Reflection from my recent Allure cruise

[drmomsc]

Had an amazing time on the Allure. There are so many wonderful reviews that helped me in planning. I thought I would touch on a few points from my experience.

 

I am a 40 something woman who sailed with her DH and two teen sons. We have been on Carnival and NCL (many years ago). Recently we have sailed on RCCL 3 times, 3 times on Princess and 8 on Disney.

 

We were in a grand suite, as I made the "mistake" of booking a suite on our last RCCL. I thought I would compare the suite experience. I actually found the perks to be better on the Navigator. We thought we would love breakfast and lunch in the CL on Allure, but in reality, not so much. We much preferred Park Cafe. The food in the CL was just ok and service was ehh. At least with the Navigator, we got to sit in Portofinos when we went to the Windjammer. We also thought the snacks were better in the Nav CL. Who doesn't serve crackers with cheese? The gold seats at the pool on the Nav were also better than the suite deck on Allure, as we like proximity to a pool. The suite deck was nice but it was so removed from everything and 2 decks from the pool.

 

My older DS (15) said he prefers the kid's club on the Navigator, as he found that there were too many kids on the Allure. But he was so thrilled with the flow rider, he really didn't care! My younger son didn't care, he was happy to be in the club, no matter which ship!

 

We only ate in specialty restaurants and they were all wonderful! I loved having so many choices. The only disappointment was the Chef's Table. It was ok. 150 Central Park was so superior, we wished we had gone there twice instead. I have been to the Chef's Table on Princess and it was a wonderful experience. We were quite underwhelmed with it on the Allure.

 

I know it sounds like I preferred the Navigator, but in actuality, I adored the Allure and she is now my favorite ship. I just don't think the extra money for a suite was worth it, as I did on the Navigator. I'm already planning our next cruise on the Oasis. But this time, we will get balcony cabins and save our money for other things! :D

 

Feel free to ask any questions!

-Amanda

[Langley Cruisers]

I'm already planning our next cruise on the Oasis. But this time, we will get balcony cabins and save our money for other things! :D

 

Thanks, Amanda. When you do book your balcony cabins on Oasis, go for a hump cabin; on this class of ship, the hump balconies are a little larger than the other balconies. We enjoyed the extra bit of room on the hump. :)

 

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[skibyrd]

Liked hearing this as we were in Grand Suite on Oasis and loved the suite amenities and are looking at Navigator for next year. I was worried the CL and the suite perks would not compare! I never should have booked a GS, I never want less now!! We loved the Allure also even in a JS!

[northwoods2]

What didn't you like about the Chefs table? We are only doing this, no other specialty restaurants next week. We loved our Chefs table experience on Celebrity and wanted something special for our anniv. We are in a suite also so any special hints you can offer on taking advantage of the perks would be great.

[drmomsc]

What didn't you like about the Chefs table? We are only doing this, no other specialty restaurants next week. We loved our Chefs table experience on Celebrity and wanted something special for our anniv. We are in a suite also so any special hints you can offer on taking advantage of the perks would be great.

 

I wouldn't say I didn't like it- but it was far from what I expected after my Princess experience.

 

On the Allure, they meet you in the library with a glass of champagne. We met our fellow guests and they were the best part of the experience.

 

We were escorted to the table, which is on the second floor of the CL. The food was ok. Better than main dining room, but not as good as any of the specialty restaurants we went to that week. I actually had to salt my tenderloin as I thought it had no flavor. The wines were the best part, but the pours were quite stingy. I left without a buzz (and I'm a light weight). I didn't expect or desire to get drunk, but I expected a similar experience to Princess, where they just kept filling your glass. The chef on the Allure was one of the chefs, not the executive chef as it was on Princess. I just thought the food at 150 central park as well as Giovanni's was so much better.

 

As far as perks go, the coffee machine in the CL was great. The breakfast and lunch was ok. The concierges were great. If you need a reservation, etc, they did it.

 

The suite deck was very nice, but far from the pool.

 

The reserved seats at the Aquatheater were great.

The reserved seats in the Amber theater were not. They were on the second level and it was not a good view.

 

Barefoot Beach on Labadee was lovely. The BBQ was not as good as last year though.

 

We got room service one night, as were we worn out. It was a nice perk to order off the main menu.

 

You will have a great time. They really pamper you. Have a happy anniversary!

[BOOKBUB]

Just returned from the Allure on Sunday 6/9. Had a great time! We had been booked on the Grandeur for 5/31. Our travel agent did yeoman service to get us on board (many thanks also to RCI).

 

We had an ordinary external balcony cabin. We do like the hubbub of the Boardwalk, etc., but the quiet times early and late overlooking the sea are not to be missed.

