Casino cruise, table minimums now $15.
Allure of the Seas Cruise Review by wisnir
- Sail Date: Oct 2019
- Destination: the Western Caribbean
- Cabin Type: Interior
I selected this cruise as the Casino Royale's Club Royal players programs gave an offer, I could not refuse.This review will focus mainly on the the casino activity and atmosphere.
The Allure of the Seas is a large ship and as such, they have a rather substantial casino in size and variety of slots and table games.
On sea days, and when docked at Labadee, Haiti the slots are open 24 hours. RCCL has finally followed CCL in allowing one to charge directly to your room "funds" to your account through the slot machine that you are playing without a fee. The also have the "bill breaker and ticket in cash machine, so you don't have to wait in line at the casino cage/cashier to get your money.
I enjoy playing three card poker and ultimate Texas Hold'em, which have four and five spots for a wager, with a bonus bet At $5 for each you are betting $20 and $25, respectively. The Casino Royale Allure of the Seas casino has a $15 table minimum, which means you are betting at least $75 per hand. This can quickly deplete your bankroll. The tables on this cruise were not overflowing with players. Craps and Roulette minimum was $15 and Baccarat minimums were $25.
The casino staff, dealers and pit personnel and the casino hosts were as always exceptional. The casino hosts provided various slot and blackjack tournaments in addition to the nightly casino giveaways, lucky seat, etc.
The casino bar staff and waiters were around to provide the necessary adult beverages on a timely basis.
THE SHIP: The Allure OTS is large the Windjammer Buffet and Main Dining Rooms are at the rear of the ship, so if you have a stateroom forward you have quite a hike to the buffet and MDR. The quality of the food was pretty standard fare in the Windjammer Buffet and good to very good in the MDR, although I ordered rack of lamb and received a plate of the thinnest lamb chops I had ever seen, I had to order an additional plate which was promptly provided. Service in the main dining room and buffet was very good.
SMOKING AREAS: As the number of "smokers" shrink, so does the size and area where smokers can gather to enjoy their cigarettes, cigars or vapes. It is located in a covered - limited area adjacent on the centrally located pools.
DRINKS: If you are a "drinker" and don't buy the drink package, you will be in shock when you get your final bill at the end of the cruise. As I am at Diamond + level, and a Prime level at RCCL's Club Royale players club, I get the complementary drinks from 5 to 8 pm in the Diamond Lounge and in the casino when gambling, so I have no need for the offered drink package.
Cabin Review
As I am solo on this "casino cruise", I opt for an interior cabin, it is comfortable, with a sofa, dresser, closet, two 110 outlets, a mini "chiller" (not a refrigerator), and a bathroom with the round shower stall sink and commode. You are not on a cruise to say in your cabin. The variety of TV channels is limited, and if you sports, hopefully you enjoy cricket and soccer as that is what you will find on the ESPN's Caribbean sports channel.
Port & Shore Excursion Reviews
Did not take an excursion but did ride the Broward County bus in Fort Lauderdale, FL to see what I could see, unless you are in the beach area, Fort Lauderdale, FL looks pretty run down.
This port location is the creation of Royal Caribbean International, it has the RCCL "preferred list" of high end stores to shop, local vendors with items made in Asia, and food outlets and a Margueritaville bar and restaurant with overpriced food and drink.
Been to Cozumel many times before, I don't need, any silver jewelry, leather boots or belts. Stayed on the ship at this port
Been to Labadee before, it is a nice little area enjoyable beach area