Thursday, December 15, 2016

Independence of the Seas - Day 2

December 4 2016
At Sea
Enroute to Cozumel, Mexico

Didn't have a great nights sleep for some reason, and woke up about 7:20.  Which is late for me for a sea day!!  I lept out of bed and jumped into my bathing suit (I always get my things ready the night before) and grabbed my beach bag and was out the door.  Laurie was going for a walk on the track and said she would be up soon.  I thought I was late, but apparently this group of passengers aren't early birds.  So I got us great seats right next to the pool and it was glorious!

Spent the whole day at the pool, soaking up the sun, in and put of the pool, sipping frosty beverages and having afternoon siestas! They have a big screen at the pool so they put on the games, although it wasn't The Giants or Jets game, but still cool. Nothing like watching football while sitting in the sun at the pool.

Headed back to the cabin sometime after 4 (when I realized the 4pm game was also not going to be a NY game) to relax and shower.  It is exhausting doing nothing all day! The night before, Laurie had noticed that they had a "free gift" for appts made by Day 2 at the Next Cruise desk.  So we had an appt for 7pm; leaving plenty of time for our nightly pre-dinner drinks at Boleros.  Since we had already looked through the book, we knew what we wanted to book, so why not? We booked an 11 night Southern Caribbean cruise for Feb 5 2018.  And it includes St Lucia, which is only 1 of 3 islands I haven't been to!  (Artemis missed St Lucia on a delayed crossing once) We were very excited

Headed to Boleros and they still didn't have Moscato!  Olga tried her best to mix and match some things to try to get a drink close, and she did a great job!  We ended up with St Germain and Champagne - which was pretty yummy.  

Off to dinner, which normally is uneventful but enjoyable.  However, I found a piece of plastic (like a plastic steamer bag the veggies might be cooked in) in my stuffing.  I let our waiter Agnelo know and he immediately got the Head Waiter.  They apologized profusely, making sure I was ok.  I told them I was ok, had not eaten it and was not wanting to make a big deal, just to make them aware.  He asked for my cabin # and said he would let the Head Chef know.  Well not more than 10 minutes later, one of the Head Chef's came out to personally apologize.  He also asked for my cabin #.  Laurie and I laughed and said we know there will be something in the cabin tomorrow!  They really fawned over me.  It was nice to see, but not necessary in my opinion.  However, thinking about it now, I am SURE some passengers just go freaking ape-shit and cry wolf over nothing.  So I get it

After dinner we headed to the show.  It was called An Invitation to Dance and was choreographed by one of the pro's from Dancing With The Stars.  It started off good, but slowly got boring.  Again, it was making us sleepy so we were outta there and off to bed!

Independence of the Seas - Dec 2016 - Day 1

December 3 2016
Fort Lauderdale, FL

We made it!  The flight was early but easy.  During the flight, every time the pilot turned off the seat belt sign, it got bumpy.  Every time he turned it back on, it smoothed out.  This went on for most of the flight LOL Laurie and I did some 'future cruise planning' as I had the current cruise book in my carry-on.  Here is the current "Wish List"

2017 - Back to Back (Check!)
2018 - Southern Caribbean 
2019 - Mediterranean
2020 - Re-positioning/Transatlantic

Once we landed it was off to collect our bags and head to the port.  We were at Pier 25 and was glad to see its now covered more than it had been in 2015 (when the luggage carts were out in the rain and a lot of our stuff got wet!) From getting in the cab at the airport, to sitting in the Windjammer, it was 56 mins!  Not bad at all!  Once we finished lunch, the cabins were open and luggage was already being delivered!  Our stuff was outside the cabin so we brought it in and just relaxed.  

After we got settled it was time to head down to the muster drill.  We figured we would go early to get a seat. Sadly, this one is still held outside! (I got spoiled on Oasis class, sitting in the Champagne Bar!) We made friends though and chatted to pass the time. When it was over, we headed up to the Pool Bar to meet up with the Cruise Critic group for sailaway.  We met Debra (who organized the group) Wendy and Shelley along with several others.  As we started to depart, everyone started to scatter to the rails to watch us sail out of the harbor.  I had sent Mom, Ash and Mark the link to the Port Everglades Webs cam and we waved as we left.  Once we were on our way, we headed back to the cabin to unpack.  Our cabin attendant, Moula, came by to say hello - we gave him our requests (separated beds, ice each night, more towels, etc) 

We showered and relaxed a bit before we headed out to Boleros for pre-dinner drinks!  I couldn't wait to have a glass of Moscato! Unfortunately, they didn't have any that night but the bartenders, Olga and Charie, said they expected to have some the next night.  Music was on in the hour before dinner (unlike Oasis class that has nothing at that time!) and the band was great.  

