LIVE: Allure Western 7/1-7/8/12 with SilentBob007 and family

[Mal]

We walked off at 6:30 a.m., and I think some were before us...probably about 6:15. They said it would begin about 6:45, but we knew from experience it would be before then.

[sakigemcam]

We were on the same sailing. Great idea to post while onboard but the cost and the urge to "disconnect" definitely prevented me from doing so!

We are first timers but I planned obsessively - just a few impressions from me before I pass out - it's been a long day.

 

We were #77 for disembarkation and were amazed at the long customs line. That being said it wasn't an issue for us - we had a 12:25 flight so hopped a cab and were at FLL at 11:15. I usually think of ways to make things more efficient but I was too darn tired.

 

We sailed with our sons, 18 and 21, and we did a great job of avoiding the masses of kids. They were there, but with our planning and time in the Solarium which was our home away from our ocean balcony, it was wonderful. We were told there were 1,700 under the age of 16 on the ship! I get irritated at badly behaved kids (I always tell my kids, when watching badly behaved ones, "You never did that!") but never once had reason to.

 

One interesting note was about the Quincineras - the 15 year olds from Bolivia. We noticed them in their "wedding dresses" but learned more about them, I think from our MDR waitstaff. Every night at dinner, they had different big gifts waiting for them, and on the last night there was lots of celebration, almost in competition with the wealthy Ecuadorian family of SIXTY people in our section, who were celebrating "grandpapa's" birthday. All those grandkids were adorable and had nannies with them. Back to the Quincineras, my son was on deck and was handed and invitation by one of them to their debutante party - or whatever it is called. It was pre printed. Both my sons went with our encouragement (who gets invites to Quincineras in the States?). They said it was kind of awkward but they were still tickled at having attended.

 

Labadee was indeed HOTTTTT, the jetskis were great. Sadly, we saw kids begging for food beyond the fences while we were having lunch. The jetski attendant told me that Royal Carib built a school with meals for the kids in the area but they leave school to come and beg. Not our favorite site. And RC has created 350 jobs for Haitians. We got to our beach (Columbus Cove) very early but by noon were surrounded by people. One couple dropped their baby's dirty diaper right on the sand and left. UGH.

 

Jamaica, the guys ziplined. I walked through Falmouth - not fun. And all that haggling is awful. I got away with just one hair braid.

 

Cozumel was better as we went to a beach club for some amazing snorkeling and lunch and beach time. Clean, fab fish. We did the shopping in El Centro and at least felt like there was some culture, although, once again, there was plenty of haggling. I really don't like that.

 

Sea days were our favorite. Eat, read, nap, gym, stare at ocean, repeat. LOVED our MDR experience; I eat very healthy and felt I had plenty of choices. We loved the gym and the track.

 

I'm sorry I'm hogging your review! It was fun reliving it with you.

 

One more thing - smokers on balconies. I asked the smoker next to us if she would please quit for just one week. That didn't go over well.......

[CruiseLover15]

We walked off at 6:30 a.m., and I think some were before us...probably about 6:15. They said it would begin about 6:45, but we knew from experience it would be before then.

 

Good, thanks for the information.

[Jman1118]

We were on the same sailing. Great idea to post while onboard but the cost and the urge to "disconnect" definitely prevented me from doing so!

We are first timers but I planned obsessively - just a few impressions from me before I pass out - it's been a long day.

 

We were #77 for disembarkation and were amazed at the long customs line. That being said it wasn't an issue for us - we had a 12:25 flight so hopped a cab and were at FLL at 11:15. I usually think of ways to make things more efficient but I was too darn tired.

 

We sailed with our sons, 18 and 21, and we did a great job of avoiding the masses of kids. They were there, but with our planning and time in the Solarium which was our home away from our ocean balcony, it was wonderful. We were told there were 1,700 under the age of 16 on the ship! I get irritated at badly behaved kids (I always tell my kids, when watching badly behaved ones, "You never did that!") but never once had reason to.

 

One interesting note was about the Quincineras - the 15 year olds from Bolivia. We noticed them in their "wedding dresses" but learned more about them, I think from our MDR waitstaff. Every night at dinner, they had different big gifts waiting for them, and on the last night there was lots of celebration, almost in competition with the wealthy Ecuadorian family of SIXTY people in our section, who were celebrating "grandpapa's" birthday. All those grandkids were adorable and had nannies with them. Back to the Quincineras, my son was on deck and was handed and invitation by one of them to their debutante party - or whatever it is called. It was pre printed. Both my sons went with our encouragement (who gets invites to Quincineras in the States?). They said it was kind of awkward but they were still tickled at having attended.

