Allure what i liked and didn't like

[Cruisegirl6]

LIKED:

 

1- The windjammer is not small, it wraps around the rear of the ship in addition to being port and starboard side, the food stations are well apart from one another and never once (we have 6 breakfast here and every lunch) did I have anymore than 3 people ahead of me in any food line. There is a line on both sides to get in but this is totally painless and goes very quickly, they are doing this because they have a staff member going around to eat passenger in line giving them hand sanitizer, its for your safety...and they now seat you at a table which is always clean (the old way you would find a table and then need to find somebody to clean it if it wasn't cleaned) and they also seat you and bring your silverware and napkin to the table so you no longer have to get one.

 

2- I loved Central Park that was always my favorite area of the ship and there was always a breeze.

 

3- Loved the Rising Tide Bar, we would go on it at least once a day for a martini

 

4- For those who like Jazz there was a nightly jazz band

 

5- Viking Crown is rather large but pretty and very enjoyable to sit there any time of the day and night

 

6- Our favorite bar was the Champagne Bar the girls got to know us there very well and service was always excellent, they also give you hor'dervs around dinner and small pastries at night to eat a nice touch

 

7- Boardwalk was nice but on our cruise it lacked breeze so it got pretty warm there during the daytime, so warm, we never sat at the bar there for a drink.

 

8- Aquatheathre was a very nice touch certainly different than any other cruise line has and the ice skating rink always puts on a wonderful show

 

9- I liked the fact the Windjammer had fresh ham carving every morning for breakfast

 

10- Liked the many choices of specialty dining (we were to each one at least once never ate the main dining room)

 

11- Vintages is an excellent place to have a late night snack and lunch, you can get a nice glass of wine before dinner there and it was very relaxing

 

12- For the ladies who like to roam around the stores or go shopping this ship had plenty of shopping

 

13- The embarkation and debarkation procedure considering the amount of passengers this ship holds, is well planned out, very good.

 

14- Izumi is a great place to have lunch although they do not provide the hot rock meals for lunch, four out of 7 of us had it and found the portions to be very very small in both meat and vegetables for dinner.

 

15- The bathrooms inside the staterooms had a dim light so you never really needed to use the light or find the light for the bathroom during the night, an excellent idea and wish all ship have this

 

16- Casino on the port side was good to each one of us all 7 of us adults

 

17- Spa was very good better than other ships I been on, very professional and prices were a bit higher than what you would pay at home but its a cruise

 

18- For those who like spanish music and salsa dancing Boleros was good for that

 

19- I don't eat hot dogs but we found ourselves each day going to the hotdog cart having one of those hot dogs, nice treat/snack and we miss it

 

20- Cupcake Cuboard had very delicious cupcakes, to us they were reasonably priced and they also have gluten free cupcakes which were the best I ever had

 

21- Sorrento's pizza is a lot better now than Carnivals (carnival changed it recipe its horrible) and they also have gluten free pizza and pizza's where you special order them and choose your topping

 

22- Cafe Promenade always had very good little mini sandwiches on small rolls and croissants, good fresh meat (salami and provolone was all of our favorite) and they had cookies and pastries there also, the sunflower seed granola bars my sister in law loved and raved about

 

23- This ship never felt crowded with over 6k passengers in it, very well designed layout

 

24- Dazzles was a nice place to sit, two levels and had entertainment going on there every night

 

25- Staff is always wonderful, tentative to our needs, friendly and curtious

 

26- The drink packages are worth every penney and its nice to prepay them and not have that bill at the end of the cruise

 

27- Loved the fact that we were able to pay and make our specialty dining before the cruise

 

28- The windjammer provided fried eggs that were constantly being made and no lines too

 

29- The windjammer had already made omelets so you don't need to stand in line to get an omelet

 

30- At lunch in the windjammer they always had a meat carving although Carnival gives you two types of meat, it be nice having a choice

 

31- Good upbeat music always playing somewhere on this ship

 

 

DISLIKES:

 

1- Specialty restaurants such as Chops and Giovanni's did not hold up as well as the Chops on other ships and Giovanni's is a step down to Portofino's...Giovanni's and 150 Park Place (although this place is a tasting/set menu is a must try once) was our favorite place for dinner and Vintages for snacks or lunch.

 

2- I don't care for the up charge in Chops for a better steak as we already are paying extra for this meal, they need to up the charge and take off the dollar signs on that menu

 

3- Donut shop only had donuts from 7am-11am, we would of liked to have one for a snack during the day or late night snack

 

4- Rita's Cantina we tried for lunch but certainly is not a decent dinner for us as the food is not up to par to what we get at home in mexican restaurants

 

5- Our stateroom got warmer at night even though our thermostat was at its lowest setting, we also had the cabin steward take off that heavy bedding and place just a sheet and regular blanket and four nights we were sweating and kicked off the covers

 

6- This ship is the warmest ship in all areas out of any other ship I been on, but most of the areas it was comfortable with the exception of near the central park and boardwalk areas

 

7- Samba Grill is HORRIBLE!!!! This was my 53rd cruise and the worst meal/dinner I ever had on any cruise.

 

8- Solarium Grill and Park Place did not offer me anything but fruit for breakfast and lunch, they really need to address people that have special dietary needs such as the need to be gluten and dairy free

 

9- The bacon in the windjammer each morning was always too crisp that you never found an entire piece of bacon it was always broken apart

 

10- The salad bar only contained one type of mixed greens, they need to add a couple different types, it would of improved the salad bar

 

11- Although we never went to Chicago as all of us seen the real show, Blue Planet was not worth our time in going, we did not care much for it at all

 

12- The casino bar service is lacking and the worst place to try to get a drink they really need more help behind the bar here

[Ti2m]

9- The bacon in the windjammer each morning was always too crisp

 

This surely must be a mistake. I think this needs moved to the LIKED section .... right? ;)

[hgmizzou]

We were just on Allure a few weeks ago and had NO problems with the temperature in our cabins (we had two). I tend to get hot and I never once felt uncomfortable in our cabin and slept very well.

