Friday 2 January – Monday 4 January 2026 – In Transit: Sylvia

This has been one of the more interesting transits we have had. We had a houseful staying on 1 January so it was a bit busy getting packed up and heading to the airport in Queenstown on the 2nd. As usual we had packed carry on only. I generally check through for domestic flights but on this trip we were ticketed all the way through to Miami. Roger always just takes his carry on even domestically. For the first time ever we were challenged on boarding about the weights of our bags. Not what I needed when I was already a bit stressed. I just carried on and boarded and left Roger to sort out his over-weight bags. After quite a bit of discussion he eventually turned up on board with an extra tote bag, provided by the airline with the extra weight he had removed from his suitcase. In reality I get that there are rules and we were pushing the limits. Having said that, given that in the US there are no weight restrictions and carry on is encouraged it can’t be a safety issue. It did seem crazy that Roger could bring all the weight on board just in an extra bag.

Anyway, we made it safely to Auckland and over to the International terminal with no further disruption. About an hour later we boarded our flight through to Houston. This was on an ex-Cathay Pacific plane, leased by Air NZ to help with all their plane challenges. It was an easy ~13 hour flight through to Houston with some delicious prime rib for dinner. I even managed about 6.5 hours sleep, more than I had been getting most nights at home.

The immigration and security process in Houston was slow but pretty easy. We hadn’t been sure what to expect with all the media hype but had no issues at all. We headed to the lounge and received updated boarding passes for our flight to Miami as the ones issued by Air NZ in Auckland had not had seat numbers. All was going well and after about 4 hours we headed to the gate to board. Roger was ushered onto the plane but when I went to check in there was an issue with my boarding pass. I thought it would be something simple so wasn’t too worried but was then informed that they didn’t have any record of my ticket. I made a frantic call to Air NZ but by the time they had something sorted the gate was closed and I was stranded in Houston.

Several more long phone calls later, I had a flight booked for the next morning and a hotel room booked. I had messaged Roger to let him know and rung the hotel in Miami as it was booked in my name. Once I was able to check in through the United system for my morning flight I made my way, via the very dinky little ‘subway’ at Houston Airport to the Marriott Hotel and got a little sleep before my 7:20am departure the next morning.

It was frustrating and created some unnecessary stress but I am very grateful that we are experienced travellers and take this sort of thing largely in our stride. Still, I was very happy to board the flight the next day and arrive safely in Miami to meet up with Roger again.

The Intercontinental Hotel in Miami is right near the port area and we could see many cruise ships docked just over the water, including some really huge ones. Both being pretty tired, we opted for a quiet day, taking a bit of a wander around the waterfront and doing a little bit of shopping before heading back to the hotel to rest. The waterfront area is a hive of activity, filled with lots of restaurants and loads of people, lining up to take boat trips or enjoying meals. Roger wasn’t a huge fan of the thumping music but it was certainly a great place for people watching.

On Sunday morning we slept late, then caught an Uber the short distance to Pier J to board the Allura. It was one of nine cruise ships docked, ranging from one that carries 6,500 passengers, to our small one that carries only 1,200. The Oceania Allura is a new ship, having completed her maiden voyage only last June. She is a stunning ship; everything on board is shiny and new. The check in process was quick and easy and we were able to access our suite immediately.

We had booked an Oceania suite and it is truly luxurious with a large lounge/dining area, a separate TV room, two full bathrooms, a spacious bedroom and a large deck area. The photos don’t really do it justice. We enjoyed a buffet lunch in the Terrace restaurant, headed to the fitness centre to sign up for some classes, checked in at our muster station and then headed back to the room to unpack and settle in.

Our butler, Franzer, and cabin steward, Ni, arrived to ensure we were settled in and had ordered our six complimentary bottles of alcohol! Once unpacked we settled out on the deck with a glass of champagne, watching the multitude of boats making their way around the harbour. A fuel tender was tied up alongside pumping fuel into the Allura for our voyage and a couple of dolphins cavorted just off the side of the ship.

Just after 6pm the fuel tender was pushed off by a tug boat and at about 7pm we sailed off… Tomorrow is a sea day and then we will arrive in Mexico.

 

Monday 5 January – At Sea: Roger

We woke to a sea so calm we couldn’t tell that the ship was moving. We headed up to the gym on deck 14, where Sylvia attended the HIIT class. All the bikes and other machines were occupied so I headed to the walking track at the stern on deck 15. The track goes around the superstructure that houses the funnel; six laps equate to one kilometre. After a couple of kms I headed back to the gym for a few weight exercises while Sylvia finished her class.

After a shower and a change of clothes we headed to lunch in the Terrace Café on deck 12 aft. With a huge variety of food and lots of people to go with it, it seems to be a popular place to eat.

Then it was time to explore some of the ship. The Allura first sailed mid 2025. Built in Italy at the Fincantieri Shipyard at Sestri Ponente, she is registered in the Marshall Islands and weighs in at a gross tonnage of 67,901 tons. She is 246.06 meters long and 32 meters wide with a maximum draft of 7.44 meters. With 15 decks, of which 11 are passenger decks, she carries up to 1200 guests and 800 crew.  She is powered by 2 Vem Diesel Electric motors giving her a maximum speed of 22.8 knots, or approximately 40 kph. With three bow thrusters and two 6.3m stabilising fins she is a very modern bit of kit.

