Preview/Review of Allure of the Seas - Eastern Caribbean Oct 13 - 20, 2013

[7x5090g]

...what I didn't see (thank goodness) was the donut shop on Boardwalk--did you try that?

 

You didn't miss much. The donut place is directly across from the Hot Dog stand and it only has donuts during the morning. I was going to feature this on my Day 4 review but here's a sneak preview by request. Personally, I would prefer one from Dunkins (or Tim Hortons for the Canadian equivalent). It was NOT very good.

 

[7x5090g]

How time flew and not before long, we all had to go back to the room and change for dinner. Tonight it's Italian and we tried out a few of the appetizers and entree. This third time arrival at the MDR now was smooth as silk. Laurentiu and Igor greeted us and knew all our names by now (even remember what I like in my coffee). And of course the plate of asorted gluten free bread was already on the table.

 

 

 

AND THE ENTREE - Tiger Shrimps tonight and they were delicious!!

 

and Dessert Sampler

 

More to come...

[7x5090g]

DW wanted to hit the Casino tonight and the kids were off somewhere. This is the first time my DS can roam around freely with his buddy. Just gave him a walkie talkie and they were off.

 

I took my tripod and did a few photoshoot of some night scenary. By now the rain had started to fall again. Really hoping it only lasted the night as we would be docking in St Thomas the next morning.

 

Boardwalk was desserted tonight...

 

 

With all the rain, the RP was rather busy.

 

More to come...

[7x5090g]

Here they are and a wrap for Day 3

Cruise Compass Day 3 Part 1.pdf

Cruise Compass Day 3 Part 2.pdf

Cruise Compass Day 3 Part 3.pdf

[7x5090g]

Woke up at 8 and thinking it will take us yet another 3 hours before docking in Crowns Bay. With one less functioning azipod, we were "crawling" to the USVI. Having tried out the Windjammer and Adagio for brekkie, we decided to give the Johnny Rockets a try...yes it has free breakfast daily (except for morning of disembarkation of course).

 

 

 

The menu was rather extensive so I think dining out on the Boardwalk is your cup of tea, JR is certaininly an alternative.

 

 

 

More to come...

[7x5090g]

Had one of these after breakfast, headed to deck 15 to watch AOTS pull into Crowns Bay.

 

 

Here's the pilot coming out to greet us.

 

[7x5090g]

DS designated tour and no other was selected. Originally we were planning on taking the 2pm tour and spend the morning hanging out at Megens. The late arrival cancelled the morning BOSS session and the afternoon one got moved up to 11:15. Not too happy about it but what could we do.

 

Nevertheless, judging by the pictures, I don't think I need to say much. At $120 a pop this had better be worth it.

 

Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Here the divers took my underwater camera and shot these for us

I am the second from the right :p

 

Edited October 25, 2013 by 7x5090g

[donna10]

Woke up at 8 and thinking it will take us yet another 3 hours before docking in Crowns Bay. With one less functioning azipod, we were "crawling" to the USVI. Having tried out the Windjammer and Adagio for brekkie, we decided to give the Johnny Rockets a try...yes it has free breakfast daily (except for morning of disembarkation of course).

 

 

 

The menu was rather extensive so I think dining out on the Boardwalk is your cup of tea, JR is certaininly an alternative.

 

 

 

More to come...

 

 

 

I like the idea of Johnny Rockets for breakfast as you can sit outside, a lovely way to start the day.

[believer33323]

I like the idea of Johnny Rockets for breakfast as you can sit outside, a lovely way to start the day.

 

I'm up and cannot sleep thinking of my cruise in 2 days. Now @ 5AM I'm also hungry looking at that delicious food. Thank you!!:)

[Mattypies]

Awesome review!!! Tell me more about your kids and the flow riders. What was the height restriction for stand up? Do you think a lesson is necessary? How long did they have to wait for a turn? My kids are so excited to try this!

[7x5090g]

Awesome review!!! Tell me more about your kids and the flow riders. What was the height restriction for stand up?

 

Thanks. The minimum height for boogie board is 48" and for stand up surfing is 52".

 

... Do you think a lesson is necessary? How long did they have to wait for a turn? My kids are so excited to try this!

 

The staffers are there to give free lessons. But if you feel more comfortable by signing up for paid lessons, by all means. This thing had caused serious injuries before (I heard death too but unconfirmed). I don't know how good your kids are so I can't really say. I personally didn't even bother trying. Too old for this kind of strenuous activities. :p

 

My 10 yr old son is still too short for stand up so he went only boogie boarding for the first time and after he got a few pointers he almost mastered it.

 

As for the line up. The last 2 at sea days were horrendous as you could only get 2 turns boogie boarding within 30 mins. Go early and register to get the wrist band. If your kids can keep the wrist band on they don't need to register again (made of paper).

[7x5090g]

I'm up and cannot sleep thinking of my cruise in 2 days. Now @ 5AM I'm also hungry looking at that delicious food. Thank you!!:)

 

Thanks believer. Warning-make sure you put your bathroom scale away before leaving the house. You do not want to use it for a few weeks after your return.

[7x5090g]

BOSS was worth every penny. The crew was very courteous and funny, especially the Captain. My son was ecstatic and now exhausted on the ride back. They supply refreshments on the boat (water, juices and cookies).

 

One tip, they do supply Snorkelling equipment but if you are like my son with sensitive skins, it's best to bring our own snorkeling gear (at least the face mask and snorkel. The chemical they use caused skin burning and rash. The rest of ky parties were fine so may be it's just my son's sensitive skin.