We headed to dinner and were seated at a table of 8 .. 4 ladies from Chile, 2 from Chicago.  There was a bit of a language barrier with the ladies from Chile, but we managed ok.  The youngest women spoke fairly good English so she worked as translator.  The other 2 ladies, Sandy and Marsha, were from Chicago and were sisters.  All seemed nice.

After dinner, they were holding the Love & Marriage show.  We were a little late, but that was ok.  We got seats and watched a bit, but it was not one of the best we've seen and therefore Laurie and I were falling asleep!  Decided to bail and just head to bed.  Tomorrow was going to be an early day since we were at sea.  (and we both had been up since around 4am)  So off to sleep we went!


Saturday, November 26, 2016

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 8

August 7 2016
Fort Lauderdale, FL

For some reason, Mom got up at 5.30am and looked out the balcony door.  Since we were pulling into port, she went outside. So that woke me up and I joined her.  We watched us come in while it was dark.  

Went back to sleep for another hour or so and then got up to get dressed and get out of the cabin.  Went for breakfast - it was really crowded!  After breakfast, we found a quiet shady spot on the pool deck to hang out at since we had a later disembarking time 

Since we all had phone service, we were all on our phones.  I sent Facebook requests to Stacy and Dee Dee and Kristin. And caught up with the world :)

Our # was called about 10.30 and we headed off.  When we got into the terminal it was mobbed!!  So I grabbed a porter as there was no way we were dragging our luggage through these lines!  Turns out they only had 3 Customs Agents working.  Ummm, what??  There are over 6000 people who have to get off this ship.  Are they serious!  We spent forever on line and it really was a shitshow.  We even started getting nervous about having enough time at the airport for our flights!  

We didn't get to the airport till 12.15 (flight was 1.45!)  Thank goodness we were TSA Precheck and there was not a line for security.  We had enough time to wee, grab a slice of pizza and board the plane.  The flight was good and on time and we found Uncle Andy pretty quickly (considering LGA is a zoo!) We got back to Mom's around 6.  

Great vacation!  Mom is hooked and can't wait to go on another cruise.  

Stay tuned ... Independence of the Seas in Dec 2016 is next :)

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 7

August 6 2016
At Sea

Pool all day long with our new friends!  We all got up early so we could all save seats together.  Was a great day of sun and fun in the pool. (with frosty beverages of course!)  

Lots of discussion of Next Cruise - Stacy and family are doing the Harmony in late June, but we weren't sure we could go then b/c of Ash's school schedule.  We agreed to meet that night after dinner at On Air to exchange names for friending each other on Facebook.

New Friends - Kristin and her parents and brother - from Bethpage, NY

Sometime around 2pm the Captain comes on the PA.  Since it wasn't his noon report, my crew training kicked in immediately ... something was up!  Turns out we had passed a boat that was not responding to calls over the radio and it seemed adrift.  So the Captain was going to turn back and do a pass to make sure there is no distress.  Even try to "turn around" a 245,000 ton vessel?  Yeah, me neither.  But it was one hell of a wide turn.  So we got out of the pool and dried off and walked along to see where we were headed.  Ash and I ended up in the Solarium as we came about behind it so we would cross its path and could get a close look.  Pretty interesting!  As it got closer and closer, I knew it would pass on the starboard side so we moved back to the pool deck so we could get a spot by the railing and see it for ourselves.  It was a make shift sail boat, that they think came from Cuba (we were in the straights between Cuba and Florida) but had already been marked by the Coast Guard as clear. (the use spray paint to mark it) 

By about 4pm we all started heading back to the cabins as we had to pack :( Boo!

#ThrowItAllIn

Pre-dinner drinks ensued as usual.  Dinner was great.  We brought envelopes for our wait staff as they deserved more than we had pre-paid.  They were very appreciative! Went to On Air to meet up with the Stacy and Dee Dee clans, and say goodbye :(  Stayed for a bit of karaoke as it was really good! 

Headed back to the cabins to finish packing and put our luggage out 

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 6

August 5 2016
Cozumel, Mexico

They day before in the pool, Stacy and Dee Dee had told us about a place they were going in Cozumel called Mr Sancho's.  It was an all-inclusive beach club about 15 mins from the port.  They said it was $55 per person for full use of the beach, swim up pool and included all food and drinks.  Since I had planned to take everyone to Channakabb, which is beautiful but doesn't have much of a beach (you walk into the ocean via stairs that go over the rocks), nor is anything included, it sounded like a good deal.  

I knew I would have AT&T cell service in port, so I brought my phone to breakfast.  While we ate, I went online and booked us for Mr Sancho's.  It didn't open till 10am local time, so we didn't have to rush.  We finished breakfast and then headed to the cabins to get dressed for the day.  We were probably off the ship by 9.30 and then walked through the port to head to a cab.  We got caught up in one jewelry store (my fault this time!) as I was in love with this ring that had this awesome turquoise opal on the sides.  I wasn't crazy about the sunburst stone (bright orange) but it was also very different and cool.  I told the guy we had to think about it and after we had to pull his fingers off me (I'm kidding!  But they are very pushy there) we headed to the taxi stand.  

