Allure - 1st October - Newbie Questions

[Lexiloo62]

Just counting the days down to our first ever cruise and had a few questions I would like to ask you more experienced cruisers.

 

1.As you embark... what is the first thing you do? Look about. have a drink? Where on the Allure should we head to?

 

2. Can we pay cash as we go for extra drinks etc, or is everything put on your account and you settle as you go along?

 

3. I've got lots of Euros to use up... I've read that Euros Dollars and GBP are all acceptable is this true?

 

4. I often get seasick on the Isle of Wight Ferry... will this huge ship be that smooth I might not need Stugeron?

 

5. Any other first time tips gratefully received.

[Clarea]

No cash used, except in the casino. Everything else goes on your onboard account.

 

Guest Services will accept Euros on your onboard account, however their exchange rate may not be as good as you can get elsewhere.

[caseymorgan]

Prepare your “Set Sail” documentation in advance and make sure your passports do not expire within 6 months of departure. RCL suggests you arrive at the pier after 1:30pm, but you can check in and board after 10:30am. Give your pre-tagged luggage to a porter with tip.

 

Carry on one small bag for personal items since you will not see your luggage until late in the day, nor can you get to your cabin until after 1:30pm. Your “SeaPass” card is your room key, charge card, and ID for getting on and off the ship. Get the pre-boarding photo with facial recognition so you can find other pics of your group throughout the cruise.

 

Once aboard have lunch and explore the ship. If you haven’t booked spa appointments, specialty dinner reservations, show reservations, or shore excursions do so. Most will fill up quickly.

 

Do not go to the Windjammer Café for lunch on the first day as it will be very crowded. Choose the Park Café, Solarium Café, Café Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza, the Boardwalk Dog House or Wipeout Café.

[BillOh]

1.As you embark... what is the first thing you do? Look about. have a drink? Where on the Allure should we head to?

 

As a Nubie cruiser I would definitely look about. Its amazing the first time. That first tour can help you get familiar with the lay out and help you the rest of the week.

 

I would also recommend getting to the port around 11am and getting on the ship as soon as you can despite any email telling you to arrive later. If your hungry I would go to the boardwalk and get a hot dog. There is a lot better food available, but you have all week. This will feed you and get you back on your discovery tour.

[Sbarr5]

We were first timers this summer :-)

 

1 - look around, etc etc. Its a good day to do the flowriders if that is on your list. Pre sign any waivers and pack some pool gear in your hand luggage.

3 - we took a few small dollars for on board tips, once off the ship and in port, its Euros all the way.

4 - we wondered the same, but it is nothing like the motion on a ferry. With so many port days, you are hardly moving anyway. On the sea day, the travel pills worked just fine for the one in our party who was concerned, but they were just a precaution. On a night any slight motion rocks you to sleep. I can honestly say, it was one of the best weeks sleep I have ever had.

5 - you cant do everything, so dont expect to. Try and plan a few things you really want to do, and let everything else just happen. :-)

[cb at sea]

A cruise ship is NOTHING like a Ferry ride....unless it's really rough, you are unlikely to get seasick....sometimes, you don't even feel like you're on a ship at all!

[BillOh]

5 - you cant do everything, so dont expect to. Try and plan a few things you really want to do, and let everything else just happen. :-)

 

I always think is good advise for first time cruisers. I always say, if you don't get everything done, they do let you come back.

[m*u*g*]

1st stop. MDR-check on table size/location in case you want to change it. If you wait after lunch, be prepared for a long wait.

 

2nd stop-wipe out café-Pretzel Dogs

 

No cash on board except casinos and extra tips.

 

Euros or credit cards needed for excursions (Non RCCL). For souvenirs, food, etc. We decided to use euros as much as possible off ship to reduce possible card fraud opportunities.

 

Shouldn't get seasick, but the last night, the ship hit rough seas and it rocked back and forth like I've never seen on the Oasis class (3rd trip). Maybe this is typical for that part of the sea along with cruising speeds at night?

 

Everything else can be found with the search button.

[Frankmac]

We were on Allure last week. We were checked in and on board at 11 am and the stateroom was ready at 1 pm. Bags arrived around 3 pm.

 

If you are getting the drinks package, sign up as you board so that you can start getting your value asap. :)

[janrey1234]

Just counting the days down to our first ever cruise and had a few questions I would like to ask you more experienced cruisers.

 

1.As you embark... what is the first thing you do? Look about. have a drink? Where on the Allure should we head to?

 

Whatever you want to do. The windjammer is open as is the Park Cafe and some other places.

