“LIVE” from Allure 8/20, Girls trip to the Southern Carib 🤗

[niksmom630]

I decided that finally hitting some new ports of call was LIVE worthy! I’ve had my fill of tequila, hugged more than a few sloths, and stocked up on enough Los Cinco Sole vanilla to open my own bakery. 
 

Our last few sailings have all been Western,  so I’m ready for some new views!

 

[niksmom630]

This booking was originally a Med Cruise out of Barcelona to celebrate “Niks” graduation from Indiana University in May 2021. Yet another Covid trip casualty, .which was rebooked for May 2022,  then work and school obligations complicated things further, and we literally had one open week in August to take any cruise. and Voila, thanks to my TA extraordinaire, we grabbed a spot on this sailing. Traveling with my DD Nicole, her friend Mia, and my neighbor and fellow cruise lover, Denise. 
 

since I’ve done several reviews on this ship, the ports will probably be the photo highlights, and anything new that is photo worthy that catches my eye 😉 

 

currently sitting on our flight from Chicago to FLL, waiting for my pre- ordered Bloody Mary…

[niksmom630]

United sent me a text notifying me it was time to order my snacks and beverages for the flight….

 

 

 

[sandebeach]

We are flying United for the first time, later this year, that is so cool that you can pre-order drinks and snacks. 

[Ozark_Kid]

Looking forward to the review!  Hope you have a safe and fun adventure!  We will be doing this same itinerary in October.   Curious to see what y'all do each port.  Have you ever tried the Samba Grill? 

[niksmom630]

2 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Looking forward to the review!  Hope you have a safe and fun adventure!  We will be doing this same itinerary in October.   Curious to see what y'all do each port.  Have you ever tried the Samba Grill? 

I have not,  But thinking about purchasing a dining package onboard…..I really liked 150CP on symphony!
 

[Ozark_Kid]

1 minute ago, niksmom630 said:

I have not,  But thinking about purchasing a dining package onboard…..I really liked 150CP on symphony!
 

We are trying the UDP for the 1st time this cruise.  We have not yet tried 150CP yet so we plan to on Allure.   If you go to some specialty restaurants I would like to hear your experience. 

[niksmom630]

This is our third sailing post Covid, and I was three for three on Royal Up’s getting accepted thanks to reduced capacity.

 

sadly, it appears my streak is dead….😢 

 

 

 

[geoblond]

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your cruise-looking forward to it!

[niksmom630]

It wouldn’t be a niksmom review without a picture of my pups giving me the side eye/stink eye as my suitcase was rolling out the door…,

 

 

 

A few months ago I learned our Illinois Golden Retriever rescue took in a pregnant momma, and a litter of puppies was born in foster.  Since I remain in contact with the adoption coordinator there, when she sent me photos, I fell in love 🥰 

 

 

 

I mean, how can you not? 
 

so our family got a little bigger….

 

 

ok, I promise no more Golden photos….returning to regularly scheduled programming…

 

 

[niksmom630]

We are staying at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina hotel this evening. The last time we stayed here is was undergoing some major renovations and was in pretty bad shape. Hopefully the remodel is complete…..we’ve stayed here many times in the past and like the location. Short walk to CVS for last minute additions to the carry on! 🍷
 

we have a dinner reservation at the Boatyard, but I would appreciate any suggestions for dinner options? I love the Bimini bread, but it was sadly the only highlight of our last meal there. Figured I would give it another try unless the CC community wants to weigh in with some other options?

 

[niksmom630]

Beverages. It’s what’s for dinner 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Renovations still underway 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[homedepot124]

7 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Looking forward to the review!  Hope you have a safe and fun adventure!  We will be doing this same itinerary in October.   Curious to see what y'all do each port.  Have you ever tried the Samba Grill? 

Definitely do Samba Grill, especially if you like fillet and lamb chops.

[maggieq]

7 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

We are staying at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina hotel this evening. The last time we stayed here is was undergoing some major renovations and was in pretty bad shape. Hopefully the remodel is complete…..we’ve stayed here many times in the past and like the location. Short walk to CVS for last minute additions to the carry on! 🍷
 

we have a dinner reservation at the Boatyard, but I would appreciate any suggestions for dinner options? I love the Bimini bread, but it was sadly the only highlight of our last meal there. Figured I would give it another try unless the CC community wants to weigh in with some other options?

 

We usually stay pre cruise at the Renaissance but I have Hilton points I want to use for our 1/7/2023 harmony cruise. Hoping you can share that you had a great experience.  

[Lionesss]

Nice start, cannot wait for more.

 

Safe travels

[JupiterTwo]

Bookmarking for another Allure cruise.

[Ourusualbeach]

17 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

I decided that finally hitting some new ports of call was LIVE worthy! I’ve had my fill of tequila, hugged more than a few sloths, and stocked up on enough Los Cinco Sole vanilla to open my own bakery. 
 

Our last few sailings have all been Western,  so I’m ready for some new views!

 

Enjoy!!!

[niksmom630]

8 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Nice start, cannot wait for more.

 

Safe travels

Thanks, Sue, will try and make it feel like you never left 😉

[A&L_Ont]

Sounds like a party. I’ll be following along.😁

[niksmom630]

Morning view….

 

 

We never made it to the boatyard last night. Might have had something to do with the rum punch(es)

 

ordered some snacks at the pool bar and walked to Walgreens with the young girls for wine and other last minute provisions . 🥵 whew……. It’s quite toasty in Florida in August! 
 

returned from said walk with a bad case of the cankles, but thankfully it was only about two blocks and the walk was primarily in the shade at 6 pm.
 

you used to be able to exit out of the back of the hotel pool area  to a boardwalk area where you could see some of the bigger yachts and catch the water taxi. 
 

this is the view now 🫤

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 20, 2022 by niksmom630
Duplicate

[niksmom630]

Ok, that last photo was a duplicate and despite editing it out three times, it reappears…. Moving along…..🤦🏼‍♀️

 

we are in a marina view room this time and this section was most definitely not in scope under the recent renovations. @maggieq I would recommend a tower room with a view of the port. They are a bit noisier because of the bridge traffic but the view of the ships coming into port is a nice way to start your vacation 😊 

 

 

[niksmom630]

Well, I was wrong about the renovations in this wing. Updated fixtures and tile…..

 

 

but this tub tho 😝

 

 

These would have come in handy 

 

 

 

[niksmom630]

The plan is to get breakfast here around 10:30 because we have a 12:30 boarding time. 
 

Note the Hilton charges a $30 resort fee daily 

 

[sandebeach]

9 minutes ago, niksmom630 said:

The plan is to get breakfast here around 10:30 because we have a 12:30 boarding time. 
 

Note the Hilton charges a $30 resort fee daily 

 

That $30 rate seems a little high. But the $20 F&B credit is nice.