Tony Sky

I was considering these options myself in recent weeks (but in reverse as I am in Texas and was thinking of heading in your direction).  Previously, my kids and I sailed on Liberty and Harmony.  The kids were in their late teens during those cruises.  While we enjoyed the slides, we only used them a few times.  I am really just a big kid. Last summer, Mom and I sailed Allure out of FLL. It was an 8 day cruise with 4 sea days. Even though the kids were not with us on this cruise, I thought that I would miss the slides. But I didn't miss them at all. In fact, we just rebooked Allure from our "home" port. 
Oasis class ships are so fun. We only have a short drive to Galveston. A quick drive home instead of dealing with air travel after a cruise is great. I don't know how long of a drive you would have. We have also made the long drive from Port Canaveral back to Houston after a cruise (16/18ish hours). Never again (famous last words. . . . . 🙂).
There are so many positives about any cruise choice. I bet you will have a great time regardless of what you decide. If you guys come our way, welcome!!

My family was on Allure this past spring and my kids (12 & 14) absolutely loved it. There was a very robust teen program available and plenty to do. We're thinking of doing Allure again this year with those same ports, we had such a great time on that ship. I'd be worried that there would not be as much teen activity on Navigator even with the slides.

We're in AZ too! We did Navigator in October with my 11 and 13 year olds. They LOVED the amplification as well as the teen activities.
That said, we're booked on Allure for summer 2023. They were a bit bummed that there are no water slides, but they're super pumped about all the teen activities again and new ship/stuff to explore. 
I'd say drive to Cali, it's not a terrible drive (6 hours from Phx, 7 from Tucson), and do Navigator. I'm looking forward to doing that 7-day itinerary at some point too! (we did the 4-night in October)

With your kids in that age, I won't worry about the outside temperatures for the waterslides.  Kids will love it even if their lips go blue. 

If it's still a close call, NOT flying would make the decision for me personally :>)

I love a bargain.  So unless you really want to hit one of the ports that Allure OTS is going to, then go with Navigator.  If you end up loving cruising, you can always save your $2k for your next cruise. 

I think I agree with SpeedNoodles. The fact that you're saving money by not having to fly, a lower fare and will have the slides on the ship to entertain the kiddos sounds like a win. Allure's amplification is on hold indefinitely so I think you could plan to do Allure out of TX in a year or so and still get to experience an Oasis class for a nice budget.
I will also, for the sake of comparison, list the non-water slide features you may not get on Navigator:
So much food. Included food on Allure that won't be on Navi includes the dog house, the donuts (in the morning), Johnny Rockets breakfast, park cafe, solarium bistro and I think the vitality cafe. Not huge things as you can get hot dogs, donuts and breakfast at Windjammer and cafe bites and coffee from cafe promenade. Broadway shows. I think only Oasis class ships have full broadway shows in the main theaters. Now! you will still get amazing shows and Royal usually works on having at least one production show of their own on every ship but you won't get to say I saw broadway at se. The aquatheater - it's really one of a kind and probably the only thing no other class has anything like.  
All that said however I still stand by my initial assessment and that is what i would do if in your shoes

Having done a 14 day from LA to Miami and experiencing both the Pacific and Caribbean, in December, they both are pretty similar in the temps.  The use of pools and slides likely will not be all that different.  The immediate local weather patterns will change and that can be unpredictable especially from far out.  Both have a pretty equal chance of pool weather.  

I have the best answer...................Do BOTH!

The wow factor is going to be Allure and considering the fact that you can actually use the pool area (possibly unlike the Navi in March), this should be another reason to get on the big ship for your first cruise. 

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Thank you all for the responses.  I love the positive message and support that you can still have fun without optional spending.  Also thanks for the perspective on the Flowrider and the info on booking shows at boarding.
My kids will be 15, 13 and 9. 

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Thank you all for the responses.  I love the positive message and support that you can still have fun without optional spending.  Also thanks for the perspective on the Flowrider and the info on booking shows at boarding.
My kids will be 15, 13 and 9. 

Thank you all for the responses.  I love the positive message and support that you can still have fun without optional spending.  Also thanks for the perspective on the Flowrider and the info on booking shows at boarding.
My kids will be 15, 13 and 9. 

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Hi Everyone,
I'm new here and this is my first post.  I have half a mind to delete this because it might be a little strong for a first post- LOL!  The last time I cruised was on Explorer back in 2006.  I recently booked my family on Allure going to Roatan and Mexico in March.  It's a surprise and I'm excited to see my kids faces when we get dropped off at the cruise port and they see the ship for the first time.  "Yep WE are going on THAT!" 
One thing I've noticed since 2006 is that things seem much more complicated with the add ons and tack on fees and complex reservations etc. It's kind of made me half crazy and anything, but relaxed.   "Manage your cruise" What?  Isn't that sort of what I'm paying you a whole lot of money for, Royal Carribean?  
When I last cruised my wife and I did one night at Portofinos which was a restaurant that used to be on the Explorer.  The food was good I'm sure of that, but I don't even remember how it tasted these years later or what I ate.  Here is what I do remember: the fun we had with our dinning room waiter and tablemates. We still laugh about them to this day!  The cabin attendents making towel animals and the bartenders, and looking out at the ocean, the sailaway party and the New Yorkers saying "Heyyyy! it's the Verrazzano!!!" as we glided underneath the bridge on the start of our carribean adventure. 
As soon as I booked Allure, I was introduced the the Key program and dining packages which are not cheap!  Forgive me for saying this but it seems like a rude bait and switch.  A cruise should be about hospitality and abundance and the Key program introduces scarcity...that little fear that you know "they really are short on Flowrider time and show tickets and if you want your kids to be able to try it you need to give us $160 a day for 7 days..."  

Honestly, I'm not trying to be cynical, perhaps this is the way it is and I'm making a "rookie" mistake in this day and age, but I'm taking a different approach so tell me if you think this could still work.
1.  We're going to eat in the MDR and have fun at dinner.  We're going to eat at the Windjammer and try to find a nice table near a window and try food from around the world.
2. We're going to eat soft serve ice cream at 2 o'clock every single day!
3. We'll eat Sorrentos and the Park Deli.
4. We're going to look up at the stars at night and go for walks around the ship.  Maybe watch a movie!
5. We're going to get up early and watch the sun come up over the ocean and whisper a quick prayer or two.
6. We're going go to the pools and shoot hoops in the middle of the carribean sea and play ping pong and do the flowrider and have mini golf
tournaments everyday with prizes I'll be giving out.
7. We'll book some shows and hope we get seats.  It'll be great if even one of my kids begins to love theather.
8. We're going to enjoy time together and walk up to the bow of the ship and stand on the helicopter pad.  We're NOT going to have internet.
9. I'll buy my daughter some candy-- Ok there's 7 bucks, I can't say no!
10. We'll spend money doing excursions and see some Mayan ruins and enjoy being in another country and play on the beaches.
 
I just want to be together with my family on an already great ship. Let me know if I've got this wrong.  Thanks, T.

Thank you all for the responses.  I love the positive message and support that you can still have fun without optional spending.  Also thanks for the perspective on the Flowrider and the info on booking shows at boarding.
My kids will be 15, 13 and 9.