ThePosse Posted February 19, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 19, 2018 My wife and I and our two kids (8 & 4) will be sailing on Royal Caribbean for the first time as we will be on the Allure of the Seas in August. Just wondering what you experienced folks think of the ship and what are some of the can't misses for the trip. The kids are super excited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 19, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Aquatheater show and ice skating show. Make all available pre-cruise entertainment reservations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgiles Posted February 19, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Check these: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2598393&highlight=allure https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2584704&highlight=allure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePosse Posted February 19, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Awesome! Thanks for the help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hgiles Posted February 19, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Awesome! Thanks for the help My wife and I just got back from a January 28 trip on the Allure. It's our favorite ship. You will have a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted February 19, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Great ship to introduce you to RCI. Do not miss the shows in the Aqua Theater. As for the ice shows, see "How to Train Your Dragon." The kids will love it and it is even better than the main ice show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePosse Posted February 19, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted February 19, 2018 We are excited as it’s a big family trip with my parents celebrating their 50th anniversary so a total of 10 us are going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one9marine Posted February 19, 2018 #8 Share Posted February 19, 2018 kids will like the Boardwalk. 6th floor aft. also that is where the amphitheater is. For Mom and Dad a nice mexican place (Rita's i think). Good guac and drinks. Also Johnny Rockets and The Smokehouse (hot dogs, brats, and sausages). Central Park on the 8th floor is a nice oasis. Park Cafe is nice. Rising tide bar goes from 5th to 5th floors. Kinda neat for the ride. The little one will enjoy the Kids Zone on the pool deck If i had to choose Allure is my favorite. Oasis basically the same except we like the eating options better on Allure. Happy cruising! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePosse Posted February 19, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Great stuff. Thanks Woody Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pstreet12 Posted February 19, 2018 #10 Share Posted February 19, 2018 With such a large group, make your reservations on line (in cruise planner which you can click on under your booking number) as soon as possible. I recommend making the entertainment reservations first and planning the eating times around the entertainment. There are a few afternoon ice shows--probably better for the kids because some of them are fairly late on the evening schedule. For your large group, once you have booked the entertainment, you can write Royal and ask specifically for a table for 10. I'm sure you already have, but sometimes a second request before boarding gets better results. Once you are on board, go to the dining room--soon after boarding--and check the table you have been assigned (on your sea pass card). If it turns out not to be a table for 10, get in line immediately to explain your need and get it changed. The sooner you are in line, the more chance of getting it fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmurray847 Posted February 19, 2018 #11 Share Posted February 19, 2018 With such a large group, make your reservations on line (in cruise planner which you can click on under your booking number) as soon as possible. I recommend making the entertainment reservations first and planning the eating times around the entertainment. There are a few afternoon ice shows--probably better for the kids because some of them are fairly late on the evening schedule.For your large group, once you have booked the entertainment, you can write Royal and ask specifically for a table for 10. I'm sure you already have, but sometimes a second request before boarding gets better results. Once you are on board, go to the dining room--soon after boarding--and check the table you have been assigned (on your sea pass card). If it turns out not to be a table for 10, get in line immediately to explain your need and get it changed. The sooner you are in line, the more chance of getting it fixed. THIS right here is all great advice! DO try to book all the reservations you can in advance, given the size of the group. One thing that confused us a little was the ability to only book one night at the Comedy Club. We like Comedy, so we wanted to go all the time. But when we got on the ship, we learned that it's the same act each night. (Should have guessed...it's a small club.) It's NOT for kids, but if the adults like comedy, do be sure to reserve in advance. There are two ice shows, and you can reserve only for the "main" one. Do that...but don't ignore the "How To Train Your Dragon" show that will be announced once you're onboard. And for the kids, keep an eye out in your daily program for character parades and other appearances by folks like Shrek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted February 19, 2018 #12 Share Posted February 19, 2018 There is an ice show and water show that can be reserved. Do those. You can also go to later shows but won't be able to get reservations - if you want to do this just show up 45 minutes early and get in non-reservation line. In our case the headliner was Ronn Lucas but couldn't make a second reservation. When we got to the theater they had plenty of space and we didn't have to wait in the non-reservation