Cruise Lines

I'm on my way to Miami for a pre-launch cruise on Royal Caribbean International's new behemoth, the 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas.

Having written such a lot about Allure, and spent the same Thanksgiving week last year on sister ship Oasis of the Seas, that I feel I know it already.

But I don't really. Not until I've had a chance to be on board and experience all that it has to offer for myself.

I'm especially looking forward to trying out Rita's Cantina, the new Mexican diner and having a snack from the Dog House. And I'm keeping everything crossed that I get to eat in the new Samba Grill churrascaria, where they carve all sorts of meats on skewers at the table.

It's sounds great fun, but more importantly it's impossible for me to know if these new dining venues are as good as Royal says they are - and I suspect they may be a bit biased - unless I try them.

I'm less enthusiastic about having one of the balcony cabins that overlooks Central Park. Not because I like to spend hours looking at the sea, but I fear it won't be very private as folk in cabins on the other side of the park can look into my room.

However, I'm keeping an open mind and just hoping that either a) they won't have very good eye sight or b) they will have better things to do than look at me getting changed. On a ship like Allure, with so much to do, I would certainly hope the latter is true.

If nothing else, the cabin will be an experience, like eating in the churrascaria, and one I look forward to being able to write about.

Internet willing, I will be posting regular blogs, so remember to keep dropping by.