Allure of the Sea - onboard now sept 15 to 23 Eastern Caribbean

[frostycanada]

First time posting but figured I would contribute as I read this forum for weeks prior to and it gave GREAT info. Want to contribute back.

 

Currently bobbing up and down on the water ( unlimited wifi) on Day 2 on Eastern Caribbean. Left Nassau about 6 hours ago.

 

It honestly doesn't feel like a ship. Can't even feel it move, Didn't even know if left Nassau port until we got up from the pool area to stretch legs. Not a " motion in the ocean"

 

Unlimited Wifi was $179. It's not a slow as people posted in the past here. It's not Fibre Op but we can stream music ( Slacker Radio) chat to kids at home via Skype. FaceTime didn't work originally but will have to try again. Full video chat via Skype.

 

Doing the Premium Drink Package. Well worth it for me and wife. We like to imbibe :) But for " most" people I think it's still worth it. A few beer and fruity drinks by the pool during the hot day on the pool will go unnoticed. Then pre dinner, during dinner, post dinner, you'd easily spend $55 a day. Personal opinion though :)

 

We went to Rita's for lunch. Best $15 we spend. Three bucks a person to enter. And the food ranges from $2 to $6. We ordered 4 items and the waiter laughed. Said we had waaaay to much food. We were thinking that for $3 bucks for an " app" would be very small. But we listened to the waiter, order 3 items. Realistically, two items would of been hard to finish. HUGE portions. Awesome food but we felt so bad haven't to throw in the towel and get the waiter to throw out all that food. Going back for sure. Worth it even to pay your $3 cover and get a margarita and get the complementary chips and salsa.

 

For those going to Nassau you have to pay now at Atlantis. Used to be free to walk through and see the hotel and aquarium but not anymore. Last time we visited was 6 years ago for the record. You need a "day pass" that you purchase in the casino in Atlantis. $45 a person. Not worth it in my opinion but we were against Nassau from our first trip. Senior Frogs is the place to visit. Huge party at 10am til 2pm. Very lively. Great food. The place is hopping. Drinking games, karaoke and Congo lines with free shooters. Saw 21 yr old to 71 yr olds doing it today. The 71 yr olds seemed to be enjoying it more. Lol gotta love it. ( disclosure we are 36)

 

For a ship of over 6000 you don't notice the people. If you see a big line up, if will move fast.

 

That's all I can really say for Day 2. If I think if anything else to add I certainly will.

 

Just do it. Great ship. We have a balcony starboard side on deck 9. Mid ship. 9588.

[TonyFred]

Is this your first cruise?

Allure is by far my favorite ship.

Don't miss the Aqua Show. It is very entertaining. The 70s party onboard is a blast too. I was impressed by every show on there. Blue Planet is very cool.

If you liked Rita's you would LOVE the specialty restaurants. Samba Grill would be a good choice. Laid back and all u eat of many grilled cuts of meat. Very good.

You are in for a great week! This year will be my third Eastern itinerary over the last 3 years and I think it is much better than the Western. And my 2nd year in a row on the Allure.

Glad to hear the internet is decent as far as speed. I will get a lot of use out of my Ipad.

Keep letting us know what you experience...good and bad. Try to go over to Maho Beach in St Maarten and watch at least one big plane come in for landing. It is AMAZING. Great outdoor bar right there too. I took my Avatar pic there.

Enjoy your cruise! I will be on her in 6 weeks.

[Pebbles468]

Thanks for posting while on your vacation! Have a wonderful week and I hope to see more posts on your trip!!

 

What did you have at Rita's?

 

Let us know about the shows... Aquatheatre, Chicago, comedian, ice show...

 

Are they serving escargot in the MDR??

 

Any more specialty dining planned this week?

[BND]

First time posting but figured I would contribute as I read this forum for weeks prior to and it gave GREAT info. Want to contribute back.

 

Currently bobbing up and down on the water ( unlimited wifi) on Day 2 on Eastern Caribbean. Left Nassau about 6 hours ago.

 

It honestly doesn't feel like a ship. Can't even feel it move, Didn't even know if left Nassau port until we got up from the pool area to stretch legs. Not a " motion in the ocean"

 

Unlimited Wifi was $179. It's not a slow as people posted in the past here. It's not Fibre Op but we can stream music ( Slacker Radio) chat to kids at home via Skype. FaceTime didn't work originally but will have to try again. Full video chat via Skype.

 

Doing the Premium Drink Package. Well worth it for me and wife. We like to imbibe :) But for " most" people I think it's still worth it. A few beer and fruity drinks by the pool during the hot day on the pool will go unnoticed. Then pre dinner, during dinner, post dinner, you'd easily spend $55 a day. Personal opinion though :)

 

We went to Rita's for lunch. Best $15 we spend. Three bucks a person to enter. And the food ranges from $2 to $6. We ordered 4 items and the waiter laughed. Said we had waaaay to much food. We were thinking that for $3 bucks for an " app" would be very small. But we listened to the waiter, order 3 items. Realistically, two items would of been hard to finish. HUGE portions. Awesome food but we felt so bad haven't to throw in the towel and get the waiter to throw out all that food. Going back for sure. Worth it even to pay your $3 cover and get a margarita and get the complementary chips and salsa.

