Allure Sept 30, 2012 - The Most Disorganized Review Ever

[swwake]

Hi everyone! Thanks for all the comments. The Vegas (work) trip and Christmas have gotten the best of me, but I do plan to come back and write about disembarkation day and maybe a summary of our thoughts on the adventure. Keep me bookmarked!

[Eng23]

Hi Susan! I'm staying in the holding pattern waiting for the end of your review. :D

[duncanmaria]

Me too!!:)

[PathfinderEss]

Really enjoyed your review and great photo's. Thanks for posting them.

[swwake]

Well, maybe it's not disorganized, but it isn't finished 3 months later. I do plan to come finish, so stay tuned. I have some info about what we did on debarkation day that may be a tip for some of you.

 

If you've read this and my previous review/trip report, you can see that I never got off the ship on either report. I promise to get off the ship this time. Hopefully I'll be back this weekend to wrap.

 

Thanks for reading!

[Steppy08]

Well, maybe it's not disorganized, but it isn't finished 3 months later. I do plan to come finish, so stay tuned. I have some info about what we did on debarkation day that may be a tip for some of you.

 

If you've read this and my previous review/trip report, you can see that I never got off the ship on either report. I promise to get off the ship this time. Hopefully I'll be back this weekend to wrap.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

If you never got off the ship does that mean you'll still be there next week when we board? ;)

[Eng23]

Hi Susan! I'm staying in the holding pattern waiting for the end of your review. :D

Susan, this has been a long holding pattern for me. I'm almost out of fuel.......:rolleyes:

 

Otherwise I hope you and Chris are doing good and that you guys had a great Christmas and New Years. :)

[Eng23]

If you never got off the ship does that mean you'll still be there next week when we board? ;)

Ohhhh! Snappy comeback there. :D

[swwake]

If you never got off the ship does that mean you'll still be there next week when we board? ;)

Don't I wish! I'd rather be on a ship than doing taxes!

 

Susan, this has been a long holding pattern for me. I'm almost out of fuel.......:rolleyes:

 

Otherwise I hope you and Chris are doing good and that you guys had a great Christmas and New Years. :)

Sorry about that - I am back to finish tonight. We are doing great, very busy. But good.

[swwake]

Sunday morning was departure (from the ship) day. We had opted for the luggage valet service, which was about $20 per person, I think. We put our luggage out the night before, and the next time we saw it was in Austin Sunday afternoon! For people like us who have a long time between leaving the ship and our flight departure, this is a nice service, as we did not have to "lug" our luggage around during the day.

 

We were allowed to leave the ship any time before 10am, at our leisure. We planned to get up, have a decent breakfast, then leave the ship right at 10, to maximize our experience. But we woke up and were ready to go by 8:30, and with not much to do onboard, we decided to go ahead and leave.

 

On our way down our hallway toward the stairs and elevators, we noticed many of the stateroom doors were open, in various states of uncleaned, being cleaned, or completely clean and readied for the next cruise. We took a peek inside (well, we actually took full tours of) a Junior Suite and a Grand Suite. Since the room stewards nearby didn't mind us taking a look, we decided to detour to Deck 17 for a peek at the Crown Loft Suites.

 

This turned out to be no problem. When we stepped off the elevator, we were greeted by someone cleaning the elevator lobby and we asked if we could take a look. She said "sure". Then we found an open suite and asked the steward, just for good measure, and he pleasantly said "take your time, and let me know if you have any questions".

 

I wish I had had my camera ready to take photos, but unfortunately, it was packed away in my backpack, and we were moving pretty quickly. Also, the room was a little messy as he was cleaning.

 

If you aren't part of a cabin crawl, I recommend doing this on your last day. We decided not to tour all of the other categories, but I'm pretty sure we could have seem most, if not all of them. It was fun to walk through and dream of being upgraded one day.

 

Our impression of the rooms we saw?

JS - We have stayed in a JS on Liberty OTS. It was just as we expected, and we would opt to stay in a JS again, if the budget could carry it.

GS - Super nice. This would be a really nice splurge. We think that if we could get a Suite Guarantee or a GS guarantee, we might grab it one day and hope for one of these.

