janetmojo

Where were we? Sorry for the delay folks, just having great fun on the Allure this week! Next up was our Chef’s table dinner. Now we had eaten a lot of sushi at noonish and the Chef’s Table was 6:30 (which is WAY early for us to eat dinner) so keep that in mind when reading.

We were to meet in front of the library at 6:20 and about 6:30 all 10 people were there and we were given a welcome cocktail, I THINK it was a Kir Royale. We were escorted through the Diamond Lounge (which was not open, they are using overflow in Blaze this week) and upstairs to where the table was set up.

We had a lovely time getting to know everyone at our table and that was one of the nicest aspects of the dinner.

There were rolls out (3 varieties) and butter. Our waiter introduced himself and I’ll be honest, he was pretty hard to understand. The chef came out and introduced himself and he was also fairly hard to understand. There was music playing in the background which we asked to be turned down, I don’t think it ever was.

Our waiter explained the first course and the wine. Scallop Carpaccio, yuzu vinaigrette, crispy quinoa with a Sauvignon Blanc.

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This was the tuna wasabi and it was probably our favorite item of the meal. We might have to get a few of these sent to the room ;)

We had a standard Nigiri combo.

And wrapped things up with a waitress recommended Baked Snow Crab and Eel Dynamite Chef’s signature roll. It was so good but we couldn’t quite finish it.

No dessert for us as we had chef’s table at 6:30!!

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Where were we? Ah lunch yesterday.

Izumi sushi lunch, one of our favorites. I have been a little off sushi lately (not sure why) so you’ll see we ordered more non sushi items that usual. Since we are Star class we didn’t have a dollar limit on what we could order.

Edamame they serve to everyone.

My cocktail called a Spicy Okinawa (Sriracha and citrus mixed with agave, grapefruit juice and premium sake.

I’ll just say it was...interesting. Would have been better without the pulp?

Here is our Shrimp Firecracker Spring Rolls

Tasty.

We also got the Crispy Chicken Kara-age. This was a new dish for us. Very yummy fried chicken thigh pieces with a sweet and sour sauce.

And we also ordered some pork gyoza (we went a little crazy with the apps)

Next up the sushi!

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You kind of skipped over the whole checkin process. How did it go ? Was your Genie there to greet you or did someone else escort you to your suite (4 SC cruises so far and as of yet, our Genie has never been the one to take us to our suite !!) ? How was the luggage delivery ? We have never mastered the luggage part of SC. Our luggage has been mysteriously delayed every single time. No idea what we're doing wrong...

Sure! So we arrived earlier than recommended (10 instead of 11). We were just ready to leave the hotel [emoji23]. The check in at that time was very uncrowded. In fact even though we were escorted right thru to the waiting area people on our shuttle arrived the same time we did. We were seated in the Star class/Pinnacle waiting area and Charlie came to check on us about 10:40? Said Susan would be down shortly but they had some delays with the B2B cruisers. Susan came down about 11 and Charlie escorted two groups up about 11:15 while Susan waited with a big group. We were dropped off and then she came by to check on us and see if we had questions about the room etc.

We left for lunch at 12, back about 1:30 and luggage was there so I’m not exactly sure what time it came. Although we did get someone else’s garment bags oops.

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Hubby heard people all around his talking about how great the filet was but he had one for lunch so he had the Branzino (which was pretty fishy.). It’s not a fish I have often so I wasn’t sure how to guide him.

I don’t think it was bad or anything I just think he was second guessing his choice (he was also still full from lunch so not a lot of it got eaten.)

I went with the Osso bucco with polenta and it was delicious. The portion was huge though. #somuchfood

We managed to share a chocolate hazelnut torte with a scoop of vanilla gelato and we really enjoyed it.

Hubby headed right to bed. And I enjoyed the Ocean Aria show at 10:15am.

Time to find some breakfast!!

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Giovanni’s dinner...

We arrived at 8pm and some larger family groups were just finishing up. We were seated at a table for two and given menus. We told them tap water was fine but once they saw our cards they brought bottled water (roll eyes). They took our wine order. We just asked for a Chardonnay on the package and they actually kept a bottle handy for us. As we looked over the menu they brought bread with dipping oil and automatically brought the meat and cheese board which I’m not sure we were going to order but ended up meeting most of it. Everything was yummy but it’s not nearly as fancy as the one at Jamie’s on Anthem.

