Spring break on the Allure...a photo review

[jpolm]

Can't wait 66 days to go allure. Second oasis class sailing!

 

 

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[aniefets]

Been following and loving this thread all week. I'll be on Allure in 93 days! :cool:

[micmacmissy]

I'm so glad you are writing this review. Not only is your style of writing very enjoyable to read, we will for the first time be taking a cruise on this ship in July. Our only experiences are with Princess and Celebrity and are very excited about sailing on the Allure but we are quite naive. I have booked the shows based on your recommendation. Thanks so much!

 

I think you have a great time. We love Celebrity - especially the Silhouette, which was amazing. But our service there was not stellar, especially in the dining room. RCCL seems more responsive. Although the bartenders on Celebrity, overall, were far more responsive- we had some less than great experiences with bartenders on Allure.

 

I will tell you what you will miss not being on Celebrity: the ability to just take pool towels as needed (on RCCL you have to check them in and out with your sea pass), and the homemade ice cream in the buffet area. Celebrity's ice cream is AHHHH-MAZING and RCCL has crappy soft serve by the pool. Yuck. (Yeah, I say 'yuck' but you know better...I crammed at least 3 of those down my gullet that week.)

 

Celebrity's adult only pool area is much less crowded overall. And Celebrity's regular pool area is not BLARING WITH MUSIC SO LOUD YOU CANT HEAR YOURSELF THINK!

 

Also: there are a lot of announcements on RCCL. (Shut up, Mr. Cruise Director!) I far prefer Celebrity's one-a-day way of doing things.

 

Shopping is better on RCCL- hello, Coach, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors! ("Hi, my name is Micmacmissy, and I have a purse problem.")

Edited April 29, 2017 by micmacmissy

[micmacmissy]

Every once in a while Mr. Micmacmissy makes a good point. He said this cruise was one of the LEAST relaxing we've been on...and I think he's right. Mainly, there is SO MUCH to do on this class of ship that we almost felt guilty napping/chilling on the balcony/sitting in a bar.

 

And mind you, we didn't do: rock wall, flowrider, spa, rising tide, parades, headliner show, or casino (barely). You do kinda have that, "Okay, imma sit here and nap for an hour but WHAT FANTASTIC THING AM I MISSING???"

 

But maybe that's just us. Or him. The highlight of last spring break was a 6 mile hike to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park...and that is only what we did for 1/2 of that day! He is a high energy, motivated vacationer.

 

For those of you who don't know what Angel's Landing is, google it. Scary!

[micmacmissy]

 

Now I don't know about you, but nothing says "relaxing vacation" to me but a photo of a stick-figure guy falling off the side of the cliff. Have fun!

 

 

See that narrow ridge, with the sheer 1,500 foot cliffs on either side? This is only slightly more dangerous than Allure's rock walls...

 

 

Those are our feet. Mere inches from plunging to our deaths. Don't sneeze while you're hiking this trail, people.

 

NOW do you feel my pain? Mr. Micmacmissy and I have VERY different vacation ideas.

[robyn206]

Been following and loving this thread all week. I'll be on Allure in 93 days! :cool:

 

 

We will be on the same sailing! First time on Allure, but I've been on Oasis 3 times.

 

 

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[micmacmissy]

Well this review has turned into a disorganized mess. (Or more likely, it's been that way all along!) In any case, final sea day, final dinner, final show, final thoughts. All coming up.

 

Final sea day tried on my dream watch. It is a lovely rose gold Rolex with a diamond bezel. It fit my wrist perfectly, but hubby was not having it.

 

 

"Honey, do you know what time it is? It's time to buy me a nice new watch!"

 

So this beauty was $15,000...but they were willing to sell it to me for only 11! No, not eleven dollars, or eleven hundred dollars...$11,000. And guess what? It's USED!

 

I'm sorry, fancy things that someone has had before you are not used. They are PRE-OWNED. So this Rolex was $11K, *pre-owned*. The guy behind the counter said they sell about 5 Rolexes a week onboard. Well, not to my husband, they don't. That cheap @#$%&.

 

 

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[micmacmissy]

Our final dinner was at Chops. I don't know why people complain about the service at Chops! Our waiter was attentive, and none of our dinners took more than 75-90 minutes, which is perfect.

 

So Chops now has some bacon appetizer which is essentially a large hunk of bacon. Look, I like ANYTHING bacon. I eat those fake imitation bacon bits out of the plastic shaker bottle for a snack when our pantry's running low (read: every week). But I didn't like this appetizer! It wasn't crispy, and it didn't taste bacon-y enough. Meh.

 

The salads were delicious though. We all ordered the filet (except girl child, vegetarian, they fetched her a pasta plate from Giovanni's, after the waiter gave me serious side-eye for brining a vegetarian into Chops.). I don't know what people are talking about when they say the filet at Chops has gone downhill. It was FANTASTIC, perfectly cooked, and melted in your mouth like a good filet should.

