Alan13

I am also on that cruise and that prompted my question. How do you know that there are five different headliners?

I saw it on the Allure TA roll Call but I don't remember what page it was on. I remember a Beatles Tribute band, singer, juggler, violinist, and someone else.

Did they allow you to pre-book more than one headliner, and if so, did they identify the different shows, such as Headliner1, Headliner2, etc.?

Bob, you could only book one headliner total on one night. And there is no list of the headliners and their night. So it made no sense to reserve and get whomever. I'll wait until I get onboard and decide what headliners I want to see.

Alan

The headliners and comedians are changed periodically, though maybe not every cruise. There are also some shows that don't require/allow pre-booking. I know of a "family" comedy show, and I believe there is another aquatheater show. Plus the usual "Love & Marriage" show.

Bob, just an FYI. On our upcoming Allure TA cruise in October we have 5 different headliners. So if you reserve the headliner show it will be for just one headliner. I did not reserve the headliner show because I don't know who's on what night. We will just walk in.

Alan

Other than the expense, I love cruising Solo! I'm usually busy during the day and around 4p I go back to an empty, cool, cabin, and lay down on the bed for a nap! AAAAAH! It's amazing how much space there is when you are alone.

My Time Dining is the best as I can sit with old friends, new friends, or by myself. Even if you are at a two top, there is probably someone right next to you for conversation. I have made lots of friends playing trivia, especially progressive trivia.

In fact, our whole progressive trivia team is going on the Allure TA. Plus I have other friends that I've met in the last 5 years that are also on the cruise. It should be fun!

Go Solo and you will have a great time!

Alan

We did a 12 Day on Splendor from Harwich to Plymouth, Wales, Cork, Dublin, Glasgow, Inverness, and Amsterdam. It was July and we were shocked how calm it was. We did not expect that. I think July is the time to go!

Alan

The old Concierge Lounge is now the Diamond Lounge

Allure has the same setup as the Oasis now. Diamond and above now go to the Concierge Lounge on Deck 11/12. Suite passengers now have their own lounge and Coastal Kitchen where the Viking Crown Lounge used to be.

I've met great people at large tables during solo cruises. I've also once found myself stuck with one other person at a table for 10 (and though I liked the older gentleman, he started repeating stories the second night of a 12 night cruise). I've not yet tried MTD as a solo, but it may be hit or miss as well. If you happen to time it right or meet the right people onboard, MTD could be great. Otherwise, so many people seem deathly afraid of having to interact with others during a meal.

It's great to post right after my nephew Silent Bob.

I've cruised solo for the last 8 years and I much prefer MTD. I've eaten with old friends (table of six), new friends (table of 4), another person at a table for two and some nights just by myself. I love MTD! I can eat when I want to and sit with the people I want to be with or join new people at a table. MTD is great for trying to see shows and not be locked into a specific time to eat.

Alan

Sorry, the link did not work. It's a post on Royal Caribbean Blog from April 17th about the Allure dry dock.

http://www.******************.com/category/category/allure-seas#.VTZje91JSj8

The link is from Royal Caribbean Blog.

Sadly, it does not give details!

I've googled and checked RCI's site but all I can find is the info they had before postponing Dynamic Dining.

Does anyone know what they are going to do for Allure in May?

Thanks,

Alan

I agree with a previous poster that September is the best time to go. My friend who used to live in Juneau also said September is a great month with the least amount of rain.

When I went a few years ago we were one of the last ships of season. They said it was best weather they had all summer. We had less crowds, everything was on sale, cruise price is lower, and Radiance was the only ship at Hubbard Glacier and spent 3 hours there.

Jules, thank you for speaking up!

Alan

After Indy TA last month, I walked off with luggage at 620a and was at the airport at 640a for a 10a flight. It was easy and will do it again!

I self disembarked from the Indy TA last month. I was off the ship at 620a and at FLL airport at 640a. Customs never even asked if we anything to declare. It was so fast. Even though I have to take my bags off it is still quicker than trying to find them at the pier. And the later it gets the longer the lines get. For me, self-disembarkation is the way to go!

Just returned from Indy TA. Schooner Bar has the best bartenders and staff by far!

Last Saturday, I got off the Indy after a 14 day TA and was on the ground at 620a, through customs and at the airport at 640a. It was great!

Agreed!

Just tape em on.They will stay.No need to laminate,put in protective plastic etc.

Thats just way over the top for nothing.After they are folded and thick they wont just pull off easily.You literally have to work at it to get them off

I Agree! They are really thick after you fold them. I put one around the top handle of my suitcase and one on the side handle. Then I place a few pieces of tape at the end of the tags and they hold very well. The luggage is only going from the dock to the cabin. Not far!

I am a solo cruiser and Royal used to send me 6 luggage tags. I used 2 so there was some waste there. I just printed 4 out this morning for my upcoming cruise. If you fold them correctly they are pretty thick. I attach one to each handle on my 2 suitcases. I tape the ends with scotch tape and it works great.

Alan

Alternately, there are some who are very much land-locked with nothing but desert all around them so the ocean cruise experience is a fix we don't get very often and appreciate it immensely when we do. ;)

I live in the SW corner of New Mexico with 2 man made lakes 45 miles away.

Yes, I do need my ocean fix! Additionally, I have terrible juniper allergies (except for gin) and for my upcoming 14 days, I breathe pure saline air with no allergens or pollution, only beautiful clean air! Looking forward to my fix in 62 days on Indy!

Alan

For me it is not about the crowds, it is the beauty of the ship. I like seeing the ocean through lots of glass. I remember my mom used to say that Song of America was her favorite ship. Small, but beautiful!

I agree that larger ships seem to be the wave of the future! Maybe the days of small ships are over!

Alan

First of all anyone can cruise on the ship that appeals to them. I am not saying that every ship should be Radiance Class. It is nice to have a variety of ships!

I just watched the Technology Live program from Germany on Quantum of the Seas. Yes, it is the latest in high tech with a robot bar, robot screens, bumper cars, north star, ripcord, smart IQ, virtual balcony in all inside staterooms, etc.

Richard Fain even said Quantum would appeal to millenials because they can skype, watch netflix on their smartphones and so on.

For me, that does not work! I can find all the latest technology at home. I can go to an amusement park for rides. I go on a cruise to get away from stimulation. I like to walk, relax, swim, read a book, play trivia, eat, go to shows, admire the artwork, meet fellow passenger, look at the ocean, breathe the clean air and of course many other things.

I love the Radiance Class because the ships are beautiful with lots of glass. It's just the right size and easy to get around. I'm okay with the Freedom Class also.

But I hope that the wave of the future is not more rides and gadgets. I hope that Royal will think of their passengers that just want the simplicity of cruising!

69 Days until the last Independence TA from Southampton. I've not cruised in 2 years so I'm really excited!

My situation is also difficult as Southwest changed my flight from 1135a to 10a.

I'll be coming off Independence after a 14 day westbound transatlantic.

I've checked some other boards and people have made it for early flights with some getting off the ship at 715a with their luggage. I will be doing self express departure and hope for the best as you never know what might happen in customs.

Southwest does allow me to call at least 10 minutes before the 10a departure to make a one time change. The next flight is not until 430p.

It will be interesting!

Alan

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2723879/Quantum-Seas-jewel-shaped-observation-pod-sky-diving-simulator-bumper-cars.html

Here's a link with great photos!

I use Choice Air for transatlantic cruises. For my upcoming Indy TA cruise, I used Choice Air and paid $425 one-way on United from El Paso to Heathrow. Amazing fare!

Alan