Live from Allure of the Seas - October 5, 2014

[g35girl]

I read your NCL live post and I am interested to hear your comparisons. Have a wonderful time!

[natters86]

Following :)

[clochette]

Great review so far, I look forward to following you this week

[NolaFireLI]

I'm so going to be stalking you this week, since I'm on the Oasis in a month :D

Thanks for saving those Cruise Compasses - we need some updated ones around here!

[04cruises]

Just noticed you were on this cruise. We will be with you on the Indy in March. We just got off the Allure last week and I can tell you that you are going to have a great cruise. Ship is beautiful and the crew is awesome. Best cabin attendant in 19 cruises with RCCL. If you get on the port side forward cabins tell "007" Roy and Virginia says hi. Be careful on the pool deck as it can be very slippery depending on your shoes. Also, the Promanade Café served the exact things every day. Very minor things. Ken Rush is very good at what he does. Have a great cruise and we will see you in March.

[skillet]

If you can could you let me know who the entertainer is in the Bow & Stern. I'm hoping it's still Jimmy Blakemore. He told me his contract is up in October and was wondering if my buddy was still there. Thanks in advance.

 

 

Let The Party Begin

[KBRADFORD79]

Thanks!

 

That is the plan. I've got a folder and I've stashed away copies of Day 1 and 2 as well as other miscellaneous papers we had in the cabin when we arrived.

 

Looking forward to your live review and please stash those compasses for us! :)

[LetsGoToDisney]

I keep wondering how much things will change after the dry dock. I really hope not much.

[Daghis]

Next up was the casino to check on my Club Royale rebate. Apparently, the request for the rebate got lost, so I talked with the host and they're going to contact the Miami office and check on it. I'm sure it'll get resolved today.

As of this evening, this still isn't resolved. I'm disappointed that Club Royale didn't keep their information correct and aren't able to resolve it quickly. :(

 

Anyway, onto better status updates...

 

Breakfast at Johnny Rockets was quite good. Friends and I enjoyed a nice breakfast there.

 

The Meet & Mingle was very well attended, and I think this was the largest gift exchange I've seen! It was great to get a chance to see others from Cruise Critic.

 

Lunch at Vintages was very enjoyable. The tapas were quite yummy.

 

This afternoon was spent with me doing some knitting in the Viking Crown Lounge. The music was nice, albeit a bit loud for conversation. I got a few rounds done on my hat. :)

 

Dinner this evening was at Samba Grill. Not only was it fantastic, it blew away the Brazilian dinner on Norwegian Getaway. The meats were better and the desserts were delicious.

 

Then it was on to Schooner Bar for post-dinner Diamond-voucher drinks. Ni continued to take good care of us. :D

 

Tomorrow is Labadee. As I mentioned, we have cabanas. I hope that they'll be together, but we'll find out in the morning.

 

The cruise is going really well. I'm looking forward to writing up the comparison review between the two cruises.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for your review, will be on the Allure at the end of month.

[Cshgrand]

Great start. How far in advance were you able to book your dining? Also did you book restaurants separately or as a package? Last question (for now)...is there anything except meat available at samba grill? Catering for a party with one vegetarian.

[Daghis]

We booked our restaurants about three months in advance. They don't do dining packages any longer, but instead, if you book three or more restaurants in advance, they'll give you 20% of what you paid as additional onboard credit.

 

Regarding Samba Grill, there are vegetables available in the buffet. If your party member is a pescetarian (eats fish also), they may be able to accommodate them better. My husband was a pescetarian a while back and when we dined at Samba Grill, he didn't partake of the meat-on-a-stick, but they did make him a very good broiled salmon. He enjoyed it a lot. I don't know whether they'd still do that, but they are very accommodating.

[Daghis]

It's Tuesday morning, and I'm already back from Labadee.

 

As soon as people were alllowed off, I went to Labadee to check on our group's cabanas. They assured me that the cabanas are all together (NW5-NW10). It's going to be a great day!

[cruiserdudebobby8]

such a beautiful ship

 

 

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[A Pisces]

I am really enjoying reading your "live from"! My sister is on this cruise with her family, so reading your reports, is a way for me to hear how things are going for them. ;)

 

She was at the meet and mingle, so you may have met her. Can you tell us what gift you gave, since you said it was a good one, and the exchange is over, so it won't spoil the surprise? I am originally from the Pittsburgh area, so just curious as to what you came up with.

 

It looks like a beautiful day from the ship cam! Enjoy!

Edited October 7, 2014 by A Pisces

[superpro88]

I am really enjoying reading the updates. My wife and I will be sailing on the Allure on Oct. 26th and can't wait.

[Daghis]

Can you tell us what gift you gave, since you said it was a good one, and the exchange is over, so it won't spoil the surprise? I am originally from the Pittsburgh area, so just curious as to what you came up with.

 

I cheated a bit. I didn't bring a Pittsburgh item. Instead, I had managed to snag a copy of the Live the Allure book and used that for the gift exchange. The book hasn't been available onboard for a couple of years now. I know they had it back in 2011, but I think they stopped selling it soon thereafter.

[Daghis]

Labadee remains my favorite beach port. The cabanas worked terrifically and everyone loved them. The water was so warm and relaxing, it was hard to get out of the water to get back to the ship, but alas, here I am.

 

Tonight's dinner is in the main dining room and this evening, we'll be seeing the comedy show. I'm really looking forward to that. I enjoy stand-up comedy.

[smmountaingal]

Is tonight a formal night and welcome aboard event?

[Peacemkr59]

Hi there. I'm enjoying your "live" report! Can you please take a look at the Compass and see who the pub entertainer is!! Thanks!! Have a great week!!

 

 

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[PCWalton1]

Marc,

How did I missed the start? :confused: At least I had the fun of browsing several days of cruising in one big bite.

 

Thanks for taking the time from your vacation and posting, we are on this western route for Oasis in January so until then living vicariously through you. :D

 

We have an over the water cabana booked too so looking forward to the pictures.

[Jenhem31]

Awesome review so far! I'm sailing Eastern November 9!

 

 

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[PompeySailor]

Great review, way too long before we are on Allure.

 

Marc, knowing you will be in the Casino quite a bit, can you find out as much as you can about the New CR loyalty program they are rolling out for March 2015

 

Hopefully you will get the rebate sorted:)

 

Thanks

Be Lucky!

[sed610]

Looking forward to hear what you have to say about the MDR food and service....there is a thread that's been pretty actively complaining about the MDR, and we plan to eat there the majority of the week! I hope the complaints are mostly just the people who will never be happy.

[spearmint]

Looking forward to hear what you have to say about the MDR food and service....there is a thread that's been pretty actively complaining about the MDR, and we plan to eat there the majority of the week!

 

Ditto.:confused:

Edited October 8, 2014 by spearmint