Allure Star Class - first and maybe continuing impressions 5/29

We sail 8/21 in 1720 (allure). We have not heard from our genie yet, which I read is ok, we might not until 2 weeks out. However, I am getting worried about booking shows and restaurants. My TA says just book online, but when I do, it shows charging me. I don't want an OB credit back, I would want my card reversed, which I hear is hard/difficult for them to do. Hence I am waiting. Should I be worried?

 

Also, does anyone know if the cupcake class is free for Star guests?

What about the character breakfast?

 

any another random question: One thing we love about having the same wait staff at dinner is they get to know you (drinks, etc) and they are just so darn great! If we do specialty dinning will the service be as good?

 

If we want to have dessert in our room each night, can we tell our genie that and he/she arranges it? Or do we need to call each night to set it up?

 

Thanks in advance!

We too are on the 8/21/16 sailing on Allure with 11 in our family sharing the two Aqua Theater Suites on Deck 8. We received the questionnaire about 2 weeks ago, but have not had any contact from the Genie for either suite.

We have not made any reservations for restaurants or shows and share your minor anxiety over the Genie being able to accommodate our requests for reservations when there might be up to 11 people having to be included. For someone like me who likes to plan and schedule well in advance, it's hard to remain calm. See you on board in about 3 weeks.

Keith

Keith, we will have to plan to meet to say hi!

At least you got the original questionnaire. My issue is that some get it and some don't.

I have never cruised RC, always disney, so have high level of expectations (right or wrong) given service on disney we are used to (in a normal room) and what we paid/and are promised with STAR service. So far, not impressed.

I too, am a planner. I am told to wait to book with my genie. I feel nervous about that, but will wait and see. but oh boy, if things are booked......yikes.

Keith, we will have to plan to meet to say hi!

At least you got the original questionnaire. My issue is that some get it and some don't.

I have never cruised RC, always disney, so have high level of expectations (right or wrong) given service on disney we are used to (in a normal room) and what we paid/and are promised with STAR service. So far, not impressed.

 

I too, am a planner. I am told to wait to book with my genie. I feel nervous about that, but will wait and see. but oh boy, if things are booked......yikes.

We booked all of our shows and meals in advance even though the Genie is supposed to do it for us. I'd rather get the times and venues that we want, without any pressure. The charges will come back in the form of an OBC, to which I will use for private flowrider rental. Everyone is different though, it's just the way we chose to do it.

I don't understand, like you, why some get the survey and others don't. It shouldn't be in that many junk email folders. :confused:

We booked all of our shows and meals in advance even though the Genie is supposed to do it for us. I'd rather get the times and venues that we want, without any pressure. The charges will come back in the form of an OBC, to which I will use for private flowrider rental. Everyone is different though, it's just the way we chose to do it.

 

I don't understand, like you, why some get the survey and others don't. It shouldn't be in that many junk email folders. :confused:

Flow rider! Fun! We have a pretty large OBC now, so don't want to add to that. We will just play it by ear, which might be good for me to learn to do. :) I will let you know in 1 more week if I am still alive. LOL

We are looking forward to the room, the deck looks amazing, and no email or work, so it will be a great time.

Trust me, working at an IT company I have looked in every folder possible. I thought maybe it went to my TA instead of me, but she does not have it either. Oh well, I am not going to stress. I am not going to stress. I am not going to stress. LOL But really, I do think how would be telling them who I want to have dinner with impact my trip? :)

Flow rider! Fun! We have a pretty large OBC now, so don't want to add to that. We will just play it by ear, which might be good for me to learn to do. :) I will let you know in 1 more week if I am still alive. LOL

We are looking forward to the room, the deck looks amazing, and no email or work, so it will be a great time.

