Back from Feb 5 on Allure - Impressions

[JDPCruisers]

We are Diamond+ who book in suites with this being our first time on an Oasis class ship. We were looking forward to experiencing a large ship and the new Galveston terminal. First, the terminal and onsite parking (North lot) was outstanding. A very smooth arrival and departure experience. The check-in process was fairly flawless and took no more than 10 mins before we were onboard with the staff being friendly and helpful. We found the ship to be very well maintained and overall, the staff were very polite, helpful and accommodating. We had outstanding service from the staff in the Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen (Mohammad, Auston, Carlos, Mario, TJ, and Jespen) Solarium Bar (Grace and Lenin), and the specialty restaurants which for this cruise was Chops, 150 Park, and Giovannis. The interiors were attractive and well maintained, though we found the combined suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen space was to open and think some separation of the two would work better. Appreciated the fact that they have a full bar serving from 11am-11pm and you could get a Mimosa or glass of Champagne in the morning for breakfast. In the cases of Chops, 150 Park, and Giovannis we found the food to be very good with adequate, flavorful portions of all the dishes (in some cases we could not finish all of it as we were very satisfied). We found Izumi to be noisy due to the hibachi section and the food not quite at the level of our previous times dining there. We did not dine at the other specialty restaurants. 

 

As usual, the pizza at Sorentos was not good with the toppings being quite sparse and the slices being only warm. The Solarium Grill was acceptable, particularly the omelet and carving stations at breakfast. We only ate there once as we had the Coastal Kitchen, which we found the food there for breakfast and lunch to be good. We tried to get room service one evening, but multiple calls were not picked up or were disconnected. 

 

Our Owners suite was spacious (large interior and balcony space with enough room for two lounge chairs and a table with four chairs) kept very clean and the room attendant (Acep) provided friendly, outstanding service. 

 

On the downside for us, the size of the ship, the amount of people (almost 6000 people on this cruise), and unruly children and oblivious parents. To include those who were not aware of the rules in the Solarium (adults/16+ only) or chose to ignore them as they brought in school age children and younger in strollers, which included during Solarium Grill for breakfast) and the staff did not engage with them about the rules. We found the same issue in the Suite Lounge with some children being well behaved, but some not being managed by their parents who allowed them to run around and loud, again, the staff did not engage with those parents about their children in what is for the most part an adult area. 

 

So, bottom line we most likely will not cruise Oasis class again and will remain with the other classes of RC ships and with Celebrity (more and more). In filling out the RC survey I shared all of the above and urged them to bring Celebrity into the new Galveston terminal, which we heard from an RC source at the Terminal and another guest onboard that is planned to happen, but they did not know the timetable. 

[BK79]

I don't think the Solarium Grill is adults only....just an FYI

[DavidMutchler]

Thanks for the excellent review.  I especially liked your even-handed approach listing both good and bad.

Did you eat in the Main Dining Room?  If so, what were your thoughts about that?

[TravelGirlinDallas]

7 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

which included during Solarium Grill for breakfast

Children are allowed in the Solarium restaurant, but are not allowed to stay in the Solarium itself.

[Squappie]

Thanks for the great review. My wife and I will be on the Allure in early March and  are in a 

Crown Loft Suite. Regarding the new terminal, I know there is a separate check-in area for suite guests, but is there also a designated waiting area for suite guests?  If so, do they supply coffee/snacks? We do have an early check in time and plan on arriving early. Thanks

[renza]

48 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

We are Diamond+ who book in suites with this being our first time on an Oasis class ship. We were looking forward to experiencing a large ship and the new Galveston terminal. First, the terminal and onsite parking (North lot) was outstanding. A very smooth arrival and departure experience. The check-in process was fairly flawless and took no more than 10 mins before we were onboard with the staff being friendly and helpful. We found the ship to be very well maintained and overall, the staff were very polite, helpful and accommodating. We had outstanding service from the staff in the Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen (Mohammad, Auston, Carlos, Mario, TJ, and Jespen) Solarium Bar (Grace and Lenin), and the specialty restaurants which for this cruise was Chops, 150 Park, and Giovannis. The interiors were attractive and well maintained, though we found the combined suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen space was to open and think some separation of the two would work better. Appreciated the fact that they have a full bar serving from 11am-11pm and you could get a Mimosa or glass of Champagne in the morning for breakfast. In the cases of Chops, 150 Park, and Giovannis we found the food to be very good with adequate, flavorful portions of all the dishes (in some cases we could not finish all of it as we were very satisfied). We found Izumi to be noisy due to the hibachi section and the food not quite at the level of our previous times dining there. We did not dine at the other specialty restaurants. 

