Allure B2B **Double** Trip Review 5/4/14 - 5/18/14 (lots o' pics)!!!

[SolsticeAZ]

Day 1: In Which We Get Lucky

 

After the minor embarkation debacle, we headed straight for the Shore Excursion desk, and asked the nice gentleman there if we could book a cabana for Labadee. Since we had tried to book online and gotten a message that we should “inquire onboard,” I was expecting him to fall over laughing and tell us they’d all been booked for months. As it turns out, he had a few cabanas available – and one left at Nellie’s Beach, which we snapped up immediately. See? Lucky.

 

After lunch at Park Café, we walked around the ship taking in the sights. What I find amazing is the sheer amount of art on this ship (75,000 pieces, according to Captain Johnny!!), so much of which people probably never notice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As AZAficionado mentioned, we had dinner at Izumi, which is one of my all-time favorite specialty restaurants. We splurged on a bottle of Ty-Ku Ulta Premium Junmai Daiginjo sake. Cold sake, utterly delicious, with a hint of banana flavor.

 

[klass2]

Great review! Can't wait to read more.

Edited May 23, 2014 by klass2

[SuitCaseBears]

Best Review Ever!

 

Going on our first (well first and a half - but that's a long story) RCCL cruise on Allure in Nov., so I was interested in Allure reviews in general but this is a great read no matter what ship you're going on.

 

Love the effort you've put into organizing things - all the food stuff together, activities together, then chronological. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. And having started several reviews and then not finishing them, I am in awe of the effort you've put in.... and the humor.

 

Thanks:):D

[readytolose]

Loving the details and the pictures! We'll be in our first Junior Suite in January so I was thrilled to see the awesome pictures of your room!

 

Thanks for all the hard work putting this together!

[AZAficionado]

Cabin Amenities

 

Technology (TV, iPod, outlets)

 

There is a flat screen TV, an iPod dock/charger (works for iPods and older iPhones – but my iPhone 5 didn’t fit), and a pair of outlets by the vanity (as well as one for shavers in the bathroom). There is a small safe – big enough for wallets, phones and small valuables, but not big enough for an iPad. There is a coffee-maker and a tea pot as well.

Not to disagree with my better half, but I think the safe is large enough to fit an iPad (a big iPad) - the ones on Freedom class certainly are. However, there wouldn't be room for much else.

Great review! Can't wait to read more.

Thanks and not to worry, there will be lots more.

Best Review Ever!

Let's not get carried away and make my head any bigger than it already is...

Going on our first (well first and a half - but that's a long story) RCCL cruise on Allure in Nov., so I was interested in Allure reviews in general but this is a great read no matter what ship you're going on.

Very true. Especially since RCI is very consistent fleet-wide. If you've been to one Chops, you've been to them all.

Love the effort you've put into organizing things - all the food stuff together, activities together, then chronological. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. And having started several reviews and then not finishing them, I am in awe of the effort you've put in.... and the humor.

 

Thanks

Just like I did in my Freedom review, at the end I'll talk about what went into doing a review like this and the things I did to make it easy (I cheated on a lot of stuff). I'm so glad you are enjoying it.

Loving the details and the pictures! We'll be in our first Junior Suite in January so I was thrilled to see the awesome pictures of your room!

 

Thanks for all the hard work putting this together!

You are most welcome. Getting a sense of the cabins is very tough. Royal's pictures are good, but it is still hard to get a sense of them. The 3d graphics out there aren't entirely accurate (the Junior Suite one shows a table and four chairs on the balcony). Taking pictures of the cabins is even tougher, unless you have the panoramic thingy like my phone does. Using that was the only way to get everything into the shot.

[SolsticeAZ]

Great review! Can't wait to read more.

Thanks!

Best Review Ever!

I thank you and my rapidly-inflating ego thanks you!

Loving the details and the pictures! We'll be in our first Junior Suite in January so I was thrilled to see the awesome pictures of your room!

Thanks for all the hard work putting this together!

