Join me on first solo cruise - Allure Oct 29

[DandDM]

I’ve done a poor job taking food photos. Not that it has been exciting: snacks from the suite lounge and a burger from the wipe out cafe. At coastal kitchen now. They gave me ALL the bread. 

Edited October 30, 2022 by DandDM

[DandDM]

Shoot. Just ate my salad before I took a photo!  You’ll have to trust me that is was great. Today I toured the ship, stopping a few times at various bars. Other than one awkward stretch around 5 pm, found folks to talk to at each stop. Conversations were pretty easy to start… just had to talk about cruising. Met one lady that has been on the allure for seven months!

 

remembered to take a photo of the beef gnocchi 

[DandDM]

Oh boy. Forgot to take a photo of desert. At the aqua show now. There was a single seat open in a great spot. 

[aubreyc1988]

3 hours ago, DandDM said:

Shoot. Just ate my salad before I took a photo!  You’ll have to trust me that is was great. Today I toured the ship, stopping a few times at various bars. Other than one awkward stretch around 5 pm, found folks to talk to at each stop. Conversations were pretty easy to start… just had to talk about cruising. Met one lady that has been on the allure for seven months!

 

remembered to take a photo of the beef gnocchi 

 

we must have met the same lady! I talked to her on the first day because I remembered being on a cruise with her years ago and she says they pretty much live on ships. 

[MysticRhythmCruiser]

On 10/28/2022 at 2:39 PM, DandDM said:

Hi all.  First attempt at a live report; noticed that someone else is doing a report on the same cruise, which will likely be much more exciting than this, but wanted to share my first solo experience.  Have read a lot about cruising solo on these boards, and also have had many questions answered, so want to give back a little!  

 

 

Following, I'm a week behind you cruising Oasis with a group I don't know but was invited to join, and first time in a solo cabin for the same reason (DH passed suddenly two years ago). Royal was great about letting me stack the credits I had, so it made this trip worthwhile. It'll be my second time on Oasis so I'm excited to see how she has fared in the last several years. Enjoy the trip!

[irishgal432]

14 hours ago, DandDM said:

I’ve done a poor job taking food photos. Not that it has been exciting: snacks from the suite lounge and a burger from the wipe out cafe. At coastal kitchen now. They gave me ALL the bread. 

It used to be they would have specialty breads that were to die for .  Those look just like the MDR bread basket.

[KmomChicago]

15 hours ago, DandDM said:

I’ve done a poor job taking food photos. Not that it has been exciting: snacks from the suite lounge and a burger from the wipe out cafe. At coastal kitchen now. They gave me ALL the bread. 

This is why I always break the rules about filling up on the bread!

[DandDM]

2 hours ago, epoulsen said:

 

Following, I'm a week behind you cruising Oasis with a group I don't know but was invited to join, and first time in a solo cabin for the same reason (DH passed suddenly two years ago). Royal was great about letting me stack the credits I had, so it made this trip worthwhile. It'll be my second time on Oasis so I'm excited to see how she has fared in the last several years. Enjoy the trip!

Sailing 'solo' with a group is perfect (based on my one experience)...freedom to do what you want most of the time, but still able to join to group for activities and meals!  Hope you have a great trip.

 

Cheers,

[Ozark_Kid]

I have seen post that the Solarium Bristro and Samba Grill has been shut down.  Another heard the who Solarium has been closed.  Have you noticed anything like this?

[DandDM]

13 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I have seen post that the Solarium Bristro and Samba Grill has been shut down.  Another heard the who Solarium has been closed.  Have you noticed anything like this?

Just posted a reply that disappeared, so if this is duplicated, my apologies. Heard last night that they are starting work on the entire solarium area in anticipation of the refurnish they are doing during the deadhead repo next week. 

[DandDM]

Lunch photos: beet salad, tomato soup and penne pasta. The food was excellent, and decided on a glass of wine…hair of the dog as they say. 

[DandDM]

Casino update. Went before dinner (7ish) and it was packed!  Most machines were occupied and tables full. If anyone is interested in minimums, I’ll check it out. 
 

in for $100 and out for this…no hits worth reporting. 

