This was our first cruise experience and it was a fun , relaxing mini vacation. The Allure offers everything they say they do - pretty much meets all the promotional material. Things we loved - its was really beautifully maintained , with lots of interesting places to visit - loved Central Park , its such a great idea. The food was plentiful but mediocre in the free restaurants but we enjoyed dinning room experience every evening and the great service from Michelle and William at table 624. Despite the huge number of guests - approx. 6 000 , we did not have to wait in very long queues and if you book your shows in advance, there is something to do every evening. Chicago was rather boring and the theatre ice cold on the night we went, but the other shows were fun. The excursions were necessary for Bahamas and St Thomas, nothing much to do unless you go on an excursion. St Martin its easy to get a water taxi for around $8 per person for the day (so I am told - we went on excursion) and you can have a pleasant day in the town and there is a lovely beach , restaurants and bars all right there. We went on an expensive excursion for $79 each - so it worth knowing that there is an alternative for St Martin. The food on the excursions was inedible (many people complained)- but you eat so much on the ship , its nice to take a break.

What we did not enjoy - the pools and Jacuzzis are super crowded - really not appealing to get in if you have any issues about hygiene! To be fair, its exactly as shown on the brochure/videos - packed like sardines. If they had more showers were one could cool down a little , it would offer an option for more squeamish people like me. I hated that fact that my spa therapist bullied me into the most expensive service and then added 18% tip to my bill. $30 for a 50 minute treatment is steep and it should be optional.

Not everyone is designed for multiple cruises but it a great experience at least once - especially on a state of the art ship like The Allure of the Seas.