When we planned our trip on Allure of the Seas, we applied everything we had learned from our experience the previous year on Oasis (http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=222310) to ensure the best possible experience for ourselves.
We prepared in advance by booking all of our shows as soon as we possibly could, and were able to put together a nice itinerary for ourselves of dinner and show reservations based on how we knew we would want to spend our time.
We flew in to Fort Lauderdale the night before departure instead of buying trip insurance. We stayed at the Candlewood Suites which was a great experience (free airport shuttle, proximity to airport and cruise port, competitive rate, very clean, user-friendly taxi reservation service).
This room is excellent. The location is quiet, close enough to the elevator/stairs to make coming and going very easy, and because it is the first oceanview balcony cabin from the front of the ship, there is only one neighboring balcony. However, due to being so close to the front of the ship the balcony was a VERY windy experience.