Ask The Experts :
All About
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Allure of the Seas
Raye & Marty
Trencher, Editors and
Publishers, Cruise Traveler
Magazine
Each month we feature a cruise line and
highlight useful information for first-time
cruisers.
Follow the links for more detailed
information.
Allure of the Seas
Super Cruise Review Of
The World's Largest Cruise
Ship
STATEROOMS,
ENTERTAINMENT, ACTIVITIES,
PORTS OF CALL
and DINING
OPTIONS
"Allure
of the Seas provides a high energy,
warm, friendly and spirited social
environment for people of all ages,
but especially for families who want
it all. Fun for the kids and adults
too!"
Photo
Credits:
All
photo's
®2011
Royal
Caribbean
International
or
Raye &
Marty
Trencher
by Raye & Marty Trencher
- April 10, 2011
From Our
Notebook:
When a new
cruise ship
is placed in
service,
often, the
cruise line will
invite
members of
the Press,
VIPs, and
Travel
Agents
aboard for a
short 2 day
"familiarization"
cruise to
"nowhere"
prior to
taking on
paid
guests.
Shortly
thereafter,
dozens of
so-called
cruise
reviews
appear all
over the
internet. And, if
you've read
most of
them, you
suspect they
are nothing
more than a
repeat of
the ship's
features and
highlights
right out of
the
brochure.
Maybe
helpful, but
short on
insight.
These
reviews tell
you what
you'll see
and do
onboard, but
rarely do
they take
you on an
in-depth
tour of the
ship, take
you behind
the scenes,
nor comment
on the
cruising
experience
from a
consumers
point of
view.
Let's face
it, there is
not much you
can learn
about a
cruise ship,
especially
the world's
largest
cruise ship,
in just 2
days.
Plus, the
staff knows
your a VIP,
so their
interaction
with you is
not
necessarily
what paying
passengers
might
experience
on a full 7
day cruise.
When we
write an
in-depth
cruise
review, we
evaluate a
new cruise
ship from
the
consumer's
perspective,
looking at
not only the
onboard
venues, but
the ports of
call and
service
levels that
you would
typically
encounter on
your 7 day
voyage.
Thus, rather
that taking
the 2 day
"junket" and
writing a
review based
on a 2 day
high-speed
tour,
we chose to
book the
cruise at
our own
expense, in
this case a
7 day
Western
Caribbean
cruise [
March 27,
2011 ], so
we can, and
you can,
fully
appreciate
the
experience
as a cruise
traveler. We
also
preferred
to wait a
few months
from the
inaugural to
sail on the
vessel. That
way, the
staff has
time to
adjust to
their new
surroundings
and
management
has an
opportunity
to work on
polishing up
all the
details.
It's Your Once In A Lifetime Cruise Vacation!
Chances are you've
saved up for
months, even
years, to
splurge on
perhaps a
once-in-a-lifetime
cruise
vacation.
You don't
want to
be disappointed.
We
understand.
Thus, the
timing of
our sailing
and this
feature
story are
in-depth
"super"
cruise
review of
Royal
Caribbean's
Allure of
the Seas.
Super,
because like
the ship,
this is no
ordinary
review.
And, if
you're
thinking
Raye & I got
some insider
deal, or
travel
industry
discount on
this cruise,
think again.
We paid full
price. All
total, we
spent nearly
$4800 on the
cruise fare,
airfare, taxes,
specialty
restuarants,
spa, photo's
and more.
As cruise
travelers,
we
understand
with so many
travel
options out
there, it
can be
overwhelming.
So, let our
cruise
review help you plan a more rewarding and fulfilling cruise experience.
Now,
everything
you read
here is just
our opinion.
You should
not just
rely on what
we think.
Read more
reviews.
Talk to your
neighbors or
friends
who've been
on the ship.
Way all the
pros and
cons, then
decide if
this ship is
right for
you and your
family.
When you
read one of
our cruise
reviews, you
can be
confident
that what
you read
will help
you
perfectly
plan your
vacation,
make it
hassle-free,
and that
your cruise
will be
filled with
moments and
memories
you’ll never
forget.
"Twenty years from now, you will be most
disappointed by the things you did not do,
then by the things you did do.
So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from
the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in
your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" -Mark Twain
THIS MONTH'S
FEATURED CRUISE
SHIP - ALLURE of The SEAS
Each month we
feature a
different cruise
ship. Perhaps
the latest,
greatest,
biggest one
afloat or a more
intimate new
yacht-like
vessel. If your
interested in
sailing on the
latest cruise
ships you came
to the right
place.
Let's Get
Started
Here...
Royal Caribbean's Allure
of the Seas Cruise
Review.
Stateroom,
Activities, Ports of
Call, Entertainment and Dining
Options.
The World's largest
cruise ship!
March 27,
2011 - Royal
Caribbean's
Allure of
the Seas
Roundtrip
Ft.
Lauderdale -
7 Days -
Western
Caribbean
Departure
Port : Ft.
Lauderdale,
Florida
Along with the
world's largest
cruise ship, you
need the world’s
largest cruise
terminal.
The new $75
million Port
Everglades
terminal in Fort
Lauderdale,
Fla., was
expanded to more
than three times
its original
size, big enough
so arriving and
departing
passengers can
go through
processing
procedures
quickly. 90
check-in
counters were
built to speed
passengers
through the
check-in process
in 15 minutes or
less.
Our timing: 12
Minutes. Fastest
boarding process
we have ever
experienced!
Even less time
to disembark.
CRUISE
HOPPER HINT
: It
could take
as long as
four hours
for your
luggage to
reach your
stateroom.
So be sure
to take what
you need in
a carry-on,
or you might
find
yourself
with out the
proper
change of
clothes for
dinner.
Remember
with over
6,000 guests
it could be
as much as
15,000
pieces of
luggage to
deliver. No
doubt, it is
the biggest
collection
of luggage
ever at sea.
( our luggage arrived within 90 minutes
of the time we came onboard )
Day Before Arrival:
We recommend
you arrive in Ft.
Lauderdale the day
before the ship sails.
Especially if you are
traveling during the
Winter months. As we all
know, weather can play
havoc with flight
schedules.
Departures due to
mechanical problems with
aircraft often occur.
Travel time from your
home town to the
departure port could be
as
much as 5-7
hours. The ship sets
sail on time, so if you
are delayed and arrive
at the pier late, you
may find yourself waving
goodbye at the pier as
the ship sails off into the
sunset.
There are a number of
hotels in and around the
airport and cruise port
in Ft. Lauderdale. We
stayed at the Hampton
Inn. Reasonably priced, they included a
complimentary breakfast
and free internet
connection. They will
pick you at the airport
and take you to the pier
at no charge, in one of
their hard to miss Pink
Flamingo courtesy vans (
see photo )
Allure of the Seas
This ship is unique in
it's own right!
As you can see from the
photo above, Allure of
the Seas "open in the
middle" superstructure
features a sixty foot
wide, open-air center.
The ship’s upper 10
decks feature inside
balcony staterooms
overlooking Central
Park and the Boardwalk. These separate
port and starboard sides
separate this ship from
any you have ever seen!
We
recommend you take your time to explore
the magnificent features and facilities
that Allure of the Seas has to offer.
Don't go running around the entire ship
when you first come aboard in Ft.
Lauderdale. There is simply so much to
see and do. Pace yourself.
To make the most of your time on board,
we suggest you pick up a copy of the
"Live The Allure" Ship Guide. This
self-guided interactive tour of the ship
will help you explore and discover the
ship. The book contains fun facts,
behind-the-scenes stories, great
pictures and serves as a great memento
of your cruise vacation.
As you explore the ship, if you lose site of where you are, take a look at the deck numbers in each lobby area.
There's a circular sign with a little arrow. This arrow always points forward. Use the Wayfinder touch screens located at each bank of elevators to find any venue. Touch one on the list and a map with directions from where you are to where you want to go, appears.
By The Numbers:
Allure of the Seas
Staterooms
: 2,706
Passenger capacity: 6,296
Number of employees: 2,165
Restaurants/snack bars: 24
Cost to build: $1.4 billion
Starting price cost for a seven-night Caribbean cruise in March: $1,260, per person plus taxes, for a Balcony stateroom. ( less for an inside cabin )
There never seem to be crowds or long lines. Amazing for a ship of it's size.
Cruise Hopper TiP: Check
out the new tech
features such as the
touch screen
touch-screen panels
near each elevator
bank - you can type
in your cabin number
and it gives you
directions or you
can pull up the
daily activity sheet
or dining options.
Also on the sea pass
card is a photo
gallery #. This
coordinates with
folders in the photo
gallery. Each time
your picture is
taken onboard, your
card is scanned and
the picture ends up
in your folder. So,
by the end of the
cruise, all pictures
are in one place and
all you have to do
is go find your
folder.
Royal
Caribbean's
Allure Of The
Seas,
The World's
Largest Ocean
Liner.
( by 2 inches! )
Spanning 16 decks, 2,700 staterooms including 28 duplex "New York-style loft" suites and registered at 225,000 tons, On our cruise Allure carried 6,100 passengers and has seven distinct neighborhoods .
It has a rock
climbing wall,
ice-skating
rink, Flow rider
surf simulators
, a zip line
suspended 9
decks high and
an aqua
theater.
Showcasing seven
entire
neighborhoods,
including a
Central Park and
a Coney
Island-style
Boardwalk.
21 swimming
pools and hot
tubs, two
rock-climbing
walls, a
basketball
court, golf
course, running
track, gym and a
day spa that
provides
everything from
teeth-whitening
to couples
massages.
Right In The
Neighborhood
Allure of the Seas has
zones or separate areas
for different
activities. This helps
spread out
6.100 guests who were
aboard our sailing, so the the
ship seemed much smaller than
it really is. These
zones, themed “neighborhoods.”
as they are known
onboard, include: Central Park,
Boardwalk, Royal Promenade,
Pool and Sports Zone,
Vitality at Sea Spa and
Fitness Center,
Entertainment Place and the
Youth Zone.
Boardwalk, Royal
Promenade and Central
Park — are the most
interesting. There, you
will find a variety of
accommodations,
activities, shops and
restaurants. There is
also a
Youth Zone (children and
teen areas), a huge Pool
and Sports Zone.
