Live from Allure of the Seas - August 25, 2013

[reigle4]

I also enjoy the morning pre-cruise. We usually stay at the Embassy Hotel. I wake up very excited, very early, and try to lay still in bed so as not to wake up my DH. Somewhere around 7:00 I can't stand it any longer. I have to get up, get dressed, and head to the lobby for a cup of coffee. I always sit outside by their pool area with it, I can hardly contain my excitement. About 8:00 I head back to the room to wake up DH. We head down for breakfast, then back to the room to make sure everything is in order. By 10:00, we are heading for the shuttle/taxi, and are usually at the port by 10:30. I am so bouncy in my chair at the port, that my DH always says "can't you sit still; you're worse then a 2 year old". I keep repeating "But, we're going on a cruise". He does not appear impressed, but deep down inside, I know he is just as anxious as I am.

 

We will be staying at the Embassy Suites on the night before our cruise but I have never stayed there before. My question is, 1. Is it a nice hotel and 2. Are the beds soft or hard. 3. Is it like the one in Orlando where they do the cook to order breakfast. Also 4. How far is it from the cruise port and 5. How much does the shuttle cost. Wow I guess I had more than one question....lol

[Artemis]

I agree with your complaint about annoying sales pushes, Marc. And don't forget all those sellers (art auction, bingo, jewelry, other shops, casino, etc.) also spammed us nearly daily via the interactive TV messaging system, as if we couldn't read all the paper delivered via Compass and separate flyer or understand the PA/VM announcements. :(

[bradpole]

Seeing the Park West Gallery thread resurrection reminded me of something I wanted to comment on.

 

I was disappointed by the unsolicited advertising we got repeatedly during the week for the onboard art auction. We received a flyer on the first day in our cabin, then a note addressed to me on the cabin door because I'm a "Gold" member (I was actually "Emerald"), then a voicemail on the phone, then another note addressed to me on the cabin door because I'm a "VIP", and lastly another voicemail on the phone. It was ridiculous!

 

Another disappointment (while I'm on a roll, I guess), which has been shared by others in the past, is the ship-wide bingo announcements. I wasn't planning on playing any bingo during this cruise, and the announcements over the PA helped confirm my decision not to play.

Thank you for taking us along on your cruise!!

 

I have to agree about the Bingo announcement comments. I've gotten better at tuning them out, but is very annoying to be just nodding off for a quick cat nap only to be woken up by an announcement that Bingo is starting soon! Oh well, hopefully that's the worst thing I can complain about on a cruise:)

[memas retired]

The FlowRider web cam on Allure of the Seas doesn't appear to be working. If you look at the top right of the picture, you'll see it's stuck on 7/28 shortly after midnight.

 

Both FlowRiders were working just fine during our cruise.

 

Hi...leaving for 11-10 week with my grandson. I have a few questions...Is the flow rider free? Do you think the comedy shows are appropriate for a 12 year old?

Thanks for all of your review!!

Cathy

[Daghis]

Yes, the FlowRider is free during the open sessions. You can also book private lessons for a fee, but they aren't required. There are lots of open sessions throughout the week.

 

The comedy shows are for adults only. The only exception is that 17 year olds may go if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian.

 

You're very welcome!

[Angelsea57]

I was in that one. Wish I was right now also. :D

I know, very nice right??

I was there too. :D

[hazeleyes35]

Can't wait to read the rest as I was on this cruise too :D

[Daghis]

The rest?

 

Umm... I'm back home now. I don't think you're looking for a "Live from McMurray, PA" thread, though. :D

 

It was a great cruise, though, wasn't it? It was the kind of cruise that after it was over, it's hard to remember whether it really happened or if it was just a wonderful dream.

[hazeleyes35]

The rest?

 

Umm... I'm back home now. I don't think you're looking for a "Live from McMurray, PA" thread, though. :D

 

It was a great cruise, though, wasn't it? It was the kind of cruise that after it was over, it's hard to remember whether it really happened or if it was just a wonderful dream.

 

Oh, my bad. There is a another review post going around that I haven't seen anything more added.