Trust me, working at an IT company I have looked in every folder possible. I thought maybe it went to my TA instead of me, but she does not have it either. Oh well, I am not going to stress. I am not going to stress. I am not going to stress. LOL But really, I do think how would be telling them who I want to have dinner with impact my trip? :)

I share your frustration with the communication from RC or the lack thereof. Due to having 6 family members in one suite and 5 in the other with 4 separate reservation numbers, we received 4 separate questionnaire emails. We responded with one completed questionnaire for each suite. Ironically, though my wife and I are the ones who booked the cruise originally and paid for it, neither of us received the email notification of the itinerary change. Fortunately my 2 daughters received the change notice, but its just another example of the inconsistencies in communication from RC

Regarding the shows, I spent time when the entertainment reservations first became available to book several shows including the comedy show just to be sure we would not find ourselves shut out once we were on board. Amazingly, those show times appeared under my reservation numbers one day, only to magically disappear a few days later when I checked again. Might this have been Genie Magic? Poof they're gone!

Who knows as we have never had any official guidance and /or directions from RC as to reserving restaurants/shows under the Star Class program that I recall. Fortunately being in the ATS on Deck 8, we can watch all of the shows in the Aqua Theater from the comfort of our balcony which eliminates the concern for reservations there.

This will be my oldest daughter's third cruise in the ATS (first with the new Star Class benefits). She has assured me the reservations will go smoothly and not to worry. Wish I was as confident when simple emails seem to get lost. Might the emails be coming from Hillary's private server?

So we heard about the itinerary change here! On CC! Not a huge deal although I like ending on the private island vs starting but I would imagine had I spent time booking and coordinating shows I would have been a little ticked. I am 120% positive we will have s great time!

Hi Terkov. First let me just say I am completely OCD when it comes to cruise planning. When we booked it was not a sure thing we would have Star that week since it was the first month (the usual Royal IT inconsistencies). So I planned and booked it all and coordinated with our friends in a CL.

I can tell you without a doubt - I would be perfectly fine walking onto that ship without any prior Genie contact and getting all the dinner and show reservations we needed. The only thing I would have wanted to be sure of before hand is the cabana at Labadee. And I took care of that in my first email to our Genie which was about 2 weeks out.

But the refund of our pre booked stuff was easy. It became OBC which went to the spa visits I already knew I would make. My small casino win paid for the cabana. :)

I'm a flow rider face plant so I don't do that anymore lol.

I am not sure about the dessert thing. But it's worth asking. They can make dinner appear every night in the cabin so why not just dessert?

For the shows - there is reserved seating by default for you in every venue except comedy club (too small).

For specialties they can make it happen. And with one exception we enjoyed all our waiters. Plus you can eat in CK every night with the same waiter.

The only specialty I might book ahead is Izumi tepanayaki if you have more than 4 people since it's a bit limited. But even that is a maybe.

Enjoy 1720. We are booked again next year.

Thank you Matt for the post. I am going to sit back and just not worry. This might be the dawn of a new era for me if I am able to do it and still have everything work out! That I guess would be the price of STAR class!!

We are low maintenance so once on board and everything is booked we are self sufficient. I look forward to the big balcony and spending time with my hubby and daughter. I think I am just used to disneys site and communication so start to panic being RC is new for us.

I am almost 9000% sure I will be joining your face plant flow rider club, but I am gonna try it!

I told our TA to,reach out to RC to try to book cabana b2 and dinner at the tepenaki place since my daughter loves the show these types of restaurants put on. Also might ask about booking the cupcake class as that is a must for my daughter and I.

We are also thinking chops, 150 CP and maybe the Italian place along with costal kitchen. Are we missuing anything we have to try? Was thinking Mexican day we board for lunch...

We like to leave surprises for our daughter while out at dinner. Or have a stuffed pokemon knock on the door. Do you think,this is something the room steward would do 1x or twice?

