Allure V Epic - Ultimate Finale Round

Round 1 - Looks...

Winner - Allure of the Seas

• in style with the rest of the RCI fleet

Loser - NCL Epic

• beauty is ruined by the adults only villas on top of the bridge.
• The villa decks look like it they were put on at the last minute.

Score: 1-0

Round 2 - Amenities...

Winner - NCL Epic

• Full of innovative features such as the Ice Bar, The Aqua Park and Bowling

Loser - Allure of the Seas

• amazing features
• not many innovative features as Oasis previously had them
• Dreamworks Experience is a great new innovation
• First Starbucks Coffee shop at sea

Score: 1-1

Round 3 - Destinations...

Winner - NCL Epic

• European and Caribbean route

Loser - Allure of the Seas

• Itinerary lacking something
• Allure and Oasis both in Caribbean - no variety

Score: 1-2

Round 4 - Children...

Winner - Allure of the Seas

• award winning youth program

Loser - NCL Epic

• Recess and Entourage lounge good idea

Score: 2-2

Round 5 - Staterooms

Winner - NCL Epic

• Solo Cabins
• Single Cruisers Bar

Loser - Allure of the Seas

• iPod Docks in all staterooms
• Bad layout
• Tight layout

Score: 2-3

Allure V Epic - Round 10!

It's the last round in the contest and if you haven't worked it out Epic can not win as the score is 6-4 to Allure. It's still interesting to see which ship has better Shows though. So read on to see who the winner of round 10 is. We will be posting the Ultimate Finale Round later tonight, to round up on all of the rounds and to get an overall winner! So make sure to tune in later on.

Shows...

Allure of the Seas

Well I am sure the first show that pops into every ones head is Chicago! One of the few Broadway shows on sea, and all of them are on RCI ships! There are more than just Chicago on Allure. How about a high class water diving show? How to Train Your Dragon Ice Show, part of the Dreamworks Experience and how about the Headline Show act. There are many more shows available throughout an Allure Cruise.

NCL Epic

The Blue Man Group is a great show available on Norwegian Epic, mixing science, variety and magic into the ultimate show! CirqueDreams and Dinner is an amazing place to watch circus acts while eating dinner! Legends in Concert is a one of the best celebrity tribute acts in the world and now its available to watch right on NCL Epic! The Second City Comedy Troupe are also on board NCL Epic to give you a spontaneous, unique form of sketch comedy! Theres load more great shows too!

Verdict

I think Epic should win this round because of the variety of shows available. All four shows featured above are different from most cruise lines. Epic also stages famous artists such as the Blue Man Group and The Second City. However, Allure has a great Broadway show, but then so does Oasis and Liberty. 

Allure V Epic - Round 9 Results

The votes have been counted and verified!
And I can now reveal the winner of Round 9 of the Allure V Epic Contest is... drumroll please!...

...

...

Allure of the Seas with the first Starbucks at sea!

Making the Contest score 6-4!

Guest Blogger

We are delighted to be the new Guest Blogger on http://www.lovecruise.co.uk/! We will be blogging some of the latest news stories, advice and our thoughts on cruising. Make sure to keep tuning in to see the posts! This is a big step forward for Royal Caribbean Fans and I hope you enjoy reading our blog posts! 

Plain Sailing!

As you may be aware, I (Jordan) visited Southampton for the day to take some pictures of Independence of the Seas. I had a fantastic time and enjoyed walking around the city. While I was there, I took some pretty cool pictures of Independence, the City Cruise Terminal and Carnival UK HQ. This post is just describing what I did that day.

