Shrek Takes On Mickey: The Dreamworks Experience Aboard Allure of the Seas 9/18-25

[LuvEeyore]

okay Nenner...I am hooked. Waiting to hear more. I will have questions along the way.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I think what she is saying is that before ever getting on the ship, DCL is $1500 more just for the cruise itself. And I have also heard that RCI nickels and dimes it's customers..... Again, that's just heresay because I have yet to cruise on RCI.... HOWEVER, some of these things would include paying for soda on RCI (although I think DCL is the only one with the complimentary soda fountain? If so, this doesn't really count RCI vs the whole industry), the cooking class, and some other events that are included on DCL and some other lines.

They are all offering the "for fee" restuarants now, and hey, just because RCI has Starbucks and Johnny Rockets, I don't know you can call that nickel and diming, because you don't have to go there..... All cruise lines have "extras", right?

But I guess if RCI is going to "nickel and dime" me for that and extra $1500 then I might as well cruise on DCL, is this what you are trying to say? I think?

When it comes right down to it, I am SO excited to hear more from Jen because RCI's ships really intrigue me with what they have to offer. And yes, I'm not afraid to spend a little extra onboard, because that's what a cruise is all about!

Oh, and as for more being included on DCL, how does a final onboard bill of $1700 sound????? That included Palo, all gratuities, Castaway Cay excursion, a few souvies, spa, and the rest is all drinks and "miscellaneous." So it adds up really fast, no matter what ship you are on!

That $1500 less on another cruise would have just about paid for those extras! It will be fun to see what your experience with FOS is - I know there were people on LOS who had been cruisnig on her twice a year for years -

 

[dizney-cruiser]

Jeeeez!! I hate showing up late for a good party!!

Jen, I love your family!! I can't believe how big Sarah is!!

I just printed this entire thread out to read at the dr's office - of course today will be the day I get to walk right in!!!

 

[tmmalave]

If I To me, DCL has priced itself out for the average person. Do not get me wrong, I love DCL and will take a 2013 DCL if they are in the Med. But a Carribbean cruise? Not going to happen at those prices in the summer when I can sail with the kids. Not taking DS12 out of school for a week just to sail DCL when the prices are reasonable. Just my two cents!

I am in the same boat here. I had yet to cruise DCL, and we were eagerly awaiting the 2013 itineraries to put a deposit and start paying the cruise. I can't really justify spending an extra 1500-1600 because its Disney. In our case, the kids will not know the difference. We want to do a WDW pre stay. 1600 will pay for most of that!

 

[nenner1]

Yikes! I swear I didn't realize i was this far behind in the commentary, I thought I had answered some of this stuff. LOL! My apologies!

How cool is that sailaway video! Yeah, I think the trade-off of being a bit away from the party was definitely worth it to have the video which you can keep for memories!

I agree, I just love it! SO glad they now do it at Port Canaveral (and NY Harbor) too!

So glad to hear the spaghetti trick worked...looking forward to hearing how she liked the zip-line!

Well...I'll give you a hint, she went on it more times than me!

I am so not a fan of Shrek (this coming from a film/screenwriting major), but I would take this cruise just for the ship alone! (And steer clear of the characters! )

LOL, I don't mind Shrek, but I'll tell you what Fiona creeped me out. Something about her head just wasn't right....

Love the random dancing!

Did your friends/family have to save the webcam video or does the site do that for you? Neat souvenir!

Nope, they sent us the link to youtube, which I was able to use a youtube downloader to snag it. They were supposed to email us the pics, but they never did. I found them on their facebook page though.

Holy massive ships, Batman!!! That ship is ginormous!!!! Just watching the sailaway is so impressive! I had such good intentions of watching you in real time, but, well, yeah. OK, so I didn't. But I thought of you like an hour later!!!! (and after seeing that video, I'm surprised I couldn't still see that monster an hour later!!!!).

LMAO I'm surprised too!!!

I too am priced out of DCL in 2013. My same cruise of 2012 is just barely more expensive than it's 2013 twin! I mean, when you're booking nearly 24 months in advance, you'd think that the cruise would be significantly cheaper, maybe 3 4 hundred bucks? nope.

