ALLURE OF THE SEAS - Aug. 20-27 - Review

[manonvacation]

Thanks a lot for the review. You must have spent a lot of time writing it. Much Appreciate!

It's pretty details but it looks like people are expecting a lot of pictures with a review. I'm looking for some pictures together with the texts too :) That's why your review was not as popular as the hurricane news :)

It's just my opinion. It's not necessary the right opinion for everyone else.

[bigairboarder44]

Thanks for the review... Reading it gets me excited for our 11/19 cruise on her! Can't wait!!

[foodenthusiast]

I loved your review. I am going on Allure on 10/8. My first Royal Caribbean cruise, and I am so excited!

[jll583]

Enjoyed your review. We were on the Oasis the week of Aug 13-20 and visited the same ports [emoji3]We are also very upset over what has occurred in St Maarten since we were just there [emoji53]

 

 

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[rmurray847]

Thanks a lot for the review. You must have spent a lot of time writing it. Much Appreciate!

It's pretty details but it looks like people are expecting a lot of pictures with a review. I'm looking for some pictures together with the texts too :) That's why your review was not as popular as the hurricane news :)

It's just my opinion. It's not necessary the right opinion for everyone else.

 

Well, I've never been able to figure out how to post photos on this site, so I've kinda given up on that. The review has received plenty of visits...I was just hoping there might be more questions I could help with. Maybe I just did such an incredible job writing it that all possible questions were covered!!! HA!

[rmurray847]

I loved your review. I am going on Allure on 10/8. My first Royal Caribbean cruise, and I am so excited!

You've picked quite a ship to start with! We had been on 5 other ships prior to this...and the Allure is amazing. I still like the other ships and sure enjoyed the heck out of the other cruises...but the scale and variety of places to see and things to do on the ship takes it to a different level. Not necessarily better, but certainly different. I'd happily cruise on Allure again, but I've not lost my interest in other, smaller ships either. In the end, for us, so much is about the sea and the ports.

[BSR]

Enjoyed reading your review.

 

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[mom2twins+1]

Great review! Can you tell me more about the thermal sea pass? How much did it cost? What was included?

[bigairboarder44]

Since you want questions, I have one for you: can guests use the spa showers without needing to purchase anything? I found this "hidden" gem on the Adventure our last cruise and used those huge showers (comparatively :p) in the spa/gym locker while my girlfriend was using our room shower and would love to do the same in November.

[rmf11699]

PORTS - My Final Section of the Review

 

Our time in Puerto Rico was limited, and we had hired a private guide to take us to El Yunque.

 

 

A co-worker suggested I visit el Yunque by private tour also. Who did you use?

[yuvraj]

Now I have to defend my Mamma Mia opinion!! I have an undergraduate degree in theater, and spent the first 15 years of my career as Executive Director of non-profit theater companies. So from that perspective, I have to say the show MAMMA MIA is only so-so, and the production on the Allure is okay but not inspired. For a thin show like MAMMA MIA to really work, it needs more inspiration & talent on the production/performance side. BUT, there was still plenty to enjoy. When the folks on stage just sang their hearts out, it was still a treat.

 

I'm only offering the above to say that my opinion isn't based on not getting the show (there were plenty of people around us who clearly just weren't the right audience for an ABBA show...leaving at intermission or, in one case, dozing off. I could never sleep through that loud music!).

 

I really appreciate hearing your thoughts on the experience. It was a LOAD of fun!!!

 

I enjoyed the show but agree that it could have been better in many ways. I would have been disappointed had I spent £50 to see it in the London West End.

 

One positive : it is far better than the film IMO.

[manonvacation]

Well, I've never been able to figure out how to post photos on this site, so I've kinda given up on that. The review has received plenty of visits...I was just hoping there might be more questions I could help with. Maybe I just did such an incredible job writing it that all possible questions were covered!!! HA!

 

I think you did it. You did an incredible job that left nothing to be questioned! Thanks.

[descotes]

Thank you for your review! We will be on the ship in November and you did a great job of detailing things I still didn't know after all the research I've done. We're usually Windjammer people for breakfast so I'm glad to know that I have other great options like Johnny Rockets, Park Cafe and the Solarium Cafe. I may not see the windjammer either... we'll see. Also good that I can tell my kids (17 & 15) that they can go to these options as well.