We got to Mr Sanchos just after 10am and seemed to be among the first there.  We got checked in and picked a table (covered with an umbrella) as well as our beach loungers.  Miguel was our waiter and was awesome.  Started us off with some frozen drinks and was always around for whatever we needed.  A woman was walking around with a massage menu and the other 3 jumped on it.  While they did that, I laid on my beach chair and read and kept an eye on the bags at the table.  Everyone came back looking relaxed and really liked it! The Mom's said there was some good shopping so I sent them off.  While Ash and I were laying on the chairs, talking to a newlywed couple from our ship, someone came by offering the pedicure where the fish nip your feet.  She always wanted to try it.  So off she went.  There was no way anything was nipping on my feet so I stayed put.  

When everyone came back we started ordering food.  We were several drinks in by then and needed to eat!  We saw Stacy, Dee Dee and their clans but they were over by the Aquapark - which was a little further down the beach from us - so they had tables down that way. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the swim up pool.  Mom liked that - she sat on a stool at the bar, in the pool with a frosty beverage!  (the ocean had gotten a bit seaweedy as the tide changed) 

We headed back to the ship around 3.  The place starts to clear out so you get the idea that its time to go.  Besides, the Mom's wanted to shop some and I wanted to look at that ring again.  When we got back to the port, we stopped at the silver store I often go to and then we walked by a jeweler on the corner and Mom pointed out the same ring only with a tanzanite stone in it.  Well I was in love!  I had always wanted a tanzanite ring and it had the same turquoise opals on the side.  So after a bit of haggling, and getting to a cash price we all liked, I bought it.  I needed to borrow cash from Mom as she had more than me on her.  (I had more on the ship) As we walked away, she said "Happy Birthday honey" She would give me the cash I used and as she was paying for the ring for my upcoming birthday :)  Thanks Mom! 

The Mom's and Ash wanted to keep shopping but I needed to wee, so I left them to get earrings on their own (Mom wanted silver hoops) and went back to the ship.  I waited on the balcony to watch them come back .. jeez, they were taking forever! Finally I gave up and went in the shower.  

Ash and I had an appointment with Next Cruise before dinner, so we sent the Mom's to wander the Promenade before we headed to get drinks before dinner.  We booked the Adventure for Aug 2017 for a Southern Caribbean cruise (however, as of the time of this being published, we have switched to Harmony in July 2017 to join the Mihalik family) 

Went for drinks and then dinner in the main dining room as usual, and as always was great!  We had tickets for Blue Planet that night after dinner.  I really liked this show in Feb and knew everyone else would too.  It was a combination of singing, acrobatics and dancing (basically the cruise staff from Mamma Mia and Ocean Aria) While we waited for the show, we had a cocktail and they kept coming on saying they were delayed due to a technical issue.  Unfortunately it ended up being canceled due to the issue.  Was disappointed, but hey, it happens.

The next day was a sea day so an early night was ok with all.

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 5

August 4 2016
At Sea

I set my alarm for 7am but it never went off.  Luckily, my internal alarm was working and I woke up just after 7.10am anyway.  Raced to get dressed and was still up at the pool at 7.15 LOL  When I got up there, there was no one.  Like NOBODY.  I didn't know if my clock was wrong, or everyone was sleeping in today or what, but I was glad to get up there and get my spot :)

Ash came up around 8 or so and Aunt Ginny a little later.  Mom finally came up at 9 and we all made a big deal to say "Happy Birthday!!" (it was a big # for her, which is how this cruise came about in the first place)

We planned to stay at the pool all day; since it was a sea day, where else would I be?? At one point early on I told AG to keep Mom busy and I went to decorate our cabin with Ashley.  I bought streamers and banners for the cabin and cabin door.  We were done in under 15 mins.  We went back up to the pool and she was none the wiser :)  It was a gorgeous day, even if it was hot.  (I'm not complaining!!) Just meant you needed more frosty beverages and to get in the pool! Hung out in the pool a lot with our drinks.  Perfect day if you ask me!

New friends - Stacy and Jeff (and kids) from Delaware.  And Dee Dee and Anthony (and kids) from Ohio.  Love them!!  Such awesome families! I particularly loved Stacy's youngest daughter --- that kid was a riot!! 

After enough sun for the day, we headed back to the cabins to relax and shower. Ash and AG came to our cabin at 7am and we had a little party for Mom.  Gifts for her and she was loving the attention.  (she says she never wants anyone to fuss, but who doesn't love to be spoiled a little?) 