Crown Loft - at the risk of sounding negative, we pretty much decided we would not want to stay in one of these. A couple of reasons:

1 - too far above the water - 17 decks! or at least 13 decks. We really enjoyed our Deck 8 balcony and being closer to the ocean.

2 - risk that we may be assigned a Sports Deck view. We really would prefer the privacy and serenity of an ocean view.

3 - (and probably most important) - When staying in a CL, we would be sleeping in a bed, upstairs, toward the back of the stateroom (toward the hallway) and away from the window. This means you can't just roll out of bed and to the window, or out to the balcony, to get your morning ocean fix. I know - whine, whine, whine.

 

Anyway, after our little tour, we left the ship and caught a cab to Las Olas (you can ask the cab driver to take you to Cheesecake Factory). This is an upscale area with lots of shops and some cafes sprinkled in. We walked a little, but it was still early on a Sunday morning and not much was open. There were a couple of open cafes and coffee shops, but not exactly what we were looking for. We wanted more local flair, and a smaller budget.

 

So we looked at our iPhone maps and decided to hike it toward the beach. It's a straight shot, only about a mile and a half, so we thought that would be easy peasy. Well, we didn't consider that we were carrying backpacks with last night's clothes, all of our toiletries, and our computers and peripherals (a little heavy). And it was sprinkling. So we got a little wet. It wasn't bad, but we wouldn't do it again.

 

Along the beachfront, we found a place which advertised the "best burgers in Ft Lauderdale" and stopped there. (I can't find it on the map, but I want to say it was Bikini Beach or something like that, next door to Greek Express.) They were serving breakfast and I got a decent french toast and whatever Chris got was also decent.

 

We enjoyed a long brunch at an outside table, then wandered south, stopped by the South Beach Park to take in the view for a bit, and eventually picked up a cab from the Sheraton to the airport.

 

I'm hoping this post does help some planners with ideas about disembarkation day.

 

At the airport and on the flight home, we reviewed our photos, checked in on Cruise Critic, and reminisced about what we consider to be our best cruise experience ever. We are hoping to return to an Oasis class ship in the not-too-distant future.

 

To all those planning Allure and Oasis cruises, I wish you an amazing time. And I wish I could stow away! Cheers!

[swwake]

We would absolutely love to sail Allure or Oasis again. And since we returned home, I have thoroughly researched and budgeted a back-to-back on Oasis or Allure. I have it narrowed down to the week of Thanksgiving 2013 and either the week before or after. Our daughter Katie (and a friend) would join us for the week of Thanksgiving, and we would be on our own the second week, unless any or all of our amazing friends decided to join us.

 

We'd really love to do B2B, for the extra Flowrider time (without feeling pressure to be there every minute that it's open - haha) and just for the thrill of staying onboard on turnaround day.

 

So I've got it figured out. We have our Next Cruise certificates ready to use, I have calculated with Savings Certificates, and everything fits in the budget. I have enrolled in a price-watch service for a small fee, to watch for price drops myself. I have done numerous sample bookings on the RCCL website to see what kind of cabin availability exists, especially if we can keep the same room on a B2B. I have even talked to a travel agent (briefly), because I have decided it will be easier to let them monitor for price drops and/or upgrade availability.

 

I presented the plan to my husband and he told me "stop". Which was really weird. Since we had been talking about this and getting all excited for a month or more.

 

Well, he had something up his sleeve. 2013 will be our 15th anniversary. And he had a surprise. He had to eventually tell me the surprise so I wouldn't insist on booking the Allure/Oasis for Thanksgiving. And so I could get myself mentally and physically prepared for this vacation.

 

We have booked a 14-day sailing flotilla in the Greek Isles!! We have rented our own small sailboat, and we will be sailing with 10-12 other boats, including a lead boat. Each day, we have a briefing on our direction and our target stopping point. We can move as quickly or as slowly as we'd like during the day. Then in the evenings we will anchor or dock and have dinner onshore with our flotilla-mates. Then sleep on our sailboat.

 

I am so excited! 2 weeks without hair and make-up! In a bikini or sundress. On beautiful waters. With limited phone and email access.