 

Labadee was indeed HOTTTTT, the jetskis were great. Sadly, we saw kids begging for food beyond the fences while we were having lunch. The jetski attendant told me that Royal Carib built a school with meals for the kids in the area but they leave school to come and beg. Not our favorite site. And RC has created 350 jobs for Haitians. We got to our beach (Columbus Cove) very early but by noon were surrounded by people. One couple dropped their baby's dirty diaper right on the sand and left. UGH.

 

Jamaica, the guys ziplined. I walked through Falmouth - not fun. And all that haggling is awful. I got away with just one hair braid.

 

Cozumel was better as we went to a beach club for some amazing snorkeling and lunch and beach time. Clean, fab fish. We did the shopping in El Centro and at least felt like there was some culture, although, once again, there was plenty of haggling. I really don't like that.

 

Sea days were our favorite. Eat, read, nap, gym, stare at ocean, repeat. LOVED our MDR experience; I eat very healthy and felt I had plenty of choices. We loved the gym and the track.

 

I'm sorry I'm hogging your review! It was fun reliving it with you.

 

One more thing - smokers on balconies. I asked the smoker next to us if she would please quit for just one week. That didn't go over well.......

 

Sounds like you had fun. I was also on that sailing and the quincineras were very annoying. I am glad I do not have to talk in spanish for a little bit longer.

[jayzee]

You crack me up - you do know the whole reason a smoker gets a balcony is to smoke on it?!

 

Being an ex-smoker (and a healthy eater, marathoner, etc) I try hard to tolerate the smoke. I do like it when a smoker puts it out when others come around.

 

But then, I would rather be a smoker, French fry eating, couch potato, but understand that I can't!

 

I hope you still enjoyed your cruise! We always do!

 

Silent BOB - LOVED your review- Made my week here much more bearable living vicariously through you! THANKS!!

[JamesEM]

Thanks for sharing your review SilentBob007.

[relaxatsea]

Thanks, Silent Bob, I loved your review and photos!

[silentbob007]

I'll come back later today when I get home to embed photos and put up the last day. Early flight this morning.

[Just The 3 Of Us]

Fantastic review, SilentBob... Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us!!!

[suizas]

How much was your cab ride back to the airport? Thanks!

 

 

 

We were on the same sailing. Great idea to post while onboard but the cost and the urge to "disconnect" definitely prevented me from doing so!

We are first timers but I planned obsessively - just a few impressions from me before I pass out - it's been a long day.

 

We were #77 for disembarkation and were amazed at the long customs line. That being said it wasn't an issue for us - we had a 12:25 flight so hopped a cab and were at FLL at 11:15. I usually think of ways to make things more efficient but I was too darn tired.

 

We sailed with our sons, 18 and 21, and we did a great job of avoiding the masses of kids. They were there, but with our planning and time in the Solarium which was our home away from our ocean balcony, it was wonderful. We were told there were 1,700 under the age of 16 on the ship! I get irritated at badly behaved kids (I always tell my kids, when watching badly behaved ones, "You never did that!") but never once had reason to.

 

One interesting note was about the Quincineras - the 15 year olds from Bolivia. We noticed them in their "wedding dresses" but learned more about them, I think from our MDR waitstaff. Every night at dinner, they had different big gifts waiting for them, and on the last night there was lots of celebration, almost in competition with the wealthy Ecuadorian family of SIXTY people in our section, who were celebrating "grandpapa's" birthday. All those grandkids were adorable and had nannies with them. Back to the Quincineras, my son was on deck and was handed and invitation by one of them to their debutante party - or whatever it is called. It was pre printed. Both my sons went with our encouragement (who gets invites to Quincineras in the States?). They said it was kind of awkward but they were still tickled at having attended.

 

Labadee was indeed HOTTTTT, the jetskis were great. Sadly, we saw kids begging for food beyond the fences while we were having lunch. The jetski attendant told me that Royal Carib built a school with meals for the kids in the area but they leave school to come and beg. Not our favorite site. And RC has created 350 jobs for Haitians. We got to our beach (Columbus Cove) very early but by noon were surrounded by people. One couple dropped their baby's dirty diaper right on the sand and left. UGH.

