Zipping Over Boardwalk

Do you have the desire to fly over Boardwalk?

Who said cruising is boring or there's nothing to do on a cruise ship.  When I'm on Royal Caribbean's Oasis-Class ships, I prove those myths wrong every time.

After lunch at Park Cafe, there was still time before our opening session of the conference. There was no line at the Zip Line, so I gave my husband my loose jewelry and headed to get fitted for my brief ride across the Symphony of the Seas Boardwalk.

This wasn't my first rodeo, but after getting my harness on, I wasn't quite ready mentally to take that step off the platform. The staff said OK, go. I needed a moment and he suggested I sit down. Then off I went like Peter Pan. It was a great ride.

 Watch this video to see me zipping along.



Symphony of the Seas Playlist (click here)

Follow Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers


Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat 

So You've Just Gotten Onboard - What to Do

 You Just Boarded 

Allure of the Seas^SM

So What Do You Do?

Well, if you are like us, you probably got to the pier around mid-day so the cabins aren't ready for occupancy yet.  We had a light breakfast at the hotel because we knew that once we got onboard, there would be several venues open for us to grab a snack.

Boardwalk Dog House, Sorrento's Pizza

The gangway of Allure of the Seas is on Deck 5 which is the Royal Promenade.   Here you'll find Sorrento's and Cafe Promenade which have extended hours and offer snacks.   A slice of pizza at Sorrento's was our choice for something quick.  After pizza we stayed awhile people watching, one of our favorite things to do onboard the ship.

Unlimited Coca Cola 

For those that like to drink Coca Cola products with their meals or while lounging by the pool, you may want to consider purchasing the "Coke Fountain Sticker" which entitles you to as many fountain drinks as you like throughout the cruise.  The cost is $6.90 per person per day plus tip and includes a limited edition Royal Caribbean Coke bottle which can be refilled at any bar or restaurant on the ship or on Labadee, the private island.  These can be purchased on the first day of the cruise on the Royal Promenade.

On the Boardwalk

We stopped for a sausage at Boardwalk Dog House before heading to our cabin.  Passengers were getting their first glimpse of all that the Allure of the Seas has to offer on the Boardwalk.   Go for a ride on the carrousel or enjoy some refreshments in one of the dining venues.  

We would reassemble here before we sailed for the mandatory safety drill.  It is not necessary to bring life jackets with you to the drill.   In a real emergency, life jackets would be provided by the crew at the muster stations.

Allure of the Seas Neighborhoods

BLOG POSTS:  Oasis of the Seas - Central Park Creating Central Park on Allure OTS Park Cafe Allure of the Seas Hot Dogs at Sea on Allure of the Seas Alluring Wine and Tapas in Vintages PHOTO ALBUMS: Vintages     Park Cafe Allure Central Park

BLOG POSTS:  Greetings from Allure of the Seas Not All Cabins Are Alike DreamWorks Sail Away Party on Allure PHOTO ALBUMS: Allure Boardwalk Aqua Show Zipping Over Boardwalk - What a Ride DreamWorks Sail Away Party

BLOG POSTS:  Navigating the Allure of the Seas Sorrento's on the Royal Promenade Starbucks at Sea  Sweets for the Sweet on Allure of the Seas PHOTO ALBUMS: Allure Royal Promenade DreamWorks Move It! Move It! Parade

BLOG POSTS:  Greetings from Allure of the Seas Floating on Air in Allure of the Seas Solarium TODAY Ship Shape Swimsuits on Allure  Today Show Broadcasts Live from Allure PHOTO ALBUMS: Allure of the Seas Solarium Allure of the Seas H2O Zone Fun Activities on Allure of the Seas

BLOG POSTS:  Vitality at Sea Spa PHOTO ALBUMS: Vitality Spa and Fitness

BLOG POSTS: Allure of the Seas Entertainment Preparations Entertainment Value on Allure and Oasis  Allure of the Seas Entertainment   PHOTO ALBUMS: Allure Entertainment Place Comedy Live Ice Games Ice Show Allure Blue Planet

