mom2mybugs

Jane, stole my thunder, I was going to say that the MDR is big and can be noisy, so by going to one of the specialty restaurants you are getting a smaller much more quaint experience. The MDR is dinning for the masses (Still very good in my opinion) and the specialty is just a little step up, say like going from Outback to Ruth's Chris, both very good for their niche market.
As stated above, if you don't like something, send it back and try something different...

Thanks so much----loved your pictures.  They were so easy to scroll through and I liked having the maps, because I'm very geographically challenged!  My fave pic is the unhappy last picture--whis is how I always look leaving the cruise!  Thanks again :)  Jane

Of eight RC cruises, consistently,  our best service experiences have been with our stateroom service.  This one service category could be a distractor - but had always been an "enhancer."  
Like mom2mybugs, one Radiance OTS bartender remembered my fav drink, greeted me by name, and was always upbeat.

I'll second a lazy river!  Would be awesome if it went around the ship just over the edge in clear tubes.

It wasn't the cruise fare. Let's just say I will be keeping her away from the jewelry department on the next cruise ?
 

Its minor and silly,  but i had a pool waiter that learned my name,  constantly came to my deck chair to check on me (during a busy sea day), and let me run a drink pkg tab until the very last drink (i didn't have to keep signing every drink).  It was just a nice day that he made nicer!   Jane

Our steak in giavannis was one of my best meals ever.   Service was wonderful.   I like the mdr...im not picky...but to have a specialty meal or 2 was really nice.   It was a little "special" thing that made the trip better.   We could have survived without but im really glad we did giavannis and chefs table.  Jane 

Yes, the cereal industry is working hard to overtake the cruise giants.  Sorry, had to.

Just boarded Liberty and I can report there is nothing in the fridge and no bottles of water on the vanity.  So it looks like this practice has been stopped. 
The 12-pack of Evian I pre-ordered and paid for is here. 

As someone who loathes exercise but does it as a necessary evil, I can't think of anything worse than a personal trainer/coach on a cruise.  Walking up to the Windjammer is as much exercise as I plan on doing :-D

Just did a quick test, I can add my daughter to the reservation without any trouble at all! And apparently you can reserve that meal for any night of the trip. I thought it was just on one specific night, maybe two, and needed a super-early booking to ensure a seat.
So now I just have to talk with the missus, see if she's OK with that plan, and then...
YOLO! BOOK IT!

I'll throw one more on the pile and say there are never enough hangers in any stateroom of any ship I've sailed (we hang most of our clothes).  I just ask for extra hangers and it's never been an issue - no sense in packing them IMO.

Ok.  To contact the concierge on board Explorer, send an email to
[email protected]
The Suites Concierge will probably be Denzil, but that's not a guarantee.  They switch up all the time.  But if you send an email to the generic concierge address someone should answer.
Good luck !!
 

Haven't forgotten about y'all... Life sometimes gets in the way... About halfway done writing next update... Having to do some research into our excursion in Grand Cayman... It wasn't pretty... Did we read the description wrong... Was it just an off day... Do I write a formal complaint to Royal Caribbean...?

Lalalalala...im not listening! ??  Jane

I never get sick of seeing you post that! :) 

Had an amazing time on the Allure with my daughter, highlights..
Entertainment - I can see why this ship is top rated for their shows and entertainment, it seemed we were constantly going to see something new- the best was Mama Mia!  What a great cast, we were invited  to meet the cast for Q&A  - very informative! I liked Blue Planet as well, very much a shorter showing (one hour versus 2.5 for Mama Mia).  Before sailing with Allure, be sure to watch the movie - it made it much more enjoyable to me.
Food - purchased the three night dining package, which was perfect for us. I enjoyed Chops and 150 Central Park.  Didn't thing the scallops at 150 were that great but the ambiance and experience was awesome. Tasted the chicken... and wow! Really good..  Dinner at the MDR was good, not great.  Pasta at Giovani's was tasty if a bit dry - they must make their own pasta, tasted like it.. 
Drinks - I liked the "Ultimate Mai Tai" - that was a great drink! 
Pools: there were over 6 thousand people on board, and finding a chair is difficult. I think a lot get up and put their towels to claim them early - just be aware of that. I saw chairs not used with towels on them for hours.. not cool man.  Also I saw a 50.00 charge for towels at the end of the cruise, and I was very careful about returning them. One call the RC and they fixed it within 20 mins (called me back etc.).
One of my bags was not delivered to my room on day one and was left down the hall.. not sure how that happened but at least it wasn't lost!
Excursions : had fun in Jamaica on the horses.. tip:  if you want the guys to take pics while your in the water, just ask and they will, but be sure to tip them.. I gave them 30 as I had a lot of great pics! (probably gave too much but it's eirie mon..)
XPlore in Cozumel was awesome - the zips were great, the ATV was awesome.. tip:  since you do this on the mainland and take the ferry, stay to the back of the ship... saw quite a few get sick (and that made me 'almost' get sick).. not fun ..   
Overall a great experience on a VERY BIG ship!  

Lalalalala...im not listening! ??  Jane

Lalalalala...im not listening! ??  Jane

Its minor and silly,  but i had a pool waiter that learned my name,  constantly came to my deck chair to check on me (during a busy sea day), and let me run a drink pkg tab until the very last drink (i didn't have to keep signing every drink).  It was just a nice day that he made nicer!   Jane

Its minor and silly,  but i had a pool waiter that learned my name,  constantly came to my deck chair to check on me (during a busy sea day), and let me run a drink pkg tab until the very last drink (i didn't have to keep signing every drink).  It was just a nice day that he made nicer!   Jane

No problem to us in the UK   

Everything is better at sea  

Land JR's rarely are as fun as when on a ship

Hey, there was a Johnny rockets at six flags great America today (local amusement park), but it wasn't nearly as much fun to eat at as on a cruise ship!   Jane