You are more than welcome. It's actually a lot of fun...like a vacation do-over.

Not to disagree with my better half, but I think the safe is large enough to fit an iPad (a big iPad) - the ones on Freedom class certainly are. However, there wouldn't be room for much else.

Hmmm...but I have a vivid recollection of you trying to stuff the iPad in the safe and then giving up... :D In all seriousness, I may have worded this too strongly. An iPad might fit, but there would not be room for much else if it did.

[Cruise a holic]

Thanks!

 

I thank you and my rapidly-inflating ego thanks you!

 

You are more than welcome. It's actually a lot of fun...like a vacation do-over.

 

Hmmm...but I have a vivid recollection of you trying to stuff the iPad in the safe and then giving up... :D In all seriousness, I may have worded this too strongly. An iPad might fit, but there would not be room for much else if it did.

 

 

These pictures are great and bring back so many wonderful memories! You could work for the cruise line and sell books of the photos you took.

 

Thanks for sharing!

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for the great review.:)

[travelfan75]

So loving this review!!! I've read some others, but this is the best by far! We are going to be doing the exact same b2b you did, leaving next Sunday. I'd love to hear how the in-between cruises part went. I'm sure you'll post it, but perhaps not before we leave! We are flying in the morning of the cruise so no hotel. When you come back to FL for the in-between Sunday what did they have you do for disembarking/reembarking? I've heard there is a lunch at Giovannis for the b2b passengers for free? We will have the same cabin both weeks like you did so I know we don't have to clear out cabin but I'm just curious about the process. Thanks!!! We're soooo excited!

[AZAficionado]

These pictures are great and bring back so many wonderful memories! You could work for the cruise line and sell books of the photos you took.

 

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for the compliment and I'm glad you're enjoying it. I could work for the cruise line, but there is no way I'm living in a crew cabin. Those things are smaller than the closet in the Junior Suite and are double occupancy.

Thanks for the great review.

You are most welcome.

So loving this review!!! I've read some others, but this is the best by far! We are going to be doing the exact same b2b you did, leaving next Sunday. I'd love to hear how the in-between cruises part went. I'm sure you'll post it, but perhaps not before we leave! We are flying in the morning of the cruise so no hotel. When you come back to FL for the in-between Sunday what did they have you do for disembarking/reembarking? I've heard there is a lunch at Giovannis for the b2b passengers for free? We will have the same cabin both weeks like you did so I know we don't have to clear out cabin but I'm just curious about the process. Thanks!!! We're soooo excited!

Ordinarily, I wouldn't give out spoilers. But since you'll already be gone, I'll spill. On day 6, you'll get a Consecutive Cruiser's memo in your room that tells you everything. On day 7, there will be a meeting in the morning, likely in the Viking Crown where they will tell you everything in the memo (and you get a free drink).

 

You have two choices:

 

1. "Stay on the ship". On day 8, they'll have you meet in one of the areas (Schooner Bar for us) by a certain time (10:15 am for us). You will then be escorted as a group off the ship to a waiting area in the terminal. As soon as the ship is cleared, you'll be escorted back on. So, technically you will still have to get off the ship. In the process, you'll get your new Sea Pass card. You'll be first back on the ship and have it "to yourselves" for a while. They will provide a special B2B lunch at Giovanni's Table which is free. I believe lunch at Giovanni's table is always free (maybe only on the first day?), but I might be wrong about that. Many specialty restaurants provide free meals at off times (breakfast at Johnny Rockets, for example).

 

2. Go ashore - which is what we did. On day 8, you go to the Cupcake Cupboard after 7:00 am to get your new Sea Pass card and In Transit card. You'll need your Passport/Travel Documents to take with you as well as both Sea Pass cards (old and new). Then you must get off with everyone else by 9:30 am. You can choose your own time to leave (no waiting for luggage numbers). You'll stand in line for customs and give the agent your Passport and In Transit card. You'll only be able to take a small purse or personal bag (no backpacks, etc.) with you. Later in the day, you'll embark like everyone else and be able to bypass most of the lines (not security) using the In Transit card.