BLOG POSTS:  Adventure Ocean Kids Program Kids & Cruises - Yay or Nay  PHOTO ALBUMS: Adventure Ocean

Oasis and Allure Family Offers

ALLURE of the Seas & OASIS of the Seas

Great for Families

Royal Caribbean's two newest ships, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas offer great food, fun packed activities, and first-class entertainment options.  There is something for everyone to enjoy while on board the ship.  Plus, you travel to several of the Caribbean's top destinations during your week-long cruise vacation.   

This summer Royal Caribbean is taking family entertainment to a whole new level with DreamWorks Animation®'s Kung Fu Panda 2™ onboard - see the movie on us! Plus, check out all these other experiences included in the price of your cruise:

• Exclusive DreamWorks® Experience, featuring complimentary character breakfasts, 3D movies, parades, photo opportunities with Shrek, Po from Kung Fu Panda® and more
• Award-winning, complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program
• Broadway shows, ice shows, thrilling nightlife venues
• Fine dining in multiple restaurants, plus room service – included!
• Pool & Sports Zone with signature FlowRider® surf simulator, full basketball courts, table tennis, rock-climbing walls and world-class fitness center

ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S BEST 

SUMMER VACATION OFFER YET!

Sail with your family on Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas^SM this summer,
and enjoy hundreds to spend on the world’s most innovative class of ships.

• Reserve two neighborhood balconies* and get $400 credit
• Reserve three neighborhood balconies* and get $600 credit
• Good for any Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas^SM sailing departing in June, July, and August 2011

Enjoy the complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, more than two dozen dining options, Broadway entertainment, thrilling nightlife and plenty more across seven amazing neighborhoods.

*BOOK BETWEEN APRIL 6TH - 13TH, 2011
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER

TWO WORDS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
“IT’S INCLUDED.”

$100 ONBOARD CREDIT
Receive $100 to spend onboard when you book a balcony** in
Central Park® or Boardwalk® neighborhoods on the Oasis class.
APPLICABLE FOR SAILINGS IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST 2011.

**BOOK BY APRIL 30, 2011 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER

Both of these offers must be booked through a Travel Agent

Contact Us Today for Details

Hot Dogs at Sea on Allure of the Seas

Boardwalk Dog House
Allure of the Seas

Most cruises we start out with lunch in the buffet, but on Allure of the Seas, we decided to try a couple of the venues in Central Park and Boardwalk.

If you have been reading coverage of the Allure of the Seas pre-inaugural cruises, you may have read a review that said the Dog House was a miss.

We come from Hot Dog country, Chicagoland, so our curiosity got the best of us, and we decided to make our first lunch stop on the Boardwalk.

"Hot Dog" Selections

Sausages & Baguettes
Custom Toppings


Select the "hot dog" of your choice from the menu and add one or more toppings to complete your meal.   The choices include mixed peppers, fried onions, sauerkraut, and sweet relish.

Dog House Menu

We enjoyed our selections:  

• The Big Apple which is chicken and bits of apples on a sesame seed baguette.
• The Sicilian which is pork, garlic, oregano and Italian spices on an oregano and paprika baguette.

We topped one with sauerkraut and the other with peppers and onions.   

Having cruised for years, we are well aware that everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to food served on the ships.   We took an informal poll among others that were seated around us.  Everyone had the same opinion as we did, that the meal was enjoyable and that they didn't understand why it had been labeled a "miss".   

Regardless of what others say, our suggestion is that when you are on the Allure of the Seas, you  find out for yourself.

TAKE OUR POLL IF YOU'VE EATEN AT DOG HOUSE ON ALLURE

Greetings from Allure of the Seas

Looking Aft from our Boardwalk Balcony Cabin

We watched as Allure of the Seas crossed the Atlantic in anticipation knowing that it would soon be our chance to explore the largest ship afloat ourselves and bring you our insider look at this new ship.

