⭐Live Allure TA 🚢 March 1, 2020 - Time to rub the lamp 🧞

[RFerrington]

10 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Well, it did pre date STAR.

I think this suite was designed as just a big family cabin, with a unique view

Very true.

[Ocean Boy]

Sorry, still don't like the Bella cake and I'm not changing my mind.

[3CatsInMA]

37 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

Sorry, still don't like the Bella cake and I'm not changing my mind.

You don't like the way it was done, or is it the severed Bella head on a plate? 🤔

[mac_tlc]

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Well, it did pre date STAR.

I think this suite was designed as just a big family cabin, with a unique view

For anyone with more than 4, its the only STAR option, other than trying to get both Star lofts, which would be a lot more $$$, or the 4 bedroom suite on Harmony and Symphony. 
 

I hope to have the opportunity to contrast an A1 ( which we had in 2018)  and the VS in August, but........

 

mac_tlc 

Edited March 20, 2020 by mac_tlc

[Ocean Boy]

25 minutes ago, 3CatsInMA said:

You don't like the way it was done, or is it the severed Bella head on a plate? 🤔

The head thing. 

[Anita Latte]

John...I've read several of your reviews...I somehow missed this one and just now read through the whole thing. I sailed the first EB Allure TA five years ago...so I was very interested to get a feel for how this sailing compared to my previous experience. I feel like you had similar weather, even though my TA sailed over a month later.

 

I can completely relate to what happened with you in Barcelona. Mom ended up being diagnosed with borderline, or even having, pneumonia, or there was the risk of pneumonia because she had bronchitis so bad? The Oasis class does have the capability of doing the x-rays on board...and Mom needed to be aware of how close she was to get grounded and unable to fly home, so we ended up having a very low-key, don't do much in Barcelona upon arrival. Mom was more frustrated than I, because I was quite happy with what we were able to do...but Mom had wanted to show me some of the sites in Barcelona...so perhaps you might be feeling as frustrated as Mom did, being in Barcelona with your DS, but not being able to tour around in the way that you had hoped. It's a real bummer and I hope that you have another chance to visit with your DS.

 

Around the time you were trying to get home...we had been talking to our DS who is in his first year of college in London...and after the ban was scheduled to be extended to the UK, we ultimately decided that it was time for DS to come home. Because he hadn't been anywhere else but the UK, and the ban was not in effect yet, he was able to fly home directly from London to Orlando (which is not one of the 13 screening airports) on March 15, on a ticket we bought March 14.

 

So here at home, we are have also been following the rules of self-isolation...which doesn't mean that we have been home bound 100%. It means that we have been following all the suggestions (they are suggestions) and recommendations (they are recommendations and NOT a mandate) because DS would feel awful if his coming home were to cause problems. He arrived Sunday, and we are all still symptom free. Thank God. We continue to practice "safe living", even here at home. I still haven't even had a hug...but again, there are valid reasons to leave home.

 

I just wanted to say that I am very sorry to read about the social shaming that is targeted toward you by the people in your condo area and anywhere else. It is a bit discouraging to read how fearful people are...treating everyone like they are a potential enemy in the fight instead of a fellow soldier. It feels like this is just a continuation of the way that people judge others so easily without knowing the whole story...being critical and condemning first and not inclined toward compassion and understanding.

 

Anyway...just wanting to contribute input toward you that was NOT social shaming and I hope that you continue to be healthy.

[MJSailors]

John-

    A quick question-would you consider booking that suit again given the fare you were charged ?The balcony looked fabulous, but the interior looked a bit cramped (for a suite) in your photos.

      It is unfortunate that your condo neighbors have shown you and LaLa attitude. It would have been much kinder if one or some of them offered to get provisions for you,realizing that you might have had limited provisions upon your return home.

Stay well !

[grapau27]

12 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

John-

    A quick question-would you consider booking that suit again given the fare you were charged ?The balcony looked fabulous, but the interior looked a bit cramped (for a suite) in your photos.