You will find 4 large
pools, including a
Beach Pool featuring a
gently sloping "shore"
leading down the water
for beachside sun
bathing at sea! With a
total of 21 pools and
hot tubs, each pool
offers a particular type
of watery fun and
relaxation . On
deck 16 forward, is The
Solarium, an adult
dedicated area where you
can enjoy some
peace and tranquility
surrounded by views of
the ocean. There's
a small pool, waterfall,
and two serene
whirlpools, streams of
running water with a
faux rock bottom and
shady palms. The area is
virtually covered in
glass, so the
temperature is several
degrees warmer than at
the other pool areas.
More about the ship's
neighborhoods later on.
Original short
films directed
by Jenny
McCarthy and
James Brolin
filmed
aboard Allure of
the Seas.
What does a
modern day
romantic cruise
adventure look
like?
Royal Caribbean
set out to show
you in a most
entertaining
way.
Normally in a
cruise review,
we would not
include a
self-serving
promotion from
the cruise line.
But in this
case, we found
these two short
films an
excellent way to
highlight the
ships venues and
activities in a
way you just
can't get across
in print.
According to a
Royal Caribbean
press release:
Jenny McCarthy
In her
directorial
debut, stars in a sexy
romantic comedy
set onboard
Royal Caribbean
International's
newest cruise
ship,
Allure
of the Seas.
McCarthy's film
"The Allure of
Love" - which
marks the
actress's first
time both in
front of and
behind the
camera - tells
the story of two
friends,
hatching the
perfect plan to
get a pair of
star-crossed
exes back
together.
McCarthy, along
with Hollywood
veteran James
Brolin, recently
filmed the
"Ocean Views"
film series
project
commissioned by
Royal Caribbean,
whereby the
actors not only
directed, but
also star in,
original short
films designed
to share great
cinematic
stories, while
highlighting the
variety of
cruising
experiences one
can enjoy with
Royal
Caribbean.
"Royal Reunion",
is a
heart-warming
film about a
multi-generational
family voyage on
Allure of the
Seas.
The film series
is available on
Royal
Caribbean's
website,
www.RoyalCaribbean.com/OceanViews
and marks the
first time any
cruise line has
made the foray
into the digital
film forum. A
background video
about the
filming is shown
below.
To turn off
the sound, or
stop the video,
move your mouse
arrow over the
video and click
on the two bars
in the lower
left hand corner
of the picture.
Staterooms with additional
berths: 683 · Wheelchair
accessible staterooms: 46
CRUISE
HOPPER
TiP:
Stateroom costs will run
15-20 percent more to sail
on the Allure compared to
other Royal Caribbean ships.
Interior cabins starting at
$729 per person, $979 for
balcony staterooms.
Prices vary by stateroom
location, season and sailing
date.
Mini Suites, Suites and Loft
Staterooms will cost you
more.
Much, much more. Be sure to
ask if any promotional fares
are available if you are a
senior, a member of
the military or reside in a
state with a promotional
fare. Interior balcony
staterooms recently were
offered with as much as $200
onboard spending credit to
spur on sales.
Royal
Caribbean Brings Urban
Living Concept to Sea with
Cruise Industry’s First
Lofts
The evolution of cruise ship
hardware has been
mindboggling over the past
few decades, especially in
the realm of accommodations.
Inspired by urban living
ideals, Royal Caribbean broke the
mold yet again with the
introduction of the
industry’s first two-level
loft suites on Oasis of the
Seas and followed suit on
Allure. Think funky
city apartment, only this
one floats and happens to
have incredible sea views
from double-height windows.
Dramatically
redefining cruise
ship accommodations,
the lofts are the
highest
accommodations at
sea and offer
spectacular views of
the ocean with
floor-to-ceiling
windows, ensuring
the view will be
enjoyed from every
corner of the space.
Other features among
these coveted 28
lofts include a
unique modern design
accented with
abstract, modern art
pieces, spacious
living areas on the
lower level with
contemporary
detailing, and a
private balcony with
sun chairs and
stunning views to
help guests unwind.
“We
have 28 loft suites
and when I first saw
them, I immediately
wished we had built
more,” said Richard
Fain, chairman and
CEO, Royal Caribbean
Cruises Ltd.
CRUISE
HOPPER
TiP:Allure of the Seas
has 2,706
staterooms, ranging
from a
149-square-foot
interior cabin to
the luxurious Royal
Loft Suite that can
accommodate six.
On most ships all
balconies face the
ocean, but on Allure,
they not only face
the ocean, some are
interior balconies
overlooking the
open-air Boardwalk
and Central Park
neighborhoods.
Families should
consider staterooms
in the Boardwalk
neighborhood, while
the more upscale
Central Park area is
best for couples.
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
Royal Caribbean recently offered up to
$200 shipboard credit per stateroom for
families that booked interior facing
balcony rooms overlooking
Boardwalk and Central Park. Before
you place a deposit for your cruise be
sure to ask for the current promotional
offers. More often than not, they have
one.
Fresh, chic
and super functional, each
loft measures 545 square
feet (51 square meters) and
larger. The impressive
design includes an
upper-level bedroom that
overlooks the living area
below. The downstairs
sitting area has a couch,
chaise lounge, LCD
television, guest bathroom,
17-foot windows and balcony
that opens up to sweeping
sea views. Up top, the loft
bed floats like a dream
behind transparent panels
for open views through the
floor-to-ceiling windows --
wake up and soak up the
scenery without even hopping
out of bed. The upstairs
master bathroom features his
and her shower heads,
fog-free mirrors, and
limestone mosaic tile
detailing. Beds are
outfitted with white,
luxurious duvets
complemented by tropical
blue and green accents that
tie in to the loft’s natural
surroundings. The signature
lofts rounds out a new
portfolio of 37 categories
of accommodation options,
many with views unique to
Allure of the Seas.
Following is
a breakdown of the various
accommodation types along
with the
features that matter most:
Loft Suites • Royal Loft Suite: In
addition to the 25 Crown
Loft Suites onboard Allure of
the Seas, the exclusive
Royal Loft Suite
accommodates groups of six
and is the largest of all
lofts onboard Allure of the
Seas. Spanning 1,524 sq. ft.
(141 sq. m.), it features
its own Baby Grand piano,
indoor and outdoor dining
rooms that seat eight,
private wet bar, a library
and extended 843-square-foot
(78.3-square-meter) balcony
with its own LCD television,
entertainment area and
Jacuzzi. The Royal Loft
Suite can be connected to a
Crown Loft Suite to
accommodate a total of ten
guests, providing a whopping
2,069 sq. ft. (192 sq. m.)
of space.
Allure of the Seas’ Suite
Accommodations
•
Sky Loft Suite:
The Sky Loft Suites
are larger than the
standard lofts and
though they stand as
singular units,
these staterooms can
be connected
together to satisfy
larger groups and
families. The Sky
Loft Suites,
identified as Corner
A (722 sq. ft./67
sq. m.) and Corner B
(770 sq. ft./71 sq.
m.), feature more
living room space,
separate dining
rooms that seat
four, spacious
balconies with sun
loungers, and dining
tables that seat
four.
•
Crown Accessible
Loft Suite:
The Crown Accessible
Loft features the
same amenities as
the standard Crown
Loft Suites, but
measures slightly
larger, at 737 sq.
ft. (68 sq. m.), and
offers an elevator
for the convenience
of guests with
special needs.
In addition to the loft
suite accommodations, Allure
of the Seas offers a variety
of suites that appeal to
guests looking for extra
space and even more
amenities and services than
offered at the standard
stateroom level. While each
suite varies in scope, all
of the following suites
provide guests with private
balconies, LCD televisions
and more.
• Royal Suite:
The only
one of
its kind on Allure of the
Seas , this spacious suite
sleeps four and features one
bedroom, two baths, a
separate living area with
its own Baby Grand piano,
plush seating, a full bar,
and a 52” LCD television.
Floor-to-ceiling glass
windows and doors lead to
the suite’s large outdoor
balcony with woven chaise
lounges. The private master
suite offers an alternative
sitting area with large
windows facing the sea and a
large jetted tub to help
guests unwind after an
action-packed day.
•
Presidential Family Suite:
Another one-of-a-kind
accommodation onboard Allure
of the Seas., it can sleep
14. With a total of four
bedrooms and four baths, the
space is similar to the
Presidential Family Suite
onboard Royal Caribbean’s
Freedom-class ships.
Floor-to-ceiling glass
windows face the ocean and a
spacious balcony provides
enough room for the entire
group to enjoy the outdoor
dining area, large LCD
screen, and private jetted
tub.
•
AquaTheater Suite:
All six
of the AquaTheater Suites
available onboard Allure of
the Seas feature private
wrap-around balconies
overlooking the Boardwalk,
the AquaTheater, and the
ocean, offering outdoor
ocean-front dining areas for
six, and an outdoor bar
ideal for entertaining.
These new family suites
accommodate up to eight
guests and have two bedrooms
and two full baths.
•
Owner’s
Suite: Each of the 10
owner’s suites accommodates
four guests and is designed
with one bedroom, living
room and bath. Guests are
pampered with a private
balcony, outdoor dining
table for four and an
interior sitting area with a
convertible queen sleeper
sofa for two.
•
Royal Family Suite:
Sleeping eight, Allure of the
Seas’ Family Suites with
balcony feature a master
bedroom and bath and a guest
room with private bath. All
four suites also offer a
private balcony with outdoor
dining and lounge area that
seats four.
•
Grand
Suite: The Grand Suites with
balconies are the most
abundant suite
accommodations available on
Allure of the Seas. The 30
suites feature one bedroom,
full bath, and a separate
living area outfitted in
contemporary décor, with
stonework used throughout
the entry and bathrooms.
Private balconies boast not
only great views, but comfy
woven chaise lounge chairs
and a whirlpool tub for two.
•
Outside-Inside Balcony
Staterooms: Allure of the Seas has two
distinct neighborhoods,
where staterooms are open to
the sky above. Boardwalk (
shown below ) and Central
Park have hundred's of these
most unusual accommodations.
Inside balconies
set the framework for the Boardwalk
neighborhood; with Rita's Cantina,
Johnny Rockets, The Carousel, Donut
Shop, Hot Dog Stand, Shops and the
AquaTheatre
These
balcony staterooms
may not be for
you...
If you enjoy looking
out into the ocean,
want complete
privacy and don't
want to have to
close your curtains
each evening, an
ocean facing balcony
may be best for you.