 

So, unfortunately, this means we won't be taking an RCCL cruise in 2013. But we already have our eyes on 2014 and a possible Sunshine Class (depending on lots of factors they haven't announced yet), or a B2B Oasis Class cruise.

[whataboutport]

What a great review and what a great ending! Greek isles! OMG!

Anyway, loved your review and now I am really excited to try the Flowrider. Did you try the rock climbing wall? I haven't really found any posts on it. Wonder if I need to bring my climbing shoes....

[Steppy08]

Susan thanks for your review! It's been very helpful and has really made me more excited (if that's even possible!) for our upcoming trip. Now I just have to make it through the next 4 days at work.... ugh.

 

The Greek flotilla trip sounds amazing!

[swwake]

What a great review and what a great ending! Greek isles! OMG!

Anyway, loved your review and now I am really excited to try the Flowrider. Did you try the rock climbing wall? I haven't really found any posts on it. Wonder if I need to bring my climbing shoes....

Thank you. We didn't do the rock wall on Allure (or Oasis) - probably because open hours were always the same as Flowrider. But we have done it a few times on Liberty. You don't need climbing shoes, just bring a pair of socks. They provide shoes, helmet and harness. You have to be in dry clothes.

 

Susan thanks for your review! It's been very helpful and has really made me more excited (if that's even possible!) for our upcoming trip. Now I just have to make it through the next 4 days at work.... ugh.

 

The Greek flotilla trip sounds amazing!

I'm glad this was helpful. Enjoy your cruise! I'm an accountant, so I am always jealous of people on fabulous vacations in Jan/Feb!

[swwake]

I would like to say thanks to all of you for reading my story and for hanging in there until the end. I hope that I've been able to provide some tips that will be helpful to others. At the very least, I know reading reviews and trip reports always helps me get excited for an upcoming cruise, so hopefully this served that purpose as well!

[joand452]

I would like to say thanks to all of you for reading my story and for hanging in there until the end. I hope that I've been able to provide some tips that will be helpful to others. At the very least, I know reading reviews and trip reports always helps me get excited for an upcoming cruise, so hopefully this served that purpose as well!

 

Excellent wrap-up to the review!! Thanks so much for sticking with it. I've never done a review like this (only because I don't think people will be interested in what we've done, but I love reading others) and do appreciate the time and effort you put into it.

 

Your 2013 plans sound like a most excellent adventure! Happy Anniversary!!

[whataboutport]

Susan, since you are the Flowrider Queen, I wanted to ask you. What do ladies usually wear on the FR? I have a one piece that I'm bringing. Would that be ok, or should I get board shorts? I'm afraid if (when) I fall if I'll scrape up my skin on my knees or whatever, and I bruise very easily. Should I be worried?

[Eng23]

Whew!!!!! :rolleyes:

Hi Susan. So your most disorganized review has come to an end.:( I really enjoyed reliving our cruise through your eyes and words. I'm also glad to hear you and Chris are doing good.

 

Now all I can say is :cool: <-----This guys is jealous!!!! A Greek Isles sailing tour in your own sailboat, fantastic!!! Do you need a mate to do your cooking and so forth????:rolleyes: I might make myself available.....:D No?

 

Oh well I had to ask. I really do hope to sail with you guys again, maybe on a new Sunshine ship or the new Oasis ship that is planned. I hope this year brings you guys good health and new horizons. Take care! Harold....

[swwake]

Susan, since you are the Flowrider Queen, I wanted to ask you. What do ladies usually wear on the FR? I have a one piece that I'm bringing. Would that be ok, or should I get board shorts? I'm afraid if (when) I fall if I'll scrape up my skin on my knees or whatever, and I bruise very easily. Should I be worried?

The only reason you may want board shorts is to avoid a "wedgie" WHEN you fall :) Other than that, I'm more worried about my top than my bottom. Unless you have a racer-back style one piece, I'd still wear a t-shirt or rash guard. Things have a way of finding their way out of swim tops on the flowrider.

 

The surface is a tarp, stretched tight, much like a trampoline. It is a little bouncy and gives a little. So you won't scrape your knees on it. You may scrape your knees on the plastic grating at the top, once you have been swooshed up there by the water. I recommend rolling up into a ball when you realize you are falling, and trying to get onto your back. This saves knees and elbows from scrapes and bruises at the top.

