Jump to content

Indescribable! (But I'll try): My Allure Photo Review


Recommended Posts

Greetings everyone! My husband and I just returned from the October 7th sailing of the Allure of the Seas (Western Caribbean), and I'm very excited to be able to share our vacation with you. We had a wonderful time on the Allure, I miss the ship already. She's so large that it's kind of difficult to grasp the enormity of the ship until you sail her yourself. And even then, sometimes her size is hard to comprehend. It's a beautiful ship and very easy to navigate. We would love to sail the Allure again.

For those of you who are familiar with my reviews, you'll recall that this will be more of a trip report than an actual formal review. I hope this provides you with some helpful information as you prepare to sail the Allure, or even if you're considering sailing her. Even if the Allure is not on your radar, may this serve as a “virtual vacation,” as so many of the other fantastic reviews here on CC do for me. Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc. Everyone is always so helpful here that I enjoy being able to pay it forward.

It should take me a couple days to get through everything, and I have tons of photos, menus, and Cruise Compasses. As far as cameras go, I used a Canon Powershot ELPH 100 HS. So follow along with me, and enjoy!

About us: My name is Chrystal, and my husband's name is Wesley. We're a couple that loves to travel and share information from our experiences, so Cruise Critic is a great place to us! Here's a photo of us on the Serenade of the Seas in 2010:

Serenade1010_zpsb4ad1c1f.jpg

 

We live in South Jersey, and met in high school 13 years ago. We dated through college, and got married in 2006. We honeymooned on an NCL cruise to Bermuda. Impressed with Bermuda, but a little underwhelmed with the ship. I think the ship we sailed was very old and sold to another line sometime after we sailed her. We tried an all-inclusive a couple years later and enjoyed that, but we decided to give cruising a try one more time since we were interested in seeing the Southern Caribbean. Since we sailed the Adventure of the Seas in 2009, we've been hooked on Royal Caribbean. We sailed the Southern Caribbean two more times after that, and set our sights on the Allure after we sailed the Serenade last year. You can see my other reviews by clicking the links in my signature.

 

Cruising for our wedding anniversary has become a tradition. However, on this sailing, we had an even greater reason to celebrate....we're having a baby! :D We found out in May. So this cruise served as our 6th anniversary/baby-moon cruise. Here's a recent photo of us, with my Mom who is ecstatic about her first grandchild :):

 

FamilyPhoto_zps50631bda.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First of all .... Congratulations on the pregnancy! When are you due and do you know what you're having? My sister has only a few weeks left to her due date. Like your Mum, my mum is also very excited about becoming a Gran!

 

And secondly, am looking forward to the rest of your review. One day, hopefully I'll get to book a cruise on Allure or Oasis! Or maybe I can just dream!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, where should I start? Even getting to the ship was quite an ordeal for us. I'll give details on that shortly. We were supposed to sail the Allure on September 23rd. I was 20 weeks pregnant at that time, and had my doctor's note ready to go. Our original plan was to stay in Miami precruise beginning on Friday, then take a shuttle from our hotel to the ship on Sunday morning. We flew Jetblue from JFK to Fort Lauderdale. Their terminal in JFK is fantastic! And I love their snacks. Just warning you that since I have a baby on the way, food is BIG part of my review, and you'll see lots of food pics, lol. Here's my customary Jetblue shot:

Allure2012003.jpg

Upon our arrival, we received a call from our shuttle company, (Quality Limo Service, or QLS) and they let us know they were tracking our flight and saw that we landed. Very impressive! We received instructions on where to wait after we retrieved our luggage. Sure enough, the shuttle arrived about 20 minutes after our luggage arrived. It was a shared shuttle, so there were already some passengers in the van, however there were two empty rows in back. Wes took one row and I took the other. Very comfortable. Our driver was pretty talkative. He let asked us where were from, and as soon as we said New Jersey, he got excited since he was from New York. He moved for the warmer weather and more laid-back vibe. We completely understand why he moved! We live at a breakneck speed here in the northeast and it can be a little taxing on you. We're considering moving to the South sometime in the future. But I digress...

