Allure of the Seas Review
Allure of the Seas - Sept. 2 -9 - Family trip - first time travelling with a kid
Rating by category
Additional details
Background
Me and the husband (DH) have been away from cruising for 7 years because...kids. We finally decided that our 5 (almost 6 year old) daughter (DD) would be old enough to remember and enjoy a cruise. We chose the Allure of the Seas because it's a ship with something for everyone!
I booked the cruise in June but we kept it a secret from DD for almost the entire summer! We told her about the cruise through a hunt a week before departure - I printed the letters CRUISE and hid them around the house. Each letter came with a clue as to where to find the next one. DD loves hunts and she declared this one better than Easter! Take that Easter Bunny (oh wait, that's also me!).
Cabin Review
Ocean View Balcony
Our stateroom was a Category D5 - 11316 (Deck 11, Aft, Port Side). The couch in this room was between the bed and the balcony. We were able to fit both suit cases under the bed and DD took over the drawers by the vanity for her clothes/books.
Our cabin steward was Ray from Costa Rica and he was great. Super friendly, personable, always around and he loved DD. He left her many towel animals over the week.
We weren't sure if DD would want to sleep on the couch or in the bunk. On the first night, Ray pulled the bunk down from the ceiling. He said she could have her choice and if she wanted the couch, we could call and have it changed. As soon as DD saw the bunk, she was excited. There is a small rail on the bunk to prevent rolling off. She slept soundly up there all week and we were happy to have a clear path to the balcony. We asked Ray to leave the bunk open during the day as DD would crawl up there to read or watch TV.
We don't usually book balcony cabins (only my second balcony in 8 cruises!) but I thought it would be nice to have the extra space to sit out at night after DD went to bed. In all honesty, by the time the shows were over or when we got back from picking her up from Adventure Ocean at 10pm, we were all wiped and ended up going to bed at the same time!
The room did seem a bit weathered...the carpet was worn, our couch had several mysterious stains that I covered with a towel to sit on. But it was okay for the week and had enough space for two adults and a child.
I though DD would be interested in watching sailaways from the balcony and she could have cared less...the TV was on with remote in her hand. She gets limited screen time at home so she took full advantage of having a TV in our room. I think we could have gotten away with an interior but I still enjoyed having the balcony!
A note about being on Port side - for this itinerary, all the action was on Starboard side. The gang ways all opened up on the other side so if you like watching runners, book Starboard.
Our area was very quiet - no slamming doors or people/loud drunks stomping through the halls. I know it's hard to control those things but I was very grateful for the peace!
Port Reviews
San Juan
San Juan - Our time in San Juan was short so we decided to walk up to the San Cristobal. Entry was $7/person and free for kids under 15. We explored the fort and then walked through Old San Juan. I could have sworn there used to be a 7-11 in Old San Juan and we promised DD a Slurpee. We couldn't find it anywhere so maybe my memory is failing me? She settled for a strawberry Popsicle instead! We went back to the ship for lunch with plenty of time before sailaway!
St. Maarten
St. Maarten - We rode the water taxi to Great Bay - there are $1 off coupons at the Excursion Desk in the Promenade making the trip $6 per person round trip. Beers on the water taxi were $2 each.
We set up at the Holland House based on recommendations on CC and were quite happy that we did. Price was $25 for two chairs, umbrella, free wifi and four drinks in a bucket. The chairs were super comfortable and they were spaced generously. We noticed at neighbouring resorts, the chairs were packed in quite tightly. I inquired about ordering a second bucket of beer and was told the price would be 5 for $17.50.
I decided to check at a beach bar next door called Blue B*tch Bar and their bucket was 5 for $10 - Sold! Their bartender was also super sweet. We had originally walked past Holland House and were a bit turned around. I stopped and asked her and she was kind enough to point us in the right direction when a lot of others I had asked weren't as honest. So I was happy to get our drinks from her!
Labadee
Labadee - I've never been a Labadee fan and after this visit, I'm still not. We left the ship around 10am and took the free one way ferry (aka retired tender boat) over to Columbus Cove which I was told on CC that it was a great beach for kids! We were able to get three chairs under a small palm tree. Shade is at a premium on this small beach close to the water and there's not enough for everyone!
We had lunch at the buffet on the island and after lunch, that's when we noticed the beach getting busier. It was so busy, that a huge family set up their chairs around us - all chairs basically surrounding us with no personal space! I inched my chair into the sun and a couple came right behind, stored their bags under my chair and laid mere inches from my head. The lack of personal space was very uncomfortable.
The beach is good for kids as the sand is very soft, but it was so busy on the beach and in the water that it was hard to relax and enjoy it. Maybe we chose the wrong beach? I would have brought water shoes and gone to a much quieter section had I known.