I have cruised multiple times on Royal Caribbean and on Carnival, all on different ships. I found the food on Carnival to be better and more consistent when eating in the main dining rooms, and the shows were more interesting. We traveled with our 2 kids, one who turned 1 on departure, and our 3 year old. We also had extended family with us, including a 8 year old, making our party total 9. Because of the kids, we experienced multiple forms of entertainment, targeted at adults and children. We did not eat at any of the specialty restaurants, though members of our party did, and from the feedback I could gather, the food, and cost, in those restaurants might indicate why our main dining, and complimentary food experiences were just, "okay" or mediocre.

About the food: When we took our first Royal Caribbean cruise, the first complaint my wife and I both had was that the food was bland or tasted microwaved, during dinner. We avoided the Windjammer Cafe on that trip because it was not appealing at all for the first 2 times we ate there. When compared to our Carnival trip, it was a night and day difference, with the Carnival trip leaving positive memories when it came to dining. On the Allure, the Windjammer was actually the highlight of the food for us, and the main dining, while being diverse each night, still left much to be desired in taste and quality. We enjoy escargot, and sometimes it was not fully cooked, sometimes it was missing items (2 out of 5?), and many times it was cold. The duck flavour was mediocre compared to what I can find locally where I live, and the prime rib, while cooked to my degree of doneness, was lacking a pop of flavour as well. Presentation was all very good, but flavour was mostly bland. The lamb was the best meal, because I could put the sauce on each bite, which was great; without, it too would have been fairly plain. The Windjammer we avoided last cruise was actually better for breakfast and lunch on this ship, and it became our go-to location for a pleasant tasting selection, a high contrast to our last Royal cruise. Not everything in there was a winner, but the number of options, gave us more wins than losses.

The food staff: When I talk negatively about the food, I am not including the staff. The dining staff in every location was fantastic. We ate in the Grande dining room all but 1 night, and the staff was helpful, friendly, always expecting us, preparing place settings, and setting out fruit cups and drinks for the kids to have something immediately. They also brought their food first to help. We had several nights where the kids would become restless due to the time it takes to eat, and the staff from our table, as well as surrounding tables, would come over and say hi, and try to entertain the kids. One of the kids was being especially unpleasant one night, and our assistant waiter came over and engaged him for several minutes to help. She said she spends so much time away from her kids, the love builds up and she needs to pass it along. It was evident she enjoyed the kids at the table, even in their unrest. In the Windjammer, the staff was equally helpful. Our kids love apple juice, and it was hard to come by at any time other than breakfast, but the head waiter at the Windjammer tracked some down for us one night when none could be found on board, which saved a meltdown. Read more