Mike n Ky

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/05/22/royal-caribbean-increases-suite-deposit-policy
 

I am not certain when they get assigned but 45 days out when you get to checkin and you get your boarding pass add it to Apple wallet and the last digit on the barcode is your cabin assignment. Others might be able to be more specific. lol

We have been on the Allure more than any other ship and was aboard two weeks before they were supposed to amp it up in 2020 then Covid hit. So, we have to get back on when it gets back to Galveston...likely April 2026. Thanks for the heads up!

🚨🚨🚨 
A "Royal Amplified" Allure of the Seas is returning to Galveston on 17 March 2026! Now open for booking! 
🚨🚨🚨

I wish someone would have asked about what they think about diamond vouchers, but otherwise, some interesting nuggets in there
 
 

Since we typically fly to get on a cruise ship, the only 3 or 4 day itineraries that make sense are the ones we can pair up with a 7 nighter  Cuts down costs of overall travel expenses.  One long trip seems to be cheaper for us than 2 short ones.   Plus time off work, boarding pets, parking, hotels,.....really adds up.
Several years ago I tried finding 4 day trips (Thurs-Mon) so I wouldn't miss too much work, but now that you have to fly in a day early, it just doesn't make sense.
I agree with earlier posters that many people look at total cost of the "shortie" and think it's a  better deal than a weeklong cruise.  
 

Recent cruise on Symphony the Crown Lounge did not have regular coffee in the machine. First time seeing that. They did bring in a carafe at times but it was a pump thermos.

The reason that I expect the Abyss to be in the Allure amp is b/c I suspect that the slide was purchased a LONG time ago and that the parts/materials are in storage in Cadiz just waiting to be installed.  Whatever updates/mods were planned for Allure have long since been procured (my guess) and so they will be implemented as originally designed.  Unfortunately, this is probably also true of the bionic bar.  UGH

For us, it was neat the first couple of times we went down the slide, but like the Bionic Bar, the novelty eventually wears off. My gut tells me they will still put it on Allure since all of the other Oasis class ships (Wonder and Utopia included) have the Ultimate Abyss. They may tweak it, but my guess is that a dry slide will be added. Unless Oasis 7 is dropping the slide, I'd expect it to be there for consistency.
We're booked for May 2025, so of course we're hoping 🙏 for a significant amplification at least to the level of Oasis. I'm sure they will integrate new ideas (learned from recent Oasis and Icon class ships per Jason Liberty's recent comment) and can't wait to see what those changes will encompass! I bet new dining options/experiences like Utopia, Playmaker's, etc., at a minimum.

I certainly agree with WaayTooo assessment on reason why Ultimate Abyss will be installed on the Allure of the Seas; however, I couldn't agree more with your(Mike n Ky) sentiment. I think a roller-tracked Zipline, that venture off both back sides, diagonally, of the ship(like racers), briefly over the sea, back in towards the Boardwalk, a number of cabins deep into & over said Boardwalk, to its current ending point, using an applied braking system. This, imo, would be a much more thrilling & fun attraction, while attracting more traffic to both areas of the ship(Deck 16 & 6). Get more repeat adventures... as proof, the current rendition of the zipline onboard now, which appear to very, very popular, constantly in operation, despite the short length & very quick duration, of the attraction. 

We were on one of the last sailings before they were to put Allure in drydock for the amp...of course Covid canceled that. But, that list is what was shared with us. That dry slide is such a waste of money and space so I am hoping they eliminate that from the old list.

We were on one of the last sailings before they were to put Allure in drydock for the amp...of course Covid canceled that. But, that list is what was shared with us. That dry slide is such a waste of money and space so I am hoping they eliminate that from the old list.

I have only cruised out of LA once...the terminal was quite a surprise with, as you mentioned, the tents and big open warehouse style building. In my opinion if they were to put an Oasis in there they would have to build a new terminal and upgrade the arrival/departure areas along with the roads leading in.

RC exceeded my expectations...it was updated today showing D+... 🙂 

RC exceeded my expectations...it was updated today showing D+... 🙂 

The 2BR GS suites on Allure had a huge safe, big enough for 15.6in laptop. Despite staying in a couple of more suites and rooms on multiple ships, I have yet to see a safe that big again. The safes on Wonder were super small, I think barely big enough for an 8in tablet. IMHO they are just big enough for a couple of passports, money, and housekeys. 

Welcome to the boards!
Having no Playmakers is the worst, but OceanAria is the best. But considering you are new to RC, the best and worst from seasoned cruisers won't really matter as you should go into the experience with the most open mind. Something that is the best/worst for someone else might be the opposite for you. I would suggest looking at Matt's blog and post about the Allure. 

I just want to put out a little positivity and write about a great experience that I had with a shoreside C&A rep. Feel free to share your own positive experience 🙂
I emailed C&A because our status wasn't showing on our Set Sail Pass for an upcoming cruise. I knew the response time wouldn't be immediate, and I have no qualms with the 4 business day turnaround. Thankfully they were able to fix the issue right away, and our status is showing properly.
Not only were they able to fix my problem, but they also identified another problem. It seems that my birth year was incorrect for this booking, and so they alerted me to this issue and advised me to contact my TA. Identifying this error now, instead of at the port, likely save me a lot of time.
They also correctly pointed out that my wife has 2 C&A numbers assigned (one was auto-generated when she signed up for C&A before her first cruise, and the second # was assigned to her after her first cruise).  The rep was able to identify the correct C&A number that actually has her point total, and use that one for our upcoming cruise.
Of course I thanked the C&A rep directly, and offered to fill out a survey, and suggested that they can pass my thanks on to their manager.
 
 
 
 

Along with the other response you got I will add that it varies from ship to ship. On one cruise it was in the ice rink and there was a special performance that lasted about 15 minutes. One of my favorite things about them is finding out how many people in each tier are on the ship.

Along with the other response you got I will add that it varies from ship to ship. On one cruise it was in the ice rink and there was a special performance that lasted about 15 minutes. One of my favorite things about them is finding out how many people in each tier are on the ship.

It's understandable. Like you we did the auto tip, paid the 18% on specialty and when well pleased added a bit more and tipped extra to dining and steward. On one cruise I even tipped a great steward down the hall that didn't even attend to our room...he was awesome. With the higher autotips and the fact we aren't going to the MDR very often we are making some adjustments but as of now will continue to tip where merited. Oh, and since we get those free D drinks we also tip the waiters/bartenders even if it's just for a coke.

Yeah. but being that it was the early game, the crowd for that one on the ship was HUGE...and yes, the Eagles fans were LOUD.... my son even started an E-A-G-L-E-S chant from our boardwalk balcony and got them all to join in down there, lol. 

Yep, it's here to stay. I tested positive, only time, after a cruise last January. The only reason I was tested was a sinus infection. They told me my symptoms were all sinus related and not from Covid. My wife had the flu on a cruise in 2019 and was quarantined until she tested negative but the only reason that happened was she went to the infirmary. How does RC deal with people that are coughing, sneezing, etc. and not volunteering to get tested? Not an easy solution.

I've always used U.S. cash with no resistance whatsoever. 

obviously missed that...guess my quest for perfection in 2024 has ended. What a relief. lol