Allure of the Seas 2025: $100M Upgrade Review and Guide

20-Second Summary

Allure of the Seas is the second Oasis-class ship of the Royal Caribbean, which was launched in December 2010.

In 2025, the ship went through a $100+ million amplification, which was completed in April 2025

  • This 225,282-ton vessel now features:
  • over 35 dining venues
  • Three new waterslides
  • The Ultimate Abyss dry slide
  • Completely redesigned Caribbean-themed pool deck. 

Allure of the Seas has a capacity for 5,494 guests, with a double occupancy of 7,878 maximum. The ship not only has the mega-ship amenities, but also provides a less crowded experience as compared to the sister ship Wonder of the Seas (5,518 double occupancy, 7,912 maximum). 

Currently sailing 6-8 night Allure of the Seas Caribbean cruise itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, this ship offers exceptional value for families, couples, and first-time cruisers.

Let us take you through the upgraded information of the vessel and help you book your voyage with it if you are looking for the ultimate Royal Caribbean experience without paying the extra cost that newer ships offer.

The Above $100M Question: Is Allure of the Seas Better Than Before?

Allure of the Seas Caribbean cruise

Allure of the Seas completed its amplification that was delayed due to Covid pandemic in 2020, during a 58-day drydock at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain. 

  • The amplification cost over $100 million, added transformative features, including:
  • Three waterslides (Perfect Storm racing slides and SuperCell champagne bowl slide)
  • The Ultimate Abyss twin dry slides extending 10 stories
  • Completely reimagined Caribbean resort-style pool deck with new seating
  • Updated hot tubs
  • And the Lime & Coconut bar.

What Actually Changed During the 2025 Amplification

  • Three slides were added, which made the ship no longer the only Oasis-class ship without waterslides. These water slides included Typhoon racing slides and the Supercell champagne bowl slide.
  • The longest dry slide, known as the Ultimate Abyss, was also added.
  • H2O Zone was replaced with a new aqua park featuring splash areas, a water dump bucket, and a small slide for younger children.
  • El Loco Fresh, the famous Mexican grab-and-go restaurant, was given permanent installation by replacing the temporary setup in Wipe Out Café.
  • Mason Jar Southern Restaurant was added.
  • Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade: A Sports bar and arcade added to the Boardwalk
  • Pesky Parrot Tiki Bar was introduced to the cruise.
Pesky Parrot Tiki Bar
  • Samba Grill, the Brazilian steakhouse, was added to the Solarium
  • Adventure Ocean Upgrades were made with a more modern take on childcare spaces for ages 0-17.
  • Social298 Teen Lounge provides hangout space offering video games, movies, and music for guests with ages between 13 and 17.
  • The pool deck received a total Caribbean-style transformation, replacing the old layout with resort-style pools, casitas, in-pool loungers, and daybeds, with two hot tubs that have been added to the upper pool deck on Deck 16.

What Royal Caribbean Didn’t Touch (And Why That Matters)

Many features were left without amplification in the Allure of the Seas in 2025, and these included:

  • Central Park, Boardwalk, Aqua Theater, Main Dining Rooms, and the Cabin Interiors.
  • They used this approach because they wanted to create a mix of old and new features to keep the ship competitive, but also keep intact its older features so the cruisers revisiting can still find the original layout that they loved. 

Allure’s Passenger Count: The Sweet Spot Between Oasis and Wonder

The Sweet Spot Between Oasis and Wonder

Despite adding 100 new cabins to the ship, Allure of the Seas’ biggest advantage still is that it accommodates fewer passengers as compared to other Oasis-class ships, making it less crowded during peak sailings, offering the Oasis-class experience to the cruisers without 6,000+ passengers onboard.

Below is its capacity comparison with its sister ships from the Oasis class

Ship NamePassenger CapacityDouble Occupancy
Allure of the Seas5,4947,878
Oasis of the Seas5,6026771
Symphony of the Seas5,5186680
Wonder of the Seas5,5187,912
Icon of the Seas5,6107,600

Allure of the Seas vs. Sister Ships: The Ultimate Comparison

Below is a detailed comparison of Allure of the Seas with its sister ships to see how its 2025 amplifications make it unique from them, and an attractive cruise experience.

