Allure of the Seas

Review by Louise Steggals

Quick look
What To See
Eating Out
Sleepover
Getting There

It used to be the belief that cruises were the preserve of the rich and retired: baby boomers with their children’s inheritance to blow on sailing around some of the most popular resorts in the world.  There might be the odd honeymooning couple to bring the average age down a year or two, but on the whole the passengers would largely be, shall we say, “veteran” travellers.
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More recently, in these recession-driven times, people have been looking for an efficient way to indulge in some globe trotting without blasting through the equivalent of a deposit on a house.  For anyone who recognises themselves in that description, cruises should be a serious consideration, and Royal Caribbean an easy front runner as the cruise line to travel with.  It is more affordable than you would think too.

After the successful launch of sister ship, Oasis of the Seas, the bosses obviously decided bigger was better - a whole 5mm bigger in fact (and no that is not a misprint) - and so created the floating city that is the Allure of the Seas. 

The self-proclaimed “Entertainment ship” has taken the experience gained from the launch of its baby sister and crammed in so much into its 362m length that it is impossible to imagine who has not been catered for.  There is almost nothing they have not thought of, from the zip wire over an 8-deck drop for the adrenaline junkies amongst you, to the fully sized beauty spa – perfect for a massage to ease the crick in the neck you will get from trying to see the top of the boat from ground level. 

What To See : Back to top

The appeal of a cruise usually comes from the variety of places to visit along the way and, of course, the food, which we will get to in a moment.  The Allure docks in Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico on its regular 7-night trip around the Caribbean.  But there is more than enough to do onboard for those wanting to stretch their sea legs a little further. 
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For the sporty, besides the zip wire (which really takes an enormous dose of courage to step off that edge), there is a Flow Rider, for those who have always wanted the novelty of surfing without the sea, rock climbing walls and a jogging track around the ship (if you wanted the size of the ship emphasised, just over two laps is a mile). 

If relaxation is more your thing, then there are a plethora of hot-tubs, perfectly for sinking into, with a suitable cocktail provided by one of the 23 bars on board in one hand and a book in the other.  Of course, you could just bask in the sun, which is in plentiful supply, wander through the onboard park (yes, you read that correctly) or head to the spa and hit the Thermal Suite which brings a bit of the rainforest on board with tropical showers and steam rooms.
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Nightlife entertainment is plentiful too, with two superb stage shows, the Broadway musical Chicago and Blue Planet, a magnificent display of dance and acrobatics.  Families are well catered for too, following a partnership with Dreamworks.  Youngsters can be dazzled with the How to Train Your Dragon ice show or the regular parade of popular Dreamworks characters including those from Madagascar and Shrek.  If you have made good use of the Boardwalk’s Champagne Bar you can create your own entertainment with some karaoke or hit one of the two onboard nightclubs to throw some shapes on the dance floor: Dazzles for those who like a bit of nostalgia with their music, or Blaze for more cutting edge sounds. 

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Eating Out : Back to top

Of course, the dining experience is its own reward and again, there really is something for everyone with a whopping 26 places to eat and drink.  On joining the Allure, there is a multitude of world cuisines to choose from, from Pan-Asian, to traditional French fare.  There are new, speciality dining experiences too: Samba Grill where your meat is served on a spit and carved at your table, and Rita’s Cantina, which we visit for lunch.  The family-friendly Mexican restaurant is unique to the Allure and showcases a wonderful range of the local food.
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Travelling is usually a good opportunity to try something new, so we opt for a delicious Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho soup.  The sweetness of the melon is cut through by the rich, tangy tomato and is remarkably refreshing.  We follow this with tasty enchiladas which have a perfect balance of spices to be punchy enough for those who like their flavours without being too much for those who may be wary of hot food.  This being Mexican cuisine, lunch is of course accompanied by Margaritas and there is a wide range of flavours – we opt for Pomegranate. 

For a real experience though, at the top end of the scale is 150 Central Park - which will set you back an extra £25 per head - with new star chef Maureen “Molly” Brandt.  This really is a restaurant that has to be seen to be believed with spectacular furnishing and a tangible sense of luxury, seating 76, which gives a surprising sense of exclusivity.
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There are six different types of salt to accompany our six-course meal, and a ratio of one waiter per two diners.  This means each diner in your party gets their meal at exactly the same time, avoiding that awkward wait where your food goes cold whilst you politely wait for the final plate to reach the table. 

The flavours are exquisite, from the sharp baby beetroot salad with gorgonzola mousse and a delicate soft-boiled quail egg we start with, through to the rich, tender duck, cooked two ways for our main course: seared breast with pancetta lardons and baby turnips and braised leg with a caramelized onion puree and a Savoy cabbage facis.  We finish with a sampler of the desserts: exotically sweet coconut custard tart, warm, gooey chocolate cake and a punchy banana crunch ice-cream. 

There is an excellent selection of wine to accompany dinner, with the option to have wine selected for you to complement each course.  For those who really want to sample the selection of fine wines, a stroll over to wine bar Vintages will provide you with everything from classic Riojas through to $7000+ bottles (naturally, those are extra to your all-inclusive package).  They also provide interactive menus on Ipads to help you make your choices, with the history and background of each wine on offer.

It may be a holiday but if this sounds like an indulgence too far, then the main dining room has your saving grace with its Vitality menu.  The health-conscious amongst you will take delight in three courses that come in at under 800 calories, often significantly under.  There is also a wide selection of sugar-free desserts. 

However even the most virtuous amongst you may find the halo slipping a little when faced with the juicy range of hot dogs available from the stand on the Boardwalk, a popular choice for those who have danced the night away – the chicken sausage is particularly tasty.  If you’re feeling a little homesick, there is even the world’s first Starbucks-at-sea.  But take heart that you could always hit the state-of-the-art gym the morning after. 

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Sleepover : Back to top

If you weren’t feeling like a VIP before, retiring to your own “stateroom” will surely do the trick.  The rooms are beautifully presented and reasonably spacious, certainly on a par with some of the more ridiculously priced accommodation you would find in London.  The beds are extremely comfortable with high-quality bed linen provided along with good quality toiletries.

If you fancy staying indoors, then there is a wide range of in-room movies and room service is available if you fancy a lazy breakfast.  It is also worth spending a little extra to gain a balcony to either watch the waves roll by with a sea view (and this is possibly one of the only ways you’ll ever be able to tell you are on a ship) or to be able to watch the crowds go by on the Boardwalk below.  Don’t be alarmed by the thought of being kept awake all night by the nightlife – the double-glazed French windows more than take care of that. 

There is one downside though (and we can honestly say it is the only one we found) which is that anyone over 6foot tall may struggle with the ceiling height, particularly in the shower.  But it is a minor complaint and, given how much there is to do onboard, it’s unlikely you’ll be spending much time at all in your stateroom. 

Final thoughts

If there is anything that really seals the success of the Allure, it is the attention to detail.  From the daily chocolate on your pillow, to the specially-designed china to stop your food getting cold before it reaches your table, to the pixies that change the floors of all 32 elevators to display the current day, everything is run with ridiculous precision. 

The ship may hold more than 5000 passengers at capacity but you will leave feeling like you were the most important person on board.  You have to ask yourself when a holiday last left you feeling like that. 

Getting There : Back to top

An eight-night Stay & Cruise break provided by Virgin Holiday Cruises starts from £1,239 per person, based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis with direct flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow*.

After one night at The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale on a room-only basis, you board Allure of the Seas where you can enjoy 7-nights with stops at Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico. 

Go to www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0800 840 9683

*Price based on departure date of 10/09/2011.  Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to change).