Work is crazy busy, looking forward to vacation! Thanks! Teresa

Hi Matt (and all who have contributed here) -

I'm in 1718 (couldn't get 1720 it was booked already so I hope 1718 is nice) next September and another SL on Anthem (first, in March). Haven't been on RCCL for years now and I'm very used to the Haven on NCL. But, I'm very low maintenance (really needed a bit more "assistance" when DH was alive as he was quite ill).

I jumped to RCCL since the information I read about the Genie seems like it will work for me as I really just need reservations for dinners and shows (and a cabana - things like that). And, the Genie should have it easy as I travel solo.

Do you know if the Genie can assist with something like daily breakfast in the suite? I'm an incredibly early riser and like to be outside (in a smoking area - yes, I know, not a good vice :o) with coffee -(and I'll have to figure out the best area for obtaining coffee near a smoking area - if anyone knows, that would be super) for a few hours to work and maybe read a bit. But, like daily breakfast in the suite (at a "normal" hour). I know they are **not** a butler, but not sure if they are the ones who help arrange that or do we just go through room service for anything "food" related?

I'm an "overplanner" (in addition to an "overpacker"), so this is really an entirely new cruising experience for me (since, on NCL, you pretty much had to make your reservations since the Concierge assistance was hit or miss getting you a reservation at boarding unless you were Garden Villa or similar).

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences! It really means a lot!

Hi Matt (and all who have contributed here) -

 

I'm in 1718 (couldn't get 1720 it was booked already so I hope 1718 is nice) next September and another SL on Anthem (first, in March). Haven't been on RCCL for years now and I'm very used to the Haven on NCL. But, I'm very low maintenance (really needed a bit more "assistance" when DH was alive as he was quite ill).

 

I jumped to RCCL since the information I read about the Genie seems like it will work for me as I really just need reservations for dinners and shows (and a cabana - things like that). And, the Genie should have it easy as I travel solo.

 

Do you know if the Genie can assist with something like daily breakfast in the suite? I'm an incredibly early riser and like to be outside (in a smoking area - yes, I know, not a good vice :o) with coffee -(and I'll have to figure out the best area for obtaining coffee near a smoking area - if anyone knows, that would be super) for a few hours to work and maybe read a bit. But, like daily breakfast in the suite (at a "normal" hour). I know they are **not** a butler, but not sure if they are the ones who help arrange that or do we just go through room service for anything "food" related?

 

I'm an "overplanner" (in addition to an "overpacker"), so this is really an entirely new cruising experience for me (since, on NCL, you pretty much had to make your reservations since the Concierge assistance was hit or miss getting you a reservation at boarding unless you were Garden Villa or similar).

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences! It really means a lot!

I'm sorry to hear about your husband, but it is nice to see that you are still cruising. 1718 is a nice SLS as well. We have stayed in it 1 time but have stayed in 1720 8 times or previous to the Star Class perks.

Depending on the time you are looking for coffee you can get it multiple places around the ship. I'd start in the suite lounge on deck 17 where they have a dedicated high grade full octane coffee machine. The real stuff there. There is also a coffee maker in the SLS.

You can also check the Wind Jammer (deck 16), Wipe Out Cafe (15 starboard side by basketball court), Cafe Promenade and Starbucks (for a fee) to which they are both on the Royal Promenade. There is also a coffe and donut set up on deck 8 port side near the carousel in the morning. I guess you could get it from room service as well.

We don't do morning room service so I wish we could help you with that. We go to the made to order free breakfast at Johnny Rockets.

Hope this helps you out. Allure is a wonderful ship and we have always enjoyed her.

We don't do morning room service so I wish we could help you with that. We go to the made to order free breakfast at Johnny Rockets.

Thank you. I've had a few under my belt now since he passed, and am getting used to cruising "solo" again as I had done for many years.

I keep forgetting about Johnny Rockets! Thanks for the reminder it's on the ship. It was his favorite place to go (go figure....he just thought it was fun). So, I'll keep that in mind that I can have breakfast there.

I think, also, RCCL will be a good change for me. It will get me more "out and about" than I've been in the "post-Bob" cruises I have taken. And, that is a good thing for me.

