Booked first RC Cruise on Allure of the Seas

[Charles Pierson]

Surprised the family for Christmas with a cruise on RC Allure. We have only been on DCL and have been hesitant to try another, but I got a great price at a convenient time for us.

My "children" will be 21 and 17 by the time we cruise, so we are looking to try something different. They are looking forward to the Flowrider and rock climbing wall.

Eastern Caribbean with ports of call
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 4:30 PM

30-Apr Nassau, Bahamas 7:00 AM 2:30 PM Docked

01-May Cruising Cruising

02-May Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 10:00 AM 7:00 PM Docked

03-May Philipsburg, St. Maarten 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Docked

04-May Cruising Cruising

05-May Cruising Cruising

06-May Fort Lauderdale, Florida 6:15 AM

I don't think we'll do anything but maybe a beach day in Nassau since we've been there so many times.

Anyway,

any tips on what we can expect or what we should do to prepare?

We leave on April 29th.

What is included restaurant wise? Room Service?
We must book our place at shows, correct? when?
Stuff like this....

and if anyone has any recommendations feel free to add them. We are completely in the dark with any other cruise line besides Disney. We are nervous and excited all at the same time trying another line.

 

[starvenger]

OK so I guess we don't need to tell you much about the ports since you've likely been. Oasis class docks at a different port in St. Thomas. Less shops, but not really all that different.

What is included restaurant wise? Room Service?

For Room Service, you can get free continental breakfast but everything else has a $7.95 charge per delivery. As for restaurants, You can eat at the following restaurants for free: MDR, Windjammer buffet, Park Cafe, Vitality Cafe, Sorrento's pizza, Solarium Bistro, Promenade Cafe, Boardwalk Hot Dogs, and Wipeout Cafe. Johnny Rockets is also free for breakfast, and I do recommend you try that and Wipeout in the AM for a change of scenery and a respite from the usual breakfast buffet mob.

We must book our place at shows, correct? when?

About 90-60 days out, you will be able to book for Mamma Mia, the featured performer ("headliner"), Allure's 2nd stage production, the comedian, the first Ice Show, and OceanAria in the AquaTheatre. However there is a 2nd ice show (it might still be based on How To Train Your Dragon) and a 2nd AquaTheatre show that are first come, first served. There may also be a "family friendly" comedy show in the theatre that is first come. first served. If you email Royal Caribbean customer service, they will let you know who the headliner and comedian are.

and if anyone has any recommendations feel free to add them.

Boarding process for Royal is much the same as for DCL. Try and fill in as much of the online boarding information as you can to save time. Everything else about boarding is roughly the same. Debarkation feels smoother to me on Royal, but realistically there isn't much difference.

You are allowed 2 bottles of 750mL wine per stateroom. There is supposed to be a $15 corking fee if you open the bottle in the MDR or presumably in any public place. However the serving staff may not charge you. Technically, you are not supposed to bring any non-alcoholic drinks on board with you. In practice, they don't really enforce that, and you can probably bring a case of water with no issues if you'd like.

Casinos. They exist on Deck 4. Smoking side is, I believe, on the starboard side and you will smell it if you are outside the casino at the rear starboard elevator bank. You should be able to avoid otherwise.

Drink packages. Royal has a "everyone of age in the cabin must purchase" rule for the drink packages, should you wish to buy (so your 17yo is exempt). 10 drink punch cards may also be offered during the cruise.

Specialty dining can be booked online, along with specialty dining packages and promos. I've only been to Giovanni's (Italian), Samba Grill (Brazilian Steakhouse) and Chops (Steak), and they were quite good.

There are 2 formal nights. Not really a big deal if you don't get dressed for them.

And I believe Royal rolled out their new app to Allure. If so, you will be able to communicate with one another via the app.

 

[Charles Pierson]

Thank you, very helpful.

One other question. Is the ship smoke free except for the smoking area near/in the casino?

 

[starvenger]

One of the pool quadrants (I believe the main pool, but definitely on the port side) has a smoking area.

If you're a smoker, you will have no trouble finding it (my smoking friends ALWAYS manage to find the place they need to be to smoke, no matter where we are).

If you're a non-smoker, stay on the starboard side (the kids area is on this side) and you'll always avoid it.

btw, what kind of room do you have? If you have Boardwalk balcony you may be able to see OceanAria without needing to reserve a time.

 

[Charles Pierson]

One of the pool quadrants (I believe the main pool, but definitely on the port side) has a smoking area.

If you're a smoker, you will have no trouble finding it (my smoking friends ALWAYS manage to find the place they need to be to smoke, no matter where we are).

If you're a non-smoker, stay on the starboard side (the kids area is on this side) and you'll always avoid it.

btw, what kind of room do you have? If you have Boardwalk balcony you may be able to see OceanAria without needing to reserve a time.

Thanks,
Not a smoker, can't stand it.
Worst was our last Disney Cruise when we had a foreign family that spent their entire(seemingly) cruise smoking on the verandah next to us. Despite our constant complaints they never stopped, Disney did nothing to stop it or change our cabin or compensate us.

 

[starvenger]

That sucks about the verandah. I feel like cruise lines are loath to do anything unless they have tangible proof of something, such as excessive noise.

 

[bumbershoot]

Technically, you are not supposed to bring any non-alcoholic drinks on board with you. In practice, they don't really enforce that, and you can probably bring a case of water with no issues if you'd like.

I’ve read repeatedly that this does not work during spring break times. The OP is at the tail end of that, but might get hit with it.


For future cruises, if you like a casino, Celebrity has the casino but it’s 100% non smoking.

 

[starvenger]

Almost forgot - Allure has the new Royal smartphone app, which apparently has a texting/chat feature similar to Disney's app. Some details are here on the (unofficial) RC blog: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/smart-phone-app