As with most cruises, up-selling is rampant. From tchotchkes to overpriced jewelry to art, they are constantly bombarding the passengers trying to get them to spend more money. Just ignore it and after a day or so, it will just fade in to the background. Other than that, the ship, staff and ports of call are wonderful. The excursions booked through Royal Caribbean, while maybe more expensive, were well worth the cost for the peace of mind knowing that if something wen't wrong the ship wouldn't leave without us. We never at a loss for things to do regardless of whether they were indoors or outdoors. There were a lot of people - 6,000+. If that doesn't bother you, don't hesitate to book on this ship.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
As fast and easy as it could be. Multiple layers of security, etc. We live in South Florida and were able to drive from home to the port. There is a parking lot right next to the cruise terminal. The cost is $15 per day. It's very convenient and well worth the money.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
The food is excellent. If you're going to eat in the main dining room, make a reservation or you could wind up waiting in line like we did. It was never terrible but was at times a bit annoying. We didn't eat in any of the extra cost venues as they were quite expensive. The soda package is worth the money if for no other reason than convenience. They give you a cup that has a chip embedded in it. The soda dispenser works only with the special cup. Regarding "adult beverages" unless you are drinking all day long, skip the alcohol package.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Mama Mia - fabulous. Blue Planet - fabulous. Ice Shows - fabulous. Aqua Theater - fabulous. Are you seeing a trend here?
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
The kids clubs looked fine but to me, they seemed to be geared more towards younger kids - from toddlers to maybe third of fourth grade. Our kids are a bit older and wound up spending time doing other things. Kids programs or not, younger kids all get wristbands color keyed to your cabin's muster station. If a little one gets lost, any member of the crew can quickly get them back to their parents. Fortunately this didn't happen to us but it was nice knowing that the cruise line had a procedure for it.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Excellent.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Our cabin was located on the starboard side just ahead of the forward elevators. It was especially convenient while also being smooth and quiet. The room itself was very clean and a good size for two adults. It would be cramped for a family of four if the kids are older than toddlers. We had two adjoining staterooms with a interior door between them. The door can be locked by the cabin steward but not by the passengers so if you want privacy, keep it locked. Have the cabin steward remove the partition between the balconies and use that to move from one room to the other. The bed was a bit firm but very comfortable. The pillows - not so much. The bathroom in general is a decent size and maybe even roomy for one person. The standup shower was just big enough for one person and definitely not big enough for two. The balcony was also more than adequate for two people but would be small for four. There's a flat screen TV although the programming choices are somewhat limited. You can stream TV from home if you order the internet package. Even though some of the furnishings are beginning to show a bit of age, I would still recommend these staterooms.
Ship tip
The Allure of the Seas is a magnificent ship. There is so much going on both inside and outside that we were never at a loss for things to do. All the shows are awesome. Don't miss Mama Mia, Blue Planet and anything in the Aqua Theater. Get there early to ensure a good seat. The food in the dining room, although a bit salty at times, was very good and the service was excellent. We skipped the extra cost restaurants as they are quite expensive.
If you're a US Citizen, download the US Customs app. You can do it via the ship's wi-fi even if you didn't pay for a wi-fi package. We had our luggage and were through customs in less than 10 minutes. It was a breeze!
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