However, if you like to
look out and see
what the rest of
your fellow
passengers are doing
and don't mind the
fact that others can
look in on you, then
these staterooms
give you a birds eye
view of what's
happening along the
Boardwalk, the AquaTheatre or down
Central Park.
We don't
recommend these
staterooms if you
have young children.
They could become
easily distracted by
the noise, and may
not be able to
nap properly.
For a few hundred
dollars more,
you can have all
privacy you want and
ever-changing views
of the ocean. Ocean
viewing is great for
an early morning
breakfast watching
the sun rise or
romantic moonlight gazing at
night off your
balcony.
Not everyone can
afford a suite!
Those interested in
reserving a standard
stateroom aboard Allure of
the Seas – interior or ocean view, with or without
balconies – enjoy the same
level of stateroom
innovations found in the
suite and loft suite
categories onboard. In
particular, the bedroom area
of all staterooms feature
additional under-bed
storage, shelf units,
expansive closets that
include retractable clothing
and shoe shelves, and flip
up bedside tables to provide
more space and functionality
as needed. The bathrooms
feature a fresh design
concept, providing an open
space feel with clear glass
shower enclosure, and
additional shelves and
ledges throughout.
What about
accommodations for the rest of
us?
Our stateroom Deck
11 - Room 702 -
Category D7
ENTERTAINMENT and DINING
OPTIONS
When
she arrived in Ft.
Lauderdale in
December 2010, Royal
Caribbean
International’s
newest ship,
Allure of the Seas,
introduced the most
unique and varied
collection of
entertainment and
activities ever
offered for guests
of the cruise
line. From Broadway
shows and
heart-pounding
diving and acrobatic
exhibitions, to
comedy acts and
popular theme nights
and parades, the
world’s largest and
most revolutionary
cruise ship really
does offer
something to
entertain all ages,
interests and
personalities.
The AquaTheater
-
a pool by day,
theater by night - offers spectacular
sea-side entertainment in a venue so
technologically advanced it will amaze
your eyes and your senses. Plus, with
two Rock-Climbing Walls, a thrilling Zip
Line suspended across the Boardwalk,
loft suites and a two-story, adults-only
solarium - there’s only one word to
describe this ship -
incredible!
>>
As the first
theater of its kind, this
dazzling oceanfront
amphitheatre-style venue is
the home to one of the most
incredible, jaw-dropping
shows we have ever seen at sea.
Seating 600 guests and
boasting the largest and
deepest pool at sea, ( 17.9
ft ) containing near 500
tons of water. AquaTheater hosts a
variety of entertainment,
including live music, fun
themed events, fountain
shows and cabarets, with the
most exciting attractions
being two elaborate dive
shows that take place
each day and night.
•
OceanAria:
Set against the
backdrop of the ocean
beneath the twinkling
nighttime sky, two towering
dive platforms some 59ft
above the water level frame
the amphitheatre. This
breathtaking dive show will
leave you wowed after
every performance. The most
professional and talented
cast of Olympic and NCAA
champion athletes from
around the world were
selected for this show,
including divers,
synchronized swimmers and
gymnasts. Set to an original
soundtrack and synchronized
with fountain shows,
lighting and special
effects, the all-star cast
performs a
heart-pounding, dramatic
spectacular, making this
majestic venue come alive
and will bring you to your
feet will applause. Often.
•
Let You Entertain Me!
A Dreamworks Animation
inspired production features
characters from the movie
Madagascar and OceanAria in
a fun filled show with
aquatic stunts and
acrobatics. Great fun for
the whole family.
Also taking
place at the AquaTheatre:
fountain shows, live
afternoon music, singing
performances. Even a
belly-flop contest you can
join! The Cruise Director,
hosts a Q&A session with the
Captain and Officers of the
ship.
Amusements for adults
Chicago: the Musical stars
performers from Broadway and
West End productions and
costs no extra.
The Blue Planet aerial
acrobatic show has some
truly magnificent sets.
Again, costs no more.
Arguably,
these shows set the highest
standard we've seen at sea.
The
AMBER
Theater
As the cruise line’s
most dramatic and
spectacular theater
yet, the Amber
Theater features a
thrust stage and a
proscenium extending
into the audience to
create one of the more
interactive
environments we have
ever seen at sea. Seating
1,350 guests, the
Amber Theater presents
three different
shows, each
performed several
times throughout
each sailing
:
Broadway's
razzle-dazzle hit
musical
CHICAGO is no doubt be one
of the star
attractions onboard
Allure of the Seas.
Licensed exclusively
to Royal Caribbean,
the show is 90
minutes long. Set
amidst the
razzle-dazzle
decadence of the
1920s, CHICAGO is
the story of Roxie
Hart, a housewife
and nightclub dancer
who murders her
lover after he
threatens to walk
out on her.
Desperate to avoid
conviction, she
dupes the public,
the media and her
rival cellmate,
Velma Kelly, by
hiring CHICAGO's
slickest criminal
lawyer to transform
her malicious crime
into a barrage of
sensational
headlines, the likes
of which might just
as easily be ripped
from today's
tabloids.
Boasting an incredible cast
of talented performers, who
were selected during a four
city audition tour in
London, New York, Chicago
and Los Angeles, this
fabulous 90-minute show was performed four times
throughout our cruise and
will thrill audiences with
original costumes, sets,
lighting designs and the
hottest, high-energy numbers
of the Broadway version
produced with Royal
Caribbean’s unique stamp.
CRUISE
HOPPER
TiP:Zach Stafford,
Allure of The Seas Activities Manager
told us the most important thing a guest
could do is to be sure to check out
and use the online
reservations system
( www.royalcaribbean.com ) for shows, spa and
specialty
restaurants and
other activities.
"Book your
shows and dining choices as early as
possible. If you wait until you get
onboard you may be disappointed when you
can't get in to see the show when you
want, or dine at the hour of your choice
at a specialty restaurant" he said.
Our advice: When
you make a
reservation online
for the shows, it
goes on your SeaPass
card. When you get
to the show, the
crew is waiting with
handheld scanners -
they scan your card
and see that you
have a reservation
and you're in.
"walk-ins" are not
seated until
everyone with
reservations is
seated.
What's a SeaPass
Card?
Allure of the Seas
operates on a
"cashless" system,
meaning your
boarding card, (also
known as your
SeaPass card), will
be used as a charge
card to make all
onboard purchases.
Normally to activate
this SeaPass
account, most guests
provide a credit
card, (American
Express, Optima,
MasterCard, Visa,
Discover and Diner's
Club), to have these
purchases charged to
at the end of their
cruise. A
running tab of all
your purchases will
be kept under
separate folio
numbers for each
guest and an
itemized statement
left in your
stateroom the night
before
disembarkation. If
you provided a
credit card and
there are no
discrepancies, the
amount will be
charged to your
account on the
morning of
disembarkation.
• Blue Planet:
A
spectacle of music,
dance and aerial
acrobatics, within
an amazing set which
replicates the
wonders of the
world. From giant
mountains to
underwater scenes (
see photo above )
and an incredible
"living" Tree, ( see
our photo ) It's a journey of
soaring heights, interactive
video and powerful singing
and dancing during this
spectacular 45-minute show,
which was performed four
times during each cruise. This was our
favorite show . We
recommend youbook it in advance, at
www.royalcaribbean.com
BEFORE you leave
home. The
show Brings the
Amber Theater to
life, this visually stunning
show combines the unique
aerial, dance, gymnastic and
vocal talents of Royal
Caribbean’s incredible cast,
coupled with the immense
talent of the cruise line’s
award winning costume, video
and scenic designers.
This show is
mesmerizing. Don't
miss it!
Blue Planet
if we showed you all
the great pictures,
we would give it all away.
You have to see it to
believe it!
• Headliner
Showtime:
Offered three
times throughout each
cruise, guests are
entertained by fabulous
acts taking the stage at the
Amber Theater, including
world class singers,
musicians, magic and
juggling acts.
On our cruise, we
had an opportunity
to visit with one of
our favorites:
Tribute. The guys
perform a Salute to
the Temptations.
No doubt you may
have seen them
before. The group
has been together
for 19 years and
performed on a
number of cruise
ships. When they
sing ' The Way You
Do The Things You
Do" and " You're My
everything", you
could swear they
were the
Temptations.
DreamWorks®
movie
characters come to
life on board.
Royal Caribbean
International and
DreamWorks
Animation® teamed up
to bring families
memorable moments
filled with your
favorite characters
from Shrek®,
Madagascar®, Kung Fu
Panda™ and more.
From 3D movies to
ice and aqua shows,
the DreamWorks®
Experience is
exclusively onboard
Royal Caribbean
ships. It's
amazing how the Dreamworks®
Animation characters
appeal to guests of all
ages. We saw hundreds of
Adults without children
lined up along the parade
route as much as an hour
prior to the start of the
festivities.
There
they are:
Shrek,
Princess
Fiona, Puss in
Boots, Po from Kung
Fu Panda, King Julein, The Penquins
and more. The cast
of characters
host a sailaway
party, perform in parades, an ice show, an
aqua show and
host character
breakfasts with your kids. When
you least expect it,
one of them appears
to greet you
and your children
and
pose for pictures.
The Dreamworks®
highlight is a
20-minute parade
along the Royal
Promenade.
CRUISE
HOPPER HINT
: For
the best
view of the
parade, get
seats in
front of
Sorrento's
Pizza
Parlor. That
puts your
family
"center
stage" to
see the
parade up
close.
Let You Entertain
Me!:
The
Madagascar-themed
show is a spectacle
of penguins, high divers
, acrobats and synchronized
swimmers held in the
open-air, oceanfront AquaTheatre.
Madagascar Aqua Show: Performed
three times
each cruise, this
themed show
is light-hearted and humorous
dive show provides fun and
surprises the whole family
will enjoy. The Aqua Theater’s cast of divers
and Madagascar
Characters showcase their comedic
sides, combining crazy
poolside antics with
exhibition Olympic-style
diving, all performed to an
upbeat and dramatic
soundtrack.
CRUISE
HOPPER HINT
: The first
three rows
are
considered
in the
"splash
zone", so if
you don't
want to get
wet, sit
about 6 rows
up - center
stage, best
seats in the
house!
Studio B
Ice Shows
Impressive is an
understatement.