Getting off the train, I walked straight to Mayflower Park. I had a huge grin on my face when I saw Independence docked. I felt pleased seeing this great ship once again, yet slightly disappointed that this time I would not sail her. I continued my walk to Mayflower Park. I was surprised by how far it is walking and the route is not that pedestrian friendly either. While I was walking I was surprised to see Carnival UK HQ. Several flags flew at the side of the building. The logos of Princess, P&O and Cunard for example. Mayflower Park is an ideal place for 'Ship Spotting' and I was slightly disappointed that the park wasn't maintained very well. In my eyes it could do with a rennovation. Graffiti lined the football/basketball court and it creates a negative impression on the area. Despite all that, Mayflower Park is a nice place to sit and watch the ships. I ventured along the road to see Ventura at the Mayflower Cruise Terminal. I couldn't find any good spots to take some photos. I decided to look around the town itself. West Quay is a huge shopping centre with some good shops. The Food Court is located on the top floor and has a balcony with an impressive view overlooking the rooftops of Southampton and a great view of Independence of the Seas in dock. I really enjoyed my time in Southampton and look forward to visiting again sometime in the future!

Allure V Epic - Round 9

Bars...

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas has numerous lounges and bars around the cruise ship that are fun for relaxing or enjoying a drink or snack with friends or family. The most innovative bar on Allure is the Rising Tide Bar. A cocktail bar that elevates between the two neighbourhoods; Central Park and Royal Promenade. For passengers who enjoy elegant bars the Champagne Bar or Dazzles are great places to have a drink. For the people who like to have a party, why not soak up the party atmosphere in the On Air karaoke lounge. Another new innovation on Allure is the first Starbuck's at sea! Why not have a Frapuccino or Mocha while enjoying the buzz of the Royal Promenade? You can enjoy a quick drink at the Trellis Bar or enter the Vintages wine bar  located in Central Park. For jazz lovers, how about the Schooner Bar, a popular favourite on Royal Caribbean Ships, with a local pianist playing great songs. For the typical Brit, there's the Bow and Stern English Pub. These are only just some of the many bars on Allure of the Seas. And to be honest if you went to every bar on Allure, you might just have a hangover the next day!

NCL Epic

Spice H20 is a cool bar located at the aft of the ship that when the sun sets, turns into a adults only nightclub! The entertainment is non-stop as the pool floor rises to become a dance floor! The Bliss Ultra Lounge explains itself! Ultra Bliss! It's a hip, cozy, high energetic lounge. This too is an adults only bar after 10pm. The Epic Club Lounge is utter luxury! It is an exclusive private bar for Villa Guests where they can enjoy premium liquors and a taste of the high life! O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill is a pub where comfort food and American classics are cooked 24 hours a day! you can watch sporting events on the Plasma screens. O’Sheehan’s also has three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games. The ultimate sporting bar! Shaker’s Martini Bar is a cocktail bar, for those who love a martini or cosmopolitan. Waves Bar is a relaxing poolside bar. Of course there are loads more bars on Epic, too many to mention all in fact.

Verdict
I find the Starbucks on Allure is an amazing innovation and I love the variety of bars. The same can be said about Epic. I especially like the O'Sheehan's Bar. This makes a dilemma for me. Two great bars on two great ships. For the first time we want your help to decide who you think should win this round. To cast your vote, simply choose the ship you want to win via the poll to the right of this post. Hurry though, votes close tomorrow! You can also send us your vote via Twitter, Facebook, Email or through our website. Get voting!

Allure V Epic - Round 8

Sorry for the delay in this round. We have been extremely busy recently. We should however continue as normal from now on.

Cleanliness...

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is a very clean ship, as are most ships. The constant fear of an out break of the Nuro-Virus is on the staffs mind. That is why you will regularly see staff cleaning public spaces such as handrails and lift buttons.

NCL Epic

The same can be said about Epic. All cruise ships are generally clean and NCL Epic is no exception.

Verdict

As both ship are both very clean, I have no decision, but to declare this round a draw.

What's all this about Smoking?

The main cruising news this month has to be the smoking ban on all Carnival Corporation companies, which include Carnival, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises. This news story is not relevant to Royal caribbean International, but we decided to coment on it anyway, as it has got everyone talking.

