Allure of the Seas (2025) – Updated Ship Tour & Guide After Major Refit
When we last sailed on Allure of the Seas, we didn’t hold back. She was tired, outdated, and lacking the sparkle of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships. But after a massive $100 million “amplification,” we went back onboard to see if this Oasis-class mega-ship finally lives up to her potential.
Spoiler: in many ways, she absolutely does.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything Allure now has to offer—from standout new bars and dining venues to splashy slides and secret quiet spaces. And as always, this is based entirely on our personal experience. We paid for this cruise ourselves, and Royal Caribbean had no idea we were reviewing it.
🎥 Watch our full ship tour video here and don’t miss our detailed Amplification Review blog post for even more impressions.
What’s Onboard Allure of the Seas
Complimentary (Free) Dining
One thing Allure still does very well: free food. There’s a huge range of complimentary dining options onboard—ideal if you don’t fancy paying extra every night.
Main Dining Rooms (Decks 3, 4, 5) – Three-course meals, open for breakfast, lunch (sea days), and dinner. The menus rotate daily.
Windjammer Marketplace – The buffet, refreshed and still bustling. Expect lots of variety.
Cafe Promenade – Handy for quick bites, sandwiches, snacks, and included tea/coffee. Still not great coffee, though!
Park Cafe – Tucked into Central Park and great for breakfast or a quiet lunch. Try the roast beef sandwich.
Sorrento’s – Pizza nearly all day and night. You can even order a full pie.
Dog House – Free hot dogs on the Boardwalk.
Johnny Rockets (breakfast only) – Table-service breakfast for free. The lunch and dinner menu is extra.
El Loco Fresh – Casual Mexican with outdoor seating. Great for embarkation day.
Solarium Bistro – Buffet for adults-only breakfast and lunch. Quieter than Windjammer, same food.
Specialty Dining (Extra Charge)
If you're up for a treat—or just want to avoid the main dining room—there’s a solid line-up of specialty venues. Remember, these are an extra cost:
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi – Teppanyaki tables and sushi. Always a good time.
Chops Grille – Classic steakhouse with consistent quality.
Giovanni’s Table – Comforting Italian in a cozy setting.
150 Central Park – The most upscale dining onboard. Ideal for a special night. Read our review of 150 Central Park here.
The Mason Jar – Read our full review here. Southern food, live music, and cocktails. Big win.
Johnny Rockets (lunch & dinner) – Burgers, fries, and shakes. Classic, but an upcharge.
Samba Grill – See our full Samba Grill review. Brazilian-style meats served tableside.
Playmakers Sports Bar – Affordable bites with sports on big screens. Great Boardwalk energy.
Dining tip: Some specialty restaurants like Chops Grille open for lunch with a slightly smaller menu—but it’s often quieter and more affordable than dinner.
& Lounge Venues
There are plenty of places to grab a drink—and several bars feature cocktails you can only find in that bar. If you have a drinks package, you can use it at all the bars onboard the ship.
Pesky Parrot (NEW!) – A fun, tropical bar with frozen cocktails and quirky vibes. Replaces the Champagne Bar (and we’re not mad about it).
Schooner Bar – Nautical, moody, piano music and rum-heavy cocktails.
Trellis Bar – In Central Park. Ideal for a pre-dinner drink with some live music.
Boleros – Latin music, dancing, and mojitos.
Spotlight Karaoke – Double duty as a trivia venue. Gets busy.
Bow & Stern Pub – British-style pub with live guitar sets.
Rising Tide Bar – Moves between decks while you sip. A bit gimmicky, but fun.
Vintages Wine Bar – Quiet and often overlooked. Good for wine lovers.
Suite-only Bars – Tucked away and underwhelming.
Crown Lounge – Now with windows! Much better than the old location.
Entertainment Venues
This is where Allure—and Royal Caribbean in general—shines brightest. Entertainment is a major highlight, and there’s so much on offer.
