Allure of the Seas: Full Ship Tour Guide After $100 Million Refurbishment

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 She was tired, outdated, and lacking the sparkle of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships.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.

Complimentary 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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

Bars & Lounge Venues

There are plenty of places to grab a drink—and several got a major glow-up:

  • 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 shines brightest. The entertainment offering is huge:

  • Amber Theater – Broadway-style Mamma Mia and other production shows.

  • Studio B – Ice skating and laser tag by day, ice shows by night.

  • Comedy Live – Book early—it’s tiny and fills fast.

  • Dazzles – Live band venue with great views over the Boardwalk. Sadly still feels a bit dated.

  • Blaze Nightclub – Silent discos and late-night parties.

  • Spotlight Karaoke – Again!

  • AquaTheater – Aqua80Too is brilliant when it runs (wind permitting).

  • Live Music Spots – Pubs, Boleros, and Central Park all feature regular live music.

Tip: Reserve your shows on the Royal Caribbean app before you board. They will sell out.

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 – Quiet and relaxing. Cantilevered hot tubs hang off the side of the ship.

  • Perfect Storm Waterslides – Newly replaced, bright, and fun.

  • Splashaway Bay – Upgraded water play area for younger cruisers.

  • Ultimate Abyss – Not as scary as it looks. Fun and fast.

  • FlowRider x2 – Surf's up!

  • Rock Climbing Walls – One on each side. Still intimidating.

  • Jogging Track – Wraps around Deck 5.

  • Mini Golf – Free and with ocean views.

  • Sports Court – Basketball and more.

  • Casitas – Paid shaded beds. Honestly overpriced and not very private.

Kids & Teens

Royal’s always been strong in this department, and Allure is no exception:

  • Adventure Ocean – Free kids clubs for all age groups.

  • Teen Club – Redesigned and much improved.

  • Arcade – Not free. Monitor your kids or risk a surprise bill.

  • Carousel – Real, rideable, and charming.

  • Splashaway Bay – As mentioned above, brilliant.

  • Johnny Rockets & Dog House – Always a hit with kids.

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.

    • 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
✅ Beautiful neighborhoods like Central Park and the Boardwalk

Cons: ❌ Food is hit and miss
❌ The ship is massive – can feel overwhelming or crowded
❌ No sea views from most indoor venues
❌ Cabins weren’t refurbished
❌ Suite experience can be underwhelming compared to newer Royal ships
❌ Specialty dining and extras can add up quickly

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.

More from onboard Allure: