Live from Allure of the Seas - March 5, 2017

Saturday, March 4th

Everyone that has a cruise booked knows the anticipation is incredible. I find the reviews and trip reports here on CC a great way to pass the time. But alas, our turn is finally here! Hope this thread helps all of you with upcoming cruises daydream a little about your future cruise.

I've written about our previous cruises but this is my first "live-ish" thread. I say live-ish because I committed to my better half that I would not be glued to my iPhone while on vacation.

I will do my best to update this thread as the week progresses but may not reply to questions as rapidly.

That being said... let's kick this vacation off.

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Looking forward to your posts! We sail the Allure June 4th!

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Following. We are sailing Allure October 8th. Have a great cruise!

Have a great time! We are going on Allure in Sept. can't wait to read your reviews. A bit worried as this is the largest ship ever been on and the least amount of stops too....

We are joining you on this cruise. 🙂 Presently we are on 95 in Georgia heading south. We are anxious also and can't wait!

Ok, let the travel blog begin. Great ship. Have a great time in warm weather.

Looking forward to your posts! My lovely girlfriend and I will be on the Sept 10 sailing! Our first Royal Caribbean cruise and first time on a ship over 2500 passengers! Can't wait!

Oh, and please let us know how long, or quickly, you make it through the terminal from curb to ship. RCI says 15mins but I just can't believe it one bit. Took us a few hours on our last cruise out of Long Beach, CA.

Have a blast!

Following, I'll be on board on the 19th

We are looking forward to reading this post. We were on the Allure several years ago and can't wait to go again the end of April. We live in a small village (400) in Western Alaska and we have been under blizzard conditions for the last month on and off (got down to neg 60) so we are REALLY looking forward to this trip. Look forward to seeing any changes to the ship. I will say we ate at the Brazilian Restaurant and it was BAD so if you are planning on going and have ever been to a real Brazilian restaurant rethink going. Can't wait to read your experience.

Are you planning to use that app so you can zip through all the lines at check-in?

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Following... we sail on 4/16.

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Looking forward to your posts! We sail the Allure June 4th!

 

 

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I'll be on the same cruise as you; can't wait!

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We used UberX to get to the airport this morning. We were lucky to find a driver 3 minutes away. DC traffic was light so we went from apartment to mimosas at the airport bar in about 40 minutes.

Passing Arlington Cemetery on the way in.

I booked with American Airlines because they offer convenient nonstop flights but I also have an AA credit card so our first 2 checked bags were free.

If you travel more than a few times a year I highly recommend getting an airline credit card with free checked bags. The annual fee for my AA card is $95 which just paid for itself on this one trip.

DCA is easily my favorite airport in the US.

Speaking of checked bags, while we were going through security I realized I packed my medication in said checked bag. That's like travel rule #2 broken. #1 being don't leave your medication at home.

We zipped through TSA Pre Check and grabbed a little breakfast at the airport bar.

Our very full flight boarded ontime and soon enough we were climbing out of the D.C. Area.

That moment you realize you packed the wrong iPhone earbuds.

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We landed at FLL right on time. We enjoyed a nice view of HoS and a few other ships while waiting for our gate to open.

Bags came quickly. We used UberX again to get to the hotel. I assume because it was a relatively short ride and there was a lot of traffic we had 2 drivers cancel their pickups. It took about 10 minutes total for the app to arrange our 3rd and final driver.

Someone mentioned designated pickup zones at the airport in another thread but our Uber and many others pulled right up to the arrival area.

Nevertheless it took us roughly an hour to deplane, grab our bags and drive over to the hotel. Not bad.

We dropped our bags, changed into shorts then headed for the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.

Did anyone else see the thread on here about 'Despicable Linecutters?' Well I found him...

It was breezy and a touch too cool on the water but the views were amazing.

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We jumped off the water taxi at 15th Fisheries and enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner.

Let's get this vacation started. Luckily this pitcher of mojito was not as strong as it looked.

Clams were good. Sorry no before photo...only after.

Caribbean lobster was good. Waiter recommended blackened mahi mahi that was over seasoned.

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Following along. Sailing on the Allure 4-9-17. Our turn will be here soon enough.

Ended up riding back to downtown Fort Lauderdale then back around. Got off at Stop #8 and walked to beach place. Incredibly windy.

Thought we would grab a drink and people watch for a bit. Popped into Lulu's Bait Shack. Looked like a tourist trap so we bolted.

Walked down to Coconut's. 90 minute wait for a table. Good thing we ate earlier. We sat on their patio and enjoyed a cold beverage then decided to head back to the hotel for a sweater.

Walked back to water taxi. Waited 30 minutes but we were so cold we opted to Uber back to hotel.

By now my early dinner had worn off and I needed a little food in my tummy. We picked B Square Burgers and Booze. I would come here again for the atmosphere. The food was room temp at best and it was hard to get our drinks refilled. Nevertheless we had fun talking and people watching.

There's an art show on Las Olas this weekend. My wife poked through a few of the booths while I explored these works of arts! :-)

Aston Martin DB11

Rolls Royce Wraith

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Noticed a cute Italian pastry place on the walk back to the hotel. I was craving something sweet. Wife ordered Gelato which she enjoyed and I had a couple of small cannoli which were also very good.

Great late night snack before turning in for an early bedtime.

Also, quick thanks to all of you who have followed and subscribed to the thread.

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We will also be following you on the Allure for the 4-16-17 sailing. Looking forward to your postings. Many thanks!!! John F:)

Wait- there's an app for easier check in? Someone please elaborate! We're on Allure April 9th.

Thanks OP for the updates- keep them coming!

Great photos! I'll be following...

We will be passing you next Sunday - embarking March 12!

Also interested in Check In app??

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Thanks! Enjoying your posts! We were on Allure a few years ago and will be going again in December. Love the ship!

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Following along :D