Long Time Royal - First Time Allure

[Ocean Boy]

If you read my note above, I only went in the WJ once, that was it. Too many other options.

 

And you did say that it wasn't bad.

[internetwhiz]

And you did say that it wasn't bad.

 

Yea, I said it wasn't bad. That doesn't mean it was good. Being smaller meant the traffic didn't flow well around the food bars. I don't know about seating because we went out on deck to eat our food. Just too many other choices that are far better than the wj.

[pittnh]

I'm disappointed that I didn't get more if a response to this. I've heard people mention the motion. How much do feel the ship move as compared to other ships? On Freedom I hardly ever notice that we're moving. I've also heard people say the the service a little lacking on these bigger ships as compared to Vision or Radiance class ships. Any thoughts on these or other differences?

 

 

 

 

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Service....excelllent.

 

Motion....you definitely feel it, more than my previous two cruises on smaller carnival ships.

[pittnh]

Why is the windjammer so bad? I get that it's crowded, but why? We're they expecting people to go elsewhere?

 

 

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Windjammer is fine, ignore the naysayers.

[Ocean Boy]

Windjammer is fine, ignore the naysayers.

 

Right, people have given their reasons for why they feel the Windjammer is bad but they are just nysayers.:rolleyes:

[internetwhiz]

So Allure is next up for us. I've been on twelve cruises (all on Royal) but this will be our first on an Oasis Class. So, for those with lots of experience with Royal and who HAVE sailed on Oasis or Allure, what surprised you about the big girls? Did it still feel like Royal? What kind of things are different. I want to be prepared to get the most out of a ship that is usually described as unique and different. MDR? Evening Entertianment? Pool/Sun Decks?

 

Sam, we loved the entertainment on Allure. That's a big part of why we are sailing again on her in two weeks. Chicago was out favorite, Oceanaria and Blue Planet were great, too. We weren't impressed especially with the ice show as it primarily seemed like a big commercial for Allure. Skating was good, just not wild about the theme. If someone hasn't seen an ice show on RC, I'm sure their impression would be different. The special guest was a gal who did sand art pics and it was awesome (pretty sure that was Allure and not Oasis).

 

There's so much and so many types of entertainment that there's something for everyone. We both did the Zipline and had a friend with a boardwalk balcony make pics.

 

Much to love, little to dislike on Allure. Enjoy! All cruises on RC are good in my book.

[Ocean Boy]

Sam, we loved the entertainment on Allure. That's a big part of why we are sailing again on her in two weeks. Chicago was out favorite, Oceanaria and Blue Planet were great, too. We weren't impressed especially with the ice show as it primarily seemed like a big commercial for Allure. Skating was good, just not wild about the theme. If someone hasn't seen an ice show on RC, I'm sure their impression would be different. The special guest was a gal who did sand art pics and it was awesome (pretty sure that was Allure and not Oasis).

 

There's so much and so many types of entertainment that there's something for everyone. We both did the Zipline and had a friend with a boardwalk balcony make pics.

 

Much to love, little to dislike on Allure. Enjoy!

She was on Oasis when we sailed. Has she moved to Allure? I thought she was amazing.

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Thanks for asking this question. We will be on Allure for the first time in Sept. And still have a million questions about her. Hopefully veteran cruisers will be helpful with answers ! We are so used to either the windjammer or MDR as choices to eat, it's going to be an adventure finding new places. We have been on Freedom several times and hardly notice any movement, I can only imagine Oasis class is even smoother ! Enjoy your cruise !

[pittnh]

Right, people have given their reasons for why they feel the Windjammer is bad but they are just nysayers.:rolleyes:

 

 

I guess I should say they are people who would complain about paying taxes after winning a million dollar lottery. Better?

[sleepless]

We ate both lunch and breakfast in the Windjammer on several occasions. Never had a problem finding an open table. It is just the two of us, so that does make it easier.

 

When we were on the Oasis, we skipped the Windjammer for lunch the day we embarked. I actually missed it. There is something about the crowds, the anticipation. The spark of 'I am on a cruise" was missing. We are going to have lunch in the Windjammer when we embark on the Allure in July.