 

Jamaica, the guys ziplined. I walked through Falmouth - not fun. And all that haggling is awful. I got away with just one hair braid.

 

Cozumel was better as we went to a beach club for some amazing snorkeling and lunch and beach time. Clean, fab fish. We did the shopping in El Centro and at least felt like there was some culture, although, once again, there was plenty of haggling. I really don't like that.

 

Sea days were our favorite. Eat, read, nap, gym, stare at ocean, repeat. LOVED our MDR experience; I eat very healthy and felt I had plenty of choices. We loved the gym and the track.

 

I'm sorry I'm hogging your review! It was fun reliving it with you.

 

One more thing - smokers on balconies. I asked the smoker next to us if she would please quit for just one week. That didn't go over well.......

[Mal]

We must have been sitting close to you. We opted to move away from Grandpapa's birthday bash. I couldn't hear a word my husband was saying, and some of the kids were up and running around, so we changed tables after the first night. I think we made a wise decision, since we could still hear them on the floor below. The debutantes were pretty annoying IMHO. I guess I have a BIG problem with them since we caught TWO of them stealing two towels off our loungers in Labadee when we went to the restroom for a couple of minutes. They had forgotten their towels and decided to help themselves. We were so fortunate to walk up on them just as they grabbed them! One girl gave the towel back instantly, and the other said she had put it down on our lounger and it was actually hers. She finally gave it back when I told her I was going to get a security officer. I don't mind large groups or large groups of kids, but these two groups thought Allure was a private yacht! No worries though....still had a wonderful time.

 

My advice - guard your towels and never leave your things (even for a quick break to the restroom.)

[newcrew42]

We must have been sitting close to you. We opted to move away from Grandpapa's birthday bash. I couldn't hear a word my husband was saying, and some of the kids were up and running around, so we changed tables after the first night. I think we made a wise decision, since we could still hear them on the floor below. The debutantes were pretty annoying IMHO. I guess I have a BIG problem with them since we caught TWO of them stealing two towels off our loungers in Labadee when we went to the restroom for a couple of minutes. They had forgotten their towels and decided to help themselves. We were so fortunate to walk up on them just as they grabbed them! One girl gave the towel back instantly, and the other said she had put it down on our lounger and it was actually hers. She finally gave it back when I told her I was going to get a security officer. I don't mind large groups or large groups of kids, but these two groups thought Allure was a private yacht! No worries though....still had a wonderful time.

 

My advice - guard your towels and never leave your things (even for a quick break to the restroom.)

 

Wow! I would have never guessed some one would take your towels. Good grief. You handled it well!

[suizas]

Thank you, Silentbob, for all your time and journaling! Can you confirm if you saw people doing 'tricks' on the FlowRiders or were they ony boogie boarding... ? :-D

[Sue Dawson]

Cozumel was better as we went to a beach club for some amazing snorkeling and lunch and beach time. Clean, fab fish. We did the shopping in El Centro and at least felt like there was some culture, although, once again, there was plenty of haggling. I really don't like that.

 

Which Beach Club in Cozumel? We are trying to plan our December cruise now and just trying to figure out what to do in each port.

 

Thanks,

[silentbob007]

Thank you, Silentbob, for all your time and journaling! Can you confirm if you saw people doing 'tricks' on the FlowRiders or were they ony boogie boarding... ? :-D

 

There was one FlowRider for stand-up and one for boogie boarding. I believe that if you've been going for a while, they want you to do a trick and wipe out.

[silentbob007]

Day 7: Last Sea Day

 

The last day ... the dreaded packing day ... finally reared its ugly head. As per routine, my dad and I headed to the Concierge Lounge for breakfast. My mom and niece went to Johnny Rockets which surprisingly wasn't super busy after 8 AM. At 10:30, my dad and I attended the Captain's Corner which was held in the Aqua Theater. Attendance was fairly light, so everyone who wanted to ask a question got to (and some more than one ... just one question for me).

 

At noon, we went to the D+ backstage theater tour. This was a little different from our Oasis experience in that most of the principles from Chicago were there for a Q&A that lasted as long as there were questions. After that, we were invited on stage and back through the dressing rooms. We had also planned to go on the galley tour at 1, but the stage tour took longer than expected and I had also neglected to notice that you needed shoes and long pants for the tour ... oh well ... maybe next time. We grabbed lunch at the Park Cafe and then split up for a bit.

