Spring break on the Allure...a photo review

[Wildcatfish]

Great review! I laughed, I cried, I checked my BMI and considered a marriage proposal... but Mrs. Wildcatfish would probably pound me. It would hurt.

 

Thanks again for a classic trip report!

[aimee0803]

Good point. I beet David Beckham also wouldn't give me the stink eye everytime I bring up the idea of a Paul Gauguin cruise in French Polynesia...

 

Look, I'm up for a fun with Micmacmissy cruise. Go ahead and get that planned, will you? I'll await my ticket in the mail...(have I mentioned I'm really dying to go on Paul Gauguin???)

 

Looked into it...maybe we stick with Royal for now...unless David Beckham is on here...lurking...wanting to make some dreams come true...

[micmacmissy]

Looked into it...maybe we stick with Royal for now...unless David Beckham is on here...lurking...wanting to make some dreams come true...

 

I'll settle for that 5/26 on the Equinox...

[aimee0803]

I'll settle for that 5/26 on the Equinox...

 

I wish! But it's been sold out for a while (except for the occasional $5000+ pp suite that keeps opening up). And my dad is paying so I would feel really bad kicking him off at the last minute. :-/

[travelplus]

We had booked Hyatt Place about 8 months ago through Value Trips, as recommended by the fine folks here at Cruise Critic. The rate was $215/night which was pretty darn good, considering it was spring break week and I was having a hard time finding rooms less than $300.

 

It did occur to me - briefly, fleetingly - to call Hyatt Place and tell them that we were getting in late...but then I thought, nah, I confirmed it two weeks ago, I have the confirmation email printed out, what could go wrong? Well, lots.

 

 

First off, we had to wait about 40 minutes at the FLL airport for the shuttle to the rental car area. There was a huge long line, and we were exhausted, and I wanted to skip the rental car and just jump on the Hyatt Place shuttle bus (which was sitting right there), but my husband in all his wisdom insisted we be patient and get the rental car. Good thing, because when we arrived at Hyatt Place there was no room for us.

 

 

That's right- I showed the lady my confirmation and she whispered to the guy next to her, and he whispered back, and she clicked around on her computer, and said she didn't have a reservation for us. Okay, clearly a mistake. Here is my confirmation. She said, "That reservation was cancelled." What the what?! She went on to explain that they had cancelled our reservation 3 days earlier because my credit card declined. (Ohhhh...yeah...my credit card was hacked the week before and the bank issued me a new one. Do you remember which credit card you use to make each reservation? If you do, you are a better person than me!)

 

 

So....why didn't someone call me when it declined? She said, "We had no way to get in touch with you." I leaned over the counter (they have the monitors built in under the counters there, so they look down through the glass) and I clearly see the info screen which shows not just my name, address, email, but also our THREE PHONE NUMBERS and I say to the woman, "Seriously?!" I will say that the staff there was not that apologetic. Yep, the credit card thing was totally my fault, but this is what got me: she said, "Well this was a THIRD PARTY BOOKING," as if people who book that way are a bunch of degenerates. A simple apology would have gone a long way. Not impressed Hyatt Place 17th Street, not impressed.

 

 

So like Mary and Joseph, there was no room at the inn (the place?) for us. (No, really, we are JUST LIKE Mary and Joseph and our son is positively angelic, trust me). Despite our being degenerate third party bookers, the desk staff called over to the Residence Inn near the airport to see if they had room for us, and we had to hop in the rental car and drive back that way (thank goodness for the rental car). Luckily the Residence Inn had a room open - with one king bed. But beggars can't be choosers so I broke the news to the kids that they would be on the sofa and floor while dad and I enjoyed a delightful night's rest in a big comfy bed.

