Yes, we were on the sailing of the Allure during Irene's reign but we weren't really affected. More on that, later....

The embarkation was - hands down - the easiest and most organized embarkation I've ever experienced. But then again, it has to be: otherwise, it would've been the biggest disaster. Smooth, smooth, smooth.

I've been on Oasis and walking onto Allure was like coming home! The promenade is amazing and the red mercedes is still there next to the Rising Tide Bar. The Cupcake Cupboard with it's overpriced dry cupcakes is there, too. But just as there are similarities, there are differences. Gone is Oasis's Seafood Shack (now it's Rita's Cantina). say bye-bye to Solarium Bistro and say hello to the amazing Samba Grill! But the biggest replacement is also the biggest disappointment: "Chicago" is the on-board show on Allure where "Hairspray" is on Oasis. I couldn't get enough of "Hairspray". It's an upbeat, on-your-feet fun, family-oriented musical, whereas "Chicago" was a depressing, R-rated, musical about murder that had people walking out if they weren't snoring in their seats. It is advertised on the ship as being "rated R" and yet there were kids throughout the audience. The staff did nothing to keep them out. My recommendation is that RCCL replaces "Chicago" with a more fun, family sing-a-long musical like "Mamma Mia". Read more