Royal Caribbean: Onboard the Allure of the Seas
7 Nt.Western Mediterranean- September 20th – 27th, 2015
WOW! You may have heard the term during a Royal Caribbean commercial or saw it in large print when flipping through the latest brochure. Let me tell you, it deserves the enthusiasm because the challenge of building the world’s largest cruise ship (until the Harmony of the Seas sets sail) was delivered and Royal Caribbean not only accepted but also surpassed all expectations with flying colours.
I will admit it, I was a skeptic. How can a ship with so many passengers possibly function with any degree of organization? I have been in my fair share of large crowds and expected moving around the ship and experiencing it’s amenities to mimic the journey made by a school of plankton. I was wrong. That’s right guys, a woman is admitting she was wrong. Take note of the day. With 7 distinct neighbourhoods, my 5000+ closest friends magically dispersed to the area of the ship that appealed to them the most which left no area ever too overwhelming with guests. Even with a day at sea, (which for me is highly welcomed during a port intensive itinerary) I was able to keep all limbs intact when scouting out a chair by one of the many pools.
Whether you prefer to work on your tan or would rather stave off the effect of having 25 delicious dining options on your waistline, the Allure of the Seas really does have it all. For the more adventurous type, the FlowRider surf simulator is one attraction not to be missed. Being a novice myself (picture a baby giraffe learning the laws of gravity) the staff were very friendly and patient while teaching me the technique of “surfing.” My victory was standing unassisted for the longest 10 seconds of my life.
And the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Nighttime brings dazzling entertainment choices on ice, stage, water and air. My personal favourite was the Broadway hit, Mamma Mia. I liked it immensely more than the movie though perhaps a singing “James Bond” left a lot to be desired.
If I wasn’t trying to do a little bit of everything I would have used the online Cruise Planner to reserve an additional evening at the show. The Cruise Planner will be your best friend prior to boarding the Allure. Do you need to plan every minute of your vacation? Absolutely not. You can be as busy or as laid back as you would like to be, the choice is yours. The Cruise Planner simply allows you to reserve your must do experiences from the comfort of your home meaning less time in line and more time enjoying your vacation.
You work hard for your vacation time so now it’s time to let your vacation work for you. Bon voyage!
Review and photos on this page by Taryn Bastead, land and cruise professional at Cruise Holidays of Burlington. You can reach Taryn at 866.860.6218.
