A Look Around the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, the Allure of the Seas

by Janis on July 30, 2014

A few weeks ago, over the 4th of July, we sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas from Ft. Lauderdale.

At 225,000 gross tons, 1,187 feet long and 208 feet wide, the Allure is one of the two largest ships at sea.

Technically, the Allure was built exactly the same as its sister ship the Oasis of the Seas. But, SOMEHOW, the Allure measures 2 inches longer than the Oasis.

So it’s the world’s largest cruise ship. At least until the Oasis III and Oasis IV ships are launched. It will be interesting to see if they end up three and four inches longer than the original.

Here’s a quick look around the Allure of the Seas

Lots of action occurs on Deck 15 of the Allure. In the photo above you can see the zip line over the Boardwalk (Deck 6) below. The Boardwalk leads into the AquaTheater. Deck 15 is Sports Zone with two Flow Riders, a mini-golf course, basketball court and many pools and hot tubs.

This is a view of the kid’s pool area and the Baby Splash Zone on Deck 15. There are activities for every age of cruise on the Allure, making the ship ideal for multi-generation cruising families.

Deck 15 also features two hot tubs that cantilever out over the ocean off each side of the ship. All of the hot tubs are for adults only.

The Solarium is at the front of the ship on Deck 15. It is a relaxing oasis reserved for guests who are 16 years of age or older. There are two levels, a pool and several hot tubs, with many lounge chairs for relaxing. The roof is partly covered and partly open, so you can get sun or shade depending on where you sit. This was a very popular location on our cruise, but when the ship was in port in Cozumel, it was empty, and very enjoyable.

The photo above was taken from the AquaTheater stage during the complimentary backstage tour. You can see the two rock climbing walls, and some of the AquaTheater seating looking back towards the Deck 6 Boardwalk. These balconies are part of the boardwalk-view balcony staterooms.

One of the highlights of the Boardwalk is the Carousel, with it’s hand-carved animals. The Carousel usually operates most of the day and evening on sea days, and during the late afternoon and evening on port days.

At the aft end (or back end of the ship) on Decks 3, 4 and 5 you will find the three-level Adagio Dining Rooms, where breakfast and dinner are served daily, and lunch is served on sea days.

On Deck 5, a jogging/walking track circles the ship. 2.4 laps equals one mile.

While you cannot see the ocean from most of the jogging track (lifeboats block the view),there is a nice viewing spot at the back of the ship on Deck 5.

Deck 8 features the unique Central Park, with 12,175 plants and 56 trees. This was one of our favorite parts of the Allure. The balconies that you see in the above photo are considered a Central Park View Balcony Stateroom.

Along Central Park there are a number of specialty restaurants such as 150 Central Park shown in the photo above, Chops Grille steakhouse and Giovanni’s Table Italian. There are some upscale shops such as the Coach store.

Our two favorite destinations in Central Park where the Park Cafe for breakfast and/or lunch, and the Vintages Tapas and Wine Bar.

We booked our cruise very last minute, about a week before departure. We were in an interior stateroom on Deck 11 on the forward part of the ship. Here’s a look inside cabin 11533 on the Allure.

Have you sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas? If so, what is your favorite part of the ship? Please share in comments below.

I’ve also sailed recently on Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas. Check out these posts to learn more about that ship…

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