There has been a big uproar about their decision to in force the ban, which includes smoking in some public areas and staterooms.

Well I cant see anything wrong with what Carnival Corporation is doing. In 2008 the UK government brought in the smoking ban, which is very similar to CC's idea. There were a few protests when the smoking ban came into force, but it is there for a simple reason, to let all passengers enjoy the public spaces without going back to your stateroom smelling of cigarettes. There are plenty of smoking areas on ships, such as a smoking lounge, for example. So I don't understand why there is a big controversy over it. I mean, it's not like Carnival Corporation is banning all smoking areas, right?

I think it is a great idea what CC is doing. Not all passengers want to be in a smoking atmosphere. Smoking is not as socially accepted like it was years ago.

We would love to hear your views on this one...

Contest Delayed

We are sorry that the Allure V Epic Contest has been delayed recently. We can now confirm that the contest will re-begin next Monday.

Allure V Epic - Round 7

Pools...

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas has a pretty cool pool deck. I like the H2O Zone on board, which is a feature on board most RCI ships. The H2O Zone is a great pool for kids. It has water cannons, geezers and fountains. For adults, there is the adults only solarium located at the front of the ship. Adults can relax in a private pool and jacuzzi. There is also relaxing and comfortable seats to watch the waves go by. For everyone else, there are some cool pools, a normal pool and a great beach pool, where you can sunbathe on sunloungers while gentle waves roll under you. The Aqua Theatre at the aft of the ship is a pool in the day and a high class water diving act at night and is officially the deepest pool at sea (well excluding the ocean of course!)

NCL Epic

The water park on Epic is amazing. There are 3 multi-story water slides, five hot tubs, a wading pool and a kid’s pool that features sculptures, water sprays and a slide.

Verdict

I think Allure should win this one because I like the different pools available. I love the beach pool. When I went on Oasis, that was my favourite pool. Its a good concept. It was a hard choice, as I also like the Water Slides on Epic, but then I thought to myself other cruise ships have water slides and it's not that new.

Allure V Epic Contest - This weeks topics

Monday: Pools
Tuesday: Cleanliness
Wednesday: Bars
Thursday: Shows
                Ultimate Round (all topics discussed to get an overall winner)

If you have any topics that you think should be mentioned then please contact us.

Allure V Epic - Round 6

Cuisine...

Allure of the Seas

An amazing array of dining options are available on Allure. More than 20, in fact. The Adagio Dining Room is the main Restaurant on Allure, which spans over 3 levels and can seat 3,056 diners. The speciality dining options (Portofinos, Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Samba Grill, Rita's Cantina, Izumi and many more) are great, if you don't want to eat amongst lots of other people and if you fancy a certain style of food (eg. Mexican, Italian etc.) The Windjammer Marketplace is a great buffet restaurant. If your feeling peckish, they have all different foods available.

NCL Epic

There are slightly less dining options on Epic than Allure. 17 instead of 20, but there is still a wide range of options for you to choose. The good thing that I find about NCL Epic is that they have a 'Freestyle Dining' approach, where you do not have a set time or table, you just come and sit where ever you like. There are some good and bad points about this. It means you can be more flexible with when you want to eat, but it means you don't build up that repertoire with your waiters that you would do with other cruise lines. Pizza 24/7 is a new program on board NCL Epic. You can have a full pizza delivered to just about anywhere on the ship (at a cost). Of course, there is always the option to enjoy NCL's 24-hour room service free of charge.

Verdict

I think Allure should win this round. This is because there are more dining options and more choice. I like Norwegian Cruise Lines 'Freestyle' Approach, but I personally like to get to know my waiters. I like Royal Caribbean's Speciality Restaurants, but I think they should be careful, not to fill the whole ship with 'additional charge' dining eateries.

Allure V Epic - Round 5

Staterooms...

