Allure Western Caribbean - Novice cruiser questions

[coldturkey247]

Hi all,

 

 

The info. on here has been invaluable so far in us choosing the Allure as part of our honeymoon holiday coming up. We’ve booked a grand suite given the occasion.

 

 

With that I still have a few questions I’m hoping some can help us with....

 

 

How many bars are on-board? I want to try and get a drink in each of them.

 

 

If you’ve purchased the deluxe drinks package, can you order drinks/ cocktails to your room? And if so, any charge for this?

 

 

We may buy 2/3 speciality meals package, once onboard is it best to go and book these restaurants and then book coastal kitchen for remaining nights? Can we do all these bookings in the one location or do we need to go to each restaurant we want to book?

 

I’ve booked mamma Mia, the aqua show and one comedy night online. Is the comedy show different every night ? Or is it generally the same show across the 7 nights?

 

For barefoot beach on Labadee, the cabanas are quite expensive, if you don’t book these, I take it the sun beds across the beach are free? We’re thinking of doing the dragon zip line and then to barefoot, are these all within walking distance of the ship?

 

Any tips for something to do on both Falmouth and Cozumel?

 

Lastly, we have a flight from Miami airport at 12.30 after disembarkation, will this be tight for time? Should we bring our own luggage off early? Will taxis be available in port for onward travel to the airport?

 

Thanks in advance to everyone!

[yuvraj]

I can help you with some of your questions ...

 

You can get the concierge to book your speciality restaurants. The Coastal Kitchen is next to the suite lounge so it is easy to wander over and discuss your bookings for remaining nights. I would recommend eating in the MDR just to take in a different experience. As you are in a suite, there is no need to book or stand in a line. You can go whenever you want to.

 

Falmouth has an enclosed area with quite a few shops. There is also a bar, pool and restaurant so you could easily spend half a day just in the port area. There is not much in Falmouth but you can pick up a trolley bus tour at the port to see for yourself. Other than that, best to take a look at the excursions available.

 

Cozumel is a short taxi ride away from the port. It is a sea front town with plenty of shops and restaurants. Alternative again is to look at the excursions.

 

Comedy show is the same every night. There is no harm in booking the other shows but there is no need to as a suite guests. Only comedy show needs to be booked. This is worth knowing if you decide to go to a show at a different time. Also, remember that there is reserved seating for guests.

 

Labadee : If you are the type of person who is going to spend a fair amount of time on the beach then I would recommend getting cabana. They are very comfortable and provide shade etc. If you choose not to then there are plenty of sun loungers and they are free.

 

On disembarkation, the concierges have set times when they will escort you off the ship. This will help you get past the crowds. Pick the early slot and you should have plenty of time to catch your flight. We used Uber to take us from FLL to Miami.

[Clarea]

... If you’ve purchased the deluxe drinks package, can you order drinks/ cocktails to your room? And if so, any charge for this? ...

No, the drink package does not cover drinks ordered from room service. You would pay full price for those drinks. Nor does it cover drinks ordered for the stateroom mini bar.

[cb at sea]

No..room service is NOT included in the drink package. You may however, bring drinks from your package TO your cabin. If you want room service to deliver drinks, then you will be charged the going rate.

 

As far as how many bars....a bunch! Enjoy your bar-hopping!

 

Yes...loungers are "free" on Labadee...if you want shade, pull your chair under a tree!

[Clarea]

... Any tips for something to do on both Falmouth and Cozumel? ...

If you like the beach, consider Nachi Cocom in Cozumel, All inclusive beach day for $55/person.

[LeeW]

If you are sure you want to try some of the specialty restaurants you may want to book before the cruise. The packages for First Night Done Right or the two or three night packages are half the cost of booking onboard (and include the tip).

 

While Barefoot Beach is the suite area on Labadee you can walk a little farther to the right to Nellies and get lots of shade. Lounge chairs are free but many folks tip the guy setting it up. There are also beach beds and clamshell shelters in other areas. Less expensive but not as elaborate as cabanas. Dragon zip entrance is near the ship, Barefoot is to the right maybe 100 yards. Maps available on line.

 

Lots of ideas on what to do in ports on the port boards.

[coldturkey247]

Thanks for all the information folks, really useful

 

I actually didn’t know there were forum boards solely for the ports, will take a look, thanks again

[Roadsofa]

For something different to do in Cozumel look into Bar Hop Cozumel. http://www.cozumelbarhop.com/ I've done it twice and plan on doing it on my upcoming cruise. You go to the other side of the island and hit a series of beach bars. Beautiful locations and fun time!

 

Roadsofa

[debandbruce]

we contacted Yardie tours in Jamaica and did river tubing, excellent company can't say enough good things. If you look them up online they offer different tours. They picked us up in Falmouth and drove us up by Ocho Rios where the tubing is. Stopped for Jamaican Patties which are so good, took us to a shopping area and back to the ship with lots of time to spare.

[Hawks LOB]

We just sailed the Allure in December and loved it! In Jamaica we booked a tour through Courtney Taylor Tours online and it was excellent,! We reserved a mini van for our family and could customize our day. We were picked up at the port in Falmouth and taken to The Blue Hole near Ocho Rios. It was a beautiful drive there and our guide did an excellent job describing everything on the way. The Blue Hole is a river up in the rain forest which forms several pools. You can cliff jump at about 5 or 6 different places, and there is even a rope swing into one pool. We had a fantastic guide there that took great care of our family and explained how to safely jump off each point, he also filmed us with our GoPro. Google Blue Hole Jamaica and you can see what it's like! We then went to Scotchies for an authentic Jamaican jerk chicken lunch. Our guide helped us select the best dishes, called our order in by cell phone, and our food was ready shortly after we arrived. We made a quick stop at a beach, but didn't stay long because it was too windy, and then we headed back to the ship. We were there about 2 hours before we needed to be back, so no worry about missing the ship!

 

In Cozumel we booked a tour to the Tulum Mayan ruins through Royal Caribbean which was also a lot of fun. We toured the ruins and then were taken to a nice beach with a restaurant for lunch (buffet) and spent a couple of hours there. If you do take the ferry to Playa del Carmen be prepared with Dramamine! We never get sea sick on big ships, but this ferry crosses a waterway with very large swells. I saw a lot of people using barf bags!!

Have a great cruise and enjoy the Allure, it's a great ship!

[papaflamingo]

Since you have access to Barefoot Beach, you'll find that there are generally plenty of lounge chairs and plenty of shade. We were there in Oct. with 11 of us and had no problem whatsoever. It's very nice.

Keep an eye out for Drink Package discounts before your cruise and order them early if one show up. Also keep in mind you get free internet with a Grand Suite.

[coldturkey247]

Thanks all for the info - really useful

 

We’ve booked the full dining package. So we should go to suite lounge as soon as we board to get these booked? Even before we go to our room (as it probably won’t be ready?). When do we receive our sea pass? Do we need this to book dining times?

 

And as speciality lunches are also included for sea days, do we need to book these or just walk ins?

[Clarea]

Thanks all for the info - really useful

 

We’ve booked the full dining package. So we should go to suite lounge as soon as we board to get these booked? Even before we go to our room (as it probably won’t be ready?). When do we receive our sea pass? Do we need this to book dining times?

 

And as speciality lunches are also included for sea days, do we need to book these or just walk ins?

You receive your SeaPass cards at check-in, before you board the ship. No reservations for lunches.