Today, we wait no longer.   This is the first of many update on Allure of the Seas that we'll write both here and on our Facebook Fan Page.  You'll want to sign up for our fan page so that you won't miss any updates.

Boardwalk Balcony Aft Cabin 12719

We arrived at the Port Everglades pier around 11:00 AM.  Royal Caribbean built a new port facility specifically for the Allure of the Seas.  They claim that from the time you enter the front door, it will only take 15 minutes to get checked in.   They did hold true to their promise.

In order to make that possible, the embarkation area is divided by deck numbers.   If you have a suite you get escorted to a separate are where you even will have a private seating area.   You'll be the first to get on the ship once it is available for boarding.

The first thing you do after entering is to go thru security screening of your luggage just like you would at an airport.   After the security check, you are directed to the checkin personnel for your deck.

All you need is your Sea Pass, Passports, and credit card for onboard charges.   You'll fill out the health questionnaire while the agent processes your paperwork.  By the time you finish signing your name, the agent will be waiting to snap your first photo - this one is for your Sail 'n Sign card.    This will be the only card you need for the rest of your cruise.  It will get you in your cabin and unlock all the extra goodies that you can purchase onboard the Allure of the Seas.

Allure of the Seas Aqua Theater

Room with a View


At 11:30 AM the ship was cleared for boarding so we made our way up the winding ramps to the gangway entrance.   Along the way we had our photo taken and showed our key card a few times before the formal embarkation was over.

Many of the cabins were not available but we lucked out and our cabin steward told us we could drop off our luggage.    We were on our way to explore the ship and sample some of the dining options.

Looking Forward from our Balcony

Boardwalk Balcony Cabins


One of the unique features on Allure of the Seas  are the many different types of cabin categories. Last count I believe there were 37 different types.    Even among the types, some locations are better than others, depending on your requirements, so I strongly encourage you to seek professional assistance to select the right cabin.

As mentioned, we had a room with a view.    The cabin we had was 12719, which is one of the AFT  Boardwalk Balconies.   We had a perfect seat for the water shows right from our balcony.    The aft cabin also has a great view for sail aways.    Looking towards the forward part of the ship from our balcony you can see the various dining and entertainment options of Boardwalk.

Finally, you can watch all the action of the Zip Line and Rock Climbing Wall.   Check my Facebook Fan Page for some photos of me zip lining over Boardwalk.    What a ride !!!!

Welcome aboard ... there's lots to tell, so this is going to take quite some time to share everything with you.   We had an action packed day onboard the Allure of the Seas.  BTW, I'm writing this from my balcony - so far the onboard internet has been very good, but we all know  speed depends on where the ship is relative to the satellite.

Allure of the Seas Crossing Ahead of Schedule

Allure of the Seas Thrusters

It is Day 12 of the Allure of the Seas Transatlantic crossing and the ship is ahead of schedule by about a day.    The ship made good time across the Atlantic, trying to keep ahead of the storms. 

Consequently, the Captain has decided to make an unplanned stop in the Bahamas to pick up a technician who will perform some testing while enroute to Fort Lauderdale.   This involves the use of the thrusters which will make a lot of noise.  This test is typically not done with passengers onboard, so this is the perfect time to conduct the test.

The dining venues continue to open and today The Dog House on Boardwalk is featured.   From a Coney Island Hot Dog to a German Sausage, there is something for everyone's taste.   Watch this video for a behind the scenes look at this dining alternative aboard the Allure.

Video:  The Top Dog on Allure: Taking Orders at the Dog House

Enjoying a great hotdog is a boardwalk tradition and now there's a world of options to choose from. Visit the Boardwalk Dog House on Allure of the Seas, for a wide menu of delicious sausages and hot dogs that span the globe in origin and flavor.