These incredible ice
shows feature a cast
of professional
skaters from around
the world. On Allure
of the Seas guests
enjoy a spectacular
ice show featuring
the characters from
"How to train A
Dragon".
Ice-Skating When the
professionals aren't
practicing or
putting on one of
their remarkable
shows, Allure has
open skating hours
for onboard guests.
There's no charge to
use the rink, no
reservations
necessary and all
levels of skating
are welcome - they
even provide the
skates.
First time on the
ice? They
offer skating
lessons for
beginners. Or, if
you've been at this
for a while, you can
join u special
Advanced Skating
Sessions. They also
offer Family
Skating, Teen
Skating, and even
Disco or Rock 'n'
Roll Skating. All
skaters are
requested to wear
long pants and socks
for their own
comfort and safety.
•
How To
Train Your Dragon Ice Show:
This Dreamworks
animation adventure takes to
the ice during a
breathtaking show of
spectacular choreography,
theatrics, costumes and
music. Highlighting
the adventures of Hiccup the
Viking Boy and Toothless the
Dragon. Performed by The
Allure of the Seas
International Ice Cast,
the show features top-rated
figure skaters from around
the world, this
not-to-be-missed ice show
will be available several
times during each cruise.
•
Ice
Games:
See the classic board game
Monopoly brought to life in
a fantasy tale which
features amazing costumes,
video and lighting effects
to enchant and entertain.
•
Rock and Roll and 70's
Disco:
Themed Skate Sessions. Skate
to your favorite tunes and
lessons are available too.
Comedy Live
Located in
the Entertainment Place
neighborhood, Comedy Live is
one of the signature
after-dark venues onboard
Allure of the Seas. The adult
comedy club is a fun and
intimate space with décor
inspired by a New York
subway station.
•
Comedy
Shows: Nightly performances
by talented stand-up comics
will provide sidesplitting
laughs and antics. Two
comedians will take the
stage each night during
one-hour long shows
performed two to three times
nightly.
Theme Nights and Parades
With a Royal Promenade
almost double the width of
those found onboard Voyager-
and Freedom-class ships,
Allure of the Seas will
continue the tradition ofRoyal Caribbean’s
signature theme nights and
parades, and make them even
bigger and better!
•
Disco
Inferno Street Party:
Throughout the Royal
Promenade on the Atlas
Bridge, Rising Tide Bar and
the mezzanine, guests will
dance to the music of the
70’s in this Disco-themed
street party.
Editor's
Notebook
With so many exciting
entertainment options and
venues to choose from, Royal
Caribbean has definitely
made it easier for guests
to plan accordingly, so as
not to miss any of the
onboard thrills, spills and
chills. Show schedules are available pre-cruise at www.royalcaribbean.com,
allowing guests the
opportunity to customize
their cruise experience by
pre-booking all shows in
advance of boarding.
You don't want to miss this
opportunity to see and do
what you want, when you want
it. Pre-plan it all online.
CRUISE
HOPPER HINT
: At theRoyal Caribbeanwebsite,
guests can view all show
schedules by show name, day
and time and make
reservations as far out as
three months prior to the
sail date for shows at
venues including the Amber
Theater, Studio B
ice-skating rink, Comedy
Live and the AquaTheater.
Utilizing the latest
technology, all reservations
booked online will be
recorded to each guests’
Seapass card, which will be
scanned upon arrival to the
selected venue at show time
and will serve as the show
“ticket.” While guests are
encouraged to take advantage
of this new pre-booking
ability, a traditional Box
Office and a ticketing
system via the in stateroom
television also will be
available for onboard
reservations.
Central
Park
Central Park is a
unique public space
combining nature with
nautical. A sea-going
first.
Elegant, serene and
lively, Central Park's
piazza is the ship's town
square, which evolves from a
tranquil and peaceful
"tropical "atmosphere during the day to
a haven of tranquility
beneath the stars, a gathering spot for dining,
entertainment and street
performances in the evening.
Definitely one of the most
romantic spots for a stroll
onboard.
Central Park features several al
fresco dining
options ( Park Cafe,
Giovanni's Table,
Chops Grill and 150
Central Park ) and more
than 300 staterooms,
which
rise six decks
to overlook the
Park. Quiet reading
corners, specimen
gardens with
over 12,000 plants
from over 100
different plant
species, and other
hidden surprises
await guests among
the winding paths.
T
here
are plants that
bloom at different
times of the year to
provide continuous
color. And a full
time horticulturist
and three gardeners to
take care of it all.
Bringing the outdoors
in, Central Park
offers guests a
tranquil outdoor
space open to the
sky like never
before.>>
Going Green!
More About The Gardens Of Central Park
The most verdant of the seven neighborhoods aboard Allure of the Seas, Central Park is a gardener’s dream and a breath of fresh air for anyone who appreciates natural beauty. From towering Cuban laurel and Black Olive to clusters of calla lilies and rabbit foot ferns, the park’s collection of plants is a mix of coastal and highland sub-tropical species from around the world that is well suited to thrive on Allure of the Seas' Caribbean itineraries.
A series of columns interlaced with vines is just one of the welcoming entry points into Central Park, and is elegantly landscaped with tropical foliage and seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees. Drifts of calla lilies among giant elephant ears, red ginger, rabbit foot ferns, banana croton, gold dust dracaena, and butterfly lily are some of the plant life guests discover. Impressive ‘green walls’ spanning 25 feet and five decks high hosts fern and a variety of flowering vines such as red and white Mandevilla, Clerodendron thomsaonaie, and Thumbergia grandiflora. The park also has changing displays of accent plants, such as birds of paradise and Spathoglottis ground orchids. Trees, some eventually reaching more than two-and-a-half decks high, include cherry of the rio grande, podocarpus nagi, and amstel king ficus.
The Park’s horticulturalists also offers great educational opportunities for kids and parents alike, sharing general gardening techniques and providing lessons on the distinctive and unusual ecology of Caribbean plants. Identification labels offer interesting facts such as the plant’s origin and its medicinal or agricultural use.
Drawing on the concept of surprise, garden spaces throughout Central Park emerge from charming pathways. The Pergola Garden is a unique plant garden, featuring tendrils of flowering bleeding heart entwined through the overhead trellis.
The Sculpture Garden integrates artwork from international artists and unique plantings, while sweet olive trees frame a cozy area to sit and enjoy a view of the Park. The middle pathway transports guests over a bridge spanning a ‘river of plants’ and past a series of special gardens, restaurants and cafés, as well as boutique shops, and on to the central square, lined with lacey black olive trees.
Guests can savor the tranquility of the custom-designed green space, but behind the scenes, Mother Nature had a little help. The horticulturists, architects, designers and engineers, all teamed up to design Central Park, including creating a custom-designed irrigation and drainage systems complete with micro-climate control techniques. And the results are a beautiful thing.
Central Park Horticulture Source: Royal Caribbean
Royal Promenade
The
Royal Promenade Neighborhood
- the most expansive
promenade at sea - continues
to be the heart of the ship.
A signature feature on many
Royal Caribbean ships, except
on Allure, it's much bigger
and wider. The Royal Promenade
has a mezzanine level that
overlooks the space below
and adds to the experience.
This where the street
parades take place. Move it!
Move It! the Dreamworks
Animation Parade features
more than 70 performers and
13 larger than life
characters from Dreamwork's
movie hits. You will find
Shrek and Fiona, Puss in
Boots and King Fu Panda and
the Penguins in the parade.
On the
Promenade you'll find the
Champagne Bar, The Rising
Tide Bar, The British style
Pub "The Bow and Stern' ,
the On air club for
live sports coverage,
karaoke, trivias, and
Nintendo Wii games. There is
the second level Schooner
Bar with great views of the
Promenade below. Cafe
Promenade is where you go
for coffee and snacks at any
time day or night. You
can also get Pizza at
midnight if you wish at
Sorrento's. Move on
along the starboard side of
the Royal Promenade and
you'll find Bolero's. If you
love Salsa and Latin dancing
this is the place.
At the
far end you will find Focus,
the photo galley and the
Guest Services desk. the 40
members of Guest Services
speak 14 languages and are
available 24-7 to answer any
of your questions and assist
you.
The Cupcake
Cupboard...
offers cupcake
decorating lessons
for the kids as well
as adults. Try one
of these delicious
freshly baked
cupcakes. They are
out of this world!
The Promenade features
Rising Tide, a levitating
bar that ascends and
descends over three decks,
and enough shops and
restaurants to entertain
even the most traveled of
travelers. By morning, enjoy
a relaxed atmosphere over
coffee and people watching.
The ambiance becomes more
energetic and vibrant in the
afternoon with shopping,
lunch or drinks in the pub.
In the evening, the energy
rises even more with
parades, nightlife and
entertainment for everyone.
It's destination unto
itself.
CRUISE HOPPER HINT
: Passengers who
aren't up to soaring
along on a zip line
nine decks high, can
take a more
leisurely ride,
and go much more
slowly up and down
three decks with a
cocktail at the
moving bar, Rising
Tide.
Try a frozen
Mudslide. A great
frozen drink
concoction: Absolut Vodka,
Bailey's Irish Cream
and Kahlua blended
with Island Allure
Ice Cream $7.00 )
Vitality at Sea Spa
& Fitness Center
You've taken a cruise to
leave behind the daily grind
of work and home. What
better place to to soothe
your mind, body
and soul, than this
state-of-the-art setting
designed for the healthy
lifestyle, combines the most
advanced spa and anti-aging
therapies, the latest
fitness equipment and
healthy dining options.
Guests can enjoy the benefits of a
relaxing massage or share
the experience in one of our
many couples massage suites.
Restore your body in the
Thermal Suite or rejuvenate
with a pampering spa
treatment.
If you're looking to
energize your body, then
head to the Fitness Center.
Try the latest equipment or
one of several classes,
including: spinning, pilates, yoga and
our favorite the Kinesis class: a full-body,
no-impact workout.
Hungry after a good workout?
Try the Vitality at Sea
Café, where you'll find
healthy snacks, juices and
smoothes, plus nutritious
entrees. The Vitality at Sea
Spa and Fitness neighborhood
is perfect to strengthen
your body, soothe your mind
and renew your spirit.
Are you a runner?
If so, Allure of the
Seas has an outdoor
running track. One
lap equals 0.43
miles and it's fun
to read the
encouraging messages
all the way.
