BearBear12

We have had great experiences with the dining staff in the MDR. I think we also lucked out and had waiters who also had kids. Some nights it seemed like the kids got more attention than us, which is fine, it allowed us to enjoy our meals. They definitely move quicker with kids at the table and on a rough night they brought out cookies before dinner. (Did ask us first.)
A few nights one of us would leave early, as with most things with young kids, things don’t always work out as planned and you just improvise. 

If it’s only three nights I would add one to your room reservation - as mentioned the two youngest can share the sofa bed no problem. 

Sounds like it didn’t go well, but that was 2018. Wonder if it has been fixed, sounds fun.

Please let us know if you go or if it has improved, does look promising. If not we just might have to improvise and make our own hunt. 

I would just start the cruise with an open mind and do what you feel is reasonable. The kids always get more attention than us - 5 & almost 2, so we have left the auto tips on as we felt the staff went above and beyond.

On Allure is was about $61(Don’t remember exactly) total for 10 draft beers. Had it on a previous cruise so asked for one on second day and got it. Just ordered one beer on day one but that was with a specialty drink with my wife so maybe bartender didn’t think to ask.

First day they just had 1 of 3 taps working and last two days they were running out of stock again. I’m not too picky so didn’t mind but worth considering.

Post it notes or magnetic dry erase boards on cabin doors.

On Allure we were able to move the bed and fold out sofa away from each other and put the pack and play in between n the balcony room. Tight fit but 5 year old likes to roll around and sofa was just too small.

You can bring two bottles of wine onboard per stateroom as well.

As mentioned coffee on board is buffet coffee, can splurge and try an espresso drink onboard before trying card to see if it suits you. Just left Allure and cards were not offered but after a few drinks I ended up asking for one for draft beer and got it. Drink packages didn’t seem heavily pushed like they have been in the past though either.

That being said we always get a case of bottled water for the convenience.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

That is correct with the hallways.

I would guess Central Park would be the quietest, aside from the piped in birds chirping. The Boardwalk and Promenade have events that run a little later into the evening.

Yes. Inside Cups and Scoops on the Boardwalk. It is extra. Unfortunately we never made it inside on our recent trip so I can’t comment about the selection.

Article on RC blog with details - can’t link:

Spotted: Cups & Scoops on Allure of the Seas

Have seen the small magnetic dry erase boards attached to a few doors with the room occupants daily schedule. Have to go to room door to check for updates though.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Loved the review!

There are independent drivers or shuttles, found one on Yelp, that do provide a car seat. You won’t get the free shuttle from airport to hotel - that’s usually priced per person, but some do have car seats. It beats having to lug around the car seat in the cruise cabin.

You really can’t go wrong either way, today I would vote Western and in a week I would vote Eastern.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I think this excursion on this particular day was just a disaster. I don’t remember the written description exactly, but it was supposed to be a beach break too. Apparently they didn’t stop at beach break because their were too many cruises in port that day and the beach was too crowded.

The excursion itself seemed overbooked and operators disorganized. Wasn’t bad overall but definitely not as described and wouldn’t recommend. At least they pulled out the good rum after snorkeling, might have been 151 proof, or my wife had more than she is admitting.

We just did did Jamaica on Allure and we left our kids on the boat. We were very happy with Adventure Ocean and Jamaica is just one of the places we wouldn’t want to bring our kids (2 & 5) outside of the port area. Just personal preference. The port area is nice for light shopping with the little one if you want to take them off the boat.

Assuming you are doing a Western tour so you will be able to have nice beach days in Cozumel,Haiti or Bahamas with the baby.

I guess it also depends on what you plan on doing at other ports. If anything I would do a resort beach day. We always do adventurous tours in Jamaica and it’s one place we never regretted leaving the kids on the boat.