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Our Awesome Allure review 2/2-2/9-day 1

LPut714

By LPut714,
in Royal Caribbean International

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LPut714

LPut714

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Sorry no pics or food porn, just my review-will try and post a day or two review each day

Background-myself 59 and husband 64 like to cruise every year in Jan/Feb as that is sort of mid winter here in Michigan. We have done Carnival, RC and NCL. This cruise was a 'free cruise' based on cashing in 125,000 points on our RC VISA-got a week long OV cruise-just had to pay port charge, fees and tips. I did pay the extra to get the Boardwalk balcony (more on that later)

2/1-Being we never know what the weather will be like in Michigan on Jan/Feb we always like to fly down to our departure port a day early. We did have Travelguard insurance just in case.

Booked on Spirit flight 417 due to leave at 6:55am and arrive FLL at 9:55am. We had gotten the air for about $195/person, but did have to purchase two bags at $30 each-so it was sort of a washed. Flight boarded on time but seemed to be a delay in leaving the gate. It was 8am before we got in the air (after having to get de iced). They were forecasting a snow storm to start later today but seemed to start around 8am. The flight was about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

We landed in FLL and collected our bags and made our way to the Alamo rental car building (follow the signs). Took about half an hour to process everything-they have you initial about 20 places on the rental agreement. We picked up our Ford Focus (Hotwire compact rate of $41.81 with all taxes/fees) and we were on our way.

We had brought our own GPS so we plugged in the address to the Staybridge Suites on N. Pine Island Dr. in Plantation-about 15 minutes from airport (Priceline $108.60 including taxes/fees). Our room wasn't ready so we drove a short distant and had lunch at Duffy's. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the 80+ degree weather. Drinks (beer, wine, cocktails) were buy one get one. We split the appetizer platter-it was ok. Your room key from the hotel will get you 10% savings on food.

We then headed to Total Wine in the shopping center behind Duffy's to pick up our 2 bottles of wine and vodka to fill our rum runners along with some beer for back at the hotel. Great variety and many tastings going on

Around 3p our room was ready. We were in room 407 a studio queen. Plenty of room for the two of us. We didn't really unpack that much-just toiletries and close for next day. No safe in the room. The room did have a full size fridge along with a 2 burner stove, microwave and dishwasher and minimal dishes.

We decided to go out exploring and headed over to FLL in hopes of seeing some ships leaving. We found a viewing spot in a sub division and got to see 2 ships past by. Then a few minutes later we saw the Oasis of the Seas come into view. She backed out of her slip and then turned around right in front of us. She is huge!!! Seeing her made us more excited to be boarding the Allure the next day.

Around 7p we decided to grab dinner. We were going to do Smokey Bones (alot of postings on cc and close to Duffy's) but opted to just go back to Duffy's. We split a slab of baby back robs-came with 2 sides and we had a beer each-with the 10% off came to $23 plus tip.

Headed back to hotel-watched some tv and then off to sleep. So excited for tomorrow to come.

Day 2 to follow

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LPut714

LPut714

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We were up early and had breakfast in the hotel lobby, very nice selection. We left the hotel about 9:30am to return the car to the airport (FLL)-very easy process. Just follow the signs-return lot comes up pretty quickly on the left as you enter the airport. Once car returned we went outside to a shuttle bus #1 to the port-just need to present your rental car receipt. We had to drop some folks at a Princess ship before heading to the RC pier. Once you get the Allure in sight the excitement starts. It was raining a little when we got to port, so standing in the rain to drop the bags with a porter wasn't fun. There weren't alot of porters around at the time we arrived, usually they are all over you. Any how tipped the porter to take the bags. We hand carried a backpack on which contained our 2 bottles of wine. Security did check to make sure it was sealed. We then walked to the counter to check it. The counter is broken down by decks. We were in the Gold waiting are by 11:15am and on the ship just before noon.

We boarded the ship via Deck 5-all I cn say is WOW!!!. We had been on the Mariner and Adventure of the Seas so were quite familiar with the Promenade concept-but this ship offered so much more.

We headed straight to Park cafe in Central Park and fortunately the line wasn't bad. They try and make two separate lines-one for salads and one for sandwiches-we just got in line for salads and then worked our way to sandwiches. Everything was very good. All the seats were taken outside so we just got a table inside. Coffee, juice, deserts, soup also available.

After lunch we walked around and got the lay of the land. At 1p we headed to our cabin, 11329 a Boardwalk Balcony. It was the most aft cabin on the port side. We LOVED the cabin. We had the best of both worlds-view of the Boardwalk and also out to sea. There was always something to see. Noise was never an issue once the doorwall was closed. We had the bed by the balcony so there was adequate floor space. We would book this room again in a heart beat. We have a deluxe balcony for our October Oasis cruise and I am thinking of changing to a BW balcony.

Around 4pm we went back to the cabin after walking around. We met our room steward James-he was good, not the best. Our 3 checked bags were there. I had purchased Cruise Critic luggage tags and was glad I did. In past cruises our tags have gotten ripped off even with the use of strapping tape. We unpacked-our rum runners made it no problem. We bring bubba kegs from home (32oz size) and mix half lemonade with half ice tea and add some vodka. These worked well up on the pool deck or just walking around. Never any problems with our own mugs-just can fill directly from beverage dispensers due to health regulations. We did also purchase drinks in the casino and Bow and Stern Pub. We had no problem finding places to put everything. there are small storage closets to the left of the vanity mirror that we never used. There were plenty of wooden hangers in the closet. Suitcases fit under the bed no problem. There was a small safe in the closet, however the IPAD didn't fit in it. We just stored it being the keyboard above the tv. I always use a show holder hung on a closet or bathroom door-this time I used the closet and it worked well. I store post its, sharpies, high lighters, extra camera battery and other misc. items in it.

We opted to do MTD for this cruise-it worked better with all the shows you have to schedule. Being that this Sunday was Superbowl-they changed the Ocean Aria show that I had booked for tonight to Tuesday. So nothing was planned for tonight. They did have the Superbowl playing on all the tvs and big screens through out the ships. Many passengers had their teams jerseys on.

We went to dinner around 7pm on Deck 5 (I had done MTD reservations on line when booked shows). There is a reservations line and a no reservations line. We were seated in Merik's section-he is great. Very personable and attentive. His assistant waiter Desran was equally attentive. We did get seated in there section all week (except Wed when we went to Chopp's). We had for appetizer smoked fish rivulettes, shrimp cocktail and scallop gratin. For entree we shared salmon and prime rib. Can't remember the deserts. Found the food very good (much better than our last couple of Carnival cruises) tasty and good temperature. If you didn't like something it was no problem to get something different. We found out that the waiters/assistant waiters are chosen to work in MTD due to being very organized and able to handle multiple tables in different stages of dining.

We gave donations to the casino. It is very large and has a smoking and non smoking side which was nice. I was able to get some MGM casino benifits-drink coupons, dinner for two at a specialty restaurant, priority boarding, internet.

In bed around midnight-bed was super comfy with a 2 inch foam pad on the top. Day 3 to follow

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