Allure of the Seas–February 26–March 5, 2017 (cruise #59)

First, let me say that we took this particular cruise for one reason……we had enough points on our RCCI credit card for a “free” 7 day Caribbean cruise.  However, the Allure did not qualify, so we had to pay $$$ additional, which we didn’t mind because we love the ship and loved the ports of call.  On the morning of 2/26, we packed the car and like two giddy kids headed East on Alligator Alley.   Nanny Sue arrived a couple of days prior and was going to bring the car back to Estero and look after Lily Mae for us.  Within minutes of dropping off our luggage, my dear Kos remembered that our PASSPORTS were on the sun visor!  Yep.  So we tried frantically to reach Sue, but we found later that she had her phone turned down too low to hear.  In a panic we asked a security officer to let us cut the line for a taxi to the airport to pick up a rental car so we could try to catch up with Sue on I-75.  When we were a little less than an hour from Villagio, Sue put the visor down and down came the passports on her lap.  She immediately called us and pulled off the highway.  We caught up with her, got our passports, and headed back to drop the rental car off, and catch a taxi back to the port.    We made it just in time!  Otherwise…..we would have had to fly to Nassau.   Lots of stress on Day 1. Plus lots of extra unexpected $$$$      

 

I can’t tell you how happy we were to finally board the ship……and go to the lounge.

 

First port – Nassau

 

 

Of course, we had to stop at Senior Frog’s for Conch Salad!  

 

NEXT PORT: St. Thomas – Planned to meet old friend, Henry Reinhard for lunch.  Coincidentally  Henry’s ship was docked next to ours!   Totally unplanned. 

Note the helicopter on top deck of this boat!

 

Next Port – St. Martin- We love this port because you can get off the ship and take a quick water taxi to the beach and Front Street for shopping.

 

 

 

We found that we really enjoyed Central Park on this ship.  Every evening there was some type of entertainment under the stars.  It truly was amazing to think you are sitting in a “park” in the middle of the ocean.