---> !!ALLURE OTS REVIEW!! <--- Complete Pictorial Guide! [Jun 29, 2013]

[swim13]

Where did we leave off?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yes, after the All Access Tour, I went back to the room to set down a bag we got and to change out of my pants...after all we were in the Caribbean. ;] I forgot to tell you all that the night before I decided to treat myself to a massage from the Vitality at Sea Spa! I had a reservation that started in about an hour so I decided to find my mom. Luckily she usually sat in the same area on the pool deck everyday so I started to head there. I was walking up a set of stairs and found my friends Matt and Andrea! They knew I had a reservation so they decided they would go play one last Bingo game and then meet me at the Boardwalk around 3:30 for some rock climbing!

 

I found my mom, she was reading and hadn't ate lunch yet. We decided to head down to the Park Cafe to grab one of those roast beef sandwiches and some chips! Strangely enough we found Jeff there! We're on a crazy huge ship and I keep running into people! We all had lunch and then I had to head up to the room and get ready to go to the spa.

 

As a swimmer, I get a lot of knots in my back, especially under my shoulders. I had a massage a few years back before a big swim meet and it seemed to work pretty well. I had been having back aches every once and a while so I figured what the heck, I mine as well get one while I'm on the ship! I chose the Top 2 Toe treatment because it was discounted some $60 and I had a coupon for 10% off from the C&A coupon book. Lol I usually wouldn't use a coupon but I was paying for it so I figured I should! =D

 

Checking in was easy, I love the way you have to walk to get down to the spa, its awesome! I got changed and went to the Relaxation Room to sign a few papers and then wait for Charlotte! Man I'm not really sure if I should of told her about my knots, well actually she would have felt them because OW! I could literally feel them when her hand went over one, it was terrible! But it became soothing after awhile. Overall, the massage was well needed and pretty good! She came back with water and then went over some future treatment options for my face (oily) and back. I never went in the other rooms like the steam room, etc. but I wish I had. If you have any questions about getting a massage, please ask!

 

After that, I went back to the room once again and got changed. I headed to the Boardwalk and had a dog from the Boardwalk Dog House! I soon met up with Matt and Andrea and a few of our other friends we had been hanging out with during the cruise. The process is fairly easy to get your shoes and gear on. I had tried the rock wall on our cruise on the Freedom in 2006 and didn't make it to the top..drat! I was DETERMINED to make it this time! I got on the middle and looked up, great, I had the part where the wall comes out and over your head...I worked my way up to that point and got stuck for like 2 minutes, lol! =P I somehow found a way to get past it and told myself to not look down right as I got a glimpse of the Aqua Theater below me! I did make it to the top eventually and rang the bell! My arms were very fatigued at that point and I was so ready to let go and essentially free fall! It was very fun, I wish I did it more than once!

 

We went up to the sports deck after that to go on the Zip Line. I found my mom and Josh up there, I don't know what was going on today but we were pretty lucky to keep running into each other! This was my second time on the line and it was just as fun!

 

I then took a last try on the FlowRider while everyone else went to go play some Putt Putt. This time was my best try, I was sad it was my last! I was able to do tricks this time too, it was a blast! The staff during this cruise was great, they would encourage you to do twists and everything once you got the hang of it! There was even a lady in her 70's doing the boogie board, she was awesome!

 

Ill stop here and move on to pictures!

 

 

 

Am I in the gray or blue?!

 

 

If you guessed blue, you were right!

 

 

 

 

Testing out different filters

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy this picture, I had to be a creeper and put my camera over the door and take this. I was hoping no one was looking and it seems like I was successful! =D

[swim13]

 

 

I kind of didn't like how this filter made the picture look but I decided to include it anyway because, well actually I don't know. =P

 

 

Stairs from the Windjammer on Deck 16 going down to Deck 15. The dresses are hanging from the bottom of these stairs, it felt weird walking down a set of stairs that essentially hang with what seems like little support and having 15 decks of open space below you! :eek:

 

 

 

 

[ecourtney]

So I love all the photos that you have taken (you are a great photographer) but where are the photos of YOU! Shouldn't we see some photos of you enjoying your vacation?! Haha but thank you for all of the great photos. I enjoy coming home after work and seeing a new post :)

[swim13]

Basically I was just exploring now since I lost my friends after they went to go find chocolate milk! =P Don't worry, my lucky powers were still running strong, I found Matt when I eventually got to the Solarium! I think I may have tried to get an ice cream cone but is was more liquid than frozen yogurt.

