Live Allure Review 7/7-7/14: Vegetarian, gluten free, disabilty inclusive

[CatLadyFemme]

 

Annnnnnd, because I know I got behind last trip. Here are is the Day 1 Cruise compass, show schedule, and perks of a Central Park cabin, etc.

[Tin can]

Very interested in your review as recently gone vegetarian and gluten free out of choice. At the end of August it’s our first cruise since making the decision so looking forward to what food choices I may have.

[LuCruise]

Following along. We loved the Allure.  So sorry about your last cruise experience with being quarantined. That's awful. 

Enjoy your cruise. Nice stateroom.

[CatLadyFemme]

Dinner night one.

 

After several cruises post Celiac diagnosis, I have finally figured how to make it all work: I show up with my list of what I can and cannot eat. I talk to the head waiter. I know what I want to eat and ask for it. So much smoother than my first post Dx Cruise when I ate salads with oil and vinegar, and mixed berries for dessert every day.

 

Our waiter is Tomas, assisted by Romanna, head waiter Simon. It took a long time (like almost 40 minutes) for Simon to come by and take my order, but things moved smoothly after that. My MIL got the crab cake (as did MtCatLady, who also got at Caesar salad) and shrimp cocktail (as did her husband). I got a breadless cheese plate. MrCatLady got and loved the prime rib, MIL loved her chicken Marsala, and her husband enjoyed the fish/seafood/mash situation. I had a gf version of the polenta and feta. For dessert, the men got key lime pie, MIL got the cheesecake (which she says is the best she has ever had, and she is not prone to effusive compliments), and I got...drama.

 

so I ordered a creme brûlée...which didn’t show. When Simon was taking my order for tomorrow, he also brought the vegan menu for inspiration (this is the first time I have heard of this; I have many vegan friends who will be thrilled) and I asked about the peanut butter caramel rice for dessert tomorrow. He said they had it tonight and would I like to try it; I said if gf, yes.

 

He brought it and it looked like a peanut butter rice crispy treat...however, given that 99% of rice cereal is not gluten free due to malt flavoring, I was nervous. I asked Tomas (Simon has been sent down to help MTD) who asked the pastry chef who sent Simon to tell me it was fine...but when I explained about the malt, he couldn’t guarantee me 100%. I felt bad but didn’t want to risk it, so then he felt bad and wanted to get me another dessert, but then I felt bad because we were some of the last folks left from the early seating, so then he felt bad I wasn’t getting dessert, so I said I would grab Udis cookies at the cafe, and then he brought me Udis cookies. Phew.

 

So all is well, I am not sick...but here is hoping to a slightly smoother second night.

[CatLadyFemme]

Also! Here is the vegan menu and the menu for night 2.

[MLBFan24]

I went on Allure a couple weeks ago and the Roasted Beef Tenderloin became my favorite meal ever on any cruise ship I've sailed on.

[Mrs.Dukes]

Love reading your cruise report. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[CruisinCons]

Thanks for posting the vegan menu.  We spent 30 days at sea with RCCL from May 2017 to May 2018 - I mentioned to more than one waiter over that 12 month period that we were vegetarian, and never was this presented to us.  On Grandeur, there appears to also be a vegetarian & vegan menu (combined on one menu) that appeared later in the month we sailed.  We're in RCCL dry dock until December, I hope these are still around by then!  So annoying that they've been there but we were never told! 

 

We'll be on Allure in May 2020 - looking forward to reading your review! 

[CatLadyFemme]

2 minutes ago, CruisinCons said:

Thanks for posting the vegan menu.  We spent 30 days at sea with RCCL from May 2017 to May 2018 - I mentioned to more than one waiter over that 12 month period that we were vegetarian, and never was this presented to us.  On Grandeur, there appears to also be a vegetarian & vegan menu (combined on one menu) that appeared later in the month we sailed.  We're in RCCL dry dock until December, I hope these are still around by then!  So annoying that they've been there but we were never told! 

 

We'll be on Allure in May 2020 - looking forward to reading your review! 