It was a pleasant 45-minute ride from FLL to Miami. The other group was dropped off in downtown Miami, and then we were on our way to our hotel, the Z Ocean South Beach, right on Collins Avenue. Actually, the hotel has an entrance on Collins, as well as one on the famous Ocean Drive. I was looking for a boutique-type, adult experience in South Beach, something memorable for DH and myself. I wasn't disappointed! What a lovely place. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty. Actually, before we arrived, we were treated so kindly. I emailed the concierge (I always do this before a hotel stay) to let her know why we were staying, and to ask some questions about the room. Specifically, our Spa Suite had a jacuzzi tub on the balcony. Since I was expecting, it's not advisable to use a jacuzzi, unless the water temp is set at 100 degrees or below. I asked if the temperature could be adjusted, and she said that was absolutely possible. So happy to hear that!

Anyway, when the shuttle pulled up to the hotel, a bellman immediately unloaded our luggage and whisked it away while we checked in. We entered a beautiful, intimate lobby.

 

 

Allure2012008.jpg

Stacie, our front desk assistant, was wonderful. She welcomed us to the hotel, helped us check in smoothly, and congratulated us on our anniversary and baby on the way. Another attendant approached us and offered us cool towels and small bottles of cold water. Nice touch!

 

 

Allure2012005.jpg

Since I wasn't expecting our rooms to be ready when we arrived (I think it was around noon), I had a nice lunch spot in mind. All the locals in Miami rave about this sandwich stand called La Sandwicherie, and since I Googled the spot, I noticed that it was within walking distance of our hotel. I asked Stacie for directions, and she quickly printed us a map of how to get there. It was literally 3 blocks away. The bellman gave us a ticket for our luggage, and told us we wouldn't see it again until we settled into our suite. Fine with us! So off we went to lunch while they prepared our room.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Chrystal! Hope you guys had a relaxing week! Thanks again for the champagne, it was a nice addition to the 2nd formal night! Back to reality here in the Philly area, rainy and yucky today! And I had a bout of land sickness today (still whirling here now). Will look forward to your expert review of the ship, it sure was amazing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HELLO Host Faith! So glad you two enjoyed your cruise (even if you were only able to drink your Miami Vice drinks virgin style). Couldn't remember when you had re-booked your cruise for, but knew it was some time in October and have been patiently waiting for your posting.

 

I'M EXCITED - just love your articulate and very detailed reviews.

 

Thanks so much.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

La Sandwicherie is a lot smaller than I had in mind, but the charm of the shop was evident as soon as we walked up to the window. There was a row of stools along the counter, as well as a separate window for takeout. The workers in the stand spoke French, and had heavy accents when taking our orders in English.

Allure2012013.jpg

Allure2012011.jpg

Allure2012010.jpg

 

Because of the crowd, we decided to order our food to-go and take it back to the hotel. I ordered a seafood salad, and Wes had his usual- turkey, provolone, lettuce with a little oil and vinegar. No matter where we go, that's what he orders, lol. I also ordered a strawberry smoothie. While we waited, we chatted with some of the locals. One kind lady asked us right away if we were from NY/NJ. She could tell from the way we spoke that we were from that area, since she was from New York. Again, she moved for the more laid-back vibe, and for the warmth. She was a nurse and licensed massage therapist and doing quite well for herself. She said lots of people, not just retired, were moving to Florida from the northeast.

Our food was ready within 5-10 minutes, and off we went back to the hotel. We found a nice seating area just off the lobby and settled in with our food.

I have to say, like everyone else says in their recommendations of La Sandwicherie- everything was so deliciously fresh! My seafood salad was sitting on a bed of crisp vegetables, and I was given a small loaf of fresh French bread to go with my salad. The little French pickles on top (cornichons) were delightful. Just wonderful. The Dijon dressing they serve on the side is yummy....though I actually make that same dressing at home so it wasn't anything all that special to me, lol. Though my husband's sandwich was simple, he raved about the freshness of every component of it.

