tinaky1114

Hi Tina! Was just watching my video a few months ago. I had heard that she moved out to Nevada and they got married! Have you been on any other NCL's since then? I have done the Breakaway twice and might go again this year and am planning on doing the Escape on the 5 year anniversary (exact date) of the Epic trip next year.

Hi Howard. Casey and Max are so happy. I will be visiting them in Vegas in less than 2 weeks. I see them at least twice a year. I have not been on NCL since the Epic trip. I was so disappointed in the experience that I have not wanted to chance it again. The only thing that made the trip was our group. I have been twice on Royal's Allure of the Seas. I am looking at doing a cruise over Christmas but haven't decided on the ship yet.

I did 4 solo cruise- NCL Jewel which I didn't care for.

Epic which was the most exciting in the sense that it was furthest away, and the Breakaway twice.

 

The focal point for me was 1) the Studio gatherings and 2) being able to play in the music venues. It adds a nice amount of structure.

It was very easy to meet other people - I found that we had non-solos joining us.

Howard, you know the Epic was the most exciting because of all of the people that were on it...lol. Did you know Casey and Max got married?

The risotto is my favorite but everything I have had at Giovanni's is wonderful. Entrees...I love the chicken or steak.

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Kim, you and Tom are back! A week without you and I have been having withdrawals...lol

Sorrentos for a late night snack? A few times!!!

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I have been reading a lot of negative reviews about the Allure especially in recent weeks. I am going on the Allure in January and I am hoping that those reviews is not the norm now that Quantum is out. Has anyone been on the Allure lately and has a good time?

I was on the Allure over Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. This was my second time on Allure with the first being December 2013.

If you have specific questions, please feel free to ask!

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Allure had Quest during Thanksgiving Week. I would have to look for Love and Marriage.

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Ditto what LMaxwell said about Western Route being shorter.

I am just off Allure from last week and would have no issues getting right back on her even having some issues. I felt bad for the people who were unable to do their excursions in St. Thomas because of the late arrival; however, Royal was generous in giving us OBC for the inconvenience.

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Well sheeeet, that's where our cabin is located and we embark in two days!:eek:

You are going to have a great cruise. The movement can be felt but it is not that bad. I feel like the swaying has helped me sleep better. That and the alcohol...lol

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I am on the ship as well and you can definitely feel the rocking motion. Of course, it is fairly similar to the movement I have felt every time I have sailed the Eastern route. I was on Allure last year Western route and felt nothing. I am on the same deck similar location. I have to agree that it was very nice of Royal to give a nice OBC for being late to a port. The only horrible thing is that tomorrow is the last day!

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Also, on Allure this week. I have heard some whispers that it could be another azipod issue but can't confirm. It has been a great trip anyway.

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On Allure right now and I personally was on the ship right at 12pm. Suites started boarding at 11:30. The email I received prior told me my deck was not board in till 3pm.

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Sorry for your loss. I also lost someone very close to me this year and will be on my own for Thanksgiving. I decided to do something different and get away for Thanksgiving, so I will be on the Allure. I figure that I can be around people when I want and not when I don't. I also will try snorkling and flowrider for first time.

Katrina, I am sorry to hear of your loss. I have been on my own for the holidays the last 5 years. I will be on Allure with you this year! A solo cruise over the holidays is great just for the reasons you mentioned. You can have company and alone time as you see fit. Look forward to meeting you!

I personally liked deck 8 as it was nice going out to the park in the evenings or grabbing tapas from Vintages to bring back to the room and enjoy on the balcony. I would think deck 6 would also be nice and convenient.

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My Thanksgiving cruise is going to be a good one. I was considering going with the premium package this trip but will definitely be buying the Ultimate with this deal!

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I have been on 3 Carnival

Cruises with the last being the Dream when it was1 or two years old. Then, I tried NCL Epic which was a disaster (sorry to anyone who likes NCL). I went on my first Royal cruise last December on Allure. I am going back on Allure over Thanksgiving but I would not hesitate to travel on Carnival again.