      It is unfortunate that your condo neighbors have shown you and LaLa attitude. It would have been much kinder if one or some of them offered to get provisions for you,realizing that you might have had limited provisions upon your return home.

Stay well !

+1.

[Sea Dog]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

The head thing.

Looked like a scene from "The Godfather."

[gatour]

30 minutes ago, MJSailors said:

John-

      It is unfortunate that your condo neighbors have shown you and LaLa attitude. It would have been much kinder if one or some of them offered to get provisions for you,realizing that you might have had limited provisions upon your return home.

Stay well !

I agree.  That is what I was thinking.  If I knew someone had been on an extended cruise, that started before things really started to ramp up.  I would give them the benefit of the doubt.  If your neighbors were so concerned why didn't they offer to gather provisions.

 

I am like out duck who allows water to run off my back so would pretty much ignore their comment either direct to me or behind my back.

 

I guess the good news they are heading back north.  Or are they since some states are locking down non-essential travel.  If they are leaving are they offering John any remaining toilet paper, canned goods they still have in their cupboards.

 

My one and only comment about John's and Laura's treatment.  Back to your regularly scheduled trip report.

[grapau27]

3 minutes ago, gatour said:

I agree.  That is what I was thinking.  If I knew someone had been on an extended cruise, that started before things really started to ramp up.  I would give them the benefit of the doubt.  If your neighbors were so concerned why didn't they offer to gather provisions.

 

I am like out duck who allows water to run off my back so would pretty much ignore their comment either direct to me or behind my back.

 

I guess the good news they are heading back north.  Or are they since some states are locking down non-essential travel.  If they are leaving are they offering John any remaining toilet paper, canned goods they still have in their cupboards.

 

My one and only comment about John's and Laura's treatment.  Back to your regularly scheduled trip report.

I think the neighbours are jealous of John and Laura's cruising lifestyle.

I believe any of us who follow John's live reviews would be happy to help John and Laura get supplies and medicines given the current situation with coronavirus if we lived nearby.

[KittyKatKrazy]

John, I really appreciate your honesty and self-awareness in this review. Wow, that was a lot of food you got from Chops! Such a shame so much had to go to waste, but what can you do when it sits for an hour. We did Chef's table on our last cruise and by the time the filet came out I was full and could only eat one or two bites. Felt terribly guilty, but did manage to force down most of dessert. Glad the birthday party went much smoother. The pictures are great and I hate to see this review coming to an end. I usually rarely comment, but enjoy following along on others adventures while anticipating my own future cruises . I'm going to miss that.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, KittyKatKrazy said:

John, I really appreciate your honesty and self-awareness in this review. Wow, that was a lot of food you got from Chops! Such a shame so much had to go to waste, but what can you do when it sits for an hour. We did Chef's table on our last cruise and by the time the filet came out I was full and could only eat one or two bites. Felt terribly guilty, but did manage to force down most of dessert. Glad the birthday party went much smoother. The pictures are great and I hate to see this review coming to an end. I usually rarely comment, but enjoy following along on others adventures while anticipating my own future cruises . I'm going to miss that.

 

I got a little bit left in me still. 😉

[emeraldcity]

7 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Look who I saw people watching on the Boardwalk

Pretty smile

 

Goodbye Malaga, we probably shouldn't have stopped

How fun! Thanks for the picture. The smile rather sums up how I felt about my time on board. It was a wonderful cruise.

 

And your sunset picture is outstanding!

 

Dorothy

 

[emeraldcity]

I'm taken aback by the neighbors you are giving you grief. After returning home I received calls from several neighbors and church friends who have asked me if I need anything. 

 

One of the residents of this community has put a big colorful sign on his lawn to remind us all that we need to look out for each other … I'm not always successful saving photos to cruisecritic … I hope this posts correctly.

 

Dorothy

[cruisegirl1]

John, Given the benefits you and Laura receive as Pinnacle and from the casino, would you sail Star Class again? 
 

m

 

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

John, Given the benefits you and Laura receive as Pinnacle and from the casino, would you sail Star Class again? 
 

m

 

My two cents

 

i believe he would in the right circumstance. The number of Pinnacle’s continue to increase. Royal has begun to limit some access to the CK for P’s on top heavy cruises especially TA’s and other cruises like the Presidents Cruise.  I see this happening more often. 
 

In my opinion  

[Djuku]

On 3/18/2020 at 11:24 AM, emeraldcity said:

I was at the Hotel Continental as well and I thought it was a great choice. It seemed to be catering largely to Allure passengers and in the evening a number of us gathered in the dining area and exchanged stories about our plans for getting home. That was the number one topic on everyone's mind.

 

I found it odd that they had old fashioned room keys (chained to a big stick) instead of magnetic cards. And when you left the hotel for a walk, you had to leave the key at the desk. What was the rationale behind that?

 

To not loose the key so they prefer you to leave at the hotel.

 

On 3/18/2020 at 9:41 PM, grapau27 said:

A lot of European hotels have those massive hotel key rings on them with the hotel name and room number on them.

I unhook the key from the keyring and leave the bulky keyring in the room when we go out of the hotel.

Just take the key off and leave the bulky part in the room 😉 

 

9 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Tiny dining table

Wonder how they would fit all guests if the suite is at maximum capacity 🤔

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

John, Given the benefits you and Laura receive as Pinnacle and from the casino, would you sail Star Class again? 
 

m

 

 

No

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

My two cents

 

i believe he would in the right circumstance. The number of Pinnacle’s continue to increase. Royal has begun to limit some access to the CK for P’s on top heavy cruises especially TA’s and other cruises like the Presidents Cruise.  I see this happening more often. 
 

In my opinion  

 

Still no, we just can't eat and drink that much.

I'd rather go ala carte.  And it wasn't because it was 12 days. 

 

Royal treated the Pins very well in my opinion

Edited March 21, 2020 by John&LaLa

[John&LaLa]

21 minutes ago, Djuku said:

Wonder how they would fit all guests if the suite is at maximum capacity 🤔

 

Cabin steward offered to bring big table from deck inside, but that really wouldn't work

 

Truthfully there really isn't the need in my opinion. Just go out. Plenty of venues

Edited March 21, 2020 by John&LaLa

[cruisegirl1]

7 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

No

Thank you for responding.   I am happy you had the opportunity to try the experience. 
m

[ATG]

We sailed in an ATS on deck 10 once with our two (more or less) adult sons.  The balcony was great- quite a bit smaller than the one on deck 8, but nice.  The living room was rather cramped when all of us were there.  Our room steward was fabulous.  The genie was okay.  We actually got tired of eating so much food.  And none of us are big drinkers, the 3 evening diamond drinks plus a few others is enough.  We all agreed it was not worth it for us.  We are supposed to be on Liberty in May in the villa suite (4 bedrooms).  I don’t have much faith it will happen.

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Thank you for responding.   I am happy you had the opportunity to try the experience. 
m

 

You're welcome, sorry for the short answer earlier. 

I'll give an overall opinion on that tomorrow

[John&LaLa]

1 hour ago, ATG said:

We sailed in an ATS on deck 10 once with our two (more or less) adult sons.  The balcony was great- quite a bit smaller than the one on deck 8, but nice.  The living room was rather cramped when all of us were there.  Our room steward was fabulous.  The genie was okay.  We actually got tired of eating so much food.  And none of us are big drinkers, the 3 evening diamond drinks plus a few others is enough.  We all agreed it was not worth it for us.  We are supposed to be on Liberty in May in the villa suite (4 bedrooms).  I don’t have much faith it will happen.

 

We are scheduled for Liberty as well. B2B end of April first of May. We have the drink pkg.

I'm guessing it won't happen as well. 

 

FWIW, that will officially cancel all three drink pkgs I bought from the $18 'sale'