An exceptional return to cruising aboard Allure

Allure of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 20

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5
Allure of the Seas

6 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 13, 2022

Ship: Allure of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8673

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

For a bit of context, we haven't cruised since December 2019, and are mostly Carnival cruisers. We have been on one ship before this cruise (aboard Adventure of the Seas in spring break 2019), and the Allure matched and exceeded the expectations that Adventure set in my mind. The ship was exceptionally beautiful and large, the food was great, and service was top-notch. The entertainment was hit-or-miss this time, but it did not significantly detract from my enjoyment of my vacation with family.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Embarkation was effortless. Granted, I arrived at the right time and had the necessary documents at hand while boarding.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
I did eat a single thing that I did not enjoy during this cruise. The food in the main dining room was great. The Windjammer was set up differently compared to my last cruise in 2019, but the food was still good. I did not get a chance to try specialty dining.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
There are so many things to do aboard Allure, from the comedy and performances to the zipline to the FlowRider, and the list goes on.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
The entertainment this cruise was okay, but not exceptional. The shows and performances were recycled upwards of 3-4 times, and the late morning to late afternoon were mostly devoid of formal entertainment. The AquaTheater Aqua Show was a blast, and Mamma Mia was the single best show during the cruise. The real letdown was the comedians, whose humor did not click with me.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Onboard Adventure of the Seas in 2019, our service was so astoundingly good that we still talk about our experiences today. The staff aboard Allure took service to an even higher zenith. Our waitstaff in the main dining room went above and beyond to create a welcoming and comfortable experience. When I had to speak to guest services on more than one occasion (to solve different, unrelated problems), the representatives were prompt, patient, and extremely helpful. Our room steward took great care of us as well. All I'll say is that we used those extra tip envelopes you get at the end of your cruise!

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
The Allure is a beautiful and MASSIVE ship. Places were kept nearly spotless at all times, and the view from higher decks is stunning. I really enjoyed the layout of the ships, but I will admit that, even after 6 nights, I hadn't seen everything onboard. The ship is so large, you have to keep your phone out to know where to find the things you're looking for.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5
Our cabin was pretty standard for an interior room. Our room steward was attentive, kept our room pristine, and went above and beyond to provide excellent service all cruise long.

Ship tip

Spots for excursions and specialty dining reservations basically evaporate as the cruise progresses, so move quickly and reserve the restaurants and excursions you want as soon as you can.

Ports of call

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5
It was my third time here. Didn't do any excursions, but did have a good time walking around.

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

3 out of 5
There is nothing to do outside of excursions in Coxen Hole. Don't be surprised when you are approached multiple times for excursion opportunities. I did get a bag of dark roast coffee that turned out to be delicious, so that's definitely a plus.

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

4 out of 5
Decided to do the City Highlights and Beach Break excursion because all of the others were unavailable. Had a surprisingly great time looking at local monuments, getting a feel for the culture, and taking a much-needed respite at a well-shaded beach.

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
Disembarking was a bit confusing at first, but was smooth sailing once we were off the boat.
Was this review helpful? 20

5 Comments

Other reviews of this sailing