 

 

Honestly though I was bummed, because the Residence Inn is NOT near the 17th street corridor where we like to stay, and it meant we were driving all over in the rental car instead of just walking. In the end, we had the option to spend the 2nd night at the Hyatt Place where a room opened up, but we decided not to move again, because it just seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

 

 

I did hop on the Cruise Critic Florida departures board to post a little cautionary tale about confirming reservations, and the fine folks over there ripped me a new one, like only Cruise Critic members can. Yes, yes, I know, the credit card thing was my fault- I admit it! But really, no sympathy over the mean treatment and snotty desk clerk? Not even for Hyatt cardholders? Not even when nobody bothered to even try and reach us? Nope- you want sympathy, call your mama, cause the folks on the CC boards are NOT HAVING IT. You know how it is. Le sigh.

 

 

So clearly, not the best start to our vacation- but my husband feels like the more stressed you are getting there, the more relaxing the vacation will feel. (Yeah, I know. He's weird.)

 

 

The saga will continue tomorrow, friends...when we hit the Everglades!

 

Hyatt had to find you a room at a nicer hotel with the same amount of beds. How dare they made your kids sleep on an uncomfortable sofa and on the floor(which you did not pay for). It was their fault for just cancelling the reservation especially it was booked through a third party by now they would have gotten paid if it was non-refundable.

 

I would have demanded them to find me a better hotel. I don't care if its spring break or not they had your phone numbers to call you. I would dispute the charge on your credit card and let Hyatt pick up the cost of the Residence Inn for making your kids sleep on a sofa and on the floor(this is not a bed)

[Jobe20]

Great fun review thanks. Loving your writing style.

We are on Allure in August so just starting some homework but already booked all shows excluding ice games. Did you book for this one too?

[Buckeye State Cruisers]

I have been a member of Cruise Critic since 2008 when we took our first cruise and I have NEVER read such an amusing and hysterically funny review. You, my dear, can write :D I just discovered this thread today and read all 16 pages (I did stop to eat ;)) I am going to bookmark it so I can re-read it when I need a good laugh.

 

[Traveller1976]

Wonderful review

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[SC_Floaters]

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Actually, I WAS a happy customer until I put in that link and saw they released a new luggage color - PINK! What? I got Navy, but now I want the pink! No fair!

 

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[CruzieSue]

Great review! I laughed, I cried, I checked my BMI and considered a marriage proposal... but Mrs. Wildcatfish would probably pound me. It would hurt.

 

:') :') Me, too, but MR. CruzieSue would not be amused either !!! ;p :D

[hucifer]

WOW, micmacmissy. You are hilarious. I've been reading excerpts of your trip report to my coworkers when I should have been planning a verification of the M109A7 Paladin publications.

 

 

I'll have to dig up your old reports. I can't get enough of your sense of humor. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us!

[micmacmissy]

I wish! But it's been sold out for a while (except for the occasional $5000+ pp suite that keeps opening up). And my dad is paying so I would feel really bad kicking him off at the last minute. :-/

 

Look, you've had your WHOLE LIFE to spend time with your dad, but you haven't even spent ten minutes with me! I'm sure he'll understand...

[micmacmissy]

Hyatt had to find you a room at a nicer hotel with the same amount of beds. How dare they made your kids sleep on an uncomfortable sofa and on the floor(which you did not pay for). It was their fault for just cancelling the reservation especially it was booked through a third party by now they would have gotten paid if it was non-refundable.

 

I would have demanded them to find me a better hotel. I don't care if its spring break or not they had your phone numbers to call you. I would dispute the charge on your credit card and let Hyatt pick up the cost of the Residence Inn for making your kids sleep on a sofa and on the floor(this is not a bed)

 

Yeah, when I get my credit card statement I might try to angle for a refund. I was super ticked that night (as was my husband, which rarely happens) but at that point, we just wanted a BED...

 

I got 0 sympathy over on the Florida departures board...what a bunch of meanies over there!

[micmacmissy]

Great fun review thanks. Loving your writing style.

We are on Allure in August so just starting some homework but already booked all shows excluding ice games. Did you book for this one too?

 

Yes, we booked all the shows ahead of time, including the Ice Games show. The only show we skipped was the Headliner (which was some Elvis impersonator, so I was like Yeahnothanks and skipped that).

 

I think the key to a more relaxing time on this particular ship is pre booking shows. (And consuming copious amounts of alcohol.)