 

We just chilled on one of the loungers near the entrance to the Solarium on Deck 16. We talked about how depressed we were about to be when in 24 hours we were back in good ole' NY...=[ There must have been a storm in the distance because there was a dark storm cloud. It was starting to get around 6 so we headed to Johnny Rockets to get a milkshake. We stayed there for a bit then went back to our cabins to get ready for dinner.

 

We did our nightly routine, I think we actually went on the Rising Tide Bar for the first time tonight and watched the captain at a party in the Promenade. I believe it was the farewell party. Dinner was awesome as always except we had to say goodbye to Suellen and Junnel. =[ We all headed to the casino after dinner and I won BIG! Now for some of you, what I won will seem like nothing but to a 18 year old kid who has never been to a casino before this cruise, I did pretty well! I brought only $20 down to the casino and brought home $150!! I only played slots and just got lucky twice! I played my favorite machine and hit a jackpot after the second spin. I was thrilled and actually quit after that because I didn't want to lose it.

 

I took the money back to the room and then met my friends at Blaze, I told them about the "fortune" I had made at the casino and they just had to go gamble! Unfortunately they lost, I felt a little guilty! :O One of the staff members cleaning up the casino looked at Matt with a dirty face and asked if he was 18, we all kind of joked about it! We ended up going back to Blaze but it wasn't very fun because most people must have gone to bed early since it was the last night. They joined me to take some night shots and we ended up parting ways. This was such a hard night...=[

 

Notice all the =[ faces in this thread?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

Live Caribbean music plays from here! =)

 

 

Don't look at me, this isn't my mess!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BEACH pool!

[swim13]

 

 

I forgot to mention that I also saw the sports zone staff put on a show on the FlowRider!! It was a lot of fun and they are very talented!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turned the vintage filter on for Johnny Rockets!

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

Okay I am going to stop here since its getting late and I have swim lessons to teach in the morning. I will pick up from here when I get home tomorrow afternoon!

 

I hope you are enjoying the pictures after the tour so far!! Leave a comment ;]

Edited July 22, 2013 by swim13

[swim13]

So I love all the photos that you have taken (you are a great photographer) but where are the photos of YOU! Shouldn't we see some photos of you enjoying your vacation?! Haha but thank you for all of the great photos. I enjoy coming home after work and seeing a new post :)

 

Thanks so much!

 

To be honest, I would but there are too many creepers out there and I just don't feel comfortable with it. You may however see me in the secret project I'm working on that will be added to the review in a few days!

 

Glad to see you here again!

[swim13]

Off to work! See you all soon, I will try to post at work but I have a feeling it will be busy because it is nice out!

[oracer]

 

Mike, where did you take this picture from?

[kelleigh229]

 

Mike, where did you take this picture from?

 

I took notice of this picture too. Amazing pic!

[canadian-nurse]

Great review Mike! You should be really proud of all of your hard work!! Thanks again- and looking forward to the surprise! :)

[Maryscooking]

Mike,

Thanks so much for the great review! I found it yesterday, and have been reading in every minute of my free time. I just booked a W. Carib on Allure for November today, and your review was the tipping point between that trip and a less expensive one. I honestly think the only port we are getting off the ship in is Labadee. We've been to the other ports (Cozumel multiple times) and I think we'd rather spend more time on the ship this cruise.

 

I especially love that you posted the Compasses, as I know it is a ton of work to scan all those pages and upload them.

 

Also was so happy to see the Behind the Scenes tour pics. Seems like most people who do the tour like to keep the "secret stuff" to themselves :) But my husband is always debating whether the cost of the tour is worth it, and I think these pics will help him decide.

 

I was a high school swimmer, lifeguard and swim instructor, so your comments about work bring back great memories of my last summer before college, working at the pool all day, hanging out around a campfire with the other lifeguards at night - good times!

 

Thanks again!

[matthewthamm]

Mike, thanks for all your hard work on this. Keep it up; this could be a vocation.

[swim13]

I feel so bad! I have been visiting with family ever since work ended and will be for awhile, they are in town from Arizona! I will work hard and try to post the rest of the pictures tonight! See you soon!

[swim13]

Farewell party was pretty fun

 

 

 

 

Our captain!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got my model ship to add to my collection!! =D

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

Hmmm, we are not on the All Access Tour anymore...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[swim13]

Now this is something you would probably never look to find! This is looking up the elevator shaft. Pretty cool?

 

 

 

 

Now this is looking down the elevator shaft from Deck 17

 

 

 

 

[swim13]