should we take Allure on first Mediterranean cruise?

[griffy116]

We just did our 2nd Med cruise with RCCL. Our first was on the Navigator and this time on Liberty. We've been on a total of 16 cruises with RCCL and loved every one of them. The ship is part of what we enjoy. On both of our Med cruises, we left the ship as soon as it docked. We took a private tour with a driver and in two ports a private guide. We left the ship early and only had one sea day. We were exhausted and spent the majority of the day at the pool. The following day, we (again) had to be up early and off the ship to meet the driver at the port. At the end of the cruise we had seen very little of the ship. We tried one show, spent a little time at the casino a couple of nights, didn't get to enjoy coffee and juice as our wake up call because we had to be up and off the ship so early. We saw the ice show but missed the parades and the street parties. We made it to the Diamond lounge for 15 minutes one night. The cruise was so port intensive that we missed most of what was happening on the ship, which we LOVE. While on the ship, we decided that our next cruise would be the Caribbean so that we could enjoy the ship and relax. EVERYONE is different and has an opinion. I don't for a minute regret the cruise we chose or the long, tiring excursions... and I know that we couldn't have pushed ourselves any harder to try to see everything (both in the port and on the ship). By the way, the port at Civitavecchia is THE most efficient port we have ever encountered. It helps that your cruise will have more than one embarkation port because everyone will not be boarding or disembarking at the same time. For that same reason, the muster drill was the LEAST efficient we've ever encountered. Hope this helps give you a bit of insight.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

The original poster simply asked a question - no need to argue. There is no right or wrong answer. Present your perspective and let the poster sort it out.

Actually...the original poster asked 3 questions...all of which were seeking advice.

 

Suggestions, recommendations, and information typically features more than one perspective. One size doesn't usually fit all, so alternative considerations are a good thing.

 

It appears every post to date still has the same intent...to share information, ideas, and considerations that were requested in the original post so that they assist in answering those original questions.

 

We're all wishing the OP the best cruising experience - based on their preferences.

[threeofus]

SHARING does not mean criticizing the perspectives of others. It simply means contributing your viewpoint or experience. One question, two questions, three questions... that wasn't the point. The point was no opinion is more valid than another.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

It seems all the questions have been answered one way or another by multiple posters, so hopefully that helped the OP.

 

(Bickering about the definition of sharing wouldn't seem to help anyone)

 

OP - enjoy your cruise!

[stella1691]

We are also booked on the Allure 5-2015 embarking from Rome. It will be our first Med Cruise, but 12th overall. We cruise often as we live in South Florida but have also done Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Been on Oasis but not Allure. I have the same concerns but am inclined to stay on the Allure. I enjoy a newer ship that has all the amenities I desire. Maybe I am a spoiled but I want to see the ports offered and the Oasis Class Ship. Maybe I'm naive.

[Fritzie]

We've booked the Allure/Barcelona July 2015. This will be our first Med. cruise and 5th cruise overall. I'm excited about both the ship and the ports.

Make the cruise be what YOU want--whether it's port intensive, enjoying the ship, or a combo of the two. Don't get sucked into "must-do's." It's your trip to do as you please.

Enjoy!

 

 

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[redwings1958]

We've booked the Allure/Barcelona July 2015. This will be our first Med. cruise and 5th cruise overall. I'm excited about both the ship and the ports.

Make the cruise be what YOU want--whether it's port intensive, enjoying the ship, or a combo of the two. Don't get sucked into "must-do's." It's your trip to do as you please.

Enjoy!

 

 

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We are also doing the JULY 2015 Allure Barcelona trip and it will also be our 1st Med. trip. For us, the PORTS are the most important, and the ship 2nd. That being said, going on one of the newest ships will definetly be a plus. Also we will have all day Sat. at sea to relax and enjoy the ship

[Pam bam]

We've booked the Allure for May 31st 2015 for 7 nights, this is our first ever cruise, I'm a bit nervous but can't wait at the same time ....

