Allure of Seas - a few questions

[Youngy23]

We (4 of us)are travelling on Allure in May and super excited. The questions i wanted to ask are:

1) we are booked for 8 pm dining, will we make the 10pm-10.15pm shows ok?

2) my father wants to bring a tux for formal nights, will he be out of place or do people still do this or will he be better of in a shirt and trousers, I dont want him to feel uncomfortable being the only one.

3) my mother unfortunately smokes.  I was wanting to make her a little plan where she can go.  I have read she can go to the casino.  Is this the only place or are there other areas.

4) Last one - are there mini kettles in the cabin or is this not allowed.  Can you bring a travel kettle and iron?

Thanks in advance for any help, much apreciated.

[KmomChicago]

1. The servers ask if you have a show and will make sure you can make it.

2. Yes a few people still wear full formal attire and they do not look out of place - they look sharp and make slobs like me look bad! :)  When the heck else is he going to wear the thing? Go for it.

3.  There is a smoking area on the main pool deck with a few tables and chairs.

4. Nope and nope. You don't bring along hot appliances on a cruise as they are fire hazards.  You can get hot water and coffee at night in the buffet before it closes. Bring insulated cups like Yeti or similar and fill them up at night with hot water for tea or with coffee.  They will stay warm enough to get you through that first cup the next morning in your pajamas before you can brave the public. :)

 

Edited February 16, 2019 by KmomChicago

[Youngy23]

26 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

1. The servers ask if you have a show and will make sure you can make it.

2. Yes a few people still wear full formal attire and they do not look out of place - they look sharp and make slobs like me look bad! 🙂 When the heck else is he going to wear the thing? Go for it.

3.  There is a smoking area on the main pool deck with a few tables and chairs.

4. Nope and nope. You don't bring along hot appliances on a cruise as they are fire hazards.  You can get hot water and coffee at night in the buffet before it closes. Bring insulated cups like Yeti or similar and fill them up at night with hot water for tea or with coffee.  They will stay warm enough to get you through that first cup the next morning in your pajamas before you can brave the public. 🙂

 

Thank you for your reply, thats perfect.  Does that mean no hair straighteners either???? That could be a huge issue for me , we fly to vegas for a week after this cruise, i will be the one walking down the strip with wild unruly hair, oh no!!! 

[Clarea]

 

Smoking is on the port side of deck 15 (pool deck).

[KmomChicago]

Just now, Youngy23 said:

Thank you for your reply, thats perfect.  Does that mean no hair straighteners either???? That could be a huge issue for me , we fly to vegas for a week after this cruise, i will be the one walking down the strip with wild unruly hair, oh no!!! 

 

They do allow hair irons. Thank heavens.  You'll be smoothly coiffed in Vegas.  What a wonderful fun journey!

[tomika75]

If you have a suite, do they not have the kettle in the cabin? That's been my experience, but I have not yet been on the Oasis class yet...

[cb at sea]

In some cabins (suites) and on some sailings, there will be kettles or pod-type coffee makers.  But, not all!

Coffee is still no-charge from room service.

[LBumb]

I still see men in tuxedos but fewer and fewer

[Youngy23]

19 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

In some cabins (suites) and on some sailings, there will be kettles or pod-type coffee makers.  But, not all!

Coffee is still no-charge from room service.

We are not lucky enough to have suites, we only have ocean view balcony cabins.  Would mum still able to order coffee to her room too or in that type of cabin?

[KmomChicago]

22 minutes ago, Youngy23 said:

We are not lucky enough to have suites, we only have ocean view balcony cabins.  Would mum still able to order coffee to her room too or in that type of cabin?

 

Yes room service is available to all cabin types.  Per a post below *sorry, I made a mistake earlier, complimentary for contintental breakfast.

Edited February 16, 2019 by KmomChicago

[Youngy23]

3 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Smoking is on the port side of deck 15 (pool deck).

Thank you for your response, of the whole trip we are doing, this has been the most stressful part, working out where she can have a quick ciggy. My poor step-father would be stepping on eggshells if she wasnt able to have one.

Is it port side of the whole of deck 15 or just certain areas?  Can i double check, if you are facing the front of the ship is port side on the left? Thanks for your help.

