Mini “LIVE” , Allure from Galveston 12/4

[niksmom630]

2 hours ago, footzz said:

That makes absolutely no sense. Closing a side down for serving food in the Windjammer on port days is a normal thing, but on sea days?  Really? Talk about a 'Royal' fuster cluck.

they must have realized the error in their ways, today I walked past at 12 , and again, another enormous line. But then they opened both sides, and filled both sides! 

[jbrinkm]

2 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

- if you waited to purchase surf, or surf and steam until you boarded, surf only was not available. The only option was surf and stream, and by number of devices. I don’t recall this on previous sailings, but maybe this is the norm now. 

 

53 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Speaking of surf and stream, how is the new Starlink working.  Are you noticing much difference? 

 

Surf only has disappeared from some pre-cruise planners as well. Floating theory that this is because of Starlink...

[BecciBoo]

4 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

The 2 sculptures we were talking about are these.  

 

 

I don't remember them in in 2017 or last October.   Did you think we were talking about the lights 

partly, however I have a pic of these smokestack guys from 2014 as well.  That was our first trip so I know they have not changed any of the artwork since then.  Here they are:

Edited December 7, 2022 by BecciBoo

[BecciBoo]

20 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

 

Stunning!  We were so impressed with artwork on Allure, I bet we took at least a thousand photos

[George C]

19 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Having cruised around 8 times from Galveston filled with Texans, I can assure you that by 9-9:30am most chairs in prime pool area real estate were "taken" by chair hogs, both in the sun and shade.  When cruising with friends, it was difficult getting 4 lounges together in the pool area as well as the solarium.  By 10am most lounges were taken by pool hogs.  All of our cruises were Freedom class and smaller.  

 

@niksmom630 I'm enjoying your review and beautiful pictures.

 

Freedom and Voyager class has really nice suite seating area, prefer that to Oasis class which is to far from the pool . 

[niksmom630]

A few photos from this morning coming into Roatan….

 

 

 

 

 

 

it just now occurred to me that it’s harder to pick out the beach pool in photos because they no longer have the pastel colored striped loungers. Guess they’ve been gone awhile - don’t see them in my photos from august either. 
 

[niksmom630]

45 minutes ago, jbrinkm said:

 

 

Surf only has disappeared from some pre-cruise planners as well. Floating theory that this is because of Starlink...

thanks! I was wondering why…… I always purchase surf and stream, but usually only get the basic surf for my husband….

[kpgibbs]

1 hour ago, Septemberbride07 said:

It has. Not sure when but we used Uber with zero problems. 

Thank you!

[niksmom630]

1 hour ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Speaking of surf and stream, how is the new Starlink working.  Are you noticing much difference? 

 

I don't remember trying the Windjammer at night.  Have you tried dinner there?

 

I bet it is funny being out at the pool, enjoying the sun while Jingle Bells is playing.  😆 

not noticing any differences. Certainly no improvement. Random drops in connectivity that I don’t always notice until sending a text message that either fails, or goes thru as text vs. imessage so I’ll wind up being charged per text. 🤨  

[Ozark_Kid]

2 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

not noticing any differences. Certainly no improvement. Random drops in connectivity that I don’t always notice until sending a text message that either fails, or goes thru as text vs. imessage so I’ll wind up being charged per text. 🤨  

Being charged per text by your phone service or RC.  If phone service you must not be in airplane mode.

[mpdog42]

6 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

Now for  the commentary…..day 2/3 observations….

 

- if you waited to purchase surf, or surf and steam until you boarded, surf only was not available. The only option was surf and stream, and by number of devices. I don’t recall this on previous sailings, but maybe this is the norm now. 
 

- I miss the paper compasses. I know you can ask your cabin steward for one, but I forgot to ask and now I haven’t seen him. Tried to get one at guest services. nope. Saving a tree, no doubt, but now they make you sign zero dollar slips for the free C & A beverages. I have a hard time keeping up with Royals ever changing and contradictory rules….the biodegradable straws are a welcome change tho 😂

 

- this is my first  sailing post Covid that the crew is (mostly) maskless. How nice it is to see faces and smiles again! 
 

- the windjammer is a nightmare this week, and now I know why…. On sea days they only have food being served on one side. There is seating open on both sides , but everyone is forced thru the same side for serving. Add to that the food station flow around the circles is an awful configuration to begin with. Pretty sure they are around 5600 people so it’s not like this decision is driven by reduced capacity. 
 

