neptune18

Dress code definitely not strictly enforced. We went to Giovanni's first formal night and dining room on the second and never dressed up. I would estimate that only about half of males in dining room wore suits or ties and we even saw some people in shorts on formal night.

Sarajean- I don't want to start a battle but I couldn't agree with you more.

No problem.

We had 9694 and 9696, connecting ocean view balconies. I wouldn't change based on the temperature. We sleep at 68 at home during summer and even colder during winter and it was never a problem, just not as cold as I would have liked.

We also never closed the curtains during the day when in the cabin as that defeats the purpose of the balcony for us.

Lyndmar- Cabin cooling was just adequate, but never really a problem. It did seem to get a little warmer during the night after going to bed (usually around 2 am).

Canadian- I did not notice the parking lot as we didn't have a car. I have read in reviews, however, that parking is expensive.

Coconuts is right across the street from the Marriott. Kelly's is a 5minute taxi ride.

The pool at the Marriott is small but there's a nice bar.

You can go back to the ship for lunch at Labadee but it would be kind of a pain if you were down by Columbus Cove.

I don't know if Marriott has a shuttle. We were six people and I called the van which took us from airport to hotel. He charged $30 to port and I didn't want to deal with waiting for two taxis or one big one.

Wipeout was cooked to order eggs and buffet pancakes and french toast. JR was eggs, french toast, breakfast sandwiches, all cooked to order.

This was our second Allure Western. Did Oasis eastern last summer.

PRE-CRUISE:

Went down two days early and stayed at Courtyard Marriott Beach. Past two years we stayed at Embassy Suites. We liked Courtyard better due to great location on the beach. At E.S. it doesn't really feel like you're in Fla. or anywhere close to the beach.

Ate dinner at Coconuts and Kelly's Landing, both of which were great. Lunch on first day, as per tradition was at Firehouse Subs on our way to Total Wine and Publix. Second lunch was at Bubba Gump's, which we would not do again. A tourist trap IMO. We had planned to walk down to the inlet on Sat. to watch Oasis leave but it was raining some of the hardest rain we've ever seen with substantial flooding in the area. We watched from our hotel window as Oasis didn't leave until after six.

CABIN:

We had connecting ocean view balconies on deck nine, which is a great location for Central Park. Balconies were unusable 90% of time due to next door smokers who were almost always out there and always smoking when they were.

PORTS:

On Labadee we did the the waverunner tour. Our two boys each had their own waverunner and my wife was on mine. When it came time to open them up ours wouldn't go so a new one had to be brought out to us. Then, about a third through the tour, our son's would only go about 3/4 of top speed. Since we were too far out to get a new one my wife and I switched with our son. The tour staff was really good about taking care of us as (with almost no complaining) they deducted 50% of the cost for all of us.The rest of the day was spent on Columbus Cove, mostly in the water.

Falmouth. Pre-arranged with Reggae Tours for transportation to Doctor's Cave Beach in Mo Bay. This beach is gorgeous, one of the nicest we've ever been on. While there we paid $15 per person for a 45 minute snorkel session on a glass bottom boat. This was awesome and the snorkeling on the reefs about 200 yards off the beach was great. Lunch at the beach bar there was very good. The Hip Strip area where Doctor's Cave is located is very seedy with all kinds of characters approaching you for all kinds of things. Upon arriving, I literally had one foot out of the van when someone asked me if I wanted to buy grass. My 19 year old son was asked if he wanted marijuana, coke, crystal meth or Rx drugs. The vendors both on and off the beach are pretty aggressive as well. I wouldn't let this deter you from going to Doctor's Cave though, as it was really a great day.

On Cozumel we went to Paradise Beach and had a great time. The kids did the water toys and we had a very good Mexican lunch there. The new pool looks great.

SHOWS:

Saw Oceanaria, Chicago and Blue Planet, all for a second time. I love sitting out at the Aqua Theater on the first night of the cruise and this is a great show. We were disappointed in Chicago as we thought the two female leads were surprisingly weak and didn't compare talent wise to the other performers we have seen previously.

The comedy show was Kivi Rodgers and Rick Corso. Both were hilarious. The headliner was Earl Turner and you must see this guy. He is amazing with incredible energy and had the whole theater rocking. Alan Brooks, the CD, did a great job with the L&M show and the Belly Flop contest. The singer in the pub (Charlie Jourdan, I think) was outstanding.

FOOD:

I always read on CC that "food is subjective". I think that's true in the way that you may like lamb and I may hate it. Or my wife hates Asian and I love it. IMO food quality (the quality of the ingredients) and skill in preparation is not subjective. Having said that, the four nights we ate in the dining room were actually pretty good. The pork chop I had the first night was awful (a big disappointment for me as I am a big pork chop fan) and the prime rib I tasted on two different nights was of poor quality and preparation. Otherwise we were generally pleased with the food in the dining room. Did MTD but had same waiters, Norman and Justin each time.

We also ate at Giovanni's, which we always love, Park 150, which we loved and Vintages for tapas, which were delicious.

