urbancruiser

Heading out on Allure in a few weeks and was interested in any feedback on wine tasting. I assume Vintages offers some events. Can you recommend any and provide costs?

 

Thanks

Mollybax

We just got back from the Allure and spent a lot of time in Vintages but did not do the wine tastings. I think there were three and the cost was $40 per person per tasting. One was Italian wine, one California wine (including Caymus) and not sure what the third one was, possibly French. There was also a wine tasting in the main dining room one afternoon and it was either $10 or $15 per person (we heard both prices so maybe it was $10 if you booked it early but not sure.)

Wow. What a beautiful ship. Love Central Park. Promenade and Boardwalk very cool. Love our room location just steps from Vintages in Central Park.

 

We also loved Central Park and Vintages!! Our favorite staff members were Gemma and Daniel from Vintages!! Will be on the Allure in October but Gemma will be on a much deserved time off from the ship. Enjoy her if she's there now!! She's the best!!!

If your reservation is part of a "group" (I think it's 8 cabins or more booked as a group), you must call RCI directly to make a payment. They don't give you the online payment option.

No, it was totally by accident that we were walking near the customer service desk and there was a bulletin board that anyone could use, and someone had put a note on there.

Thank you! I will check there!

How did you find out about the Saturday Mass? I understand that it's not a guarantee that there will be a priest onboard who will do this, but if there is, do they put it in the Compass?

I had an interesting experience with dining times. We have a group of 18 going on Allure in October. We booked last October (one year in advance.) The originator of our group was told that Traditional Dining was not available and we were put into MTD. I have been making regular payments and since it's considered to be part of a group, I can't pay online, I have to call the Group department. So, every time I paid, I asked about Traditional Dining and was told it wasn't available. Until, February, when I was told it was closed. CLOSED?? When was it OPEN??

The rep that I spoke with couldn't understand it either so she called the Dining Department and after holding for a while, she came back and told me that they "opened up" 18 spots for us in Traditional - either early or late. I called the person who organized all of us and she checked with everyone and now we have Late Seating.

I guess it pays to be persistent!

The pattern I found as reported on this board was 9+ day sailings with the exception of:

 

Allure of the Seas - 7 day cruises - April through May 22. The discount seemed to start after Spring Break then go away Memorial weekend, probably as a start to summer.

 

Jewel of the Seas - 7 day cruise - 7/17/2016 (I haven't caught if any other Jewel dates have been reported).

I'm on the Allure in October and there is no discount showing for beverage packages. Do the discounts just randomly pop up or should I resign myself to the fact that I'm just not getting a discount? I keep checking just in case!

Vintages was a great spot. Comfy chairs and acoustical guitar music some evenings. Never got around to trying the tapas, but heard from other PAX that they were good.

We were on the Allure in October in the Med and spent a lot of time at Vintages. One evening after having a huge lunch in Rome, we opted out of a big dinner and had the tapas at Vintages and it was excellent!! I'd highly recommend it!!! Loved the Allure!!!

How were the seas?

We sailed on 10/4 from Barcelona and the sea was very calm until the last day from Naples back to Barcelona. The sea was a little rough and it was cold, windy and rainy. The rest of the time, the weather was beautiful so we couldn't complain. We still had a great time!

We left our hotel around 10:30 AM (Hotel Jazz) and walked right onto the ship - no waiting! Check in was very quick and efficient!

I know people often mention Park Café for their roast beef sandwiches.

 

What kind of food is at Vintages? That's one place that I don't remember hearing about.

Vintages has a nice tapas menu with a la carte pricing. We ate their one evening after a long touring day and big lunch in Rome. I would think they would have the same menu at lunch.

We were on the Allure from 10/4-10/11 and DH had his hair cut in the salon by a male stylist from the Phillipines. He said it was the best haircut that he has ever had. Price was around $35 and he had an Emerald level discount on a salon service - I think it was 15% off.

We're sailing out of Barcelona so does anyone know if the VAT (tax) would be charged if we purchased internet onboard?

Thank you for the info!!!

You should purchase OBC.

 

I always purchase it as I pay my vacations in advance. It feels good to come home from a vacation knowing you will not be seeing any bills.

Can you purchase OBC online before your cruise? I would like to do that but couldn't find that option on the RCI website

We enjoyed Paul O'Shea last week on Liberty of the Seas. Great musician and lots of fun singing along. He did repeat songs night-to-night, but only at audience request. He was TONS better than the guitar player singing in the pub!

We were probably on the same cruise - 1/24-1/28? We also enjoyed Paul O'Shea. The guitar player in the pub was awful!!! Surely RCI could find someone with a little bit of talent for the pub.

Five

My first cruise was onboard Sitmar's Fairwind in 1974 with my family. It was a small ship with a small number of passengers. The crew was all Italian and the food and service were second to none.

I have very fond memories of my 4 Sitmar cruises and have also enjoyed the growth of the cruise industry over the years. Yes, the good old days are gone but the new ships are exciting and I eagerly await each new adventure.

I feel very fortunate that I was able to experience cruising in the past but I feel equally as fortunate to experience cruising today and hopefully in the future - whatever that holds for the cruise industry.

I just LOVE to cruise.