 

If it is breakfast time, we will find a table first, then I get a cup of coffee. While I drink my coffee, DH searches out his breakfast. There is usually a server in the area offering juices. I will order those. When DH comes back with his breakfast, I grab him a cup of coffee, then I search out my breakfast. This works for us. We do something similar at lunch time. The trick for us is grabbing a table first, before we get our food.

[ksg]

You just can't compare the experience of Allure with Radiance (which we love) and Voyager class (which we like). We also love Wind Star, so you can see where we're coming from. So we planned to cruise with some friends, and they really wanted to try the "Big" ships. We had some reservations about it, but figured, what the heck, we'll be away with dear friends, so we'll make our own good time, even if we don't like the ship.

 

I usually treat a cruise as an opportunity to park my butt on a lounge chair and read and sleep all day (are you a chair hog if you never get up?). But our Allure cruise was entirely different. Too much to do, so little time to do it all. From the obvious, like the flow riders and zip line (think you need socks, definitely need shoes even if it's the Caribbean) to the surprise art found all over the ship. Tip, look at everything - even these things that to me looked a little like spittoons near the entrance to the Casino. There's miniature artwork to see in them!

 

Allure only felt crowded the first day and half - muster was a nightmare, and we couldn't get out of the ice rink to make it up to the sailaway party until we had almost cleared the channel. Getting back on the ship in Nassau was ridiculously crowded. And DH wanted to see the Superbowl in the On-Air club because it was a little chilly on deck, but when we got there, there was no room. So oh well, we put on jackets and watched it in the Aqua Theater, which was an experience unlike any other! How cool is that!

 

We actually were not loving it until day 2, when we saw OceanAria. Then we got what the ship was about. It was absolutely fantastic. As was every show we saw (I think we got them all in). The shows were far and away better than any we've seen on any other cruise. (This was my 13th cruise and I've been on 5 different lines). The ship is about being entertained and being busy. Of course you could park your butt and relax, but then you'd miss everything. And you'd miss the sight of me, a slightly overweight, 57-year old woman on a surfboard. I understand it was quite the sight, as they stopped the flow rider to pluck me up off the mat. DH very amused. And once we found that most of what we wanted to do also had views of the ocean, we were much happier. Boogie boarding (gave up on the surfing), ziplining, mini-golf, hot tubs (gorgeous), hubby enjoyed the rock wall, which I believe was higher than the ones on Radiance and Voyager classes - at least it looked that way.

 

The food in the MDR was very good. The only thing I would say about it is that while I liked MTD, which is pretty much a must if you go on these big ones, I missed having the same waiter each night. We ate at different times each night so never had the same waiter twice. And the only place you can get a poached egg is in the MDR. I like the Radiance WJ better - better selection of foods and I love to sit outside for breakfast. But we found tables in WJ even at peak times the two times we ate there. Tip, go all the way to the back. There were plenty of tables and you can get to watch people zipping.

 

Solarium bistro was nice for breakfast and lunch and we ate there several times. Liked Park Café of course, not wild about Johnny Rockets. Rita's Fiesta, although food was just OK, was a blast. However, hubby is a vegetarian and we neglected to tell them in advance, so "Rita" prepared him a special vegetable fajita on the spot, which was delicious. She got a WOW card for that one.

 

Anyway, we loved Allure so much, that two weeks after getting off we booked Oasis for same time next year. Superbowl at sea!

 

Did I highjack this thread? I guess I just wrote a review. Go for it!

 

Kim

[CruisesOnMyMind]

Windjammer is fine, ignore the naysayers.

 

I guess I should say they are people who would complain about paying taxes after winning a million dollar lottery. Better?

 

 

Oh I believe the OP is quite intelligent in that they will certainly take all the comments into consideration and do what they feel is right for them.:rolleyes:

[internetwhiz]

She was on Oasis when we sailed. Has she moved to Allure? I thought she was amazing.

 

I'll have to look back at my notes. I put the ice show down on the last day of the cruise this time. We might sneak in earlier in the week if space permits.