 

Also loved to hear your disembarkation went smooth. I've never walked off with my bags before. You've calmed my nerves a bit as our flight is at 9:30am and I have heard that I may be "pushing it" or running. Sounds like even with going to breakfast and the customs app which I have, you got to the airport at 8:30. Whether or not we do breakfast I think we'll be ok. That was good to hear.

 

Thank you again for your great review!

 

 

 

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[bucky0926]

I was also on that cruise and enjoyed it. We (me and DH) are a lot more laid back. I can tell you that the pools on sea days were pretty crowded. We loved the tiny pool (looks like a whirlpool) as it pushes you around kind of like a lazy river. There are a ton of kids in it so be prepared to get kicked a number of times. We are both smokers so we usually set up shop in these recessed type cabanas right by the smoking section. It kept us out of the sun but still right by the pools as I found the deck slippery. The smoking sections was consistently being cleaned which we both liked because on the Anthem they hardly ever cleaned it and it looked like a frat house. They gave everyone eclipse glasses (crew and guests) and during the eclipse it was fun to watch everyone with the glasses on looking up at the sun. They also played the best music during the eclipse as every song was great with a theme (either sun, moon, darkness, etc). In fact I never really enjoyed the music around the pool except for the eclipse time. Laberdee was relaxing as we got off the ship early and walked all the way to the end (a cove I forget the name). We set up under trees and it didn't get crowded for another 2 hours or so. Yes the vendors are pushy but I guess being from NY I am kind of used to it. I told some of them to back off and they did (I didn't sense any resentment as OP did though). I did buy a nice beach coverup that started at $40 but I got for $10. I didn't even get off the ship in San Juan as its not one of my favorite ports. The ship was very relaxing when most are gone. My hubbie did get off to walk around a bit but said things haven't changed much. I would have like to have gone on the excursion like the OP did but with arrival into San Juan so late I also didn't want to go in the heat of the afternoon. St Marteen was great (its one of my favorite ports). We went to little bay (by Divi) where we were only one of 3 small groups from the cruise ship. $5 for a lounge chair and $5 for an umbrella. We got 2 of both and tipped the guy $3 for set up. We saw at least 7 boat loads of people who were dropped right at the top of the bay to go snorkeling. We snorkeled out to where they were (it was a long swim especially without fins) and it wasn't very impressive. The snorkeling was actually better by the dock where we were. The beach is an easy walk in and no water shoes were needed. It was so calm that day that we rented a paddleboard ($25 for an hour). And I actually got up and did it (yes I am proud of myself) and so did my DH. All the locals were helpful and I hope they can get back on their feet soon. Embarkation and debarkation (we did self assist also) was easy. We went to the windjammer often for lunch and never found it overly crowded. We could get to the food easy enough and getting a table was never an issue. DH is a breakfast guy and found it annoying that first he had to get salmon from the windjammer (lox to us NY'ers) and then go to another venue entirely to get an omelette with the lox. Shows were OK-we like our time in the casino. Hubbie didn't like that on Anthem they bought a round of drinks for everyone at the Texas hold'em table and on this cruise they only bought one round and then admonished everyone for asking. You can't get rated at an electronic hold'em table and it's just not right. He (and I) couldn't believe how it could be so different on the same cruise line. (And to honest they never had a problem getting drinks on Holland America or Carnival at the table). I guess this casino manager (even after learning that my husband was upset) was cheap and never offered to make it up to him and buy the table another round. I play blackjack and didn't lose a dollar or make a dollar so I guess I'm a winner since I played every night.

 

We went on this cruise to experience an Oasis class ship and while it is beautiful we have decided to go back to cruising for ports and not for the ship. Sorry to have hijacked this thread from the OP who did a much better job than I ever could.

[rmurray847]

Great review! Can you tell me more about the thermal sea pass? How much did it cost? What was included?

Not sure I can answer you well on this. We had booked a couples massage for the first day (at noon, no less, good price) and they offered us a "special deal" of $175 for the week for the thermal sea pass. I think that's a fair amount cheaper than usual.

 

There are two "tropical rain forest" showers that either give you a regular shower, or if you press the right buttons, you get harder water, lights and the sounds of a rain shower. Alarming if you're not ready for it. There are two wet steam baths, including one with scented steam (or favorite) AND a dry steam bath. Then there are 4 heated recliners to sit on, which are very nice. That's about it. It was great! My only gripe is that they closed at 8 pm...would have loved to go there right before bed, late after an evening of drinking. (Although, of course, you can't/shouldn't drink alcohol when doing the spa.)

