The worry of many cruisers is finding the right ship with enough entertainment to keep your crew happy. The Allure of the Seas does not disappoint, and our Flightie Danny shares why the world’s largest cruise ship is one not to be missed out on:
photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.com
Taking its maiden voyage in December 2010, the Allure of the Seas is officially the worlds largest cruise ship (boasting an extra 5 centimetres in length than its sister, the Oasis of the Seas). Touted as “the ship of entertainment” by Royal Caribbean International CEO Adam Goldstein, the Allure of the Seas features more restaurants, bars and lounges, show rooms and theatres (which all translates into more fun) than any of it’s rivals. From Mardi Gras style street parties on the Royal Promenade (a massive shopping, dining, meeting place and all around heart of the ship) to family breakfasts with costumed DreamWorks characters in the dining room, the Allure of the Seas literally has it all. And it should; the Allure cost an estimated 1.2 billion dollars to complete!
The perfect choice for families and those new to cruising, the Allure of the Seas is a destination in itself. Aside from the amazing ports of call you’ll visit, the entertainment onboard the Allure will be the highlight of your cruise. Having worked onboard a cruise ship myself for over 4 years prior, I was expecting the standard after dinner shows in the theatre and a few late nights in the cocktail bars. However, from the moment I stepped on the gangway I knew I was in for a completely new experience. All your favourite Royal Caribbean mainstays are here: The Viking Crown Lounge, the Schooner Bar, and the Royal Promenade. But the new innovations are what set the Allure apart. From Boleros (a Latin themed dance club) to the new DreamWorks experience (it’s Shrek at Sea!); Allure has taken entertainment to new levels. Where else but on a Royal Caribbean ship can you go ice skating, surfing, ride a full sized merry-go round, zip line 8 stories above a tree lined street, catch a Broadway Show and then dance the night away.
This massive ship was purposely built around 7 key “neighbourhoods”, each with its own personality. Entertainment venues in each are tailored to the type of atmosphere they are trying to create. So expect some soothing music under the stars in the romantic “Central Park” neighbourhood, and lots of family fun on the Coney Island style “Boardwalk”. But for the main attractions, head down to “Entertainment Place”, where you’ll not only find a live comedy lounge and a late night dance club, but a skating rink, which will host two different productions during your cruise, to the main theatre, where you’ll be wowed by a rotating mix of guest entertainers as well as the ships crew of singers and dancers. Some of the stand-out shows on this ship include;
Chicago: For the first time at sea, a full scale production of the smash hit Broadway Musical! Musical lovers won’t be disappointed, as this cast of singers and dancers own the stage in this 90 minute non stop extravaganza.
Ocean Aria: The most exciting entertainment venue on the ship, this outdoor aqua theatre features a cast of death defying divers and flyers, transforming the back of the ship into an amazing water show. Be sure to arrive early as this is the most popular show on the ship!
Blue Planet: A truly awe inspiring experience, this Cirque du Soleil style show takes you on a trip from the deep blue sea to the lofty tree tops and back with hit music and some impressive acrobats. This is one show not to be missed!
With so many options to choose from, Royal Caribbean has again outdone themselves. An interactive system allows you to pre-book tickets to the shows (which are all included in your cruise package) so you can easily plan your day in just seconds!
This is really one ship not to be missed!
Want to learn more about all the Allure of the Seas has to offer? Danny Pastuck is a Cruise Specialist at our Bay St. location in Toronto, Ontario and can be reached by E-mail or by calling 1-866-818-7339