[SamFritz]

Thanks Kim! No apology needed. Lots of great information.

 

 

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[internetwhiz]

Thanks Kim! No apology needed. Lots of great information.

 

 

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Different strokes for different folks. We love Allure, we wouldn't be going again if we didn't. The alternate places that are free and great places to eat and mentioned by several are: Central Park cafe, solarium bistro for breakfast and lunch (is transformed into the Samba Grill (pay, and worth it) in the evenings, and we love the MDR for lunch on sea days. Hubby likes the chocolate breakfast in the MDR always on a sea day (ask your waiter).

[internetwhiz]

Don't forget to watch her sail out today around 430 to 5 EDT at portevergladeswebcam.com. The parade of usually seven ships starts about 4 pm with Allure one of the last to leave.

[truffles2]

Why is the windjammer so bad? I get that it's crowded, but why? We're they expecting people to go elsewhere?

 

 

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Apparently they were expecting everyone to go elsewhere as the WJ is even smaller than the ones on smaller ships! There is no egg station in the morning for breakfast either. It is very crowded. It was definitely a big disappointment. However, it was about the only disappointment....

[Cruising89143]

I guess I should say they are people who would complain about paying taxes after winning a million dollar lottery. Better?

 

The majority of reviews and comments about the Oasis twins comment in a negative tone when it comes to the WJ. Why should the OP ignore our opinions and accept yours?:rolleyes:

[internetwhiz]

Apparently they were expecting everyone to go elsewhere as the WJ is even smaller than the ones on smaller ships! There is no egg station in the morning for breakfast either. It is very crowded. It was definitely a big disappointment. However, it was about the only disappointment....

 

I think that's precisely why it's smaller...there's at least four or five other places you can go to eat...you can have breakfast alone multiple places...Solarium bistro, MDR, Johnny Rockets, Central Park, or donuts and coffee on the Boardwalk.

 

Lunch can be at the places above plus the hot dog place on boardwalk, and a reduced pay lunch at Trattoria...also there's the promenade cafe for both, and there's the Pizzeria noon and dinner, and I am sure I have forgotten other places.

 

Love Allure. 14 more days and we will be on there, again!

[internetwhiz]

The majority of reviews and comments about the Oasis twins comment in a negative tone when it comes to the WJ. Why should the OP ignore our opinions and accept yours?:rolleyes:

 

The world would probably be a boring place if all of us saw things the same way. Just as there are many cruise lines, and I wouldn't care to sail on some of them, everyone has their favorite lines, ships, eating places on ships. I know some folks who don't eat anywhere BUT the windjammer. I think that would be hard to do on Oasis class ships.

 

Have a great Sunday. Palm Sunday. Headed to church. It would be good to continue to provide the original poster with helpful information. All info is helpful. I'm sure this person will read and get general consensus of thoughts here, and then make their own decisions.

[Cruising89143]

The world would probably be a boring place if all of us saw things the same way. Just as there are many cruise lines, and I wouldn't care to sail on some of them, everyone has their favorite lines, ships, eating places on ships. I know some folks who don't eat anywhere BUT the windjammer. I think that would be hard to do on Oasis class ships.

 

Have a great Sunday. Palm Sunday. Headed to church. It would be good to continue to provide the original poster with helpful information. All info is helpful. I'm sure this person will read and get general consensus of thoughts here, and then make their own decisions.

 

 

I think that you missed the point of my post but yes, I'm sure that the OP is intelligent enough to read though the posts and make her own decisions.

[internetwhiz]

No, I just can find better things to do on Palm Sunday than to bicker. Life is good. Enjoy.

[feealicious]

All of the places sound yummy, cannot wait to try them all out in less then 2 months!

[Ocean Boy]

I guess I should say they are people who would complain about paying taxes after winning a million dollar lottery. Better?

 

If you had any experience reading past posts by those who feel the Oasis/Allure Windjammers are dysfunctional you would realize just how wrong you with the above statement.

[internetwhiz]

All of the places sound yummy, cannot wait to try them all out in less then 2 months!

 

You're gonna love it.