Allure 9/22/13: A Story Review w/drama, humor, Pics & Video

[cruiserking]

Thanks for posting such crystal clear pictures and cruise play by play VegasChic, really enjoying it.

 

Jonathan

[endobaby]

Great review

 

I hope you didn't let those rude, obnoxious people ruined your vacation.

 

Looking forward to reading more

[sailingawaysoon]

Loving your review and can't wait to see more!

[molly361]

That is a good price...im mean an awesome price. Normally with those sells you have to be willing to travel last minute right? Or were you able to book several months out?

 

 

We got the same 10% supplement as Maureen, DH and I each had our own cabin, 2 bathrooms!!! We booked 8/12 for the 9/22 sailing.

 

We also noticed some pretty rude folks on this sailing, more than I recall on our other Allure sailings. The kind that start to get into the elevators before giving anyone a chance to get out:rolleyes:

[Ocean Boy]

We got the same 10% supplement as Maureen, DH and I each had our own cabin, 2 bathrooms!!! We booked 8/12 for the 9/22 sailing.

 

We also noticed some pretty rude folks on this sailing, more than I recall on our other Allure sailings. The kind that start to get into the elevators before giving anyone a chance to get out:rolleyes:

 

I don't think I have ever been on a cruise without those folks.

[VegasChic]

Hi Everyone,

 

Just checking in.... I'm excited to report that Tonight I will be posting Day 2 :D, just had to get the pictures together. Also thank you to all for reading along I hope it's not too much :o

 

PHOTO TIP: For those of you that take many pictures and need a fast and easy way to organize and edit them all in one place. Consider purchasing Adobe Lightroom it is a total lifesaver especially when trying to organize many pictures. I also encourage you if you do purchase lightroom take a course, it will make your picture organizing and editing a breeze.

 

OK back to work I go!! I need to pay for the next cruise next month :eek:

[christa212]

Looking forward to reading more, 2 more months to fill with reviews till we set sail!

[IrishLassie]

Loving your review & pictures. Also, your daughter is so pretty. :) Looking forward to more. :D

[CGBanks]

Vivian ~ I am thoroughly enjoying your review !! Thanks for taking time to submit it and love, love, love your commentary :) We are sailing on the Allure in December and I've been reading all the reviews in anticipation of our cruise. You take wonderful pictures and I agree with the other posters on how lovely you and your daughter are !! Looking forward to more ....

[Canadian Tyler]

Loving the review!

[jcc1025]

Great review, as someone who is also addicted to these trip reviews, yours is outstanding. Part of it may be due to the pictures of your beautiful daughter.

We have been on many ships, including Oasis, and will be on Allure in three weeks. Your so right, no words or pictures can really do this ship right. The first day I just walked around with my mouth open and my wife telling me to close it. We also were on deck 8 and will be again because of that location.

Your room display was just too good, your daughter has a couple of great parents. Look forward to more posts and a preview of coming attractions for us.

[DicAnns]

I'm excited to report that Tonight I will be posting Day 2 :D

 

[VegasChic]

Day two of our cruise finally arrived I woke up feeling energetic and excited, I have no clue what time it was but I knew I had to be at the CC M&M. I quickly dressed and went down to the Cafe Promenade to pick up some warm milk for DD and coffee DH. On my way there, I stumbled onto this zumba group right smack in the middle of the promenade. This went on every morning, it was a challenge if you needed to get through.

 

 

Back at the room DD and DH were still asleep!! After everyone was up and at ‘em, DH said he wasn't going to the M&M and wanted to explore and roam around the ship. We agreed to meet at 10:15 for breakfast at the windjammer.

 

The M&M was at Dazzles and by the time DD and I arrived there was nowhere to sit it was pretty full. So we sat on a staircase nearest to the stage. They had complimentary coffee, pastries, fruit and cheese. People chatted for a while and then one of the crew (I cannot recall who this person was and honestly wasn't paying much attention) started speaking. My adult ADD kicked in and instead of listening, I was reading the compass and planning the day. So basically this crew member welcomed everyone on board and had the audience participate in some RCCL Cruise ship trivia for prizes. I did not win any prizes because I didn't know any of those answers but there were some people that were quite Informed especially the lady who named every ship in the fleet. After the trivia and speech from the crew, we did the gift exchange which consisted of everyone placing their gifts on the stage and then grabbing another one. This wasn't very organized and I can see how someone could be left without a gift although, I don't think this happened at ours. I ended up getting some maple syrup from Vermont from a lovely couple. I kind of felt guilty because I didn't bring anything from Miami (couldn't find something under $10) so I ended up buying an Allure of the Seas wine stopper at the gift shop. Speaking of the gift shop I waited in line to pay for 20 minutes (totally ridiculous for a ship this size) the store was pretty tiny and only had one cashier.