I enjoyed the MDR food better on Royal vs my last trip on the Dream except when it comes to dessert and Carnival wins.

I preferred the lido choices of food vs windjammer.

I love the specialty restaurant options

On Royal.

Entertainment to Royal hands down especially on Allure.

Activities very similar.

My service on Carnival was always positive with no complaints. I do feel the level of service experienced on Royal was a step above.

Even on my NCL Epic disaster, I enjoyed myself because I met some great people and there were a few employees who were great.

Any cruise is better than none at all!

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I loved the lychee martini at Rising Tides Bar on Allure.

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I loved the champagne bar with the drink package. The sweet staff made me drinks not on the menu that were fantastic. And, they always knew I wanted a bottle of water.

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Last year was my first time traveling with Royal after having been on 3 Carnival Cruises and 1 NCL. I enjoyed all my trips on Carnival, however, hated my NCL experience with the exception of meeting some great friends who also had a lackluster experience. I was nervous about trying another cruise line but wanted to travel of the Allure. My TA talked me into it and I am so glad she did. The experience on Allure well exceeded my expectations that I hope to travel on her again this year. I would definitely cruise on Carnival again and I am sure I would have a great time but my first choice will always be RCCL. The service, entertainment, and food quality combined together could not match any of my other experiences.

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I never had an issue booking specialty restaurants when I cruised in December and always about 7 pm. I booked all but one the day I dined.

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Sorrento's does make gluten free pizza on request and it takes about 15 minutes to make. They have cheese and pepperoni.

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On Allure the week before Christmas, you still had to sign the slips. I will say that there were a few times the bartenders would not hand me a slip but not often. I didn't find it was an issue. In fact, I kept all the slips to figure out if I made out on the package so I would know if it was worth it for the next cruise.

The answer was, "yes".

She can always get them at the MDR, Windjammer, and many of the specialty restaurants, but for other venues, you'd need to specify the ship (if the ship has a cafe promenade or cafe lattetudes, then she can get her specialty coffee there as well). I am not sure about the Starbucks on the Oasis-class ships, but I think I heard "no" for that.

Starbucks on Allure is not included in the Ultimate package or any drink package. All other venues were included.

On Allure they have a thermal suite but it is very limited. It is nothing like the Dream or Epic. I took the tour and it was not worth the money.

Here is my take on the package. I rarely drink when I go out because I am usually the designated driver. Traveled Allure on dec. 15th and bought the ultimate package. I love coffee but didn't get my money's worth on that..a couple espressos and was fine with the regular coffee the rest of the time. Didn't have one juice.

Alcohol... I loved having the flexibility of trying whatever drink I wanted and not have it feel like a waste of money if I didn't drink it. I feel as if I made out. I do have all my slips to figure it out at some point. I never felt as if I overdid the drinking as it was spread out over the day.

Loved having the bottled water...drank 8-10 bottles a day. On Allure they serve Crystal Geyser water not Evan with the package.

I probably wouldn't have drank as much as I did without the package but I found the convenience well worth the price. Next time, I would probably choose the premium and save the extra $10 per day...the difference of the ultimate.

As a few people have said, you cannot use the package with room service or bottles in the fridge. Not a problem, just bring a cocktail back to your room with you.

I did not have any wait time for drinks. Once the bartenders knew me they would get my drink run my card. They always knew I wanted a bottle of water so they just ran the card a second time having two transactions. This was also the same if I wanted a cocktail and a shot.

In the end, it is a personal preference.

Did you make it to the jazz club? Or get to hear the guitar player in the pub? How were they? Wii be on board this time next week.

I was on the Dec. 15th sailing. I did not make it to the jazz club. I spent a lot of time at the pub. Jimmy Blakemore should still be on and he is a lot of fun. Go up to the Viking Crown lounge for "Those Girls" duo. Tell them Tina from Ohio said hi.

Have a great time! I loved Allure. Staff was great during our week.