[micmacmissy]

I have been a member of Cruise Critic since 2008 when we took our first cruise and I have NEVER read such an amusing and hysterically funny review. You, my dear, can write :D I just discovered this thread today and read all 16 pages (I did stop to eat ;)) I am going to bookmark it so I can re-read it when I need a good laugh.

 

Well golly that's going to go straight to my head! At home no one thinks I'm hysterical...all I get in response is a lot of eye rolling and the "Mom, you are so embarrassing!" exclamations.

 

You read all 16 pages at once??? I am happy to have been the source of your complete lack of productivity today.

 

Now get up and go fold some laundry or something. Lazy! :*

[micmacmissy]

Thanks For The Luggage Tip... We did some searching and reviewing and on 4/27 we Ordered Two Small Carry-ons, one Medium and one Large... CarryOn & Medium in Sand? CarryOn & Large in Asphalt. They arrived today. Impressive packaging, Lifetime Warranty, 100 days to return without reason..

 

We're happy in SC

Dennis & Sue

 

Um, are you mailing me my finder's fee for that hot tip? I'll wait by the mailbox.

 

I wanted to order the sand color- I think it looks so nice- but my husband preferred the navy because he thought the sand was too girly (this from the guy who wears khaki colored EVERYTHING). You will love the built-in chargers on the carry ons- yahoo! And they roll so smoothly.

 

Now you just need a Sherpa to schlep them all for you.

[micmacmissy]

:') Me, too, but MR. CruzieSue would not be amused either !!! ;p

 

Hey now :hearteyes: :hearteyes: :hearteyes:

[micmacmissy]

WOW, micmacmissy. You are hilarious. I've been reading excerpts of your trip report to my coworkers when I should have been planning a verification of the M109A7 Paladin publications.

 

I'll have to dig up your old reports. I can't get enough of your sense of humor. Thank you for taking the time to share this with us!

 

Okay, I don't know what M109A7 Paladin publications are, or why they must be verified, but they sound very important, and probably you should be focusing on your work. Please tell me you aren't an air traffic controller or something. I don't want to be responsible for any international incidents because you're too busy yucking it up on Cruise Critic to do your job! ;) (No, seriously, what the h*ll are Paladin publications???)

[tropiclvrs]

Okay, I don't know what M109A7 Paladin publications are, or why they must be verified, but they sound very important, and probably you should be focusing on your work. Please tell me you aren't an air traffic controller or something. I don't want to be responsible for any international incidents because you're too busy yucking it up on Cruise Critic to do your job! ;) (No, seriously, what the h*ll are Paladin publications???)

 

Sounds like some pretty serious stuff to me!

 

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/paladin-m109a7-155mm-artillery-system/

[ksws64]

Hey MMM, can you post a link to the Celebrity cruise review you did? I can't locate it and would love to read what you posted! LOVE your humor. I'm one of the readers that read all the posts in one sitting! lol.... you write wonderfully!

[micmacmissy]

Hey MMM, can you post a link to the Celebrity cruise review you did? I can't locate it and would love to read what you posted! LOVE your humor. I'm one of the readers that read all the posts in one sitting! lol.... you write wonderfully!

 

Sir yes sir! Hopefully this will work...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1992004

[cookie*]

So you know that whole debate on CC about Oasis class being inward-facing ships? Well, after a week on Allure, hubby and I concur- we didn't get enough ocean views.

 

 

Really enjoyed your review! We briefly considered Oasis for spring break but ended up booking NCL Escape. We loved the design of the Escape-I think that Central Park area looks amazing and I bet our kids would love the Boardwalk area, but I love that on the Escape you see the ocean just about everywhere. I am trying to decide what ship will be next for us. Would do the Escape again in a heartbeat, but I want a Southern Caribbean itinerary next.

 

I have heard great things about RCI but the stories of lines and pushy sales has me slightly concerned. We didn't have any of that with NCL-well the line for win a cruise bingo looked to be similar to your experience! I'm glad to hear My Time Dining worked out for you-that is the other thing we loved about NCL, we loved the Freestyle concept. Do you only have the option for a table for 4 at breakfast? What happens at dinner? Or maybe I misread that part...

