Live from the Allure of the Seas - August 21-28, 2011

[relaxatsea]

Thanks so much for the great review and photos! I have been an avid follower and felt like I was cruising with you! I especially enjoyed seeing your own photos, you all look so happy!!

 

Thanks again!

[CruiseCruiseCruise11]

What a busy day it's been! Earlier, I felt rather exhausted and thought I'd need a nap, but as the evening went on, I perked up. (I'm a night person.)

 

 

We saw Chicago tonight. I have to say that I was disappointed... not in the quality of the show and the cast, but in the production itself. After seeing Hairspray last year with upbeat music, beautiful sets, and a lot of smiling actors, Chicago was kind of a let down. I'm glad I got a chance to see it, but I know that other shows I see later on this week will easily surpass it, in my opinion, of

 

K

 

Anyway, good night, everyone! See y'all tomorrow!

 

 

Chiming in here a week later.

 

I LOVED Chicago, and am seeing it again tonight.

[Daghis]

A quick update...

 

We made it home, safe and sound.

 

We splurged during the online checkin to upgrade all five of us to AirTran's business class to get some more comfortable seating as well as free checked baggage as well as drinks and snacks during the flight. I think that was a worthwhile investment to avoid being jarred too much into reality after such a lovely cruise.

 

I still have a handful of photos to upload, so I'll do that a bit later. As I mentioned, I'll also be scanning in the Cruise Compasses to share for those who may be interested. Given our itinerary adjustment, they may not be quite as useful for others' reference, but they can still help set the mood when one is planning for your own cruise.

 

Overall, though, I can say that the cruise was fantastic. I already miss Michelle and Gemma. I miss the smiling faces from the crew. I miss chatting with rosebud1g, Merion_Mom, ladylawyer, and others that I had the pleasure of running into around the ship. And I miss just being able to wander around the ship and be amazed at the number of places to go and things to do.

[Daghis]

he wants to know what they look like.

Here's what it looks like:

 

[burrma]

A

Really enjoyed reading your threads and seeing your great pictures. So very nice of you to share so much of your trip with us. I'd love to see The Compass; saw some from 9 months ago but would like to see more recent ones.

Hope I'm informed on future cruises you take so I can have another excitign week of virtually cruising with you.

[Daghis]

While sailing away from Nassau, I got this great shot showing both the Majesty of the Seas (in front, I think) and the Monarch of the Seas in port there.

 

 

Blue Planet

 

 

Casino Hosts Mark and JJ

 

[Daghis]

Our friend, DH, and I all enjoying our "Hot Rock" dinners at Izumi

 

 

These treats are available for purchase at Starbucks. (Note that this is different from the Mondo Coffee Bar on the Oasis of the Seas where the snacks are complementary.)

 

 

Items available from Starbucks

 

[sunnyinnj]

for taking time out of your vacation! What a great preview. Leaving in 11 weeks! Glad you made it home safely.

[jakesmom04]

Thank you so much for taking the time for sharing your cruise with us.

[28maddog]

Here is a link to the menu for the Izumi

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experience/html.do?exCode=961

[calbar]

glad you had fun running around answering everyones questions,i don"t sail on Allure til May 2012.I hope you did relax,i find sometimes on a cruise you never relax enough shore excurions can be exhausting!!!! so thats why this time its a B2B!!!!!!!!! THX again enjoyed sharing your adventure.

[Familygoboston]

Wow! Not a huge fan of sushi ( tho I like hot rock!) but I'd go to Izumi for the view. It is literally the only Oasis/Allure pic other than the Aqua theater or peoples balconies, that I have seen the sea in!!! And I've read everything:rolleyes:

[Daghis]

I know what you mean. I paid more attention to that this time and found that I can appreciate what people have said about being on the Oasis-class ships feels far more removed from being on the water than smaller ships.

 

You can also get a decent view from the Windjammer during the day. We went there one evening and found that we couldn't look out because the glass of the windows was reflecting the inside lights and the darkness outside just couldn't compete with the brightly lit interior. The same could be true of Izumi, I suppose, but we left there right around sunset, so I don't know what it was like after that.

[Daghis]

One way that I can put this simply is to say that we are very happy that we have become "loyal to Royal" over the years. The Royal Caribbean cruises we've been on, save for our first on the itty-bitty Viking Serenade, have been fantastic and have provided us with excellent vacation experiences. We have grown to become fans of their larger ships with so many amenities to enjoy onboard.

 

This vacation was no exception to our expectations. We had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed each of the seven days we had on the Allure of the Seas. Heck, even departure morning breakfast on the ship was enjoyable, if a bit busy and generally harried (for others, not us).

 

We came to love our afternoon/evening times in the Champagne & Martini Bar with Michelle and Gemma taking excellent care of us. The service that they provided went way beyond our expectations and they are a key reason our vacation was as good as it was. Considering the drink recommendations, the quick and friendly service, even for my soda fountain package provided Diet Coke, and the seemingly endless supplies of canapés and sweet treats, it's absolutely no wonder that we felt that we were getting an extremely personal level of service from them. We sincerely hope that our paths cross theirs in the future.

 

For those who consider the Allure of the Seas to be more like an all-inclusive resort, you're right, too. We never had any problems finding somewhere to go or something to do. Activities and entertainment seemed to be always available with something for everyone. Even if it was just wandering around and taking in all the sights, we never felt as though we had nothing to do (or eat!).

 

While onboard, we saw several shows that gave us even more happy memories. Sure, I didn't care for Chicago, but I enjoyed the rest and found them to be entertaining diversions from the mundane life that I'm now forced to return to.

 

On the other hand, we had the pleasure of visiting foreign lands. These were all places we'd been before, but that didn't stop us from venturing out and doing a bit of sight-seeing, some shopping, and even a bit of dodging the rain when a heavy downpour started while walking around in Nassau.

 

And did we eat! With such great dining experiences, even if they were extra cost, like Giovanni's Table, Izumi, and Samba Grill, we certainly weren't going to be going hungry. Even the more mainstream options like the main dining room, Windjammer, Café Promenade, Sorrento's, and Park Café all provided sustenance... probably when we didn't even need it! We even started a tradition of an occasional nightcap-milkshake from Johnny Rockets. That's a significant indulgence which we'll be working off over the weeks to come!

 

Service from everyone was superb as well. We were constantly presented with smiling faces and "Good morning/afternoon/evening!" wishes from those we passed in the hallways. That made us feel very special.

 

All in all, Royal Caribbean did its job well and provided us with a great vacation. DH is already talking about when we're going to take our next cruise! I think that's very high praise, coming from him.

 

I can't wait either.

[Cutis NP]

How far is the French side of the island from Phillipsburg? How did you get there? Thanks for your great photos !

[Daghis]

It's generally about a thirty minute taxi ride to Marigot, but that is all the way on the other side of the French side of the island. So, to answer your question specifically, I can't answer about distance, but I would say that we crossed over onto the French side after about fifteen minutes.

 

There was some construction going on and heavier traffic during our taxi ride, so that may adjust the amount of time required to get there for others later on.

[Cutis NP]

It's generally about a thirty minute taxi ride to Marigot, but that is all the way on the other side of the French side of the island. So, to answer your question specifically, I can't answer about distance, but I would say that we crossed over onto the French side after about fifteen minutes.

 

There was some construction going on and heavier traffic during our taxi ride, so that may adjust the amount of time required to get there for others later on.

Thanks...for the great info......

And your Izumi photos has our extended family drooling...and saving our nickels for an extra dinner treat

[ladylawyer]

AOverall, though, I can say that the cruise was fantastic. I already miss Michelle and Gemma. I miss the smiling faces from the crew. I miss chatting with rosebud1g, Merion_Mom, ladylawyer, and others that I had the pleasure of running into around the ship. And I miss just being able to wander around the ship and be amazed at the number of places to go and things to do.

 

Mark, it was great to meet you, Barry & Bryan! As you know, Carol is still on board, but I had to come home. :( (Stupid job :mad: ;))

 

Thanks for taking your time (and internet $) to post just a great review! :D

 

I hope to see you all on another cruise, in the future! Cheers! ~ Lorna

[Journey Girl]

Thank you soooo much for your wonderful commentaries - they were so informative. We leave in 10 weeks on the Allure and the info you shared was very helpful. We loved the photos too. Thanks again.

[TamaLee]

Daghis - My first cruise was on the Viking Serenade! I remember when I thought she was a big ship. I'm sure I'm going to be blown away by the size of the Allure. Even the Monarch and Majesty look tiny. Only a handful of balconies on those ships.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[Snorkel Dawg]

Thanks for all your information...I'll be on her in about a week and a half. Just a couple more questions :rolleyes:

• What color are the tablecloths in the MDR?
  
• Is the ceiling smooth or textured in the bathroom on Deck 13?
  
• During the Parade does the third person from the back have on size 10 shoes?
  
• Does the TV in the stateroom have a button to adjust the color?
  
• Is the barstool on the rising tide bar 2nd from the right really comfy?
  
• Do the deck chairs have fabric or plastic straps on them?
  
• What color is the anchor?
  
• Are you enjoying your vacation:D
  

 

BWAAAAAAAAAAH!! Love it ha ha ha!

Thanks for all the info & pics!

 

Have a great cruise!

[peckfamily5]

I just had a fantastic dinner tonight. We're back in the cabin after getting myself into a self-induced meat coma at Samba Grill.

 

We were encouraged to go there tonight because they told us about a special they had for My Time Dining guests. If you go to Samba Grill on either day 1 or 2, you can go for $12.50/guest (half-price). So, we went.

 

 

Is this half-price offer done on every cruise? Is it posted in the daily compass?

[Daghis]

I don't know whether the half-price deal is a regular thing or just something they're trying out. It was advertised on the TV through the messages that are sent there.

 

When you're on your cruise, just check your TV's messages periodically and you'll see what specials might be available for you.