Allure of the Seas June 4-11, 2023

[Lionesss]

Earlier in the thread I stated that I would share our actual cost to cruise the Allure on a “Free” casino comped cruise. 
 

Last  October 22, 2022 I received an offer for a free cruise for 2 on the Allure in a Grand suite. 
After doing some research and comparing previous cruise fares we decided what the heck. Will leave our comfort zone of Florida cruise embarkation and travel to Texas. 
 

So we had our TA call and they accepted her to book for us. 
 

Now mind you cruise fares were still very low at that time. So our TA was able to get us upgraded to the CLS. 
 

Ok keeping it simple our cost for new cabin was less than $1250. Total cost  for both of us. ($625 per person). 
 

The usual fees not covered by your free cruise that we had to pay———-

Now we are in a suite so gratuities for the both of us is $224. 
Taxes fees and port expenses $277.08. 
 

Now 

When I get home I will include cost of Cleveland hotel, Houston hotel, and since I’m keeping records meals, shuttle tips……

 

JUST AN FYI:

The cost of this cruise had one price reduction in November. After that the price just soared. 
 

More to come. 
 

Sea ya 

 

[Reisdawg]

52 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Earlier in the thread I stated that I would share our actual cost to cruise the Allure on a “Free” casino comped cruise. 
 

Last  October 22, 2022 I received an offer for a free cruise for 2 on the Allure in a Grand suite. 
After doing some research and comparing previous cruise fares we decided what the heck. Will leave our comfort zone of Florida cruise embarkation and travel to Texas. 
 

So we had our TA call and they accepted her to book for us. 
 

Now mind you cruise fares were still very low at that time. So our TA was able to get us upgraded to the CLS. 
 

Ok keeping it simple our cost for new cabin was less than $1250. Total cost  for both of us. ($625 per person). 
 

The usual fees not covered by your free cruise that we had to pay———-

Now we are in a suite so gratuities for the both of us is $224. 
Taxes fees and port expenses $277.08. 
 

Now 

When I get home I will include cost of Cleveland hotel, Houston hotel, and since I’m keeping records meals, shuttle tips……

 

JUST AN FYI:

The cost of this cruise had one price reduction in November. After that the price just soared. 
 

More to come. 
 

Sea ya 

 

I checked recently and the price for a similar room is double what I paid in November….

[slyster]

I noticed the same thing right after Thanksgiving.  I could have had a grand suite for $2500 a person but I felt it was too much.  We ended up with a junior suite for $1400 a person.  

 

Prices have more than doubled.  It’s $4600 a person for a grand suite and $3400 a person for a junior suite guarantee.  I was thinking of trying for the royal up bidding but I wasn’t really even willing to pay $2500 a person.  It’s out of reach.  I’m glad I got the junior suite though.

[firefly333]

1 hour ago, Lionesss said:

 

 

The usual fees not covered by your free cruise that we had to pay———-

Now we are in a suite so gratuities for the both of us is $224. 
Taxes fees and port expenses $277.08. 

 

Did you prepay the tips? Since maybe last dec even a regular cabin is $16 a day, suites are more. You locked in tips when you booked last nov?   Seems like mine went up by last December. 

 

That's not much to upgrade. I hope you love allure and mama mia. It's the best show I've ever seen on a ship, though 2.5 hours. Some see half and leave at half time intermission and come back another show to see the rest. I hope the leads are still the same. Excellent voices.

 

It's too bad you couldnt see Galveston and stay on the beach. 

[gluecksbaer]

Since you are very familiar with Allure, I have a question.  My family will be on Allure this summer.  My only other cruise was on the NCL Pearl, a much smaller ship.  I stumbled on an area that had comfortable chairs and big windows. (I think it may have been a bar at night but they also seemed to do bingo and stuff like that there.) On the Pearl we had a mostly obstructed ocean view room because my kids were tiny escape artists and excellent climbers so I spent most of my free time in that area so I had a view of the ocean.  This time we do have a balcony, but I burn very easily so I'm worried spending a lot of time there will turn me into a lobster.  I'm wondering if there is a good spot on Allure where I can watch the ocean without getting attacked by the sun.

Edited June 4, 2023 by gluecksbaer

[drjohn4]

There are a lot of areas all along the sides of deck 15 that are shaded by deck 16 above with floor to ceiling windows that will allow you to see the ocean.  If you are looking for somewhere quieter, there is also the jogging track on deck 5 that is shaded most of the day.  There are chairs at the stern end of the jogging track.  If you want someplace completely indoors to watch the ocean, that is a bit more limited on Alllure.  There are not many public rooms with ocean views except the windjammer. 