 

For those going to Nassau you have to pay now at Atlantis. Used to be free to walk through and see the hotel and aquarium but not anymore. Last time we visited was 6 years ago for the record. You need a "day pass" that you purchase in the casino in Atlantis. $45 a person. Not worth it in my opinion but we were against Nassau from our first trip. Senior Frogs is the place to visit. Huge party at 10am til 2pm. Very lively. Great food. The place is hopping. Drinking games, karaoke and Congo lines with free shooters. Saw 21 yr old to 71 yr olds doing it today. The 71 yr olds seemed to be enjoying it more. Lol gotta love it. ( disclosure we are 36)

 

For a ship of over 6000 you don't notice the people. If you see a big line up, if will move fast.

 

That's all I can really say for Day 2. If I think if anything else to add I certainly will.

 

Just do it. Great ship. We have a balcony starboard side on deck 9. Mid ship. 9588.

 

Having actually stayed at Atlantis (Oct 2009), I completely understand why they charge. Too many people just wandering through and trying to sneak outside and into the aquarium from the inside. They used to check for wristbands or roomkeys outside and in the aquarium. It's become it's own tourist attraction and those staying there had to deal with all the extra people. The most "hopping" time we saw at Senor Frog's was March of 2012 because it was spring break and there were college students everywhere drinking as much as they could since the drinking age is like 18 there. The under 21 crowd was making up for not being able to drink on the ships.

 

We're onboard on Nov 3rd doing the western itinerary. Rita's is our plan for boarding day lunch. Looking forward to it.

[RCI Cruisers 004]

Great post, we are doing the Eastern on the 29th. Let us know what speciality restaurants you recommend besides Rita's or any other helpful hints. It's our first Allure cruise ! Thanks in advance !

[flyawayca]

Thanks for the information. I'll be boarding the Allure when you are getting off of her. Not that I want to rush your vacation or anything.... :D

 

You have me rethinking a trip to Rita's. I'll have to check it out when I am there. Right now the only specialty restaurant plans we have is Giovanni's Table.

[frostycanada]

At Rita's we had the stuffed Ancho chile. Huge portion. Fajitas ( it's a " for 2" serving). Huge portion even for two. And the Toquitos. They call them something else though. It has "cigars" in the title. Was WAY to much food. Wasn't busy. Highly recommend. Going again.

 

Park Cafe is great. Can't go wrong. The reviews state " rush " to it as soon as you board. We did that. But trust me, there is lots of time to go there.

We are going to Giovanni's and Chops. Later in the week for dinner.

 

This is day 3. It's honestly the first day we really felt "relaxed". The first day onboard was rush to get on, rush to eat, rush to get into room, rush to eat again. Lol then dinner, and rush to see what we can do and not miss out on. Day 2 was about the same. We were afraid to miss anything.

It's a big ship. You can do everything. So note to self for next time on here.....relax on day 1. If you get to see a show or venue perfect, if not...it's ok. Relax!

So Today we did it differently. we got up late ( 7:30am lol) had breakfast at the Windjammer. Typical buffet. Got a coffee at Starbucks And went back to our balcony and relaxed and read. Then ran 4 kms in the track and stayed at the pool from 11:30 to 4:30.

They say don't "reserve" your seats and leave....that's bull. Do it. Everyone else does. Eat breakfast, reserve your lounge chair and then go do whatever else your heart desires. Then leave your towels, eat lunch and come back to your chairs.

 

We did the comedy show last night. Was ummm "ok". Again this is purely comedian vs audience and will vary from show to show and, ship to ship. We've seen better in the past, last nights was pure painful :) Only my personal opinion.

 

Chicago is tonight. Not of my interest but my wife's. try and update my opinion on it tomorrow.

 

Main dining hall food has been decent. Can't complain. It's not a specialty dinner so you get what you pay for. The service however was unbelievable.

Last cruise we did was purely main dining. This one however we will mix up specialty and MDR. Next time we think We will do the speciality ones only.

 

Again, I'm amazed for the amount of people the lack of line ups.

[frostycanada]

@pebbles468. We didn't do the Iceshow. We are From Canada so ice skating and ice rinks are nothing to really see on vacation. :)

 

No escargots. Scallops instead. In the same serving dish so they are small. Might want to order two as an app :)

 

We are doing Chops and Giovanni's later in the week. Looking forward to this.