 

We only use the dining room, Windjammer and other the other "casuals" for meals. We have enjoyed Chops Grill on other ships in the past, but are not really "foodies". My only regrets are that the shrimp cocktail was a little "limp", and apparently the Jamaica Blue Mountain Crème Brule is gone.:(

 

Since we booked late, we could not reserve any entertainment. Because of the large number of passengers and the limited size of the venues, it was a fair amount of work with limited results to manage this. Too much thinking on a cruise is counterproductive to the mission.

 

Labadee continues to improve. The tour of the Good Hope plantation at Falmouth was excellent.

 

One observation: a week of bad weather would take a lot of joy out of a cruise on this ship; with Boardwalk, Aqua Theatre, Central Park, sports and pool decks, and the Solarium unavailable.

 

Remember all: the starboard side Solarium whirlpool is Mine!

[welovetahiti]

How was the music on board the Allure? I enjoyed all the Oasis live bands in the various venues, so I'm hoping there are comparable musicians for our 6/23/13 cruise. We are booked for all the shows but would like to know who/what we should not miss. I have Rita's fiesta at 6 on Day 1 and the Prohibition Party and may eat at Giovanni's for lunch upon embarking. My only worry is how will I ever be hungry for all these delicious food opportunities!

[drmomsc]

How was the music on board the Allure? I enjoyed all the Oasis live bands in the various venues, so I'm hoping there are comparable musicians for our 6/23/13 cruise. We are booked for all the shows but would like to know who/what we should not miss. I have Rita's fiesta at 6 on Day 1 and the Prohibition Party and may eat at Giovanni's for lunch upon embarking. My only worry is how will I ever be hungry for all these delicious food opportunities!

 

We enjoyed the music- it seemed like there was more live music than on other cruises.

 

We did Rita's Fiesta. It was fun. Food was ok. Nothing outstanding.

 

We loved Giovanni's and went there twice. Didn't make it to the Prohibition party.

 

And yes, we were stuffed the whole cruise. We had light breakfasts and lunches every day. And went to the gym most days. We walked as much as we could and rarely took the elevator.

 

Don't miss Giovanni's. or Oceanaria. Or Ice Games. There is so much to do. Don't sweat it when you can't do it all.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[welovetahiti]

So glad to hear the music was good. I'd like some opinions.....I want to enjoy a leisurely lunch at Giovanni's at noon on Day 1, attend Rita's fiesta at 6 (primarily for the party atmosphere and margaritas and maybe just pick at the food, sort of as our appetizers) and then go to our 8:30 MDR reservation to meet our servers and table mates. Plus, our FLL hotel includes breakfast prior to heading for the port. Would anybody else do this crazy plan? I still have time to cancel lunch on day 1, 6/23/13. Good thing I'm dieting 3-4 days before sailaway!

[Merion_Mom]

So glad to hear the music was good. I'd like some opinions.....I want to enjoy a leisurely lunch at Giovanni's at noon on Day 1, attend Rita's fiesta at 6 (primarily for the party atmosphere and margaritas and maybe just pick at the food, sort of as our appetizers) and then go to our 8:30 MDR reservation to meet our servers and table mates. Plus, our FLL hotel includes breakfast prior to heading for the port. Would anybody else do this crazy plan? I still have time to cancel lunch on day 1, 6/23/13. Good thing I'm dieting 3-4 days before sailaway!

 

You asked for "opinions", here is mine:

 

WAY too much food. WAY. And it's the first day. You'll be exhausted. Take it nice and easy and spread things out.

 

:)

[welovetahiti]

Thanks...It helps to have someone else tell me what I pretty much knew already. (Even if I just picked at the food at Rita's?) I've decided to cancel Giovanni's at lunch because we won't be hungry, and then we'll be able to enjoy the fiesta and drinks.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your review.

 

Keith

[janetz]

Thanks...It helps to have someone else tell me what I pretty much knew already. (Even if I just picked at the food at Rita's?) I've decided to cancel Giovanni's at lunch because we won't be hungry, and then we'll be able to enjoy the fiesta and drinks.

 

 

Do Giovanni's in the evening, sit at a table outside. Wonderful...:)

[darth frosty]

Thanks, Amanda. When you do book your balcony cabins on Oasis, go for a hump cabin; on this class of ship, the hump balconies are a little larger than the other balconies. We enjoyed the extra bit of room on the hump. :)

 

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Where are these 'hump' cabins located?

[Clarea]

Where are these 'hump' cabins located?

They are located around the part of the ship that contours out from the side. Take a look at the deck plan and you can clearly see the section of the ship that is larger in width.

[drarill]

Amanda, thanks for your review!!:):)

[devvt]

Does anyone know whether Mega 4 is still the pool band on Allure?