Yeah, such a bummer.

And the Fantasy? How the $*%)$ is anyone paying THOSE prices? And WHY is she so expensive a year after her maiden? The Dream didn't stay sky high. DH said maybe they took the Fantasy name so literal that they are making sure it's a 'fantasy' for most of us to ever get on?

ITA- we were actually pleasantly surprised at the price point for the Fantasy's 2012 sailings. But 2013?? Ridonkluous.

I do believe we will be doing a bit more RCCL sails in 2013. Oh well. By the looks of this trip report- we're not going to be lacking for things to do!

Oh, and what's the Tally? Are we still keeping one?

No, I decided to scrap the tally. The real story behind its premature demise is that it brought too much contention around here. Ron felt I was giving Disney too much of an edge and I felt like I was basing it honestly on my opinions-but he didn't agree. So upon further discussion since we both felt that it was kindof fluid and not really structured to give certain amounts of points for certain things , it was better just to stop doing it altogether. I mean it was based on opinion anyway and the ships are just too hard to compare. It's hard to compare Allure to anything, it is so unique.

Shrek would have won in the end, for those curious....

I hate seeing those prices. But Jen convinced me that RCCL Freedom class was the next logical step for us (after falling in love with cruising on the Magic last year!) so we're booked on FOTS for 2013 spring break. Category D1 aft balcony cabin on deck 10 for LESS than an interior stateroom THIS year on the Magic...... I know that DCL is not a charity, and with only 4 ships the price is higher. And I know that they stay full so SOMEONE is willing to pay those prices. Just sad it's not me.....

Haha! We'll pay it in 2012 and who knows..maybe the Fantasy will blow us away. I'm open to it for sure. It's a shame, I mean DCL does hold a special place in our (well, mine anyway) hearts- it's what introduced us to cruising. And now we don't know when we'll be back onboard after 2012. We may not even rebook a dummy date. I'm getting pulled more and more to the new and exciting in ships and ports/itineraries too.

As far as ships go, I can totally see RCCL winning that battle. I'm more curious now that we've sailed away (notice I say "we" cause I'm living vicarously through you!) about comparing food, and service......

LOL yeah there is not much at all this ship compares to. Pur general opinion on service is that it has been overall equal on both lines, we've always had excellent service. Food too, we had one cruise on the Magic in '08 where the food was not as good at all, but last cruise on the Magic it was excellent. On Indy the food was also excellent and Allure it was much the same- for MDR. Some of the specialty restaurants and Park Cafe was outstanding.

I'm sure you'll appreciate that besides a few ice cream cones there was nothing all week that I ate that I didn't take hardcore food porn shots of!

Oooohhh....random dancin' fan here! Love love love it! May I join?!

You better!

Still keepin' a close eye on this killer report. I think DCL's 2013 itinerary pricing paired with this report, we may a bunch of folks jumpin' ship over to RCI! I'm still watching releases with them, too.

Yep...not all of their 2013 is out yet. I don't expect their prices to be drastically different when they do come out. However I will say, with 12,000 people a WEEK cruising on Allure and Oasis alone, eventually they will have to lower prices or shake up the itinerary to keep interest in these ships.

Wow, I feel bad for griping about the 3600 DCL wanted for DH and I for an inside room if you cruise was going to cost 5800. I mean, do you KNOW what we could do with 5800?? DH's answer would surely NOT be to cruise the Fantasy. LMAO

Yeah one of the ones I was looking at also in September 2013 was $6700. Talk about sticker shock!!!

We're in a different price bracket anyway b/c we don't yet have kids, and not kids old enough/big enough to need more space than one cabin. Right now, we're cool with an inside if we *had* to. I'd prefer an outside at least, or on a longer cruise a veranda, but DH doesn't mind.

When I priced the Allure last, I could take us on most of their 7 day itineraries (other than the special holiday cruises) in the same cabin class for 700 bucks LESS than DCL.

*sigh*

Why am I so loyal to the mouse again?