 

2. Can we pay cash as we go for extra drinks etc, or is everything put on your account and you settle as you go along?

 

No, everything is put on your seapass to be paid later either via credit card or cash. Search how cash account works but credit card you just receive a bill at the end of the journey and you can look at your account on the tv to keep a tab on your expenses.

 

3. I've got lots of Euros to use up... I've read that Euros Dollars and GBP are all acceptable is this true?

 

Euro's are good for extra tips. Euro's are good for cabs. If you are boarding in Barcelona from the airport cabs are only 39 euro. GBD is not acceptable off the ship. You could use GBD to pay down your on board account or to convert to Euro's if necessary for off board use. If you are taking tours some allow time for lunch at your own expense plus shopping, a good use for those Euro's.

 

4. I often get seasick on the Isle of Wight Ferry... will this huge ship be that smooth I might not need Stugeron?

 

No problem with sea sickness unless it is a little rough which we encountered on our last day on the 19th. If concerned bring sea sick pills and take them before getting onboard and every morning or wear a patch. It really is a smooth ship. We did feel some movements on ours but nothing that bothered me.

 

5. Any other first time tips gratefully received.

Boarding is at 1pm and our luggage was waiting for us. It should be either delivered to your room or outside the door.

[Lexiloo62]

We land at 2pm so won't be on the boat until 4.30 at the earliest so no worries about that score.

Thank you all so much for the info so far. Very useful.

 

Another quick question where on board can my husband get a 'pint' of lager... I have seen various menus saying '12 or 14 oz" or even sometimes 20 oz... assuming everything is in American measurements. We have a select package so I assume we will only be allowed to get one drink each at a time!

[Clarea]

We land at 2pm so won't be on the boat until 4.30 at the earliest so no worries about that score.

Thank you all so much for the info so far. Very useful.

 

Another quick question where on board can my husband get a 'pint' of lager... I have seen various menus saying '12 or 14 oz" or even sometimes 20 oz... assuming everything is in American measurements. We have a select package so I assume we will only be allowed to get one drink each at a time!

I don't know if they serve "pints", but the best selection of beer would be at the Pub on the Royal Promenade, deck 5.

[caseymorgan]

I would change your flight ASAP. What if it is an hour delayed? Or the taxi breaks down? We always fly into the port city a day before or arrive many hours early if we are driving.

[Clarea]

I would change your flight ASAP. What if it is an hour delayed? Or the taxi breaks down? We always fly into the port city a day before or arrive many hours early if we are driving.

You're right, I didn't even notice that. They must be checked-in at least 90 minutes before scheduled departure. If the ship departs at 4:30pm, they must be checked-in before 3pm. Waiting for bags and then a taxi, they probably have less than 30 minutes leeway.:eek:

Edited September 29, 2015 by clarea

[Lexiloo62]

The ship leaves at 8pm

[Clarea]

The ship leaves at 8pm

Thanks, that makes a big difference. Also, I assume the ship is leaving from Barcelona, so the 90 minute check-in requirement is not in play.

[BillOh]

1st stop. MDR-check on table size/location in case you want to change it. If you wait after lunch, be prepared for a long wait.

 

I use to do that, at least until my Jewel 2012 cruise. We found our table right after boarding. What we didn't know was that week they had more than the average number of wheel chair cruisers on out cruise. Shortly after we found our table they re-arranged the dining room configuration to allow a few wider aisles.

[Frankmac]

We land at 2pm so won't be on the boat until 4.30 at the earliest so no worries about that score.

Thank you all so much for the info so far. Very useful.

 

Another quick question where on board can my husband get a 'pint' of lager... I have seen various menus saying '12 or 14 oz" or even sometimes 20 oz... assuming everything is in American measurements. We have a select package so I assume we will only be allowed to get one drink each at a time!

 

20oz draught Heineken, Stella and Amstel was available in many of the bars last week for example, Bow & Stern, On Air, both pool bars. You will see the three pump handles together. Sometimes if one or other of them is not available then the pump handle will be missing.

[Lexiloo62]

Thanks, that makes a big difference. Also, I assume the ship is leaving from Barcelona, so the 90 minute check-in requirement is not in play.

 

We embark in Rome...

[Clarea]

We embark in Rome...

As long as embarkation is not in the US, there's no 90 minute rule.

[tonkie]

 

1.As you embark... what is the first thing you do?

 

Say WOW!:D

Edited September 30, 2015 by tonkie

[Lexiloo62]

Wow its HUGE

 

We're on board. All good made muster

Now working out where to have breakfast

[Clarea]

Wow its HUGE

 

We're on board. All good made muster

Now working out where to have breakfast

Johnny Rockets.:)

[tonkie]

Wow its HUGE

 

Told Ya

 

Enjoy like we did:)