[BND]

 

They say don't "reserve" your seats and leave....that's bull. Do it. Everyone else does. Eat breakfast, reserve your lounge chair and then go do whatever else your heart desires. Then leave your towels, eat lunch and come back to your chairs.

 

.

 

Really? They say that for a reason. Just because you think it's bull doesn't mean it's not RUDE and inconsiderate.:confused:

 

You were doing really well until that little tidbit.

[endobaby]

Great review. We are sailing in November. Can't wait to read more.

[evelyn51]

Really? They say that for a reason. Just because you think it's bull doesn't mean it's not RUDE and inconsiderate.:confused:

 

You were doing really well until that little tidbit.

 

 

 

Agree, I guess OP thought because "everyone" else was doing it. :(

[laedw]

They say don't "reserve" your seats and leave....that's bull. Do it. Everyone else does. Eat breakfast, reserve your lounge chair and then go do whatever else your heart desires. Then leave your towels, eat lunch and come back to your chairs.

 

What? I enjoyed your recap until this. That is so wrong as well as inconsiderate!:(

[frostycanada]

Well apparently I touched a nerve with a few regarding the "saving your lounge chair at the pool" lol. Only telling it like it is folks. They do have signs up saying you can hold for 30mins FYI

 

One said it was rude, another inconsiderate, I agree with both. HOWEVER, those that do save their lounge chair, will enjoy a nice place with pool and sunshine as well as enjoy their vacation.

Others that want to be polite and not "reserve" your chair, will be commended for your actions just not on the ship.

 

For the record I'm not saying lay down your towel at 6am and show up at noon. I'm saying, get there early, have a dip, walk around, come back, have a lay down, enjoy a beverage, get up and have lunch, come back.

[frostycanada]

Chicago was good. Not my choice to go but I did enjoy. My wife really enjoyed it. 90mins long ball park. Get there 20mins early as there are some seats with a pillar in front obstructing your view.

 

Did the Sky Bar. Was nice, nothing special. Up two floors, and down. lol you have to do it though, just to say you did.

 

We really liked Central Park in the evening. Not crowded. Had a classical 2 piece "band" playing. Was absolutely beautiful and relaxing. If you are looking for a hide out away from the crowd, this is the place to be. Very quiet and relaxing. Highly recommend.

[maureencruiser]

Thanks for the review, Frosty, keep it coming!

[Maryscooking]

They say don't "reserve" your seats and leave....that's bull. Do it. Everyone else does. Eat breakfast, reserve your lounge chair and then go do whatever else your heart desires. Then leave your towels, eat lunch and come back to your chairs.

 

Oh nooooooooo....it was going so well right up until this point!

 

I am enjoying your review, and won't flame you, but you just posted some fighting words on these boards!

[frostycanada]

I don't mind being flamed. But can you do it in a private message so those that want to read this thread don't have to sift through it all. It will make it easier for them to read and save them time. :)

 

I will state AGAIN, I was only reporting what I saw yesterday morning at the pool. Don't shoot the messenger. :)

[sky0000547]

I got off the Allure on Sunday on the Western and there were plenty of lounge chairs available on the whole ship during the week. The better chairs might be gone by the pool but there were plenty left still.

 

For better choice of seats for shows, I would recommend turning up for any shows 30mins before the start.

[evelyn51]

I don't mind being flamed. But can you do it in a private message so those that want to read this thread don't have to sift through it all. It will make it easier for them to read and save them time. :)

 

I will state AGAIN, I was only reporting what I saw yesterday morning at the pool. Don't shoot the messenger. :)

 

 

 

I'm disappointed as a fellow Canadian. I've read 100's of reviews, NEVER one with such a blatant "observation" from a poster taking part in breaking a cruiseline rule.

 

Still frosted in Canada! :mad:

[TonyFred]

I didnt mind your advice on saving chairs...because I dont mind moving your belongings after 30 minutes.

[evelyn51]

I didnt mind your advice on saving chairs...because I dont mind moving your belongings after 30 minutes.

 

Same here. Also, in the theatres.

[RenaeG]

I'm on Allure in January doing the eastern too. First time cruising, can't wait. Couple of questions: I'm all abt the premium drinks package, does it include water and softdrinks? I love to sleep in so what time are breakfast hours? Is there only one place to eat breakfast? What time do you think is peak hour.... Want to avoid the traffic without being there as they turn the lights on.

[MelGurl]

Thanks for the review I am getting on Allure in October and I am excited.

The whole chair thing happens anyway even if you don't do it, I never have but it is so fustrating to see it and does put a damper on the pool day when you can't find "good" seats by a pool. Can't wait to hear more, hope the negative comments don't stop you from finishing.

[amster65]

Think Frosty is going to stop posting after all this uproar about pool chairs:(

[m*u*g*]

Agree, I guess OP thought because "everyone" else was doing it. :(

 

Looking forward to my free towels next month.