Thanks, also, for confirming 1718 would be OK. I thought the balcony on 1720 looked amazing; alas, even over a year out, I was too late to snag it. I'll have to be way more proactive for future bookings. :D

Thank you Matt for the post. I am going to sit back and just not worry. This might be the dawn of a new era for me if I am able to do it and still have everything work out! That I guess would be the price of STAR class!!

 

We are low maintenance so once on board and everything is booked we are self sufficient. I look forward to the big balcony and spending time with my hubby and daughter. I think I am just used to disneys site and communication so start to panic being RC is new for us.

 

I am almost 9000% sure I will be joining your face plant flow rider club, but I am gonna try it!

 

I told our TA to,reach out to RC to try to book cabana b2 and dinner at the tepenaki place since my daughter loves the show these types of restaurants put on. Also might ask about booking the cupcake class as that is a must for my daughter and I.

 

We are also thinking chops, 150 CP and maybe the Italian place along with costal kitchen. Are we missuing anything we have to try? Was thinking Mexican day we board for lunch...

 

We like to leave surprises for our daughter while out at dinner. Or have a stuffed pokemon knock on the door. Do you think,this is something the room steward would do 1x or twice?

 

Work is crazy busy, looking forward to vacation! Thanks! Teresa

We love Sabor, and usually go there two times during the cruise.

IMHO cabana B2 is the best spot to be. B1 is good to, but B2 has a better view of the ship. There is also a ceiling fan in the cabana and a power plug. If you need to charge a device bring its cord with you. We have been in this cabana at least 5 times. I would assume each cabana has a fan and plug.

The cabin stewards will help you out with the toy drop request. The stewards on deck 17 are the best. We have always met great stewards but to work on deck 17 means they are that much better. Tell them Andrew, Lisa, and Owen say hi and there is a great chance they know us or know of us.

If you get Jesus, he might just be the best of them all. He treats our 9 year old as though he was one of his own. Considerate, kind, helpful and left snickers, M&Ms, a stuffie, and over the top towel animals for him. The candy and stuffie was left by him, and not by RC's budget dollars. Now that being said we have sailed with Jesus and his assistant Keith 5 or 6 times in the last three years so maybe we get special treatment, which was the extra goodies. I highly suspect he will treat your daughter with the same thoughtfulness though. Jesus is quiet and soft spoken but the size of his heart is simply amazing. Jesus and Keith his assistant are great.

The others are too, so don't worry if you don't have Jesus. He has been working the two SLS and the aft CLS the last couple of years so there is a good chance you could have him. They do occasionally move work areas on deck 17.

Enjoy your vacation.

Andrew

Thank you. I've had a few under my belt now since he passed, and am getting used to cruising "solo" again as I had done for many years.

 

I keep forgetting about Johnny Rockets! Thanks for the reminder it's on the ship. It was his favorite place to go (go figure....he just thought it was fun). So, I'll keep that in mind that I can have breakfast there.

 

I think, also, RCCL will be a good change for me. It will get me more "out and about" than I've been in the "post-Bob" cruises I have taken. And, that is a good thing for me.

 

Thanks, also, for confirming 1718 would be OK. I thought the balcony on 1720 looked amazing; alas, even over a year out, I was too late to snag it. I'll have to be way more proactive for future bookings. :D

I think you are right with the statement that RC is getting you out there. There is nothing thing wrong with it. Our son likes JR for the fun and the food is decent. Sabor is also a great spot to people watch as it is on the boardwalk.

Here are a few pics of Oasis 1718, but is should be almost the same on Allure. It had a great quiet sea view.

Andrew

I think Andrew covered most everything.

As for breakfast in cabin - I think the Genie can make sure that happen. We like to eat "out" so didn't try it, but in suite dining - from the better food options, not regular room service menu - is supposed to be something they can do.

