Somewhere between bites of limitless guacamole and watching the sundown from my Boardwalk balcony, I knew I made the suitable resolution to ebook a cruise on Allure of the Seas. Despite the ship usually being known as probably the most “outdated” of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, I could not have requested for a greater expertise onboard.
Allure of the Seas is at the moment the fifth largest cruise ship on the earth and she or he debuted in December 2010. The ship was set to obtain a $165 million amplification in 2020 so as to add options like waterslides and new eating places, however this has been placed on maintain.
Related: Allure of the Seas Guide & Review
Due to her amplification being postponed, the 12 yr outdated ship has acquired destructive feedback on-line about her relative “lack” of recent facilities. In reality, she is the one “original” Oasis Class cruise ship left following the amplification of Oasis of the Seas in 2019.
Because of this, I seen a number of individuals commenting how Allure of the Seas feels outdated, how she lacks new actions, and the way the staterooms and furnishings all through the ship are in determined want of an replace.
While on-line feedback ought to all the time be taken with a grain of salt, I couldn’t assist however surprise if they’d be true or not.
Therefore, I took issues into my very own arms and booked a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Allure of the Seas to see for myself whether or not or not that is the “worst” Oasis Class cruise ship.
First impression of Allure of the Seas: my cabin
When I entered my stateroom for the primary time, I discovered it clear and well-maintained. While it could not have had as many retailers as newer Oasis Class cruise ships, it was almost equivalent to my cabin on Oasis of the Seas earlier this yr.
There had been simply two minor indicators that my stateroom could possibly be in want of some upgrades.
Upon getting into my cabin, I seen my closet door was caught and wouldn’t slide open appropriately. Luckily, this was resolved with a easy name to housekeeping and I didn’t encounter any points the remainder of the cruise.
Second, the upholstery on my sofa was fairly worn out and will positively use an improve.
Did these minor particulars have a destructive impression on my cruise? Not in any respect. While I might say the cabins on ships like Harmony, Symphony, and Wonder of the Seas seem newer and extra trendy, my cabin decor didn’t impression my cruise expertise by any means.
What’s “missing” on Allure of the Seas?
Most comparisons of Allure of the Seas to different ships within the Oasis Class revolve round the truth that the ship is “missing” a number of actions, bars, and eating venues discovered on different ships. These embrace:
- The Ultimate Abyss, Royal Caribbean’s dry slide which plummets visitors 100 ft from the Sports Court all the way down to the Boardwalk neighborhood
- Waterslides
- Bionic Bar, the futuristic bar serving cocktails made by robotic bartenders
- Escape Room
- Laser Tag
- Wonderland, an eclectic specialty restaurant
- Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Personally, having these options lacking doesn’t make Allure of the Seas any much less fascinating to me. I hardly ever use the onboard waterslides or Ultimate Abyss, and whereas an escape room is enjoyable, I can hold busy with different actions onboard. Plus, you possibly can nonetheless discover a zip line, sports activities courtroom, 2 FlowRiders, Adventure Ocean programming, a carousel, and different kid-friendly actions on the ship.
That being mentioned, not having waterslides could possibly be thought-about a draw back of Allure of the Seas for some passengers. Whereas different Oasis Class ships have three waterslides along with small slides at Splashaway Bay, Allure of the Seas doesn’t have even one.
While there may be greater than sufficient to maintain children entertained on Allure, in case your children can’t wait to take a look at the waterslides onboard a cruise ship, it’s most likely greatest to select one other ship within the Oasis Class or spend the day at Thrill Waterpark in case your Allure cruise visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.
As far as eating and lounge venues are involved, I didn’t have any complaints with what was accessible on Allure of the Seas. Being an Oasis Class ship, Allure of the Seas has a ton of locations to eat and drink onboard even when she hasn’t been amplified.
Related: The Oasis Class options which might be solely left on Allure of the Seas
As somebody who cruises incessantly, it was refreshing to see a spread of eating choices on Allure of the Seas not discovered as generally on different Royal Caribbean ships. I most popular my meals at Samba Grill and Sabor on Allure of the Seas far more than my eating expertise at Wonderland (which might be discovered on different Oasis Class ships).
Related: I attempted Royal Caribbean’s least well-known specialty restaurant: here is what I believed
So maybe we shouldn’t have a look at Allure of the Seas within the context of what’s lacking, however what makes the ship distinctive.