- music at the pool alternates between top hits, reggae/Caribbean and Christmas carols. Strikes me as funny…. When you live in the Midwest, you’d never hear Christmas music when you are wearing a swim suit 😂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was on the Allure in Late October/early November and the windjammer set up and food was really bad..and Im no foody....Hey if you get a chance a  see a bartender name Jousha tell him Hi from the MP..Thanks

[Ocean Boy]

3 minutes ago, mpdog42 said:

I was on the Allure in Late October/early November and the windjammer set up and food was really bad..and Im no foody....Hey if you get a chance a  see a bartender name Jousha tell him Hi from the MP..Thanks

Last January I was not impressed with the food either. In April I thought there had been considerable improvement. I guess it has gone down hill again.

[Ocean Boy]

3 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

thanks! I was wondering why…… I always purchase surf and stream, but usually only get the basic surf for my husband….

No surf available for my upcomingJanuary cruise on Odyssey, only surf and stream.

[mpdog42]

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

Last January I was not impressed with the food either. In April I thought there had been considerable improvement. I guess it has gone down hill again.

Like I said , I not a  Foody, I am a Taco Bell, Hamburger/hot Dog....Pizza Hut guy.....

Mostly ate Hamburgers and Indian Food while i was onboard!!

[Biker19]

20 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

No surf available for my upcomingJanuary cruise on Odyssey, only surf and stream.

Gone from the planner for the last two weeks fleet wide - still available on the ship.

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Gone from the planner for the last two weeks fleet wide - still available on the ship.

I have surf and stream (pre-booked black Friday) on Odyssey for less than what they were charging on Allure for surf alone this past April.

[BonTexasNY]

9 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

A few photos from this morning coming into Roatan….

 

 

 

 

 

 

it just now occurred to me that it’s harder to pick out the beach pool in photos because they no longer have the pastel colored striped loungers. Guess they’ve been gone awhile - don’t see them in my photos from august either. 
 

I just hate how close they place the loungers next to each other on the pool deck.  I haven't been on O class ships yet but the pastel lounges were very pleasant to look at from all the pictures I've seen. Gave the pool area a nice beach vibe.

[JamesEM]

I sailed on the Allure in May out of FLL and did a b-3-b, 1st week we sailed at half capacity and there were many loungers available, 2nd week we sailed at 3/4 capacity and there still a lot of lounger available, 3rd week we were at full capacity and there not a lounger to be had. 

[niksmom630]

7 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

I just hate how close they place the loungers next to each other on the pool deck.  I haven't been on O class ships yet but the pastel lounges were very pleasant to look at from all the pictures I've seen. Gave the pool area a nice beach vibe.

during Covid the loungers were separated for “social distancing”. I miss that 😂 along with the beachy vibe chairs 

[Ocean Boy]

17 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

not noticing any differences. Certainly no improvement. Random drops in connectivity that I don’t always notice until sending a text message that either fails, or goes thru as text vs. imessage so I’ll wind up being charged per text. 🤨  

What are they charging on the ship this week for internet? Sorry if you mentioned it before and I missed it.

[footzz]

15 hours ago, mpdog42 said:

Hey if you get a chance a  see a bartender name Jousha tell him Hi from the MP..Thanks

Is this the Joshua in the Bow and Stern? I've seen a lot people talk him up on several different threads. We'll be on the Allure in a few weeks. It was reported that he was going to try to extend his contract through the end January. If he's still there, I'll definately look him up and say "Hi".

[Ozark_Kid]

10 minutes ago, footzz said:

Is this the Joshua in the Bow and Stern? I've seen a lot people talk him up on several different threads. We'll be on the Allure in a few weeks. It was reported that he was going to try to extend his contract through the end January. If he's still there, I'll definately look him up and say "Hi".

Joshua is a great high spirited guy.  We told him we would be back January 22 and if I remember right his contact was to end the week before we boarded.  I can't remember why but he said he wanted to extend his contract. 

Last night we were able to get a 10am boarding time.  Getting closer. 

[niksmom630]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

What are they charging on the ship this week for internet? Sorry if you mentioned it before and I missed it.

$118.95 for surf and stream, 1 devise. which was net, less my D+ discount. 

[niksmom630]

Day 5 coming up! Costa Maya…. It’s crowded here today. 
 

This represents my plans for the day 

 

 

there was no sleeping in today, lots of activity zipping past our balcony @ 6:30 am ship time, 7:30 local time …..

 

 

 

 

 

these guys were working hard 

 

 

[niksmom630]

 I’ve had some interesting port views before, but this is a new one for me 😂👀👀