ShipLaunch Year and AmplificationPassenger Capacity (Double and Max)Unique HighlightsAllure of the Seas EdgeAverage 2025 Price (7 to 8 Nights)
Allure of the SeasLaunched in 2010 and Amplified in 20255,494 and 7,878Newest pool deck, updated Splashaway Bay, Aqua80Too showLatest post-amplification upgrades, 15 to 20% lower fares$650 to $850 per person
Oasis of the SeasLaunched in 2009 and Amplified in 20195,602 and similar maxBionic Bar, original Oasis-class shipAllure offers newer renovations and lower prices$700 to $900 per person
Harmony of the SeasLaunched in 2016 and Amplification Scheduled for 20265,479 and ~6,800Ultimate Abyss slide, newer cabin designAllure’s pool deck is newer post-2025$750 to $950 per person
Symphony of the SeasLaunched 2018 (No amplification yet)5,518 and ~6,860Vue Bar, refined design and cabin tech10 to 15% lower price with comparable features$800 to $1,050 per person
Wonder of the SeasLaunched 2022 (No amplification needed)5,518 and 7,912Climate-controlled Solarium, Suite NeighborhoodLower crowd factor, newer pool area after 2025 refit$900 to $1,200 per person
Utopia of the SeasLaunched 2024 (New build, not yet amplified)5,668 and ~7,800Short 3 to 4 night sailings, latest techAllure offers better value for full-length cruises$400 to $600 per person (short sailings)

Across identical Eastern Caribbean sailings (Fort Lauderdale, Nov 2025–Apr 2026), Allure averages $200–350 less per person than Wonder, making it the top recommendation for budget-savvy cruisers without sacrificing newness.

Who Should Book Allure of the Seas (And Who Shouldn’t)

By booking the Allure of the Seas, you can basically get the premium Oasis class cruise experience without having to pay extra for it. 

Booking allure can be ideal for you if you:

  • Want Oasis-class amenities like Central Park, Boardwalk, and AquaTheater without paying Wonder’s premium
  • Love cruising experiences over trying the newest ships
  • Appreciate post-amplification features at pre-Wonder pricing
  • Book interior, oceanview, or standard balcony cabins (where ship age matters less)
  • Cruise with kids who’ll spend time at waterslides, pools, and Adventure Ocean (all recently upgraded)

By sailing on the Allure, $400-$700 can be saved on 7-night sailings per couple when compared with its sister ship, Wonder, with $1,600-2,800 savings for a family of four.

Why Families Choose Allure Over Icon of the Seas

Families Choose Allure Over Icon of the Seas

Aside from its economical budget and new updates, families prefer cruising on the Allure of the Seas due to its track record of 15 years of operational refinement, along with their less crowded space.

However, if you have no budget constraints, and you love high-tech features on a cruise, and you do not mind the crowds, then you can definitely pick the Icon over the Allure.

Skip Allure If You Want These 5 Features

If you want to consider facts that can help you choose vessels other than Allure, then below is a checklist for you:

  • Allure offers an open-air solarium, so for a fully closed solarium experience, you can consider sailing Wonder, Symphony, or Icon.
Allure Inside
  • Allure does not offer the exclusive suits as a segregated zone, so for the suit neighborhood experience, you can consider booking the Wonder.
  • Allure did not upgrade its cabin even in their 2025 amplification, so if you want to have modern USB ports and upgraded furnishings in cabins, consider booking the Symphony or the Wonder.
  • If you love the high-tech experience and want to experience the robotic bar tenders, then you must book Oasis of the Seas or Quantum-class ships, because Allure of the Seas has only added Pesky Parrot as the bar upgrade.
  • Allure offers the 6-8 night sailings primarily, so if you are considering sailing for more than a week, consider other Royal Caribbean ships offering longer itineraries.