Well..I do know what you mean. I am a Disney girl at heart for sure. There is that little something intangible...magical I guess, but yeah...

I mean, honestly, I think other than the sail away party and the terminal at embarkation, RCCL is winning in my book. Look at all that stuff to do! And we haven't even made it to international waters yet! Or have we? Either way- it sounds like a clear winner so far to me.

Tee hee, yes I think we counted as international waters by then. Just wait until you see some of the amazing entertainment too- Allure has some greta stuff to offer for sure!!!

Add that to the fact that it's cheaper to cruise RCCL, and in my case there's a ship whose port of call is almost literally in my backyard, and I think we may be exploring them a little more often as well.

I honestly do not think you will be disappointed!

On the other board I'm active on, there are many of us from this same region, and several have recommended the FOTS as an RCCL ship to cruise on, as well as RCCL in general because they're so close to us. I think you'll enjoy your cruise!

I agree, FOS is awesome, we loved it's sister ship Indy and my aunt and uncle who are Diamond Plus on RCCL (meaning they have cruised a LOT with them- like almost Barb and Tony level on DCL...ok well maybe half that -lol) but FOS is their FAVORITE ship, even more than Allure.

I have to agree, even though we said we didn't want to sail again unless it was DCL. We can take a cruise in a suite cheaper than an oceanview on the Fantasy, on some itineraries. At this point, if we want to cruise, it will have to be with someone else. We weren't happy with LOS, so we might try Grand Princess next time. I'm anxious to see about the food too.

Wow...yeah....

I've heard good things about Princess-heard their food is awesome. I have to say overall we found the food in the MDR this time good to very good. The specialty restaurants were overall excellent but our experience in Chops was not as good on Allure as on Indy. like I said..LOTS of food pron forthcoming! LOL!

Jen! Amazing sailaway cam! That ship is HUGE!!! I got so excited for you, I almost cried, imagining if I was your family waving to you live onlin! You packed alot into your pre-sailaway time - I almost forgot you hadn't left yet.

Yeah it really is so much fun!!! Awesome to know so many were watching from home!! Yes we packed a lot in, that theme will continue for sure. We literally went until we dropped. The good thing is that we didn;t gain nearly as much weight as normal on a cruise!

Too bad about the chair snatchers! I'll bet they saw your drinks there and just didn't care.

LOL, yeah no big deal. I don't think they noticed at all. Well they had to have after they heard me, but....I don't think they did it on purpose.

P.S. I saw a preview of some more fun, I won't mention here so cool!

LOL! shhh..it's hard keeping all of the secrets. LMBO!!!

I hate to feel this way, too, because I am a DIEHARD Disney fan!!!! But I think especially as Ally gets older and the characters are not the big deal anymore, I like what FOTS has to offer.... REALLY looking forward to this cruise.

Yeah I know, I do feel guilty cheating on the mouse a bit. I forgot it pretty quick though as soon as we embarked! Ha!!!

Tammie, isn't LOTS the same class as FOTS? What was it you didn't like? I just love the look of the promenade and the pool area and the H2O zone look incredible. And did we all mention price already?

We are cruising in an inside stateroom on the Magic this year...... We booked onboard and are paying $3300 less our 10% onboard booking credit. So basically $3000. I looked into upgrading a couple of weeks ago. Our same cabin is now $4400!!!! For an INSIDE stateroom for 3 people! That is just insane! So obviously we are not upgrading...... But I got our D1 aft balcony on FOTS for LESS than that! How nutty is that?

Mickey, I love you, but.......

Yeah that aft balcony is awesomeness!

Doesn't it make you wonder what's going on over there at DCL corporate? I just priced our same 2012 itenerary for 2013. It's now only $100 cheaper than the 2012 cruise. $100. While booking 19 months early?!?! How is that any incentive to book early?

Meanwhile, the same cruise period on the AOTS, or OOTS, is $500 cheaper than Disney. That's time in the spa, drinks at the bar, souvies, whatever! And for what they're asking for two inside stateroom on the Fantasy in the summer, we could have the best or darn near suite either Allure/Oasis.