We had tickets for the Ice Show at 7.30.  While I wasn't crazy about it when I saw it in February, the rest of the gang hadn't seen it.  And the Mom's were so easily impressed by this ship, we couldn't skip it.  So we had our pre-dinner cocktails at the show and then headed to dinner.  It was Lobster Night in the dining room and we weren't missing that for anything!! 

Dinner was fantastic. Mom was thrilled she could get more than one lobster tail and impressed that the waiter would take it out of the shell for her.  She's cute! #FirstTimeCruiser  I had pre-ordered a chocolate cake the day before to come out and they could all sing to her.  It was great!  She really lapped it up.  The cake was yummy too!  And we brought the leftovers back to the cabin.

On the way back to the cabin, we stopped in Dazzles as they were doing the Battle of the Sexes.  We stayed for a bit, but when Ash caught me dozing off, it was time to go! 

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 4

August 3 2016
Falmouth, Jamaica

We had a late docking in Jamaica, so we said we would all sleep in a bit.  Mom had coffee delivered around 8.30am and then we went and sat on the balcony for a bit. I think Mom really enjoyed that.  Once Ash and Aunt Ginny (AG for short) were up we decided to try Johnny Rockets for breakfast instead.  Wasn't too bad of a wait and breakfast was a change of pace from the Windjammer. By then we were docking, so after breakfast we went back to the cabins to watch and then get ready to get off the ship.  I didn't make a plan for a beach - it was midweek and knew the Mom's might be 1) a little crispy from 3 days in the sun and 2) wanted to do some major shopping.  Falmouth's port is excellent for shopping of every kind. 

We got off the ship around 11am and Ash and I decided we would stay with them for a while and then go back on the ship for some pool time later.  The first store we were in, they looked at everything.  Every. Single. Thing.  We went and sat outside and decided we would NOT be staying with them all that long LOL  She wanted to pick up a few souvenirs for the girls at work, as did I, and I always get my hair braided on a cruise and I like the girls in Jamaica, so I wanted to do that.  We went with them to the 2nd store, Del Sol, and then told them we were going to go do our own stuff and then catch up with them in a bit.

We walked around a little, picked up a few souvenirs and then went to get my hair braided.  Ash then went to go find the Mom's to see where they were and would come back to where I was in about 15.  She came back - she had found them in only the 4th store.  They were seriously slow shoppers! When I was done, we went to look for them and could not find them anywhere.  We looked in every store and no dice.  We knew they couldn't get lost (the ship looms largely over the port) so we knew we could leave them.  We went back on board by about 2 and then went up to the pool.  We had a nice day but every so often we wondered where the Mom's were!  Ash even called the rooms a few times, but nothing.  

At 5pm the Mom's come strolling up, packages in hand and looking relaxed!  Turns out they went to Margaritaville for drinks and lunch around the time we were looking for them.  Then did more shopping.  AG was in love with a ring, but was on the fence about it so Ash went back with her to look at it. Mom stayed with me for a few minutes to relax and put her feet up.  They came back about 20 mins later and AG was wearing the ring :)  Everyone was ooh'ing over it.  Chocolate diamonds in a rose gold setting.  Very pretty! 

New friends: Ruth and Charlie.  Older couple from Pittsburgh area - but now in FL.  So fun!

I stayed at the pool till about 6.30 just relaxing and reading.  Everyone else had left by then to nap, shower, etc. Sail away was at 7 so I figured I would shower and watch from the balcony.  There was a medical emergency and a family was off loaded :( Looks like the Dad broke his leg pretty badly.  Sad when that happens and the whole cruise is ruined, and now you are in a foreign country going to the hospital.  I know the cruise line does everything they can to get you set up and the port agent takes care good care of you until you leave, but still.  

We all got dressed for dinner and met for drinks at the Champagne bar before dinner.  Dinner was good as always and our wait staff was finally warming up to us and really starting to have fun!  After dinner we had the headliner show, but as we walked to the Promenade there was a Disco Party.  The Mom's were so happy to watch and dance along that we stayed.  It ended in time to go to the Headliner show anyway.  The show was only "Eh".  (as I write this, I can't remember who it was and I didn't put it in my journal - if and when I remember, I will come back and edit)

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 3

August 2 2016
Labadee, Haiti

Mom and I got up about 7.30 and just in time, as we were already docking in Labadee.  Ash and Aunt Ginny were also up and could wave to them from our balcony.

Since it was just a beach day, there wasn't a big rush to get off the ship.  So we got dressed and met up for breakfast.  We then went back to the cabin and got our beach bags ready for a day on the island.  We were off by 9.30 and walking to the beach 

Ash and I like Nellie's Beach and we took the Mom's there again.  I reminded them all to bring small bills in cash.  Even though you use your SeaPass to pay for drinks, the locals appreciate the tips and will basically get you whatever you need, all day long.  So as we got to Nellie's, we rented Floaty Mats, and our cabana guy brought them down to the beach for us, got us 4 chairs right at the water line, and made sure he found a cabana guy to "check on us" for drinks.  

