Training for Allure: 10/15/23-10/22/23

[Ampurp85]

It's still raining so they had to open venues up because a lot of excursions were canceled. We had lunch at JR. Service was slow and orders were a mess because of no outside seating and reduced staff. We saw several crew come in for their shift as we were eating.

My brother got off because we love this chocolate from Honduras.

I will try to send a picture of the new seapass cards but the rain has the internet spotty.

Again several people brought their children to the casino to hit on the games. Crew had to tell them not play on the machines. I have such good luck when I am alone but as soon as people start talking about something, it goes down .

So they messed up the reservations. I was showing no dinner for tonight so I booked Izumi even though I have them for tomorrow. Well everyone but me is booked at 150CP. I made all the reservations but I'm not include????

[LandstromCruise]

57 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Again several people brought their children to the casino to hit on the games. Crew had to tell them not play on the machines. I have such good luck when I am alone but as soon as people start talking about something, it goes down .

 

When my wife and I go to Vegas, or any casino, she isn't allowed to be around me when I gamble.  I always lose when she is around, but do much better when she is at the spa or somewhere else 

[asquared17]

IT ALWAYS RAINS IN ROATAN !!!!!!

[Ampurp85]

So shenanigans update. I went to the bathroom and this lady was loudly proclaiming it's too many black people on this cruise.  A lady from the tour said "ma'am I paid my money just like you." And washed her hands. She was bright red. Also the tour company was celebrating 17 years and that's why the extra parties and such. Also included in that tour is the rapper Jadakiss. He is nice but quite short. He has been at the craps table every night.

Last thing since I ain't doing nothing but gambling and dealing with vintage stress. The picture is how they separate the beds.....it's still one bed...

 

[Ampurp85]

This is how the card looks.

[CanHardlyWait]

32 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

So shenanigans update. I went to the bathroom and this lady was loudly proclaiming it's too many black people on this cruise.  A lady from the tour said "ma'am I paid my money just like you." And washed her hands. She was bright red. Also the tour company was celebrating 17 years and that's why the extra parties and such. Also included in that tour is the rapper Jadakiss. He is nice but quite short. He has been at the craps table every night.

Last thing since I ain't doing nothing but gambling and dealing with vintage stress. The picture is how they separate the beds.....it's still one bed...

 

No farting!!! LOL.

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, CanHardlyWait said:

No farting!!! LOL.

Omg the two vintages keep rolling on each other.

[SweetPea]

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

So shenanigans update. I went to the bathroom and this lady was loudly proclaiming it's too many black people on this cruise.  A lady from the tour said "ma'am I paid my money just like you." And washed her hands.

I have no words. 

 

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The picture is how they separate the beds.....it's still one bed...

Thankfully you and brother are close!

[melmar02]

They put the nightstands between the beds in the second bedroom of our ATS on Allure. I can only imagine the trouble my kids would have started with each other if the bed were only technically separated like yours! 

 

 

[Ampurp85]

We had dinner at Izumi. The food was cold because service was slow. It was busy and they had a table of ten reserved for our party of 7. I think they thought more people were coming but we got there at 7:45 and didn't get actual food until after 8:30.

My mother is a fool. I can't with her. She has been calling the blind gentleman the wrong name all trip. There are lots of people who dined without a package.  So I know why Royal thinks they can charge a premium.

So some people updated their phone and devices to Honduras time and now they are starving because everything is closed.

The ship is really rocking. I have sea legs but man I feel this hard. I thought my 2 Japanese strawberry and mango daiquiri drinks caught up to me. But one vintage doesn't drink and she complained about the rocking.

 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Oh, that Izumi looks so good…and I’m not even hungry.  One thing I do not care for on Mariner is what they’ve done to Izumi.  They basically took out all of the tables and put teppanyaki stations in.  I really do NOT care for Izumi’s teppanyaki…I think the food is marginal at best.  I WAAAY prefer the sushi menu.  …but on Mariner there is just 1 little counter for sushi and they don’t take any reservations…so Izumi -for me- is a huge disappointment on Mariner.  Since we’re going to be on again next week I’m just gonna risk stopping by and hope we can get in for sushi.  Not interested in doing teppanyaki again.

[SweetPea]

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

My mother is a fool. I can't with her. She has been calling the blind gentleman the wrong name all trip.

