Aboard the Good Ship Allure of the Seas

First Morning at Sea
Allure of the Seas, Atlantic Ocean
July 26, 2026

It is a beautiful morning aboard Allure of the Seas. We are somewhere in the Atlantic east of the Bahamas headed for St Kitts & Nevis, arriving day after tomorrow. I am excited about two sea days in a row. Then three days in the islands.

Our arrival at the port to board the ship was not without some frustration. We arrived at the designated parling lot that I reserved from Rightway Parking well before the stated first shuttle time of 10:00. We were greeted by the valet and found a spot, the lot was largely empty, and staged our bags to load on the shuttle. I have used the company before without problems--but not this time. 

A shuttle arrived around 9:40 AM, dropping off passengers from the ship. However, we were informed that it wouldn’t be making a return trip and that another shuttle would arrive around 10:00 AM. Since we had priority boarding, we were able to board the ship immediately upon arrival at the port. By 10:10 AM, the shuttle was still nowhere to be found. I found the valet, who was asleep in his car, woke him up, and asked for an update. He made a call but didn’t have any new information. He advised me to call, which I did three times before someone finally answered. They informed me that he would inform a driver. We waited for about 5 more minutes before deciding to leave and pay the exorbitant parking fees at the port. While they aren’t as expensive as parking in New York City or Baltimore, they are still more expensive than long-term parking at most airports. 

Jeremy and Chris
Allure of the Seas, Ft Lauderdale, FL
July 26, 2026

I know it seems crazy, but I was coordinating a very nice surprise for other family travelers and I actually needed to be on the ship and not waiting for a phantom shuttle.

We made it to the port in about 15 minutes, dropped our bags off and found very nice parking. All-in-all we were about 30 minutes later than my desired arrival time and it all worked out. 

Unless I get a full refund, I am done with Rightway Parking and will just park at the port in the future. 

Once aboard, everything has been perfect!

Oh, and the surprise? Patrick and his family surprised Jeremy, Julie, and Chris by joining us on the cruise. And it was a grand surprise! Baby Beck is having a ball. 

-- Bob Doan, North Atlantic east of the Bahamas near 244943N 0744642W