Allure of the Seas in Bermuda Triangle

Rita's Cantina on Allure of the Seas

ALLURE CONTINUES COURSE FOR FLORIDA

Day 11 and the Allure of the Seas is continuing its Atlantic crossing right on schedule.   The weather continues to cooperate with the ship crossing the path of the once powerful Tomas now much weaker and 200 miles away from the ship.  The ship has entered the Bermuda Triangle as it sails past Bermuda.

Captain Zini introduces one of the new dining venues, Rita's Cantina, in this video report from the bridge.   The cantina brings the flare and flavors of Mexico to passengers on the Allure of the Seas.

Video:  A Mexican Fiesta: Festive Fare at Rita's Cantina on Allure

A new dining sensation is adding some spice to the Boardwalk on Allure of the Seas. Enjoy the taste of fabulous Mexican fare and festivities with a visit to the exotic and enticing Rita's Cantina.

Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water

Photos Courtesy STX Europe

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Begins Sea Trials

Like a "duck to water" Royal Caribbean International's latest ship, Oasis of the Seas, took to the water in Turku, Finland last week as she began the first of her sea trials. Weighing in at 225,000 GT she becomes the largest cruise ship in the world. In fact, when Oasis of the Seas leaves Turku for Miami, Fl. this autumn, it will be the biggest export product of Finland ever.It is quite an accomplishment for shipbuilder STX Europe ASA. Formely known as Aker Yards ASA, the group changed its name to STX Europe in November, 2008.

Oasis of the Seas is 47 metres wide and 360 metres long, i.e. 40 m longer than the height of the Eiffel tower! Height over the water line is 65 m. Building the vessel has been compared to a huge 3-dimensional puzzle. The vessel consists of 180 grand blocks, the biggest with a size of length 22 m, width 30 m and weight 600 tons! The vessel´s weight is 12 times the weight of the Eiffel tower.

It's hard to believe that it was just on November 21, 2008, that the launching ceremony of the Oasis of the Seas took place at STX Europe's shipyard in Turku. Martin Landtman, President of STX Finland Cruise Oy was joined by Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and other executives of the yard and owners to turn the valves releasing water into the drydock and letting the vessel float out to its own element.

According to Royal Caribbean's Chairman & CEO, Richard Fain, who was onhand for the event, "Most of the trials were a terrific success. The ship performed her various tests very well and everyone is very excited." The ship is now back in her construction berth.

There was one surprise, however. They were thinking of adding an aerostat to the ship and were doing a test to see if it was practical/desirable. You can see the blimp in the picture above. However, if you had been there, you would have noticed that it was missing later. In fact, they had to fetch it out of the water. So, I guess it's back to the drawing board for this new innovation. Fain took it light-heartedly saying "This is precisely why we do such tests (and why I don’t take credit until we know whether or not they are successful)".

Oasis of the Seas will be like a floating resort with seven neighbourhoods - themed areas offering experiences for passengers of all ages: the Promenade, a shopping mall with boutiques and restaurants, Boardwalk with the first amfi theatre at sea, Vitality Spa, Pool & Sports Zone with water park activities, Youth Zone with playing possibilities from babies to teens, Entertainment Place with casino and dance hall. And the Central Park with a revolutionary design in which the centre of the ship opens to the sky. With the length of a soccer field, some 110 metres and a width of 19 metres the park will have growing lawn, trees and other vegetation. Sun will be shining to this unique open outdoor space surrounded with restaurants, shops and cafés. Learn more about all the neighbourhoods.

See the Video: Oasis of the Seas Sea Trial

STX Europe is not just building the Oasis of the Seas, but it has also laid the keel for it's sister ship, Allure of the Seas which is due out in 2010.

Perhaps this summarizes it best: "We are not building just ships, we are building experiences" says Martin Landtman, President of STX Finland Cruise Oy. "The world's largest cruise vessels are innovations themselves, and have several innovations inside. Cruise passengers are expecting new unparalleled experiences, and that is what the owners and the yard continuously are creating in good cooperation".