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Spring break on the Allure...a photo review

micmacmissy
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micmacmissy

micmacmissy

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We got back to the marina and Charlie called his friend to come pick us up to take us back to port. While we were waiting in the marina, I saw this sign:

 

814b4625ecb94fc519f424247fa5a51b.jpg

 

How cool is THAT?! Mikmaq marine! For those of you who don't know, my CC name is after Micmac, which is a Native American Indian tribe from northern Maine/Canada. (My great-grandmother was a full blooded Micmac.) You don't see them much outside of New England, so I thought this was pretty cool! You see Micmac spelled a bunch of different ways. No matter how it's spelled, I keep hoping they'll open a casino so I can inherit millions and retire on my own dang sailboat in St. John's.

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micmacmissy

micmacmissy

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The cab ride back to the port was MUCH easier and less traffic filled than the ride there. Not much to look at on most of these islands- they look pretty poor to me, although we got a kick out of seeing kids in their school uniforms. Everyone on St. Thomas is very friendly, too. Cab ride was $30 each way if I remember correctly.

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papcx

papcx

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So after breakfast, we'd head to the Solarium to relax, read, nap, hot tub, dip in pool. And to get to the solarium, you walk past the pool decks where there are a lot of open chairs. There are also a lot of chair hogs, but there are still spots to sit down.

 

But in the solarium? That's a different story, guys. You walk in, and picture maybe 25 people in the whole place. But every chair has a towel on it. Some chairs have one flip flop. An old book. A stupid towel clip. Several clever folks took a towel, folded it lengthwise, and used it to knot two chairs together, saving TWO chairs with ONE towel! Now that is chair hog efficiency.

 

None of these "occupied" chairs have a wet butt print on them, or a tote bag that actually looks like someone is using it...signs that the chair is actually being used.

 

So let's try to do this right. I march over to the pool attendant. Tell him we'd like 2 chairs, and point out all the towel chairs. He says, "well, they're probably in the bathroom or getting food." SERIOUSLY. Sigh, okay.

 

At the risk of being flamed I'm gonna tell you guys how I handle this. I've been honest to this point, why stop now?!

 

THWART THE CHAIR HOGS USING THE MMM Method (Micmacmissy Method):

1. Find chairs that are obviously not really, truly occupied. I picked a set of two that had a towel on one, and a Pepsi tshirt so old and dirty it was clearly a rag, but still had a crease in it and didn't look like it had been worn.

2. Ask adjacent lounge chair occupants politely, "Have you seen someone actually sitting here?" If it's a real chair hog seat, they will say no, I promise you.

3. Plop yourself down and use the chair. I neatly folded the towel and placed it next to the chair, and just tossed the Pepsi tshirt next to the chair.

4. The end. The chances of someone actually coming along to confront you are slim to none, because I promise you, these people are gone for HOURS.

 

MMM Method Variation: Once you have been in that chair for at least 30 minutes, take the towel and Pepsi tshirt over to the pool attendant and say, "Someone left these behind. Do you have a lost and found?" And they will take them and put them wherever that stuff goes.

 

MMM Method Emergency Plan: You've followed the method and moved someone's stuff aside, and they come along within 1-29 minutes and say, "Hey! You took my chair!" You say to them, "My gosh, I am so sorry. I didn't think anyone was sitting here." And then you get up and move quickly. (I have NEVER had to do this.)

 

MMM Method Emergency Plan #2: Someone comes along within 30 minutes to six hours and says, "Hey! You took my chair!" You say to them, "This chair was vacant when I got here two hours ago." Then you pick up your book, start to read, and the conversation is over. Over, you got it?! Meaning if they continue to rant and rave you ignore them. You don't respond. You just keep sitting. Calmly. (I had to do this once, on Independence.)

 

Now, keep in mind that your comfort level with executing this plan may vary. I know lots of people (including the other 3 members of my family) who are appalled that I would touch anyone's towel or tshirt because it is not mine. And they won't do it. But they'll happily sit in the chair I clear for them. Guess what? Chair hogs are counting on you having that ridiculous fear...that's what keeps a front-row lounger available for them from 9:00am until they wander down at 1:30pm...or later!

 

I used the MMM Method on all three sea days...with no problems.

 

I wish folks would realize that if everybody only claimed a chair when they were actually using it, and then vacated, no one would have a problem finding a chair. But humans are humans and that probably won't happen, so instead, RCCL would police this a little better.

 

 

 

Admin. Can we use this post as a sticky.

 

The ultimate guide to dealing with chair hogs.

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cpayne

cpayne

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We have done a private sail tour in Saint Thomas twice. It is the ultimate Way to go! They typically take a maximum of 6 to 8 people so it is very private. We sailed on The Winifred The first time. Had such an amazing experience that the next time we returned with different cruise partners we booked it again. The boat had been sold to different owners and while it was a good experience it was not as great of an experience. Since then I've learned of simplicity charters that you used and I knew about the dog Hinkley. He is the selling point of that tour for us as well. Can't wait to return to Saint Thomas and meet him! This type of excursion might be slightly more expensive, but folks it is worth every penny!!

 

 

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diesel1973

diesel1973

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Am loving your review but I feel impelled to correct a false statement made by you while discussing stinky feet. You stated that you were from NYC, the pizza capital of the world. Anyone who has ever visited Chicago and has the minimum amount of tastebuds will agree we are the pizza capital. We recently had friends who reside on the Island of Long,NY visit us and agree fully. We have also visited them and sampled "NY pizza" in the past and all I can say is some of those pizzeria owners should be arrested for impersonating Italians!!!!LOL Keep up the great review.

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Ocean Boy

Ocean Boy

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Am loving your review but I feel impelled to correct a false statement made by you while discussing stinky feet. You stated that you were from NYC, the pizza capital of the world. Anyone who has ever visited Chicago and has the minimum amount of tastebuds will agree we are the pizza capital. We recently had friends who reside on the Island of Long,NY visit us and agree fully. We have also visited them and sampled "NY pizza" in the past and all I can say is some of those pizzeria owners should be arrested for impersonating Italians!!!!LOL Keep up the great review.

Anyone who has ever visited my mother's kitchen knows where the real pizza capitol of the world is.

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micmacmissy

micmacmissy

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Great review and very entertaining!

 

You are my lost soul sister. I am The Mean Mommy that always corrects kids if they're being a jerk. I also have zero patience for chair hogs. :)

 

I love your review!

 

Aww, thanks, guys...getting busy on the next installment...

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micmacmissy

micmacmissy

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Am loving your review but I feel impelled to correct a false statement made by you while discussing stinky feet. You stated that you were from NYC, the pizza capital of the world. Anyone who has ever visited Chicago and has the minimum amount of tastebuds will agree we are the pizza capital. We recently had friends who reside on the Island of Long,NY visit us and agree fully. We have also visited them and sampled "NY pizza" in the past and all I can say is some of those pizzeria owners should be arrested for impersonating Italians!!!!LOL Keep up the great review.

 

Look, Chicago is a great city (Go Blackhawks- oh dang, too late) and deep dish pizza is DEElish, but it's too heavy for an everyday pizza.

 

Anyone who has ever visited my mother's kitchen knows where the real pizza capitol of the world is.

 

Well, clearly I needed to be invited to your mother's house so I can personally try it out. ;)

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micmacmissy

micmacmissy

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micmacmissy, if you get a chance can you please take a peek at a cruise compass and see who the Schooner pianist is as well as the pub entertainer in Bow & Stern?

 

Thanks!!

Jess

 

Hi Jess, the night we were packing the conversation went like this:

 

Hubby, holding up stack of Cruise Compasses for week: "Do you want these?"

 

Me: "Yes, definitely."

Me: "...although...I'm never gonna scan them..."

Me: "...and it's one more thing to pack..."

Me: "...and they'll just sit on my desk at home..."

Me: "FINE, throw them away if you're gonna be that way!"

 

But I can tell you this...a guy named Matt was the piano guy for a couple of nights.

 

And there was a good singalong guy in the pub we saw...but I can't remember his name. Sorry! I had one or two or seven beers that night. Told you this review wouldn't be good for detail...

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Clarea

Clarea

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Look, Chicago is a great city (Go Blackhawks- oh dang, too late) and deep dish pizza is DEElish, but it's too heavy for an everyday pizza. ...

Chicago also has the best thin crust pizza. Well, maybe second best after Ocean Boy's (and my) mom's. You don't have to fold it to eat it like they do in NY.

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JessyCruises "Live from...." Rare

JessyCruises

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Hi Jess, the night we were packing the conversation went like this:

 

Hubby, holding up stack of Cruise Compasses for week: "Do you want these?"

 

Me: "Yes, definitely."

Me: "...although...I'm never gonna scan them..."

Me: "...and it's one more thing to pack..."

Me: "...and they'll just sit on my desk at home..."

Me: "FINE, throw them away if you're gonna be that way!"

 

But I can tell you this...a guy named Matt was the piano guy for a couple of nights.

 

And there was a good singalong guy in the pub we saw...but I can't remember his name. Sorry! I had one or two or seven beers that night. Told you this review wouldn't be good for detail...

 

 

I think I have had that same conversation! Thank you!

 

 

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Ocean Boy

Ocean Boy

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Chicago also has the best thin crust pizza. Well, maybe second best after Ocean Boy's (and my) mom's. You don't have to fold it to eat it like they do in NY.

 

I have never seen anyone in Italy, or my mother's house, fold pizza to eat it. If pizza needs folding something is wrong with it.

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ckrobyn

ckrobyn

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I have never seen anyone in Italy, or my mother's house, fold pizza to eat it. If pizza needs folding something is wrong with it.

 

I have to agree.....my amazingly delicious, home made pizza never needs folding ;)

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akeka

akeka

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Aww, I love you too, boo!

 

I embarrass my children all the time. I tell them, that's the great thing about being 40ish. You just don't care anymore what people think!

 

Just catching up and loving it so far! Wait until you are in your 50's; you really don't care what people think!;)

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