I feel like a Disney traitor, but seriously, other cruise lines are looking better and better, you know?

It's crazy, it really is!

I totally agree with what you guys are saying about Disney prices.

Here is my example :

In 11/2010 we paid $1830.86 for dh/myself for 10 - yes ten - nights on the Emerald Princess (window-no balcony). It was a fantastic ship and trip to the Southern Caribbean, too!

In 5/2011 we paid $1220.48 for dh/myself for 3 - THREE - nights on the Disney Dream (window-no balcony). And we went with the cheapest, guarantee we could find. I couldn't believe balcony prices and would not pay what they were asking!

We are looking forward to cruising on the Oasis this coming Thanksgiving.

I do love the mouse and we are going to go on the Fantasy in 2012, but it is nice to venture out and try different things.

Only a few weeks now! So excited for you!!!

just catching up thanks for the updates

You're welcome!

VERY informative! I just told Jeff that I need to stop reading this TR before I book another cruise!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of Rita's the first night to kick off the cruise! And LOVE $20 for 3 drinks (with a little food in there for good measure).

Yeah the food so did not matter much after the drinks...LMAO!!! I have to say it was the perfect way to kick off the cruise- especially since we have read My-Time Dining (MTD) is absolutely chaotic the first night. (I don't know if it really is or not) but yes, it was so awesome!

....psst if you do book one 9/22/13 Allure ...jus sayin'....


I'll be back tomorrow with more commentary and a NEW INSTALLMENT! yay! For now, work calls again...ugh!

 

[MrsKP]

Nope. You're right. It is $1,500 more just for the cruise. I guess I love this trip report (and am dying for Nenner to return ) because I LOVE Disney but I'm a practical person. I just want to hear her comparisons on kids clubs, the extra costs, service, and "fun". It seems that people (like us) who love Disney always say that RCI really misses it and Disney is worth the extra money. Just thinking (and posting) my thoughts/questions/wondering to see if others are dealing with the same comparison issues. In no way trying to hijack the thread - just sharing issues I'm dealing with as we wait

I do not think you are hijacking!!!! I LOVE Disney but it is pure economics. I just do not think that Disney is offering that superior of a product to justify spending that amount of extra $$$ Just sayin'

 

[karajeboo]

I do not think you are hijacking!!!! I LOVE Disney but it is pure economics. I just do not think that Disney is offering that superior of a product to justify spending that amount of extra $$$ Just sayin'

ITA!!! I hate to agree, but sadly, I do....

And I'm sure Jen would encourage us to "tawlk amongst ourselves...." while she does that "work" thing. Sheesh, I really think she needs to rework those priorities.... Does she not realize I'm getting carpel tunnel checking back so often????

 

[floydfamily4]

Does she not realize I'm getting carpel tunnel checking back so often????

Me too!

 

[livingis2me]

ITA!!! I hate to agree, but sadly, I do....

And I'm sure Jen would encourage us to "tawlk amongst ourselves...." while she does that "work" thing. Sheesh, I really think she needs to rework those priorities.... Does she not realize I'm getting carpel tunnel checking back so often????

I know!!! I can't wait to see what we did next!!!
Ron

 

[MrsKP]

ITA!!! I hate to agree, but sadly, I do....

And I'm sure Jen would encourage us to "tawlk amongst ourselves...." while she does that "work" thing. Sheesh, I really think she needs to rework those priorities.... Does she not realize I'm getting carpel tunnel checking back so often????

I know!!!! I logged on 1st thing this morning to see if the next installation was in!

We are having people over the watch the Tenn vs South Carolina game tonight (Go Cocks!!! ) and my traveling girlfriends will be here. I am planning on showing her trip report to them. Must get on this ship and DH has zero interest. Sooo...... GIRLS TRIP!

 

[karajeboo]

I know!!! I can't wait to see what we did next!!!
Ron

You sound like MY husband!

I know!!!! I logged on 1st thing this morning to see if the next installation was in!

