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#1 |
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I must've been distracted by the Cafe Press Logo Thong talk!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 3,531
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Hello DCL fans and fellow cruisers! This thread will be a "comparison" Trip Report detailing our recent experience aboard the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.
For those of you who aren't aware, in the last few years Royal Caribbean has taken a direct shot at attracting the Disney Cruise Line demographic by introducing "The Dreamworks Experience" on its' newest Mega Ships, Allure and Oasis. Due to the very positive reception it received, they are now expanding it to the popular Freedom class and beyond. This includes some of the wonderful offerings that had previously made DCL a unique cruising experience like Character Meet & Greets, Character Meals, Themed Shows and Movies, an in-room Dreamworks movie channel, and much more. Of course they don't have Mickey, but they do have Shrek, and as loyal Castaway Club members we were curious, not only to see this amazing marvel of architecture but to see if Royal Caribbean can in any way come close to the now classic Disney Cruise Line experience. The amazing Allure of the Seas: ![]() If you are not familiar with me, or my trip reports, I'll go back in time a bit and share the experience that makes me qualified to make this comparison. ![]() My name is Jen. my husband Ron and I are in our late 30's. We have 3 children: Brendan is 11 (Almost 12), Savannah is 10, and Sarah (who is obsessed with DCL and Mickey and Minnie Mouse) is 3. We are big Disney fans, and visit the WDW resort multiple times per year. We are also Gold Castaway Club members, and have been on 4 DCL cruises (2 on the Wonder, 2 on the Magic), with our fifth scheduled for the Fantasy next year (which we are so excited about)! We have also been on one previous Royal Caribbean cruise, aboard Independence of the Seas, which is a Freedom class ship. When we sailed Independence in 2010, the Dreamworks experience had not yet been introduced on RCCL ships, so we can also compare the how-it-is-now to the how-it-used-to-be on RCCL. Here is a pic of us from our last cruise aboard the Magic- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Cruise 2010: ![]() There is so much to share about this cruise, its' similarities to DCL, its' differences, the things that can't measure up, and the things they do better. It highlights an opportunity to try something so different, yet so familiar. I will steal a little rating system from my good friend and fellow Diser Drea (anewmac) and issue/subtract points for each cruise line for positive and negative aspects of both cruise lines as we compare and contrast the amazing character experience and other features too! Sure, the score at the end will signify a winner and a loser overall, but there is so much to learn about, only you can be the judge for yourself and your family. To butcher the famous quote: With great knowledge comes great power. Hopefully I can provide the knowledge and a little entertainment too, to help you determine if this is the right cruise for you. I hope you'll enjoy it! So what are you waiting for? Let's get Cruising!!! ![]() Table of Contents: Introduction-------->YOU ARE HERE! Swamp or Castle- Comparisons and Accommodations I'm On My Way The Dark Side of the Moon- Part 1 The Dark Side of the Moon- Part 2 Stupid Is As Stupid Eats! Welcome To Duloc! Sure it's big enough...but look at the location.... Sure it's big enough...but look at the location.... (Part 2) Mile-high, Pastrami on Rye, on the Fly from the Deli in the Sky! Mile-high, Pastrami on Rye, on the Fly from the Deli in the Sky! (Part 2) The Highest Room in the Tallest Tower The Highest Room in the Tallest Tower (Part 2) ...But Have You Ever Seen a Donkey Fly? Operation Tourist Trap is a Go! Team Alpha Super Awesome Cool Dynamite Wolf Squadron Team Alpha Super Awesome Cool Dynamite Wolf Squadron (Part 2) Holy Frijoles! Fiesta! Tequila! Ole! Holy Frijoles! Fiesta! Tequila! Ole! (Part 2) A Knight To Remember A Knight To Remember (Part 2) Attack of the Killer Halved Grilled Tomatoes - Episode I Who Takes a Billion Dollar Ship to a Garage Sale Anyway? Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting it It's Not Disney, But it is on Ice It's Not Disney, But it is on Ice (Part 2) You Keep The Tour Groups, We'll Have the Steak! You Keep the Tour Groups, We'll Have the Steak! (Part 2) The Stuff We Did, and the Stuff We Didn't The Stuff We Did, and the Stuff We Didn't (Part 2) The Stuff We Did, and the Stuff We Didn't (Part 3) To Infinity, and Beyond! Feed Me - If You Dare! Feed Me - If You Dare! (Part 2) Johnny Rocks-In-My-Stomach Eat A Treat, Move Your Feet! Splash! Splash! (Part 2) Splash! (Part 3) A Pirate's Life For Us! A Pirate's Life For Us! (Part 2) Hang Ten, Gain Ten Chop Chop at Chops (More) Close Encounters of the Weird Kind Captain Alan's Wild Ride Captain Alan's Wild Ride (Part 2) Captain Alan's Wild Ride (Part 3) Giovanni And His Tables Giovanni And His Tables (Part 2) Because I'm All Alone How To Train Your....Pineapples? The Hurt Box Rock Wall, Rock Lobster, Cakes, Skates, Allure Glass Cleaning, and Disco Balls-Huh? Part 1 Rock Wall, Rock Lobster, Cakes, Skates, Allure Glass Cleaning, and Disco Balls-Huh? Part 2 Rock Wall, Rock Lobster, Cakes, Skates, Allure Glass Cleaning, and Disco Balls-huh? Part 3 The Mob Move It, Move it...and YOU THERE, MOVE IT! The Last Supper It's My Bag! That's it! It's Done! Complete! Finished! Woohoo!
