Obsideon

Ah then... it should be perfect for us ... unless of course it's like sleeping on a marble slab ...

Hi there, this October will be my first cruise ever and was previously under the impression the boats were buffet, all day every day. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this "MDR". The menu looks enticing, how is the food quality? I read a few pages from here and there seems be a consensus that the "old menu was better" ... but as mentioned this will be my first cruise so I don't really have any standards to compare it with. I just hope it's yummy!

I eat, a LOT. Just for arguments sake, I can technically order "everything" on the menu? Or are there restrictions, like only 1 appy, 1 entree, 1 dessert? Would it be awkward and rude to order 1 appy, 3 entrees and no dessert? Will they ask you to finish 1 dish before you add more?

Question regarding the beds, are they just too firm or too mushy?

I'm very used to sleeping on hard firm mattress because my DW has back issues sleeping on a softer bed. Even the stiffest temper-pedic was too soft. After switching 3-4 mattresses at home we were happy with the Asian brand Seahorse.

That is a bummer they don't have a decent burger on board.

I am looking at Bodden's Tours as well. I just have a couple of concerns.

We will be there in October. At the area with Monkeys and around town are there many mosquitos? I attract mosquitos like bees to honey and will get eaten alive. Should I buy some repellent? I will also have my 2 year old daughter with me, are the monkeys clean and calm? I don't want to make it sound like a bad way... but just incase they have fleas, or accidentally scratch/bite any of us.

TIA

Can you have a (alcoholic) drink while by the pool and hot tub?

Very detailed and informative review! Thanks Brit!

I will be sailing Allure this October, I do love my craft beers but I'll survive with Boddington, Leffe and Guinness haha... I'll probably try the Paulamer on board too.

Definitely gonna try to mimick the pub crawl, sounds like lots of fun.

By far the best tip of your post was the Juice bar, will definitely need to hit that up every morning!

Hello fellow cruisers!

This October we will be going on Allure of the Seas, it will be my first ever cruise. I will be going with my family of 7. A 2-year old, a 60-year old and the rest of us are between 25-35.

Most of us are super night owls and used to sleeping very late.

I was originally planning to do some work and maybe surf some net before bed but probably won't be an option anymore looking at the expensive WiFi fees (and I heard it's spotty).

So, what is there for us to do at night? What's still open?

The only thing I can think of, and I would prefer not to spend too much time there, is the casino?

How about a basketball courts? Arcade? Do they shut it all down at certain times?

I checked the gym is 6am to 10pm ... so that's ruled out, what about this jogging track?

I also noticed there is a pizza shop open till 3am?... haha but can't just chill there every single night... I think I would have heartburn by the end of the trip haha. What other food, drinking place, or even just a place to hang out is available?

Or does everyone just settle back to their rooms after 10pm and it's a ghost town around the deck?

I would disagree w you on this statement. I believe in the idea that if you give a man a fish, they will be hungry tomorrow; if you teach him how to fish, he will have fish to eat tomorrow. You have to agree that most of the questions that most people ask can be easily answered with a very simple Google search. If you answer the question instead of sending them to Google, they will never learn how to use Google and they will keep on coming back to CC to get answers to simplest questions.

 

There are also obviously difficult questions. For these, I usually provide a link to a WEB site with the answer instead of answering it directly. Again, my hope is that Google is useful even more the difficult questions.

 

In the end, my approach gives the people the answers they need. I just go about it in a different way.

 

DON

I completely agree with you.

However, sometimes not everyone always has the time to do research on new topics and it's easier to ask a trusted community of experienced people for quick answers rather than digging through the vast internet for random answers, where most of them are usually out-dated, confusing or straight up wrong (like the wine fee is a good example). That's what these great communities are for! :)

But as you did suggest, I am browsing the Port of Call subforum, haven't got around to all the threads yet but thanks again!

Sorry but another question, most of us are usually night owls and used to sleeping quite late.

I was originally planning to do some work and maybe surf some net before I sleep. Now discovering there will only be expensive Wifi. What is there for us to do at night? Is there still stuff to do later at night? Anything open? The only thing I can think of, and I would prefer not to, is the casino? Basketball court? Gym? Arcade? Do they shut it all down at certain times?

I also noticed there is a pizza shop open till 3am... haha but can't do that every night...

On RCI, as long as you keep your wine in your cabin, there's no "corkage" fee. Pour a BIG glass before heading to dinner, if you want! You may take food/drink anywhere on the ship.

 

As far as your ports go...you MUST do your research. Either google your ports, or go to the library and check out a guidebook. The more you know, the better (and cheaper) time you can have in port. What is a "must do" for one will not work for someone else. You MUST do your research, or settle for paying high prices for ship's excursion...or just wandering aimlessly on your own. Get off your ass and research your ports!

That is great advice! Will definitely pour out big glasses of wine to wander around the ship then refill before dinner haha.

Yes I figure that would need to happen eventually, just wanted to read up on fellow cruisers experience first before diving into the sponsored websites that sometimes have biased (paid) opinions.

Oh another question, is (free) WiFi available anywhere on the ship? Or is it always paid?

If I switch sim card to a USA simcard with data, would that work?

Figure out what the family wants from the ports – sightseeing, beach time, snorkeling, local food and plan from there.

Mostly relaxing, maybe snorkle at 1 of the 4 ports (just once is enough for us), rest can be spent relaxing on the beach. Our hometown is not known for tropical weather, it's rain most of the time lol. Definitely want to try some local cuisine as I love to eat. I might end up spending more time in the ship buffet than anywhere else haha.