We are having people over the watch the Tenn vs South Carolina game tonight (Go Cocks!!! ) and my traveling girlfriends will be here. I am planning on showing her trip report to them. Must get on this ship and DH has zero interest. Sooo...... GIRLS TRIP!

Silly man!!!! Oh, and btw, Go Clemson!

 

[MrsKP]

Silly man!!!! Oh, and btw, Go Clemson!

We will see how that works out Thanksgiving weekend

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I tried to post this the other day, but my Internet Explorer was all wonky. Anyway, I was thinking about my perception of the onboard charges on RCCL vs DCL, so I did a little tally of what we did and wanted to do on our Western cruise. Not counting the photo CD, which we just don't get many pics of just the two of us - Including excursions:
DCL = $692 RCCL = $1211 / Roughly $500 difference

***Still not $1500 - that extra $1000 would pay for our airfare to the port, or a nice suite!***

I realize that no one "has" to do any of these things, but these are the things we would choose to do on a reasonable vacation that make our time more enjoyable for us.

I guess if we need to budget, which is most of the time, we'll look for other cruiselines unless we can find a deal, but for overall experience when we splurge it will be with Disney!

Cost Comparison Disney Vs. Royal Caribbean
DCL / RCCL

1. Wine Tasting - $15 / $15
2. Cooking Class - Free / $140
3. Burgers Free/ $4.50
4. Sodas/Milk Unlimited FREE/ $4 or $6/day
5. Wine/BTL $25 / $25
6. Orange Juice FREE / $3.99
7. Kids’s Club FREE / $6.95/hr late
8. Bottled Water $2 sm/$35 / $4 Large/$24 pkg
9. Cheese & Fruit $38/no wine / $42 w/ wine
10. Calif Cab added= $55 / included
11. Bingo $46 pkg / $60 pkg
12. DOTD $6.95/plastic cup / $10.95/nice glass
13. Laundry $3.00/ld (self sv) / $2-4 item/$47 for a sm load
14. Pictures $399 digital CD / $349 digital CD
15. Signature Dinner $50 / $50
Estimated Totals $705 / $1096

Excursions $184+76+116 / $176 + 144 +144

$1091 - 399 = 692 $1560 – 349 = 1211

 

[livingis2me]

I tried to post this the other day, but my Internet Explorer was all wonky. Anyway, I was thinking about my perception of the onboard charges on RCCL vs DCL, so I did a little tally of what we did and wanted to do on our Western cruise. Not counting the photo CD, which we just don't get many pics of just the two of us - Including excursions:
DCL = $692 RCCL = $1211 / Roughly $500 difference

***Still not $1500 - that extra $1000 would pay for our airfare to the port, or a nice suite!***

I realize that no one "has" to do any of these things, but these are the things we would choose to do on a reasonable vacation that make our time more enjoyable for us.

I guess if we need to budget, which is most of the time, we'll look for other cruiselines unless we can find a deal, but for overall experience when we splurge it will be with Disney!

Cost Comparison Disney Vs. Royal Caribbean
DCL / RCCL

1. Wine Tasting - $15 / $15
2. Cooking Class - Free / $140
3. Burgers Free/ $4.50
4. Sodas/Milk Unlimited FREE/ $4 or $6/day
5. Wine/BTL $25 / $25
6. Orange Juice FREE / $3.99
7. Kids’s Club FREE / $6.95/hr late
8. Bottled Water $2 sm/$35 / $4 Large/$24 pkg
9. Cheese & Fruit $38/no wine / $42 w/ wine
10. Calif Cab added= $55 included
11. Bingo $46 pkg / $60 pkg
12. DOTD $6.95/plastic cup / $10.95/nice glass
13. Laundry $3.00/ld (self sv) / $2-4 item/$47 for a sm load
14. Pictures $399 digital CD / $349 digital CD
15. Signature Dinner $50 / $50
Estimated Totals $705 / $1096

Excursions $184+76+116 / $176 + 144 +144

$1091 - 399 = 692 $1560 – 349 = 1211

Hey there!
Just to let you know the $4.95 for burgers was only if you decide to go to Johnny Rockets for burgers. There are plenty of free burgers on RC. I actually preferred the free burgers on RC to Disney (less fillers).