Entertainment Tip: Reserve your shows in advance using the Royal Caribbean app, as they do sell out. If you miss out, arrive early and line up for standby—guests are often let in around 10 minutes before showtime if seats are available.
Amber Theater
This is the ship’s main theatre and home to the full-length production of Mamma Mia!—the same version you’d see in London’s West End or on Broadway. It’s a fantastic show with high production value, and they typically offer multiple performances throughout the cruise, including a matinee.
They also host Blue Planet, Royal Caribbean’s original production. Despite the name, it’s not related to the BBC documentary—and honestly, we found it a bit confusing.
Visiting acts like singers, magicians, and musicians also perform here throughout the cruise. Check the Royal Caribbean app or planner for showtimes.
Studio B
By day, Studio B transforms into an ice skating rink and a laser tag arena—both complimentary. Private ice skating sessions can be booked for a fee.
By night, the venue hosts an impressive ice show featuring a cast of (mostly ex-Olympic) skaters. It’s well worth seeing. Studio B also hosts game shows, theme parties, and events on select evenings.
Comedy Live
A dedicated venue for stand-up comedy. It’s a small space, so book early—seats fill quickly. Usually features one or two comedians performing across the cruise.
Dazzles
A two-deck live music venue overlooking the Boardwalk. It’s home to live bands and dancing at night, but during the day it’s usually empty—making it a great quiet spot to relax or get some work done. That said, the space still feels a little dated compared to other venues.
Blaze Nightclub
The late-night party zone. Think silent discos, themed nights, and dancing into the early hours.
Spotlight Karaoke
Exactly what it says on the tin: a karaoke bar that also doubles as a venue for trivia and quizzes during the day. It’s small but lively.
AquaTheater
This is a must-see! The AquaTheater hosts Aqua80Too, a high-energy aqua and acrobatics show set to 1980s music. It features diving, aerial stunts, and synchronised swimming—all performed outdoors at the aft of the ship. Shows are weather-dependent (wind can cause cancellations), so book early using the app and don’t miss your chance.
Live Music Around the Ship
Live music is everywhere on Allure. You’ll find regular performances in the English-style pub, Schooner Bar, Boleros, and Central Park. There’s also live music in the Royal Promenade most nights, as well as themed deck parties and dance events.
Pools, Slides & Outdoor Fun
This is where the refurb really shines. The outdoor decks feel fresh, colourful, and packed with options:
Main Pool & Beach Pool – Revamped loungers, colourful murals, and lots of space.
Adults-Only Solarium – A peaceful, glass-enclosed retreat for guests aged 16 and up. Features cantilevered hot tubs with ocean views.
Perfect Storm Waterslides – A trio of bright and twisting waterslides, completely replaced during the refurb. Great fun for all ages.
Splashaway Bay – Expanded and upgraded water play area for toddlers and younger kids, complete with fountains, mini slides, and splash zones.
Ultimate Abyss – A dramatic dry slide that spirals down 10 decks. Not as scary as it looks—fast, fun, and free to ride.
FlowRider x2 – Surf simulators where you can boogie board or try stand-up surfing. Complimentary, with paid lessons available.
Zip Line – Soar over the Boardwalk on this 9-deck-high zip line. It’s quick, exhilarating, and free to ride (with closed-toe shoes required).
Rock Climbing Walls – Two walls flanking the AquaTheater. Gear is provided and it’s free to climb.
Jogging Track – Loops around Deck 5. Shaded and ideal for morning runs or strolls.
Mini Golf – Oceanview mini golf, fun and free for all ages.
Sports Court – Basketball, football, and more. Equipment provided.
Carousel – A full-size, hand-carved carousel right on the Boardwalk. It’s free to ride, beautifully detailed, and a big hit with kids (and nostalgic adults).
Arcade – A large, high-tech arcade packed with video games and prize machines. It’s fun, but everything is charged to your SeaPass, so keep an eye on usage or set spending limits for younger cruisers.