 

 

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[CRUISEFAN0001]

We've booked the Allure for May 31st 2015 for 7 nights, this is our first ever cruise, I'm a bit nervous but can't wait at the same time ....

Congrats!

 

We'll be on that same cruise with ya!

 

As a first cruise...sailing on Allure and also in its maiden Mediterranean run is quite the "first ever" experience. You'll be amazed by the ship and the ports on this cruise alike.

[steamboats]

We booked May 21, 2015 from Rome on the Allure ... Now I find out this is the first cruise the Allure will be in the Mediterranean - is that a bad idea? will the embarkation crew be ready for so many passengers (6000)? will the ports know what to expect?

 

First of all: Yes, the ports know what to expect as they are used to the Liberty of the Seas and will get used to the Oasis of the Seas this September.

 

Second: The Allure does interporting with embarkation ports in Civitavecchia and Barcelona. So there aren´t 6,000 people embarking in Civitavecchia. The major part will embark in Barcelona. Civitavecchia doesn´t have a terminal to cope with that amount of passengers. Barcelona does have the experience and capacity.

 

So, no need to worry!

 

steamboats

[luv4cruises]

The Med is all about the ports not the ship. I would save the Allure or the Oasis for a less port intensive, and not so must see points of interest itinerary.

 

We cruised the Grand Med on Royal Princess and were hardly ever on the ship-

10 ports in 12 days. So much to see we should have done B2B.

 

We loved the Oasis, but would never choose her for an itinerary where we would want to see so much on land.

 

Good luck with your decision!

Edited July 28, 2014 by luv4cruises

[luv4cruises]

The Med is all about the ports not the ship. I would save the Allure or the Oasis for a less port intensive, and not so must see points of interest itinerary.

 

We cruised the Grand Med on Royal Princess and were hardly ever on the ship-

10 ports in 12 days. So much to see we should have done a B2B. On the Med itinerary- excursions are usually very full day ones with lots of walking. There is soooo much to take in- not like many other scenic or beach itineraries.

One has to make very informed choices on exactly what very small part of history one wants to see, because each port would require so much more time to even scratch the surface. I would have hated to have to choose excursions based on needing more time to enjoy the fabulous Oasis or Allure.

 

We loved the Oasis, but would never choose her for an itinerary where we would want to see so much on land. They would,however, be great for a TA!

 

Good luck with your decision!

Edited July 28, 2014 by luv4cruises

[Russ Lomas]

No I would not. Especially since this is your first Med cruise.

 

First I have cruised on this ship for a total of four weeks and it is a destination in itself. Book it when the itinerary is not the focus so that you can actually enjoy what this ship has to offer which is a lot

 

My suggestion if you're going to the expense and taking the time to fly to Europe do it on a smaller ship and save the Allure for the Caribbean. :)

I fully agree with this person's opinion. We did the Oasis once and told the kids that the Oasis class ship was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Well....we are booked on the Allure for March. Even though we only had 3 port days (really only 2 1/2 since you have to be back on the ship in Nassau by 1pm), we still did not get to experience even half of what the Oasis had to offer us despite the abundance of sea days.

 

I think the ship is the destination in itself. Enjoy it either in the Caribbean on, even better, on a transatlantic to fully enjoy and experience it.

 

Take a smaller ship so that you can enjoy the ports in the Med that you may not have experienced before to their full potential without having to worry about not seeing the entire ship. Plus, even though RCCL does a great job of transferring 6000 passengers ashore each day, it would be much better with only a half or a third of that number of passengers going ashore in order to get a better experience ashore.

