Return to Allure - A different review.

[jarz85]

I enjoyed the headliner show. I can't believe I didn't write down his name. Anyone from our roll call want to jump in here? Supposedly he has a Vegas act. Now, I'm no fan of Vegas and almost never go to casinos, so I don't know how impressive that is, but I liked the guy. He had a small Royal Caribbean orchestra behind him and he sang a lot of early 60's to 70s songs that a person my age would enjoy and made it interactive for the crowd. I did enjoy it.

 

 

I believe this sounds like Tony Tillman. He did Sammy Davis Jr. in a Rat pack show in Vegas. We had him on our cruise and he was great.

 

OWD

 

I think it was Earl Turner... he liked himself a lot more than I did. This was the only show we went to that people left early... he needed some back up singers/dancers

[BillOh]

I think it was Earl Turner... he liked himself a lot more than I did. This was the only show we went to that people left early... he needed some back up singers/dancers

 

Earl Turner it was.

 

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

[Cruzin-K]

There is a reason to go on Allure/Oasis, they offer the refresher course in their pool.

 

No thanks :) First time on the Allure, and I'm not going to use up time for that. Besides, it's the second half of a B2B (first half is Jewel) and I might want to dive somewhere in the Southern Caribbean that first week. Taking classes on the Navigator was different - the ship didn't have as much going on. I'll just do the refresher at my dive shop here in Texas - in their nice little warm pool.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

I think it was Earl Turner... he liked himself a lot more than I did. This was the only show we went to that people left early... he needed some back up singers/dancers

 

We had reservations for that show, but decided to not go. The reservations were for a late show and we were just too tired. We concentrated on the major shows instead.

[BillOh]

I think it was Earl Turner... he liked himself a lot more than I did. This was the only show we went to that people left early... he needed some back up singers/dancers

 

What about your Mom? He was singing more stuff from our time than yours.I enjoyed it, but if I was in Vegas, I wouldn't pay to see him. He was kind of a cross of Tom Jones and Nat King Cole I thought.

[BillOh]

There isn't too much left to go for this somewhat minimalist review. Two sea days and disembarkation. The first Sea Day was the cabin crawl. I had never done one before and didn't think I would be interested in it. But if you are going to do one, this class of ship is the one to do it on. I think the only two cabins were didn't have were an inside (who cares?) and the Presidential Suite? I don't know if I have any good pictures, but I'll see tonight. I loved the Loft suites and the Aqua theater suites. The junior suite is also very nice, but IMO not worth the additional money for two people over the D class balcony. When you book on RC's website I think it told me $79 per person/per day additional for the JS. Let's call that $1100 more for a 7 day cruise for two people. At the time of booking, I didn't think it was worth it. Had their been a price drop, as there was in 2011, I might have considered it for as much as $500 more since we paid this one off early. Friday was the last formal night, which we did skip. We had an uneventful dinner in the WJ.

[BillOh]

Post cruise drepression, more like back to work depression, I've been lagging. On Gina's list of things she didn't do on the first time we cruised was the cupcake class. I signed her up for the Friday sea day. She was happy to find out they were making the puppy dog cupcake int that class.

 

There were about 10 people in the class and Gina had a great time along with Rick

 

The final product.

 

 

Oh, yea, on my frst Allure review I mentioned how I didn't interact wtih the Dreamworks characters. Just as the cupcake class was starting, it suddenly got load in the Promendade as this pair dropped in.

 

 

One of my Friday highlights will Gina assumed her spot at the Beach pool was the Q & A with the senior crew members. \

 

My question was if there were any new ports opening up for the Oasis class ships. I was told no. Ken Rush did mention that Allure did visit Costa Maya once. I imagine the pier is big enough, but I didnt' know that. Supposedly they stopped in St Kitts once. How did I miss that? The topic did come up about Oasis to a TA and staying for a short period. Ken did say Allure would do the same thing in 2016.

 

The Quantam did come up and Ken's boss did say nothings definite but Ken did have the inside track to be the first CD.

Edited May 19, 2013 by BillOh

[tarajean1962]

Nice updates and pictures, Bill. The cupcake class looks fun.

 

Tara

[BillOh]

Since there are a couple of other reviews of the same cruise going on or coming soon and I just have one day left, I think I'll rush through that and summarize this trip.

 

One of the themes of this cruise, it being our 2nd on Allure was trying things we didn't last time. I am not that much of a drinker, but my wife liked the Royal cooler bags that are available, so on the final sea day, I decided to help her get one. She thinks it will be useful in the future. I found you could get a mix of 8 drinks, so I got 4 Coors lights and 4 Mike's Hard lemonades. I purposely didn't look , but I probably paid over $50 for this bag! But Gina secured her spot by the beach pool. Wanting to spend time with her and relax that last day, I I started on those Coors lights and was relaxing in the beautiful weather.