 

We are not really foodies so not much help there. Nassau has some nice shops and if you are a haggler you can get some great deals. Your 2 YO may not enjoy that, I know my grandkids do not. Usually during our stop in Nassau this is our plan: (first at any of the stops we never rush off the ship, we wait until disembarkation calms down ) we get off the ship and turn right and head to Junkaroo Beach. With a toddler is can be a nice lazy walk. The beach is free, has bathrooms, vendors selling food and drinks, renting chairs and umbrellas. Some even rent water toys or let you use them if you rent chairs. We have been there when they have had DJs, played games – volleyball, trivia, etc – When we have had enough sun and fun we walk back. Sometimes we stop at golden Arches for the kids. Often those in our group that are tired head directly to the ship while others stay shopping in town. We have never done it but you can walk past Junkaroo Beach to Arawak Cay to the restaurants there for fish fry. I have heard they have good food and several places to try the fish and conch fritters.

You could also do he Blue Lagoon excursion. Last time we went, half our party went back early and half stayed until the last ferry back. Don’t think you have to all stay together. The weather, terrain and other things might make it so that the older or younger ones need to go back early. You can always find cabs to take you to the ship...even if there is a language barrier as long as you know the ship they can get you there. Just set a price first if not posted.

Nassau is a fun place to hop from store to store an get the freebies to take home to friends and family.

In Cozumel I would recommend chankanaab park. I would find their website and check out the park and pricing. It has been years since we have been there so I do not know the cost. My DIL swam with the dolphins there. This would need a taxi ride but taxis are easily accessible at the cruise port. To tell you the truth the last time we were in Cozumel we did not even make it out of the port area. To me the vendor were way to aggressive and I did not feel like dealing with them. We were on a megaship. We had always been to Cozumel on smaller ships that docked near town and you just walked into town. Pretend the vendors are your 2YO and just keep saying NO.

It has been a few years since we have been to Roatan but I would recommend a cab ride to foster Beach.

Thank you for this response! Very very helpful! I will be printing this to bring with me! :D

 

As someone else said go to the ports of call forum for information. Check out the tourism sites for the places you are going.

I will check that out soon!

I've found this to be particularly bad in Nassau. There's none in Roatan and not too bad in Costa Maya

Good to know!

I agree Nassau is one of the worst ports but if you can get through the end of the pier and terminal area to the street you are fine. I have learned to not make eye contact, keep my hand up in the "stop" position and just keep waking.

Like this? :D

For info on the port stops, check out the port of call forums:https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587

 

You don't need an app to make reservations, you can use a web browser to go to Royal's website, click on Already Booked, and use the Cruise Planner.

 

Royal allows two 750ml bottles of wine per stateroom, regardless of how many guests are booked in the stateroom. You may get charged $15 per bottle if you consume the bottle in a public venue.

 

Try the dedicated RC forum for more info: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

Thank you for all your responses this is a great place for information! I will check out the sub-forums when I have time, 60 hours of work and a baby suddenly makes you appreciate the extra free times haha.

I actually got an email after I registered through the app. The email links me to the website to make reservations, and frankly it's easier to use than the App.

South-east Asians prey to the Caribbean locals selling excursions & merchandise?

I don't think so ;)

I've never met such determined negotiators as those in SE Asia - please be gentle with those in the Caribbean, they're rank amateurs compared to Asians :D

 

Have a great cruise

 

JB :)

Haha I know exactly what you are talking about, (un)fortunately we are mostly Canadian-born and quite naive compared to the "OG" Asians. When we went to Hong Kong and China a few years back we got eaten alive by the counter-hagglers!

Side story: I wanted to buy a leather belt from a shop in Shanghai, there were no price tags. The guy says "$30!" ... me thinking I'm all sauve... countered with "$12 or I'm walking away!"... he says "okok you are smart guy, $15 is the best I can do" and I'm thinking to myself "SCORE! I got 50% off!" and bought it ... then my friend (who lives there) who was shopping in another area met up with me after, I excitedly told her about my bargaining skills... she laughed so hard, and said that belt would be sold to a local for $10 before bargaining. :o

Hi everyone!

After being overwhelmed by variety of cruise options we settled on Allure of the Seas with Royal Caribbean in October.

I was just recommended to this forum from a friend and the amount of information here is staggering I don't know where to start?!

A little info on me.

This will be me and my families first time cruising. There will be 7 of us, 5 between 25-35, one who is about 60 and a 2 year old.

The itinerary for docking is Nassau - Cozumel - Roatan - Costa Maya

One of my top questions is; what is the experience like once landing on the ports?

I've heard how you are bombarded by people trying to sell you excursions and/or merchandise. A Southeast Asian family like us would be prey for the locals?

- I was hoping if it's possible, my ideal docking would be to cab to a local beautiful warm sunny beach and relax, possibly grab lunch at a local favourite restaurant (I'm a MAJOR foodie) then get back on the ship.

If possible, maybe do some small excursions (beachside snorkeling, or a quick water sport like jet-ski?)

Due to the baby and older member that won't participate we don't want to ditch them for 4-5 hours on a long excursion.

- Would anyone have suggestions where to go or what to do at each port stop?

- I guess I will also need to download the RC App to start reserving onboard shows and restaurants? Do those tend to fill up fast? Should I be worried and start booking right now? Which restaurants are recommended? I'm not even sure which ones are inclusive and which ones are pay.

- Also I've read conflicting reports about bringing wine onboard. Is it an automatic $15 bottle charge for bringing your own wine onboard or is it only charged if we bring it to drink at the restaurants? Is it more cost-efficient to just buy drinks on board if we only bring cheaper $10-20 wines? We won't be drinking much, mostly just me haha.

Sorry for all these newbish questions, I'm not the best at researching.

I just want everyone's first cruise to be a great experience.

If anyone can chip in or direct me to the appropriate forum if this is the wrong place, I would be appreciate that.

Thanks!