[Lionesss]

So I was sleeping so soundly until 12:49am. Was awoken by one loud and long thunder rumbling that shook the windows. Man it caught my attention. The spouse slept thru it. Since then on and off sleep. 
 

We set our alarms for 7 to go to breakfast then come back pretty ourselves up organize the suitcases. 
 

Since we keep the travel documents in them ( hee-hee) we will move them to back pack. Once to port we will check the two big bags and one carryon. This way we only have to lug around one carryon, one backpack, one purse and 2 drink mugs we will pick up. 
 

Since we do not need to book any dining venues or shows we will mozy around until cabins open and have lunch. 
 

Depending on crowds it will be either CK, WJ or Solarium for lunch. 
Then get our steps in roaming the ship and refreshing our memories. 
 

Once we can get in our cabin hopefully luggage there so we can unpack and then store the suitcases in the back of one of the 2 closets  Then go to guest services and get sea pass punched. 
 

Now, after dinner in CK maybe hit one of the shows and end up in casino visiting old friends. Access my “free play” and maybe have a drinky drink. 
 

Since I am up now obviously this will be a long day. So it won’t be a long night. 
 

Monday early breakfast, then head off to one of the pools, stake out a claim. We do not just save pool chair’s especially now that they are enforcing chair hogging ( or so the rumor is). We nap on them or if not —only away for a quick dunk in the pool. 
 

We pack up and go to lunch, then back to cabin and shower and get ready for trivia. (As long as it’s not Beatles trivia). 
Dinner at chops then comedy show, and if I did not lose my budgeted $$ back to casino. If I did lose my budgeted money then yup, back to casino 😜. 
 

Sea ya 

[A&L_Ont]

On 6/2/2023 at 6:00 PM, Lionesss said:

We will miss our Lizzy. But will be home in time for her first birthday. 
 

 

Be good Missy 

Sea you soon. 
💕

 

On 6/2/2023 at 6:18 PM, Ocean Boy said:

Beautiful picture. I missed Jade's first birthday thanks to a cruise.

Oh, they will not forget. LOL

[Lionesss]

A view of the ship compliments of the Galveston cruise cam. 
 

 

[A&L_Ont]

On 6/2/2023 at 6:53 PM, Lionesss said:

However after that March  cruise I used the purse when we went to a Knights  of Columbus event at which time they presented us with a small gift. Which I forgot about till now. 
Now mind you. Could you have seen me going through TSA with these 2 bottles of liquid. I think there under 3 ounces. 

 

HOLY WATER  

Booze Smugglers now thinking of new ways to bring bulk Holly Water on the ship. 😂

[Lionesss]

Arrived back to George Bush airport to take RCI shuttle. 
 

Now how it works is you have to check in at “C” concourse near escalator by door 105. 
upon checking in you are given a ticket with a number. Our numbers guaranteed us a seat on first bus. 
 

 

 

Now the bus comes from port dropping off previous cruisers and then takes us down. 
 

Your reservation on the bus getting a seat is first come first serve basis. That is why we get here early. The checkin counter opens opens at 8am. Your ticket number is just that and not a seat number. 
 

We have 2 of the few seats with a very nice couple next to us. ( waiting at airport). The airport removed the seats last week so the majority of people just stand and wait. 
 

So far so good. 
 

Sea ya. 
 

 

Edited June 4, 2023 by Lionesss

[Sea Dog]

Have fun and have a great cruise!

[c-leg5]

2 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Arrived back to George Bush airport to take RCI shuttle. 
 

Now how it works is you have to check in at “C” concourse near escalator by door 105. 
upon checking in you are given a ticket with a number. Our numbers guaranteed us a seat on first bus. 
 

 

 

Now the bus comes from port dropping off previous cruisers and then takes us down. 
 

Your reservation on the bus getting a seat is first come first serve basis. That is why we get here early. The checkin counter opens opens at 8am. Your ticket number is just that and not a seat number. 
 

We have 2 of the few seats with a very nice couple next to us. ( waiting at airport). The airport removed the seats last week so the majority of people just stand and wait. 
 

So far so good. 
 

Sea ya. 
 

 

Doesn’t sound good if they have removed seats. We saw crowds of people waiting for the shuttles last year when we were waiting for our independent shuttle. 

[Lionesss]

I have never met a kinder more organized group of workers organizing the check in for the shuttle. 
 

Now the shuttle departure is dependent on a few variables. 
 