 

By 11am I had all 4 of my beers done and 1 one the Mike's hard done. We had our new cooler! I was feeling very good by the time I had 5 drinks in me before noon. I began to watch, probably with less discreetness than I thought I had, a nice looking 40 something lady who had her top straps undone for tanning purposes. I think I was wondering what was holding her top up. She looked over at me, smiled, pulled the top all the way down, then back up again quickly. Another cruise first, and the 2nd pair I had seen this cruise. About noon a 20 second rain came, enough to allow us to move closer to the pool.

 

I did Blue planet again this night and I was grateful that they did complete the one scene with the trampoline that they skipped when I was there in 2011, so now I've seen the whole show.

 

Dinner was good the last night, I think I had the steak ,but I'll review when I get home tonight. It was only the 2nd time in 7 nights we had a full table.

 

Embarakation sounded average by many reviews I've read. In 2011 we early disembarked and walked right off the ship. This year my flight wasn't till 4pm so we did the Everglades Boat ride, a second time for us. Our group was called to leave the ship right on time. It took us about 20 minutes to get our luggage, find out way to customs and get through customs at that time (8:45am) It was organized and went well. I think there were about 8-10 customs lanes open. No problem.

 

Quick Summary:

Ship - New menu - Mixed. I loved what I ordered, never tried any of the repeat alternatives on the menu.

 

Ship condition. - Still looked new, somethings were no finished, more plants in Central Park - Very good still. Flowrider, sports deck, pools all looked great. The towels were brand new and nicer when I was on in 11, those towels, now 2 years old are being used by the crew. The pool towels this time are the same ones I've seen on other cruises recently.

 

Embarkation - even better this time despite sequestration issues.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Bill - I LOL when I read your pool story! Nothing that exciting in my review. You must attract them.;)

 

Great review! Thanks.:) I love the different perspectives on the ship. On a ship this size with so many options no two people will have the same experience.

[BillOh]

Bill - I LOL when I read your pool story! Nothing that exciting in my review. You must attract them.;)

 

.

 

No, this was a first for me.

[tarajean1962]

Awesome review, Bill!!:D Thank you so much for sharing!

 

Tara

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I'm surprised it took me so long to read your review Bill. Just touching base in here to update everyone on my head injury. I'm still dealing with issues today. The Broward County trauma center did not take care of me at all. If they had stitched my wound the first day, things would be much different. They put one staple in that ended up getting infected. I continued to bleed for quite too long including on the cruise and again after I got home and had the staple removed. Now I have a hole in my scalp that needs to be packed twice a day. I am also suffering from headaches and dizziness. The trauma center had indicated I didn't have a concussion but 3 different doctors in my home town including our emergency room that I had to visit all confirmed a concussion. I should never have been released from the hospital with my head still bleeding.

 

I received the official police report in the mail today and gotta say I am really disappointed in how the officer wrote it all up. Calling the bicyclist (pedestrian #1.):rolleyes:

 

I did have a great cruise thanks to so many wonderful friends. All my Arizona Cruiser friends that I've known for years and all my new friends which included Bill & Gina as we really hit it off and I enjoyed their company immensely. I just wish my head would already be healed. I have to pack the wound twice a day now with gauze and I go back to see the surgeon in 2 days to check on my progress. It is too late for them to stitch it up so I just have to wait until the hole fills in naturally. At least I'm not bleeding anymore and the antibiotics I'm still taking have cleared up the infection.

 

I was unable to wash my hair until Tuesday on the ship so I went to the first formal night with my bloody hair in a ponytail.:( Thank God nobody could tell I had a bloody head tucked underneath all my hair.

 

The coke machines were often out or broken I can attest. I was surprised so many selections were greyed out-unavailable. Mostly toward the end of the cruise.

 

Headliner show we left after about 20 minutes. I regret I didn't get to see Oceanaria. I had reservations for the first night but my head was hurting so we called it a night and never made it back to see it.

 

Enjoyed all the other shows I saw. I only sang 2 karaoke songs on one night. I normally sing every possible opportunity because it is fun to me but I just didn't feel well enough to stay up so late. Karaoke never started before 10:30 and often started after 11:30. I just couldn't do it. The concussion made me extra tired and I was usually crashed before 10.

 

Thanks again to Bill & Gina for being there for me at the bridge and waiting for the rent-a-cop to show up.:p

[Arizona Laura]

Bill..great perspective of the cruise.

 

Lisa..hope you heal soon and your headaches and dizziness resolve. We’ll check you out on June 15th!! What a mess for you!