Pool & Sports Zone
More option than you
can imagine! A
fun-filled zone for
all ages, taking up
an entire deck with
multiple pools,
rock-climbing walls,
miniature golf,
ping-pong, two
FlowRiders®
and a
basketball
court.
You can choose from four
pools: the H2O Zone,
where kids can enjoy
a giant octopus with
its water-spraying
tentacles and a
separate wading pool
for infants and
toddlers; the sports
pool, dedicated for
laps and
waterspouts; or the
new beach pool, with
a sloped entry that
simulates wading
into the ocean. Or
bask by the
traditional pool,
with more sun
loungers than any
other ship afloat.
Mini-Golf, 2
FlowRiders®,
and a full size
basketball
court
Editors
Note:The unique
beach pool at sea has a
sloped entry where you can
wade into the water or relax
with a beach chair under an
umbrella, while gentle
waters roll gently beneath.
There is a whirlpool on each
side of the Beach Pool. On a
couple of nights the pool
turn into an adult beach
nightclub.
When you've worked up a
thirst, you can stop by one of
the four
pool bars, or retreat to
cool off in the Solarium. Surrounded by glass and
standing two decks high,
this is the perfect place
for adults to relax.
The new
Solarium Bistro offers
sit-down dining areas with
healthy entrees and at night
it transforms into a unique
specialty restaurant.
And don't miss the ultimate,
spine-tingling rush - riding
on the Zip Line! There's
nothing like zooming over
the Boardwalk, speeding
along 82ft of free
open space, a mere nine
decks below.>>
The Sports pool and
H20
On
the port side, the
Sports Pool is
dedicated to aquatic
activities and
sports. Guests can
participate in lap
swimming sessions,
water basketball,
water polo
tournaments and sign
up for scuba diving
lessons.
The
H20 Zone on the
starboard side is
the children's water
park. Here your kids
can splash away in a
fun-filled
environment packed
with squirting
fountains, spray
cannons, tipping
buckets and even a
waterfall.
Parents of little
ones will find the
Baby Splash Zone,
which allows kids
still in diapers.
The
Teen Zone
This
is the place your
teenage kids can
meet new friends,
relax or be active.
all parent-free! In
the Living Room
teens will find
comfortable seating,
Nintendo Wii games.
At Fuel teens can
dance the night away
to DJs and the Back
Deck is an open air
venue for parties
beneath the stars.
Allure Dunes
There's a
nine-hole golf
course for the
family and a small
children's course
with fun animal
characters to
entertain them.
Not
one, but two FlowRiders®,
surf simulators.
Private and group
lessons are
available for a fee
and you can have
your picture taken
as you "wipe out" or
conquer the surf!
Zip Line at Sea.
Travel along 82 feet
of free open space.,
9 decks above the
Boardwalk. If you
keep your eyes open
during the trip, the
views are amazing.
Youth Zone -
Adventure Ocean
Youth Entertainment
Programs
Royal
Caribbean has a
great reputation and
is renowned for it's
facilities for kids
and teens. Its next
to impossible to
cover all the youth
activities in one
review. But we'll
give it a try.
On
Allure of the Seas
theAdventure Ocean®
youth program, has even
more space dedicated toyouth activities then
other ships in the
fleet. 28,000 square feet!
and 39 youth staff
members. From vibrant teen
areas to fun learning
environments for our smaller
guests, it's easy for your
kids to make
new friends in this
neighborhood - and enjoy
non-stop action day and
night!
Here's where kids can be
kids and parents can be
worry-free. Activities are
in dedicated spaces for
age-appropriate groups with
professional and caring
staff to engage curious
young minds. Aquanauts for 3 -5
years olds,
Explorers for 6-8
years old and
Voyagers for 9-11
year olds. The Youth Zone takes family
vacationing to a whole new
level. Kids ages 3 to 11
will love the Adventure
Science Lab, the Imagination
Studio and the new Adventure
Ocean Theater. And teens
will enjoy lots of hang out
areas just for them.
Guaranteed to be fun-filled,
the Youth Zone is one of the
coolest youth spaces on sea
or land!All of the Adventure Ocean
activities are free, except
for those under three. There
is a printed daily schedule
for each age group, with all
the planned activities for
the day listed.
About the Staff
According to Royal
Caribbean, All
Adventure Ocean team
members hold a 4
year University
degree in education,
recreation or a
related field.
The staff comes from
all over the world.
Each activity
conducted by the
team is designed to
both entertain and
enrich, providing
kids with
opportunities to
learn new skills.,
interact with others
of their age group
and try new fun
activities.
CRUISE HOPPER TiP : Children
must be fully toilet-trained before they
can join the Aquanauts. No pull-ups or
diapers are allowed at Adventure Ocean
activities. The Youth Zone can
accommodate special needs children, but
can't provide 1-on-1 care. The parents
are welcome to stay with their children
if they wish.
The Royal Babies and
Tots is a drop off
nursery with one
dedicated nursery
staff for every four
children. The number
is adjusted based on
demand. The charge
is $8 per hour and
is open from 9 am
until about
midnight.
Infants and
toddlers ( 6
months or
older ) can
be left in
the care of
trained team
members,
participating
in a range
of fun
playgroups
created by
Pisher-Price®
and Crayola®
Adventure
Ocean has
six age
groups:
Royal
Babies
and Tots
- 6
months
to 3
years
Aquanauts
- ages 3
to 5
Explorers
- ages 6
to 8
Voyagers
- ages 9
to 11
Tweens -
ages 11
to 12
Teens -
ages 13
to 17
The Aquanauts have
Fisher-Price toys in their
activity/play room. The
Explorers Nintendos and Wiis,
and use the art room,
science lab, and Adventure
Ocean theater for their
activities. The Voyagers
also use all of the same
facilities as the Explorers,
but also use the Flow Riders
and sports courts. The
Adventure Ocean staff do not
have any activities for
those 3-11 at the pools, but
all three age groups
interact with the DreamWorks
Animation Characters. Tweens and teens have their
own schedule ( printed daily
) and six dedicated staff.
You will find them on deck
15. There is a Living
Room area, which is a lounge
with TVs, games, computers,
and a music/recording
studio. They also have a
teen night club, and outside
back deck near the
table tennis, sports court,
and Wipe Out cafe.
Entertainment Place
Introducing
Entertainment Place,
a neighborhood
filled with more
entertainment
options than you can
imagine. Here you'll
find a mix of large,
pulsating spaces and
smaller, intimate
venues that deliver
a variety of
entertainment every
night.
Play your favorite game of
chance at the elegant Casino
Royale, which rivals any
land-based casino in style
and sophistication. Enjoy
one-of-a-kind ice shows
at and
a variety of themed events
throughout the week at
Studio B or take in a show
at the Amber Theater,
featuring CHICAGO, on one of
the most dramatic
and spectacular stages we've
seen.
If you feel like moving to
the latest club music,
there's Blaze, the hottest
nightclub at sea, or get
cozy at Jazz on 4. For
late-night laughs, head to
Comedy Live. ( Adult-rated )
Then there's Dazzles. From
big band to disco, Dazzles
offers countless fresh
musical experiences -
complete with dancing
lessons and lively
competitions. Now that's
entertainment!
The 14 member Allure
of the Seas
Orchestra in Dazzles
preformed, as we
danced the night
away to some of our
favorite dance music
>>
Giovanni's Table an
informal, family
focused specialty
dining venue is a
must for lovers of
hearty Italian fare.
Raye and I found
this restaurant the
best of all. Inside
you will find an
authentic Italian
feel to the place,
with Tuscan inspired
artwork, while
outside is ideal for
those who prefer
dine al fresco.
Try the Ossobuco
Alla Piemontese.
Veal ossobucco au
jus, with tomatoes,
mushrooms, cheese
polenta and sautéed
green beans.
Delicious!
Note: There is a $15
fee per person
charge to dine at
Giovanni's Table
Allure of the Seas’
Offers the Greatest
Variety of Dining
Options
When it
comes to
Allure of
the Seas
one
thing is
for
certain
-
there's
no
shortage
of
delicious
dining
options.
Whether
you're
looking
for a
cozy
dinner
setting
or an
intimate
elegant
atmosphere,
Allure of
the Seas
has just
the
thing.
From
authentic
Italian
seafood
at the
Giovanni’s
Table to
spectacular
steak at
Chops
Grille,
from My
Time
Dining\and
My
Family
Time
Dining
your
pallet
will be
pleasantly
pleased,
and you
can
enjoy
these
delicacies
at your
leisure.
One
thing
never
changes.
There
are
always
passengers
eating
around
the
clock,
keen on
"getting
their
money's
worth,"
as Weber
put it.
They can
repent
by
hitting
Allure'
state-of-the-art
fitness
center
or
jogging
track.
Morale-boosting
signs
spotted
overhead
along
the
track
include
this:
"Tonight's
dessert
can be
guilt
free."
The ship
has 24
dining
venues,
235
cooks
and five
executive
sous
chefs
who are
kept
very
busy
24/7,
7
days a
week!
When it
comes to
dining,
not
everything
is
FREE...
TiP:
Almost
half of
Allure’
eateries
either
have a
la carte
pricing
or a
cover
charge,
ranging
from
$4.95 a
person
for a
burger-and-shake
at
Johnny
Rockets
to $35
for an
elegant
eight-course
menu at
150
Central
Park.
Onboard
dining
experiences
include
-
sushi,
tapas,
an
upscale
steakhouse.
There's
also
a
doughnut
shop,
ice-cream
parlor
,
even
a
cupcake
boutique.
Counting
Calories?
The
Solarium
Bistro
serves
lunch
and
dinner
entrees
with
less
than
500
calories.
But
on a
cruise
ship,
whose
counting!
Each
of
the
specialty
dining
locations
has
its
own
galley,
cooks
and
wait
staff.
There
is
no
central
kitchen
commissary,
so
each
venue
works
just like
a
stand-alone restaurant
you'd
find
back
home.
The
tradition
of
formal
nights
at
sea
still
holds,
but
we
noticed
some
people
get
dressed
up,
some
don't.
And
those
that
due,
tend
to
return
to
their
stateroom
right
after
dinner
and
change
into
something
more
casual
for
the
remainder
of
the
evening.
So,
do
you
need
to
bring
a
dark
suit,
wear
a
tux
or
evening
gown.
You
can,
that's
up
to
you.
More
About
Dining
Options
Allure of
the Seas
is the
pinnacle
of an
amazing
culinary
evolution,
offering
a
plethora
of
choice,
both in
cuisine
and
timing,
dine
where
and when
you want
and with
whom.
Allure of
the Seas
boasts
an
amazing
24
dining
options
throughout
the ship
that
ensure
there’s
something
great to
eat day
and
night,
24/7.
Stroll
over to
your
favorite
neighborhood
and
sample a
different
venue
for
every
meal,
from
sushi to
steaks,
crepes,
seafood
and
pasta.
Guests
can
enjoy
the
ambience
and the
full
menus of
the main
restaurant,
but set
their
seating
time
with the
new My
Time
Dining
program.
With no
pre-assigned
tables,
guests
can make
daily
reservations
for the
time
that
suits
them, or
just
walk in
when the
whim
hits.
Additionally,
My
Family
Time
Dining
is
geared
to
parents
and
children
ages
3-11
with an
expedited
45-minute
dining
service
during
early
seating
only.
“Allure
of the
Seas
offers
the
greatest
variety
of
dining
options
in the
cruise
industry
and
compared
to most
hotel
resorts
in the
world as
well,”
says,
Frank
Weber,
vice
president,
Food &
Beverage
Operations,
Royal
Caribbean
International.
Weber
has
worked
in the
hospitality
business
for 25
years,
the past
seven
with
Royal
Caribbean.
The
opportunities
offered
by
Allure
of the
Seas
have
allowed
Weber
and his
team to
create a
multitude
of
restaurants
throughout
the
ship.
Out-of-the-box
thinking
and an
impressive
level of
efficiency
are
second
nature
to Weber
and his
team,
who
understand
how to
offer
guests
fresh,
delicious
food of
immense
variety,
while
keeping
the
behind-the-scenes
nuts and
bolts of
the
operation
running
smoothly.
Editor's Notebook: The quality, atmosphere, and presentation at the specialty restuarants is far better then in the main dining room. These smaller, more intimate dining venues are well worth it, if you are looking for more than a typical cruise ship meal.
An impressive feat of organizational finesse, there are 20 separate galleys around the ship, plus onboard facilities ranging from a butcher shop to a fish prep room and a commissary kitchen – a Royal Caribbean first – which takes care of all the major prep work for all the galleys of the ship. Nearly 1,100 cooks, waiters, assistant waiters, bartenders, bar servers and cleaners in the food and beverage operations on board Allure of the Seas, running venues that range from the spectacular three-level Adagio dining room, which is divided into three independently-operating 650- to 1,100-seat restaurants, to the most intimate venue, the 14-seat Chef’s Table, an exclusive venue for private parties.
The 3056-seat Adagio Dining Room on the Allure of the Seas is a 3 story, 1920's Art Deco style venue. This huge main dining room is spread over three decks, with assigned seating for dinner served at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm on decks 3 and 4 and My Time Dining on deck 5.
CRUISE HOPPER TiP :
If you choose My Time
Dining, you can dine
anytime between 6 pm and
9:30 pm, and you should
make advance
reservations each
evening to avoid waiting
in line, akin to what
you might do at a busy
chain restaurant back
home. "My Family Time
Dining" is a great
program. Choose
the 6:00 pm seating,
sign up at Adventure
Ocean, and your
kids will receive their
meals within 40 minutes.
Adventure Ocean
counselors will pick up
the kids at the end of
their meal and take them
to enjoy kid-friendly
activities while their
parents finish dinner at
their own pace.
“I could
have
never
imagined
I’d be
involved
in such
an
amazing
and
groundbreaking
project
as
Allure
of the
Seas,”
says
Weber.
“I am
very
proud we
can
offer
guests
so much
choice
and such
great
taste.”
For the
most
high-end
dining
experience,
head to
150
Central
Park,
( $35
per
person
up
charge ) where
Chef de
Cuisine
Maureen
"Molly"
Brandt,
a
talented
and
award-winning
young
female
chef, is
at the
helm.
The menu
is
different
here.
Chef
Molly
serves
up a 6
course
"tasting"
menu of
dishes
she has
chosen
for you.
Everyone
is
served
the same
disheds.
There
are no
items to
choose
from or
substitutions
allowed
( unless
you have
diatary
issue ).
When we
dined we
started
with a
salad of
chilled
white
and
green
asparagus,
followed
by
smoked
tomato
soup,
then
fresh
pea
ravioli,
seared
tuna,
wagyu
striploin
and for
desert:
Rhubarb
Gateau.
Some
people
enjoy
exploring
new ways
to dine.
Some
don't.
So 150
Central
Park may
not be
your cup
of tea.
Nevertheless,
if you
like to
try it,
it is
great
dining
venue
and a
meal
that
offers
a unique
experience.
Casual
venues
are
plentiful
as well
for
sandwiches,
wraps
and
salads,
as well
as
coffee,
donuts
and
ice-cream
sundaes.
For the
health-conscious,
not only
has the
entire
Royal
Caribbean
fleet
been transfat-free
for
three
years,
two
outlets
especially
focus on
healthy
eating –
the
spa’s
Vitality
Café and
the
Solarium
Bistro,
where
each
dish is
less
than 500
calories.
Across
the
board,
menus
offer
more
“super
foods”
such as
tomatoes,
broccoli
and
berries,
more
interesting
vegetarian
options
(such as
East
Indian
dishes),
and
sensible
Tapas-style
servings.
Here’s
where to
find all
the
palate-pleasing
new
choices
aboard
Allure of
the
Seas:
THE BOARDWALK · Rita's Cantina: A casual indoor/outdoor Mexican style restaurant on the Boardwalk; taco's, burrito's, enchilada's, seafood, specialty dishes of the southwest with flavors from Southern' California's famous taquerias and over-sized desserts plus a vast selection of ‘margaritas’
· Boardwalk Bar: The main bar on the Boardwalk; offering fruit, salads and sandwiches
· Boardwalk Donut Shop: A classic haunt for casual snacks and delicious treats
· Ice Cream Parlor: A variety of ice cream flavors and toppings take center stage against a backdrop of 1950s kitsch
· Johnny Rockets: ‘50’s-style Diner with server-entertainers
· Boardwalk Dog House, which specializes in wieners, bratwursts and sausages.
The Boardwalk: Johnny Rockets, the Boardwalk Donut Shop, Rita's Cantina, Dog House, the Carousel and Smile, a novelty photograph shop where you can dress up and be photographed in outlandish costumes. What Fun!
CENTRAL PARK · 150 Central Park: A trendy, upscale and intimate restaurant with a tasting menu with customized wine pairings · Giovanni's Table: An Italian trattoria with both indoor and alfresco seating featuring Italian classics served family-style · Park Café: An indoor/outdoor gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups, pastries and to-die-for fudge · Vintages: A wine bar with pre-dinner tapas and cheeses along with a robust selection of fine wines · Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse with views of Central Park, and premium cuts or quality meats
ROYAL PROMENADE
· Sorrento's Pizzeria: Featuring New York style pizza, with both made-to-order pies and by the slice · Café Promenade: Offering Seattle’s Best coffee, fruit shakes, pastries and sandwiches all day · The Cupcake Cupboard: Featuring fresh-baked gourmet cupcakes as well as parties and design classes
POOL AND
SPORTS
ZONE ·
Solarium
Bistro:
A
health-conscious
dining
option
for
lunch
and
healthful
fare and
dancing
under
the
stars in
the
evening · The
Wipe Out
Café: A
casual
self-service
buffet
with
pizza,
hamburgers,
sandwiches
and
fresh
salads · Izumi
Asian
Cuisine:
Featuring
mouthwatering
flavors
and a
sushi
bar with
hot-rock
cooking
Samba Grill:
In the evening the Solarium Bistro is magically transformed into the Samba Grill, a Brazilian churrascaria, where waiters dressed as gaucho's bring a variety of grilled meats to your table until you tell them you've ate enough. Go hungry. There are 9 different servings, plus a salad bar and desert. ( $25.00 per person up charge ) It was so filling, Raye & I could not finish it all.
VITALITY
AT SEA
SPA AND
FITNESS
CENTER · The
Vitality
Café:
Offering
healthy
snacks,
sandwiches,
wraps,
fruit
and
smoothies.
THE
CLASSICS,
Royal
Caribbean
hasn’t
forgotten
the
classics
of its
fleet: · Adagio
Dining
Room:
The
ship’s
main
restaurant
features
a
three-tier
venue
with a
1920s
Art Deco
style;
flexible
My Time
Dining
and
traditional
assigned seatings. ·
Windjammer
Marketplace:
A casual
buffet
fare for
breakfast,
lunch
and
dinner ·
In-Stateroom
Service:
Order
from the
complimentary
breakfast,
lunch
and
dinner
menus,
or
choose
an
original
Johnny
Rockets
hamburger
or
Ghirardelli
chocolate
cookies
from the
new Dine
In
Delights
menu
Internet,
E-mail,
And
Smart
Phones
Allure
of the
Seas
offers
Wi-Fi
hot spot
connections
throughout
the
ship,
dedicated
internet
stations
and
limited
connections
for your
smart
phone.
The ship
even
lets you
access
the
internet
from
your
stateroom.
Wireless
keyboards
interact
with the
in-stateroom
tv.
Connection
speed
onboard
is not
as fast
as the
connection
you have
at home.
Due to
the
nature
of
satellite
communications
at sea,
you will
notice a
difference.
The
system
does not
support
high
bandwidth
applications
such as
Skype,
VOIP,
Remote
Access
and most
VPN
connections.
Devices
such as
Iphones,
Itouch,
IPOD and
Blackberry
devices
are not
currently
supported.
Some
smart
phone
are,
depending
upon
your
carrier.
Check
with
your
carrier
if they
have
connectivity
while
onboard
a cruise
ship. We
have
AT&T and
they do.
So, we
had no
trouble
using
our HTC
smart
phone
for
voice
and data
connections.
You will
pay a
premium
per
minute
for this
service,
but it
still is
much
cheaper
then
using
the
ships
phone in
your
stateroom.
Internet
rates
are .65
cents a
minute
with
some
packages
that
reduce
the cost
to as
little
as $30
cents a
minute
if you
buy a
bulk
amount
of
minutes.