You mean like his real name is Kyle but she's been calling him Karl? More importantly, does he mind? Or has he tried to correct her? And also, what are the odds their Zoom friendship continues after this cruise?

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

So some people updated their phone and devices to Honduras time and now they are starving because everything is closed.

My hugest pet peeve. How can a ship that large have its last seating at 9pm? That makes sense on Planet Watermelon, i guess. 

 

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The ship is really rocking. I have sea legs but man I feel this hard. I thought my 2 Japanese strawberry and mango daiquiri drinks caught up to me. But one vintage doesn't drink and she complained about the rocking.

The beauty of drinking on a ship. Stumble, and it's simply "ship shift!" Batman, Zuiderdam March 2003

[FionaMG]

2 hours ago, SweetPea said:

My hugest pet peeve. How can a ship that large have its last seating at 9pm?

Absolutely agree, the food-available times are rubbish now on Royal. Not only after 9pm but there's that giant hole in the middle of the afternoon too, from 3pm to 6pm. Remember when the WJ used to be open during those hours with sandwiches and cakes and stuff?

[Ampurp85]

You guys are right......there's pizza and room service. 

@SweetPea yes we all keep correcting her too. She calls him wrong name to us when she mentions him. Then when she talks to him no matter how many times he corrects her, it's wrong .

I witness so many bathroom shenanigans because I drink in the casino then have to go. I watched a girl go in with her sandwich, sit it on the sink, use the facilities, take a bite and then wash her hands.

Day 2-4 the slots were 24hrs. I was there until 2am and I won the bag of cash promotion of $150 in freeplay. I earned two certificates on this cruise.. Mine and my brother's.

@WAAAYTOOO the apps were so good, but unfortunately the yaki udon was cold. Thanks for reminding me about Izumi on mariner,  I was gonna book it for my January cruise. No wonder the app only list hibachi lunch and dinner.

[OCSC Mike]

4 hours ago, FionaMG said:

Remember when the WJ used to be open during those hours with sandwiches and cakes and stuff?

Yes, they called it afternoon tea or something. At least on Oasis class you have other afternoon options like Park Cafe, El Loco (on some ships), etc. but I still miss it.

[Ampurp85]

Day 5 Costa Maya

My brother is still doing the snorkeling excursion. He is getting ready while I had to the shower and the Crown Lounge for breakfast.

I will get off and maybe walk around. Since I am on Allure in Jan for a 4n, I haven't taken many pictures but I think I can save that for when I am solo.

[Ampurp85]

I took two vintages off to get t-shirts and souvenirs. It's 4 ships in port: Allure, MSC Seaside, Carnival Spirit and Adventure. It was a flustercuck getting off and navigating through the port. So many people and no understanding that other people are also there. Nobody saying "excuse me" just bumping and pushing.

Also the prices are insane. T-shirts were $26, one pandora charm $109. A silver charm was $359!!!!!!! It took us an hour and we were hot and hungry so to WJ we went. I had bread and fruit in the Crown Lounge, so I got a salad. Nobody was here and we got a good table overlooking the Spirit where I can see this vintage couple dancing hard....I was dead at the sensual moves. As I type this, it's packed.

 

[Neesa]

Regarding the sleeping arrangements in your cabin...no, something is amiss. I would ask to speak to the head of hotel services OR show the concierge a picture of the cabin with the beds like that. It seems lazy, I think it should be rectified ( side tables in the middle) and some OBC issued to both you and your brother. That just can't be right!

I want so much for you to experience crazy joy from here on out too. Have an amazing rest of the sailing. 

[Ampurp85]

The salad was so basic, I had to hit ELF even though we might head to Sabor for dinner.

Lots of people got off but I talked to a lot of people who had canceled excursions due to low tides, including my brother snorkeling one.

I am glad I got Evan water because the bottled water they delivered to my mother's room is horrible. The aftertaste is worse than that Tru Florida kind.

We have two shows tonight,  I am looking forward to Blue planet. .. ..the comedian not so much.

[Xaa]

You made the right call on lunch.  Looks yummy!

[Cactus527]

12 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

 

@SweetPea

I witness so many bathroom shenanigans because I drink in the casino then have to go. I watched a girl go in with her sandwich, sit it on the sink, use the facilities, take a bite and then wash her hands.

@WAAAYTOOO

I was eating lunch when I read this. Nope, no thank you anymore, just WOW people are gross.

[OCSC Mike]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

I am looking forward to Blue planet

Let us know what you think. I'm not a stage show guy (I do like the ice and aqua shows) and my wife said we could skip Blue Planet. I do have reservations for it though just b/c some opened up on a night we had no plans so who knows what we'll feel like doing when it comes around? I can sit through anything for 45-50 mins with a drink.

More importantly, was any pre-made stuff at ELF decent, like the quesadilla? They were bad on Wonder so I just made tacos after that but I figured it probably depended on how long they had been sitting out (like a lot of buffet type food).

[CanHardlyWait]

Loving the stories (and the food porn!)

[Ampurp85]

@OCSC MikeThe quesadilla are pre-made and disgusting imho. They use sharp cheddar only and it conflicts with the seasonings on the chicken. Guacamole is definitely from a pre-mix based on taste and having it fresh from Sabor. It's only pork and chicken, cheese sauce has changed as well. Not that orange kind but more queso style.

The port of Costa Maya always messes me up from a sinus point so I went back to the room and slept so my allergy meds would works. I woke up at 6:30 realizing we missed our 5:30 dinner reservation. No biggie, we went to Sabor. Unfortunately the churros were raw, but staff brought red velvet cupcakes. Major upgrade

 

 

 

[asquared17]

9 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Guacamole is definitely from a pre-mix based on taste and having it fresh from Sabor

this was my number one call out tbh

10 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Unfortunately the churros were raw,

10 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

but staff brought red velvet cupcakes. Major upgrade

okay saved in the end!!

sorry to hear about your sinuses (those are the WORST) but glad you got a decent rest in. 

[OCSC Mike]

7 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

The quesadilla are pre-made and disgusting

OK, so not a fluke on Wonder (my 1st time trying ELF). I’ll stick to the tacos again. And you know I’m not picky by now but the guac was awful there too. I pictured it coming out of a 1 gallon paint can type container.

Sabor better cook our churros. That cupcake looks good but won’t fly as a substitute for my wife, lol.

Thanks for the food feedback.

[SweetPea]

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The port of Costa Maya always messes me up from a sinus point

No lie. I watched a TikTok on this ... take 2 garlic cloves if you can get them and shove one each into your nostrils to drain your sinuses. It was on TikTok so you know it must be true.... good luck!

[Ampurp85]

Day 6 Cozumel

I had my OJ and pastries in the Crown Lounge. I was finally able to start in on my books. This is like my 6th time at Cozumel and I won't be getting off. I missed the shows last night. One I ended up chatting with a lady I met in the casino and then I was tired, so I went back to the room and conked out. The three vintage women went, they were so disappointed in the comedians. The blind gentleman went to the Caribbean night festivities on Deck 5 and had the time of his life. I love how after the first couple of days people started doing things on their own.

Around 7ish there was an alpha alpha alpha call to deck 6. I hope whomever is okay.

I plan to get JR because I want a milkshake, then dinner is Giovanni's. I can't believe it is day six.

Stray observations

I have heard and seen such horrible things in the bathroom. Yesterday I heard " I'm not going to wash my hands because they gonna make me do it at the buffet," then "if you didn't poop, don't bother washing your hands. " I don't get it.

There was a group of couples wearing upside-down pineapple shirts. They tried my bother.

Speaking of my brother, he has been accosted everywhere he goes. The specialty restaurants staff women, and some men, have been all over him and begging him to visit, which makes the blind gentleman and my BFF jealous.

I heard a couple of pinnacles telling the concierge we needed OBC for Costa Maya.....as if Royal has control over the weather .

 

[OCSC Mike]

37 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I missed the shows last night.

So much for my Blue Planet review.

38 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

dinner is Giovanni's

I will accept food porn in its place.

38 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I have heard and seen such horrible things in the bathroom. Yesterday I heard " I'm not going to wash my hands because they gonna make me do it at the buffet," then "if you didn't poop, don't bother washing your hands. " I don't get it.

39 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

There was a group of couples wearing upside-down pineapple shirts. They tried my bother.

Speaking of my brother, he has been accosted everywhere he goes. The specialty restaurants staff women, and some men, have been all over him and begging him to visit, which makes the blind gentleman and my BFF jealous.

