Monday, August 21, 2023

The Allure of Royal Caribbean- Cozumel, Mexico

 The One Lobster Work-Around
Friday, July 7th 
Cozumel, Mexico 

Welcome Home... It's been too long! 

Morning
After a decent night's sleep, we both woke up around 8:15AM and got ready for our day in Mexico. We opted to go to Johnny Rocket's on the Boardwalk for breakfast. TIP- Johnny Rocket's is an additional charge restaurant; except for breakfast which is FREE. It does not require a reservation and you can walk right in. Be aware there often is a line, though. 


Hello Friday... I love you! 


We are excited to try Johnny Rocket's for BREAKFAST! 


Johnny Rocket's on the Boardwalk!

This was a great experience and we would do it again in a heartbeat; especially on port days. The food and service were exceptional. I had the Bacon and Cheese Lover's Scramble and Chris had the Work's Scramble. The Work's included chili and it was a bit overpowering for Chris but one statement to the waiter and within 3 minutes Chris had a new dish in front of him. I could not believe they were that fast and efficient. We left a very hefty tip! 


I loved this scramble! 


Chris's Works Scramble was a little too "chili heavy"! 

After breakfast we made our way down to the Royal Promenade to get a specialty coffee at Café Promenade. TIP- Reminder, these ARE INCLUDED in your Drink Package on Royal Caribbean. We then went back to the room so Chris could take his medication for the morning before we got off the ship. 


The free coffee (for all passengers) in Café Promenade


The Starbucks Specialty Coffee (included in all DRINK PACKAGES) 


This is SO NEEDED... I am feeling the tiredness! 

We got off the Allure of the Seas right after 9:30AM and made our way through the International Cruise Terminal to look for a local massage spa that a crew member told us about. It was located near the Royal Village tourist area just beyond the International Terminal. This turned out to be a true hidden gem. The massages were very well priced and more professional than those offered in Costa Maya, plus offered a cooler environment as well. We would HIGHLY recommend this if you are in Cozumel and looking for a good massage. 


It was hard to believe but there were ZERO Carnival cruises in port with us! 
There were 2 other ships at the downtown terminal... 


We love COZUMEL and the Allure of the Seas


The Mexican Massage room. 


Time for massage #2. 


We loved this place and WILL BE BACK! 


Right in front of the Royal Village area near the HUGE Shark... You cannot miss it! 

Once done with our massages, we wondered around the Royal Village area to look for souvenirs for our kiddos and parents before heading back towards the ship. This was in the middle of the day heat and that walk was VERY SWEATY and hot! 


This is a GREAT photo op outside of the Royal Village. In 17+ times of coming to Cozumel, we have never made it here! 


I LOVE this souvenir shop in the International Terminal. It is ran by the sweetest family and it has the cheapest gifts that are still high quality! 


Time to get back on this beauty! 


It is all coming to an end... NO! We are loving this cruise!  

Afternoon
Once back onboard we got into our swimsuits and then made our way to the Solarium Pool. As I mentioned on previous blogs, the Allure of the Seas Solarium Pool is very small for the amount of passengers it holds as well as a very oddly shaped pool. We spent the next 2+ hours between the pool and the hot tubs, just enjoying our Drink Package. We went to the shade level of the Solarium on Deck 16 to lay out and dry off right before getting a late lunch.


Vian did such a great job with this towel animal! 


Hello shaded Solarium... You're my favorite! 

We grabbed a late lunch in Park Café around 3PM but we tried to eat very light as we knew Formal Night in the Main Dining Room would be a very heavy meal. After a quick lunch we went back to the room to take showers and naps before the evening activities. 

Around 4:45PM we went to Deck 5 to try and watch the sail-away and look for pier runners but it seemed this was a very responsible crew and all passengers were back on board early and the Allure of the Seas made it departure for Galveston around 4:50PM. TIP- I really do not like the Promenade Deck of the Allure of the Seas and the lack of area to watch sail-aways from the lower deck. I really miss the large are of the Voyager and Freedom class ships. 

Evening
We grabbed another coffee at Café Promenade before going to our nightly pre-dinner spot at Vintages. We talked to Roger and learned so much about red wines on this night. We left Vintages around 6:20PM for the Ocean Aria show in the Aqua Theater


We are ready for Formal Night #2. 
Notice how "relaxed" we are with this "formal" night.
It really is whatever makes you comfortable!

