Allure of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, will turn 15 later this year. For the vessel’s birthday, Royal Caribbean is giving it a shiny new coat of paint and so much more during a dry-dock refurbishment that’s costing the line more than $100 million.
When the ship debuted in 2010 as the second member of Royal Caribbean’s famed Oasis Class, it offered more than two dozen bars and restaurants, stand-alone Starbucks and Johnny Rockets locations, two FlowRider surf simulators, a carousel, a zip line, an ice skating rink, and an aft-facing AquaTheater that hosts high-dive performances.
Part of the hull of Allure of the Seas in dry dock in the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
It has always been cutting-edge, but now, with its current dry dock, it’s seeing the addition of several concepts that have proven successful on other ships in the fleet. They include a Playmakers sports bar, the Pesky Parrot and The Lime & Coconut bars, The Mason Jar Southern comfort food restaurant, The Perfect Storm waterslides and a 10-deck Ultimate Abyss dry slide, among other new amenities and face-lifts.
The ship has also been outfitted with 30 additional cabins, including two Panoramic Suites above the bridge (the ship’s control center) which offer 200-degree views of the ocean. The new accommodations will allow space for more passengers per voyage, bringing the new double-occupancy (two cruisers per cabin) passenger capacity to 5,718 people.
Preparing to visit Allure of the Seas at the shipyard. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
When Allure of the Seas emerges from dry dock, it will sail a season of Europe voyages in summer 2025, offering seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades in November 2025. From there, it will sail six- to eight-night Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean cruises.
The vessel is currently under construction at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, and TPG was invited for a tour. Here are photos of the vessel, which is slated for completion in April.
Pesky Parrot
The Pesky Parrot, which first debuted on sister ship Utopia of the Seas, will replace the Champagne Bar on Deck 5 of the Royal Promenade, across from the guest services desk. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Playmakers
On the newly refurbished Allure of the Seas, Playmakers sports bar will replace former Mexican restaurant Sabor on Deck 6 of the Boardwalk. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Ultimate Abyss
The entrance to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide on Allure of the Seas. The 10-deck slide starts on Deck 16 and ends on Deck 6. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
The Mason Jar
This space on Deck 15, formerly the teen hangout on Allure of the Seas, will become the Southern comfort food restaurant The Mason Jar. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Ultimate Panoramic Suites
This space will become a bedroom in one of two Panoramic Suites on Allure of the Seas. The new cabins are located above the bridge on Deck 17 and offer 200-degree sea views. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
The Perfect Storm
Royal Caribbean’s trio of The Perfect Storm waterslides has been added to Allure of the Seas, running from Deck 18 down to Deck 15 by the ship’s main pools. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Splashaway Bay
New for kids on Allure of the Seas is the water play area Splashaway Bay on Deck 15. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Crown Lounge
It doesn’t look like much now, but this space will eventually be the Crown Lounge for loyalty members on Allure of the Seas. It was relocated to the former teen disco space on Deck 15. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Adventure Ocean
Allure of the Seas’ Adventure Ocean kids club will stay in its current location on Deck 14 — but with a major refresh. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Teen hangout
The teen club on Allure of the Seas has relocated to a smaller space on Deck 15, behind the video arcade. It will now go by the name Social298. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Pool decks
During its refurbishment, Allure of the Seas had new deck space (and two new hot tubs) added on Deck 16, overlooking the main pools on Deck 15. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Cabanas
Several new cabanas have been added to Allure of the Seas’ Deck 16 outdoor area, overlooking the main pools on Deck 15. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Solarium sun deck
During Allure of the Seas’ refit, the ship had its Solarium adults-only spaces spruced up, and a brand-new outdoor sun deck area was added at the front of Deck 15. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Carousel
The carousel horses on Allure of the Seas’ Boardwalk on Deck 6 have been removed for refurbishment. They will be added back before the ship leaves the yard. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
FlowRider
Both of Allure of the Seas’ FlowRider surf simulators are being restored during renovations. They’re on Deck 16, near the entrance to Ultimate Abyss. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
AquaTheater
Wooden bench seating and stairs were replaced with prefabricated material at Allure of the Seas’ AquaTheater at the end of Deck 6 of the Boardwalk. Otherwise, the space remains largely unchanged. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Other tweaks
Part of the construction area in Central Park on Allure of the Seas. The space on Deck 8 features thousands of live plants but has not undergone significant changes during dry dock. ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Other tweaks to Allure of the Seas include the replacement of worn signage, new carpeting and soft furnishings in some areas, refinished rock-climbing walls, and the addition of an escape room on Deck 14 where the card room used to be.
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