 

Laura

[2Cruzin Fools]

"Embarakation sounded average by many reviews I've read. In 2011 we early disembarked and walked right off the ship. This year my flight wasn't till 4pm so we did the Everglades Boat ride, a second time for us. Our group was called to leave the ship right on time. It took us about 20 minutes to get our luggage, find out way to customs and get through customs at that time (8:45am) It was organized and went well. I think there were about 8-10 customs lanes open. No problem. "

 

Hi, thank you for the great review! We were on Oasis last year so we are familiar with the ship size and are looking forward to seeing the different shows Allure has when we sail her in September.

 

We are considering the Everglades Boat ride since our flight home isn't until 2:33pm and have some questions:

 

Did both you and your wife enjoy it?

 

Did you feel unsafe or worried about gators or snakes at all?

 

Please briefly describe the tour (better than RCCL's description) so we will know what we might be getting ourselves into.

 

What time did you get back to the airport?

 

Thank you for your thoughts!

[LBumb]

great review

[BillOh]

"

We are considering the Everglades Boat ride since our flight home isn't until 2:33pm and have some questions:

 

Did both you and your wife enjoy it? {/quote]

 

Yes, the first time it was enjoyable and I saw quite a few alligators. I got lots of good pictures. Afterward they steer you into a live alligator demonstration that I am not fond of. I have no desire to see a man put his head in an alligators mouth. I dislike rodeos and circus acts with animals. but the boat ride is pleasant, kills time and they take care of your luggage all day.

Did you feel unsafe or worried about gators or snakes at all?

 

No, but I would like a little common sense prevails, follow instructions and things should be fine.

 

Please briefly describe the tour (better than RCCL's description) so we will know what we might be getting ourselves into.

 

25 minute bus ride (on weekends, airconditioned) You pull up into an area with a gift shop, snack bar and small stage. Restrooms are clean and there are enough of them. You board an airboat that seats up to around 20 and go on a 45 minute ride. When you get back they will take a souvenir picture which is reasonably priced at $10. I think we were back at the airport before 1pm.

 

This was our 2nd time, I wouldn't do it again most likely, unless I couldn't find anything else to do.

 

Thank you for your thoughts!

Edited May 21, 2013 by BillOh

[BillOh]

Randy from 4/14 reminded me, we did do lunch in the MDR on Friday after our cabin crawl. The salad was great and the whole experience so much better than the WJ, especially on a sea day. Another thing off the didn't do first time list.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

We are considering the Everglades Boat ride since our flight home isn't until 2:33pm and have some questions:

 

Did both you and your wife enjoy it?

 

Did you feel unsafe or worried about gators or snakes at all?

 

Please briefly describe the tour (better than RCCL's description) so we will know what we might be getting ourselves into.

 

What time did you get back to the airport?

 

Thank you for your thoughts!

 

We (AZ Cruisers group & Bill) did the everglades airboat too. It was enjoyable. We saw several gators and got some good photo ops. The boat is loud when it is hauling fast but most of the time it is just idling creeping along looking for gators. Completely safe as long as your arms are inside the boat. Don't go touching the water.;) You could easily skip the show after. As Bill described, it wasn't all that great but we did get to hold a baby gator and get a picture for $5 donation following the show. I think we got to the airport around noon but I'm not sure. We had lots of time before flights. I think Bill & Gina's flight left around 2:30 and we all had time for lunch at the airport.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

[2Cruzin Fools]

Thank you very much for the information and pictures on the airboat tour. We are still on the fence about doing it but definitely appreciate your input.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Thank you for the great review, Bill.:)

[Brandonclan]

Nice review Bill!!

We were on Oasis 5-4-13 eastern and loved evrything!! We had small problems with the freestyle machines also, but nothing as bad as yours. Our biggest problem was the 15 minute delay for refills. Only became a problem when your first choice turned out to be flat....having to wait 15 min. to replace a bad drink sucked. Did not detract from our cruise though.

We are secheduled for the 5-4-14 sailing on Allure next year for the Western itinerary. Should be fun comparing the two sister ships!

 

Thanks again for sharing your experiance!

[Arizona Laura]

Great review Bill!!

I definitely want to cruise on the Allure again. I am spoiled now.

 

Laura

[janetz]

Just back from the Allure and still reading your review Bill. :D Our cruise was wonderful. We went to the WJ once and never went back. Too small for the amount of people. Johnny rockets was a great place for breakfast and the main dining room. For those who need to know we embarked at 11:35 and disembarked at 9:05am. I think the letter they have been sending out prior to sailing about embarking at 12:30 is just a generic, as I do not think they know how many customs people they will have there sailing to sailing. When we left the ship Sunday, there were 3 and things were moving right along. I will say the fastest way to get through without lugging your luggage yourself is when you enter the luggage area, grab a porter and he will shoot you thru customs and grab you a taxi, very quickly. Works like a charm. ;)

Edited May 23, 2013 by janetz