If you
buy a
package
and
don't
use all
the
minutes,
your
will not
a refund
for the
unused
portion.
Ports of
Call
Some
ports of
call are
more
attractive
then
others.
So, when
evaluating
them, try a
balanced
and
objective
approach;
read at
least a
dozen or
more of
both the
positive
and
negative
comments
online,
then
decide
if the
port of
call
meets
your
expectations.
Labadee,
Haiti
.
This
private
port of
call,
for
Royal
Caribbean
guests
only,
offers a
wide
variety
of beach
activities
like jet
skiing,
a zip
line,
parasailing,
snorkeling
and even
a roller
coaster!
There is
also an
Haitian
Cultural
Tour.
All of
which
are
"extra"
costs.
The
beach is
long and
wide,
but
parts of
it are
sandy,
other
parts
rocky,
so be
sure to
bring
along a
pair of
rubber
swim
shoes.
Cruise
Hopper
tip: You
will
find the
best
beach on
Labadee,
at
Columbus
Cove.
Lunch is
served
at three
separate
areas of
the
beach.
hamburgers,
hot
dogs,
salads
and side
dishes.
Behind
the bar
and
outdoor
dining
areas
you will
find the
Artisan
Village.
There is
where
local
Haitians
sell
their
wares.
Mostly
t-shirts,
wood
carvings,
art
work,
hand
made
jewelry,
straw
hats and
the
like.
Be
prepared,
the
vendors
are
aggressive
and some
are very
pushy.
So, if
that
sort of
behavior
turn you
off,
don't
worry, its easy to avoid it.
On
the
other
hand, if
your up
for it,
you can
haggle
with the
locals
and get
yourself
some
pretty
good
deals. Raye
likes to
buy
local
jewelry
( never
pays the
asking
price )
and I
like to
view the
art, so
we set
out to
find it.
By the
way,
these
vendors
only
except
cash.
As with
any
"locals"
Island
shopping
experience,
buyer
beware.
Once
you've
bought
it, you
cannot
return
it. All
sales
final.
Online,
Royal
Caribbean
describes
the port
this
way....
"Step
off the
ship and
step
back in
time. It
may not
appear
so at
first
glance,
but
quaint
Falmouth
was an
economic
powerhouse
and
center
for
dramatic
social
change
during
the
English
Colonial
Period.
Founded
as
Martha
Brae
Point in
1769 by
local
English
planter
Thomas
Reid,
Falmouth
became
the
shipment
hub for
sugar
plantations
covering
the
hills of
Jamaica’s
North
Coast.
From the
wharfs
of
Falmouth,
sugar,
molasses,
rum and
coffee
were
sent to
England,
while
ships
making
their
way from
across
the
Atlantic
dropped
anchor
in the
bustling
port
town to
deliver
other
necessities
of 18th
century
life.
In
today's
Falmouth,
visitors
still
enjoy
19th-century
Georgian
architecture
as well
as river
bamboo
raft
rides,
arts &
crafts
shopping,
and
flavorful
local
fare".
But all
is not
what
meets
the eye.
The
Historic
Port of
Falmouth
is a
work-in-progress.
The port
and
infrastructure
are
still
under
construction.
It's not
finished.
Not even
close. (
see
photos )
Royal
Caribbean
in
cooperation
with the
Jamaica
National
Heritage
Trust
is in
the
process
of
creating
this new
destination,
Historic
Falmouth
Jamaica,
with
thematic
design
and
architecture
reflecting
the
Georgian
architectural
era of
Falmouth
at its
peak as
described
above. When complete, it has the potential of becoming the premier port stop in the Caribbean.
Construction
of the
shops in
the port
are not
complete
and were
not open
during
our
visit.
In the
interim,
Royal
Caribbean
has done
a good
job of
improvising.
Local
craft
vendors
have set
up
tables
and
displays
outside
the
unfinished
buildings.
Shuttles
, taxis
and
shore
excursion
buses
are
available
to take
passengers
to where
ever
they
wish to
go. The
shops
offer a
variety
of
hand-made
arts and
crafts,
jewelry
and
paintings.
The fabrics and clothing are
colorful
and
there is
no
shortage
of
trinkets
and
souvenirs.
During this pre-opening phase we did enjoy the local street market, stilt walkers, wood carvers, cultural dancers, Reggae, Calypso and Caribbean music preformed by local bands. We were entertained by a military-style youth marching band when the ship arrived. And on departure we had a waving crowd of locals send us off.
CRUISE
HOPPER TiP : If you have called on
Jamaican ports such as Ocho Rios or
Montego Bay, you know what to expect.
Many of the local vendors are to put it
gently, very aggressive. They sometimes
get right in your face. However,
many of the vendors will bargain with
customers. A part of the shopping
experience, some enjoy.
Inside the
gated-secured-port complex, it was
obvious that Vendors were instructed not
to be pushy, rude or aggressive. They
were not. however, step out of the
complex and walk directly across the
street and you enter a local street
market. Such rules do not apply.
So, be warned.
Cozumel,
Mexico
The
Conquistadors
first
saw
Mexico
from the
shores
of
Cozumel
while
searching
for
gold.
Today,
visitors
to the
island
continue
to seek
out gold
and
silver
jewelry
in the
shops of
San
Miguel
while
having a
great
time in
its many
local
bars and
restaurants.
Plus,
the
waters
around
Cozumel's
sheltered
coral
reefs
make
this one
of the
best
snorkeling
areas in
the
world.
CRUISE
HOPPER TiP : Don't
miss the opportunity to
explore the ruins of the
ancient Mayan city of Tulúm,
majestically perched above
the turquoise Caribbean. The
site was occupied as far
back as 600 A.D. However, it
was most densely populated
around 1200 A.D. You will be
struck by the pyramid-shaped
El Castillo, which dominates
the city from atop a
forty-foot cliff. The nearby
Temple of the Descending God
provides equally excellent
insight into the
architecture of the Mayan
people, who gained
considerable achievements in
the arts and sciences, only
to decline and vanish for no
apparent reason.
Allure
of the
Seas
docks
several
miles
from
downtown.
So,
if you
want to
visit
Jimmy
Buffet's
Margaritaville,
Carlos
and
Charles,
or have
a bite
to eat
at Las
Paleras,
its a
$7.00
per
vehicle
cab ride
to
downtown.
Final
Thoughts
Allure
of the
Seas is
only one
of two
ships in
the
world
where
you can
truly
match
your
shipboard
interests
to your
budget.
There
really
is a
cruise
ship
perfectly
suited
for you
and your
family.
Never
before
has
there
been
such an
extensive
offering
of
cabins,
activities,
amenities,
once-in-a-lifetime
experiences
and even
special
savings.
Depending
upon
your
interests,
your
athletic
ability,
or your
passion
— and
the size
of your
budget—
just
about
everything
you
could
dream of
doing
while at
sea, can
come
true.
Are you
an
active
try-anything
type
personality.
Then,
this
ship is
for you!
First,
there is
the zip
line,
then not
one, but
two
flow-riders,
two
rock-climbing
walls, 4
swimming
pools ,
the ice
rink,
and if
you just
want to
slow
down for
a few
minutes,
try the
carousel.
You can take the family (all the kids- ranging in age from infants to teens), enroll them in planned and supervised all-day kid-friendly activities, while cruising the sunny Caribbean. When they return home, your kids will be raving about it to their friends.
Are you looking for nonstop action, never-ending entertainment, Broadway-style shows ( CHICAGO ), a high diving Aqua show, bountiful breakfast and lunch buffets, a different specialty restaurant every night and a sports deck with not one, but two, FlowRiders, a full size basketball court, 9 hole mini-golf course, ping pong, even a zip line? Look no further, it's all there.
CRUISE HOPPER TIP
Families are the focus here. The shipboard experience aboard Allure of the Seas will keep everyone in your family entertained, fed, active and we think, very happy. The number one thing to do for your Allure of the Seas vacation is to pre-plan everything. That way you can maximize your time and not miss a moment, nor be disappointed. Family cruisers have so many options when it comes to Allure of the Seas , planning up front is a must. Visit
www.royalcaribbean.com to set up your dining options, onboard sport activities, shore excursions and spa treatments.
If yes,
then you
should
check
out
Royal
Caribbean
Cruise
Line's
Allure
of the
Seas.
For
families,
Disney,
Carnival
Cruises
and
Norwegian
Cruise
Line all
have
good
programs,
but none
completes
the
"package"
as well
as Royal
Caribbean.
Disney
Cruise
Line is
also a
good
competitive choice, but it does not have a casino and your older kids may not be as interested in “everything Disney” as the "Mickey Mouse Club" kids. The New Disney Dream does have the Aquaduck water ride, three main dining rooms - Enchanted Garden, Royal and Animators Palate - offering rotating dining. Your wait staff accompany you as you dine in each of the restuarants. There are two-adults only specialty restuarants: Italian themed Palo and French-inspired Remy ( $85.00 per person up charge ). But in the end, Allure and it' sister ship Oasis of the Seas has more. More Variety. More Dining. More Fun.
But what
if your
traveling
without
kids?
Does
Allure
of the
Seas
offer a
romantic,
ultra-luxurious
and
intimate
experience
at sea?
Yes it
does.
And the
two of
you will
hardly
notice
others.
Do you
want to
dine at
restaurants
that
rival
some of
the best
dining
establishments
ashore.
There's
Giovanni's
Table,
Chops
Grill,
150
Central
Park,
Samba
Grill,
or Izumi
for
Asian
cuisine.
How
about a
window
table
looking
out on
Central
Park,
watching
gentle
sea
breeze
flutter
the
trees.
You'd
swear
you
weren't
on a
cruise
ship in
the
middle
of the
ocean.
Candle-light
dinner
doesn't
get any
more
romantic
then on
your
private
balcony,
gazing
at the
moon,
while
sipping
a good
glass of
wine or
champagne.
Stop by
Vintages
wine bar
and
sample
some of
the best
producing
wines in
the
world.
Raye and
I did it
all.
Adult
entertainment.
Allure
has that
too!
Entertainment
Place
they
call it.
The
Amber
Theatre
is
beautiful.
It seats
1,380
guests
and is
equipped
with
theatrical
features
that
make you
feel
like
your
seeing
the show
on
Broadway.