line. The second ice show "How to Train Your Dragon" is better and doesn't need reservations. Likewise the "Let You Entertain Me" water show with King Julian is during the day and great for kids. No reservations either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePosse Posted February 19, 2018 Author #13 Share Posted February 19, 2018 This is great advice everybody. Can’t thank you all enough. It’s been 9 years since we’ve been on a cruise so it’s time to get going again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand PooBah Posted February 19, 2018 #14 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Don't miss the 80's party, usually on Wednesday in the Promenade. Get there early, it fills up fast. If you like late night dancing, great show band in Dazzles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Cruz Chic Posted February 19, 2018 #15 Share Posted February 19, 2018 We are excited as it’s a big family trip with my parents celebrating their 50th anniversary so a total of 10 us are going Congrats to your parents! Its a huge milestone. We just did that last year July (Allure) for our 50th anniversary taking the family there were 10 of us. The grands loved, loved, loved Labadee and deck 15 sports court. Everyone enjoyed being together every night at dinner talking about their days activities and what plans were on tap for the next day. OP...you'll love the Allure!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePosse Posted February 19, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted February 19, 2018 This is exactly what we are hoping for! Congratulations to you and your husband on 50 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffy116 Posted February 19, 2018 #17 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Don't miss the Quest if this is your first cruise. It's late at night and is ADULT only, and HILARIOUS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadeycat Posted February 20, 2018 #18 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Wipe out cafe has a great breakfast. Solarium cafe is also a nice place for lunch instead of the Windjammer. Loved the Central Park for evening strolls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
js Posted February 20, 2018 #19 Share Posted February 20, 2018 When are you sailing. We are a family of 19 and sailing August 12. Cannot wait. We are three days shy of Diamond on RCCL but never sailed the Oasis class. Our ages range from 11-72. This ship seems to have it all for all ages! We have balcony cabins on Decks 6-8. Happy planning! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinforabruising Posted February 20, 2018 #20 Share Posted February 20, 2018 We will be headed on our 4th trip to the Allure in May. 1st time no kids, second 3 and 10month old, third 2 and 5 year old, fourth and upcoming no kids. The adventure ocean program is great. You can drop the kids off early on some nights and they will feed them while you go to dinner or they have a program that they will get the kids from the dining room early while you finish your meal in peace. We've also done it on port days that we have left our kids on the ship while we go tool around on St. Martin (Just know the kids staff have no way of contacting you if something goes wrong). Make your reservations ahead of time is a great suggestion but also be prepared to be flexible some of the shows run later so depending on how your kids are with bed time melt downs be prepared to just head back to the room. There is in room child care available but that is on a first come first serve availability so be sure to book that early on day 1 if you intend on using it. Lastly, don't try to do everything. The ship is so big and has so many things to do that you will exhaust yourself trying to do them all (Nobody needs vacations from their vacation). Relax and don't feel guilty for dropping the kids off at adventure ocean. They will have a better time than you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastback89 Posted February 20, 2018 #21 Share Posted February 20, 2018 We sailed on Allure in July for the last 2 summers and this is a great ship, I would pre book all the shows for sure. Great food and fun stuff to do everywhere on this ship. We are sailing on Oasis this July to try something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Cruz Chic Posted February 20, 2018 #22 Share Posted February 20, 2018 This is exactly what we are hoping for! Congratulations to you and your husband on 50 years TYVM! If I could offer a couple suggestions..... We did a black shirt night for pictures, turned out very nice. My son surprised us with custom T shirts with our name and occasion, it was fun for all of us to wear them on the same day, it made great photo shoots around the ship. One other thing I did was to have one "date" with each grandchild at their favorite place on the ship, I did mini golf date, an ice cream date and a carousel date. They loved it. *** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROXY GIRL Posted February 21, 2018 #23 Share Posted February 21, 2018 So excited for you. Cruising is the best vacation you will ever have. Allure is for all ages. WE were on her about 3 years ago and loved it. Something for everyone. HAVE A BLAST :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruzOMA Posted March 1, 2018 #24 Share Posted March 1, 2018 With 10 people for sure figure out how you will communicate with each other during the day. Maybe have a daily outline of events and designated meeting times/spots. We were on Allure two weeks ago, there were six of us and it was a pain trying to stay in touch. They do offer VOOM communication but at $16/day each that really is expensive for a big group. FYI - you will see post-it notes on cabin doors recommended but from experience Allure is a BIG ship. Walking to a cabin just to find that someone is somewhere else is going to get old in a hurry. Have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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