Kids & Teens
Royal’s always been strong in this department, and Allure is no exception:
Adventure Ocean – Allure's free kids club offers age-specific programs for babies, toddlers, kids, and tweens. Staffed by trained youth counselors, it includes arts and crafts, science experiments, games, and themed parties. It's a secure, fun, and engaging space that kids often don’t want to leave.
Teen Club – Recently redesigned, the teen space now feels more like a cool lounge than a babysitting zone. There are gaming consoles, comfy seating, music, and social events like movie nights, karaoke, and themed parties—giving teens a space to hang out on their own terms.
Cabins & Accommodation
Allure of the Seas offers a wide range of cabins—from budget-friendly interiors to sprawling multi-room suites. Whether you’re after an economical inside room or a lavish multi-level suite, there’s something to suit every travel style and budget. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Interior Cabins – The most affordable category, with no windows or balconies. However, some offer a clever twist: Virtual Balcony Cabins, which use real-time footage streamed to a floor-to-ceiling screen, giving the illusion of a view.
Ocean View Cabins – These feature a window offering natural light and views of the sea, though the window doesn’t open. A good middle ground if you want a view without paying balcony prices.
Balcony Cabins – The most popular cabin type. Allure offers three kinds:
Ocean View Balconies – Traditional balconies facing the sea.
Boardwalk View Balconies – Overlook the lively Boardwalk area, carousel, and AquaTheater. Great for people-watching, but expect some noise. Read our review of a Boardwalk Balcony here.
Central Park View Balconies – Overlook the lush garden-like space in the ship’s interior. More peaceful and green, but again, no ocean views.
Suites – These range from spacious Junior Suites (larger balcony rooms with a bathtub) to Owner’s Suites, Crown Loft Suites, and the ultra-luxurious Royal Loft Suite with two decks, a piano, and wraparound views. Suite guests get access to the Coastal Kitchen, Suite Lounge, and Suite Sun Deck—but as we found in our Junior Sky Suite review, the suite experience onboard Allure isn't quite as elevated as on newer Royal ships.
Family Cabins – Some larger ocean view and balcony cabins are designed for families, with additional beds, split bathrooms, and more storage.
Accessible Cabins – Available across multiple categories with wider doorways, roll-in showers, and adapted layouts for guests with mobility needs.
Important note: Despite the $100 million amplification, cabins were not updated. That includes furniture, decor, and bathrooms. While the ship's public spaces feel fresh and modern, the cabins often feel their age—especially in lower categories. For more, see our full Junior Sky Suite review.
Who Is This Ship For?
Perfect for:
Families with children or teens
Multi-generational groups
Couples who love entertainment and a buzzy atmosphere
First-time cruisers who want the full cruise “wow”
Anyone who wants a lot to do onboard
Maybe not for:
People who like quiet, calm ships
Fans of small, intimate vessels
Cruisers who want sea views from everywhere onboard (you won’t get that here)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Most activities are included at no extra cost
Huge variety of complimentary dining venues
Outstanding entertainment (Broadway, AquaTheater, ice shows)
Family-friendly with tons of activities
Refurbishment has made her feel fresh and vibrant
Cons:
Cabins weren’t refurbished and look extremely tired.
Food is hit and miss in both the main dining rooms and speciality dining.
The ship is massive – can feel overwhelming or crowded
No sea views from most indoor venues
Suite experience can be underwhelming
Final Thoughts & Tips
Allure of the Seas has made a serious comeback. The $100 million refurbishment wasn’t just cosmetic—it’s transformed how the ship feels. There’s more energy, better food (in some venues), and vastly improved public spaces.
That said, the cabins still feel like a step back in time. And adding more cabins hasn’t helped with crowding. But overall, she’s back in the running as one of Royal Caribbean’s most fun ships.
Cruise tips:
Book shows and dining in advance using the Royal Caribbean app.
Favourite your top activities to get reminders
Solarium Bistro is a hidden gem for breakfast
Park Cafe is your best bet for a quiet, casual lunch
Avoid the free coffee. Trust us.