You
should
definitely
make
reservations
early
for
Broadway's
longest
running
show,
CHICAGO:
The
Musical
and a
must
see,
what
could
aptly be
described
as
mesmerizing:
Blue
Planet.
The
amazing
group of
singers,
dancers
and
actors
are as
artistically
talented
as can
be and
put on
two
great
shows.
Blue
Planet
was our
favorite.
This is
a
spectacle
of
music,
dance
and
aerial
acrobatics
on an
amazing
and
visually
exciting
set that
showcases
the
wonders
of the
world,
from
giant
mountains
to
underwater
scenes
and a
"living"
tree
that
will
challenge
your
senses.
The set
moves to
extend
out
toward
the
audience
and
aerial
artists
appear
and
reappear
as if by
magic.
It's a
challenge
to full
describe
the
sensory
experience
in
writing,
but this
show is
in a
word:
mesmerizing.
Don't
miss it.
There is so much diversity of entertainment options. Whether you like to relax to smooth jazz, dance the night away or take in some side-splitting ( adult rated ) comedy, this ship is the place for you. We spend two nights at Jazz on 4, took in the comedy of Dan Wilson and AJ Jamal ( note this show contains adult language, verbal sexual conversation and is not suitable for anyone under 18 ) and danced to a 14 piece orchestra at Dazzles.
There's piano melodies with Glenn Hogue high up at the Viking Crown Lounge, A summer breeze concert out at the Aqua Theatre, pub entertainment with Jimmy Blakemore at the Bow & Stern, a 50's and 60's Rock n' Roll Party, and moonlight serenades with the Fresh Sound Duo as you stroll Central Park.
You can sit out on the deck and view the movie: Grease or see the headliner show staring Tribute, A salute to the Temptations, in the Amber Theatre. Oh. Did I mention this is just what was happening on Day 4 of our cruise. Cruise Compass, the daily planner ( everyone gets one ) is 6 pages long, chock-a-block full of Adult things to do.
The best
part of
it all,
you can
get lost
in your
own
corner
of this
sea-going
world
and have
the most
romantic
time of
your
life.
Allure
of the
Seas is
an
enlightening,
life-changing,
out-of-the-ordinary
shipboard
entertainment
experience
— unlike
any
other.
Even
super
luxury
cruises
on say,
Regent
Seven
Seas,
Silversea
Cruises
or
Seabourn
can't
match
the
options
and
nonstop,
high-energy
activities
and
entertainment.
They
cannot
even
offer
the
sheer
number
of cabin
choices,
including
a two
story
loft,
found on
Allure
of the
Seas.
What Does it Cost?
Here's a breakdown of what our cruise costs. Inside, and ocean view staterooms will cost less, while Jr. Suites and Suites will cost more. Prices vary by sailing date, category and location on ship. Bring the kids and you'll pay a reduced rate for 3rd or 4th passengers sharing the stateroom with you.
CATEGORY D7 - Balcony Stateroom
Cruise Fare
@$1265 per person
$2530.00
Taxes/Fees
@91.00 per person
$ 182.00
Insurance
@89.00 per person
$ 178.00
Specialty Dining
@100 per person
$ 200.00
SPA
$ 275.00
Pictures
$ 140.00
Drinks
$ 60.00
Gifts
$ 80.00
Shore Excursions
$ 220.00
Sub Total
$3865.00
Airfare
$ 800.00
1 Night Hotel Stay
$ 149.00
Total
$4814.00
Amounts rounded
off to nearest dollar
$688 a day!
The bottom line: Cruising on Allure is not cheap. But the experience is unique. Only you decide if it's worth it. A cruise can be a really good travel deal if you are careful about the extras; expensive if your not.
If,
however,
you are
looking
for a
more
"social"
experience
with
your
fellow
cruisers,something
more
upscale,
more
traditional,
more
stately
or an
ultra-luxury
experience
and are
willing
to pay
for it,
(
thousands
more per
week
than
Royal
Caribbean
) then
these
other
cruise
lines
are
worthy
of
consideration.
On the
other
hand, if
the
adventure
of
sailing
on the
world's
largest
cruise
ship, a
destination
unto
itself,
intrigues
you,
then go
for it.
You will
not be
disappointed.
Allure
of the
Seas
provides
a high
energy,
warm,
friendly
and
spirited
social
environment
for
people
of all
ages,
but
especially
for
families
who want
it all.
Fun for
the kids
and
adults
too!
Decide
what you
want,
what you
can
afford
and then
be sure
to talk
with a
trusted
and
reputable
travel
agency
with a
veteran
cruise
specialist
on their
staff.
Article
Footnote
It takes
a lot to
impress
Raye & I
when it
comes to
a cruise
ship.
Having
sailed
to the
far
corners
of the
world,
it is
often
hard to
find a
ship
that
meets
not just
some,
but
most, if
not all
your
needs.
We were
so
impressed
with and
thoroughly
enjoyed
Allure
of the
Seas,
that on
the last
day of
the
sailing
we
called
the
kids.
Actually,
they're
all
grown up
with 5
grand
children
ranging
in age
from 4
to 20.
We may
of had
one too
many
"mudslides",
but we
recall
invited
them
all,
including
their
parents
onboard
for a
family
cruise
next
February.
Nearly a
dozen of
us!
Oh
my, talk
about
putting
your
money
where
your
mouth
is.....
Family
Cruise
Vacations
and
Family
Reunion
Ideas
Video
Plan
your
next
family
vacation
or
family
reunion
with
Royal
Caribbean!
We have
delicious
dining
options,
spacious
accommodations,
Broadway-style
entertainment,
an
award-winning
Adventure
Ocean
youth
program
and so
much
more.
See Kung Fu Panda 2TM
in the 3D onboard theater when you cruise with Royal
Caribbean International® this summer, plus score
their complimentary Summer Pandamonium
Package
Destination: Caribbean Departures: 10/2/11, 10/16/11, 10/30/11, 11/13/11, 11/27/11, 12/11/11 Ports of Call: Starting in Fort Lauderdale with stops in Nassau, Cruising, Charlotte Amalie, Philipsburg Duration: 7
Destination: Caribbean Departures: 10/9/11, 10/23/11, 11/6/11, 11/20/11, 12/4/11 Ports of Call: Starting in Fort Lauderdale with stops in Cruising, Labadee, Falmouth, Cozumel Duration: 7
Destination: Caribbean Departures: 12/25/11 Ports of Call: Starting in Fort Lauderdale with stops in Cruising, Philipsburg, Charlotte Amalie, Basseterre, Labadee Duration: 9
Destination: Caribbean Departures: 1/8/12, 1/22/12, 2/5/12, 2/19/12, 3/4/12, 3/18/12, 4/1/12, 4/15/12, 4/29/12 Ports of Call: Starting in Fort Lauderdale with stops in Nassau, Cruising, Charlotte Amalie, Philipsburg Duration: 7
Destination: Caribbean Departures: 5/13/12, 5/27/12, 6/10/12, 6/24/12, 7/8/12, 7/22/12, 8/5/12, 8/19/12, 9/2/12, 9/16/12 Ports of Call: Starting in Fort Lauderdale with stops in Nassau, Cruising, Charlotte Amalie, Philipsburg Duration: 7
More Place To Go!
Royal Caribbean
visits nearly 300
ports of call, in
some of the world's
most breathtaking
locations. From the
rugged beauty of
Alaska and
Canada/New England
to the charm of
Europe. There's the
lush landscapes of
Mexico, the
Caribbean, the
Panama Canal,
Bermuda, and the
Bahamas. Also,
Hawaii,
Australia, New
Zealand, Asia, and
South America give
you even more
amazing exotic spots
to choose from. Just
pick your dream
destination and get
ready to set sail!
Also, don't forget
to check out the
Cruise Calendar to
see all of the
incredible
destinations you can
visit, ships you can
sail on, and sailing
dates.
Royal Caribbean's cruise
ships are the most
innovative and exciting in
the travel industry. From
rock-climbing walls on every
ship, to elegant dining
rooms and relaxing spas,
your experience onboard is
nothing short of incredible.
And the service you get will
be just as amazing, with
their signature Gold Anchor
Service on every ship. Check
out the ships, itineraries,
deck plans, photos and
special offers. Click on a
link below.
Royal Caribbean cruises are
a great option for small and
large group vacations.
Mini-groups for a few as 3
couples!
Make your next family
get-together a Royal
Reunion. With something for
every member of the family,
it's the perfect way for
families to relax, have fun,
and bond all at the same
time. It's also great for
business Incentives trips as
well. Treat your employees
to our outstanding
conference facilities,
meeting rooms, and the
absolute best ways to relax
after a meeting. Find more
Information about
group cruise deals
ADVERTISEMENT
Are you ready to
experience an
adventure you'll
never forget?
Explore the most
fascinating cities
on earth. Snorkel in
turquoise waters
among tropical fish
that glimmer like
jewels. Ride in a
helicopter over
majestic seas of
ice. Watch the sun
set in a place whose
name you can barely
pronounce. Come on
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If you choose, you
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Your adventure
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Check out the ships,
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Click on a link on
the right for your
favorite
destination.
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Clerodendron thomsaonaie, and Thumbergia grandiflora. The park also has changing displays of accent plants, such as birds of paradise and Spathoglottis ground orchids. Trees, some eventually reaching more than two-and-a-half decks high, include cherry of the rio grande, podocarpus nagi, and amstel king ficus.
difference.
The
system
does not
support
high
bandwidth
applications
such as
Skype,
VOIP,
Remote
Access
and most
VPN
connections.
Devices
such as
Iphones,
Itouch,
IPOD and
Blackberry
devices
are not
currently
supported.
Some
smart
phone
are,
depending
upon
your
carrier.
Check
with
your
carrier
if they
have
connectivity
while
onboard
a cruise
ship. We
have
AT&T and
they do.
So, we
had no
trouble
using
our HTC
smart
phone
for
voice
and data
connections.
You will
pay a
premium
per
minute
for this
service,
but it
still is
much
cheaper
then
using
the
ships
phone in
your
stateroom.
Internet
rates
are .65
cents a
minute
with
some
packages
that
reduce
the cost
to as
little
as $30
cents a
minute
if you
buy a
bulk
amount
of
minutes.
If you
buy a
package
and
don't
use all
the
minutes,
your
will not
a refund
for the
unused
portion. 
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