Am pretty sure these are brand new. I have never seen them before, and our head waiter Belic in Explorer May/June 2018 was vegan, and he said most folks in the kitchen had never heard of that. I am 99% sure he would have told us if there was a vegan menu if there had been one. I hope it will stick around too!

[DancerMama25]

Following along and anxious to hear about your experience on the ship as we are trying to decide which ship to choose for our next cruise.   

 

Hoping your kitty is ok; pets are such an important part of our lives.

 

happy cruising!

[CatLadyFemme]

Post dinner and a rest to recharge and post my food and menus, we headed to the Aqua Theatre, where we had 8:30 reservations for Ocean Aria. I wanted to get there by 8:05 to make sure we got accessible seats. On the way up, they were about to run the mostly empty carousel. I LOVE carousels, so I went to ride. I was so so so impressed and pleased that there is a zero barrier entrance to get on it and a chariot to ride in. So in love with this access!

 

I really loved OceanAria; I have always wanted to see O in Vegas. In high school and college, I was a theater kid; both an actress and a techie, and I was obsessed to learn that all the techies have to be SCUBA certified. This was like a mini version of that; super fun and very impressed period, none the less that they are doing it at sea. I would totally pay for a tour of the magic behind this show (hear that Royal?? Pay $$!)

 

After that, we went to the jazz club for a while which was lovely, although the server had no idea what a negroni was, and when MrCatLady wrote it down for her, out came a drink that was 95% Campari and with a cherry on top (not at all correct). I LOVE the look of this place and suddenly want to remodel our dining room based on this. After the band went on break, we took MIL and her husband up to Boleros for more live music. I got a mocktail and enjoyed people dancing. Such diversity of age, race, body type, etc. on that dance floor. We wanted a bite to eat, but only Sorrentos and Cafe Promenade were open. It wasn’t even 11, and so the lines wound through the Promenade. How come they don’t have more late night places like the Park cafe?

 

alas, I am back in the room, where I accidentally hit the emergency button, and it took 8 min to figure out how to turn it off. However, no one came to check on me...so that is a bit concerning.

 

Oh! Our room attendant is Halsted who is very nice. He and another attendant think they remember us from the Liberty a few years ago. I never think I am that memorable but then MrCatLady looks at my tattoos, colored hair and sassy personality and wonders how I can think that. *shrugs*

[CatLadyFemme]

Also: Cruise Compass for Day 2.

[UFMOM]

Glad to hear the carousel is accessible. We have been on a few Oasis class ships and I have yet to try it. I am definitely going to put it on my list for our upcoming Symphony Cruise.  I am bringing my cane, walker and transport chair so it is good that it will be easy to get on and off.

 

 

 

Mary Ann

[CatLadyFemme]

Started this AM with complimentary room service (plus a cash tip) on the balcony. Delightful albeit windy; everything kept blowing around. Also, had a dirty mug (luckily they had brought two) and spoon. Alas.

 

 Then MrCatLady and I headed to grab drinks at Cafe Promenade (folks were so nice! However, also so slammed. They need more people on he counter there) before heading to the Cruise Critic event. Flavio was wonderful and hilarious, and though only a few folks did the magnet exchange, it was super fun getting ours, and chatting up other CC types.

 

We then went to the top tier event, grabbed a rum punch, and enjoyed a show from the divers, which was really nice. I think this was much more engaging of a top tier even than the one I went to on Brilliance.

[CatLadyFemme]

Post events, I grabbed a quick bite once the WJ before heading to the movie theater. They DO have a GF area and it, while not super veggie friendly, is pretty robust. Also, they had GF blueberry cheesecake that was amazing! I took some back to my room before going to see a movie.

 

i love that they show movies and I love that the movie theater was one of the few places on the ship that feels actually cold. However, the seats are SO uncomfy and it was so hard to get in and out of, and people were coming and going the whole movie.

 

After the movie, I stopped by the Solarium bistro for a snack, and then met up with MrCatLady to try our Vitality cafe. The line was super long with only one person working, but worth it for my Apple/cucumber/ginger/mint juice. I say in Central Park for a bit before it got too hot, then went to the room to cool down a bit before getting dolled up for dinner.

[CatLadyFemme]

Dinner was lovely, although themed “surprise!”