Allure of the Seas Cabins: Post-Amplification Booking Strategy

Lets see what changed in the Allure’s cabin experience after its 2025 amplification.

 The 100+ New Cabins: Where They Are and What Changed

Over 100 new cabins were added during the 2025 above $100 million amplification by relocating the Crown Lounge from Decks 11-12, creating space for additional interior cabins on those decks.

New Cabin Additions include:

  • 100+ Interior Cabins (Decks 11-12) with standard interior
  • Ultimate Panoramic Suites provide 200-degree ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows with exclusive Star Class perks

Existing cabins received no major renovations. They still have the 2010 interiors, ocean view with similar balcony cabins.

 Ultimate Panoramic Suites: Are They Worth $500+ More Per Night?

The Ultimate Panoramic Suites are Allure’s most significant cabin addition. The features that these cabins offer include:

  • 200-degree wraparound ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Priority boarding and disembarkation
  • Exclusive access to Coastal Kitchen (suite-only restaurant)
  • Concierge service
  • Priority entertainment and shore excursion reservations
  • Dedicated sun deck area

These cabins cost $300-600 more per night than standard balcony cabins. If you are looking for star class perks or celebrating a special occasion, then you can opt for these cabins; otherwise, the standard balconies already offer 90% of the cruise experience.

 Cabin Noise Map: Which Decks Got Louder After 2025 Changes

  • Decks 15–16 and Deck 6 became noisier after the 2025 amplification due to added waterslides, Splashaway Bay, and the Ultimate Abyss exit, causing consistent daytime activity sounds.
  • Deck 5 Royal Promenade cabins now experience more noise from live music, parades, and nightlife near the Pesky Parrot Bar, lasting until midnight.
  • Decks 7–10 mid-ship and Central Park areas remain the quietest zones, offering minimal foot traffic and insulation from amplified entertainment areas.
Allure

Allure of the Seas Dining: What’s New and What’s Worth It

Some new additions in the dining were made for Allure after its 2025 amplifications, which also include the change of venue for a few. These changes have been given below in tabular form for easy understanding of what to expect in Allure’s 2025 upgraded dining experience.

Dining VenueChange TypeTypeCost (Per Person)LocationKey Update / ChangeVerdict
El Loco FreshChanged VenueComplimentaryFreeDeck 14 (Poolside)Replaced Sabor Modern Mexican with a permanent grab-and-go Mexican venueMajor improvement; convenient, fresh, and free
Mason Jar Southern RestaurantNew AdditionSpecialty$25–35Deck 15Added a Southern-style restaurant that offers comfort food classicsGreat for families and casual dining; loud but high-quality
Playmakers Sports Bar & ArcadeNew AdditionSpecialty$15–25BoardwalkAdded a casual sports bar with arcade games, wings, and burgersGreat for families and casual hangouts
Lime & Coconut Bars (2)New AdditionComplimentary (drinks extra)Drink prices varyDecks 15–16New themed bars on the redesigned pool deckAdds atmosphere and better poolside beverage service

Key Considerations

The dining venues that remained unchanged after the amplifications include:

  • Main Dining Room
  • Chops Grille
  • 150 Central Park
  • Izumi
  • Giovanni’s Table
  • Park Café
  • and Johnny Rockets

These are maintaining their original service standard along with an established quality maintenance.

Allure of the Seas Activities: Amplified Features Deep Dive

The 2025 amplification transformed Allure of the Seas with new water attractions, family entertainment zones, and an upgraded adults-only experience.

Allure of the Seas entrtainment

The Allure of the Seas:

  • Added three new water slides (Typhoon, Cyclone, and SuperCell) for more family fun and racing excitement.
  • Installed a new 10-story dry slide called the Ultimate Abyss for thrill-seekers.
  • Rebuilt the kids’ water park with slides, splash zones, and shaded areas for parents.
  • Added a new laser tag arena for quick, fun games.
  • Introduced an Apollo 18–themed escape room experience.
  • Upgraded the adults-only Solarium with new décor, a Brazilian steakhouse, and better bar service.

