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Just off Allure (western 7/27 -8/3)

izodlacoste
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izodlacoste

izodlacoste

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Just got off Allure. Here is a mini-mini review

 

I am Emerald C&A.

I have been on at least 25-30 cruises.

 

Embarkation: Great. We arrived at Pier at 11 isn and were onboard by 11:35

 

Weather: Perfect all week. Could not tell that the ship was moving at all

 

Cabin: Upgraded to D2 Oceanview Balcony a few door down from aft elevators on 10th floor starboard.

Great, Great location. The 10th floor is great because you are only a few floors up or down to everything (we tried to take stairs as much as we could). Near elevators was also great.

Starboard side was actually next to the port/dock in all locations all week. This was fine but in Cozumel, we were docked right next to Navigator and could see all the way into their cabins (as they could see into ours!)

 

Our cabin stewart was fabulous. He was friendly and efficient.

 

Food/Dining:

Immediately went to Park Cafe for the Roast Beef sandwich which was as good as we remembered.

We asked for a table for 2 (late dining) when we booked and were given one which was great. Dining room food and service was excellent. Ate at a lot of the free options all week (we ate too much!) and also went to Chops which was well worth the money as it was great.

 

Entertainment We saw aqua show, comedy show, quest, and ice games. All were entertaining. I think that the Dive shows on the Allure & Oasis are absolutely amazing.

 

Ports Labadee- hung on beach under one of those blue cabana things that we gave beach attendant $25 tip to get for us

Falmouth/Cozumel: Same as usual. Nothing new. No one missed the ship

 

Crowd Ship was at full capacity. Tons of kids/teens/families but everyone was well behaved. Pools were packed at sea days but that is the only time that the ship seemed crowded. This ship does crowd control like no other.

 

We wanted a week to just unplug, decompress and relax. It was perfect. No complaints at all except that internet was slow and expensive (Had to check on the kids back in the states!). Every crew member that we encountered seemed to be trying to give WOW service. I'd go again in a minute

 

Here are a few tips:

1. Bring Water shoes to Labadee (Beach was super rocky)

2. Don't fret if you don't make reservations for shows/dinner before you board. There were plenty of standby spots at all shows (except comedy when we went) and we were able to walk into chops

3. Sail away: we left late so we had two different spots which were great. First is Wipeout bar near flowriders (Not busy) and deck 14 forward (No bar service but a great view!

4. They offer spa and internet deals every day so don't be in a rush to book.

5. We were able to bring a case of water onboard (we just threw a luggage tag on it)

6. We also carried a bottle of wine and a clothes steamer onboard

7. Don't buy a baseball bat in Mexico or you will have to pick it up the naughty table on the way off (there were tons of irons, an electric frying pan and a yogurt maker also on the table!

8. On sea days, you can check out pool towels without seapass but on port days you need to scan your pass

9. Our muster station was at the champagne bar. We were the last ones to show up and the first ones out (I'd recommend NOT going too early)

10. The formal nights were 2 & 5. The lobster tails were on night five

11. There was free Wifi at Margaritaville in Falmouth and at Diamonds International in Cozumel

12. There were lots of Crown & Anchor events during the week. Not just the cocktail party. We received a gift upon boarding and during the week, some little cakes in our room.

13. If you miss the love & marriage or other shows, they replay them on the in room tv

14. If you lose your soda cup, they will replace it for only $5

15. I had little clips from the Dollar store and they worked really well to hang up bathing suits, etc on chairs.

16. Smoking areas are only one side of casino and one part of pool deck and those areas are really, really smokey!

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laddcalcagno

laddcalcagno

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Thanks for the review and your tips! We will be doing the Western next week. Is there any reason why the ship seems to be leaving late? I noticed it happen for your cruise as well as for the week before. Watching the webcam now to see if it leaves on time today.

 

Can you also tell me who the headliner was on your cruse?

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Tyler80

Tyler80

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7. Don't buy a baseball bat in Mexico or you will have to pick it up the naughty table on the way off (there were tons of irons, an electric frying pan and a yogurt maker also on the table!!

 

LOL They should list the funny things people try to bring onboard in the Cruise Compass!

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izodlacoste

izodlacoste

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Are there enough freestyle machines on the ship? Do you remember the locations? Thanks. Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Can't wait for our turn.

 

I saw one in the wipeout cafe, two in the windjammer and two on the promenade next to the Pizza place. There was never more than one person in line when I went to fill up and the sodas in the machines tasted good to me. The sodas that I got at bars when I did not have the cup, taste weird to me .

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izodlacoste

izodlacoste

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LOL They should list the funny things people try to bring onboard in the Cruise Compass!

 

It was a fancy bat (hand carved) sort of like art (at least that is what my husband thinks). He bought it in one of the stores right at the port and they neglected to tell him that he could not bring it onboard.The naughty table was a hoot. I tried to take photos of all of the irons, etc on it but got the stink eye from the two humorless employees manning the table!

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izodlacoste

izodlacoste

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I did see that Naughty table..........cute..........two attendants.

 

Did you see the old coffee percolator pot:eek:

My grandmother had one just like it.

 

Sea Ya

 

I did not see the coffee pot but there was some funny stuff on there. I did see a skateboard!

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izodlacoste

izodlacoste

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How did you like the ports? We have never cruised western carib....just eastern but are looking at the oasis western itinerary.

 

I've been to these ports multiple times so we barely did anything there this time but they are great if you have never been.

 

Labadee: If the weather is good, it is the perfect beach day. You can just veg, rent a raft or do one of the many adventure activities offered including the hipline over the water which looks awesome

 

Jamaica: Take a tour and go and climb the falls. I think everyone should do that once.

 

Cozumel: Has the bluest water ever. Dive or take a tour of the ruins there. They also have lots of decent shopping for silver or colorful art (or baseball bats!)

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wahoowa12

wahoowa12

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izodlacoste...totally agree with your port suggestions...we were on the same cruise and did those activities. Labadee is a relaxing beautiful beach day. On Jamaica, I suggest doing the bobsled and Dunn's River Falls combo; both were great fun! In Cozumel, Cozumel H20 has a great scuba discovery/snorkeling trip. (My DH and 2 DS did the scuba discovery and I snorkeled since I flunked the scuba part!)

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wahoowa12

wahoowa12

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By the way, don't be put off by the Headliner Texas Tenors...I'm a Jersey Girl and figured I was going to hate the "cornball country crap" and leave the show early...boy, was I wrong! They were fantastic and everyone we talked to about them from all walks of life and interests agreed!

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izodlacoste

izodlacoste

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By the way, don't be put off by the Headliner Texas Tenors...I'm a Jersey Girl and figured I was going to hate the "cornball country crap" and leave the show early...boy, was I wrong! They were fantastic and everyone we talked to about them from all walks of life and interests agreed!

 

Too bad that we did not make it to the show. We always dine late and I booked it for before dinner. We NEVER make it to a show before dinner and I need to remember to never plan on it in the future.

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jpcello

jpcello

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Thanks for the review and your tips! We will be doing the Western next week. Is there any reason why the ship seems to be leaving late? I noticed it happen for your cruise as well as for the week before. Watching the webcam now to see if it leaves on time today.

 

Can you also tell me who the headliner was on your cruse?

 

See you there! My sister and I are also sailing on the 10th.

 

Thanks for the review. Counting the days :D

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