[DandDM]

Now that I've been in the cabin for 24 hours, ready to share some thoughts. As folks would assume, the cabin itself is amazing and the locations is perfect for the CK and SL, however it is really too big for a single person and the steps are starting to get annoying. Came to a similar conclusion on an OS for two people (too big/wasted space) so I kinda expected to feel this way, however had to give it a try!  When we booked the cabin, we were on thy Symphony and my wife absolute fell in love with the aqua show.  She watched it at least twice (i went with her twice), and she would watch them practice.  Maybe it was the athletic guys in the short shorts, but it made her happy! When we found this cabin with the great price, she selected one at the rear of the ship, looking back toward the aqua theater.  I later read that folks prefer the side cabins as they are quieter, have more privacy and better views.

 

Of course, when I upgraded (per issues in original post), didn't have a choice of location, but glad that I got one looking toward the stern.  It is noisy when shows are going on, but I can watch them!  Saw the loyalty event this morning (400+ diamond; 300+ diamond plus and 66 pins), sexiest man competition, and the other showing of the aqua show last night.  Can also people watch with views of the flowriders, mini golf and zip line.  Makes me feel less guilty about being lazy this morning and hanging out in my cabin! One minor item: wish I brough two toothbrushes and toothpaste so I could have one set in the downstairs bathroom...been too lazy a couple times to go upstairs and brush!

 

I have some photos from my DLS camara I'd like to post, but am getting errors.  Will work on that and try to post later.

 

Cheers,

[DandDM]

Running into posting issues; cannot upload photos and realized that the post I wrote at lunch  recapping yesterday disappeared.  Will share that it was well written and witty.  Bourbon references.  Joking aside, headed out and about this afternoon, have Mamma Mia! reserved for 3:30.

 

Cheers

[DandDM]

Testing from my phone…solarium 

[DandDM]

Not positive, but I think this is where the entrance to solarium bistro should be on deck 15. 

[DandDM]

Some angry clouds and it rained for a minute. Still a great day. 

[slyster]

4 hours ago, DandDM said:

Casino update. Went before dinner (7ish) and it was packed!  Most machines were occupied and tables full. If anyone is interested in minimums, I’ll check it out. 
 

in for $100 and out for this…no hits worth reporting. 

I would like to know minimums for blackjack 

[DandDM]

Bourbon update:  the ship is low!  Have not seen my two favorites: Bulleit and makers mark, although Leo in the SL says Maker is onboard. He offered to find some for me, but it hasn’t happened yet. 
 

available is buffalo trace, Jim beam, and one from Texas I’m not familiar with. 
 

ordered an old fashioned in boleros last night and they were out of cherries. Ended up with a scotch drink that I’m blaming for my hangover this morning. 

[Tee & Chilli]

Thanks for taking us along. If you forget any small toiletries, the cabin steward can assist you.

[cruiselvr04]

Thanks for taking us along.

 

So very sorry for your loss.  I’m sure she would be happy you’re still sailing even though it will be different.  

[DandDM]

28 minutes ago, Tee & Chilli said:

Thanks for taking us along. If you forget any small toiletries, the cabin steward can assist you.

Good to know, thanks!

[DandDM]

10 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

Thanks for taking us along.

 

So very sorry for your loss.  I’m sure she would be happy you’re still sailing even though it will be different.  

She is with me in spirit!

[DandDM]

Chops for dessert tonight. Took them a minute to get a table set for one (or unset?) but settled in a corner of the dining room. Apparently chops realized I didn’t need a full basket of bread, see below. Also ordered my first sparkling wine of the trip - a Chandon Brut. They brought it out in a Royal themed bottle which I recall from years ago. I asked it it was a older bottle or a new vintage, but the question got lost in translation. Regardless, a perfect start to dinner. 

[PhoenixCruiser]

So sorry for your loss 💔 

 

My husband passed away a year ago. My second solo cruise is next month.

 

Thanks for taking us with you!