Allure of the Seas Itinerary Plans 2026: Routes and Timing

 Below are the 2026 voyages along with their details on the amplified Allure of the Seas.

Destination & RouteNightsPorts / Itinerary HighlightsSailing Dates (2026)Starting Price (Interior, Per Person)
Western Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay (Fort Lauderdale round-trip)6 nightsFort Lauderdale → CocoCay → Falmouth (Jamaica) → Labadee (Haiti) → Fort LauderdaleDeparts July 5 – Returns July 11, 2026From approx US $1,063
Southern Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay8 nightsFort Lauderdale → Willemstad (Curaçao) → Oranjestad (Aruba) → CocoCay → Fort LauderdaleDeparts June 13 – Returns June 21, 2026From approx US $1,734
Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day at CocoCay8 nightsFort Lauderdale → Basseterre (St. Kitts) → Philipsburg (St. Maarten) → San Juan (Puerto Rico) → CocoCay → Fort LauderdaleDeparts June 27 – Returns July 5, 2026From approx US $1,469

Allure of the Seas Booking Tips: Pricing Patterns and Strategies

If you’re planning to sail on Allure of the Seas in 2026, the time of your booking can make a big difference in the amount you pay. Here’s how to get the most value from your cruise fare.

Book During the Cheapest Months

  • The most affordable months to sail are September, early November, and late April to early May, when prices range from $550 to $850 per person for interior cabins.
  • Avoid December, March, and mid-summer, when demand drives prices to nearly double.

Use the 90-Day Rule for Maximum Savings

  • Allure’s prices often drop 15–30% within 60–90 days of sailing, as Royal Caribbean works to fill remaining cabins.
  • If you’re flexible on cabin type, waiting until the two- to three-month window can save hundreds.

Bid Smartly for Cabin Upgrades

Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp program lets passengers bid for upgrades after booking. On Allure, upgrade success rates are high thanks to its large inventory:

  • Interior to Oceanview: 60–70% success ($50–100 total bid)
  • Oceanview to Balcony: 50–60% success ($100–150 total bid)

The best time to bid is 30–45 days before departure, especially during off-peak sailings in September or November.

Arrive Early for Smooth Check-In at Port Everglades

  •  Embarkation takes place at Port Everglades Terminal 18 in Fort Lauderdale.
  • Choose an 11:00 AM–12:00 PM arrival slot for the fastest boarding experience.
  • Avoid the noon timings because the security lines are the longest.

Secure Key Reservations in the First Two Hours Onboard

Prioritize booking:

Allure Reservations
  • Specialty dining at 150 Central Park, Chef’s Table, or Chops Grille.
  • Spa treatments for sea days.
  • CocoCay Thrill Waterpark passes if not pre-booked.

Final Remarks: Should You Book Allure of the Seas in 2025-2026?

Allure of the Seas is not just the Second Oasis-class ship, but it is also the Oasis-class cruise that offers the same experience at less cost with less crowded space for couples and families. 

If you are looking to experience the Oasis-class ship from Royal Caribbean and you do not want to go with the premium budgeting, then choosing the Allure of the Seas will be a great experience indeed.

For regular updates on Cruises from Royal Caribbean, keep visiting Cruise Tidal

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allure of the Seas worth booking after the 2025 amplification?

    Yes, the 2025 amplification added major features and maintains strong value compared to newer ships.

    What actually changed on Allure of the Seas during the $165M renovation?

      The ship added three waterslides, a 10-story dry slide, redesigned pool deck, new dining and bars, and upgraded kids and teen zones.

      How does Allure of the Seas compare to Wonder of the Seas?

        It offers similar amenities as newer ships but at lower fares and fewer passengers, making it a better value for many cruisers.

        What are the best strategies for booking on Allure?

          Book the cruise 60-90 days before the voyage. Use the bid program 30-45 days before sailing, and book specialty dining and shore-excursion passes early onboard.

          Which cabins on Allure of the Seas are quietest after the 2025 changes?

            Opt for cabins mid-ship on Decks 9–10 aft or cabins in the Central Park zone (Deck 8 forward)

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