Edited February 16, 2019 by Youngy23
Spell error

[KmomChicago]

Just now, Youngy23 said:

Thank you for your response, of the whole trip we are doing, this has been the most stressful part, working out where she can have a quick ciggy. My poor step-father would be stepping on eggshells if she wasnt able to have one.

Is it port side of the whole of deck 15 or just certain areas?  Can i double check, if you are racing the front of the ship is port side on the left? Thanks for your help.

 

It's just a small area with a few tables but it is very clearly marked.  It's actually a social spot for smokers to strike up a conversation.  She might make some friends who she will then run into several times during the cruise.  She will be absolutely fine and able to get one in whenever she's gotta have it. :) Yes if you are facing forward Port is left. Starboard is right. Forward is obviously looking ahead across the bow of the ship and aft is the rear section; facing aft means looking across the back of the ship to the wake (the disturbed water being churned by the engines). 

[HOSKI]

If you find old cruise compasses from the Allure it lists almost daily where the smoking areas are.

[molsonschooner]

13 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Yes room service is available to all cabin types but there is a charge.

there is no charge for room service for continental breakfast(tea/ coffee, danish, cold cereal etc.)

[excited2019]

Hello, I am uncertain if this is the right thread for my questions, we have an upcoming 7 day cruise on April 2019 through RCCL Allure of the Seas, on my contract it says that we have a reserved dining at 5:30 for a family of 5, is the  scheduled dining needs to be paid on the last day of the cruise.  I am a little bit confused on how this scheduled dining works. Also, what is the nearest hotel closest to the port in Miami, Florida. Thank you so much.

Edited February 17, 2019 by excited2019

[Clarea]

1 hour ago, excited2019 said:

  ...  Also, what is the nearest hotel closest to the port in Miami, Florida. Thank you so much.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

It sounds like you have traditional (fixed) dining, every night at 5:30pm.    Don't know what you mean about "needs to be paid on the last day of the cruise".

 

You will find many threads about Miami hotels here:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/533-florida-departures/

[excited2019]

oh thank you for your reply, my apology if I got you confused,  I think you're right, I believe this is the traditional fixed dining, since this is our first time cruise, I've got no idea,  I was thinking If this is an out of pocket expenses for the fixed dining, I visited the RCCL website and it says about the specialty restaurants that needs to be booked in advanced. Anyhow, my question  has been answered. Again, thank you so much.  🙂

Edited February 17, 2019 by excited2019

[LeeW]

On 2/16/2019 at 10:49 PM, excited2019 said:

oh thank you for your reply, my apology if I got you confused,  I think you're right, I believe this is the traditional fixed dining, since this is our first time cruise, I've got no idea,  I was thinking If this is an out of pocket expenses for the fixed dining, I visited the RCCL website and it says about the specialty restaurants that needs to be booked in advanced. Anyhow, my question  has been answered. Again, thank you so much.  🙂

 

It is also possible to have made reservations for MyTime dining at 5:30, but as Bob said yours is likely traditional seating.  Your cruise card will have your table number and you eat at the same time every night.  MyTime requires you to make each night's reservation separately and you likely would have noticed that.  If you decide to eat in a specialty restaurant you might want to let any table mates and servers know the night before that you won't be at dinner that night.

 

Most meals except specialty restaurants are free (included in the cruise fare).  If you want two or three of something, just ask.  If you can't decide on desserts they will happily bring you both.  If you want a wedge of lettuce instead of a fancy salad, just ask.  No sauces, no problem.  They will ask you if you want to buy bottled water but tap water and coffee/tea are free.  Soda and alcohol are extra charge unless you have prebought a drink package.

 

The only normal out of pocket expense on a cruise is the gratuities for hotel and dining staff, about $14.50 per passenger per day.  This can be paid before the cruise or it will be added to your bill each night.  That said, there are a ton of things you can buy that will add to how much your bill is at the end of the cruise.  Drinks, photos (no cost for sitting, but about $25 each to buy), shop purchases, casino, bingo, excursions, video arcade, art gallery purchases, ...  Optional stuff, but they do try to sell them.  We have seen folks run up a $3000 bar tab in a week.  Not sure how, but have seen it.