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![]() Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas 9/2011- NEW! TRIP REPORT! - Disney Magic 7 Night Western 10/2010: Trip Report - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas 1/2010: Trip Report and Videos - Disney Magic 7 Night Western Double Dip 09/08: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 3 Night Bahamas 10/07: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 4 Night Bahamas 03/07: Trip Report Last edited by nenner1; 07-16-2012 at 06:48 AM. |
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#2 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 790
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This is going to be fun! I know because it was!!!
Ron |
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#3 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Neverland!
Posts: 1,415
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Jen, I'm in. Can't wait to read more!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Beth |
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#4 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 559
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I am so excited for this report
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Making our way back to the World!
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#5 |
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Would love a diet on Cadbury Flakes
Admits she's strange when it comes to eggs Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 18,467
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Looking forward to this Jen
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![]() Fred and Wilma Go On Honeymoon Fred and Wilma Second Time Around Fred, Wilma and Friends February Fun & Frolics Fred and Wilma do DVC, DCL & DDP - The Food Fred, Wilma and Family do Disney Bad Mothers Handbook Fred and Wilma - They're Back and They're Child Free Bad Mothers and Others Fred and Wilma - The Keys to the World ![]() |
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#6 |
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grand slam club members
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 2,913
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I am excited to read it too... after our hiccups on the Dream last week, Disney really needs to get it together with customer service on this ship.
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~Val & Family
DVC owners -- BLT, AKL & SSR ![]() |
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#7 |
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I must've been distracted by the Cafe Press Logo Thong talk!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 3,531
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Accommodations: Swamp, Castle or both?
A little bit more about Allure of the Seas and how it compares to DCL's current and future ships.
Allure of the Seas World's Largest Cruise Ship (2 inches longer then sister ship Oasis if the Seas) Launched 2010 Total size in Gross Tonnage: 225,282 GRT 1,187 Feet Long 208 Feet Wide 213 Feet High 16 Passenger Decks 6 Pools (5 Freshwater, 1 Saltwater-not counting Flowriders) 2,706 Staterooms 6,318 Passengers 2,384 Crew Interesting Features of note: 6 Neighborhoods including the Royal Promenade, Central Park, & Boardwalk, 2 Flowrider wave simulators, 9-deck high Zipline, Ice Skating Rink, 2 Rock Climbing Walls, Carousel, Mini-Golf Course, 26 Restaurants, Dreamworks Character Experience. Disney Dream and Fantasy Launched 2011/2012 Total size in Gross Tonnage: 128,000 GRT 1,115 Feet long 125 Feet Wide 187 Feet High 14 Passenger Decks 3 Pools (Freshwater) 1,250 Staterooms 4,000 Passengers 1,458 Crew Interesting Features of note: Aquaduck Water Coaster, Virtual Porthole in all inside Staterooms, Rotational Dining featuring the innovative all-new Animator's Palate, and exclusive Royal Palace and Enchanted Garden, expanded Kids' Club Facilities, Mini-Golf Course and the Disney Character Experience. Disney Magic Launched 1998 Total size in Gross Tonnage: 83,000 GRT 964 Feet long 106 Feet Wide 140 Feet High 10 Passenger Decks 3 Pools (Freshwater) 875 Staterooms 2,400 Passengers 945 Crew And if you wanted a side by side photo to compare, here you go: ![]() Just kidding. Models are not to scale! Here is a real comparison of the Allure, Dream, and Carnival Fantasy in Nassau: (photo from Flickr) ![]() Up next: I'm On My Way!