 

As usual, the pizza at Sorentos was not good with the toppings being quite sparse and the slices being only warm. The Solarium Grill was acceptable, particularly the omelet and carving stations at breakfast. We only ate there once as we had the Coastal Kitchen, which we found the food there for breakfast and lunch to be good. We tried to get room service one evening, but multiple calls were not picked up or were disconnected. 

 

Our Owners suite was spacious (large interior and balcony space with enough room for two lounge chairs and a table with four chairs) kept very clean and the room attendant (Acep) provided friendly, outstanding service. 

 

On the downside for us, the size of the ship, the amount of people (almost 6000 people on this cruise), and unruly children and oblivious parents. To include those who were not aware of the rules in the Solarium (adults/16+ only) or chose to ignore them as they brought in school age children and younger in strollers, which included during Solarium Grill for breakfast) and the staff did not engage with them about the rules. We found the same issue in the Suite Lounge with some children being well behaved, but some not being managed by their parents who allowed them to run around and loud, again, the staff did not engage with those parents about their children in what is for the most part an adult area. 

 

So, bottom line we most likely will not cruise Oasis class again and will remain with the other classes of RC ships and with Celebrity (more and more). In filling out the RC survey I shared all of the above and urged them to bring Celebrity into the new Galveston terminal, which we heard from an RC source at the Terminal and another guest onboard that is planned to happen, but they did not know the timetable. 

Solarium bistro is not adult only. 

[JDPCruisers]

Thanks for the update on the Solarium Bistro as we were not aware of the difference between the Solarium Bistro and the Solarium itself.

 

In regard to the Terminal for suite guests, yes, there is a separate wait area that includes check-in. When entering the Terminal go up the escalator/stairs to your right. There is signage and staff who can assist you. They do provide coffee and snacks. 

 

In regard to the Main Dining room, no, we did not dine there but the menus looked good if that helps at all.

[cruiselvr04]

2 hours ago, DavidMutchler said:

Thanks for the excellent review.  I especially liked your even-handed approach listing both good and bad.

Did you eat in the Main Dining Room?  If so, what were your thoughts about that?

We were on this cruise also as D+ but didn’t cruise in a suite so our food experience was vastly different.  

The new terminal was GREAT!  We parked near the door and it was easy off and on.

 

The new menu might be okay but the quality of food in the MDR was not good.  We did 5 cruises last year and the food was consistently good, not great but good.  I found one meal on Allure to be inedible and I’m not picky. ( Yes I could have tried something else I’m sure.) Hoping our cruise in 6 weeks is better.  Samba and Izumi were great.  Costal kitchen might be worth the price of a suite…..the topper for me was formal night when they served 2 hard chocolate chip cookies on a plate.  Really.  When the menu said 2 cookies I was thinking something fancy. Like a warm chocolate chip with drizzle and ice cream.  Nope. Lol.  We will consider this a learning cruise on what not to order again. I may try the kids spaghetti or Mac and cheese next time.

 

Service was wonderful. Our head waiter could tell by our faces and how much we didn’t eat that we weren’t pleased.  We didn’t say a word. It’s not his fault.  Just keep your food expectations low.  Not all ships may be the same either.  
 

The rest of the cruise of was great.  And we didn’t gain a pound!

Edited February 13, 2023 by cruiselvr04

[cruiselvr04]

2 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

 

 

So, bottom line we most likely will not cruise Oasis class again and will remain with the other classes of RC ships and with Celebrity (more and more). In filling out the RC survey I shared all of the above and urged them to bring Celebrity into the new Galveston terminal, which we heard from an RC source at the Terminal and another guest onboard that is planned to happen, but they did not know the timetable. 

I’m so excited to hear even a rumor of Celebrity coming to Galveston!  That would be awesome.  

 

[JDPCruisers]

Not sure if a rumor or not but we also heard from someone in the Diamond lounge that when Allure goes into dry dock later this year the Diamond Lounge will be renovated to a restaurant and the Diamond Lounge will be relocated to another part of the ship. If that ends up being the case, we hope they don't place it in a location with just closed in walls and no windows/views.

[ILCTCRUISER]

29 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

.If that ends up being the case, we hope they don't place it in a location with just closed in walls and no windows/views.

Count on it.  Not wishing to dash your hopes, but count on it.   As D+, we prefer the current voucher system and spend very little time in the DL, when the DL is the only option.  I think many are following suit.  Is there method to RCL’s madness?   Not madness, but method.  As more and more people choose not to visit the DL, it opens the door for RCL to shut them down ultimately.

[JDPCruisers]

You're likely right with the way RC is headed. As we don't have any plans of being on Allure/other Oasis class ships again we won't experience it.  

[not-enough-cruising]

1 hour ago, JDPCruisers said:

Not sure if a rumor or not but we also heard from someone in the Diamond lounge that when Allure goes into dry dock later this year the Diamond Lounge will be renovated to a restaurant and the Diamond Lounge will be relocated to another part of the ship. If that ends up being the case, we hope they don't place it in a location with just closed in walls and no windows/views.

Allure is not having a dry dock this year. Her itineraries are booked solid through 3rd qtr of 2024

[IotaEtaPi]

Just got back yesterday from sailing the ALLURE out of Galveston.  Arrival was a disaster. The lines were wrapped around the building in both directions. We had a handicapped person with us so we were able to skip the line. The elevators were often packed. It was very difficult to find space several times. Norovirus was going around the ship. The food was spotty. The staff was great. Not the best experience.

 

 

[nelblu]

On 2/13/2023 at 2:45 PM, JDPCruisers said:

Not sure if a rumor or not but we also heard from someone in the Diamond lounge that when Allure goes into dry dock later this year the Diamond Lounge will be renovated to a restaurant and the Diamond Lounge will be relocated to another part of the ship. If that ends up being the case, we hope they don't place it in a location with just closed in walls and no windows/views.

Next to the Casino and the Jazz club (for now).

[Hutcha]

Nice review thanks!

 

Sailing on her in June, and from the looks of it, I'm glad I won't be eating in the main diningroom.

 

How has CK and the specialty restaurants been lately?

[JDPCruisers]

We found the CK and specialty restaurants to be quite good with excellent service (went to 150 Park and Chops twice). The only issue for us in CK/Lounge was small children whose parents let them have the run on the place. I will spare the details. We have never had that experience on our cruises before and hope no one else does either. 

[CruiszBug]

39 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

The only issue for us in CK/Lounge was small children whose parents let them have the run on the place. I will spare the details. We have never had that experience on our cruises before and hope no one else does either. 

We have had that experience! Spoke nicely to the child and semi-nicely to his father (on a laptop in the far corner of the SL... who wasn't so nice), followed by the concierge. That seemed to work.

[JDPCruisers]

You're right, we should have said something to the concierge (shame on us as we're old enough/have cruised enough to know better!). Won't let that happen again if we cruise RC (nothing planned any time soon). 

[taglovestocruise]

3 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

You're right, we should have said something to the concierge (shame on us as we're old enough/have cruised enough to know better!). Won't let that happen again if we cruise RC (nothing planned any time soon). 

Give a thought to a transatlantic crossing on Oasis Class. We are in our 70s and a Oasis Class TA is our favorite cruise vacation, we have done four and have a fifth booked.  Ship sails about 75% full with a lot of solo cruisers. All four have had a dozen or so kids under 16. Knock on wood as every one has had great whether as soon a the ship clears the Med. 

[JDPCruisers]

That is very good to know. We had a great itinerary on X Apex from the British Ises to the Norwegian Fjords then a TA back from Southampton to FLL, but X does not have it scheduled now after having it for the last couple of years. Our first TA is in October on X Reflection but will certainly keep your point well taken on Oasis. 

[not-enough-cruising]

On 2/20/2023 at 10:43 AM, IotaEtaPi said:

Just got back yesterday from sailing the ALLURE out of Galveston.  Arrival was a disaster. The lines were wrapped around the building in both directions. We had a handicapped person with us so we were able to skip the line. The elevators were often packed. It was very difficult to find space several times. Norovirus was going around the ship. The food was spotty. The staff was great. Not the best experience.

 

 

Hmmm, I just returned Sunday, and my experience, thankfully, does not match yours.

 

We arrived at the terminal at 10:45 for our 11:00 check in. Yes there was a short wait while they were doing noro-virus sanitation from the previous cruise, but we were at the Trellis bar, having martinis by noon.