 

I will start with the normal folks first. MrCatLady had the calamari (as did MIL: both said it was meh) and the wedge salad (classic and tasty); MIL and her husband had the lobster bisque (yum) and he had a Caesar salad. All had and loved the beef tenderloin. MIL had the carrot cake and said it was amazing and I needed a picture since it was so cute. Her husband had the cheesecake, and MrCatLady had the super disappointing grand mariner souffle, that actually smelled like rotten eggs. Surprise.

 

My meal started with many promised of GF bread, but everyone else went through two bread baskets, and nothing for me. Then Simon brought me 3 steamed Udis multi grain dinner rolls...right before Romanna showed up with 4 slices of yummy toasted GF bread. Simon brought me cold strawberry soup (I requested having a cold fruit soup as a starter each night). Everyone else had their two starters, I had all my breads. Then they cleared the table.

 

Then out came vegan crunchy tofu tacos, which I had asked about and they made. I assumed they were my main, but no one else’s came out. The table told me to eat. An odd mix of Mexican (hard shell tacos) and Asian (a sweet and sour tofu and slaw like filling) with random veggies in the side. I ate it and it was surprisingly good! Then that was cleared, and the three beef tenderloins were brought out out. They were eaten and cleared. Romanna brought coffee and tea....but Tomas didn’t bring dessert. Then Simon stopped by to ask how my Indian was...SURPRISE; that was supposed to be my main and hadn’t gotten delivered. I said not to worry about it, but he said he was sure it was ready so he brought it. I ate a little and it was surprisingly good, but I was pretty full and wanted my table mates to be able to eat dessert. Once that was cleared, they brought everyone’s dessert, including (surprise!) a flourless chocolate cake that was delicious and like very rich fudge. 

 

Here is the foo, plus the menu for day 3 (which the in laws are NOT excited about)

[CatLadyFemme]

Finished the night by going to the LGBTQ meet up (two cis gay couples and us), some music at Boleros, music in Central Park (waaaaay too hot and humid), and eventually settling at Jazz on 4. We really enjoy this jazz quartet.

 

And first towel animal of the cruise; an elephant. MrCatLady’s friends say it doesn’t look like an elephant and rather looks a little more risqué.

 

Anyone still following along? 

[CatLadyFemme]

Cruise compass for day 3, and info on luggage valet. We are debating doing it...

[CatLadyFemme]

Also, for those following along, Jasper is still hanging in there. Our pet sitter is trying some new food options like rabbit and “lil soups” and he’s been eating again, so we hope our luck holds until we get home. Fingers crossed 🤞 

[perfect match]

Interesting lack of coordination in your dinner service. I’m wondering if they will manage to get their act together and bring out each course for everyone at your table at the same time? 🤔

[reaton]

Thanks for the cruise compasses. I don’t usually pay them too much attention as they can change. However, I was checking the app yesterday for our sailing at it definitely has some errors that make me trust it less (for example it says we’re arriving in Honduras which is not part of our itinerary). It’s nice seeing when some of the other entertainment options are relative to the pre-booked shows. 

[Dina7]

I’m really enjoying your detailed review...loving all your photos around the ship & food photos! Love the last picture of both of you...you guys look great!

[pamelab]

Thanks for all the food pictures and menus! Great review!

 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

On 7/2/2019 at 10:15 AM, sellwingri said:

I’m on Allure at the end of July.  I too walk with a cane and am curious how easy it is for you to get around.  I sailed on Oasis a couple of years ago but rented a scooter.  This time, I’m not because I’m in a regular balcony and the scooter won’t fit.  (We were in a GS last time.). 

I do not know if it is allowed on the Allure. We have seen scooters out side of the cabins.

[BALCONETTE]

17 hours ago, CatLadyFemme said:

Also, for those following along, Jasper is still hanging in there. Our pet sitter is trying some new food options like rabbit and “lil soups” and he’s been eating again, so we hope our luck holds until we get home. Fingers crossed 🤞 

 

Sounds like Jasper may be getting his strength up for your return.  Hopefully you have some good days ahead!

Edited July 9, 2019 by BALCONETTE