For those wanting just the skinny version, my overall opinion of ALLURE OF THE SEAS is that it’s not really my cup of java. Let’s just say that, from the huge fistfight that broke out at the terminal, to the never-ending bombardment of sensory overload, this was the least relaxing cruise I’ve ever been on.

When we arrived via taxi at the terminal, at about 11 a.m., it was pure chaos. There were hundreds of people from the previous cruise trying to get a taxi, and, in the same area, there were dozens of carts and porters waiting to take newly-arriving passengers’ luggage. Departing passengers shouldn’t have to deal with arriving passengers, or vice-versa. As we were making our way through the crowd, I noticed a man yelling at another man over a taxi…and then the real fun began. It turned into a major brawl of about 20 grown men, some appearing to be in their 60s, literally beating the crap out of each other; slamming each other to the ground, kicking, punching, etc. It was ridiculous. How nice it must have been for the kids to see daddy or grandpa beating the hell out of each other over a stupid taxi cab. Classy…and people rip on Carnival’s passengers?

Once inside, check-in was fairly painless. We used the express line, so it was pretty speedy. From the time we walked into the terminal, to the time we boarded, only about 20 minutes went by. Well done, Royal Caribbean. Read more