Despite carrying twice the number of passengers of the Serena, which we were on down the west coast of Africa in November last year, it is only really noticeable by the number of extra sun beds placed in every available bit of deck space. And by the increased sizes of the many restaurants.

This is my attempt of a ship’s tour starting from the top.

Deck 16 Forward: Miniature Golf, Pickleball & Paddle Tennis Court and 2 Baggo Courts.

Deck 15 Forward: Fitness Centre, Spa, Barber, Salon, and Spa pools on forward deck.

Deck 15 Aft: Walking track, Petanque and Shuffle-board court.

Deck 14 Forward: Horizon Lounge, Smoking Room, Computer training room, Library, Art room, Culinary room (cooking lessons).  On the centre of this deck there is a walk way, or part sun deck, that runs down both sides, lined with loungers.

Deck 14 Aft: Polo Grill (Steakhouse) and Toscana (Italian) restaurants, Baristas Coffee House & Bakery, Creperie.

Deck 13 The Italians seem to have forgotten to build that one.

Deck 12 Forward: Suites.

Deck 12 mid-ships: Pool and spa pools, Waves Bar and dozens of sun loungers.

Deck 12 Aft: Aquamar Kitchen (healthy restaurant), Waves Grill, Terrace Cafe.

Deck 11: Suites and Exective Lounge

Decks 10,9,8 and 7: Cabins.

Deck 6: Martinis Bar, Casino, Grand Lounge, Fortunes bar and Grand Dining room.

Deck 5: Allura lounge (theatre), Reception, Destination Services, Concierge, three Boutiques, Red Ginger (Asian) and  Jaques (French) Restaurants.

Deck 4: Medical Centre and crew quarters.

Below this we are not allowed to look, although I would love to look through what makes this vessel go.

We dined at Jaques in the early evening, Sylvia enjoying a goat cheese soufflée and me a ‘soggy bread on top’ onion soup just like on the Serena, followed by a lamb rack for Sylvia and a rather nice filet mignon for me. Dessert was a Mille feuille for Sylvia and the cheese selection for me.

 

Tuesday 6 January 2026 – Cozumel: Sylvia

Our itinerary was switched and we arrived in Cozumel at 7am this morning instead of Costa Maya. (We will go to Costa Maya tomorrow). We were moored right next to another cruise ship. We had arranged a private jeep tour of the island and after wandering to the end of the pier and through the shopping mall we met our driver and guide, Irving, under the lighthouse, exactly as directed. Another short walk took us to the jeep.

Irving was an excellent guide with very good English. We decided to drive around the small island to get an overview. Cozumel has a population of ~100,000, about 10,000 of whom are expats. Most days in the high season, it receives up to 60,000 visitors from the 6-7 cruise ships that dock and the ferries that run every hour from the mainland. Tourism is clearly the major earner for this small island, which is only about 11kms wide and 30kms long. You are only able to drive around half the island as the other half contains Mayan ruins, which are protected but able to be visited. We will visit Mayan ruins in Costa Maya so decided not to do that today.

Instead we stopped at Bee Happy, a local bee sanctuary, which rescues the local stingless bees and makes a range of honey and honey products from both these bees and the normal stinging variety. We were introduced to Cynthia, who guided us around their set up. As well as the honey products they also grow vanilla, an orchid, which they use to flavour some of their products. We were able to taste the genuine vanilla and manufactured vanilla, which is very different.

Cynthia then explained the process of making cacao. We had a go ourselves, cracking and de-shelling the beans, then rolling them on the stones into a paste. A little honey was added and we were able to taste.

We then tasted a variety of different honey products from both the normal, and the non-stinging endemic bees, before visiting some of the rescued hives for the non-stinging ones. They mostly build their hives inside logs and then make small entrance ways. There are two different varieties of these bees, one being particularly tiny.

After leaving Bee Happy we continued to what is known as the ‘wild’ coast, although it didn’t seem very wild today. This side of the island has no housing but there are restaurants and beach clubs scattered along it. It is generally windier with rougher seas than the other side and there are a lot of surfing schools. On the other side of the road from the ocean is a mangrove swamp and we saw a couple of crocodiles sunning themselves alongside.

We continued around the island and stopped at the Money Bar Beach club where we did some snorkelling in the crystal clear, turquoise waters. We were surrounded by fish as soon as we got in and although there wasn’t a lot of coral around we did see a few lovely fans and lots of different and very colourful fish. Back on land again we enjoyed a delicious lunch before heading back to the ship, through the obligatory shopping mall.

We had time for a bit of a relax before heading up to the Horizon Lounge for our first afternoon tea of the trip. I had been really looking forward to this and was not disappointed.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. It was good to relax a bit. We both attended the sunset stretch class in the gym and then settled into our room to watch a good movie.