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

[FLCruiseFan]

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
  

[catergirl]

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
  

 

Too Funny!!:D

 

and what shapes do they make with the napkins for the tables???:confused:

[burrma]

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
  

Not when he has to spend time reading all these foolish questions and some people really think he will get them all the answers. SAD!

[travelpeon]

Hey now ;). I actually wondered about the deck chairs :) But google and the search function brings up plenty of pictures. Some even include deck chairs. And besides, who knows what will have towels or other various reservation objects when you actually get there?

 

Daghis - I hope you're having a fantastic vacation! Thank you!

 

For the person asking about bamboo fabric, it is produced using a viscose process similar to Rayon. It is marketed as more of a renewable resource but the actual processing isn't that eco friendly (cited from FTC and CFDA Council of Fashion Designers of America). Great for knitters who are allergic to wool or live in hot climates, though. It lays/drapes somewhat similar to lighter weight tencel or a bit like silk.

[davenew]

Here's a link to the published RCI list:

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/General_Info/Flyers/10020614_Allure_Specialty_Restaurant_Flyer.pdf

 

However, for our cruise some prices have increased. The Chef’s Table is $95 pp, Samba Grill is $30 pp, Chops Grille $30 pp, and 150 Central Park is $40.

 

Hope this helps. See you on 9/11

Hi, When were you notified that the Chefs Table was $95. I booked it some weeks ago on this sailing and have an email confirmation stating that it is $75. :) Is it worth $95 supplementary charge ?

[deltatango]

reading and looking

[maggieq]

Here's a link to the published RCI list:

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/General_Info/Flyers/10020614_Allure_Specialty_Restaurant_Flyer.pdf

 

However, for our cruise some prices have increased. The Chef’s Table is $95 pp, Samba Grill is $30 pp, Chops Grille $30 pp, and 150 Central Park is $40.

 

Hope this helps. See you on 9/11

 

 

Thanks...that's great!

[maggieq]

Attached is a PDF file with listings of the restaurants on the Allure.

 

 

 

Thanks!

[graciepuppy]

Hi, When were you notified that the Chefs Table was $95. I booked it some weeks ago on this sailing and have an email confirmation stating that it is $75. :) Is it worth $95 supplementary charge ?

 

Hi Dave, we paid $95 for our Sept. 11 sailing. I think you are on the same sailing and if you paid $75--hope we can get a refund--p.s. I booked it the day reservations opened up for booking. Very Interesting:confused::confused This is what it says on our booking info:

 

Dinner at Chef's Table - CHEFDINNER

 

Menu

The Chef's Table menu presents a five-course meal selected and prepared by the Chef de Cuisine. The gourmet dining experience also includes an exceptional wines paired with each course.

 

Dress Suggestion

We suggest smart casual attired – jackets for men, dresses or pantsuits for women. On formal evenings onboard, formal attire is also appropriate in the restaurant; which includes suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women.

 

Serving

Dinner 7:30 PM

Please note: Opening and closing times vary by ship.

 

Costs

A nominal fee of $95 USD applies per dining guest, including gratuities.

 

Daghis--thank you so much for this thread---you have answered so many of our questions--love the photos!

[Daghis]

Johnny Rockets do the still have breakfast free

Did you buy the soda cup how does it work

Hope your weather is not to bad enjoy the ship

 

Yes, Johnny Rockets offers breakfast at no additional charge. We haven't done that this cruise, though.

 

I did buy the soda package. I haven't used the soda cup itself, so it's still sitting on our desk, wrapped up. The card is imprinted with a "Coca-Cola" logo and by showing it at a bar or beverage service area, I can get unlimited soda beverages including Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Tonic Water, and Soda Water.

 

The weather has been fine and of course we're enjoying the ship!

[Daghis]

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

 

Thank you so much for those questions! They did make me LOL!

 

Needless to say, I'll not be diving down to check on the anchor for you while we're here in port in St. Maarten. :)

[Daghis]

Not much time to write a full note right now. I was going to do that last night, but the WiFi wasn't cooperating.

 

I did upload some pictures, so let me share them here. First, a couple views of our Promenade cabin. Please forgive the mess. I'll just call this a "lived-in look". :)

 

 

 

And a view from our cabin out onto the Royal Promenade...

 

 

I saw this shop right off the ship in the port terminal. I wonder whether eBay knows about it.

 

[Daghis]

Here's where we had lunch in St. Maarten, at Gladys' Café. The food was good, although the service was a little slow and it was somewhat pricey, as I had previously mentioned.

 

 

It's always good to have a picture or two of the ship itself. I say "or two" because it's nearly impossible to get the ship all in one picture!

 

 

 

Our friend was using his "panoramic" mode to try and stitch together a picture of the ship. :)

 

[Daghis]

The port has lots of lizards lying around on the rocks. They made for friendly visitors, willing to pose for photos.

 

[LBumb]

great photos

[Daghis]

As I said above, today we're in St. Maarten. We're planning a casual excursion of our own over to Marigot and then back to Phillipsburg to hit the two main towns on the island. We were thinking of going to Maho Beach, but I don't think we'll be going there after all. We'll see. We're not on any sort of schedule, just doing some stuff when we please.

 

After we get back onboard, DH and our friend are going to Giovanni's again (so he can use his travel agent provided coupon for free-specialty-dining-for-two) while DS#1 and I are going to Johnny Rockets. Tomorrow night's dinner is Izumi! I've been looking forward to that for a year since our last cruise!

