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ALLURE // LIVE REVIEW / Sept. 2-9 Sail Away With Meee?

Megtheblackbelt
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pilotboy1985

pilotboy1985

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I'm enjoying your review.

My husband and I are both Millennials and will be joined by my parents at the end of this month on an eastern Allure cruise... so, we're in a similar "boat" as you :)

This will be our 2nd time on Allure and am learning stuff from you!

 

We bought the Refreshment package (last year we just used the Diamond Drink vouchers) so, other than milkshakes, let me know if you find any other cool drinks to get with the package. :)

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ramja96

ramja96

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We bought the Refreshment package (last year we just used the Diamond Drink vouchers) so, other than milkshakes, let me know if you find any other cool drinks to get with the package. :)

 

You can also get custom smoothies in the Vitality Spa - or so I hear .... ;)

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Megtheblackbelt

Megtheblackbelt

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You can also get custom smoothies in the Vitality Spa - or so I hear .... ;)

 

 

Yus! We’re going to try either tonight (if it’s open) or tomorrow. Will report back!

 

I'm enjoying your review.

My husband and I are both Millennials and will be joined by my parents at the end of this month on an eastern Allure cruise... so, we're in a similar "boat" as you :)

This will be our 2nd time on Allure and am learning stuff from you!

 

We bought the Refreshment package (last year we just used the Diamond Drink vouchers) so, other than milkshakes, let me know if you find any other cool drinks to get with the package. :)

 

 

Yay, thanks so much for following along! You’re going to have an awesome time. I’m really enjoying getting to hang with the in-laws and see how they like to cruise. IN FACT, they’re cruising with us to Alaska next year! We got balconies right next to each other. Woot! I will definitely let you know if we find any other cool dranks. Millennial high-5’s!

 

Nawwww, cameras don’t bother me! [emoji6]

 

Big blush here!! You are so funny. I think your tge type if person who has a good time no matter what[emoji854]

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

 

*preens* Undies are the same thing as bathing suit bottoms, yeah? [emoji23]

 

 

 

 

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Megtheblackbelt

Megtheblackbelt

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The tropical storm that hit south Fl today probably has something to do with the rocking.

 

 

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Probably. It’s definitely incredibly noticeable, even my “don’t ever feel the waves” friends are feelin’ it.

 

 

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Megtheblackbelt

Megtheblackbelt

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Went to the WJ for dinner. Watched FIL play roulette in casino (he doubled his money). Played Bingo for FIL who purchased card. Card lost. Watched Love & Marriage show. Laughed very hard. The oldest couple won (51 years married, holy cow!). Awesome night. Josh wasn’t feeling well - just a little queasy - so he went to bed early.

 

SAINT MARTEN TOMORROW! Woot. No plans other than to get a bus for all of us and just drive around wherever we feel like going. Also, Izumi for dinner!

 

Sorry I haven’t posted anything substantial - lots going on, and trying to soak it in! I’ll be more comprehensive tomorrow.

 

 

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eel

eel

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Went to the WJ for dinner. Watched FIL play roulette in casino (he doubled his money). Played Bingo for FIL who purchased card. Card lost. Watched Love & Marriage show. Laughed very hard. The oldest couple won (51 years married, holy cow!). Awesome night. Josh wasn’t feeling well - just a little queasy - so he went to bed early.

 

SAINT MARTEN TOMORROW! Woot. No plans other than to get a bus for all of us and just drive around wherever we feel like going. Also, Izumi for dinner!

 

Sorry I haven’t posted anything substantial - lots going on, and trying to soak it in! I’ll be more comprehensive tomorrow.

 

You should have volunteered as the Newlywed couple (under 1 year is OK)!

 

In St. Marten stop over at Maho Beach to see the planes land. I understand they rebuilt the bar at the beach.

 

19196549254_6c3e7b5d6b_b.jpg

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perfect match Holiday Sharing Rare

perfect match

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We are trying to decide if we want to keep or cancel the All Access Tour we currently have booked on Oasis. I've been seriously thinking of cancelling prior to reading part 1 of your experience. DH would probably be bored spending a hour in the kitchen listening to someone with an accent he couldn't understand. I have replacement knees and hips that allow me to do a lot of fun activities, but they really don't like standing for long periods of time or going down stairs. We have a full schedule of activities on our port days including ziplining, parasailing and I will be scuba diving, so I will need my surgically repaired legs to be in good working order.

 

After reading back what I just wrote, I think I've answered my own question. Most likely we will be cancelling this tour. It just doesn't seem like what we really want to spend our time doing. I still can't wait to hear about the rest of your tour, though!

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ramja96

ramja96

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19196549254_6c3e7b5d6b_b.jpg

 

I just don't get the attraction to this. :rolleyes: I love the beach for the sun and sound of the surf. The beautiful ocean view and the calming effect it has on me would be totally ruined by the noise of the aircraft screaming right over my head. It's just not appealing to me. That's just my personal opinion - to each, his own.:D

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Megtheblackbelt

Megtheblackbelt

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Hopefully it’s calmer today for you. This is the Sea Forecast for today.

 

 

 

Andrew coming in clutch with the weather map. Thanks, dude! Fingers crossed, cause some people (read: including me) were strugglin’. *makes pout face*

 

We are trying to decide if we want to keep or cancel the All Access Tour we currently have booked on Oasis. I've been seriously thinking of cancelling prior to reading part 1 of your experience. DH would probably be bored spending a hour in the kitchen listening to someone with an accent he couldn't understand. I have replacement knees and hips that allow me to do a lot of fun activities, but they really don't like standing for long periods of time or going down stairs. We have a full schedule of activities on our port days including ziplining, parasailing and I will be scuba diving, so I will need my surgically repaired legs to be in good working order.