[SweetPea]

57 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I have heard and seen such horrible things in the bathroom. Yesterday I heard " I'm not going to wash my hands because they gonna make me do it at the buffet," then "if you didn't poop, don't bother washing your hands

You're really making me feel fine about my cruise line OCD practices now! People are filthy buggers.  

Wahhhh! I can't believe it's already Day 6 for you. Week-long cruises, especially on a ship the size of Oasis Class, is simply too short!

[OCSC Mike]

13 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

Week-long cruises, especially on a ship the size of Oasis Class, is simply too short!

Some of us are about to do 5 nights, don't rub it in!

I'd agree except that I need a few weeks in between 7-nighters to lose some weight before gaining it back on the next one.

[Ampurp85]

The week has flown by. I can't believe tomorrow is the last day. I had a milkshake and fries for lunch at JR, something lite. Everyone did something different but I was able to almost finish my first book. I have been dealing with everyone and their fires, I haven't been able to fully relax.

Side story...... I bruise easily. Yesterday when I got off and people were being rude with walking space I got stabbed. Lol not like with a knife but more so pricked. I think it was the lady wearing spikes that I got pushed into. I got on board and my side was bleeding. I cleaned it with peroxide and then put a bandage on. The concierge saw the blood on my grey shirt and said maybe I should go to medical. The sad thing was, she had just fallen in the shower the day before and twist her ankle. Thankfully she is okay and so am I.

Stray observations....

Lots of bruised and bloody folks. Seen a group of vintages in the WJ yesterday with bloody elbows and knees. I asked if they were okay and needed bandages, I am always prepared, they said they were okay.

Watched two vintages in rascals run people over on multiple occasions. Neither were apologetic.

People don't care about stains. I keep tide packs or pens but lots of people are like oh well its there.

People love to argue in public.

So many booty cheeks on display. Men, women and the in-between.

I swear if I hear " it's so many black people on here" one more time I might lose it. Not every utterance is racist but you don't have to say everything that comes to mind.

After day two everyone at the specialty restaurants knows us. We tip well so on almost every occasion we haven't been charged for any sodas or alcoholic beverages.

My brother has the UDP hack. He eats at all the restaurants multiple times a day by getting to-go orders from places. Today he had Sabor, Izumi and dinner is going to be Giovanni's. He also hit the WJ and ELF. As long as you have the UDP or pay you are golden.

The MSC Seaside is a really nice ship. I think I might defect to try it.

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Today he had Sabor, Izumi and dinner is going to be Giovanni's. He also hit the WJ and ELF.

Respect. I eat several times a day but not multiple large meals and I tone it down a bit if I'm going to Giovanni's for dinner.

As for the crazy stuff... I haven't known how to respond this whole time. It's just one bizarre story after another. Are you sailing with aliens? I've seen plenty of rude people of course but some of your stuff is really out there!

14 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I have been dealing with everyone and their fires, I haven't been able to fully relax.

That's what I was afraid of reading as the cruise approached and why I kept saying I hoped to see you post that you were having a good time once onboard. I know it hasn't been all bad but still. I feel like everyone should be treating you to the solo cruise you mentioned. I bet you'll enjoy the heck out of that one!

[asquared17]

8 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

This is like my 6th time at Cozumel and I won't be getting off

omg i selfishly would have asked you to grab me something jk jk 

8 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The blind gentleman went to the Caribbean night festivities on Deck 5 and had the time of his life. I love how after the first couple of days people started doing things on their own.

VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i feel like i don’t fully relax until day 4/5 - and a lot of that has to do with the deer in the headlights look from other pax, too. just when you get the lay of the land, it’s time to pack up

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

day. I had a milkshake and fries for lunch at JR, something lite

a beautiful lunch tbh. the only thing better would have been swapping the milkshake for champagne

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The concierge saw the blood on my grey shirt and said maybe I should go to medical. The sad thing was, she had just fallen in the shower the day before and twist her ankle. Thankfully she is okay and so am I.

good lord. i don’t love this for either of you but am glad you’re (relatively) okay

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Lots of bruised and bloody folks. Seen a group of vintages in the WJ yesterday with bloody elbows and knees. I asked if they were okay and needed bandages, I am always prepared

omg! is this because it was such a rocky sailing?!?