What I beloved about Allure of the Seas
Diamond Lounge location
One of the perfect perks of being a Diamond member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society is entry to the Diamond Lounge.
Related: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program data, ideas & secrets and techniques
On each different Oasis Class ship, the Diamond Lounge is tucked right into a room on Deck 4 with no home windows. It’s not someplace I take pleasure in spending time, as I’d somewhat be hanging out someplace with an out of doors view.
On Allure of the Seas, nevertheless, this area has huge home windows overlooking the Boardwalk neighborhood and ocean.
Sabor Mexican restaurant
Something else I beloved on Allure of the Seas was Sabor, Royal Caribbean’s Mexican specialty restaurant.
I didn’t have the best expectations after I made a reservation at Sabor. Not solely do I stay in an space of the US with great, genuine Mexican meals, however I used to be on a cruise visiting Mexico. Surely the meals at Sabor couldn’t compete with the meals I loved in port, proper?
In actuality, Sabor exceeded my expectations and I used to be kicking myself for ready till the final day of the cruise to dine there.
We savored a meal of guacamole (personalized to your spice choice!), pico de gallo, quesadillas, fish and rooster tacos, and queso fundido.
Despite feeling fully stuffed after means an excessive amount of guacamole, I made room for a mouthwatering dessert of cinnamon churros, banana and chocolate chimichanga, flan, and cafe con leche.
Endless guacamole, tacos, and churros? Yes, please!
Entertainment choices
The ship’s AquaTheater present, OceanAria, might have been the perfect AquaTheater present I’ve seen but. It had an enormous give attention to acrobatics, together with an insanely spectacular acro yoga efficiency. I want I had seen the present greater than as soon as! While all AquaTheater reveals on Oasis Class ships are entertaining, I loved OceanAria probably the most.
Additionally, the ship’s Studio B present, Ice Games, was one in all my favourite ice skating reveals so far. I’ve a tough time understanding the plot of most ice skating reveals, however Ice Games was simple to observe. The present revolved round a Monopoly recreation by which the solid members (or visitors!) rolled a die that may transport the set to an space of Allure of the Seas.
The ice skating rink modified from Giovanni’s Table to the Boardwalk and Arcade, and the entire present was past enjoyable to look at!
Central Park
Something I like about crusing on the “older” ships within the Oasis Class (Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas) is that the vegetation and timber in Central Park have had over ten years to develop. The park is stuffed with tall, lush timber and large plant partitions which might be far more spectacular than on the newer Oasis Class ships.
As somebody who loves spending time in Central Park, I preferred how the area felt extra built-in with nature on Allure of the Seas in comparison with the newer ships.
Related: Top 10 Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas insider ideas & secrets and techniques
Cheaper pricing
Perhaps the perfect good thing about cruising on Allure of the Seas is that costs are sometimes the bottom of any Oasis Class ship. Because she has not been amplified and thus lacks actions like waterslides and new eating venues, Royal Caribbean costs her itineraries at an affordable value.
My 6-night cruise, for instance, was $1152 for 2 visitors in a Boardwalk balcony cabin together with gratuities. At $192 per night time ($96 per particular person, per night time), I felt it was an important deal for crusing on one in all Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ships.
Final ideas
While the amplification of Allure of the Seas has been postponed indefinitely, I might nonetheless, indisputably, suggest a cruise on the ship.
The solely time I seen the ship’s age in comparison with different Oasis Class ships was in a few of the furnishings, as new upholstery would have probably been on the agenda through the amplification. This extraordinarily minor element, nevertheless, didn’t have an effect on my cruise in any respect!
I beloved the distinctive options discovered solely on Allure of the Seas, such because the Champagne Bar on the Royal Promenade and spacious Diamond Lounge. The specialty eating venues had been implausible, too, and I didn’t have a single dangerous meal on the ship.
Truthfully, there isn’t a “worst” cruise ship, particularly when evaluating a few of the largest and most enjoyable ships on the earth. What is a dream ship for some cruisers might not attraction to others. For me? I had a implausible week onboard Allure of the Seas and didn’t as soon as really feel this ship was any “worse off” than different ships within the Oasis Class.
If you’d prefer to be taught extra about Allure of the Seas, try our FULL ship tour to expertise the ship deck by deck: