Jump to content

Allure of the seas- Eastern- april 15-22nd Review


Recommended Posts

Allure- Vacation 2012 – April 14th- April 22nd

Okay so I am starting my review! We are a family of 6. My parents (50s) , my brother (24) , my husband and I (25/26) and our 8 month old SON ! We left our home Saturday morning and came home Sunday after we departed the ship! We called it our FamilyMoon!! We had the best time!! Allure is incredible!

A few notes for those that don’t care to read the entire review!

*Cabins: 11666, 11686 (starboard, aft) located near elevators, Beds located by the bathroom (we liked it this way with the pack n play. Not sure that we would have liked the other configuration). Our stateroom attendant was Monique and she was so kind and kept our room as clean as a room can be with a baby and pack n play in there!

* Views: Ft. Lauderdale (port), Nassau (Disney dream), St.Thomas (picture perfect view- we docked starboard side but had a nice view) St. Maarten(Holland American ship that we could still see the view over bc their top deck matched our deck)

* Captain- Johnny Favalen * CD- Allan Brooks

* Favorite place to eat lunch: park café

* Favorite place for dinner: Rita’s

* Favorite neighborhood: Boardwalk

* Favorite place to relax: pool at solarium

*Favorite show: Oceanaria

* Favorite bar(s): Rising Tide and Boleros (the bartender made me a flower!)

*Memorable moments: watching our son at the character breakfast, how to train your dragon ice show, and the Let You Entertain Me show. He was in love with the characters and surprisingly was not scared of them! The FIRE in engine room 2. Watching my dad dance with our son at Rita’s! Our beach days in St. John and St. Marten.

* Critical thoughts:

Deck 14 was very smokey in my opinion (just as you step off fwd elevators) and that is where adventure ocean is. They should make that area non-smoking. Also, casino (deck 4 aft) very smokey and that’s which deck of the MDR the character breakfast was on. They should move the breakfast to deck 5!

Also, pool hogging was at the worst I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. And I’m not talking about when people are just away for 30 minutes to eat breakfast or get in the pool. We get up at about 6:30am with our child. We got to the pool deck at 8am. On our 2nd sea day and every chair at the beach pool was taken and only about 9 people were actually in the chairs. There was an announcement that am about every 30 minutes about not reserving chairs but it didn’t change the problem. So one thing that was a miss for me was the 2 hours I wanted to spend at the beach pool (just to experience it)!

This ship is incredible. I think the hardest part for me (and my personality) was that I wanted to do/see everything. I think it’s near impossible for anyone, but especially for a family that has a 8 month old traveling with them. But we did do a lot! So there were things on my checklist that were missed!

Next up: I will start my live-ish review!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We planned to leave my parents house in charleston,sc by 8:30am. (we were on the road by 9). I went to panera and got bagels for everyone for breakfast! We had to take 2 suvs because we couldnt all fit + our stuff into 1! At the end of my review I will post my packing list for our baby for those who are interested!

 

We drove half way and stopped for lunch at the world of golf village (caddyshack). Fun way to break up the long and stressful drive. We passed by about 5-6 accidents on I-95 the whole trip. Thankfully we only had about 45 minutes of a fussy baby! The whole trip. And he was just BORED!

 

We got to our hotel, hampton inn in Boca Raton (cheaper than staying in ft. lauderdale) about 6pm. We went to dinner at JB's on the beach in Deerfield Beach, Fl! My mom had a friend from growing up that met us for dinner! Highly recommend this place if you are ever in that area! We found it before our Freedom cruise!

 

IMG_7100-1.jpg

IMG_7112-1.jpg

IMG_7130-1.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We got up at 6:15 with the baby. Complementary breakfast was available in the lobby. All got ready and planned to leave our hotel by 10:30. (ended up being closer to 11). That morning we had a rough start!! Now we can laugh about it all...first, my brother fell asleep with his laptop and kicked it off his bed and broke the screen. Then, as we are walking out of the hotel room my DH's flip flop broke!! Of course he was too anxious to get to the port to want to stop to buy new ones (plus it was sunday am. not sure what we would have found open) so he wore his tenis shoes hoping that we could find some flops on board! Then literally getting into the car, my DH says "what's all over the back of your shorts?" I had a pen sticking out of my carry on bag and it wrote all over my white shorts. (thankfully i had another pair that were easy to get my hands on)! Then I still had to tag our luggage (note to self: next time tag the luggage before leaving home)!

 

Driving into Port Everglades was very simple. About 40 minutes from our hotel (baby got in his early morning nap in the car). In the car we passed a security check at the port where they wanted to see your cruise docs and ID (I dont remember other ports having this)!

 

We pulled through the loop at terminal 18 and unloaded both pilots. We tipped the baggage guys and gave them donuts that we had left over from breakfast that would have gone to waste! Mom and brother stayed at the terminal, the rest of us went to park the cars!

 

We checked in. We should have split up and gone to different counters. For some reason my dad thought we all should stay together and I think that made it take a little longer. Also, my card didnt work (only took about 2 minutes for her to make me a new one). We took our boarding picture and then got on the boat!! One of my favorite moments is that first second your feet touch the deck!!! It was about 12:30 when we got on and I was on a mission to get to Central Park...I bet you can guess what for (Roast Beef Sandwich)!!

IMG_7146.jpg

IMG_7147.jpg

IMG_7149.jpg

IMG_7155.jpg

IMG_7156.jpg

 

next up: exploring, sail away, Ritas fiesta, and oceanaria!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

but i will get through it!

 

sunday getting off the ship i got a sore throat and by yesterday morning both the baby and i had high fevers...some virus got us!:( at least it was after the cruise!! i'll try to finish up day one today!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

but i will get through it!

 

sunday getting off the ship i got a sore throat and by yesterday morning both the baby and i had high fevers...some virus got us!:( at least it was after the cruise!! i'll try to finish up day one today!

 

 

That's terrible...but at least you didn't get sick on the cruise! Hope you all feel better fast!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Obsessedsc...I was on the same cruise and it was amazing. We had a great time.

Like you, I started getting a sore throat on Sunday and still feel yucky today. Maybe it has something to do with the fumes from Friday night. They were pretty bad in Izumi.

Look forward to the rest of your review/pictures.

Hope you feel better soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After lunch at Park Cafe it was a little past 1pm. We went to check into our room. We had room 11666 first room when you enter the hall from the lobby. Perfect location with a stroller!! It was on the starboard side and an aft. The bed was by the closet. We liked the set up and I wish I didnt work so hard to find cabins with it the other way! We set up the pack n play between the sofa and vanity and when it got a little crowded we'd move it out to the balcony!

 

My husband and the baby took about a 2 hour nap. Our luggage had already started arriving (yes, that quickly!) and my parents wanted to unpack and get settled. So my brother and I went to check everything out! Of course I knew the ship like I had been on it 100 times because of all the CC advice!

 

The first thing we did was go to Rita's to let them know that the baby would be with us at dinner. When you pre-reserve online you dont include the baby bc it will charge you so we were told to just let them know when we got on the ship! Then we explored the boardwalk and got our first drinks!!! Then we discussed sail away! Our dilemma was that I wanted to go to deck 14 fwd but with our muster drill being at the aquatheater and dinner being at ritas it made sense to find something on that end of the ship. we found a great spot by the rock wall on deck 7 aft portside. From there I wanted to show him the deck 14 spot so we went and it was closed because of windy conditions (it was closed most of our sailing). Then we went to the solarium, central park, promanade, and entertainment place. By then it was 3pm and everyone else was ready to join us! We went to the viking crown for a drink and then to check out the sports deck where we watched a carnival ship and celebrity ship depart!

 

 

 

IMG_7160-1.jpg

 

IMG_7171.jpg

 

IMG_7193.jpg

 

IMG_7199.jpg

 

Next: sail away, ritas, ocean aria

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Obsessedsc...I was on the same cruise and it was amazing. We had a great time.

Like you, I started getting a sore throat on Sunday and still feel yucky today. Maybe it has something to do with the fumes from Friday night. They were pretty bad in Izumi.

Look forward to the rest of your review/pictures.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

thanks! i hope you feel better soon too!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our muster drill was at 4pm in the aquatheater. we were in group G1. We were there with D and G2 (i think that's all). It was crowded but not uncomfortable. After the drill we stopped at the boardwalk bar for our sail away beverages (it was crowded but somehow we were able to get 2 seats)! Then we headed to our spot! (which in the picture is one up from the aqua deck)

 

533370_274119202677700_100002388672629_593398_1067109296_n1.jpg

 

IMG_7207.jpg

(my brother and son while dad and I were getting drinks at the boardwalk bar)

 

For sail away we were on deck 7 aft portside. This was perfect because we had views of the aquatheater for the sail away part and ocean/ft. lauderdale. Sail away was promptly at 5pm!

 

IMG_7229.jpg

 

 

 

Just after sail away my dad and brother were comfortable and didnt want to change so they hung around Rita's to be seated early. The rest of us made a quick trip to the cabin to get baby needs, change clothes and freshen up!