It really was a great cruise. Can't wait to book the next one :D

[S&Jboat]

Thanks for the review! I can't wait for our trip next summer.

 

I actually would be interested in a "live for McMurray" post. I live in Venetia.:)

[Daghis]

Well, today in McMurray, I'm working from home (as I usually do), and I'm trying to modify some computer code to handle a process-wide counter to prevent excessive looping.

 

Oh, and we did laundry today.

 

Doesn't that sound exciting? :)

 

Yeah, I'd rather still be onboard Allure. :D

 

Given that we're neighbors, it's a shame that our paths don't cross in the Caribbean somewhere. That'd be really neat! (My sons have run into schoolmates on previous cruises. Not kids they knew personally, but some they recognized from the same school.)

[TXMary]

Yes, the FlowRider is free during the open sessions. You can also book private lessons for a fee, but they aren't required. There are lots of open sessions throughout the week.

 

The comedy shows are for adults only. The only exception is that 17 year olds may go if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian.

 

You're very welcome!

 

Thanks again for all this great information!

 

Are the comedy shows all the same or do they get more adult the later it gets at night?

 

And you may have already said and I missed it, but how much was the unlimited internet?

[Daghis]

The comedy shows are generally all the same, but each routine may be customized for the particular audience depending on interactions with the guests. They are probably all about equally "adult".

 

Unlimited internet was $179 for the week, less $26.85 (15%) for a Crown & Anchor (Emerald) discount coupon we used.

[TXMary]

The comedy shows are generally all the same, but each routine may be customized for the particular audience depending on interactions with the guests. They are probably all about equally "adult".

 

Unlimited internet was $179 for the week, less $26.85 (15%) for a Crown & Anchor (Emerald) discount coupon we used.

 

Thank you!

[marshabear]

loved your review!! thanks so much!!

 

do they have a piano bar onboard???? we love listening to a piano player in the evenings after dinner.....

 

 

 

 

Marsha

[Daghis]

Yes, they do, in the Schooner Bar, just upstairs from the Royal Promenade. There may be other pianists performing at other venues as well (such as the Viking Crown Lounge) at certain times.

[ghau]

Great Blog Man, Thanks! I am going on the Allure in a few days.

 

I want to ask you more about the internet connection. Is it worth it to get the unlimited package, and is it fast enough? I heard the ship has been upgraded to O3B?

 

Thanks.

[Daghis]

Thanks!

 

The internet connection was fast enough for my needs. It still suffers from high latency as you would imagine from a satellite connection, but I was able to maintain Skype video sessions without any problems.

 

Whether it's worth it to you depends on what you're going to be using it for.

[Jdleong]

Where in your cabin was the bed located? by the window or the closet?

 

Thanks,

 

Jan

[Daghis]

Our cabin had the bed by the closet.

 

This thread has an excellent diagram showing the bed closet/balcony layout for Boardwalk balcony cabins.

[Jdleong]

Our cabin had the bed by the closet.

 

This thread has an excellent diagram showing the bed closet/balcony layout for Boardwalk balcony cabins.

 

Thanks, I booked this cabin for next April and I wondered if you would have rather had the bed by the window or closet? Or does it even matter.

Also how busy is the deck at the end of the hall?

 

Jan

[Daghis]

I think I'd prefer the bed by the closet as I prefer to have the lounging area in the cabin (where the couch is) and the balcony connected together sort of as one space. It's a personal preference, though. Other people like having extra room by the closet so they can get stuff in and out of the closet more easily.

 

The corridor at the end of the hallway seemed quite quiet.

 

If you mean the outside deck, in other words the Boardwalk, when we were on the balcony, it was never that busy. There were some people wandering around, but not a lot of excitement other than when shows were going on.

[marshabear]

We are in 12325 soon...do you know where will our Muster Station will be????

 

 

 

 

 

Marsha

[Daghis]

I can't say for certain, but I would guess that it'd be one of the Aquatheater muster stations.

[marshabear]

great!! thanks!

 

 

 

 

Marsha