(Sorry it was dark in there.)

Leslie ordered the ahi tuna crudo which he said was just ok. (That’s some meat and cheese from the board next to it.)

He also had the carpaccio (he’s a fan of the raw stuff [emoji23])

I had an appetizer sized (??) portion of the mushroom risotto, it was large. It was good not amazing. I make this at home so I’m picky [emoji12]

Next up entrees.

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So a bit about this giant room. First off I can post pics or you can just search for Allure 1701 and check it out.

It’s HUGE! Way too big for two people, although there is only one regular bed so extra folks would end up on a pull out couch. It’s almost “cavernous” we keep joking about how many steps it is to the bathroom, closet etc. Its so not what we are used to. We even have a fairly small house.

There is so much wasted space, a whole set of closets we aren’t even using. A second full bathroom. Also and here’s the kicker...I guess bc it is so big and tall (2 stories tall and open) it makes a lot of noise. We have a loud rattling in the ceiling and a loud whistling from one of the windows. I’m going to see if anything can be done about that later today. I slept with a pillow over my head!

You might also want to pack some kind of small nightlight. The bathroom area is kind of open to the bed and so you can’t leave a light on in there at night. But there are three steps up/down in the night to the bathroom. Kind of a dangerous thing in the dark. I might be missing something. Also going to ask.

Headed to get some coffee and I’ll update on Giovanni’s last night!

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Janet, thank you for bringing us along with your pics. Looking forward to more food reviews.

Were the sides at Chops fresh tasting, or did it taste like it has been sitting under the heat lamp for a while?

That upside down apple pie is just strange.

How is you first impression with Star class so far?

The sides were just ok, the Mac and cheese was pretty bland and hubby didn’t eat many fries (I just asked him and he said heat lamp.). I mean it wasn’t all bad or anything, we’ve just had better Chops food on other ships.

Star class, ha ha. Honestly it’s amazing but we also got a great deal on it. The reservations for dinner and shows are great but other than that we just don’t require much attention. We don’t snack, we haven’t needed anything really.

I’m about to post a quick follow up about our room.

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I went with the chicken...

The skin was crispy and delicious, just way too much chicken.

Hubby had the filet, I stole a bite, it was very good.

He’s not a ship sauce guy, strictly A1 [emoji849].

We had fries (him) and Mac and cheese (me). You never know if the chicken comes with mashed potatoes, (it did this time.)

Hubby finished with the apple pie which for some reason was upside down [emoji23]

Spent the day unpacking, getting to know our way around, spent about an hour in the casino and headed to dinner at Giovanni’s. Hopefully we can stay awake for Aqua theatre show at 10:15. We are a little short on sleep.

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Howdy from onboard in our crazy enormous suite [emoji15]. Getting on the ship was smooth but we did come over pretty early (10am) so we had to wait til about 11 to board.). We know better than to deal with the windjammer on day 1 so we had noon reservations for Chops. It might take a couple posts here...

Chops was very good, not amazing. We actually had better Chops lunch on Enchantment go figure.

Apps-Bread for the table, Shrimp Cocktail for both of us, beef carpaccio for hubby and we shared the wedge salad.

Shrimp was great (it’s shrimp cocktail [emoji23]), I didn’t try the beef, the salad was fair. Light on the good stuff (dressing, bacon and blue cheese.)

Up next entrees!

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Good Morning from the Rodeway Inn (home to the loudest window AC unit in history!). After a bit of a sleepless night we are up and waiting for our 10:30 shuttle. I’ll give the hotel props for this...

And in case it needed explaining...

Ha ha ha ha!

We met up with some fellow cruisers last night and ate dinner at the restaurant here at the hotel (I believe it was called Marina 84). Once again it was just ok and I’m saving up for cruise food :)

Hubby’s overpriced steak fajitas...

And my chicken Caesar salad...

Continental breakfast wasn’t worth photos, but they did have make your own waffles if that is your thing. I’m saving room for lunch at Chops!

Next stop check in for the Star Class!

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At Rodeway Inn.

