criticize the fine "Invitation to Dance" show on Indy. :rolleyes:

 

I had never seen Mamma Mia so didn't know the storyline- but the caliber of performers was MUCH better. Wonder why they don't do that across the board?

[micmacmissy]

My wife and I feel exactly like you 100%

 

BTW, I live in an area in New-Brunswick Canada, very close by to a Mi'kmaq community. I've had the privilege of working with the health clinic team and a few of their elders to produce health related educational videos on a few occasions. Loved it every time.

 

Thanks gor your very entertaining review. Loved it.

dp

 

That is so cool! I was shocked to see the Mi'kmaq name in St. Thomas...what are the chances???

[hucifer]

Okay, I don't know what M109A7 Paladin publications are, or why they must be verified, but they sound very important, and probably you should be focusing on your work. Please tell me you aren't an air traffic controller or something. I don't want to be responsible for any international incidents because you're too busy yucking it up on Cruise Critic to do your job! ;) (No, seriously, what the h*ll are Paladin publications???)

OMG, you crack me up.

 

I work for the Department of the Army. I am responsible for the publications that go with the M109A7 Paladin (it's a long-range firing howitzer). Think owner's manual for a tank. The soldiers read the publications and understand how to operate and maintain the vehicles. Google that bad boy. I have the best job ever.

 

Anyway...loving your report and looking forward to reading more.

[hucifer]

Sounds like some pretty serious stuff to me!

 

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/paladin-m109a7-155mm-artillery-system/

Yes! That's my program. Love love love my job.

[hucifer]

So that's it for me, kids. We are very glad we tried this class of ship, I think it's a great one to cross off the bucket list. I think this is a ship that can please a wide variety of people- you really can't go wrong.

 

That said, I'm not sure if we'd do another one on this class. Other cruises I really want to do (nothing booked, because God forbid we have two relaxing vacations in a row) are:

 

-Southern Caribbean leaving out of San Juan - possibly Jewel? Or maybe Celebrity, although they keep paring back those itineraries.)

 

-10 day Ultimate Caribbean on Celebrity Equinox...I just love those long itineraries but can't convince the hubs...

 

-Viking Ocean (not River - new branch of that cruise line) has a round-trip Miami on a ship that looks amazing - really, really want to try this as it looks like an older, richer, more tired crowd (in other words, my kinda people!)

 

-French Polynesia on Paul Gauguin. Just google it and drool. (This catalog is my current toilet read.)

 

-Celebrity Edge, if they can manage to go anywhere other than the Falmouth-Labadee-Cozumel route.

 

Unforunately, inside of having one or more of those cruises already booked, we have these incredible plans:

 

-New HVAC unit for house. Hooray!

-College tuition for kid. Fanta$tic!

-Beach week with the in-laws! (Shoot me)

 

...these are all equally painful ways to spend money.

 

Goodbye for now, friends. Thanks for reading along. I'll check back in case anyone has any questions that I'm not likely to be able to answer.

 

Happy Cruising!

xo,

Missy

Missy,

 

Thank you for taking the time to write your trip report. I was late to the game, but I absolutely loved your review. Can't wait to read the others.

 

In September, I am going solo on the Allure (ticker won't seem to reflect the actual countdown). It is my first time on a ship in this class, and your review was very informative.

 

I googled Paul Gaugin. Thanks for that. Now I have a new bucket item that will never be fulfilled.

 

Oh, and sorry about the beach visit with the in-laws. I am recently divorced and no longer have to deal with mine! (Yay me!)

 

Keep writing, please. :)

[asdjl]

I traveled alone with 3 kids (13, 11, 8) booked 2 cabins, direct with rc. They allowed the booking in 2 balconies. I think they fudge the birthdate of one of the kids until boarding in order to make the booking. However they did it, they allowed it. The only line I found that absolutely would not all was Disney

 

 

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[givory]

Hey there! Hope you enjoyed your cruise! My husband and I are just off the Liberty of the Seas, saw your ship in Cozumel, we were neighbors [emoji23] I enjoyed the horn wars the captains were doing

 

 

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[TimeToGetNauti]

Love your review. Since I was on in March I was able to relive all the stuff I missed. I am also looking at the southern out of San Juan on jewel. I've done it before and had a blast.

[BullDawg91]

Loved your review! We're going on Allure in 2 weeks with our teen and almost teen. Same cabin though. We might regret that. I think I'll miss the ocean views.

 

 

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[gsuoumu]

���� Food. Listen up, review readers. If you take as gospel all the stuff you read on these boards, most CC'ers will have you believe that RCCL is serving uninspiring lukewarm slop on a basis so repetitive that people are actually losing weight on cruises. Well, I am here to tell you that THOSE CC'ERS ARE BRATS WHO ARE TAKING CRUISING FOR GRANTED. Yep, go ahead and flame me, but for those of us who are only lucky enough to cruise once every 2-3 years (even those of us who are foodies at home), the food is plenty good! I'm not shopping for it, cooking it, or cleaning it up, and that helps. Imagine cruising so often that you have each menu memorized, and complain about the lack of variety? Come eat at my house, you whiners, and see if you like the 7-night rotation of meatloaf, veggie tacos, pasta, steak, hamburgers, and Chik-Fil-A takeout.

 

Amen! Preach, sista!

 

I always scoff at the idea that there's not enough variety on these ships. Maybe I just don't cruise enough (about once a year), but every year the wife and I go on our week long cruise and I don't think I ever eat the same thing twice unless I have to. And I'm always pretty pleased. Sometimes I find something I don't really like, but that's no more than what would happen on land. It makes me wonder if these people have a personal chef at home to cook them brand new meals.

[LuCruise]

Amen! Preach, sista!

 

I always scoff at the idea that there's not enough variety on these ships. Maybe I just don't cruise enough (about once a year), but every year the wife and I go on our week long cruise and I don't think I ever eat the same thing twice unless I have to. And I'm always pretty pleased. Sometimes I find something I don't really like, but that's no more than what would happen on land. It makes me wonder if these people have a personal chef at home to cook them brand new meals.

 

Same here. You'll hear lots of complaints of the MDR, but we quite enjoyed it. Sure, there was the odd dish that we didn't love, but overall, it was great. We didn't feel a need to try a specialty restaurant. And ships like Allure have tons of variety. We needed more days to try every place.

[indy71]

I Come eat at my house, you whiners, and see if you like the 7-night rotation of meatloaf, veggie tacos, pasta, steak, hamburgers, and Chik-Fil-A takeout.

 

Oh, my gosh! I actually laughed out loud about the 7-night rotation. Mine looks similar! I'm like you, if I don't have to decide on it, cook it and clean up after it, I'm on board! Seriously, I loved your review. I noticed you didn't have much bad to say about going during Spring Break (except the Boardwalk). My mom and I are going next year during Spring Break, and I was wondering how it would be kid-wise. Thanks again!

(Oops, looks like I need to update my signature. We're going on Oasis next spring.)