 

 

Allure2012016.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh my, Oh my, Oh my, the review I been waiting for!!!!!!!!! Give me, Give me, Give me!!!!!!!

 

Haha! So happy you enjoy the reviews. I'm writing as fast as I can :)

 

Yeah! Faith is back...can't wait for your review!

 

Thank you! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great start! Can't wait to read your whole trip report.. We went on our 1st cruise on the Oasis this past June & had to try out Allure also.. We are on Allure May 2013 Western also. :)

Thx for taking the time to share!!

 

Thank you! My pleasure :)

 

Looking forward to your review and photos. By the way congratulations on the new baby.

 

Thank you so much!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can't wait......Will be on Allure Dec 2nd.....Was on Oasis last year....

 

You're in for a great time on the Allure! Happy cruising to you!

 

Yay can't wait! My post cruise depression is hitting hard and this should help even it out. Lol

 

LOL! I can totally relate. Even worse, we don't have another cruise booked right now. Sigh. :rolleyes::)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Woooo! I cannot wait to see how you liked the Allure. I wonder if you felt like me.

 

Congrats on the baby!!!! Yay!!!! You guys look so happy and your little belly is so cute!

 

Hey there! Thank you so much, I loved your review! Still sorting out how I feel about the Allure. We had a fantastic time and the ship was beautiful. I think the review will help me determine how I really feel about a ship of that size. We'll see! :)

 

First of all .... Congratulations on the pregnancy! When are you due and do you know what you're having? My sister has only a few weeks left to her due date. Like your Mum, my mum is also very excited about becoming a Gran!

 

And secondly, am looking forward to the rest of your review. One day, hopefully I'll get to book a cruise on Allure or Oasis! Or maybe I can just dream!

 

Thank you! Due in early February, and we're having a boy. We can't wait to meet him! We couldn't bear the suspense of not knowing. How exciting about your sister! Does she know what she's having?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was on your cruise, too! Can't wait to read your review and see your pictures! It was an absolutely amazing ship!! :D

 

Wasn't the ship amazing?! So impressive. Did you have a favorite area of the ship, or a favorite feature? It's hard for me to pick just one, lol.

 

congratulations on the baby! I'm looking forward to your report.

 

Thank you so much! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First off, congratulations on having your first child.

 

Secondly, cannot wait to read your review. Enjoyed reading about your experience on the Liberty of the Seas earlier. The Allure is a great ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Chrystal! Hope you guys had a relaxing week! Thanks again for the champagne, it was a nice addition to the 2nd formal night! Back to reality here in the Philly area, rainy and yucky today! And I had a bout of land sickness today (still whirling here now). Will look forward to your expert review of the ship, it sure was amazing!

 

Hi Beth! We're so happy you enjoyed the champagne. :) Yeah the weather here today was pretty dismal. I miss the beautiful sunshine we had all week! I felt like I was still on the ship today too!

 

Looking forward to another great review. welcome back and congratulations!

 

Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HELLO Host Faith! So glad you two enjoyed your cruise (even if you were only able to drink your Miami Vice drinks virgin style). Couldn't remember when you had re-booked your cruise for, but knew it was some time in October and have been patiently waiting for your posting.

 

I'M EXCITED - just love your articulate and very detailed reviews.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Haha! Thank you! And I did have a Miami Vice, no alcohol. We had a great time :)

 

Congratulations on your baby. Can't wait for the rest of your review. My husband and I are doing a back to back next year on the Allure for our 25th anniversary. So please don't leave out any details.

 

Thank you! What a wonderful (and well-deserved) way to celebrate your 25th anniversary! I'll try to be as detailed as possible. Here's to a beautiful anniversary cruise for you two :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • 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...