 

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Woot see you at 8

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I forget where you guys are staying? Just updated my thread as well.

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And we are off! (Aka how we almost missed our flight oops!)

So we left our home in plenty of time (about 70 mins to the airport) no lines anywhere so we had out first meal of the trip at the Atlanta Airport...

Sorry hubby destroyed his mushroom Swiss burger with mustard before I got my shot lol. My chicken/bacon sandwich was exactly as described but nothing special.

So now is where it gets interesting!! So we walk down towards our gate which I thought was A4 and it was crowded so we sat at another gate. But I could see the gate so no biggie. I made a couple phone calls, took selfies wondered why no one was boarding.

Finally hubby says let’s go pee then walk to the gate. Ok. So we walk back to A4 and it says Salt Lake. Puzzled. Hubby speaks up and says, our gate is A5. “You mean the one with NO people at it???” We jog down there and are the last people to board. Sheeesh! That has never happened to me. I guess I need a vacation.

An uneventful flight and a quick shuttle to the Rodeway Inn (which I must say is pretty much exactly what I expected.). After arrival we realized the bar drinks were going to be a little expensive for the whole evening so we took the hotel shuttle to the grocery store ($10 RT for 2) and now we are sipping our Winn Dixie wine and beer hanging out and getting ready for an evening swim!

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It only just occurred to me at this very moment that you and amsred2 are on the same cruise, I am officially a moron :'):'):')

 

I hope you two meet in person, that would be an awesome CC experience :)

Yes it will be fun to compare them right? Oh we will def meet, we’ve had a super active group chatting pre cruise and a few events planned!

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Getting close now folks although I have to admit I'm not even close to being ready to go. One last day of work today and then I need to work on laundry, packing, stopping the mail, writing out a note for the pet sitting, do next week's payroll ya know nothing important at all :) Flight out of the ATL tomorrow at 1:50pm!

Just finished up my last minute packing. I swear that every time I cruise that the next time "I'm just going to pack the essentials." But yet again, I debated whether I needed a whole suitcase for shoes and bathing suits. Of course I do!!!

#jealous I haven't even started getting clothes out to pack. Working on laundry during my last day of work. So much to do!!

Don't worry, l won't do shots without you...probably won't do shots without you.

#allthepatron

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Hi everyone. For everyone still following along...stay tuned! I have had a busy weekend at work but have a day off tomorrow to binge write the rest of my pre-cruise musings. They'd only 5 more work days until my live review.

Girl I'm feeling ya, 5 more work days here too!!

Thanks, your itinerary is nearly identical to my December cruise aboard Adventure minus St. Kitts (eight nights vs your seven nights). Do you and Leslie have any excursions booked?

So excursion wise...we are booked with Alan’s tours in St Maarten for the 6 hour tour. In San Juan we are just headed to the forts on our own and in Labadee we just plan on hanging at the Suite class beach annnnd I have us booked for the zip line (hubby doesn’t know). Luckily he doesn’t read cruise critic :)

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Following along, we board Allure the following week! I'll live vicariously through you which is almost like taking a back to back, right? ;)

Oh wow yes, thank goodness I have one more week to get my overall junk together ;). Have soooo much fun!

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Doing some liver training tonight...

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What? We have to book shows?

the planner to have displayed in our cabin and hubby has no excuse to “forget” we had Mama Mia scheduled for day two at 5PM.

I'm signed up for the same time for the show, I don't think my hubby wants to go if you want to sit with me (I can probably tell my genie to reserve extra seats ;) )Hit me up on FB or FB messenger (Janet Pirkle)

Hello fellow early fortysomething year old lady, looking forward to your review :) What is your itinerary for your Allure cruise?

Sept 30th-Ft. Lauderdale

Oct 1-At sea

Oct 2-At sea

Oct 3-St. Maarten (8-5)

Oct 4-San Juan (7-2)

Oct 5-Labadee (9:30-6)

Oct 6-At sea

Oct 7-Ft. Lauderdale

Definitely starting early with the review [emoji848]

 

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My life will become increasingly insane between now and 2 weeks from now :) It was one of those, if I don't go ahead and post something I probably won't do it at all kind of thing. A bit of early motivation.