An ocean view devotee tries a Boardwalk balcony: Allure 10/9/22

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

For some context: my very first cruise was in a Junior Suite, and cruise #2 was a company cruise, so we didn't pay but we didn't have a a say in our cabins, either. That was my one-and-only inside cabin, and I realized that speaking strictly for myself, cruising without a balcony just isn't worth it. Over the next few years, I mostly sailed in low- to mid-level suites, with the occasional splurge suite and the occasional standard balcony cabin.

 

Then life happened, and I wound up with a new cruising companion ...  who has a bit of an ocean phobia. 😉 And while he does enjoy cruising, one of my favorite parts (watching the ocean go by from my own private space) holds zero appeal for him. He never goes on the balcony unless we're in port and facing land, and consequently I spend less time out there myself.  So I wondered if maybe a Boardwalk balcony towards the aft would be a good compromise for us: I could point my chair aft for the ocean view, and he could point his forward for the Boardwalk view! Of course, that means sacrificing the privacy of most OV balconies, and I was also worried about the noise level since we tend to be early to bed and early to rise. But I figured we would never know unless we tried. So we did. 🙂 

 

AND, I am pleased to report, I really liked it! More than I thought I would, actually. I did sometimes miss the privacy and the unobstructed ocean view, but I wasn't mad at this view either.

 

 

Besides which, there were some compensations: watching DH actually enjoy the balcony, for one! We also watched the late showing of the Aqua Theater show from our balcony twice. Noise wasn't a major problem either. When the balcony door is closed and latched, the outside noise is pretty well muted. The only exception was the Aqua Theater show--you definitely hear that.  But the late show ends at 11:00, so it wasn't too bad.

 

To be fair, the Allure is the only ship that would provide this view, and I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much with the giant purple tubes in the way. 😉 But I suspect if we return to the Allure before she gets amped, we will stick to Boardwalk--and maybe I'll give it a shot on another ship as well. 🙂 

 

While I'm at it, here's the stuff people always want to know:

 

1. Passenger count was 5905, so just a couple hundred over the double occupancy 100% rate. But when you consider the last-minute cancelations that likely happened due to Hurricane Ian or COVID, that's a pretty fully booked ship for October!

 

2. Port Everglades was enforcing check-in times, however, they had one line for everybody from 10:00 to 11:30. 🤨 I was a bit peeved when I saw that, since we had 10:30, but it was actually a non-issue since the lines moved so fast. We were seated in the terminal by 10:40 and onboard before 11:00. 

 

3. They did not board by C&A status. When I asked, the staffer told me that they hadn't been doing that since COVID ... which is not true. 😉 We last sailed from Port Everglades in February, and at that time we did get priority boarding. Oh well. We still didn't have long to wait--I travel with a walker, and although they don't always escort me to the wheelchair area, this time they did, and we only waited there for about 10 minutes.

 

And in case I can answer any other questions, here is where we ate and what we (or at least one us) did.

 

Restaurants: Samba Grill, Sabor, Johnny Rockets (breakfast only), MDR, Windjammer, Solarium Bistro, Park Café, Vitality Café, Sorrento's, Café Promenade, Dog House, Boardwalk Donuts

 

Shows & activities: Mamma Mia, Oceanaria, Ice Games, Flow Rider, zipline, rock wall, Q&A with entertainment staff

 

Happy sails to all! 🙂 

[Tree_skier]

Thanks for the report.  I have wanted to try an Boardwalk balcony but DW is loves her ocean view...  Maybe this will help convince her.

[denamo]

Your review is enjoyable. Your picture was beautiful.  I wish Royal would never amplify the Allure!  The one iconic feature of the Oasis class was the open air aft and the view.  We're doing the Allure in about a month and can't wait to see her again.

 

We have enjoyed a Boardwalk balcony many times.  Our most favorite was a Christmas cruise we took with our then college aged sons.  On Christmas morning we could see a balcony across from ours that parents had put the children's gifts out for the kids.  They would run in and out of the balcony with great excitement as they found each gift.  It was so fun to watch. That memory always makes me smile.

 

We are truly anticipating this cruise since we will be out of the new Galveston terminal.  🙂

[CaptainBazz]

Glad you enjoyed the Boardwalk balcony. We cruised on the Wonder back in April and decided to try a Central Park balcony...and we really enjoyed it. Not noisy at all...great to hear music drifting up at night. Privacy wasn't a concern. Of course we never saw the sea and to be honest didn't feel like we were on a cruise but it was still a great experience.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

29 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Thanks for the report.  I have wanted to try an Boardwalk balcony but DW is loves her ocean view...  Maybe this will help convince her.

For your sake I hope she is convinced, but I apologize in advance if her experience is different than mine! 😁 If you're towards the aft and one of the lower decks, I really think it's the best of both worlds. For reference, this was the fifth cabin from the aft, second lowest deck (deck 9).

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

21 minutes ago, denamo said:

Your picture was beautiful.  I wish Royal would never amplify the Allure!  The one iconic feature of the Oasis class was the open air aft and the view.  

 

We have enjoyed a Boardwalk balcony many times.  Our most favorite was a Christmas cruise we took with our then college aged sons.  On Christmas morning we could see a balcony across from ours that parents had put the children's gifts out for the kids.  They would run in and out of the balcony with great excitement as they found each gift.  It was so fun to watch. That memory always makes me smile.

Oh, I absolutely agree! If I had my way they would leave one "classis" Oasis. Who knows, maybe they will change their minds and leave this beauty alone.

 

And the Christmas cruise sounds wonderful! I'm smiling just imagining those kids finding their gifts. 🙂 

[loman]

5 hours ago, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

For your sake I hope she is convinced, but I apologize in advance if her experience is different than mine! 😁 If you're towards the aft and one of the lower decks, I really think it's the best of both worlds. For reference, this was the fifth cabin from the aft, second lowest deck (deck 9).

My one and only boardwalk cabin was exactly the same location as yours.

It was on my first Oasis cruise when it first came out . 

Went back to oceanview after that , but i liked it .

i remember watching monday night football on the big screen from my balcony.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

11 hours ago, loman said:

My one and only boardwalk cabin was exactly the same location as yours.

It was on my first Oasis cruise when it first came out . 

Went back to oceanview after that , but i liked it .

i remember watching monday night football on the big screen from my balcony.

I'm glad you pointed that out! I meant to mention the big screen. There wasn't a whole lot going on the week of our cruise--I think they had an evening movie or two--but it could be a really big draw if you're cruising during the Superbowl or something 🙂 

[NoShoes2]

On 10/22/2022 at 4:30 PM, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

... and I realized that speaking strictly for myself, cruising without a balcony just isn't worth it. 

 

I totally get that. Our cruise budget has always included a balcony since our #2 cruise. We have, on some cruises, passed on specialty dining and other activities because we really love having  balcony. We've even not booked a sailing when a balcony wasn't available.