 

Final sea day tried on my dream watch. It is a lovely rose gold Rolex with a diamond bezel. It fit my wrist perfectly, but hubby was not having it.

 

 

"Honey, do you know what time it is? It's time to buy me a nice new watch!"

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

 

That watch was made for you!!!

 

Sir yes sir! Hopefully this will work...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1992004

 

 

Thanks! I am going to read this next!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[micmacmissy]

 

I have heard great things about RCI but the stories of lines and pushy sales has me slightly concerned. We didn't have any of that with NCL-well the line for win a cruise bingo looked to be similar to your experience! I'm glad to hear My Time Dining worked out for you-that is the other thing we loved about NCL, we loved the Freestyle concept. Do you only have the option for a table for 4 at breakfast? What happens at dinner? Or maybe I misread that part...

 

We didn't encounter any lines for dinner or shows- everything was pre-booked, which is KEY.

 

No problem getting a table for 4 at breakfast or dinner. Longest wait time we had in MDR was one breakfast (sea day), where we waited for 5 minutes.

 

These big ships run like clockwork.

 

As for the pushy sales- we found it worse on Independence of the Seas, there were people in the promenade trying to hand you sales fliers, like those guys in the corner in Las Vegas who hand you the little nude lady thingies. Then again, we didn't hang out much in the promenade (the STINK!). There were lots of tables set up to buy drink packages, etc- but you just walk by them.

 

I think the Oasis class is one of those have-to-try-it-once kinds of things. Probably we'll head back to Celebrity and pretend like we're 80, because that is our jam.

[micmacmissy]

So now we're at the night before disembarkation day, with the onset of PCDD (post cruise depression disorder). Here are some things you have to do:

 

-Leave your stateroom attendant some cash. Yes, I know you've already paid gratuities. And yes, I know you brought little peanut butter chocolate balls from the Buckeye state to leave instead. STOP THAT. Leave cash. Another $20 or $40 ain't gonna kill you.

 

-Download the mobile passport app, which is very easy to do. (The downloading part, anyway). Scan your passports, they said. You'll breeze thru the lines, they said. It's so easy, they said. A fraction of the time, they said. But you can't submit your passports/custom stuff the night before- it has to be within 4 hours of walking off the ship. So wait till morning.

 

Now we booked a 930am flight which I know was risky. But it turned out FINE. Ship was docked by 6am, we grabbed quick showers and headed to the promenade with our luggage at 6:15am. Yes, this is painful. As we stood in line (there were maybe 15 people in front of us), I attempted to get our passports submitted in the app. Mine, done. Hubbys, done. Wait: where did mine go? Delete, add, resubmit. Nope. STill only showing one passport. Damn. Add, resubmit. There it is! Nope, now the other one disappeared.

 

So I do what all 40ish moms do when this happens- I handed the phone to my son and said, "Make this @#$% app work." Well, I hate to break it you guys, but if the teenage boy can't make it work, THEN IT DOES NOT WORK. Steve Jobs himself couldn't have gotten these passports uploaded. So out came the paper forms- we're going OLD SCHOOL!

[micmacmissy]

Once the ship is cleared, they start letting folks off. Yes, we carried our own luggage how (this self disembark requires you to do so) but we liked it this way! First of all, no packing up the night before and hoping you didn't forget anything you'd need for the morning, which you WILL, and you will wind up wearing yesterday's underwear, only inside out (that's cleaner, right?) because you forgot to leave out underwear. Sigh. Am I the only one that's happened to?

 

So you haul your own luggage, but then you don't have to do the giant terminal Where's Waldo bag search on your way out. You just roll through to customs. Which moved slightly faster for the app people, but not by much, since the lines were so short since we were so EARLY!

 

In a cab, at the airport, checked in, easy peasy. YES you can do it, 9:30am flight people!!! In fact, when we got to the airport, my non-spoiled, patient, delightful child said, "9:30? Can we switch to a flight that's at, like, 8:30?" Ahh, teenagers.