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![]() Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas 9/2011- NEW! TRIP REPORT! - Disney Magic 7 Night Western 10/2010: Trip Report - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas 1/2010: Trip Report and Videos - Disney Magic 7 Night Western Double Dip 09/08: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 3 Night Bahamas 10/07: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 4 Night Bahamas 03/07: Trip Report |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,010
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I'm in!
Can't wait to read
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#9 | |
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I must've been distracted by the Cafe Press Logo Thong talk!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 3,531
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Ain't that the truth!!!
Hi Beth!!! How are you, Steve and the girls doing? How was your most recent Dream cruise, it was not too long ago right? Awesome! So glad to have you onboard with us. ![]() Joh! So glad to see you here! I think you are really going to enjoy this!!! ![]() Quote:
I'm going to have to hear all about the Dream you know. I was really hoping things on the service side would have fallen into place by now- especially since we will on the Fantasy at about the same time next year. ![]() The first real segment will be up soon!!
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![]() Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas 9/2011- NEW! TRIP REPORT! - Disney Magic 7 Night Western 10/2010: Trip Report - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas 1/2010: Trip Report and Videos - Disney Magic 7 Night Western Double Dip 09/08: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 3 Night Bahamas 10/07: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 4 Night Bahamas 03/07: Trip Report |
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#10 |
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I must've been distracted by the Cafe Press Logo Thong talk!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TAMPA, FL
Posts: 3,531
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Cass! Queen of the amazing trippies! So glad to have you onboard with us!
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![]() Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas 9/2011- NEW! TRIP REPORT! - Disney Magic 7 Night Western 10/2010: Trip Report - Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas 1/2010: Trip Report and Videos - Disney Magic 7 Night Western Double Dip 09/08: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 3 Night Bahamas 10/07: Trip Report - Disney Wonder 4 Night Bahamas 03/07: Trip Report |
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#11 |
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DISmom by land and by sea!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 6,577
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My dahling you have NOOOOO idea how I am looking forward to this TR! Drea already has me looking at Carnival, but I have a secret.... I'm booking FOTS on Tuesday! Booking on Tuesday, sailing over Spring Break.... 2013.
Yes, 18 months from now. But I'm BOOKING!!!! So hurry up already!
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Read along with my most recent TRs...The McSparklesons Sail the Magic.... Again!, April, 2012
Magic, Memories and.... MCSPARKLESONS! A Christmas Grand Gathering December, 2011 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Check out my TRs: DISmoms 3! If the Tiara Fits..... May, 2011 The McSparklesons are BACK! And they are CRUISIN! March, 2011 DISmoms Round Two: Don't Axe, Don't Tell May 2010 - A joint TR with my fellow DISmoms! On the 1st Day of Christmas, Walt Disney Gave to Me...... December 2009; Belly Up at the Dolphin September, 2009 , Yes, I AM the Upgrade Queen May, 2009, DISmoms Gone WILD!!!! , May, 2009 A Joint TR with "podsnel" and "Camster0307" Upgrades, Underwear, and Upside Down Fun - a TR full of "new" adventures! , March, 2009 5/2012 DCL Dream (DISmoms 4) 3/2012 DCL Magic Western Caribbean 12/2011 BWV (Mom/Dad's 50th Anniversary) 5/2011 BWV (DISmoms Gone Wild III) DCL Magic Eastern Caribbean (First family cruise!) 5/2010 BCV (DISmoms Gone Wild Part II) 4/2010 CSR (Mother/Daughter Trip12/2009 VWL (Family Christmas Trip) 9/2009 Dolphin (Mother/Daughter Trip) 8/2009 ASSP (Mothers/Daughters Trip with Neighbors) 5/2009 AKL (DISmoms Gone Wild Trip), 5/2009 AKL (Family Trip), 3/2009 CSR (Mother/Daughter Weekend), 11/2008 CSR (Mother/Daugter Trip), 9/2008 Yacht Club (Anniversary Trip), 5/2008 POP (Grand Gathering),3/2008 POR (P&PP), 5/2006 POP (Family Trip), 5/2000 CSR (Business), 5/1998 BWI (Honeymoon), Multiple offsite adventures! |