When they contact you - whether it's the questionnaire or the direct email - just be sure to let them know your "must do's".

The smoking area is on the port side of the main pool area. I can't remember if it was deck 15 or 16 or both since I don't smoke. But it is basically below and forward of the deck 17 area.

Found this about breakfast from a review on Oasis...

https://mobile.twitter.com/NicoleMarie4818/status/729272007024623620

https://mobile.twitter.com/NicoleMarie4818/status/729996106508206080

I think Andrew covered most everything.

 

As for breakfast in cabin - I think the Genie can make sure that happen. We like to eat "out" so didn't try it, but in suite dining - from the better food options, not regular room service menu - is supposed to be something they can do.

 

When they contact you - whether it's the questionnaire or the direct email - just be sure to let them know your "must do's".

 

The smoking area is on the port side of the main pool area. I can't remember if it was deck 15 or 16 or both since I don't smoke. But it is basically below and forward of the deck 17 area.

I wish to express my sincere thanks to Matt for his fabulous review and all of his extremely informative messages & helpful responses to the many questions on the new Star Class service that have been directed his way. His comments have always been respectful and courteous to the individual raising a question regardless of how uninformed us less seasoned cruisers must seem to him. Thanks again Matt!

Thanks so much Andrew for those fantastic pictures (and advice). It was super coming home from errands to see those.

And, Matt, thanks so much for your information. It's great to hear your experiences as well.

And, Chandom, thank you for those links to the Twitter pictures. Exactly what I needed to know (they'll have an easy tray with just me! :D )

I'm incredibly excited to be going back on RC - it seems like so much has changed and it will be a great experience!

I think Andrew covered most everything.

 

As for breakfast in cabin - I think the Genie can make sure that happen. We like to eat "out" so didn't try it, but in suite dining - from the better food options, not regular room service menu - is supposed to be something they can do.

 

When they contact you - whether it's the questionnaire or the direct email - just be sure to let them know your "must do's".

 

The smoking area is on the port side of the main pool area. I can't remember if it was deck 15 or 16 or both since I don't smoke. But it is basically below and forward of the deck 17 area.

Smoking is on port side decks 15 and 16.

All these questions make me wish I was there today not a month from now.

I know. My next cruise is on Empress - which will be the polar opposite of Allure. But with great friends every trip is memorable. :)

And I'm glad people enjoyed the review. And we've all been "new". :)

Sailing on Allure 8/21 and received the introductory email from our Genie, Marla, last night. My daughter who will be in the other Aqua Theater Suite on Deck 8 received the same email from Marla. I was curious whether both AT suites on a deck would have the same Genie considering the long horseshoe walk to reach one suite from the other, but now that has been answered. Suspect she must also have responsibility for one or both AT suites on Deck 9 too.

Has anyone cruised recently on the Allure with Marla as their Genie? Not sure what to expect apart from the comments of others here, yet anticipate we will feel so appreciative with any personal assistance from the Genie!

Keith

Sorry I can't tell you about Maria, but if she is who I think she is, I watched her interact with the little boy and girl of one her suites while we were waiting for the ice show to begin and the kids looked very happy.

I also wonder if there's a crew stairwell around that area that would take you two decks down to boardwalk and then you could cross over to the other side and go up? That would avoid the horseshoe.

I also wonder if there's a crew stairwell around that area that would take you two decks down to boardwalk and then you could cross over to the other side and go up? That would avoid the horseshoe.

Yes, there is a crew stairwell at the end of the hall.

Yes, there is a crew stairwell at the end of the hall.

Thanks. I figured there had to be from both an emergency standpoint and an efficiency one.

Yes, there is a crew stairwell at the end of the hall.

Some of the magic of the Genie is no longer a secret. Another mystery solved! Thanks for confirming the existance of the crew stairway!

Hi, we leave on the 8/21 allure in 1820 and finally heard from our genie. We have Marla. Any one have her or have heard about her?