This was my 23rd cruise and was expecting great things from the Allure but was very disappointed and would hesitate to book again with RCCL. I have in the past sailed with all of the major American cruise lines and P and O but RCCL is my least favourite. Embarkation was swift (we were in a suite so went to the front of the queue) although, once again, my drinks package hadn't been added to my seapass and the check in staff could not help. I was travelling with my grown up daughter and her two children aged 4 and six and we had a junior suite which was a lot smaller than the picture led you to believe. The cabin was clean and tidy but our cabin steward was new to the ship and gave us the wrong information regarding decks, safety drill times and where we could smoke.

The 'free' drinks package entitled my daughter and I to beer and wine (we are both tee total!) but we weren't allowed to have a bottle of water or a can of soda, only the fountain. I went to guest services to ask to have it changed to the premium non-alcoholic package and was told that I had to go to any bar to change it as it could not be done at guest services. After attempting to change it at four different bars who said they couldn't do it, we did find a very helpful barman called Andrew in Boleros who eventually got it changed. Yes, we could have a bottle of water but still no cans! The food in the main restaurant was very average and we paid to eat at three other fee paying restaurants which were nice but, again, nothing special when it came to the food.

For a ship this size it really does need two buffet restaurants to cater for lunch and breakfast. I have NEVER been on a cruise where you have had to queue for 30-40 minutes to have breakfast or lunch in the buffet. The choice at lunchtime was very poor and didn't have the usual 'Italian, Grill, Pizza stations, etc. that so many other cruise lines have. Read more