Allure of the Seas in Nassau
Allure of the Seas in Nassau / Royal Caribbean International
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AquaTheater
AquaTheater / Royal Caribbean International
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Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony / Royal Caribbean International
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The Boardwalk
The Boardwalk / Royal Caribbean International
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DreamWorks Experience Character Parade
DreamWorks Experience Character Parade / Royal Caribbean International
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"Blue Planet"
"Blue Planet" / Royal Caribbean International
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Allure of the Seas

Our Ship Review
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger

Allure of the Seas held the title of "the largest ship in the world" until Oasis-class sibling Harmony of the Seas launched in 2016 — followed by Symphony of the Seas in 2018 and Wonder of the Seas in 2022. All Oasis-class ships have now been topped in size by the first ship in a new class, Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024. Still, Allure of the Seas remains formidable — and lots of fun if you love a lively cruise experience — although its long-planned major refurbishment was delayed by the pandemic and hasn’t been completed as of early 2024. Clocking in at a whopping 4,074 guests at double occupancy (and more than 7,000 at full capacity), the ship feels like a small city. In order to help passengers avoid getting lost — or at least get lost less often — the ship is divided into seven “neighborhoods,” all packed with more activities, entertainment, and dining options than you can possibly experience in a week. As a result, Allure of the Seas has a loud, fun atmosphere that feels inspired by the brashness of Las Vegas, with a dash of Orlando theme park thrown in.

What We Love

The Boardwalk: Inspired by Brooklyn’s Coney Island, this family favorite has a real carousel, a hot dog stand, and the jaw-drop-worthy AquaTheater, where high divers put on a show.

Solarium Pool: Allure of the Seas has four pools including one with a sloped entry that mimics a beach. But the all-weather, adults-only Solarium is easily the most beautiful and most tranquil hangout spot on the ship — and a perfect place to escape the masses.

Original Art: Take time to look up, down, and around. There are some 7,000 works of specially commissioned art around the ship. A favorite is "Dream of Utopia," an installation by Korean artist Keysook Geum which fills the aft elevator lobby with 34 floating dress shapes constructed out of crystal beads and wire.

Best Known For

Royal Promenade: Grab a latte at the Starbucks (for an additional fee), then take a stroll past designer shops. This highway-wide main street also hosts parades. A bar that rises like an elevator overlooks the mall-like area, as do some staterooms.

Central Park: This stunning, open-to-the-sky area has hundreds of real trees and plants, plus walking paths and benches. It’s the perfect spot to read a book and bask in nature.

Who It's Best For

Active Types and Night Owls: Daytime activities include ice-skating, rock climbing, zip-lining and surfing, and that's even before you hit the gym equipped with more than 150 cardio machines. At night, choose between comedy, jazz, Latin, or disco dancing, or games at the casino, after you see the Broadway show “Mamma Mia!” 

Families: As if Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean kids program weren't enough, there’s the fun of an actual carrousel on the family-friendly Boardwalk, an H2O Zone Water Park, and for smaller kids, a teen hang out for those aged 13-17, and mini golf, ice skating, and after-dinner movies by the pool for the entire family to enjoy.

Don't Say We Didn't Warn You

The Dining Room is “Meh”: There are great specialty restaurants on Allure of the Seas — the Brazilian steakhouse is a festive feast for meat lovers and the elegant but pricey 150 Park appeases gourmets. But the food in the three-story main dining room isn’t anywhere near as good or memorable — which is to say that it's not memorable.

You Are Part of a Crowd: This is still one of the largest ships in the world, and you will have to maneuver among thousands of people to enjoy onboard attractions. Finding a lounge chair by the pools can be a challenge and you may have to wait in line at popular spots such as Johnny Rockets or the zip-line.

Fran Golden
Deal Expert / Travel Blogger