It was quite warm so I was already wanting to get on my mat and in the water and sun.  Ash and I floated way out to the ropes to get into deeper water, away from the crowds at the shore line.  But once the Mom's wanted to come in the water, we went back to shallower water. My Mom can't swim but she will wade.  We even got her to sit on the floaty mat and relax with a frosty beverage .. a Labadoozie :)

We went for lunch at the tail end as to avoid the crowds and went over to Adventurer's Beach to eat.  After lunch, we walked to Adreneline Beach and watched the zip liners and the other parts of the island.

We went back in the water after lunch for a nice swim but since everyone was getting a little crispy, we headed back to the ship around 3pm.  The Mom's went for a nap, but Ash and I went up to the pool deck to relax in the shade.  We cat-napped and read up there for a bit. We headed back to the cabin around 5.30 to get showered.  Tonight was the night we were going to dress alike for White Screen pictures.  We agreed to meet at 7.30 in white pants and teal tops. 

Well, we were a sight!  4 blondes in color coordinated outfits.  We got a ton of compliments all night long!  After pictures, we went for pre-dinner drinks at the Champagne Bar  and went back to the Main Dining Room for our 8.30 seating.  

After dinner, we went to the Love & Marriage Game Show.  Its one of my favorite shows.  It wasn't the best one I've ever seen (was very slow in some spots) but was still funny.  Wandered the Promenade after and headed up to bed just after midnight.   

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 2

August 1 2016
At Sea

As is my norm, I was up and out the door EARLY!  I was in my deck chair by 7.15am.  And there were a lot of people up at that hour.  Guess there were seasoned, sun worshippers onboard as well.  It wasn't very sunny at that point and by the time Ash came up shortly after, it started to sprinkle.  Then it started to rain and we had to duck under the Deck 17 overhang.  It poured like crazy!  Luckily it only lasted a few minutes.  

The Mom's finally made it up to the pool deck and wanted to go for breakfast.  Since it was raining again, we all went together and when we were done, it was stopping.  So Ash and I went ahead to grab chairs and by 11am it was sunny and clear sky!

We spent the day enjoying the sun, reading, swimming etc.  Even got Barb in the pool :)  She was already really enjoying herself.  

Since we had tixx for Mamma Mia that night at 9.30, we changed our dinner to My Time Dining for 7.30.  We met on the Promenade at 6.30 for some shop browsing and then had drinks at Bolero's before dinner.

Mamma Mia was excellent.  I had seen it in Feb onboard, and live (in London) and of course the movie.  But it was still so good.  All of us really loved it.  Since the show is a full length show, it was after 1am by the time we got to bed.  

Allure of the Seas - Take 2 - Day 1

July 31 2016
Fort Lauderdale, FL

My second time on Allure this year .. and my Mom's very first cruise!  It's Ashley, her Mom (my Aunt Ginny), my Mom and me.  Check in was busy!  Waited a while just to get through security.  Our flight was later than my usual early morning flight, so we were later getting to the pier than usual.  I didn't like that.  I like getting there early and getting through security and checking in.  I'd rather have to wait upstairs than in a line.

Once we finally got onboard, we headed up to the Windjammer for some lunch.  Showed Mom the ropes :)  Once we finished lunch, the cabins were ready so we dropped off our stuff and headed out to look around the ship.  Ashley had been on Oasis with me 2 years prior so she knew her way around as well.  We walked around and ended up at Sabor Bar on the Boardwalk for our first frosty beverage!  Hung out there until the Muster Drill and pulled the same trick as Laurie and I did last trip - we went to our Muster Station early so we could get seats.  Even though Ash was only about 10 cabins down, they were in a different muster station so we agreed to meet on Deck 16 for sail away.  

Mom just loved it!!  She couldn't believe how many people come down to the beaches and out on their balconies just to see the ships leave.  I said its a way of life for them!  After we got out into the ocean, we headed back to the cabins to check on luggage and to start to unpack.  We were up early so we took some time to relax and unpack (you have to really only do it one person at a time - there's not to much room to have 2 people in and out of the closet and bathroom)  So Mom unpacked while I relaxed and vice versa.  

We planned to go to the Champagne Bar for pre-dinner drinks, as I knew they had the Moscato Ash and I love.  We met at 7.30 for drinks and then to our first dinner in the main dining room. We had a delicious dinner and our wait staff was great.  After dinner we walked around a bit and then had tickets for the aqua show, Ocean Aria.  It was a fantastic show!!  (as good as Oasis)

Once the show was over though, it was right to bed.  We had been up since 4.30am and the next day was a sea day - so for me that means up early for deck chairs at the pool!

