Allure of the Seas with Kids (June 2011)

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[caseymorgan]

LeeBob,

 

What cabin number were you in? We will be in Boardwalk Balcony 11317 and I'm trying to get a feel for our view vs. yours.

 

Love the review and photos. Thanks!

[Puffinater]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review and pictures.

[LeeBob]

LeeBob,

 

What cabin number were you in? We will be in Boardwalk Balcony 11317 and I'm trying to get a feel for our view vs. yours.

 

Love the review and photos. Thanks!

 

Your Cabin will be fantastic.... you will be seventh from the far aft (aqua theater area). Our cabin was nine or so more in...and two decks below.

 

We did not get the type of view that I think you will of the shows going on---although it did not matter since we wanted to "attend" these anyway. We did watch entertainers warming up, etc during the afternoons from our balcony. Also, I believe that your deck (or the one right above you) may have the public balcony at the end of the hallway-- that is very cool and not utilized much. We did not get out there, but I have read from others that it is a great place to hang out.

[LeeBob]

We had reserved tickets for the Dragon's tail coaster (with our time opening up at 11:30) and we had booked the Arawak Water Park (I think it was at 12:45). We were not in a huge hurry to get off the ship.. although

 

I was up bright and early to walk around and enjoyed going to the back of the ship on deck 5 (track--where they have the old steamer chairs, etc.) Never too crowded and nice view practically at water level. If you are up before 8:30 or 9--especially on at sea days, this is great time to go out and walk around, go down to the boardwalk and get some coffee, walk to the back of the Aqua Theater--they have a shuffle board back there, and you can take the stairs down next to the rock climbing wall and you will find yourself at the track level and this special place. Quiet time and views!

 

NOTE: Early one day (Saturday--as we sailed back east) I tried to go to the observation deck at the front area and it was closed due to winds--although I beleive it was from the night before as the day was very nice, so I went upstairs to the Solarium to get some sunrise photos. More on those later.

 

Back to Labadee-- we got off and walk through different area, and the marketplace. We bought a few things for the kids and found where our activities were to be. A man pulled out some beach chairs for us and we took a place at adrenaline beach for a little while. Bring some dollar bills to tip these people. We were right near the life guard chair, and when we went to do the rollercoaster-- he watched our towels, and a few things. And I tip him. I took the camera and important stuff.

 

The check-in for the roller coaster was kind of a mess. There were two lines--one for those with tickets and another for those who didn't have them. The problem was that those without them did not pay any attention to the signs...and it was a little bit of a free for all. We had pre-booked this and it was frustrating to stand in line and watch the guy in the "have ticket" line deal with those purcahsing tickets. Also, on the way to the beach-- the palce was not nearly as packed, but when we went back to check in it was crowded. I recommend that if you have this excursion booked to go there early and get the wrist band/ticket that they will give you for your time and not wait until 15-20 minutes before your scheduled time. Also, you will need to fill out the waiver forms AGAIN--even if you had done all of it before, etc. So plan on it. This was true at the water park, too.

 

The coaster was really cool. It was like an alpine sled-type vehicle. FYI- if you have younger kids say under 11 or 12, I would just buy 2 tickets. The cars are built for two-- so one child rode with both my wife and I.

I saw some of the older kids that must have bought an unlimited pass-- who would come off and run back to the front of a priority-type line. So if you have a teenager who would like this type of thing-- that look like a blast for those kids...I do not know the costs.

 

Because of the delay in getting checked-in-- we had to rush lunch which was said to be brought over from the ship. It was basically a barbeque/buffett and was OK.

 

The water park was pretty good. You have everyone put on a life vest and it is well patrolled with life guards. There is a little locker area there, & for four bucks they charge to your seapass--you get a token for use. The climbing and sliding toys, etc. were a little difficult for the 5-year old--and required a some strength and it was a work-out. The time went fairly quickly-- and they call everyone back in so they can get another group out--so don't be late.

 

It was lightly sprinkling while we were there, not a big deal since we were in the water. Afterward, we went back to the ship and had not seen the flow rider and headed up that way. We were onboard about two-hours before we were to leave, and there were very few people in line so we all took turns on the flow rider..with the exception of the five year old who was just a tad too short. This was AWESOME. As I said before, try some of these things out early in the week b/c I am sure that Thursday and Saturday-- things get a bit more crowded with those who haven't done it-- want to.

 

 

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

First, I will say that Falmouth is going to be a wonderful port. I think it already is-- but you can see where it is going and it looks great. Yes, there is work to be done but from what I can tell it should be at 80-90% up and running by the end of summer.

 

Second, I like Jamaica. Some people simply don't, and that's ok. I am looking forward to coming back here on a future trip to see how it all turns out. The good thing about it-- is the eco dev of this area, and that it is situated between Ocho Rios and MoBay so you can go to either or do things closer by. With the kids, we opted not to do another excursion here, and the forecast was for rain in the afternoon so we were glad that we had not booked anything. I think the rafting trip looked very interesting though.

 

What we did was a 35-40 minute tour via a trolley/tram thing that you can book right there at the port. It was $10 bucks a person and was a great way for the kids to see some culture. We bought a few things while we waited for our time. If you choose to do this, I would go there early and try to get tickets since it appeared that those after us-- maybe had to wait for two more trips (which I translated to about an hour-and-a-half). And I noticed some people who inquired--then left b/c I guess it was too long of a wait.

 

( FYI- we were not the first people off we usually ate at the Park Cafe and then headed out about an hour or so after we arrived places with the exception of Cozumel-- where we went to Xel-ha and had Ferry to catch so we met with others at 7:30AM. )

 

The trolley tour was a good little tour that drove around town with a police escort. The narrator discussed the area, and pointed out different historical places. Stopped by a church where goats were all over the place, saw a grave yard --like the ones in New Orleans, as school-- they children all ran to the fence and waved, and the local hospital where world record sprinter (Bolt) was born.

 

Good controlled way for the kids to see how others live. Afterward, we took the free bus that was offered to Rose Hall Shops... this I believe was courtesy to guest since the port is not completed. Basically, an outdoor mall with lots of jewelry, leather, etc. places. Some good deals here for the shopper. Daughter got a watch, and I got some Blue Mtn. Coffee. It was then beginning to rain a little and everyone was wanting to get back so the line forming for the bus back was growing and we cut things short a little bit.

 

I would recommend both if it is a nice day and you are not booking something else. If you had to do only one, I would defintely just go with the short tram tour as it is right there, easy and you can get back on the ship when you are done. You can buy coffee, rum and jerk food right there at the port.

 

The Rose Hall thing took about twenty minutes to get there and you get to catch a glimpse of the plantation house but nothing more. I would probably do Dunn's River or rafting in the future.... we've been to Rose Hall before when staying in the area and it was good historical tour. Previously snorkeled in MoBay area-- and it was not the greatest compared to other places, and we did that at Cozumel stop.

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[LeeBob]

[livingis2me]

I'm enjoying your review and photos. Keep it coming. :)

 

Ron

[kath00]

Gorgeous pictures! Thank you so much!!!