 

In either case, you will have full access to your cabin all day long. You may want to coordinate with your attendant about your plans for that day. Our attendant "flipped" our cabin the day before to give himself more time on turn around day (one less cabin to strip down that day).

[SolsticeAZ]

These pictures are great and bring back so many wonderful memories! You could work for the cruise line and sell books of the photos you took.

 

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! For my photos, I have to give 90% of the credit to iPhone and pretty much the rest of the credit to my very patient husband, who did not strangle me the 900th time he had to remind me to put the sun at my back before taking the picture. But working for the cruise line does sound tempting...if they'd put me up in an Owner's Suite, and comp my meals at the specialty restaurants and...I don't sound demanding, do I??

 

Thanks for the great review.

My pleasure!

So loving this review!!! I've read some others, but this is the best by far! We are going to be doing the exact same b2b you did, leaving next Sunday.

Since AZAficionado already spilled the details on turnaround day on the B2B, I'll just say thanks and have a great time!!

[sauvichick]

This is a terrific review. Love the fact that you are both taking turns posting. We have less than 40 days before we have a 2nd visit on the Allure. Thanks for the photos and great details accompanying them.:D

[BillOh]

 

.

 

After two trips on Allure, I enjoy reading the reviews and looking at the pictures from others, I enjoy learning about or seeing something I didn't see in my two trips,. I haven't found that yet, but I felt compelled to comment on your frequent use of very wide angle lenses. In many cases it adds quite a different perpectives. Its almost like seeing something that I didn't see although I did, I just didn't look at it like that. Quite enjoyable in many cases. I did two meet and mingles in this room, but didn't look at it like this.

Edited May 24, 2014 by BillOh

[JacknShelby]

This is an awesome review. Thank you for the taking the time to do it! I really love how you have structured it and given plenty of the different area photos first.

Carla :D

[purplethorn]

Great review and very valuable info thanks!

oh and I like Aficionado 's geeky sense of humor :D

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[lovesthebeach2]

Thanks!

 

Hmmm...but I have a vivid recollection of you trying to stuff the iPad in the safe and then giving up... :D In all seriousness, I may have worded this too strongly. An iPad might fit, but there would not be room for much else if it did.

 

I had asked this question on another thread and I was told that if you put the iPad in at an angle it will then lay flat. Do you think that would have worked? We are leaving tomorrow and I did want to bring mine.

[Cruise a holic]

I had asked this question on another thread and I was told that if you put the iPad in at an angle it will then lay flat. Do you think that would have worked? We are leaving tomorrow and I did want to bring mine.

The staff on the ships "appear" to be

Honest. Bring the iPad and just keep in your drawer when not using if concerned. We keep it out when charging and may not be in the cabin. I put wallets, passports and jewelry in the small safe. If room also iPhones

[caneguy]

To AZAficionado and SolsticeAZ,

I do not know what I am more impressed by, your writing style, the pictures from a smart phone camera, or that you married so young and have been married 24 years, no wait I know it is that AZAficionado is RETIRED AT AGE 46!! SO congrats on all of the above!!

 

What a great review! One of the best or THE BEST I have seen, including my own:)

 

We did two trips on the Allure in 2013 and just came off the Oasis in March of 2014 and I can't get enough of these ships.

 

I am interested about the Quantum and the Panama Canal. Just got some info on the Quantum class and I think I would need two weeks just to eat in all the restaurants on that class ship!

[Rattler1985]

I am loving this review!! The pictures are great. I am going to show it to my family so they can get as excited as I am!

[AZAficionado]

This is a terrific review. Love the fact that you are both taking turns posting. We have less than 40 days before we have a 2nd visit on the Allure. Thanks for the photos and great details accompanying them.

You are most welcome and thank you for the kind words.