 

After the M&M DD and I headed to the windjammer to meet DH. All morning long DD kept repeating that she wanted to go to the pool and didn't want to eat or do anything else (UGH!!!) I pulled the child gently to the side and explained, "we are on the largest cruise ship on planet earth and you are not in school right now unlike your friends, I can make arrangements for the captain to turn the ship around and drop you off at grandma's house whom will take you to school everyday while daddy and I stay here and have fun!" She almost cried but believed me and hushed her little mouth till we arrived at the pool later. We made it to the windjammer at 10:20 and there was a line on both sides. I waited only 7 minutes (not bad) the WJ hostess/waiter escorted us to an empty table where there was another crew guarding the table (pretty organized system). I went to grab some food for DD, I grabbed a bran muffin, yogurt and banana. I noticed there was no omelet station but they did have pre-made mini-omelets as well as pre-made fried eggs (my favorite). I grabbed two fried eggs, breakfast potatoes, bacon and toast. I cannot remember what DH had it was decent though. We never had breakfast there again.

 

We rushed off to the Move it Move it Parade that takes place in the RP at 11:00 am on the 1st day at sea. There's a 2nd parade on the last day at sea at 7:45 in the evening. The pictures from Day 7 are way better than the few I'm posting below as I had my point and shoot this day but starting on day 3 the pictures get way better! TIP: If you want good seats where all the action takes place, I recommend that you arrive at least 1 hour prior and sit right in front of Sorrento's or the Bow & Stern Pub. This was the best place to be, we arrived like 15 mins till and ended up sitting in front of the Guess store - hubby got DD and I some chairs from inside the Bow & Stern (I think that's the name). I totally LOVED this parade, it was awesome!!

 

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

After the parade, we finally headed to the pool! The kids pool area which is the best at sea, way better than Epic although Epic has 3 major slides and a baby/toddler area, that's it. Disney has the Aqua Duck which is so awesome and fun but their children's pool is way too small. There were no loungers available in the area but there were pool chairs that are right in front of the main kids pool and that's where we ended up for the next couple of hours.

 

 

There were some kids that kept standing on the edge of this round pool on the right and jumping. I was a nervous wreck watching them and the pool attendant kept telling them not to do that, but they continued (no comment!)

 

 

 

 

My husband took off and came back with a cooler of beers! Woohoo! He got 4 coronas for himself and 4 stella's for me and handy little cooler all for $38. We drank them all I had a nice little buzz going on.

 

 

 

I brought my Ipad with me hoping that I can read my book "The White Queen" but it was difficult to not keep my eyes glued on my daughter. Earlier, at the M&M mingle she meet 2 twin girls her age and they were at the pool too. So she played a little with them, got ice cream and just kept getting running around the area. BTW, the pool bathrooms were spotless!

[Pebbles468]

Love the review and the pictures!

 

The cooler with all the beer is great... will have to remember that!

Edited October 8, 2013 by Pebbles468

[VegasChic]

Around 3:00 pm we left the pool and we’re headed to the boardwalk area, we passed through the RP which was action packed. There were people all over, booking tours at the excursion desk, shopping all the merchandise stuff they sell in the middle booths, there was a flash mob dance thing happening then we spotted Alex the Lion and took a picture with him. We proceeded to the Boardwalk which was quite empty, we all had a hot dog which was very yummy! I wanted another one but already felt uncomfortable as I felt like the Pillsbury dough girl, I had gained about 15 pounds in the past year and I wanted to lose them before the cruise but it didn't happen due to lack of time and effort on my part plus I needed my late night wine binges to keep me working. The bottom line is I was not happy with my appearance and for some reason when I got on the ship I felt even worse. So I tried to keep eating to minimum so that I can drink more and I actually drank less than I do at home. To make matters worse there was an Ice Cream shop across from the hotdog place so I said WTH, I’ll diet when I get back. DD and I had vanilla Ice Cream with Sprinkles (our favorite!) I think one scoop was like $2.50. Luckily the doughnut shop was closed or I would have been doomed.

