Navigating the Allure of the Seas

Who's Afraid of
The Big New Ship?

In this article, we'll try to alleviate your fears about finding your way on the largest ship afloat ... Allure of the Seas.

 

Welcome Aboard

Allure of the Seas

Navigating the Ship

Allure of the Seas has 16 decks which can be a little daunting at first, but you will find that this ship is one of the easiest ships to navigate.   There are several reasons why navigating the ship is easier than you might imagine.

When you embark the vessel, you'll be given a pocket guide to the Allure of the Seas.  It has the usual fold-out map of the ship as you might expect, but  it has much more than that.  It is a miniature guide to all that the Allure has to offer.   You will refer to this pocket guide throughout your cruise. This is just the beginning of the ways Royal Caribbean assists you in navigating the ship.

Where is Chris?  Let's check the digital sign...

Digital Signage

Royal Caribbean had the passenger in mind when building the Allure of the Seas.  We've heard about many innovations, such as the Neighborhoods, the Zip-Line, and AquaTheater, but perhaps the biggest innovation was the various technologies deployed throughout the ship.

• Get up-to-the-minute, real-time communication for departure information, restaurant availability, entertainment information, mustering and more.
• Use the interactive screens to map your way to virtually anywhere on the ship.

Touch the screen to begin navigating the ship.   Unlike most ships, that just have the floor plan of the deck you are on, you'll be able to map from your current location to another point on the ship, even if it's on an entirely different deck.

Real-time Planning

The captain on the Azamara Journey told us that the digital signage is intelligent.   Not only will it show you the navigation to your destination, but it will provide an alternate route if the situation is warranted.  For example, if there are already a number of people waiting for an elevator in one location, it will route you to another elevator where you won't have to wait.  Now, that's innovation!!

Standard Deck Layout Signs

I know what you are thinking ... what happens when the computers go down?   There are still the usual deck layout signs for those that don't want to play with a touch screen.  They aren't as much fun or efficient, but they will do the trick, especially if the computer goes down or power is out.

Deck Layout

Of course, Royal Caribbean built in redundancies for power and computers, so hopefully we won't have to write any articles about those situations in the future.

You'll find the 3-D ship deck plan near the elevators, so that too can be checked while you wait for the elevator.   Where is that... forward or aft?

 SIGNS SIGNS ... 

EVERYWHERE SIGNS

You'll find directional signs , such as the one shown here to the left, in various public areas of the ship (for example along the Royal Promenade).   These will direct you to nearby attractions, restrooms, etc.

"Signs, signs, everywhere signs..."  words from a famous song years ago.  In that song, it goes on to say "can't you read the signs?"  Well, fear not, even if you aren't by a sign, odds are that if you look puzzled, a friendly crew member will be glad to help you find your destination.    Once you get your bearings of a few major landmarks on the ship, you shouldn't have any difficulty navigating.

Tsunami Awareness Week

When Seconds Count, TsunamiReady™  Communities are Prepared

Tsunami Awareness Week, March 21-27

Just about a month ago, we were reporting in our article, Powerful Quake Hits Chile Tsunami Alert, that following the devastating earthquake in Chile, there was eminent danger, across the globe, of a Tsunami that formed in the wake of that quake.  Less than six months ago another tsunami hit American Samoa.  Unfortunately both events resulted in loss of life and property.

The National Weather Service and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program have created a TsunamiReady™ website and launched an awareness program.  To kick off this new initiative, the NWS announced the first ever Tsunami Awareness Week which is currently in progress.

As part of tsunami awareness week, NOAA’s National Weather Service will host open houses at its tsunami warning centers in Alaska and Hawaii, and many coastal states will host community tsunami awareness activities.

The National Weather Service operates a tsunami warning system for the United States, U.S. territories and western Canada through two tsunami warning centers, in Palmer, Alaska, and Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The centers, staffed 24/7, issue tsunami warning, advisory, watch and information messages as early as five to fifteen minutes after an earthquake. Upon receipt of tsunami messages, state and local emergency management agencies determine the appropriate response including whether or not to evacuate people from the warned area.   (Read complete Press Release)   Tsunami Awareness Week Information

Click on the Weather   tab above for more information about the following topics:   Hurricanes, Typhoons, Tsunamis, Tides & Currents.  When breaking weather news occurs, the links provided there can be used to obtain up to the minute information.  

Warning Signs of a Tsunami

• A strong earthquake, or one that persists for 20 seconds or longer
• The ocean withdraws, exposing the sea floor
• A loud, roaring sound (like an airplane or a train) coming from the ocean
• Tsunami warnings broadcast over television and radio, by beach lifeguards, community sirens, text message alerts, National Weather Service tsunami warning center Web sites and on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards

What You Should Do if You See These Signs

• Remain calm
• Move inland to higher ground
• Continue to monitor media sources for information
• Stay away from the beach until officials issue an “all clear" — Remember that a tsunami may be a series of waves over a period of several hours

We encourage you to learn more about Tsunamis and their dangers, especially if you live or visit coastal areas where the danger could exist.   See if your community is TsunamiReady™.