Also the OJ for 3.99 was the fresh squeezed glasses. I never saw anyone actually buy it. They have the usual bulk stuff that is watered down just like DCL for free. Either way neither cruise lines free options pass for good OJ.

On the Allure the DODs were served in plastic souvineer cups for 6.95 and 5.95. They also had them cheaper if you didn't get the special cup.

We didn't have to pay for milk it was always free.

Have yet to do laundry on a cruise.

Everyone's experience is different.

They also had $1200 purses and $560 sunglasses for sale... but we didn't buy them.

Ron

 

[karajeboo]

They also had $1200 purses and $560 sunglasses for sale... but we didn't buy them.

Ron

Wow, Jen really IS mistreated, huh?

 

[loveysbydesign]

can;t wait to read your entire review!

 

[floydfamily4]

I tried to post this the other day, but my Internet Explorer was all wonky. Anyway, I was thinking about my perception of the onboard charges on RCCL vs DCL, so I did a little tally of what we did and wanted to do on our Western cruise. Not counting the photo CD, which we just don't get many pics of just the two of us - Including excursions:
DCL = $692 RCCL = $1211 / Roughly $500 difference

***Still not $1500 - that extra $1000 would pay for our airfare to the port, or a nice suite!***

I realize that no one "has" to do any of these things, but these are the things we would choose to do on a reasonable vacation that make our time more enjoyable for us.

I guess if we need to budget, which is most of the time, we'll look for other cruiselines unless we can find a deal, but for overall experience when we splurge it will be with Disney!

Cost Comparison Disney Vs. Royal Caribbean
DCL / RCCL

1. Wine Tasting - $15 / $15
2. Cooking Class - Free / $140
3. Burgers Free/ $4.50
4. Sodas/Milk Unlimited FREE/ $4 or $6/day
5. Wine/BTL $25 / $25
6. Orange Juice FREE / $3.99
7. Kids’s Club FREE / $6.95/hr late
8. Bottled Water $2 sm/$35 / $4 Large/$24 pkg
9. Cheese & Fruit $38/no wine / $42 w/ wine
10. Calif Cab added= $55 included
11. Bingo $46 pkg / $60 pkg
12. DOTD $6.95/plastic cup / $10.95/nice glass
13. Laundry $3.00/ld (self sv) / $2-4 item/$47 for a sm load
14. Pictures $399 digital CD / $349 digital CD
15. Signature Dinner $50 / $50
Estimated Totals $705 / $1096

Excursions $184+76+116 / $176 + 144 +144

$1091 - 399 = 692 $1560 – 349 = 1211

Thanks for sharing! These types of quantitative and qualititative reports make our planning better! I think I would probably do the things that are in pink which are fairly comparable. We would likely do more than 1 speciality restaurant because of the options available though too. Thanks again - its very helpful

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hey there!
Just to let you know the $4.95 for burgers was only if you decide to go to Johnny Rockets for burgers. There are plenty of free burgers on RC. I actually preferred the free burgers on RC to Disney (less fillers).

Also the OJ for 3.99 was the fresh squeezed glasses. I never saw anyone actually buy it. They have the usual bulk stuff that is watered down just like DCL for free. Either way neither cruise lines free options pass for good OJ.

On the Allure the DODs were served in plastic souvineer cups for 6.95 and 5.95. They also had them cheaper if you didn't get the special cup.

We didn't have to pay for milk it was always free.

Have yet to do laundry on a cruise.

Everyone's experience is different.

They also had $1200 purses and $560 sunglasses for sale... but we didn't buy them.

Ron

Hi Ron! I wouldn't buy a $1200 purse either! ITA, and I think every cruise will be a different experience for us, too.

 

[MrsKP]

the anticipation is killing me.

Hi Jen-next installment pretty please!

Any more pool pictures?

Did you go to the private island? Would love to see those pics

Showed the girls your report so far and they all asked-when are we going???? I see a girls trip! Woo Hoo

 

[MrsKP]

This is pure torture!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!