 

 

 

After reading back what I just wrote, I think I've answered my own question. Most likely we will be cancelling this tour. It just doesn't seem like what we really want to spend our time doing. I still can't wait to hear about the rest of your tour, though!

 

 

I’ll try to finish this up when we get back to the boat later today. The gist of the rest of the experience is that it’s *okay,* but not anything phenomenal. I am relatively knowledgeable about ships because I enjoy learning about them. Our main tour guide had chicken scratch notes and when asked random questions, she would just reply random - not necessarily correct - answers. That was not the kind of tour we were looking for. On top of not being able to understand most of the heavy accents of those talking, with the missing of some cool stops (helipad, crew mess, behind the curtains in theater, etc.,) it was just “meh”. I’d save your $240. The rest of the shore excursions you have booked sound amazing!

 

You should have volunteered as the Newlywed couple (under 1 year is OK)!

 

In St. Marten stop over at Maho Beach to see the planes land. I understand they rebuilt the bar at the beach.

 

 

 

We might! FIL comes to the island regularly for work, so he knows some good spots. I’m really just hoping we make it to the really high up point that overlooks the island I’ve seen pictures of. *drools* Thanks for the suggestion! :)

 

I just don't get the attraction to this. :rolleyes: I love the beach for the sun and sound of the surf. The beautiful ocean view and the calming effect it has on me would be totally ruined by the noise of the aircraft screaming right over my head. It's just not appealing to me. That's just my personal opinion - to each, his own.:D

 

 

 

*shrugs* I can see people going just to see the planes so close, and not for the beach. I’m not a super duper beach-y person. So, we’ll see! Since there will be 5 other people in the bus, we’ll have to decide together. *cringe*

 

 

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ramja96

ramja96

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*shrugs* I can see people going just to see the planes so close, and not for the beach. I’m not a super duper beach-y person. So, we’ll see! Since there will be 5 other people in the bus, we’ll have to decide together. *cringe*

 

Well, I certainly hope you enjoy it. But this is one of the reasons I'm hesitant to travel with others - unless I'm SURE they like all the same things my DW and I do. #unlikely ;)

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sharktums

sharktums

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I just don't get the attraction to this. :rolleyes: I love the beach for the sun and sound of the surf. The beautiful ocean view and the calming effect it has on me would be totally ruined by the noise of the aircraft screaming right over my head. It's just not appealing to me. That's just my personal opinion - to each, his own.:D

 

Like you said it's an opinion. We're all on this message board because we like cruises, there are plenty of other message boards for people that like planes/flying. I'm not a big beach person, but I love watching planes so we go here almost every time we're in St. Maarten cause it's a cool experience. Be advised though, since the hurricane you won't see as many 'big' planes as the demand for travel to the island isn't back to pre-hurricane levels. In fact, even before the hurricane there were less big planes flying in.

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cruiser123!

cruiser123!

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ALASKAAAAAH! Woot! We’re SO stoked. It’s always been a dream of ours to go. And we got a pretty decent deal - I think - too, so now I’m looking forward to getting back and doing tons of research for THAT cruise. But, that doesn’t need to come too early... I’m enjoying my time now, haha. Let me know if you have any pro tips! I’d love to hear. :)

 

 

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Depending on your ports and dates, here is my semi-pro tip (take with a grain of salt...I'm still a RCCL Gold ;p)

 

Mid-late August is salmon season in Ketchikan. The bears make quite the meal of the fish, but leave bits and pieces all over. If you come in after this, be prepared for the smell. Our timing was bad and the entire town reeked of rotting fish.

 

Skagway is amazing. We used the Glacier Point Wilderness Safari Group. Booking direct was $50 off per ticket and we were on the same boat and transfer as those on the ship.

 

Juneau.. If you travel before September, splurge and do a helicopter tour over the Mendenhall glacier. We went dog sledding out on the glacier. I couldn't settle for the intown dog sledding which involved carts and wheels. We wanted the whole enchilada so we went out to the glacier w/ the doggies and real sled. The trip out was gorgeous. In full disclosure, I'm afraid of heights, so I didn't look. I closed my eyes the entire time and took pictures. They turned out great!

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accio_7

accio_7

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Is there any time change in St Maarten, taking Bernards Tour of island which meets at 9:30

 

Based on your post history, I presume that this excursion is for your September B2B Allure cruise. As St. Maarten does not observe Daylight Savings Time, the country is currently in the same time zone, Eastern Daylight Time, as your embarkation port of Ft Lauderdale. So 9:30 am local time in St. Maarten is the same as ship time, you will not need to adjust your watch. (After November 4th, 2018, the local time is one hour ahead of Eastern time.)

 

Hope this helps.

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Megtheblackbelt

Megtheblackbelt

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Thanks so much for taking the time to post your review - looking forward to the rest of it as my friends and I are boarding the Allure on 9/16 for the same itinerary.

 

 

Welcome! I’m enjoying it, too. You’re gonna have a blast! :)

 

Based on your post history, I presume that this excursion is for your September B2B Allure cruise. As St. Maarten does not observe Daylight Savings Time, the country is currently in the same time zone, Eastern Daylight Time, as your embarkation port of Ft Lauderdale. So 9:30 am local time in St. Maarten is the same as ship time, you will not need to adjust your watch. (After November 4th, 2018, the local time is one hour ahead of Eastern time.)

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Thanks for answering this so thoroughly!

 

 

 

 

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