After two trips on Allure, I enjoy reading the reviews and looking at the pictures from others, I enjoy learning about or seeing something I didn't see in my two trips,. I haven't found that yet, but I felt compelled to comment on your frequent use of very wide angle lenses. In many cases it adds quite a different perpectives. Its almost like seeing something that I didn't see although I did, I just didn't look at it like that. Quite enjoyable in many cases. I did two meet and mingles in this room, but didn't look at it like this.

I'm using the "pan" feature of the iPhone camera. In a lot of cases, it is the only way to capture some of the areas on the ship. To be entirely honest, I use it like a crutch. If I can't get a good picture after two or three attempts, I say "screw it" and break out the pan.

This is an awesome review. Thank you for the taking the time to do it! I really love how you have structured it and given plenty of the different area photos first.Carla

You are most welcome. I looked at many fantastic reviews (Gamby, KansasCocoa, and others) before doing my first one last year. I saw that all of them had good structure. Thanks for the great feedback.

Great review and very valuable info thanks!

oh and I like Aficionado 's geeky sense of humor

Humor? I'm being serious the entire time (no, I'm not). I really glad your enjoying it.

To AZAficionado and SolsticeAZ,

I do not know what I am more impressed by, your writing style, the pictures from a smart phone camera, or that you married so young and have been married 24 years, no wait I know it is that AZAficionado is RETIRED AT AGE 46!! SO congrats on all of the above!!

 

What a great review! One of the best or THE BEST I have seen, including my own

 

We did two trips on the Allure in 2013 and just came off the Oasis in March of 2014 and I can't get enough of these ships.

 

I am interested about the Quantum and the Panama Canal. Just got some info on the Quantum class and I think I would need two weeks just to eat in all the restaurants on that class ship!

Thank you very much! Although most of the things impressing you are the result of stupidity, stubbornness, luck, technology, and a hint of common sense (listed in no particular order). But I'll take the compliments where I can get them. I can't help you about Quantum except to say that a crew member said "everything is virtual, you don't know what's real and what isn't". In a year, I'll be doing this all over again covering our Panama Canal cruise.

I am loving this review!! The pictures are great. I am going to show it to my family so they can get as excited as I am!

Mission accomplished! I'm really glad you are enjoying it that much.

[AZAficionado]

I had asked this question on another thread and I was told that if you put the iPad in at an angle it will then lay flat. Do you think that would have worked? We are leaving tomorrow and I did want to bring mine.

I'm not sure if it will fit or not (now that Solstice and I have talked about it). What you just described is how it worked with the safes on Freedom. We brought two ipads and a laptop computer (and two iPhones). We left them on the shelves - in many cases on the vanity so they could recharge while we were out of the room. I wouldn't worry about the crew as they have no place to hide anything they take and they know they will be the first ones accused. If you are really that concerned, you could put it in a drawer or out of sight. The chances of someone doing a full search of your cabin is pretty low, where a quick grab of something valuable is more likely.

[AZAficionado]

Day 2 - At Sea

 

 

The daily Compass...

 

 

[AZAficionado]

 

After wearing out the jogging track, some Starbuck’s, and a light breakfast in the Diamond Lounge, we decided to go to the Crown & Anchor Welcome Back Party. It was very nice and a great opportunity to meet the ship’s senior officers.

 

 

A motley bunch who all claimed to be the most important officer on the ship.

 

 

Naturally, there were complimentary drinks, Mimosa’s in our case. I had to wear my C&A bling. Seriously, this was the first time I'd ever worn that pin. I figured I should wear it once to something.

[AZAficionado]

 

There were a few of the Madagascar characters and other entertainers (I think the guy in blue is Crown & Anchor Man or something).

 

 

We were also treated to a preview of the Oceanaria show.

 

 

Lunch was back at the Park Café for the Cuban Panini. It’s no roast beef, but it was really good and melty.

[AZAficionado]

 

In the afternoon, we sat outside Vintages in Central Park for some wine. If you want somewhere to relax on Allure, Central Park is the place.

 

The Vintages menu.