 

P.S. Everybody falls. It's almost the only way off the flowrider. Have fun out there!

 

Whew!!!!! :rolleyes:

Hi Susan. So your most disorganized review has come to an end.:( I really enjoyed reliving our cruise through your eyes and words. I'm also glad to hear you and Chris are doing good.

 

Now all I can say is :cool: <-----This guys is jealous!!!! A Greek Isles sailing tour in your own sailboat, fantastic!!! Do you need a mate to do your cooking and so forth????:rolleyes: I might make myself available.....:D No?

 

Oh well I had to ask. I really do hope to sail with you guys again, maybe on a new Sunshine ship or the new Oasis ship that is planned. I hope this year brings you guys good health and new horizons. Take care! Harold....

Thanks for the compliments Harold! I do hope we get to cruise with you again sometime - maybe 2014?

 

As hard as I've tried, Chris won't accept any additional crew members on our sailing excursion. (I think he's trying to be romantic!)

[mrsmoku]

 

We happened to catch a glimpse of the lady from RCCL who we had seen on one of the Mighty Ships (or something) shows. In case you've seen those shows, it's the show about turnaround day on Oasis and she is the blonde lady who has to solve problems all day.

 

 

We saw the brunette when we went in September! I want to say her name is Ingrid or Isis but I know its not.

[whataboutport]

The only reason you may want board shorts is to avoid a "wedgie" WHEN you fall :) Other than that, I'm more worried about my top than my bottom. Unless you have a racer-back style one piece, I'd still wear a t-shirt or rash guard. Things have a way of finding their way out of swim tops on the flowrider.

 

The surface is a tarp, stretched tight, much like a trampoline. It is a little bouncy and gives a little. So you won't scrape your knees on it. You may scrape your knees on the plastic grating at the top, once you have been swooshed up there by the water. I recommend rolling up into a ball when you realize you are falling, and trying to get onto your back. This saves knees and elbows from scrapes and bruises at the top.

 

P.S. Everybody falls. It's almost the only way off the flowrider. Have fun out there!

 

Thanks for the compliments Harold! I do hope we get to cruise with you again sometime - maybe 2014?

 

As hard as I've tried, Chris won't accept any additional crew members on our sailing excursion. (I think he's trying to be romantic!)

 

Thanks for the tips! I"m always afraid of poking out my eyeballs. LOL I guess I'll wear a tank or something.

[marykdan]

Wow! It didn't seem disorganized at all! You told a story and kept me turning pages to get the entire vacation. Thanks!

 

PS: As an amateur grammar ****, I also appreciated your proper spelling and punctuation throughout. It makes for easy reading!

[swwake]

We saw the brunette when we went in September! I want to say her name is Ingrid or Isis but I know its not.

Isn't it fun to see those "celebrities" in real life? We keep the cruising shows on our DVR and return to them every now and then for our cruise fix between cruises.

 

Thanks for the tips! I"m always afraid of poking out my eyeballs. LOL I guess I'll wear a tank or something.

You are welcome. Yes, poking out the eyeballs is exactly what I meant (haha - never heard that one before, but I love it!)

[swwake]

Wow! It didn't seem disorganized at all! You told a story and kept me turning pages to get the entire vacation. Thanks!

 

PS: As an amateur grammar ****, I also appreciated your proper spelling and punctuation throughout. It makes for easy reading!

Thanks so much for the compliments. I'm glad you enjoyed and that's why I posted it!

 

Not sure if I mentioned it, but I am a grammar ****. My staff at work know it and always try not to make mistakes because I embarrass them. Some of my pet peeves are your/you're and their/they're/there. And subject/verb agreement. And oh so much more! haha

[whataboutport]

Isn't it fun to see those "celebrities" in real life? We keep the cruising shows on our DVR and return to them every now and then for our cruise fix between cruises.

 

You are welcome. Yes, poking out the eyeballs is exactly what I meant (haha - never heard that one before, but I love it!)

HAHA!! I didn't even mean it that way, but now that I re read it, :eek: LOLLLLL!