Photography Live Review of the Allure of the Seas? - Sailing 8th September 2013.

[novicetraveller]

I would love to see your "eye" perspective on this beautiful ship. Click away!!!!

Hopefully I will get the chance tomorrow to explore the ship a bit more.

 

The strange thing is that have been on the Allure twice previously, I would have thought I would have some more time to spare. So I find it ironic that I have no idea where the time has flown on this cruise. I haven't had the time to do some of the things I wanted to do.

 

I will try and post some images of the inside the ship as soon as I can. I have on my list of photos to take, Table 419 in Adagio and the Concierge Lounge. I believe someone had asked for images of Dazzles, but I can't remember. I might need to dig out some images from my experience of the Allure from last year if I don't have time to take all the pictures I wanted.

 

I am scared of going into the Viking Crown Lounge, as I don't know if I have to be something like Diamond or above to go into it. But I will see what I can do.

[novicetraveller]

A few posts back, I mentioned that I was going to Enchanted Gardens. Just for info, it has been recently renamed to Turtle River Falls and Gardens. The excursion is not for the those who don't have sufficient fitness level or the those with issues of mobility as there are some steep steps.

 

There is a guided tour included in the price that takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete. Photos to follow.

[modes]

Would anyone be interested in me producing a Live Photographic Review of the Allure of the Seas?

 

I know Trainman is doing a Live review, so I don't want to duplicate efforts.

 

The more the better.

[novicetraveller]

Good morning all. Today is Thursday. And do you know what that means? It's the 2nd Formal night. And most importantly, it's the Dreamworks Breakfast. And even more importantly, I have an Access All Areas tour this morning at 9am. I believe the tour runs at least twice in the morning. (I know it is at least 2, as I remember that there was a 9am and a 9:20am tour. Can't remember what the other times are off hand).

[novicetraveller]

Blog Entry for Day 4 - Falmouth.

 

We arrived into Falmoth on time despite leaving Haiti 1 hour late. Falmouth day is Balcony Cleaning day, but more importantly, it's Yo Mon day.

 

Let me introduce to you my Tour Guide. The one and only Ricardo Riley of Liberty Tours Jamaica.

 

 

I may have mentioned the cost of this excursion in one of my previous post. Please note that this is not the per person cost, nor is this a fixed cost. The cost was based on my requirements. So please don't dismiss Ricardo based on how much I was charged. Please contact him to get a quote.

 

As mentioned earlier. I am heading over to Ocho Rios.

 

First Stop. Secret Falls.

 

I haven't been to many Waterfalls in my lifetime, so I won't make bold statements such as "This is unique". However, I don't know many Waterfalls where you can do the following:

 

 

 

 

 

It is perfectly safe and no person were harmed in the making of these photos.

 

The falls are amazing. Ok, it may not be Dunns River Falls where you hold hands in a chain and walk up hill, but you won't regret doing the Secret Falls.

 

You may have noticed the muddy falls. The day before there was a lot of rain. So normally the water is clearer.

[Trainman-2]

Great Photos and Adventures!

 

Judith and I are pleased that you made it back to the ship on time yesterday!

[novicetraveller]

This is Ricardo opening a cocunut for me to drink and eat.

 

 

Interesting facts. Coconut is good for your heart. Coconut and Cactus / Aloe Vera is even better for "In between the sheets" activities (especially for the men!)

This is one of the folks here who works as your tour guide within the Secret Falls.

 

 

Another visitor to the Falls.

 

Next Stop... Shaw Park.

[novicetraveller]

Shaw Park. Interest fact..... Mick Jaggar lives / resides / stays near here.

 

On the way up to the Park, there are a number of street performers.

 

 

 

 

This is a couple of people who came on the Carnival ship that docked in Ocho Rios.

 

 

The visit to this location was fairly quick.

[novicetraveller]

Next Stop - Enchanted Gardens (Now known as Turtle River Falls and Gardens) - http://turtleriverfallsandgardens.com/. The other 2 passengers were taken to Lunch and back to the ship.

 

If you visit this location, please plan for a minimum of 2 hours here.

 

If you take the tour guide, you will be taken to the 7 waterfalls in the Gardens. Here are some of the waterfalls.

 

 

 

These 2 were part of the guided tour.

 

[novicetraveller]

The Gardens is known for its Avery. But it does have some occasional visitors.

 

 

 

 

[novicetraveller]

Anyone scared of Spiders or Butterflies?

 

 

 

Well, the tour is pretty much over. I did see a touristy place on the way back to the ship, but have forgotten the name. Oh well, time to return back to Allure of the Seas for the remainder of my trip.

 

Here's the picture of Allure of the Seas. :D

 

[Tkaklita]

Fantastic photos!! Great capture and composition of your shots. This is definitely what I was looking forward to when you described your ability, love it!!!

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

[novicetraveller]

Great Photos and Adventures!

 

Judith and I are pleased that you made it back to the ship on time yesterday!

 

Thank you sir. I am also glad I made it back. I am looking forward to tomorrow in Cozumel. I will be doing a photowalk with a local photographer and expert. And hopefully I will see you at around lunch time.

[PCWalton1]

WOW, how did I miss seeing this sooner? Thank you so much for doing a live picture blog. I love being able to follow along, especially on a ship we were just recently on. We were on the west itinerary, I want to go back and do the east and your pictures just increases that desire. :)

thanks again

 

Bill

[momof3terriers]

Love your pictures. Thanks for posting.

[novicetraveller]

Fantastic photos!! Great capture and composition of your shots. This is definitely what I was looking forward to when you described your ability, love it!!!

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

 

Thank you for your kind comments Tkaklita. I am far from being a great photographer, however I hope to inspire people with what I do. I hope that I am able to persuade people that there is more to do than a ships excursion.

 

There are benefits to doing a ships excursion, such as a guarantee that the ship will not leave until you arrive back. But the downside is the per person cost, and most, if not all, ships excursions has an element of Beach time. I don't like Beaches, but don't mind paying a premium for the experience.

[novicetraveller]

WOW, how did I miss seeing this sooner? Thank you so much for doing a live picture blog. I love being able to follow along, especially on a ship we were just recently on. We were on the west itinerary, I want to go back and do the east and your pictures just increases that desire. :)

thanks again

 

Bill

 

Thank you for your comment Bill. I hope you enjoyed your cruise on the Allure. I am doing the Western this week. I did the Eastern last year as part of the Back to Back. When you get to St Thomas, look out for the Iguanas at the cruise ports - especially on the rocks. If you go to St Marteen, have a look at Bernard Tours. I believe there is a zoo nearby. I wish I knew about it when I was on the Eastern.

 

Well, I am off to the Casino to see if I can recover the $100 I have lost during the week. I will update the blog soon.

[novicetraveller]

Love your pictures. Thanks for posting.

 

Thank you for your comment. :)

[purplethorn]

Awesome photos (one of the best I've seen in a review on here). Can they be posted a little bigger though ? Size wise? I love looking for the details.

Thanks for posting

[PCWalton1]

Thank you for your comment Bill. I hope you enjoyed your cruise on the Allure. I am doing the Western this week. I did the Eastern last year as part of the Back to Back. When you get to St Thomas, look out for the Iguanas at the cruise ports - especially on the rocks. If you go to St Marteen, have a look at Bernard Tours. I believe there is a zoo nearby. I wish I knew about it when I was on the Eastern.

 

Well, I am off to the Casino to see if I can recover the $100 I have lost during the week. I will update the blog soon.

 

Oops, I just realized I had that backwards. We did the eastern and looked to do the western as some point. :o

 

Bill

[novicetraveller]

Awesome photos (one of the best I've seen in a review on here). Can they be posted a little bigger though ? Size wise? I love looking for the details.

Thanks for posting

 

Hi Purplethorn. I can do, but I am conscious that large images take up a lot of space on the screen. I will be writing a post cruise review, as there are things I am not saying in this review, as it doesn't reflect the type of blog I am doing. The post cruise review will include a lot of pictures and will be a lot bigger.

[novicetraveller]

Oops, I just realized I had that backwards. We did the eastern and looked to do the western as some point. :o

 

Bill

 

 

Ahh that's fair enough. :D

 

If you are open to recommendations, get in touch with Ricardo Riley of Liberty Tours Jamaica. You won't go wrong with him and he will make sure you will get back to the ship.

 

I did Montego Bay last year and Ocho Rios this year. I am unsure what to do the next time I come to Jamaica. I will need to research a few places on the internet and see what is doable in Jamaica in a Cruise day.

[Tkaklita]

When we were in Jamaica in 2009, my aunt found a chair sky lift excursion thru the jungle that took us up so high that we could see our ship LOS and the bay she was berthed at. There was a great little restaurant at the top and a toboggan style ride that was a blast to do!! Just an idea of something different. Gorgeous scenary everywhere. She found it thru the ship's

list of excursions.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

[novicetraveller]

When we were in Jamaica in 2009, my aunt found a chair sky lift excursion thru the jungle that took us up so high that we could see our ship LOS and the bay she was berthed at. There was a great little restaurant at the top and a toboggan style ride that was a blast to do!! Just an idea of something different. Gorgeous scenary everywhere. She found it thru the ship's

list of excursions.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

 

Sounds interesting. :). I don't believe the excursion exists anymore. I hope to come to Jamaica again sometime in the future and go to the Blue Mountain and spend some time there and do some more wildlife photography. I would need to spend more than a day to do it.

[Pebbles468]

Novice... I am loving your live review! Thank you so much!!