Atlantis Allure of the Seas 02/06/11
This won’t be a long review or rundown of the cruise, but a few observations from someone older than 65 who only dances a few seconds at the t-dances and only drops by the all-night dances to see a few costumes before going to bed, to sleep. And on this cruise I only entered the Solarium once during the dance because it was waaaaayyyy TOO LOUD for me to stand to be in the area. (On other ships, out on the pool deck, you can avoid being blasted by those huge speakers.)
The entertainment was outstanding. Cheyenne Jackson was phenomenal and it was a shame he was limited to only a 55 minute show. He has only gotten better since I saw him on the Eurodam a couple of years ago. I did not like Andy Bell, but others loved his show. I walked out because it was too loud and his voice sounded nearly gone. (I heard later he was fighting a cold.) But he was putting on a show, not just standing and singing. Pam Ann and Miss Richfield are always great fun and both had their time on the main stage. The RCCL’s Chicago and Blue Planet were both wonderful, though again Blue Planet was so loud that the music was distorted. The sound man must be deaf already and wants others to join him.
There was so much going on I never got to see all the cabaret acts, but Pamela Stanley and Rick & Emily were both excellent. Sherry Vine was only OK. Jim David and Shawn Palofsky were both great. Brad Leokle did a fun session too, though he wasn’t as funny as Jim and Shawn. And the OceanAria show at the Aqua Theater was amazing. Even the show for children with Dreamworks characters was great fun. And no children there.
And the ship! The ship is just amazing and wonderful and beautiful and…. It is big and it takes a while to figure out which way to go. And there are so many places to see and things to do that it is almost, but not quite, overwhelming. It is too bad the food quality in the main dining room doesn’t match the beautiful space. Presentation was good, service was mostly good, but the food was mostly mediocre to poor. (And on the top floor of the dining room that have bright video displays art that are so very out of place and very annoying if you happen to be facing one while trying to eat. )
It was a great week. Worth every penny. But now I have done the Allure and I won’t be booking next year’s Atlantis cruise on the same ship.
rontom, 
Luv2Cruise, and 
Bob are discussing. 
cruisin' with marvin, 
darrell6t and one other person are discussing. 
Bob 10:46 am on June 4, 2010 Permalink |
This news doesn’t really thrill me. I sure hope RC has lots of areas for ‘adults only’. My first reaction would be to stay clear and go for the ships that don’t attract as many families. I’m all for families taking cruise vacations but when I have the chance to get away, I do need some ‘down time’ for much needed R&R. Screaming kids and a Disney type atmosphere just doesn’t do it for me. I would rather choose to see the characters by visiting a theme park then having them come to me.
Luv2Cruise 3:07 pm on June 4, 2010 Permalink |
Hi Bob!
Well stated!
I for one have always traveled on cruises that give the opportunity to get away from the “main-stream” of things.
Cruising for me is a way of accomplishing a combination of being around like-minded individuals, having fun, and most of all, being able to completely relax and enjoy oneself so much that the world “left behind” (before boarding the cruise ship), no longer exists – at least for the duration of the cruise.
Dave
rontom 8:23 am on June 29, 2010 Permalink |
I agree with Bob & Luv2Cruise. They won’t see much of my money. Just returned from my 14 day Alaska venture on ms Amsterdam, those rug rats were a source of many glances, and not in a good way. The weather was on the cool side, and when they were in the Lido Pool area it was unberable among the shreks and hollars from the brats. And just think, they were under the guidence of Camp HAL! Go figure.
Bob 10:46 am on June 4, 2010 Permalink |
This news doesn’t really thrill me. I sure hope RC has lots of areas for ‘adults only’. My first reaction would be to stay clear and go for the ships that don’t attract as many families. I’m all for families taking cruise vacations but when I have the chance to get away, I do need some ‘down time’ for much needed R&R. Screaming kids and a Disney type atmosphere just doesn’t do it for me. I would rather choose to see the characters by visiting a theme park then having them come to me.
Luv2Cruise 3:07 pm on June 4, 2010 Permalink |
Hi Bob!
Well stated!
I for one have always traveled on cruises that give the opportunity to get away from the “main-stream” of things.
Cruising for me is a way of accomplishing a combination of being around like-minded individuals, having fun, and most of all, being able to completely relax and enjoy oneself so much that the world “left behind” (before boarding the cruise ship), no longer exists – at least for the duration of the cruise.
Dave
rontom 8:23 am on June 29, 2010 Permalink |
I agree with Bob & Luv2Cruise. They won’t see much of my money. Just returned from my 14 day Alaska venture on ms Amsterdam, those rug rats were a source of many glances, and not in a good way. The weather was on the cool side, and when they were in the Lido Pool area it was unberable among the shreks and hollars from the brats. And just think, they were under the guidence of Camp HAL! Go figure.