I expect there are people who walk on to a ship for the first time with a deck plan etched into their brains. Not me โ I read the reviews and get a feeling for the ship but I love the joy of discovering things for myself. Itโs even better if the journey of discovery finds enough hidden nooks and crannies that it continues for a few days.
My alarm went off at 8 am and I woke to complete darkness. There was a moment of fear. Had Cuban pirates boarded the ship in the night and consigned me to a barrel?
Itโs been an epic week since my last blog, with the joy of the Royal Wedding over in the UK on Friday night, capturing the attention of millions of people across the globe, then the historic news about the demise of Osama Bin Laden yesterday......
Day 3: Thanksgiving. Ever heard of Turkey Pardon? No, nor had we, so we are compelled to wander down to the Royal Promenade (Deck 5) at midday to find out โ after a tough morning testing the spa thatโs suspended over the Caribbean Sea.
More Allure stats: The Central Park Neighborhood is a living park at sea, with 12,175 plants, 62 vine plants 56 trees and bamboo plants โ and even piped birdsong.
Cruise Passenger Magazineโs Editor Sally Macmillan is off to Miami today for the first cruise of Royal Caribbean Internationalโs newest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, now the worldโs largest cruise ship (by a few millimetres).
Oceania Cruises has a new ship and an amazing series of new journeys. Peter Lynch and Rose Kelly talk to the line's James Sitters about what's on offer and some special deals just for you.