Surviving 2,000+ kids on Allure (Western Spring Break)

[h20skibum]

I know, I know, get on with the cruise stuff.

 

Finally time to fly out of Pittsburgh to somewhere warm. A check of the weather says:

 

 

There is still some snow at the airport, but at least the sun is shining.

 

 

We stop at QS&L at the airport for drinks and food, and the tv is reporting about approaching winter storm UMA. Glad we are getting out of town.

 

 

This place has the most reasonable prices for food and drinks that we have found in any airport. Only $5 for a 22 oz beer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

I like this little Robot Repair shop at the airport.

 

 

So with our first class tickets in hand, we board our flight to Ft. Lauderdale and we are served our inflight meal.

 

 

I didn’t realize Southwest had such large planes.[emoji3] it doesn’t look like it should take 41 more minutes. Maybe the scale is off.

 

 

 

 

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[Dina7]

Enjoying your review so far. That movie trailer to start it off was great!

[h20skibum]

Enjoying your review so far. That movie trailer to start it off was great!

 

 

 

I just hope it is not like some movies where the trailer has all the best parts. Thanks for the comments.

 

 

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[h20skibum]

Our pre-cruise stay in Florida is at the Springhill Suites in Dania Beach. Off to the Las Vegas Cuban Restaurant for a bite to eat.

 

A couple years ago, I was here when I was on a hunt for the best Cuban Sandwich. They didn’t have the sandwich available that day, so I thought I would return and try again when I was in the area.

 

They did have the sandwich this time, but I was a little disappointed. If there was any mustard at all, it was not enough, and the bread was not grilled. It just lacked a little distinctive spice.

 

 

DW tried the Lechon Asado, which is roast pork in tropical spices with mojo juice, topped with sautéed onions. It came with rice and a couple fried plantains on the side. It was a good dish with a large portion, but it also could use a little more spice like we have found in some other Cuban restaurants.

 

 

Then it was off to BJ’s Wholesale Club to pick up some wine before the cruise. You do not have to be a member to buy alcohol here. You just need your hotel key card. It looked like everyone cruising the next day had the same idea. DW can’t drink wine due to an allergy, so I will have to finish these off on my own.

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

Finally, boarding day is here. The Allure sails into port at 5:56 a.m.

 

 

Get this broke people off, there are new, paying customers waiting. The boarding day outfit is laid out:

 

 

And everyone is enjoying the delicious hotel buffet.

 

 

We scheduled the 10 a.m. shuttle to the port. Usually, they use a small van, but we had a large motor coach.

 

 

Everyone is excited to go. The driver shifts into reverse to get turned to leave the hotel, and then, oh no - he can’t get it out of reverse!!! Can you back this thing to the port? Finally, after about 10 minutes, it is out of reverse and we are on our way.

 

 

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[kalaniiwow]

Your video is hilarious, I love it!

 

We just got off the Allure today and thankfully there were NOT 2000 kids for our sailing!

[sherrerakacik]

Love your review so far!!

 

 

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[storknurse13]

Loving this review!! Your trailer is amazing! Can't wait to see the rest!

[VPIcruiser]

As nelblu said, most of the kids we saw were well behaved. Since we never use elevators, I don’t know if there were issues there. We did see some racing up and down the staircases, but we were quick enough to get out of the way. Some people may be on the same sailing and have a totally different experience.

 

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#goals. We are in our 40s and don’t take elevators either and we are hoping to be like you and your wife and not need them in our 60s either. Hoping to stay fit and active.

 

I’m enjoying your review.

[h20skibum]

Your video is hilarious, I love it!

 

We just got off the Allure today and thankfully there were NOT 2000 kids for our sailing!

 

Glad you found the video amusing. You don’t know what you missed without that many kids.

 

Love your review so far!!

 

I hope the rest will not disappoint.

 

 

Loving this review!! Your trailer is amazing! Can't wait to see the rest!

 

More on the way soon, but it is Penguins hockey playoff right now.

 

 

#goals. We are in our 40s and don’t take elevators either and we are hoping to be like you and your wife and not need them in our 60s either. Hoping to stay fit and active.

 

I’m enjoying your review.

 

Staying fit and active is always a good goal. Every year when I get my boat out of storage, I look forward to that first ski run. I guess when I can’t get up for a slalom ski run, I will declare myself old. We do a lot of trail day hikes on the North Country Trail. Even signs like this don’t deter us.

 

 

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[h20skibum]

After a short stop at the Hampton to pick up more passengers (please don’t put it in reverse again), we are on the way to the port. After a short stop to drop off some who booked one of the “fun ships”, we arrive at Terminal 18.