We only hit the dreaded Windjammer once (lunch) and ate most lunches at Park Cafe or the doghouse. Breakfasts were at the dining room (once) Johnny Rockets (once) Wipeout, which was surprisingly good (once) and Park Cafe, my favorite.

Royal needs to improve the lunch on Labadee. The food is pretty bad and nothing was hot. I acknowledge the challenge of feeding all those people on Labadee but it seems to be a weak effort.

MISC:

The crew was great and all went out of their way to be friendly and helpful. Of special note were the casino dealers (spent much time there) and our waiter, Oliver, in Park 150. I read about people giving out WOW cards and more than one crew member told us that they're not a big deal and they'd rather have cash and an excellent survey rating.

I also read some recent discussion about the temperature on the Allure and I can now officially confirm that the Allure is a hot ship. Although I do like it colder than most, the cabin was just adequately cool and never as cold as I would have liked. The dining room, Vintages and the Promenade all were hotter than I remembered but the theater was blissfully freezing.

Love the new wine policy and was able to bring on six bottles among my sister and wife. Spoke to some people who did the alcohol package and seems like a pretty decent deal if you're a drinker. I am but do mostly wine so it doesn't make sense to me.

CONCLUSION:

We had a great time and love this ship. I wish I was on her now. After three Oasis class cruises with the limited itineraries, I think we may be ready for something new. The Breakaway and three days in Bermuda (and no flights) has certainly piqued our interest and we will look into that or a trip to California.

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Bill or Gambee- What do you think about taking a cab to the Lago Mar and entering the beach there to walk to the inlet?

The ipod docks are in all staterooms.

Yes.

In all honesty...I am not sure why so many people make a big deal of wanting the bed by the slider...I have stayed in both floor plans....pluses and minus to each. I have even stayed in a cabin with the bed by the closet with the beds separated and had no issue accessing the closet...just get the side table out of the way...tuck it under the bed;) In reality the floor-plan with the bed by the closet opens the balcony up much more to the cabin....the bed by the sliders makes it more removed feeling. In any case both floor plans are fine...and I myself have come to like the bed by the closet even a bit better as of late.

I agree. Last summer on Allure the bed was by balcony. On Oasis this summer we knew going in that bed was by closet and I was concerned based on all I had read. Turns out it was a complete non-factor. Now have Allure booked for next summer not knowing or caring where bed is (as long as it's in the cabin).

Jkskrap- were the kayaks shown in your pictures included or were they rentals? Thanks

Felt little to no motion on Allure Western last summer. This summer on Oasis Eastern felt substantially more (which i like). We were in a forward cabin on deck 9 but I felt it all over the ship.

Ok – for the locals, or those with opinions!

 

We’ve had pre-cruise dinner at Gills, Atlantic Seafood, Boston Beef and Seafood, Roberto’s Little Havana and someplace on the Cocoa Beach pier and have enjoyed all of them. Either we are too easy to please or we are just so happy to be on vacation!

 

We are looking for a non-chain mid price range dinner restaurant for an upcoming Freedom cruise. Does not need to be fancy, after all we, will get many nice meals on the ship. We probably don’t want a steakhouse. Casual/pizza is fine, as long s they serve alcohol.

 

Any suggestions

Thanks Marci

Ps – would this question be better in a new thread?

We loved Rusty's.

Are there waverunners or Hobies to rent there?

Just got back from FOS yesterday. Rented a car from Avis and stayed at Residence Inn. It was fine, would stay there again. Ate at Fishlips and Rusty's. between the two, my wife and kids all agree the we liked Rusty's better. Way too hot to sit outside, though. Took Quicksilver back to MCO. Would definitely recommend them.

Leaving on Freedom this Sunday. My dopey kids will only eat steak with A-1 sauce. Do they have it in MDR/Chops/Portofino's?

Thanks. Will definitely check them out.

To anyone who has been, which do you prefer and why?

Thanks.

Spunky, do you know how far out you can make reservations for excursions and specialy restaurants?

I just got back Sunday from Freedom and had a great time. I wish the weather was a bit better but grateful that I am home safe. We docked in Haiti on Tuesday morning, but due to rain we did not stay. So relieved when I was watching CNN later in the day while getting ready for dinner and found out that there was an earthquake.

 

I did Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. You don't have to walk the falls if you don't want to. I did with some other family members but did not make it the whole way. In some parts the water was flowing pretty strong and I was nervous I was going to fall. I bought water shoes at the store across from Ron Johns in Cape Canaveral for $10. They sell them on the shipfor $20. I also didn't feel good, came down with a cold and ear infection while I was sailing.

 

Formal nights on the Western were Monday and Thursday.

 

We were to the airport by 10:30ish and we were set to get off the ship between 8:45 and 9:15. Our flight wasn't until 4:40. So it's possible to get to the airport in time but I wouldn't try it. We did have trouble with our pre-booked transportation but we did all make it there.

What ship and room number is this. We are looking at taking a cruise with our kids and i would love a balcony with connecting inside room. I didn't know there was such a thing available. Thanks

We have these booked for Freedom in August. They are 9396 and 9401, a balcony connecting to an inside.