 

The fries are only MEH. The mashed potatoes were heavenly. I'm pretty sure they are the same mashed potatoes from the Windjammer, Solarium cafe, etc...man I ate a lot of mashed potatoes on this cruise. I. Love. Mashed. Potatoes.

 

They have these cool plates with a little moat around the edge, and the guy comes around and offers you sauce- the red wine reduction was yummy, but do like me, and try them all!

 

Our best dessert of the week was at Chops...a warm melty chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and OH MY LORD I can now die happy. I said, "Now THIS is a chocolate dessert!"*

 

*Side rant: ...because that "chocolate" soufflé they serve in the MDR? Bisssch please. That is NOT chocolate. Whoever heard of a chocolate soufflé being...beige? I seriously do not get it. The texture of it was lovely- but it did not taste or look like chocolate. Come on, RCCL dessert guys. Take a page from Roy's Hawaiian Fusion restaurant (Google it, find the one near you, and go there for soufflé!!!!!!) and learn how to make a real soufflé.

[Ocean Boy]

Every once in a while Mr. Micmacmissy makes a good point. He said this cruise was one of the LEAST relaxing we've been on...and I think he's right. Mainly, there is SO MUCH to do on this class of ship that we almost felt guilty napping/chilling on the balcony/sitting in a bar.

 

And mind you, we didn't do: rock wall, flowrider, spa, rising tide, parades, headliner show, or casino (barely). You do kinda have that, "Okay, imma sit here and nap for an hour but WHAT FANTASTIC THING AM I MISSING???"

 

But maybe that's just us. Or him. The highlight of last spring break was a 6 mile hike to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park...and that is only what we did for 1/2 of that day! He is a high energy, motivated vacationer.

 

For those of you who don't know what Angel's Landing is, google it. Scary!

I tend to find our cruises on Oasis class ships less relaxing also. I have a hard enough time sitting still for very long as it is and on these ships there is always something going on that gives me a reason to get up from doing nothing and start doing something.

[scottygirl]

 

Now I don't know about you, but nothing says "relaxing vacation" to me but a photo of a stick-figure guy falling off the side of the cliff. Have fun!

 

 

 

Those are our feet. Mere inches from plunging to our deaths. Don't sneeze while you're hiking this trail, people.

 

NOW do you feel my pain? Mr. Micmacmissy and I have VERY different vacation ideas.

 

 

 

I am going to Zion in October. I think I will pass on that part of hiking!

 

 

 

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[aniefets]

We will be on the same sailing! First time on Allure, but I've been on Oasis 3 times.

 

Awesome!! I love hearing people going on these ships multiple times. This is my first RCCL cruise and only my 2nd ever. My first was on Carnival Legend 10 years ago and I got bored a lot so I'm looking forward to a big ship with a lot more to do.

Edited April 29, 2017 by aniefets

[micmacmissy]

I am going to Zion in October. I think I will pass on that part of hiking!

 

 

 

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No- you should definitely do that hike, but stop at "chicken-out point", which is right before that sheer ledge. You get all the views and none of the near-death experience. Zion is a gorgeous place. (Don't tell my husband I said that!)

[jpolm]

I tend to find our cruises on Oasis class ships less relaxing also. I have a hard enough time sitting still for very long as it is and on these ships there is always something going on that gives me a reason to get up from doing nothing and start doing something.

 

 

Seriously I agree. It's hard to relax when so many things to do. That is the only thing I hesitate on as I love myself some beach or pool time. But not on a cruise. I think two days in port we are going to beach it and relax

 

 

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[VPIcruiser]

Thankfully, we had great bar service all week, at all the bars we tried. We had the drink package and enjoyed it.

 

I agree about the bacon at Chops. I did not like it last year on Explorer so we didn't order it. I thought the fillet at Giovanni's table was better than the one at Chops. I thought the fillet at Giovanni's was one of the best fillets I have ever had. We also had excellent service at Chops. And at Giovanni's table.

[micmacmissy]

Oh, I forgot to mention that our last sea day we used our free lunch thingy at Johnny Rockets. Yes, you are able to just walk in and plop down on a sea day at 12:45pm with no wait. Service is not great- but if you sit outside there is plenty to look at.

 

Because it was the day before Easter, they had all kinds of stuff going on for kids on the Boardwalk-- a costumed Easter Bunny was walking around, and crew members were handing out candy, and there was a face painter, and several kids had on bunny ears, so they were likely giving those out somewhere.

 

Wow, when you sit on the Boardwalk (which we didn't do until the last day), you can really tell there were close to 2,000 kids onboard. Kids everywhere- coked up on Easter candy- running, yelling, screaming, have a good old time. We ate our lunch and ESCAPED!