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas have good size rooms, that are light and airy.
Allure's staterooms are normal standard for Royal Caribbean, however I like the iPod docks in all the staterooms! One disadvantage is the layout of the cabin. I find they have tried to cram lots into the space. I went on Oasis of the Seas in 2010 and I was very disappointed with the layout. The bed was too close to the wardrobe and the air conditioning blew onto your neck when you were sleeping. It was a tight squeze to get from the door to the balcony as there was not a big enough gap between the dressing table and the end of the bed. I have been told that they have slightly changed the layout of the cabins, but I still believe they are not the best.

NCL Epic

Cool, funky and modern are 3 words I would use to describe Epic. A great layout and I love the sofa! One thing that I like, that NCL has done is the Solo Cabins for single cruisers. I love the bar that is exclusive for single cruisers aswell. It is a great idea.

Verdict

Without a doubt, Epic wins this round. This is because I love the Solo Cruisers option. I think this will lead the way into more cruise companies adding more single staterooms to their ships.

Allure V Epic - Round 4

For Children...

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas has some pretty good activities and venues for children to hang out. For instance, Allure has a scheme called 'Royal Babies' where parents can send their babies aged 6-18 months. Royal Caribbean also have 'Royal Tots' which is the same, but for toddlers aged 18-36 months old. 'Adventure Ocean' is the award winning youth program for children aged 3-11 years, however this is seperated into smaller categories; Aquanauts for children 3-5, Explorers for kids 6-8 and Voyagers aged 9-11. They can do all sorts of activities from face painting to science experiments! For the older kids aged 12-14, there is a club where they can hang out and make new friends, play sports and check out games. For even older kids aged 15-17, they can try out lots of coll things onboard. A great place where kids like to hang out is the Arcade. it has all the latest machines that you would find on land, including Guitar Hero and more! Another great experience they might like is the Dreamworks Experience, an event not to be missed!
NCL Epic

On Epic, the Aqua Park is a great place that kids of all ages (including adults!) like to play on. Children can ride the flumes, swim in the pools and splash about! Another great place for kds onboard NCL Epic is the Recess lounge, theres an interactive dance floor, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii gaming areas, karaoke stage and a surrond sound cinema! You'll have to drag your kids out!
NCL have also teamed up with Nickelodeon to create the Nickelodeon Program, where children can meet all of their favourite characters, such as Spongebob and Dora the Explorer. You can also meet the characters at Breakfast Time!  You can dance and sing during Dora’s Music Party. Take part in activities such as Slime Time LIVE! Where two families compete in Nickelodeon’s signature messy game show and interactive poolside games with Nick Live Poolside. If thats not enough! you can always challenge your kids to a game of Bowling - The first at sea! Entourage is the hottest under 21 nightclub ever! it's perfect for teens! pinball, air hockey, jukebox, TV's and a cool dancefloor, it's the most trendiest place on the ship!

Verdict
It is a close call between Allure and Epic, but I think Allure should win because of its award winning youth program. I also like the 'Royal Babies and Tots' idea. However, I do like the sound of the Recess and Entourage lounge for the kids on NCL Epic.

Allure V Epic - Round 3

Destinations...

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is based in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida alongside sister ship, Oasis of the Seas. She sails every saturday to the Eastern Caribbean via the Bahamas or Cozumel, Mexico. Fort Lauderdale is a very busy industrial port and by no means is it the prettiest port, but Port Everglades is one of the most popular cruising ports in North America. Nassau is another industrial island, but has lush clear sea and white sandy beaches. St Thomas is a less afluent island, but the port in which Allure docks is very beautiful, along with its traditional taxis. St Maarten is another industrial port, but the further you leave the ship the more beautiful the scenery gets.

NCL Epic

NCL Epic sails to the Western or Eastern Caribbean along with itineraries from Barcelona to the Western Mediterranean. She starts from Miami and goes to Costa Maya then to Cozumel. Epic also goes to St Maarten, St Thomas and Nassau on its Eastern Caribbean cruise. From Barcelona Epic sails to the Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Palma and back to Barcelona. Both Itineraries offer fascinating sites and scenery.