 

We also have an appointment with the Loyalty Ambassador to see about booking another cruise. I've currently got a "complimentary" (still have to pay port fees, taxes, and such) cruise on Norwegian for next March. Now that I'm a Club Royale member in the casino, I'll apparently get a chance to get a discount on a RCCL cruise. So, we're going to book the same week on the Freedom of the Seas. If the discount is sufficient, I'll cancel the semi-free cruise on NCL and go with RCCL (gladly!). I already saw the LA to get two NextCruise certificates, one of which I'll be using next week for a group cruise in October 2012.

 

Oh, and for those who are curious about a play-by-play, I just had breakfast in the Park Café. It was a pleasant toasted bagel with provolone cheese, ham, arugula, and tomato. I think two slices of cheese were a bit much, so next time I'll just have one.

 

And speaking of Park Café, we just realized that our cabin is under Park Café. Every morning, as we were awakening, we'd hear sounds coming from above us. It finally clicked that we were hearing the sounds of the chairs in there moving around as people sat down or got up. Oh, well. The noise hasn't been enough to wake us up, but it does help get us moving once we do wake up. Fortunately, Park Café closes early, so it doesn't cause any problem going to sleep at night.

 

That's it for now. Soon we'll be off to St. Maarten!

[msuspartanbigten]

We also have an appointment with the Loyalty Ambassador to see about booking another cruise. I've currently got a "complimentary" (still have to pay port fees, taxes, and such) cruise on Norwegian for next March. Now that I'm a Club Royale member in the casino, I'll apparently get a chance to get a discount on a RCCL cruise. So, we're going to book the same week on the Freedom of the Seas. If the discount is sufficient, I'll cancel the semi-free cruise on NCL and go with RCCL (gladly!). I already saw the LA to get two NextCruise certificates, one of which I'll be using next week for a group cruise in October 2012.

 

 

What qualifies you to become a member of Club Royale in the casino?

[burrma]

Awesome pictures and love whatever details you have time to share.

You are a very special and talented man.

[niecyd]

Daghis...your comment "After we get back onboard, DH and our friend are going to Giovanni's again (so he can use his travel agent provided coupon for free-specialty-dining-for-two)"

DH and I have a voucher for free dinner too at Giovanni's and Chops. I've been to Chops on other ships. What is the dress code for Giovanni's?

[joand452]

Thank you for taking the time to share your cruise with us!

 

It helps with the wait until our next cruise. ;)

[Daghis]

What qualifies you to become a member of Club Royale in the casino?

 

You have to earn 2,000 points (with your SeaPass card in the slot machines). I don't know how the table games rate players, though. Each point represents $5 played through the machine. If, for example, you put in $20, and manage to play that same $20 for an hour, winning some and losing some as you go, you could earn lots of points.

 

Once a member of Club Royale, though, I'm not sure what all benefits there are. The ones that I have been told include not paying the 3% surcharge to get money from the casino on your SeaPass card, priority entrance to shows without having a reservation, and discounts/rebates on future cruise bookings (within the next year). In addition, the casino host gave me some free drink coupons, too.

[Daghis]

Awesome pictures and love whatever details you have time to share.

You are a very special and talented man.

 

Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm very happy to be able to share my experience with others as I have enjoyed my vicarious cruises through others' "live" posts.

 

I wish I took more pictures, but I tend to be a bit shy to use the camera in public.

 

I'll note that all of these pictures that I've posted were taken using my Fuji W3 (3D) camera. I'm only posting the 2D versions, of course, but I'm looking forward to enjoying the 3D ones when I get home.

[Daghis]

Daghis...your comment "After we get back onboard, DH and our friend are going to Giovanni's again (so he can use his travel agent provided coupon for free-specialty-dining-for-two)"

DH and I have a voucher for free dinner too at Giovanni's and Chops. I've been to Chops on other ships. What is the dress code for Giovanni's?

 

Others can correct me, but I think the dress code at Giovanni's is about the same as Chops. Basically, one should wear "nice" clothes (long pants and probably not T-shirts for guys, and a similar level of attire for women). I don't know whether they have any particular observance of formal night there.

 

When we ate at Samba Grill on formal night, we were told that formal dress wasn't required there. When we were eating, we found that most others were all wearing nice casual clothes.

[Daghis]

We just returned from our St. Maarten/St. Martin expedition. We went to Marigot and had a disappointing time there. It took a long time to get there due to traffic/construction, but what was really disappointing was lunch.

 

We stopped at a place near the taxi drop-off spot called Chez les Copains, a little café. Our food took over an hour to be served! By that time, plus the fact that we were late getting off the ship due to our friend's spa appointment running way long, we decided that since we wanted to do some shopping in Phillipsburg, we headed back over there then.

 

Philipsburg, for those who've been there before, is pretty much the same. It's a decent place to walk around and there are a great number of shops to enjoy. We made it a point to stop by the guavaberry rum place since DH wanted to stock up on some. He really likes it and often wears their T-shirt. :)

 

We picked up a few souvenirs and then took the water taxi back to the ship.

 

We're now relaxing for a bit. A bit before 5, we're going to head up to an upper deck to watch for "runners"... you know, those people who have to run to catch the ship before she sets sail. I don't know that St. Maarten will be as entertaining, but some ports that feature places like Carlos & Charlies or Señor Frogs can result in some entertainment as people who've lost all track of time hurry back to the ship, sometimes with their friends holding them up for support.

 

Schadenfreude, I know.

[Brendaflamingo]

Hi

Can passengers watch american football somewhere on the ship?

I have a die hard New Orleans Saints fan brother coming on the Allure with me.

 

Thanks

Brenda