 

So a word about the "Eat Play Whatever" package- I can't remember what it's called, but I know our kids got two soda cups for the freestyle machines that they used as water bottles. Our kids are very weird in that they only drink water (son also likes lemonade and iced tea)...in other words, all the free stuff. So that perk went completely unused. The "private family rock wall session" was not that at all- they marked off one day for a small group of people, and out of ALLLL the boardwalk cabins, only the first 20 to sign up got to go. Turns out it didn't matter for us as we were too lazy to climb anyway. And we also missed that announcement in the newsletter, so...

[A&L_Ont]

MicMac, I'm not sure if you knew but the pop machine also dispenses, lemonade, flavoured water, grape etc...

[micmacmissy]

MicMac, I'm not sure if you knew but the pop machine also dispenses, lemonade, flavoured water, grape etc...

 

Yeah, we knew that- but I guess never felt the need to seek out the machines...and didn't want to drag the cups around with us, although lots of others did. That perk went completely unused on this trip!

 

Last installment tomorrow...

[A&L_Ont]

Yeah, we knew that- but I guess never felt the need to seek out the machines...and didn't want to drag the cups around with us, although lots of others did. That perk went completely unused on this trip!

 

Last installment tomorrow...

 

I only use the cup when I flowrider just for the germ factor, hard to wash etc...

 

I have thoroughly enjoy your review so far and I am sad to hear it's coming to an end. Can you drag out the last instalment, I need the distraction.

[2nsmom]

following...we will on the Allure in June :o)

[tropiclvrs]

 

I have thoroughly enjoy your review so far and I am sad to hear it's coming to an end. Can you drag out the last instalment, I need the distraction.

 

Lol, I need the distraction too! Maybe another week of wrap up/conclusions :p?

[pixidust]

Thank you for your fantastic review...sorry to see it end. Will be on Allure in July with hubby, son and daughter-in-law and our 3 and 5 year old grandsons. Looking forward to it. Also thank you for posting the beautiful pictures of Zion...we were there 2 years ago this May and loved it. However were not as brave as you doing that hike.

[aimee0803]

Well this review has turned into a disorganized mess. (Or more likely, it's been that way all along!) In any case, final sea day, final dinner, final show, final thoughts. All coming up.

 

Final sea day tried on my dream watch. It is a lovely rose gold Rolex with a diamond bezel. It fit my wrist perfectly, but hubby was not having it.

 

 

"Honey, do you know what time it is? It's time to buy me a nice new watch!"

 

So this beauty was $15,000...but they were willing to sell it to me for only 11! No, not eleven dollars, or eleven hundred dollars...$11,000. And guess what? It's USED!

 

I'm sorry, fancy things that someone has had before you are not used. They are PRE-OWNED. So this Rolex was $11K, *pre-owned*. The guy behind the counter said they sell about 5 Rolexes a week onboard. Well, not to my husband, they don't. That cheap @#$%&.

 

 

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I bet David Beckham would have no problem buying that for you. Or the alligator purse...;)

 

I am also part of the "I won a Cruise playing Win-a-cruise bingo" club. I was actually 12 years old and we were on Carnival. It was between us and the group behind us and we were both standing with one to go. We were on the second floor of the theater and I guess I was too quiet when I won because the group behind us started shouting. I thought they had won and I was so upset but they were actually trying to get the cruise staff's attention for me.

 

Also loving this entire review! You are hilarious and I agree with another poster's sentiment that we should have a "fun with micmacmissy" cruise!

[micmacmissy]

 

I have thoroughly enjoy your review so far and I am sad to hear it's coming to an end. Can you drag out the last instalment, I need the distraction.

 

Well that is high praise indeed, coming from you, the king of the oasis class ships and live reviews! ;p

[micmacmissy]

Lol, I need the distraction too! Maybe another week of wrap up/conclusions :p?

 

Don't worry- everytime I think I'm done, I think of something else I forgot/left out. I'll keep chipping away. Plus Mr. Micmacmissy is away this week on business- so there is no one here looking over my shoulder saying, "Why are you on Cruise Critic AGAIN? We don't even have a cruise planned!" (I know...it's very rough around here.)

[micmacmissy]

I bet David Beckham would have no problem buying that for you. Or the alligator purse...;)

 

I am also part of the "I won a Cruise playing Win-a-cruise bingo" club. I was actually 12 years old and we were on Carnival. It was between us and the group behind us and we were both standing with one to go. We were on the second floor of the theater and I guess I was too quiet when I won because the group behind us started shouting. I thought they had won and I was so upset but they were actually trying to get the cruise staff's attention for me.

 

Also loving this entire review! You are hilarious and I agree with another poster's sentiment that we should have a "fun with micmacmissy" cruise!

 

Good point. I beet David Beckham also wouldn't give me the stink eye everytime I bring up the idea of a Paul Gauguin cruise in French Polynesia...

 

Look, I'm up for a fun with Micmacmissy cruise. Go ahead and get that planned, will you? I'll await my ticket in the mail...(have I mentioned I'm really dying to go on Paul Gauguin???)