Verdict

I believe NCL Epic should win this round because its itineraries are more interesting. The ship sails to fabulous ports. Although Allure has roughly the same itinerary to Epic in the Caribbean, Allure's itinerary lacks something. I think Royal Caribbean would gain sending either Oasis or Allure to Europe because it gives some diversity. Both RCI ships sail around the Caribbean and have done for around two years. Isn't it time for a new route?

Allure V Epic Contest Continues...

For those of you asking, yes the Allure V Epic Contest will continue on Monday. We do not post anything on our blog or website on Friday's, Saturday's or Sunday's. The contest will re-continue on Monday. Here are the contest schedules for the week;

Monday: Destinations
Tuesday: Children
Wednesday: Staterooms
Thursday: Cuisine

If you have any topics that you think should be mentioned then please contact us.

Allure V Epic - Round 2

Amenities...

Allure of the Seas
Although Allure has lots of amazing features, it doesn't actually have many new innovations. Ok, the Dreamworks Experience is a fabulous addition that people of all ages love. Another feature is the first Starbucks Coffee onboard, but excluding these and just a few others, there isn't actually that much new and innovative things aboard Allure. Oasis was full of world firsts like the carousel, zipline and two flowriders. Allure has all these features, but they are not as impressive as Oasis already has all these features.

NCL Epic
Epic is full of innovative features, such as the Ice Bar, 1 of 18 in the world and the only one at sea. It's a great idea! The Aqua Park is an amazing sector of the ship and dominates the middle of the top deck. Bowling is another great innovation. I find it impressive that a game that requires a flat surface without any movement could be built on a ship.

Verdict
I believe the winner of this round should be NCL Epic because the ship has so many new innovations. If this competition was between Oasis and Epic, I think Oasis would of won it, but beacuse it is Allure, there is not many new features. Epic has sailed through this round in my mind.  Bowling - This made up my mind that Epic should win because I find it impressive that a game that requires a flat surface without any movement could be built on a ship.

Score

Allure V Epic - Round 1

Looks...

Allure of the Seas
Allure is a thing of beauty considering its size, it is in style with the rest of the RCI fleet.

NCL Epic
NCL Epic is a beautiful and modern ship, its design is relatively compact compared to Allure, however the Adults Only section on top of the Bridge, makes the ship a little ugly. It seems like it has just been plonked on at the last minute and does not match the rest of the ships style.

Verdict 
I believe Allure should win this round as she looks more beautiful. Her shape looks natural and soft compared to Epic.

Score

Allure V Epic Contest

Over the next few weeks we will be asking questions about the two ships, in a competition to see which is best. Each question, we will discuss the factors of each ship and conclude with an answer of what we think is the best ship, after 10 rounds we will see the winner of the Mighty Ship race! You may be wondering why we choose these two ships, well, at this current time these ships are the most revolutionary vessels afloat and because their owned by different companies, a battle has begun to build the biggest and best!

Welcome to our new and updated blog!

Welcome to our new blog! We already had a blog, but over the past several months it has become neglected ever since we changed our web address from thenationofwhynot.webs.com to rcifans.webs.com. Well we have now decided to re-create the blog with an updated version and we hope to keep you updated with all the latest news and gossip on Royal Caribbean! We have made it easier for you to quickly find all the latest news with our, 'Latest News' feed. This is sourced directly from our website, so if we haven't posted on here for a while you can still access all the latest news! We would like to remind you that the articles displayed in the 'Latest News' section are extracted from other websites unless no 'source id' address is displayed. We do not take any credit for the content displayed in the section. Well I hope you enjoy reading the blog and don't forget to subscribe! From all of us from Royal Caribbean Fans we hope you have a great day and hope you enjoy your next RCI cruise!

If you do need any advice and information about your Royal Caribbean Cruise then please do not hesitate to visit our website or contact us via email