 

I had packed the wine in a carryon bag, along with all those liquids DW packs. Usually, they will have you open the bag when it goes through the scanner with this much liquid, but not this time. They scan our setsail pass, and then direct us to a counter to have our picture taken.

 

Me: “Why do you need another photo? We uploaded them, and it says the security photo was complete.”

 

 

RCI Rep: “Oh, we have been having some website issues, so we have to do them again.”

 

At 10:50, we make it to the waiting area to board the ship. Not too many here yet.

 

 

About 5 minutes later, they start calling groups for boarding and up the gangway we go.

 

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

We picked up the “Tips to Save You Time”, and the list of places open to eat on boarding day. Just don’t wear a yellow shirt on boarding day.

 

 

For this cruise, in addition to the $350 OBC that was available to book things pre-cruise, we also had another $200, plus a spa treatment from the TA. First thing on the ship we get signed up for the VOOM one device package, then head to the Port Merchant Alcohol display.

 

Last cruise, DW sampled some Baileys Salted Carmel and took some home with us. She wanted to make sure she could get a couple bottles to take home after this cruise. The boarding day special was two 1-Litre bottles for $40. It would not be this cheap on the ship again, and it was more expensive in both Jamaica and Cozumel. So we are 20 feet inside the ship, and already we have lightened the OBC by $150.

 

More papers from boarding day.

 

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

It is 11:20 on boarding day, so it is time to find a place to eat. We decide to head up the stairs. Any chance I can get rid of the 40 pound carryon in our cabin? Nope!

 

 

The paper says Solarium Bistro is not supposed to open until noon, but the food is out, so we are the first customers.

 

 

Fruit, shrimp, rice and deserts.

 

 

 

 

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[LuCruise]

Fun report...love the movie intro. We were on Allure a couple years ago and loved it. Looking forward to reading more. Hope it wasn't too crazy with all the kids. (We're attempting that in March, including our own kids)

[h20skibum]

Fun report...love the movie intro. We were on Allure a couple years ago and loved it. Looking forward to reading more. Hope it wasn't too crazy with all the kids. (We're attempting that in March, including our own kids)

 

 

Thanks. The kids should have lots of fun. There is much for them to do and see, regardless of their age.

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

Let’s check out Windjammers. On our way, the pool is not crowded yet.

 

 

 

 

11:45 boarding day is not busy. It will soon change.

 

 

 

 

 

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[ARandomTraveler]

I can’t access the movie, every time I try to open a movie on Cruise Critic, my whole app shuts down. Does anyone know how to fix this?

 

 

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[h20skibum]

I can’t access the movie, every time I try to open a movie on Cruise Critic, my whole app shuts down. Does anyone know how to fix this?

 

 

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Wow. Sorry you can’t see it. On my mobile app, it automatically plays. On the web version, it opens in YouTube.

 

You can try doing a google search for H20skibum YouTube. Then just choose the video The Allure.

 

 

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[kirian]

I know it's already been said, but heck, you deserve to hear it again.... GREAT intro video!!!! I was particularly fond of the shout out to the towel animals (the mayhem they get up to in my cabin keeps me on my toes...lol). Looking forward to reading how you survived with all those kids :eek:

 

Melissa

[Cruise-mom]

Delighted to find your report, I'm sucking up all info on The Allure as we sail in June.

 

Great video :)

[h20skibum]

I know it's already been said, but heck, you deserve to hear it again.... GREAT intro video!!!! I was particularly fond of the shout out to the towel animals (the mayhem they get up to in my cabin keeps me on my toes...lol). Looking forward to reading how you survived with all those kids :eek:

 

Melissa

 

We were glad to see the towel animals back. There were a couple of cruises where there were none, so we thought that was maybe part of the cutback in staff. The more cabins they have to take care of, the less time they have to do towel animals. Thought they went the way of the mints on the pillows.

 

Delighted to find your report, I'm sucking up all info on The Allure as we sail in June.

 

Great video :)

 

It is hard not to enjoy the ship. You should be booking your shows by now.

 

 

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[h20skibum]

They did have signs on all the tables in Windjammers about specialty dining packages.

 

 

Lunch is over, and rooms are not open so DW says “Let’s go tour the spa”.

 

Me: “You know that is down on deck 6, and I still have this 40 pound carryon. Okay, we will go down, then back up the stairs to deck 12 when cabins open.”

 

So down the stairs we go for our tour. Here are some of the boarding day specials and prices.

 

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

The tour is complete, and they make the announcement that the rooms are now open. Up we go, and get our key card on the door, but they are still cleaning our room, so the door is open. We introduce ourselves to our cabin steward and put away the things from our carryon.

 

The Cruise compass for Day 1 is in the room.

 

 

 

 

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[h20skibum]

More of the Day 1 Compasses

 

 

 

 

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