 

As we pulled back into Crowns Bay, I saw the tip of the AOTS smoke stag

j

 

2 seconds later she came into full breath taking view...

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It's now almost 4 in the afternoon AND no lunch yet!!! Beeline back to Windjammer and took food off the stations as they were cleaning up. Stayed and ate for a bit before kids wanted to head back to pool.

 

More to come...

[balcony4u]

Thank you for taking pictures of the Johnny Rocket menu! First time I have seen the full breakfast items!

[kroozersfromNC]

Random-shot photo: "The Lady" (AOTS) absolutely dwarfing the (also much older) Carnival Ecstasy whilst parked at Nassau.

 

[cynt]

Took another stroll down the port side on the 5th deck and was just admiring these brightly colored boats (hoping as hell we wouldn't need to use them)

 

Has anyone ever wondered what one is supposed to do inside these boats? Sit? Stand? Sqwat? Take a look at the furniture inside...

 

ROTFLOL!! OMG!! I thought the same thing. I walked the track in the morning and passed these lifeboats several times. For the life of me I couldn't figure out how they were going to make these work. And the kicker is 333ish people per boat. I really want to know how we all are supposed to sit, stand, sqwat in these boats!?!?!? That's what the lifeboat drill should be about. Pull these suckers down and let's load'em up.

 

ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!!:confused:

[lvstitch]

I've wondered the same thing, I think you sit back to back :confused:

[mouse84]

Great review so far! We leave tomorrow for Allure & are looking forward to it.

 

I'm newly gluten free due to dr's orders as well, so thank you for including that in your review! Did you find that breakfast choices were easy enough to come by (other than eggs)? At home, I've been eating sausage/bacon & veggies, probably not as easy to find that combo on the ship. Also, did you order your dinner the night before or just stick to the gluten free options as listed on the menus?

[Cruising to Retirement]

After breakfast, it's Meet and Mingle time at Dazzles at 8, followed by Boogie Boarding on 15 then C & A Recognition Party at Boardwalk on 6...Oh Zumba Dance Fitness on RP on 5...THAT's ALL IN THE MORNING :eek::eek: DW's highlighter was out (I hate that to the nth degree) I am the adventure/fly by seat of pants type. Why worry about what was on? Just explore!!

 

 

Gift Exchange

 

And mine from flossinstructor

 

C&A Recognition party below with free Champagne

 

You almost caught my wife and I in the Meet and mingle Photo.. we were just to the right of the camera angle.. Great Review, love reliving the fun week.. Did you go to the Love and Marriage Show, we were the middle couple married 30 years, Sally and Kevin Would love to see a photo fo us if you have nay of the show... Thanks.. Keep it coming..

[Cruising to Retirement]

Really nice review of the Allure Andy my wife and I were there and I must say it was the best cruise of all. Memories there great

 

Glad you had a great time, us too... wonderful week with family and friends.. Take care, Sally and Kevin

[7x5090g]

Great review so far! We leave tomorrow for Allure & are looking forward to it.

 

I'm newly gluten free due to dr's orders as well, so thank you for including that in your review! Did you find that breakfast choices were easy enough to come by (other than eggs)? At home, I've been eating sausage/bacon & veggies, probably not as easy to find that combo on the ship. Also, did you order your dinner the night before or just stick to the gluten free options as listed on the menus?

 

No need to pre-order. Everything on the menu is coded. Picture of a stalk if wheat=gluten free, a leaf = vegetarian and a milk carton=dairy free. So I guess a leaf+milk carton = vegan

 

As for breakfast you have plenty of choices. Smoked salmon, fruit, and in Windjammer there is cooked veggies+grits (rice congee) and plenty of rice and rice products.

 

The only time I ate gluten was when I chose to eat that donut-but if I were you, skip the donut because it was not very good. You'd get better quality at Dunkins.

[7x5090g]

Dinner tonight included rack of lamb...but not before an appetizer featuring beef carpaccio...yum

 

 

 

Here is a section of the available entrees for tonight.

 

[7x5090g]

Random-shot photo: "The Lady" (AOTS) absolutely dwarfing the (also much older) Carnival Ecstasy whilst parked at Nassau.

 

 

Funny we look that this comparison. But back in 1994 when I went on my very first cruise on board the Carnival Celebration, she was only 47,000 gross ton. The Ecstasy was 1.5 times the size of Celebration. How times have changed. Remember the Titanic? She was even smaller than Celebration!!!

[flossinstructor]

Thank you for taking pictures of the Johnny Rocket menu! First time I have seen the full breakfast items!

 

We love the breakfast at Johnny Rockets!!! My favorite is the works. In addition to the way it reads on the menu, I have them add crumbled bacon and put two over easy eggs on top. My friend, Andrew, told me about this last time I sailed Allure. Now my husband and I just refer to it as "The Andrew Special"

 

 

Andy ,thank you for doing this revue!! It is great to relive the cruise!! You have some great pictures!!!! They are awesome!! I'm glad to see who received my "meet and mingle" gift!!!!

[7x5090g]

Families with Kids - tonight was the one and only show for the entire cruise that we got to see hiccup and toothless dance on the ice. No reservation was offered and first come first served.

 

We shoved our dinner down and came here by 8 lining up to get in. We were the only one here and we got all our seats in the first row for an unobstructed view.