We have a group of 60 mature travelers, from first-timers to veteran cruisers. Picked Allure of the seas because of the itinerary and newness of the ship. Everyone enjoyed the cruise.

The ship is pretty advanced with digital technology. Wi-fi plan is relatively inexpensive ($70 for 7 days cruise and can be shared, versus $199 for 250 minutes in another cruise line). It could be better if there is free LAN available for passages to text each other on the ship. In a big ship such as Allure, you can get lost pretty easily. But there are plenty of interactive displays on each floor to guide you for what to do, where to go, etc. It could be better if staff at check-in would offer a deck plan or some info about these displays.

Food at both the buffet at Windjammer and the main dinning room were above average in quality and variety. However, they were not piping hot and seemed to be lukewarm at best. Service is average. Wait staff forgot to offer fresh grounded pepper, mint jelly, and horse radish for salad/seafood, lamb, and prime ribs. They were too busy to remember to refill our water glass most of the time. But they remembered to bring bread-sticks every day once they found out we liked them. Read more