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Anthem of The Seas - Post Cruise Review

Anthem is a very different type of ship - not just in looks (tall but quite narrow in comparison to the Oasis Class) - but also with the interior and the technology and layout.

Here are mine and Laurie's observations:

Cheers - 

Royal IQ App - fantastic to have the Cruise Compass at our fingertips and able to book dining, shows etc right from my phone (no Wifi package needed - its free once you get onboard)  Loved this and wish they will put it on every ship!

270 - Lounge by day, mini theater by night.  Very cool to have moving stages (lowered to allow more room for a dance floor, etc)  

Bionic Bar - loved being able to create my own drink and it be made by a robotic arm all while watching the ingredients added and the process on the screen on the side.

Dynamic Dining - You change restaurants every night; each restaurant (dining room) has a type of menu: Asian Fusion, American, etc  You keep your waitstaff and your same table #.  Pretty cool idea

Jeers - 

Bionic Bar - the bar crew need to encourage the pax to move away from the tablet tables once drinks are ordered.  Spent a lot of time waiting to order only b/c others were just sitting there (but already done ordering)

Dining Rooms - crew left food carts out in the open, as there was no small room like in a Traditional Dining room - so they are unloaded and therefore reloaded with dirty dishes right next to you if you are near the waiter area.  Then the carts are left there - I felt like I was eating at a buffet, not a high class dining room on a luxury cruise ship.  Was disgusting to look at other peoples half eaten food/dishes(since we were near area) Definitely took away from the experience

Crew - seemed very on edge, especially the wait staff.  Very impatient - stressed?? overworked?? Had seen quite a few instances of downright rudeness to pax (without being instigated) 

Pool Deck - I know it is rare, since the ship goes out from NJ in the winter - but it snowed the morning we boarded.  Was not happy to see snow still on the pool deck and not cleared away.  Hello, major hazard!! 

Bingo - didn't have stamps/markers, only pens.  Cruise staff didn't even have markers for sale.  Marketing sales fail! 

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Anthem of the Seas - Day 3

Mar 6, 2016
Off the coast of the Carolina's 

(placeholder)

Anthem of the Seas - Day 2

Mar 5, 2016
Somewhere in the Atlantic ... 

(placeholder)

Anthem of the Seas - Day 1

Mar 4, 2016
Cape Liberty, NJ

(placeholder)

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Allure of the Seas Feb 2016 - Post Cruise

Feb 28, 2016
Ft Lauderdale, FL

As per usual, we dilly-dallied getting off the boat.  And we were among the last to be called anyway, since we weren't leaving FL till the next day.

Went for breakfast and then got off the boat around 10am.  Got a porter in the terminal (we will be doing that from now on!) who was able to by-pass the long carry off line to go through customs.  We were in a cab in about 30 mins!


Got to the hotel - Hyatt Regency Pier 66.  Of course our room wasn't ready, but we packed our suits in our carry on bag and just checked our suitcases.  Then headed out to the pool area.  Was a gorgeous pool and grounds and we were quite happy.  Sat at the pool, went for a swim and checked emails and texts and caught up with the rest of the world.

Room was ready about 4pm (they sent me a text - I love that!) and we decided to go get settled there.  The rooms were a bit old - I think we were in the older part of the hotel.  The door to the patio was tough to open, the track seemed like it needed some WD40! 


After relaxing in the room for a bit, we showered and napped and then went to walk around the marina.  There are some serious yachts around there - wow!! We ran into a nice gentleman who was telling us about what famous people owned which ones.  (He has made it a bit of a hobby he said)  We ended up at an outdoor bar/restaurant called The Pelican, which had cool views of the 17th street bridge, the intercoastal and all of the amazing boats in the marina.


We walked off dinner some more around the marina and headed back to the room to relax.  Had to be up and out by 8 as we had a 10am flight home :(

Allure of the Seas - Day 7

Allure of the Seas

Feb 27, 2016
At Sea


(placeholder)

Allure of the Seas - Day 6

Allure of the Seas

Feb 26, 2016
Cozumel, Mexico


(placeholder)

Allure of the Seas - Day 5

Allure of the Seas

Feb 25, 2016
At Sea


(placeholder)


Allure of the Seas - Day 4

Allure of the Seas

Feb 24, 2016
Falmouth, Jamaica

Laurie and I got up and headed up for breakfast - since it was a port day and we didn't have any plans, we were not on a schedule.  

Headed off into the port of Falmouth - I like this port for shopping.  I get all the kids their t-shirts and any souvenirs here as its a huge gated port that pretty much has everything, including a straw market where locals sell handmade items.

We walked around a bit, stopping here and there to shop.  Got some beautiful necklaces for Mom and Ruth at work.  Then decided to circle back to a place we had passed earlier so I could get my hair braided.  I got the whole top half done and it was in probably less than an hour.