 

Rita's was a lot of fun! I highly recommend the fiesta for the first night. It was a great way to start our cruise! The food was good but nothing I will miss at home but the staff was a lot of fun and got people involved. Yes, my dad was dancing with my son in the middle of the boardwalk and then they pulled me for a dance off- thank goodness for those 3 drinks that come along with the fiesta!!

 

IMG_7310.jpg

 

IMG_7270.jpg

After dinner we had a little time before oceanaria. We decided to stay on the boardwalk. That was my plan for the night....to pretty much DO the boardwalk experience. My DH was able to get a great pair of new flip flops in the star pier (i think that's the name) shop and the baby, my mom, and I rode the carousel!

 

IMG_7314.jpg

 

 

Then we got our seats for the show. It was incredible! Our sleepy son was wide eyed through the whole show! Everyone loved it! I was so nervous with the wind that it'd be cancelled but it wasnt!!! and I was so happy!!!

 

After dinner the guys went to the cabins to go to bed and mom and i got ice cream from the ice cream parlor!

 

next up: nassau (atlantis) and a funny story about how I ended up in jeans on formal night (and yes i am one of those that LOVES to dress up on formal night)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the review!!! Lovin' it so far!! Love me some good ol' "Cruise Crack" to help the weeks pass by until we finally get to sail the fabulous Ms. Allure :D

 

I'm just curious... since you did the Fiesta. On the previous sailing from you, the staff at Rita's was announcing to the crowd at the end of each Fiesta that Rita's would be changing over to a Margaritaville. Did they make this announcement to you, too? If yes, did they give any details?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the review!!! Lovin' it so far!! Love me some good ol' "Cruise Crack" to help the weeks pass by until we finally get to sail the fabulous Ms. Allure :D

 

I'm just curious... since you did the Fiesta. On the previous sailing from you, the staff at Rita's was announcing to the crowd at the end of each Fiesta that Rita's would be changing over to a Margaritaville. Did they make this announcement to you, too? If yes, did they give any details?

 

I did not hear that until I got back and read it on here! They may have and maybe i wasnt paying attention though!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We checked in. We should have split up and gone to different counters.

 

That may have not been an option, someone will correct me if I'm wrong, of if they think I'm wrong ;), but if the cabins are all on the same credit card for expenses they want you to check in together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Rita's was a lot of fun! I highly recommend the fiesta for the first night. It was a great way to start our cruise! The food was good but nothing I will miss at home but the staff was a lot of fun and got people involved. Yes, my dad was dancing with my son in the middle of the boardwalk and then they pulled me for a dance off- thank goodness for those 3 drinks that come along with the fiesta!!

 

 

Rita was also one of the highlights of my cruise...!! Glad to know you enjoyed it as well. Great review so far !!! Thank you for sharing !!!!!:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That may have not been an option, someone will correct me if I'm wrong, of if they think I'm wrong ;), but if the cabins are all on the same credit card for expenses they want you to check in together.

 

I didnt think of that (they probably would) but we had 2 different cards, one for each cabin!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tks for taking time to do your review & hope you guys are feeling better ASAP, we don't sail until Dec 30th for our 1st cruise ever so these reviews help us dream...

 

thanks! the reviews i read helped me so much so i wanted to come back and do one! I made lists from the reviews on what i wanted to do on the ship and then after the second day i started making new lists each day as i realized i may not be able to do it all...

 

things i missed out on: the beach pool, the florider (my brother went without me and i didnt even get a pic of him doing it), zip line, rock climbing (but i did it on mariner). we also missed the comedy show (we were running late the night we had reservations...they close the doors once it starts and we never made time to try for another night), the casino (other than a quick walk through). the one bar i planned to go to and didnt make it to was the bow and stern. chops, izumi, 150 central park (will all be on the list for the next time). also, they showed grease(my fav movie of all time) in the aquatheater at 10:30 one night and i couldnt keep my eyes open to go to it! we are a 6am-9pm (10:30 is like midnight for us). so we missed out on a lot of night life!

 

Not sure if i will get to Monday (Nassau) today but I will try. I work tomorrow until 3:30 so if not I will do it then! Both baby and my fevers are down to 99! On the way out but I still need to get some extra rest because I need to get back to taking care of my patients tomorrow!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Obsessedsc, I have a question since you were just on the Allure. I love reading your review we are set up for March 24, 2013 and this is very useful info since my brother will be joining us and will be traveling with a 11 month old. I did have a question if you would know are we aloud to bring a bottle of alcohol on the boat with us. I know Disney allows one bottle per person was not sure if this was the case for Royal. Looking foward to the rest of your review. Thanks again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...