1.  The bus getting everyone on board at port after their thru customs, and traveling to Houston. 
2. Travel time. Road conditions, traffic delays weather to name a few. 
3.  Everyone on bus at Houston Bush 

4.  Road traffic back to port. 
 

So we are still at airport. The bus that we are sitting on arrived later than usual for whatever reason. 
 

But we are currently waiting for 2 passengers hiking from terminal A then get their luggage and boarding. 
 

All is good. We’re going on a cruise 

The couple just boarded. 
 

WERE LEAVING!!!!

 

Sea you. 

[Lionesss]

Well on our way. 
Speed limit 50 mph

Except for buses

Yup 75-78 mph. 
 

Making up time. 
 

 

Street  sign tells you how high the flood waters are. 
 

 

[c-leg5]

17 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

 

Well on our way. 
Speed limit 50 mph

Except for buses

Yup 75-78 mph. 
 

Making up time

 

At least it is a Sunday.

[Lionesss]

We have arrived. 
Traditional WJ lunch. 

 

[Ocean Boy]

42 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

We have arrived. 
Traditional WJ lunch. 

 

Oh I so want to have a Windjammer lunch.🫥

[Reisdawg]

Are there shows in the Comedy Live area?   I’ve been trying to look shows up in the app and have not seen any listed for past and future cruises.  

[Lionesss]

10 minutes ago, Reisdawg said:

Are there shows in the Comedy Live area?   I’ve been trying to look shows up in the app and have not seen any listed for past and future cruises.  

Yes

 

Since we are in a suite we have first of three shows offered tomorrow. 7:30 pm  We requested when concierge sent his letter and we got. 

 

Those  not in a suite we’re sent an email by RCI to request a date and time they wanted. They had only a brief period to respond (24 hours?????)not exactly sure on time frame. If not forfeit there advance chance on reservation. 
 

Many scrambling at reservation areas or once Wi-Fi. 

Many opportunities. 

 

[Lionesss]

Love our CLS. 
 

Suitcases arrived one left to unpack. 
 

Chillin till dinner. 
 

Must be something new for Allure. 
3 suites down their CLS has a private butler. 
 

I called my spouse to see. 
 

At first he told me. “ I’m not snooping”

 

But the sadder the eyes  got the guilt worked. 
 

So eventually inch by inch and step by step he checked it out. 
 

He comes back in and tells me to put my glasses on. 
 

Now he tells me it’s not a butler but ship security.

 

Now that must be the record for an onboard guest to be on naughty list. 
 

And you know we will never know why. But I’ll try 

 

Sea ya. 

[mo&fran]

8 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Love our CLS. 
 

Suitcases arrived one left to unpack. 
 

Chillin till dinner. 
 

Must be something new for Allure. 
3 suites down their CLS has a private butler. 
 

I called my spouse to see. 
 

At first he told me. “ I’m not snooping”

 

But the sadder the eyes  got the guilt worked. 
 

So eventually inch by inch and step by step he checked it out. 
 

He comes back in and tells me to put my glasses on. 
 

Now he tells me it’s not a butler but ship security.

 

Now that must be the record for an onboard guest to be on naughty list. 
 

And you know we will never know why. But I’ll try 

 

Sea ya. 

Maybe there was an issue with the safe.

[Lionesss]

 

You are so right. 
 

Sometimes the most obvious eludes me. 
 

ty. 
 

 

13 minutes ago, mo&fran said:

[sunnyv]

Lionesss, If you have time and/or the occasion: would you please ask what will happen with entertainment when the Allure moves to 3 and 4 day cruises out of Florida this fall?  We are looking at booking a couple of short 3 and/or 4 day cruises when Allure moves back to Florida in the fall of 2023.  We really enjoy the current Entertainment on the Allure in the aqua theater, ice shows, Blue Planet and especially Momma Mia.  My hope is they will have the same shows, just not as many of each show.  Thank you!

[Lionesss]

1 hour ago, sunnyv said:

Lionesss, If you have time and/or the occasion: would you please ask what will happen with entertainment when the Allure moves to 3 and 4 day cruises out of Florida this fall?  We are looking at booking a couple of short 3 and/or 4 day cruises when Allure moves back to Florida in the fall of 2023.  We really enjoy the current Entertainment on the Allure in the aqua theater, ice shows, Blue Planet and especially Momma Mia.  My hope is they will have the same shows, just not as many of each show.  Thank you!

 

 

 

Ok I’ll work on it. 
 

CK Dinner menu