After that, we headed back to the ship for some pool time and lunch.

We stayed up there till it was about 5.30 then back to the room to relax and shower and get ready for Happy Hour :)

Met Bob and Deb at the Champagne Bar for our pre-dinner drinks, which was good as always.  It was getting a bit busier there, so I think the word was catching on on the ship that it had good drinks and a good staff!

After dinner we had the Headliner Show - which was a magician/comedian who was very entertaining! (his name was John Joseph)

When the show was over, we went for our nightly lap around the walking track on Deck 5 - then off to bed as tomorrow was a sea day; so we had to be up early!)

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Allure of the Seas - Day 3

Allure of the Seas
Feb 23, 2016
Labadee, Haiti


I woke up to the vibration of the ship and knew we were docking in Labadee. (being an ex-crew member, you just know the feel of thrusters)  So once again I was up and dressed but this time I went up to Deck 16 to watch us dock.  By the time I got up there, we were tying up but it was still very pretty to look at the view and watch the island come alive at our arrival.  (for those that don't know - Labadee is a peninsula on the island of Haiti that was purchased by Royal Caribbean.  The people that work and live on that part of the island are native Haitians, but are employed by RC.  No one else other than the employees are allowed on that part of the island as it is fenced off from the remainder of the country.  They are paid salaries by RC, but of course we tip so needless to say, they are very happy when a boat as large as Allure comes in)

I went back to the cabin and Laurie was awake - so we went up for some breakfast before heading off the ship.  

We just love Labadee!  We had decided the day before to rent a beach cabana and the minute we got to it, knew we made a good choice.  It had soft cushions and white drapes around it, plenty of beach towels and a cooler full of ice cold bottled water.  Not to mention it came with 2 floaty mats.  We also had Franklin, who would be our attendant for the day.  He got Laurie and I some beach chairs so we could lay in the sun and was always asking what he could do for his "Queen's".  Even asked us if Bob and Deb were with us when they walked up, as I think he was afraid someone was trying to poach our cabana! He was a peach!  Was always checking in on us, let us know when lunch was being served and of course brought us lots of frosty beverages.

All four of us spent the day lounging, had a late lunch then went for a swim with our floaty mats while Deb sat at the waters edge and Bob took a snooze in the cabana.  Lots of laughs when I got stuck in some coral and couldn't get my mat off of it.  God forbid I get off my mat :)

Great day all around.  Headed back onto the ship around 3.15 or so.  We didn't have to be back on board till 4.30 but the island closes down earlier (to push everyone back on board I think)  We didn't mind as we had reservations for the Mama Mia show at 5pm and I needed a shower.

Mama Mia was fantastic!  Almost Broadway quality and although I have seen it several times it was thoroughly enjoyable!

We met up with Bob and Deb at the Champagne Bar for our normal pre-dinner drinks.  Boleros didn't have any music (live or otherwise) so it was very boring.  We immediately took a liking to Andre, our bartender.  

Dinner was great as usual as we got to know our waiters, Mauricio and Vigilio, and started having some fun with them.

Since we didn't have a show that night we walked around the Promenade a little and had a drink on the Rising Tide Bar and then popped in at Dazzles before heading off to bed.


Allure of the Seas - Day 2

Allure of the Seas
Feb 22, 2016
At Sea

I was awake fairly early (darn internal clock!) and when I peeked out the balcony, I could see it was sunny.  I got too excited to get up on deck to go back to sleep, so I put on my swim suit and grabbed my pool bag and off I went.  

Got up to the pool deck and grabbed 4 chairs together.  It wasn't busy per se, but the professional cruisers were definitely out and getting chairs for the day.  Laurie came up not too long after and I think Bob and Deb were there by 9. They went to get breakfast first, since we weren't starving, as we do a tag-team thing so there is always someone with the chairs.  It amazes me how many people come down, drop nothing but a towel on each chair and then leave for 2 or 3 hours! I will admit I find it slightly entertaining to 1) see people come back for the first time in 3 hours to find out their towels are gone and there are other people sitting in their chairs and 2) people who walk around at 11.30am on a sea day, wondering why they can't get a chair next to the pool.  Its kinda mean, I know, but very funny.

Spent the day lounging by the pool (or in it) and reading. It was a bit breezy so I spent more time sitting on the side of the pool since it was in the sun (our chairs got into the shade much earlier in the afternoon than I would have liked)

We never got anything on our door about dinner, so we went to My Time at our reservation time and asked. As they were "looking into it" the Maitre D came over and asked if we would be interested in Traditional Dining.  We were like "YES!" so they brought us upstairs and we were seated at our table, where we would be the rest of the week

After dinner we wandered through the shops on the promenade and strolled through Central Park and the Boardwalk.  Decided to take in some air and went for a casual lap on the walking track on Deck 5 before heading off to bed


Allure of the Seas - Day 1

Allure of the Seas
Feb 21, 2016

After some breakfast at Einstein Bagel Bros across the street, and a quick run down to Walgreens (my toothbrush broke in half in my bag!) we were back at the hotel and waiting downstairs for our cab before 10.15am.  Could you tell we were excited to get on the ship?!?

