The Allure of the Seas is an amazing ship with an amazing crew. The service in the Main Dining Room by Wasana and Latoya was phenomenal. Mama Mia was outstanding! The Pearl Island snorkeling excursion was good, but one of our fellow cruisers had a medical emergency and I was required to step up and perform CPR (I'm an ICU Nurse). Unfortunately, the gentleman passed away, and it tainted the rest of the excursion. The Jeep/Beach Adventure in St. Thomas was UNSAFE! The guide was constantly shouting over the radio to get closer and run the light. We actually had a 3 vehicle accident on the excursion. No injuries or damage, but the tour operators could honestly care less. I was so shaken that I went straight to the Excursion desk upon returning to the ship. DON'T TAKE THAT EXCURSION!!!! The Island History/Rum Tasting excursion in St Kitts was outstanding. Doreen was our tour guide/Rum Queen and she was a RIOT! We were all laughing and having a good time even before the rum started flowing. Also, the Great House and Botanic Gardens where the tasting took place were beyond belief! The Photo Staff on the ship always takes such amazing photos. I actually purchased the digital downloads because I was afraid that if I purchased actual photographs that they would be damaged during travel. *TIP* If you are traveling in a group, one way to save money on pictures is to have them linked to ONE CABIN. That way you can purchase ALL of the pictures for around $250, and you can all chip in. (If there is a rule against this, I don't know. I did not ask about this on the ship, but the idea crossed my mind just a little too late...like when 2 friends in my group decided to purchase all of the pictures that had been taken.)
As expected, the cabin was on the small side, but it was nicely appointed. We actually had to call 3 times to get them to separate the beds. I honestly never met our cabin steward...which is completely odd. Yes, he made the beds and emptied the trash and made sure we had clean towels, but it lacked the personal touches that I'm used to from Royal Caribbean. I did not tip above the amount included in my purchase price because he did not go above and beyond the basic duties of a steward.
The cruise terminal is HUGE!!! Largest one I've ever been in. It can seem confusing and daunting, but just remember, your floating paradise is just a gangway away!