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In 2011, we had the privilege of spending a week on this newly commissioned Royal Caribbean mega-ship as a few tropical islands sailed by….or at least it seemed that way. It was difficult to tell that we were in fact the ones moving. Here are some images from that cruise.
At 1,187’ (362m) long; up to 198’ (60m) wide; and 236’ (72m) high, the Allure of the Seasdwarfs conventional cruise ships, as seen here in St Thomas.
Below: The exclusive adults only solarium was one of our favorites, with its own pools, bars, café, palm trees (?) and, (not shown,) cantilevered whirlpools actually hanging over the ocean. Nice!
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With the “Boardwalk” and “Central Park” below, the center of the ship is lined with unique inside cabins.
And overhead – the zip line, with me, …9 decks above!
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There are two, 10m climbing walls overlooking the stern, and Aqua Theater.
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Our friend Judy is winning the challenge.
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The sun is no different from this ship than from other ships, except maybe it SETS a few seconds later from this height!!! Rich, Ray and Fred join me with recording the event.
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“Central Park” is a meandering outdoor garden lined with bars, and shops – really awesome.
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On the same level, the Boardwalk features more informal shops and eateries, and a carousel!
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One deck down is the Royal Promenade with more shops, restaurants, a jazz club and other diversions. Between the two is the Tide Bar, shown here, (center about 10′ (3m) up and rising, bartender in center) which like an elevator moves between these two decks… with the bar, patrons and their drinks, up and down, up and down.
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Of course there is a 1,380 seat theater – the Broadway play “Chicago” on stage during our cruise. In addition there is an ice skating rink, clubs, etc., etc.
The enormous smokestacks of this ship were built to telescope down to clear a suspension bridge in Amsterdam, where the ship was built. For perspective, it would need to do this to pass under the George Washington Bridge!
Sunrise at sea, heading back from St. Maarten to Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary which besides St. Thomas, also included Nassau in the Bahamas.
Thanks for visiting, and as usual comments are always welcome.
Short on time? Just view the images, and click for increased resolution.
The satellite image below covers about 4 miles (6.4 km) across, showing the community of Sunrise Beach on Barnegat Bay and Island Beach State Park, a pristine part of barrier peninsula separating the bay from the Atlantic Ocean at the right.
On a typical summers morning, boats from miles around cruise to Tices Shoal on the New Jersey coast. The US Inter-Coastal Waterway is indicated by the North-South boat traffic on the left.In this closer rendering, about 35 boats can be seen gathered in this desirably sandy shoal inside the beaches.
On a good day, the numbers can reach several hundred boats, jockeying for space and visibility; for sun seeking celebratory fun; for relaxing, drinks, food, swimming, and just being there.
A small dock and access-way leads to the ocean, (right, ) less than 1/4 mile away.
Below are photos and captions from Tices Shoal, followed by the treasure that is, on the ocean side…
Many arrive early to get favored “spots” near the access path, or sandy shoals.All sorts of boats, kayaks, PWC’s, inflatable toys – pets, families, revelers… join the bay-side community.Frequently, raft-ups grow to dozens of watercraft.And there’s the ever-popular ice cream, cheeseburger and hot dog boats.Some cook and serve imaginative creations – food and drinks – on board; others set-up their grills and cold ice chests right in the water.Go-Fast boats come and go with unmistakable thundering power-plants, while awesome sailboats glide in silently.Several times a season, local radio stations add live music and give-aways to the party.Cloudy days are no exception,. As long as the seas are reasonably calm, they come.But it’s the bright sunny days that really beckon, and that short walk across the dunes to the ocean… promises some of the best beaches on the East Coast.The sand is fine and soft on the feet; the natural fauna, birds and other wildlife, enjoy a protected and balanced habitat.For those who love the treasures of the beach, and the allure of the sea without massive crowds, Tices Shoal provides the key to the gateway.And as a rarity in New Jersey, our favorite pets are welcome, as this image of Jeanne and Sandy Paws the dog will attest.We all try to be environmentally conscious, and there is no better way to practice this than during and after a day at this very special place. (That’s a kite hanging on the line!…)At the end of a beautiful summer day down the shore….…a sailor, perhaps here overnight, bids farewell to the setting sun.
As usual, comments are always welcome, and…thanks for viewing! 🙂
More information can be found at the official Tices Shoal website.
