Allure of the Seas July 15 2018 Suite

There is a new way of cruising called suite class, which we gave a second try aboard RCL Allure of the Seas. Cabin 14644 with 556/243 sq ft cabin/balcony. We find that 300 sq ft is ample, but could not pass up the deal we got on this OS cabin. We only got around to using 2/3 of the balcony, a table and 2 lounge chairs was great. We arrive at the port early at 9:30 am and were led to the 2nd floor passenger holding area divided by passenger levels Gold thru to Pinnacle/Suite level. At 10 am we were let on board, Pinnacle/Suite class first. We headed directly to our cabin to retrieve our key cards. Alas, all cabin hallways are closed until 1 pm and we were unable to get our key cards which open suite lounge. We headed to the Coastal Kitchen Lounge and could not get in. No concierge was yet on duty nor bar tender, no one. We found the library open so we sat and waited an hour and tried the suite lounge again. A concierge was checking in other suite guests and we waited there for the adjacent Coastal Kitchen to open for lunch at 12. After lunch we were able to locate our cabin and key cards. Late luggage arrival after boat drill created a problem of time to unpack, shower and prepare for dinner. After boat drill we had to climb the stairs from deck 5 to our cabin deck 14., as the elevators are impossible to get. The suite class on Allure does provide its guests with a separate sun deck, which could come in handy if your cabin balcony exposure is not to your liking that day. Plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas, and bar; in the sun or in the shade. Complimentary drinks are provided suite guests ONLY in the Coastal Kitchen and its Lounge deck 17. Complimentary red wine is limited to one house merlot and one house cabernet. The cuisine in the Coastal Kitchen last summer was better, so good in fact that we booked on board this cruise only to be much disappointed. The same breakfast and lunch menu is presented every day. The upholstery in the Coastal Kitchen needs to be replaced as does the carpeting in the more high traffic areas of the ship. Entertainment is top notch. Suite guests are treated to reserved seating for all shows up until 10 minutes before showtime. We advise all suite guests to see their concierge to reserve the comedy shows. This venue holds around a hundred passengers and is reservations only. Disembarkation was a bit more convoluted. Suite guests were instructed to meet in the Coastal Kitchen lounge about half hour before they were instructed to take the elevators down to deck 5 the Champaign Bar, where they waited for all the other suite guest to get down from the CK lounge. Here we received a lapel sticker and were then led off the ship before other passengers to our waiting bags. Why we are just not instructed to meet at the Champaign Bar at an appointed time might have something to do with some suite guests forgetting to tip their concierges the night before. We are learning that this product is not so consistent from year to year and that perhaps it is not such a good idea to book any ship a year in advance. That said, we did book a suite on the Symphony of the Seas for next summer. We plan on keeping our eyes on the Cruise Critic Reviews on this segment of the cruise market and will change our plans accordingly.

How did you only get around to using two thirds of your balcony?

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1/3 of the balcony consisted of a round table and 4 chairs, 1/3 of the balcony had two cushioned lounge chairs and a small end table we placed between the chairs, the final 1/3 was bare deck which we could have used to dance on had we chosen to, but we left that 1/3 unattended. So when choosing a suite we do not feel we have to go "overboard" on such a large balcony next time we book.

Sounds like Common Core Math to me.

I would say that I enjoyed the entire balcony even if I didn’t step on every square inch.