[rmurray847]

Since you want questions, I have one for you: can guests use the spa showers without needing to purchase anything? I found this "hidden" gem on the Adventure our last cruise and used those huge showers (comparatively :p) in the spa/gym locker while my girlfriend was using our room shower and would love to do the same in November.

Well, that's a great idea! I think I learned something from you! The entry to the showers is right next to the check-in desk, so you wouldn't be able to walk in unnoticed. Not sure if they would let you or not. Except for the fact that they would have to launder more towels...I don't see what the harm would be.

 

Sorry, I can't answer better.

[rmurray847]

A co-worker suggested I visit el Yunque by private tour also. Who did you use?

 

I'm not sure what cruise critic will allow me to say: I looked at "Tours by Locals" and found a gentleman named Javier Ruiz.

[rmurray847]

 

Also loved to hear your disembarkation went smooth. I've never walked off with my bags before. You've calmed my nerves a bit as our flight is at 9:30am and I have heard that I may be "pushing it" or running. Sounds like even with going to breakfast and the customs app which I have, you got to the airport at 8:30. Whether or not we do breakfast I think we'll be ok. That was good to hear.

 

Thank you again for your great review!

 

 

 

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Yes, it went very smooth...but I would be sweating at a 9:30 departure! I'd want to get off the ship RIGHT away, so maybe just grab a pastry and a piece of fruit for the road. It went VERY smooth for us as I said, but I certainly can't guarantee things won't be different. We were the only ship in port...that might make a difference as well. I know there are different terminals for the other lines, but not sure how traffic, cabs, etc. work out when there are more ships.

 

ENJOY!!!

[discru]

Great review. Thank you!! Can you tell me if you found any craft beer in any of the bars?

[rmurray847]

Great review. Thank you!! Can you tell me if you found any craft beer in any of the bars?

 

I am a HUGE beer fanatic myself, so the short answer is "no." You can find some Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but that's as close as you'll likely get. If you go to the pub on the Royal Promenade (Bow and Stern, if memory serves), you'll find the longest list on the ship, but it's mostly "foreign" beers like Fosters and Newcastle. So it's a little more variety, but still beers owned by folks like InBev. I drank very little beer on board!

 

On previous RCI cruises, we've had Alaska Brewing company beers on the list. These are a decent alternative, although only available in a couple of spots. I don't know if they MIGHT have this by the time you sail.

[rmurray847]

I am a HUGE beer fanatic myself, so the short answer is "no." You can find some Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but that's as close as you'll likely get. If you go to the pub on the Royal Promenade (Bow and Stern, if memory serves), you'll find the longest list on the ship, but it's mostly "foreign" beers like Fosters and Newcastle. So it's a little more variety, but still beers owned by folks like InBev. I drank very little beer on board!

 

On previous RCI cruises, we've had Alaska Brewing company beers on the list. These are a decent alternative, although only available in a couple of spots. I don't know if they MIGHT have this by the time you sail.

 

And to follow up on myself, to be fair and thorough: when we were onshore in Labadee, the beer selection is even punier. Bud, Bud Light, Lite, Red Stripe (the fanciest beer they had). But I gotta say, on a hot beach day, an ICE COLD Bud (and they were quite cold) still hit the spot pretty well!

[HppyCamper]

Thank you for the great review. We are sailing on the Allure over Thanksgiving. You gave good info.

[ptf2009]

Thanks for your great review and the time you took to write it. We will be on Allure next May and just got off the Harmony a couple of weeks ago. I am looking forward to seeing Mamma Mia (love ABBA songs). Grease on Harmony was great....the acting and singing were wonderful, but it wasn't 2.5 hrs. and there was no intermission. We also had a very fast disembarkation and carried our own luggage (2 each, we also travel lightly). We walked off the ship @7:30 and were at the airport @8:00, in plenty of time for out 9:55 flight and will take the same flight next May. Again thank you for your review.

[one9marine]

Very nice review. :D we have Easter 2018 booked. It will be our 4th cruise on Allure. You might say we like her. As the OP said we love Central Park. We like to have our stateroom on the 8th floor and use CP as a transit point from front to back. All your eating points were excellent. We also avoid Windjammer. There are just too many other options. Solarium is our favorite chill spot. I like to do the Belly Flop and have won the last two years. i'll be 73 this year so i might skip it. Last year had some bruises. For all who will sail on Allure you will enjoy!:cool:

[cruzinon4fun]

Did you arrange for the massage before booking or when you boarded the ship? Also was the $169.00 for a couple massage?