 

I am sorry you had this problem. I know that it was something that you were concerned about before you left because it was a question that you asked frequently. It's a shame that it turned out to be that way.

 

There were four of us in our party and none of us had any problems with the temp. This is pretty subjective and every persons tolerance of temperatures is different. Some people do seem to have issues with the cabin temps on Allure, and having seem the question so many times before we left, I did make a point of noticing it so that I could weigh in when we got back. I guess we just got lucky!

[Big_G]

Thanks lyndamr. Is Gemma still in the Champagne Bar?

[Susie51]

Thank you for your review.

[mcatmcat]

I was there in the allure last week and it was super warm. I was sweating in the restaurant and in the shows

 

I also noticed an older crow compared to the oasis. I overall prefer the oasis

 

 

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[Cruisegirl6]

Ti2m lol too funny, happens to be I hate crispy where it just breaks apart, but my other half and father in law will disagree with me too!

 

Hgmizzu hello, yes it was a concern and it did happen to us to get a cabin where it just wouldn't get cool. We had maintenance coming three times, the second time they replaced a medal part in the ac system in the hallway but it didn't work. My daughter and her husband also said it was on the warm side and they also had it set on lowest setting, but my father in law and sister/brother in law said their rooms were cool, figures hugh lol. I loved the Allure my favorite ship but sleeping in a warm room at night just is uncomfortable, if I choose this class of ship again I would go on the Oasis as nobody complained about this problem on that ship, perhaps they both have different types of systems as they were built at different times.

 

Big_G no there was no Gemmma, perhaps she is on the ship and they may rotate to different bars?

 

Susie51 my pleasure!

[Yorkvillain]

Nice breakdown. I agree about the temperature on the Allure. Both times I sailed on the Oasis the temperature was fine however on the Allure it seemed hotter than normal.

 

With that being said, I would cut off my left arm to be on the Allure right now.

[Yorkvillain]

Thanks lyndamr. Is Gemma still in the Champagne Bar?

 

Ha. I was about to ask the same question.

[marci22]

I missed the part about the upcharge in Chops. What was the item and how much extra?

[Ocean View]

Thanks for the review!! We sail her this Sunday can't wait!

 

 

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[OCruisers]

Thanks for the time to give us your opinions! Very nicely written and easy to read. :)

LuLu

[nccruiser47]

I was on Allure this year and found one night I was terribly warm. Little did I know there is a master switch on the wall as you enter the room and if you turn that switch off, the a/c doesn't work. The fan is on but the room didn't cool down. As soon as I flipped that switch the next day I discovered the room cooled down. Never touched that switch again!!!!!:D

[Big_G]

Ha. I was about to ask the same question.

 

She was there in January but in Vintages on our prior. We also had her back on Oasis. She was great but I think she's winding down and ready to move on.

 

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[AZAficionado]

I missed the part about the upcharge in Chops. What was the item and how much extra?

Chops on Allure is now offering a 16 oz dry aged NY Strip Steak for $18 additional and a 20 oz dry aged "Porterhouse For One" for $19 additional.

[Clarea]

I missed the part about the upcharge in Chops. What was the item and how much extra?

Here's a post with the new Chop's menu attached:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42678037&postcount=21

[marci22]

Chops on Allure is now offering a 16 oz dry aged NY Strip Steak for $18 additional and a 20 oz dry aged "Porterhouse For One" for $19 additional.

 

Here's a post with the new Chop's menu attached:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42678037&postcount=21

 

Good to know.

[George C]

Very good info, thanks

[thebigrooster]

Here's a post with the new Chop's menu attached:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=42678037&postcount=21

 

At least on the May 4th Allure cruise, that menu hadn't been rolled out yet. It was still the "old" Chops menu but with 2 dry-aged steaks added that were available for the upcharge.

 

In my opinion, its not something worth a "dislike." They are just providing an option for people that might want a 28-day dry-aged steak. If you don't want that, no problem, there are several other steaks included in the Chops price including a fantastic filet. I have no problem with them providing choices.

[AZAficionado]

At least on the May 4th Allure cruise, that menu hadn't been rolled out yet. It was still the "old" Chops menu but with 2 dry-aged steaks added that were available for the upcharge.

 

In my opinion, its not something worth a "dislike." They are just providing an option for people that might want a 28-day dry-aged steak. If you don't want that, no problem, there are several other steaks included in the Chops price including a fantastic filet. I have no problem with them providing choices.

Not to derail this thread, but I have to agree. By adding items like this, RCI can appeal to a wider audience. They can keep base cruise prices low and still provide for those who are in a "higher tax bracket".

 

According to the crew on the May 11th Allure cruise, the new Chops menu is going to be implemented next week.

[apiary311]

Thanks for taking the time to write this review! Nice job with the pros and cons...seems very fair and well-balanced.

[Cruisegirl6]

My pleasure ;)

[thejewgernaut]

Great review -- has us psyched up for leaving on Sunday from the Allure.

 

I have to say, the donuts from 7-11 only had us laughing -- we agree, they're tasty, but only on the Allure can that be a dislike -- that ships has so much going on it spoils you!

[Cruisegirl6]

There was so much to do we didn't do it all. BonVoyage!!

[Totalelf]

That is too bad about Samba. We were on Allure two months ago and Samba was excellent! Maybe they were having an off night. I will say that the service was rather slow, seemed like they didn't have enough staff, but the food was great.

 

 

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