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

So many booty cheeks on display. Men, women and the in-between.

i cackled at this 

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I swear if I hear " it's so many black people on here" one more time I might lose it. Not every utterance is racist but you don't have to say everything that comes to mind.

my response for these folks is not…. befitting the decorum of this forum. i will refrain. but barely. 

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The MSC Seaside is a really nice ship. I think I might defect to try it.

i’m defecting!! next april!! and then i think @ScottD is going on the seaside too

[Ampurp85]

Dinner was at Giovanni's and the additional items were the veal and eggplant parmesan. I am allergic to veal so no to that.

Everyone is tapped out . They said they have never eaten this much and the food coma is very real. I am dead

Since it rained so much while in Honduras, 70s night was moved to tonight. Which was confusing because it's also dress your best. Everyone was thirsty for lobster ...it was so funny.

We went to the Crown Lounge and chatted with a couple of diamond plus members who said during happy hour they were removing diamond members. They were so upset. Also they use the top floor of the Crown Lounge for C&A suites guest. It has mostly been roped off but I saw the darker blue and purple cards being escorted through.

I notice I only get the receipt with the vouchers in the lounge. I am heading to the casino, I chatted with Jadakiss and two of the Aqua show crew members

 

[OCSC Mike]

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Everyone is tapped out . They said they have never eaten this much and the food coma is very real. I am dead

That’s a successful cruise in my book.  I do start to get full by day 6 or 7… so my logic for next week’s 5-nighter is that I can go full speed the whole time. I feel like there’s probably a flaw in my logic but I’m going with it.

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Also they use the top floor of the Crown Lounge for C&A suites guest. It has mostly been roped off but I saw the darker blue and purple cards being escorted through.

I thought that area was used for Chef’s Table now. Interesting.

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

during happy hour they were removing diamond members

If it happens to me I’ll live but won’t be thrilled about it.

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I notice I only get the receipt with the vouchers in the lounge.

This apparently varies wildly from ship to ship. I got no receipts anywhere on Wonder in June.

As always, thanks for the food porn.

 

[SweetPea]

10 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

We went to the Crown Lounge and chatted with a couple of diamond plus members who said during happy hour they were removing diamond members

I think Royal is a victim of its own success and they didn't anticipate how many of the great perks they offered wouldn't be sustainable over time with the exponential increase in their Top 3 Tiers. Naturally it would upset anyone impacted, so i hope they can figure it out soon. They were creative once before with the drink vouchers. Hopefully they have another rabbit up their sleeve. 

 

[Ampurp85]

@OCSC Mike yes its Chef's Table at night but they only open it to the suite staying members the rest of the time.

@SweetPea them actually turning diamonds away is insane to me.

[OCSC Mike]

3 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

yes its Chef's Table at night but they only open it to the suite staying members the rest of the time.

I can't have my morning cappuccino "upstairs"??? Outrageous!!! I'm gonna give the CL concierge a piece of my mind!!!

Joking aside, that's kind of bizarre to me. I don't really care but don't they have their own suite lounge? Why would they be given a special area in the CL as well?

[Ampurp85]

Day 7.......ugh its almost over!!!!!!

They gave us the old setup for Izumi to go, full rolls, and my brother was so happy. He is going to get it again tonight so he can fill his bento box for the long train ride.

I woke up and made my way to the Crown Lounge for croissants and OJ. At 9am its busy with people complaining about all sorts of things to the concierge. I dropped off my thank you stuff to her and inquired about her ankle, she is keeping it wrapped. She might be in the SL in Jan but I also plan to try to RUB so I might see her anyway.

I got the club Royale certificates for my brother and I plus an appointment at NextCruise. We are doing an Alaskan cruise on Quantum in September 2024. In Jan I plan to earn my 2025 cruises and then we plan to try MSC, Celebrity, Norwegian and a Silversea in between all of this.

Lunch is supposed to be chops but who knows if that will work out. I have $45 dollars in earned points at the casino I plan to spend. My brother said he will play the $41 I earned him on the penny slots. Last time he turned his $8 freeplay into $26. , he was rich. So he might have similar luck.

We plan to do the ice show, dinner and then head back to the room and pack. The vintages and my BFF are doing the Mamma Mia matinee. That's when my NextCruise appointment is, I want the OBC and freeplay because the excursions are expensive.