We got there early and were able to get great seats on the aisle. However, as we waited for the show to start and the crowds started to form, we noticed the ship swaying a LOT and sure enough, around 7:07PM, Cruise Director Steve (from Canada) said the show would be delayed for safety. And then around 7:25PM, the show was officially cancelled. During that time of waiting, we saw GIGANTIC amounts of water sway out of the Aqua Theater pool so I am sincerely glad they called the show for the safety of the performers. They would try the show again on the following night and all ticket holders would be guaranteed seats. 


We are ready for the Aqua Show! 


CD Steve (from Canada) confirming that the show will be rescheduled! 

We were pretty bummed about the cancelling of the show but we completely understood the safety of the performers. We went down to the promenade level on Deck 5 to watch the sunset over the aft of the ship. This is always one of my absolute favorite parts of ANY cruise; however, this lack of seating on the Allure of the Seas made this experience not near as good as other cruises. 


Even with the clouds, God sure does paint a pretty picture! 


This view is PERFECT! 


I love this wake view... it doesn't get much better than this! 

We then made our way to dinner in the Main Dining Room a little early since it was Formal Night. Once again we sat at our exquisite table and the service was incredible. It was LOBSTER night in the MDR and the crowds were arriving. TIP- Royal Caribbean had a change in it's dining policy in 2023 and now only allows ONE Lobster per passenger at this Formal Night. If a passenger wants an additional lobster, they have to pay a $16.95/ per lobster fee. This was a bummer as Chris and I LOVE Lobster Night and in the past have ordered two or three. The rest of the menu was fantastic and we were pleased with just one lobster tail. However, we did notice many passengers and tables getting around this new rule. 


Night #6- Formal Night Menu 

We were sitting around 3 different large party tables and many had several kids, even toddlers, at their table. These tables would order 1 lobster PER person. It didn't even matter if the 2 year old (or the 95 year old Grandma) wanted lobster... They were ordering it. In fact we heard this sweet innocent Grandma tell her son "But, I don't like lobster" and he replied "I don't care, you're ordering it". I think Chris and I nearly spit out our drinks trying to not laugh out loud. We watched as this just became the norm for the tables around us. And sure enough, the lobster would get delivered to Grandma and she would just pass it right down to the other adults. We thought this was hilarious and for a brief moment, we were jealous we did not have our kids on board with us. So that is how you get around the "One Lobster" new rule. Just make your toddler order it for you! 

Our dinner was spectacular and we really enjoyed the food and service especially. We were in and out of the Main Dining Room on a FORMAL NIGHT in less than 80 minutes.


Vidalia Onion Tart- 4.0
I do not know why, but I always really enjoy this! 


Escargot- 5.0
LOVE THIS! GET IT... TRUST ME! 


LOBSTER TAIL- 5.0+ 
Too bad I cannot get a 2nd... 


Cheese Tortellini Pasta- 4.0
This was good and rich.
 


Baked Alaska-4.5
This is a true staple of any good cruise! It was light and delicate! 


Strawberry Shortcake- 4.5
This was a new addition to the menu and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
 

 After dinner we went back to the room so Chris could take his medication and then watched a replay of a comedy show before making our way to Studio B for the Battle of the Sexes and quite possibly our favorite entertainment of any cruise... The QUEST

We arrived late for the Battle of the Sexes but it is always a funny show. TIP- Be sure to have a GREAT sense of humor and NOT BE SHY if you plan on volunteering for this show. Then we got ready for the QUEST. TIP- This is an adults only scavenger hunt. The Cruise Director will split everyone into teams and then call out completely RANDOM items to bring to them, These items can be things like: a printed cruise compass, a "flip" phone, money with a specific president on it, and etc. Or they can be completely risque' items like; a jock strap, padded bra, false teeth and so much more.  Be sure to come ready to be offended! We never participate but we think it is hilarious and this round of the Quest was another hilarious night laughing at the stupidity and boldness of other quests! 


It has been a GREAT day aboard the Allure of the Seas! 

We ended the night back in the Schooner Bar and closed it down with Iputu. He is such a great server and we love the atmosphere of this bar. We closed down the Schooner Bar and then went to Sorrento's for some late night pizza. We finally went to bed around 2AM. 

This was a GREAT day spent in our Caribbean "Home-Away-from-Home"- Cozumel, Mexico! We love this island!  

Up Next- Sea Day #3 and our last day aboard the Allure of the Seas!

God is Good... ALL THE TIME! 

Click on a link to see our past cruising adventures:
Adventure of the Seas- February 2023




 


Carnival Conquest- 2006 


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