 

We had our last show reservations for Ice Games at 3. We arrived around 2:45 and were honestly a bit surprised about how lightly attended the show was ... I suppose people wanted to make the most of their sunny afternoon. I enjoyed the show (as always), but found it odd that they worked in places from around the ship in their Monopoly theme. It almost seemed like advertising.

 

After the show we headed up to the cabin to start thinking about packing and getting ready for dinner. The lasagna and surf and turf (steak and shrimp) were the highlights of dinner (I believe this menu is usually earlier in the week but was changed for the 4th).

 

There was no production show scheduled for the last night, so it was time just to visit around the ship, pack, and otherwise get ready to leave. They did show Madagascar 3 in the main theater at 8:30, but my mom went and said it was pretty much impossible to watch the movie with kids running and screaming everywhere.

 

After packing, I headed down to the casino for a bit. For the "spin to win" coupons on the Allure, the lowest prize is now a raffle ticket for a drawing at 10 PM on the last night when you must be present to win. There were probably 40 or so people milling about waiting for the raffle when it finally started (beyond those playing elsewhere in the casino). About 6 numbers were drawn before a winner was actually present ... me. I won three more "spin to win" tokens, a key chain, 3 match play coupons, 1 complimentary drink coupon, a Casino Royale t-shirt, and a Casino Royale polo shirt. Couple this with me almost doubling my money at the $2 video blackjack machines, and it was finally a successful night at the casino.

 

Bags were packed and out by 11 PM, and then it was time to call it an early night.

[silentbob007]

Odd costumes by cmong, on Flickr

 

Candy fight by cmong, on Flickr

 

twirl by cmong, on Flickr

 

Upside Down by cmong, on Flickr

 

Giovanni's on Ice by cmong, on Flickr

[silentbob007]

Hold it together by cmong, on Flickr

 

Carrying the costar by cmong, on Flickr

 

Hair Spin by cmong, on Flickr

 

Double spin by cmong, on Flickr

 

Dramatic moment - Your princess is not in this castle by cmong, on Flickr

[silentbob007]

Go to jail by cmong, on Flickr

 

Jailhouse Rock by cmong, on Flickr

 

Pick a card by cmong, on Flickr

 

Jump around by cmong, on Flickr

 

Great audience reaction by cmong, on Flickr

[silentbob007]

In the spotlight by cmong, on Flickr

 

Limber by cmong, on Flickr

 

easy right? by cmong, on Flickr

 

Ouch by cmong, on Flickr

 

stretch by cmong, on Flickr

 

Balance by cmong, on Flickr

[ksg]

Thanks for your lengthy review. I appreciate the work you put into it. I was wondering with respect to the Casino, what is the "Hall of Odds?" Is that where the slot machines are? or other tables?

 

We're oceanview on Deck 3 this February and it appears that our cabin may be right under this section. I love a slot machine as much as anyone, but not when I'm trying to sleep. Any advice would be helpful.

 

Thanks,

Kim

[silentbob007]

Thanks for your lengthy review. I appreciate the work you put into it. I was wondering with respect to the Casino, what is the "Hall of Odds?" Is that where the slot machines are? or other tables?

 

We're oceanview on Deck 3 this February and it appears that our cabin may be right under this section. I love a slot machine as much as anyone, but not when I'm trying to sleep. Any advice would be helpful.

 

Thanks,

Kim

 

There are two hallways from Entertainment Place to the casino that go around the ice rink. I would assume that the hallway you are talking about is the one with "odds" of certain events happening printed on the wall. This hallway has a few machines but is mostly taken up by the two blackjack machines and one video three card poker machine. These things do constantly invite players to join in, but I have no idea how loud it would be through the floor.

[milhouse0506]

Thanks for the review! Every time I see reviews from these ships it makes me want to go on them even more...maybe some day

 

P.S. - Boiler Up! (DW is in grad school at Purdue)

[sakigemcam]

Really I feel bad now for hijacking your review but I just won't be able to do a full one on my own - I am more tired now than before the cruise! I hope you were okay with my chiming in. :eek:

Beautiful photos - I have no idea how to cull 650 photos even for Facebook - we have these amazing underwater snorkeling shots!

Again, I hope you didn't mind. :rolleyes:

[sakigemcam]

Sounds like you had fun. I was also on that sailing and the quincineras were very annoying. I am glad I do not have to talk in spanish for a little bit longer.

LOL - we found the quincineras to be a fun cultural experience considering our region is boringly homogeneous! My Sweet 16 lasted about 10 minutes lol....