Family Cruising

(24 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Sabrina Steinhauer

Eau Claire, WI
Certified Travel Specialist

With a depth of experience as a travel agent, I've cultivated a deep passion for exploration and adventure. Travel isn't just a job for me; it's a way of life. From the vibrant streets of Mexico to the serene beaches of St. Lucia, I've been fortun...

My mom and I about to board Allure of the Seas

Ocean cruising with the family can be filled with some of the most memorable moments and my most recent voyage certainly did not disappoint. In the fall, I had the privilege to take part in the inaugural sailing of the Allure of the Seas out of Galveston, TX. We were the first group to go through their newly built cruise terminal, so everything from the chairs to the bathrooms had that crisp, fresh feel. The staff were very friendly and efficient with the embarkation process. Before we knew it, we were on board the first Oasis Class ship to depart from Texas. And we all know that the first thing to do when arriving at a destination is get something delicious to eat. 


Our search soon took us to the buffet where a myriad of appetizers, entrées, and desserts were arranged in an alluring display. We found this to be the norm for each of the restaurants we chose to dine at. If you haven't read any of my other bios, I have a food allergy to gluten. Those of you with an allergy will understand when I say it can be very hard to find sustenance while traveling. On board the Allure, there is a pizza shop called Sorrento's Pizza. Day two of the trip I discovered they had gluten free pizzas. I must shamelessly admit that I had that for dinner almost every night on the cruise. When in Rome... right? ;) 


The cruise ship offered so many activities it was hard to choose when to do what. A few things I recommend as an absolute must when on an Oasis Class ship would be the diving/water show and the Broadway shows. The diving show features some incredibly talented individuals doing amazing feats of choreographed diving. All while on a ship that is moving beneath them as they perform! They offered multiple viewings for both of these options, so everyone had a chance to attend. We had a day in Cozumel to explore.


Royal Caribbean offers excursions you can book, and there are some outside vendors you can book through as well. Of course, if you prefer just to relax on the beach, that is always an option too!


We decided to do a shopping trip further into the island. As we got ready to leave, we met a friendly 70-something woman who ended up shopping with us all day. As it turns out, her daughter is a major part of the marketing team for Royal. This was a mother daughter trip them, but the daughter had to be in a meeting during this specific cruise stop.


Many of the street vendors only took cash as a form of payment. We were able to use USD but you may want to bring Pesos so you don't have to worry about it. A few shops also took card. There was an adorable market area with food, ice cream shops and souvenir vendors. I was able to find the perfect little gift to bring home to my then three-year-old daughter. 


When we got loaded into the van at the completion of the shopping trip, we could not find our new friend anywhere! We waited until the very last minute to board the ship, worried that we might be thrown overboard for losing the mother of one of the higher-ranking employees. 


The following day, after eating my customary gluten free pizza, we ran into our friend in the elevators! She had gotten onto an earlier shuttle and went through a different boarding zone safe and sound. 


At the end of it all, we made many memories, met some amazing people, and had our fill of pizza. 

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