Allure of the Seas - Barcelona: Mini-Review

[Lady Arwen]

Thank you so much! We're celebrating our 50th onboard in October and now we're even more excited. My dream has always been to see Tuscany so we've booked an excursion to a vineyard with wine tasting!!

[CTMak]

Thank you so much! We're celebrating our 50th onboard in October and now we're even more excited. My dream has always been to see Tuscany so we've booked an excursion to a vineyard with wine tasting!!

 

Congratulations on your 50th!!!

 

You can't go wrong with Tuscany -- one of my favorite places in the world!

 

CT Mak

[CTMak]

Just a few more tips or at least things to think about if you are contemplating this cruise:

 

* For US-based travelers going with more than one couple: recommend calling your cell phone carrier and adding International texting capabilities. Not very much money and you can cancel when you return. In our group we had 4 couples and I wanted at least one cell phone for each couple with texting capabilities while in Europe. Can't tell you how handy that came in.

 

* Internet. RCCL had a pretty good deal: $15 per day for one device unlimited internet usage; and $11 per day for 2 devices (per device so $22 per day total unlimited. Yes there is VAT but that applies to everything.) In my cruising experience the deal is very reasonable. The speed was surprising fast. And you weren't wasting package minutes waiting forever for a page to download.

 

* We were on Deck 12. The pool deck -- also the Solarium for b'fast -- were only 2 flights up on Deck 15 (like many office buildings there is no deck 13) so we used the stairs and were thus able to have that extra dessert as a reward for the exercise. Would be concerned about noise on deck 14 with 15 right above. But I can't opine since I don't know if deck 14 is indeed noisy.

 

* I opted for a drink package. The one with beer, wine, and soda (aside from an occasional martini, I don't drink hard liquor) I think it's called Select. With gratuities and Vat it was $313.60 for the week. RCCL drink prices are a hot topic on these boards because they are not cheap. The way I figured it, 2 cold beers at the pool in 90 degree weather, plus 2 glasses of wine at dinner and I am drinking on the house for the rest of the night. Also, I bought 2 bottles of wine each night at dinner for the table (I got mine by the glass of course) and the package includes 20% off bottles of wine. And on more than 1 occasion I went to a bar to get myself a glass of wine and one for someone else in our group, the bartenders didn't charge me for that second wine. For me the fact that I didn't have to worry about it was worth it in and of itself.

 

* This may sound simplistic, but trust me: anytime your Sail Pass Card leaves your sight -- very common: a waiter or bartender takes it after you order -- make sure it's your card when it is returned. Was playing blackjack and ordered a beer. Waiter takes the card, returns it with my beer and I sign. After I finish I go to my room and the key doesn't work. I look at the card and it says Mark somebody -- not me. I rush back down to the casino, tell the bartender, who takes the card and goes to see the manager at the Cashier's cage. 30 seconds later, this irate guy comes charging over to the bar. I ask him if he is Mark. He asks me if I'm Stan, and we got it straightened out. But imagine if either of us didn't go straight back to the room -- went to a movie or Bingo. Or drew $5,000 worth of chips. Yikes!

 

* You can pick up the cruise in either Barcelona or Rome. Highly recommend Barcelona. We flew a red-eye out of Charlotte landing 7 am on Saturday (ship departs Sunday 6 pm). Did a lot of walking -- in fact had a walking tour -- but were beat. On Sunday a leisurely b'fast, a coffee in a cafe in the square, and then taxis to the ship -- maybe 10 minutes from our hotel vs 1.5 hours from Rome to the port (Civitavecchia.) Plus the itinerary is, IMHO, better suited from Barcelona than Rome for US based travelers. The first port is Palma de Mallorca which is a relaxing port. None of us booked tours. Just strolled the city, returned to the ship by 1 pm, had lunch, a little pool time, a siesta -- a nice way to recover from the excitement of beginning the cruise and jet lag. Gears you up for 4 days of intensive touring. And the last day is a sea day -- lets you decompress a bit. Though, if you board in Rome the cruise is not going to suck. Just think Barcelona is a better starting port.

 

CT Mak

[Theredofshaw]

Just think Barcelona is a better starting port.

 

CT Mak

 

Same here. Enjoyed having that last sea day to relax from the port intensive itinerary.

[ready set cruise]

Leaving soon on this cruise. Is VAT applied to what we purchase on board? I know it is on land.

[ken_nyc]

CTMak thank you for your very informative review and extra comments! It will help with our Harmony of the Seas cruise next June.

[Flick]

Same here. Enjoyed having that last sea day to relax from the port intensive itinerary.

 

Since we REALLY like cruising we are going on the Allure Oct. 25 from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale. This is a 12 night cruise with ONE port (Malaga, Spain) then just "wanderin' over the big pond back to Florida!

Next April we have booked a 35 night cruise from Sidney, Australia around New Zealand for 11 nights then from Sidney to Seattle via French Polynesia, Hawaii etc for an additional 24 nights. That Transpacific only has 5 ports and in two of those we are overnight...Figi and Maui.

[Theredofshaw]

Leaving soon on this cruise. Is VAT applied to what we purchase on board? I know it is on land.

 

yes it is :( even on drinks...