Embarkation went very smoothly. The food was delicious, both in the dining room and the buffet. Our dining staff, Taryn and Gabriel were so friendly and helpful. The pool was refreshing and our pool waiter was awesome. He remembered our room number and drink order. The pool band was great. They played some Island tunes that really put you in the mood to dance. I couldn’t believe how clean the ship was. Our room overlooked Central Park. I sat out on the balcony everyday while my husband showered. There was usually a band playing. In the evening there was either a guitarist or pianist playing in the park. It was very romantic. We went on one excursion with Royal Caribbean. It was snorkeling off of a catermaran. Then we got to jump off the boat and swim to a beautiful beach. Great vacation, everyone was happy and relaxed. Would definitely use Royal Caribbean again! Read Less

Our main purpose for going on this cruise was to get together with relatives that we don't see very often. We weren't particularly interested in any of the 3 stops (San Juan, St. Maarten, Haiti) but looked forward to a week in the sun after a cold winter. Positives: Food was excellent in all of the several venues that served free meals (we didn't try any of the specialty restaurants,) as good as on any cruise we've ever been on. Service throughout was superb, both in the dining rooms and from the cabin steward. The cabin was spotless, comfortable and adequate for a couple who don't spend a lot of time in a cabin. Negatives: Entertainment, which we don't expect to be highly professional on a cruise, was barely mediocre. There was an ice-skating show with various skits, one of which was a couple ice dancing to Pavoratti singing "Nessum Dormo." It was very good, and we expected it to be the finale. Instead, it was followed by a skit on "Jailhouse Rock!" I'd love to ask the producer how he figured he could follow "Nessum Dormo" with "Jailhouse Rock," but didn't get the opportunity. The biggest negative was LINES! Long waiting lines to get into the dining areas and for elevators, which often arrived full so passengers had to wait for the next one...and the next one...etc. One has to give Royal Caribbean an 'A' for effort, but they just aren't equipped to efficiently handle a crowd on a ship the size of the Allure. Read Less

Second time on the Allure in two and a half years. The first time blew us away. The second time was just another cruise. After having the drink package for the first time on the first cruise on the Allure I felt like it was a fair deal. Trying different high end cognacs(hennessyXO) , aged scotch(mcallen 12yr double cask), tequilas (don julio 1942), aged rums...etc in the Champagne bar for a minimal surcharge of a buck or two was quite nice. Left the first cruise with some nice ideas to stock my home bar and a guarantee i would buy the drink package on Royal Caribbean the next time i cruised with them. Then the "next time i cruise with them" happened for spring break of 2019. Was hyped up to get on the ship and get me a HennessyXO neat for a $2 up charge with the drink package and start my reexploring of the Allure. Upon ordering my drink, the bar tender kindly made sure i was aware the HennessyXO wasnt part of the drink package. i told her i knew there was a small surcharge according to the last cruise on the allure of $2. She then told me it is now an $8 surcharge above the drink package cost. I paused and started looking for something else to start my trip out with and asked where the Don Julio 1942 was which was also a $2 up charge. She said they dont carry that any more.(though they sell it in the ship store). Nor did they have the double cask scotch i was eager to have....so i settled on some RemyXO for a buck surcharge that i didnt even finish..Truly disappointed that i paid for the drink package to sip on zacapa and coke and old fashions all cruise. I could buy six bottles of zacapa and four bottles of makers mark for the price of the drink package and that would last me a year. Another knock on the drink package is how Royal markets how it is usable on their private islands. Labadee was a JOKE when it come to drinks offered. There was one special drink, "the labadoozy", and a bunch of bottom shelf junk. I ask for a long island and the bartender told me the didnt have sour mix....what, no sour mix at a bar..i told her to make it any way and just use more coke. My wife ordered a pina colada and was told the didnt do pinacoladas...you heard that right..we were in the middle of the Caribbean on a cruise port stop and couldnt get a pina colada. i just wonder if the people at the private beach with more money than all the other guest were able to get what they wanted. Totally disappointed with Royal in the drink package aspect. Wont do it again unless I can confirm what alcohols are available for a small up charge, and what drinks are available on their private stops. the ship itself is top notch always clean and well maintained, except for some soiled carpet areas and the smoke coming from the casino when going to dinner, theres not much of a better taken care of ship. dinners are better than the average cruise line that ive been on, (princess and carniva) and the workers seem to be in better moods on Royal than other cruise lines. We saw three shows while on the ship. The Blue Planet had some highlights but was rather slow for my liking, The Ice Games was my all time favorite of any show on any ship Ive been on(7 different ships). And my wife and i left half way though Momma Mia. To boring for how tired we were. Rock climbing wall and waver rider where very nice for the active. I made the best out of my hopes of sipping on fine spirits being baited and switched. We had a 14th floor boardwalk balcony which was nice to watch the aquatheater. All in all you cant go wrong with Royal from my limited experience. i just dont like change...especially when its change that doesnt make my trip better. Read Less