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#12 |
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Would love a diet on Cadbury Flakes
Admits she's strange when it comes to eggs Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 18,467
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Can't believe those comparisons - the Allure is HUGE! I will definitely be reading with interest as I've wanted to sail the Oasis or the Allure since they were launched. I really want a Central Park or Boardwalk view stateroom
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![]() Fred and Wilma Go On Honeymoon Fred and Wilma Second Time Around Fred, Wilma and Friends February Fun & Frolics Fred and Wilma do DVC, DCL & DDP - The Food Fred, Wilma and Family do Disney Bad Mothers Handbook Fred and Wilma - They're Back and They're Child Free Bad Mothers and Others Fred and Wilma - The Keys to the World ![]() |
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#13 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Columbus Indiana
Posts: 1,189
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Hey Nenner1, you are a busy person!!! Just finished your latest update on cruise critic!!!!
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#14 |
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DISmom by land and by sea!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 6,577
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What? No update yet? It's been like 10 minutes!!!!
Ahhhh, the start of TRs is so much fun!!!! The ending, not so much, much like real vacations....
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Read along with my most recent TRs...The McSparklesons Sail the Magic.... Again!, April, 2012
Magic, Memories and.... MCSPARKLESONS! A Christmas Grand Gathering December, 2011 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Check out my TRs: DISmoms 3! If the Tiara Fits..... May, 2011 The McSparklesons are BACK! And they are CRUISIN! March, 2011 DISmoms Round Two: Don't Axe, Don't Tell May 2010 - A joint TR with my fellow DISmoms! On the 1st Day of Christmas, Walt Disney Gave to Me...... December 2009; Belly Up at the Dolphin September, 2009 , Yes, I AM the Upgrade Queen May, 2009, DISmoms Gone WILD!!!! , May, 2009 A Joint TR with "podsnel" and "Camster0307" Upgrades, Underwear, and Upside Down Fun - a TR full of "new" adventures! , March, 2009 5/2012 DCL Dream (DISmoms 4) 3/2012 DCL Magic Western Caribbean 12/2011 BWV (Mom/Dad's 50th Anniversary) 5/2011 BWV (DISmoms Gone Wild III) DCL Magic Eastern Caribbean (First family cruise!) 5/2010 BCV (DISmoms Gone Wild Part II) 4/2010 CSR (Mother/Daughter Trip12/2009 VWL (Family Christmas Trip) 9/2009 Dolphin (Mother/Daughter Trip) 8/2009 ASSP (Mothers/Daughters Trip with Neighbors) 5/2009 AKL (DISmoms Gone Wild Trip), 5/2009 AKL (Family Trip), 3/2009 CSR (Mother/Daughter Weekend), 11/2008 CSR (Mother/Daugter Trip), 9/2008 Yacht Club (Anniversary Trip), 5/2008 POP (Grand Gathering),3/2008 POR (P&PP), 5/2006 POP (Family Trip), 5/2000 CSR (Business), 5/1998 BWI (Honeymoon), Multiple offsite adventures! |
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#15 | |
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Would love a diet on Cadbury Flakes
Admits she's strange when it comes to eggs Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 18,467
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Quote:
Only 2 weeks before we leave for our vacation you know (no pressure)
__________________
![]() Fred and Wilma Go On Honeymoon Fred and Wilma Second Time Around Fred, Wilma and Friends February Fun & Frolics Fred and Wilma do DVC, DCL & DDP - The Food Fred, Wilma and Family do Disney Bad Mothers Handbook Fred and Wilma - They're Back and They're Child Free Bad Mothers and Others Fred and Wilma - The Keys to the World ![]() |
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| allure, cruise, rccl, rci, shrek |
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