[dz9yvr]

I agree with most of the replies, the Med is probably better on a smaller ship. We've been on the Oasis/Allure about a dozen times we just returned from a 12 day trip in the Med on the Celebrity Silhouette. This was the first time in several years we have sailed a ship smaller than Oasis/Allure and we found that we really missed smaller ships. Many of the European ports just don't have the infrastructure t handle 6000 passengers at one time and there will likely be hassles. Nothing that will be impossible to overcome, but why subject yourself to those poptential issues. I honestly can't immagine how the large white tent at Rome's port will compete with the the Oasis/Allure terminal in fort Lauderdale. Smller ships can go into more ports and can even tender to some great spots. I the was limited to a 7-day cruise. If that's the case I would suggest the OP consider a 7-day itinerary that starts and ends in differnt ports. The OP will then be able to explore an additional stop.

[Cruising89143]

I agree with most of the replies, the Med is probably better on a smaller ship. We've been on the Oasis/Allure about a dozen times we just returned from a 12 day trip in the Med on the Celebrity Silhouette. This was the first time in several years we have sailed a ship smaller than Oasis/Allure and we found that we really missed smaller ships. Many of the European ports just don't have the infrastructure t handle 6000 passengers at one time and there will likely be hassles. Nothing that will be impossible to overcome, but why subject yourself to those poptential issues. I honestly can't immagine how the large white tent at Rome's port will compete with the the Oasis/Allure terminal in fort Lauderdale. Smller ships can go into more ports and can even tender to some great spots. I the was limited to a 7-day cruise. If that's the case I would suggest the OP consider a 7-day itinerary that starts and ends in differnt ports. The OP will then be able to explore an additional stop.

 

We had the exact same reaction. We went from the Allure to the Celebrity Reflection and while we love the Oasis class ships, we found that we enjoy smaller ships too. I gave my comments above but it will be interesting to see how some of the ports handle so many guests at one time getting in and out of the port areas. I think it's a good thing that the Oasis and Allure are interporting so that will help in Rome.

[steamboats]

I honestly can't immagine how the large white tent at Rome's port will compete with the the Oasis/Allure terminal in fort Lauderdale.

 

I can´t either (been there embarking the Navigator last year). But as I said before:

 

Civitavecchia is not the main embarkation port. Main embarkation port is Barcelona. So I don´t expect too many people boarding in Civitavecchia. I´d say a maximum of 1,500 to 2,000 (if that high).

 

steamboats

[Pam bam]

Hello cruisefan0001 I'm new to all this lol even this website I duno how to reply to u directly lol your going in may aswell, cool, this is my boyfriends and my first ever cruise, I can't wait, have u cruised before? We are getting ship allure in Barcelona, lol

 

 

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[Pam bam]

How do u reply to people directly? Lol

 

 

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[Clarea]

How do u reply to people directly? Lol

There's no IM capability on this website. You would have to know the other person's email address.

[Pam bam]

No I mean they way you done now, with my message attached, how do u do that, so the person knows I'm talking to them lol

 

 

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[Pam bam]

I'm think I found how, I'm going to try it

 

 

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[Pam bam]

There's no IM capability on this website. You would have to know the other person's email address.

 

 

Thank you, I think this is it lol

 

 

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[Clarea]

No I mean they way you done now, with my messag

You click on the "Quote" button on the lower right of the post.

 

EDIT: I see you got it.

 

If you want to quote multiple posts, use the button on each post, and then click the Post Reply button.

Edited July 28, 2014 by clarea

[Pam bam]

Congrats!

 

 

 

We'll be on that same cruise with ya!

 

 

 

As a first cruise...sailing on Allure and also in its maiden Mediterranean run is quite the "first ever" experience. You'll be amazed by the ship and the ports on this cruise alike.

 

 

Hello ah brill, this is our very first cruise, it leaves from barcalona, is this your first cruise? I looked loads of utube clips of the ship, omg it looks so big, it looks beautiful inside it,

 

 

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[Pam bam]

You click on the "Quote" button on the lower right of the post.

 

EDIT: I see you got it.

 

If you want to quote multiple posts, use the button on each post, and then click the Post Reply button.

 

 

Thanks very much, I think I'm getting there lol lol sound

 

 

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