Deb and Bob were also going to take a cab from their hotel at the same time.(they stayed at the Renaissance Ft Lauderdale Cruise Port (for $20 less per night and said it was MUCH nicer)) and meet us inside at the pier.  It timed out perfectly as they were right in front of us going thru the security line.  

We somehow lost Deb and Bob in the boarding process, so we headed to the Windjammer.  Door to door we were having lunch in just over an hour!

We had lunch and then our cabins were ready so we went to check it out and put down our stuff.  Cabin was nice - Cabin 12653 - it was a interior balcony overlooking Central Park.  (we had chosen that one when we booked the year before)

So after putting down our carry-on bags, we grabbed our SeaPass's and headed up to the pool deck.  It was a nice, sunny afternoon and it was "frosty beverage time" as Laurie calls it.  Deb and Bob found us a little while later, sitting with our feet in the pool and drinks in hand, and we made plans to meet at Bolero's for pre-dinner drinks.  After a while we went for a walk around Central Park to look at menus at some of the specialty restaurants to see if we wanted to make any reservations.  We ended up sitting down in the Aqua theater to chill for a few minutes, when Laurie got a brilliant idea!  "Let's go to the Champagne Bar now, get a drink and we will already have a seat when they call for the muster drill"  Man, there's a reason I like to travel with her :)  So off we went.

Drill was nothing to talk about other than the cute "Wash Your Hands" video they made you sit through during the drill announcements.  (keep this in mind for future postings)  Once it was over, we went for a walk to watch sail away and ended up on the aft of deck 5, which ended up being a fantastic place!

When we got out to sea, we headed back to the cabin and by then our luggage started to arrive so the unpacking commenced!  We got unpacked and settled in to our home for the next 7 days.

We headed for drinks about 7pm, because we had a 7.45 dining time, due to My Time Dining.  We were sat fairly quickly and within 10 minutes we weren't going to like it.  Our waiter was nice enough but you can tell there was no interest in knowing us, since we wouldn't be with him the next time.  I wasn't a fan of that.  After dinner we asked a Host if we could switch to Traditional Dining for 8.30.  He took our cabin #'s and said he would leave us a letter the next day to let us know if we got it or not.

We had tickets to the Aqua show (called OceanAria) that night at 10.45 so we wandered around the Boardwalk a little before making our way to the theater to wait to get in. It was actually getting quite windy, so I wasn't sure if they would do some of the stunts (we had seen a similar show on Oasis, called Oasis of Dreams), but they did not disappoint and it was amazing!!  

After the show ended, we were all pooped from a long first day so we headed back to the cabins.  We told Bob and Deb we would be on the "beach pool" side (zero entry pool that looks like sand) and would save them chairs the next morning and would see them then.






Sunday, March 20, 2016

Allure of the Seas Feb 2016 - Pre cruise

Ft Lauderdale, FL 
Feb 20, 2016

Laurie and I got to Ft Lauderdale a day before the cruise - Feb 20th, staying at Extended Stay America.  Since we landed and were at the hotel just after 10.30am, we had taken the Sun trolley up to Beach Place on Sat afternoon for some lunch at Lulu's Bait Shack, and some shopping at CVS and a little wandering around.  For $1 a ride - it was worth it.  Rode the trolley back and got to kill a little time.

Got checked into the room about 3pm.  Not impressed but you live, you learn. (quick review: $285/night for a room with 2 beds and 4 walls; no amenities; 2 tiny towels each, 1 soap; kitchens without even plastic utensils or napkins; for that price, stay at a brand name hotel in the exact same area) 

Later on we met up with Deb and Bob (our friends we met on Independence in 2015) for dinner at Carrabba's next door, and then even did some shopping at Ross across the street and Walgreen's down the road for some of the items we forgot (or in my case - I needed allergy tabs!)

Off to bed at a decent hour so we would be up and ready to go by 10.30 when the cab was coming to pick us up.  

Still cruising ... just as a passenger!

Thinking that I will now use this blog as a bit of a journal of my cruise vacations ... I still LOVE being on a cruise ship; being a passenger is just as fun, with not an ounce of hard work :) 

I am not sure if I can back date posts, but if so, I will have to spend some time going back to review pictures and remember some memories from the following:

Independence of the Seas - March 2015
Oasis of the Seas - February 2014
Oasis of the Seas - August 2013
Freedom of the Seas - April 2012
Costa Atlantica - February 2010

In the meantime I am going to get started on the 2 cruises I just got home from over the last month

S