My thoughts on my recent Allure cruise 7/14 - 21

[klfrodo]

Embarkation

We left the hotel about noon. Arrived at the ship about 12:20. Checked in and on board by 12:30

We went straight to the Suite Lounge to relax, get a beverage, and wait for the cabins to open up at 1:00

 

Shows

We only saw 2 shows. Ocean Aria at the Aqua Theater and Blue Planet. Both shows were amazing to an untrained eye. Myself, I was just amazed thinking of the stage production and coordination that had to take place. (The trained eye, my 14 yo dancer grand daughter, noticed lots of choreography mistakes but still enjoyed the shows)

 

Dining

We had an early dining time of 5:15 which is way too early but that what the wife selected so,,,,  it was perfect timing.

Anyway, we had Nilesh and Barrington. Both of them were wonderful. One night we had something scheduled and told them we needed to be out of there by 6:30. They made it happen.

We also had dinner at Izumi Hibachi and Chops.

 

Casino

The casino was NOT kind this trip. 3 card, BJ, and slots were not being friendly for neither myself nor my wife. Was surprised to see a Baccarat table. I think its the first time I've seen one on a ship.

 

Overall

Enjoyed myself immensely, however, not sure this size of ship is for me. Too big for my comfort. Not that it's a bad ship,,,, just not my cup of tea. Couldn't tell you how my times we ended up taking the elevator in the opposite direction just so we could get where we wanted to go. The elevators were always packed and there are a lot of elevators.

 

First time using the Suite Lounge on a ship this size. On Brilliance and Rhapsody I found the lounge to be intimate and friendly. Here, I found the lounge to be functional and that's about it.

 

St. Thomas got cancelled and replaced with San Juan, then the unrest in San Juan. Not that I blame Royal or anyone actually. It's just a downside to a ship this size with this many passengers. What alternatives are available if any to finding dock space for a ship this size at the last minute then trying to find vendors for excursions for 6000 guests. Tough to do if not impossible. Yet,,,, my next cruise is on the Symphony of The Seas in October. I'll just have to suffer through it. 😉

[brillohead]

Glad you survived the horror!  😂

[anewell28]

Why was St Thomas cancelled?

[katiel53]

1 hour ago, anewell28 said:

Why was St Thomas cancelled?

Allure has been having problems with one azipod and for the last couple/three months, San Juan has replaced St Thomas on some cruises.  

 

The San Juan stop is also a very short stop as opposed to what would have been in St Thomas.

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for posting your comments.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[springfire]

Thanks for the report, we will be on the Allure in September.

[Cya@Sea]

Thank you for sharing. We will be sailing her in September as well.

[MarticaIda]

Thank you for your account! We'll be sailing on Allure in September too. 

[sellwingri]

I’m on Allure in 3 days.  I’ve only been on one mega ship, Oasis, and remember the elevator waits.  Sad to hear it’s still an issue.  I can’t take the stairs (walk with a cane) so I guess I’ll have to adjust.  I love that there’s so many things to do but I do not like the crowds and the fact that we’ll have to go on our balcony to see the water.  I’m on Harmony in September so this cruise will get me ready for the next one.  Both are comped Casino cruises so I’ll enjoy them both.

[brillohead]

8 hours ago, sellwingri said:

I’m on Allure in 3 days.  I’ve only been on one mega ship, Oasis, and remember the elevator waits.  Sad to hear it’s still an issue.  I can’t take the stairs (walk with a cane) so I guess I’ll have to adjust. 

When a show lets out, just sit and wait ten minutes before walking out -- crowds will have dispersed in the elevator lobby. 

 

8 hours ago, sellwingri said:

I love that there’s so many things to do but I do not like the crowds and the fact that we’ll have to go on our balcony to see the water.

You can also walk outside on the Promenade Deck and see water just past the railing. There are also chairs and loungers around to sit and enjoy.  

The Windjammer and MDR all have windows showing the sea, as does the pool deck (but don't hold a baby up to an open window and let go and try to blame it on Royal).  And the upper deck has open railings just like the Promenade Deck.  

Plenty of opportunities to see the ocean on an Oasis class ship beyond your own window/balcony.

[sellwingri]

14 hours ago, brillohead said:

You can also walk outside on the Promenade Deck and see water just past the railing. There are also chairs and loungers around to sit and enjoy.  

The Windjammer and MDR all have windows showing the sea, as does the pool deck (but don't hold a baby up to an open window and let go and try to blame it on Royal).  And the upper deck has open railings just like the Promenade Deck.  

Plenty of opportunities to see the ocean on an Oasis class ship beyond your own window/balcony.

Of course I know you can see the sea by walking outside.  I like to walk inside the ship and be able to look out the windows or sit in a lounge and see water.  

 

Im sure we’ll still enjoy the cruise.  

[legaljen1969]

On ‎7‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 9:30 AM, sellwingri said:

  I love that there’s so many things to do but I do not like the crowds and the fact that we’ll have to go on our balcony to see the water. 

I also enjoy the multitude of things to do on this class of ship, but I don't care for the inward focus of the ships. Yes, there are certainly many places to go outside the see water. I agree with you though, it's nice to be able to sit in some of the restaurants or lounges and see the water.  You truly do have to go outside to see water on the Oasis class ships. I think just about the only public area where you can sit inside and see the water is the MDR and that's if you happen to luck out and get seated near a window which is not all that likely with the sheer volume of people. 

[mafig]

It seems you had dinner in the MDR.  Any reason you chose there instead of Coastal Kitchen?