 

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

 

 

[VegasChic]

 

 

 

The three of us rode the merry go round and then DD had her face painted. The family festival had begun which consisted of some games (hoola hoop, giant connect four and a few other things) and I think there was music (can’t remember). We walked around the area goofed off taking pictures. Then we headed back as it was time to get ready for the evening. We walked back through the Promenade and Shrek was coming. So we waited…. DD got her photo with shrek (I didn’t purchase it!) FYI, When the ship sets up their backdrop and the ship photographers are present, they don’t allow you to use your camera. Off to the room we went, I took DD a shower and dressed her then she fell asleep with her daddy (so cute! Wish I would of thought to take a picture). I showered blow dried my hair and put on a pound of make-up changed my outfit 3 times. Then just kept on my first option (yes I’m the typical woman that asks “do I look chubby in this?”) My husband just looks straight at my belly and says “no you look great” I really don’t think I can handle the truth from him at this point. So they’re still sleeping when I finish and I’m fully dressed (now what??) I wake DH and tell him to get dressed. Again, I refuse to stay in the room so I head out to vintages, a few steps away (big grin!!) I have a glass of Cabernet at $13 per glass and talk a little with the bartender.

 

 

[smeck]

 

 

 

 

 

funny I had the same issue with the gift shop last May.

[VegasChic]

After my wine escape, I headed back to the cabin and DH and DD were ready. We headed to the windjammer to feed DD (No kids allowed at 150 Central Park). There weren’t many options for the child so I found some spaghetti. The waitress kept passing by while DD was eating asking if she could get us something and talking with my daughter about how beautiful she was, she was so sweet we left her $5.

 

We dropped DD off at Adventure Ocean against her will and DH said he would meet me at 150 he was going back to the cabin to get the wine. I started walking through central park feeling so blessed and just taking in the ocean breeze and sweet music. As I approached the Trellis Bar the music got louder and I noticed a gentleman with a guitar singing but he had shorts, a t-shirt and sandals and I wondered “was this a hired entertainer or a passenger?” I slowed down and the gentleman spotted me as I approached. There was a crowd watching him and enjoying their drinks. The guitarist/singer has his eyes glued on me, I turned around wondering if it was me or someone else behind me, (Nope it was me). So then some of the others look at me I start to wonder “is something wrong with my dress maybe I look awful” the singer keeps his eyes on me singing some slow song more intensely. I had to walk past him to get to the restaurant. So I pick up the pace and walk briskly toward the restaurant praying to the lord that I wouldn’t trip in my short dress and 5 inch heels. As I passed him he kept his eyes glued on my mine, I was so embarrassed but finally made it past and safely at 150.

 

 

 

My husband arrived moments later and we were promptly seated. The food was good but definitely not my hubby’s cup of tea. My husband is Cuban and played Minor League Baseball for many years he’s a meat and potatoes type of man. Dinner lasted 2 hours or more, I was dying cannot sit still that long and eating of all things. We enjoyed our bottle of wine (Francis Coppolla – Director’s Cut) they charged us $25 corking fee (Pricey in my opinion – the Epic charges $15). We laughed and talked for those two hours. I got bored eventually and started taking pictures of a cute Asian couple sitting next to us that were trying to figure out their camera. They said the picture I took of them was fabulous and the best picture ever! I explained that I’m a wedding photographer and enjoy taking pictures of couples.

 

I took some more food pictures and again very poor quality (sorry)!

 

My Handsome James Bond wannabe:

 

Me:

 

[VegasChic]

Cold Lychee Lobster Salad (Delish!!)

 

Different Salts, we didn’t use any but tried a few

 

Crab Cakes – They were okay (hubby gave me his)

 

This was pasta with sausage, potato chips and some other stuff – DH joked that he can make this a home.

 

Steak and Fries (The best part of the meal!)

 

We both skipped dessert and I could barely stay awake. I felt like I took a sleeping pill and we still had to sit through Chicago! I don’t remember the waitresses name but my husband gave her the rest of our wine (I wanted to smack him!) We also gave her a $20 tip. Off we went to Chicago which I thought was at 10:45. We arrived at the Amber theater at 10:25 and it was full (oops my mistake!) However, they instantly made another reservation for us for the next night at 7pm. I was glad as I was about to collapse from tiredness.

 

We stopped by the casino where james bond lost $60 in a matter of 2 minutes on roulette. I had a quick smoke and decided to go pick up my DD. I don’t typically smoke only when I’m on vacation or out drinking. DH stayed in the casino and I headed to the cabin with DD, I started reading my book and after 2 sentences I was knocked out till morning!

[HopkinsRN]

Great review! I love how you are candid and honest about your thoughts. It's entertaining and informative. I'm sailing on 11/17 and can't wait! Just added Zumba to my "to do" list.

[maureencruiser]

That is a good price...im mean an awesome price. Normally with those sells you have to be willing to travel last minute right? Or were you able to book several months out?

 

The 10% supplement on today and tomorrows sale is Oasis for Nov 2 and Nov 9.

 

The Allure on Nov 10 is 50% supplement.

 

Bookmark this link, it is posted every Thursday for the sale the next week.

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf