A recent viral post has cruisers questioning what an interestingly large piece of equipment is aboard one of the world's largest cruise ships.

"Sailing on the Allure of [the Seas] with my buddies and we look up and see this - what is it?" asked BobcatBison on the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. 

Attached to the post is a photo of a heavy-duty crane that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie rather than a piece of equipment on a cruise ship.

In reality, it's a Palfinger PK 150002 marine crane, according to Marine Link. When retracted, the crane resembles a tightly folded mechanical arm.

(Credit: rctfenix/Reddit)

However, once extended, it's used to help transport heavy cargo from the lower to the upper decks. Examples include transporting and planting trees in Central Park and loading and unloading lounge chairs to the pool deck. 

The PK-Palfinger Kran website states that the crane has a 27-meter (or ~88-foot) outreach and is DNV-certified. Similar cranes were delivered to Malaysia in 2018 with a maximum load capacity of 30,000 kilograms, which equates to around 66,130 pounds. 

The cranes are found on other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, including Wonder and Oasis of the Seas. 

"These are orbital defense cannons"

(Credit: fgpalm/Reddit)

The post has received over 350 upvotes and 150 comments, many of which are far more creative than straightforward. 

"It’s a rail gun for when [C]arnival ships get too close," wrote BadProof5346. 

Commercial-Place6793 added, "It’s how they signal to the alien spaceships where there are lots of drunk people ready to be abducted [for] testing."

(Credit: Juan-88PR/Reddit)

Other comical answers include a harpoon for whaling to help stock the Windjammer, a hydraulic t-shirt cannon, a laser-guided missile, a catapult for naughty passengers, a turbolaser battery, and a machine gun for pirates. 

Not the first time the equipment's purpose has been questioned

(Credit: rattmaul/Reddit)

Cruisers have wondered what the crane has been used for in the past, with similar photos and questions asked on cruise forums. 

rattmaul posted a similar query on the r/Cruise Reddit forum about 8 months ago. They were also sailing on Allure of the Seas. 

Like the recent post, many comments were unserious and joking in nature. 

(Credit: Leroyr55/Royal Caribbean Blog forum)

Aubgurl, for example, said, "It’s a laser beam that zaps people trying to save chairs at the pool."

Another user wrote, "Looks like a launcher for Naval Strike Missile with a range out to 140 nautical miles equipped with a 260 lb titanium cased penetrating blast and controlled fragmentation warhead...Useful if [CocoCay] is in danger of being invaded and you need to buy time until you can call in a strike package of [B-52s] or [B-1s] with Harpoons and LRASMs." 

"It’s for runners [who] are late coming back to ship!" added Careless-Fortune-356. 

(Credit: DustinC223/Reddit)

Among the funny answers are practical responses about the crane's intended purpose, revealing that it's a telescoping crane. 

Two stowaway owls have been living the good life in Spain after hitchhiking on Allure of the Seas' transatlantic cruise in February. 

During the 12-night voyage, a pair of burrowing owls felt right at home in the ship’s Central Park neighborhood after boarding the ship in Miami, Florida. 

The owls were eventually caught by crew members using nets, fed and watered according to expert guidelines, and handed over o Spanish officials after arriving in Barcelona. 

Since arriving in Spain, the owls have been living lavishly at the CITES Wildlife Rescue Center (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Murcia. 

Read more: Adventurous owls took a 2-week vacation after stowing away on one of the world's largest cruise ships

Their quarantine will wrap up in January, after which they are slated to be returned to the United States around the middle of the month. Their return airfare will be covered by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the charitable arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). 

Natalie Montero-McAllister, the FWC's Imperiled Species Policy Administrator, told The Guardian that the owls are ground-dwelling, spending most of their time in burrows or open areas.

As such, they likely were confused by the ship's vast metal expanses and the absence of their usual diet, consisting of small reptiles and birds, frogs, and rodents.

"It must have been very bewildering for them. Some of the newer cruise ships have a lot of green space, and like plant life on board to make it more park-like, so I’m curious if that may have been something that was of particular interest or comforting for them," she added. 

Still, it's not clear how the owls made it on Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship and one of the world's largest cruise vessels, in February. 

After returning to the U.S., they will be released into the wild once they pass an assessment and re-assimilation test at a Florida facility. 

"We plan to release them to another area that they’re likely familiar with, since they came from somewhere in Miami. We’re under the impression that they are accustomed to urban environments, so we’ll bring them to another urban environment, so that way it’s something familiar to them," Montero-McAllister explained. 

Tindl Rainey, the Director of Conservation at the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, said that they are happy to help ensure the owls have a safe transition back to their natural habitat.

"They’re having quite the adventure, and we’re glad to help get them safely back to a burrow in Florida," she stated.

Not the first stowaway owls on a Royal Caribbean cruise

(Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Facebook)

In 2023, passengers reported seeing a burrowing owl aboard Symphony of the Seas during a Caribbean cruise. 

Royal Caribbean contacted local wildlife authorities to safely apprehend and remove the owl from the ship's Central Park neighborhood, and biologist Ricardo Zambrano boarded the ship in Florida on disembarkation day to safely capture the owl with help from the crew.

"Zambrano only had a one-hour window of time between the passengers disembarking and new passengers coming aboard for their week-long vacation to Mexico [to capture the owl]!" the FWC said in a Facebook post. 

(Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission/Facebook)

"With some of the crew’s help, [Zambrano] placed mist nets around the owl’s perch of choice, the exit signs by the door. Two unsuccessful attempts later, the owl was now sitting on the balcony of a [10th-story] cabin. The crew stood below making noise to distract the owl as [Zambrano] snuck up and safely netted the owl from the railing!"

The family of a woman that authorities say jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and was never found, is suing the cruise line.

On October 22, 2024, a cruise ship passenger was reported overboard while sailing on Allure of the Seas while on a 4-night Taylor Swift-themed cruise.

The woman was later identified as Dulcie White, and her family blames crew members serving her too many drinks because she had a drink package.

According to CBS News, a lawsuit specifies the unlimited drink package played a role in White's death.

What happened last year

Photo by X user @Navaleye1

While Allure of the Seas was about 17 miles north of Nassau, a 66-year-old woman went overboard.

Local authorities later confirmed the woman jumped, and did not fall, from the 14th deck of the ship. 

The Royal Bahamas Defense Force, assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard, responded and conducted search and rescue efforts, using helicopters and airplanes.

Royal Caribbean also brought two other cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, to assist in the search.

At the time of the incident, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed the incident in a statement, "Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities."

Rescue efforts were unsuccessful and called off the next day.

Family blames the cruise line

Ms. White's daughter, Megan Klewin, said her mom had purchased the alcohol package and said the drink package is part of the problem.

"Because of that (drink package, White) did overdo it, trying to maybe get her money's worth," she told CBS News.

"She was completely intoxicated in a way I haven't seen before. It saddens me that that is my last memory of her."

According to a lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County on Thursday, crew members served Ms. White, "seven alcoholic beverages continually within a span of approximately six hours and eight minutes."

The lawsuit claims crew members ignored slurred speech, stammering, and difficulty standing up by White. It also claims another passenger noticed White's behavior and assisted her to her stateroom.

According to Klewin, she saw White go to the balcony.

"I assumed that's what she was doing was going to check her suitcase," Klewin said. "I wasn't looking and the next chance that I did look up, I saw her back. She was seated on the edge of the balcony like she had climbed up. She was seated and then fell over before I could get to her."

The lawsuit also claims the cruise ship never turned around or used rescue boats, even though independent reports from TMZ and other outlets showed rescue efforts.

Select cruise ship passengers booked on an upcoming sailing received quite an offer from Royal Caribbean if they'd consider changing their ship or sail date.

The email from Royal Caribbean doesn't say why they're offering cruisers substantial incentive to change their plans, but it's been a tactic in the past for opening up cabins.

Oversold cruises aren't as common as oversold flights, but they do happen. As a result, cruise lines try to rectify the situation with refunds, future travel credits, and other rebooking options. 

Royal Caribbean reached out to guests on Allure of the Seas' May 15, 2025, voyage to see if anyone had flexible travel plans. 

"Ahead of our Allure of the Seas, May 15, 2025, sailing, we are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel plans," reads an email sent to confirmed passengers. 

"If your plans are set in stone, please mark this email as 'read,' and gear up for your upcoming adventure - although, there are some pretty sweet options below."

Three options with a full refund

It appears as though only certain stateroom categories were oversold on Allure of the Seas' May 15 cruise, as the first option lets guests move to a "beautiful interior stateroom."

"We'll move you to one of our cozy Interior staterooms and Royal Caribbean International will fully refund your current booking, including any non-refundable deposit for Allure of the Seas," says the email. 

Additionally, guests will receive $200 USD in onboard credit per stateroom to use during the 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise. 

The second option lets passengers move to Odyssey of the Seas' May 18, 2025, cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to the Greek Isles and Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey. 

According to the email, "You'll receive a complimentary transfer to the Odyssey of the Seas sailing you selected in the same category you previously booked. The complimentary transfer covers your cruise fare for the new sailing only and excludes taxes, fees & gratuities."

Moreover, Royal Caribbean will fully refund the reservation for Allure of the Seas. 

The last option is for those who aren't satisfied with the other choices and prefer to cancel their booking altogether. 

Passengers on Allure's May 15 cruise who decide to cancel will receive a 100% refund, as well as a 100% Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to use on another Royal Caribbean sailing departing by May 15, 2026. 

Guests who select option two (Odyssey) or three (full refund + FCC) will also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased travel expenses, including hotels and flights. 

Those interested in changing their booking must submit their reservation details through a special survey link by May 7, 2025. Call centers can't process inquiries over the phone. 

Then, Royal Caribbean will directly reach out via phone or email and send an updated booking invoice to your email. 

If guests don't hear back from Royal Caribbean by May 8, they will remain booked on the existing Allure of the Seas voyage to Naples, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Palma de Mallorca; and La Spezia, Italy. 

Allure of the Seas just received over $100 million in upgrades and is sailing to Europe for the first time since 2015

After being indefinitely postponed during the pandemic, Allure finally received her long-awaited Royal Amplication. 

New features include a renovated resort-style pool deck with the Perfect Storm waterslides, a Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids, two hot tubs on Deck 16, and The Lime and Coconut bar. 

That's not all, though. Playmaker's replaced Sabor Modern Mexican on the Boardwalk. Now, guests can enjoy casual bar bites in the sports bar setting steps away from the new Ultimate Abyss dry slide. 

The Mason Jar is another new specialty restaurant on Allure of the Seas with southern-inspired dishes (think Lobster n’ Crawfish Gumbo and Smoky Deviled Eggs), live music, and unique cocktails. 

Royal Caribbean also added the Pesky Parrot, a new bar that first debuted on Utopia of the Seas, as well as a shaved ice bar near the FlowRider surf simulators. 

Additionally, over 100 cabins were added to Allure, ranging from standard staterooms to spacious Sky Class suites with 200-degree ocean views. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean just finished $100 million in upgrades to Allure of the Seas. First look at all the changes

I recently disembarked a 4-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. During the short trip, I called a tiny, windowless inside cabin my home away from home.

Although inside cabins are extremely basic, they’re the most budget-friendly option on cruise ships. There’s no natural light in the room, but you’ll still find essentials like a bed, vanity, and private bathroom.

For my short itinerary, I paid $1,260 for the inside room. The price included the cruise fare, taxes, and prepaid gratuities for two adults. At $157 per person, per night, I found the price fair for a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships.

Let’s take a look inside my interior cabin on Allure of the Seas to see what the cheapest cabin option is really like.

Allure of the Seas just completed a $100M renovation, but cabins were not updated

Allure of the Seas launched in 2009, but she recently completed a major amplification to modernize the vessel.

New restaurants, bars, and activities were added, and minor aesthetic changes were made to existing venues around the ship.

Read more: A look inside Allure of the Seas' $100M amplification

One aspect of Allure of the Seas that was not updated, though, were the cabins.

Royal Caribbean rarely updates cabins when renovating cruise ships in its fleet. With thousands of cabins onboard, the cruise line forgoes this massive undertaking in favor of updating other areas.

Therefore, cabins on Allure of the Seas appear slightly outdated. There are fewer power outlets compared to Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, for example, and passengers should expect more wear and tear throughout the stateroom.

I loved my cabin’s location on deck 11

After boarding Allure of the Seas, I headed to my cabin to drop off my carry-on and check out my stateroom for the first time.

When I booked my cruise nine months before departure, I selected an interior guarantee cabin. This was the cheapest option, and it meant Royal Caribbean would assign me a stateroom location closer to the sail date.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid

I was assigned room 11273, located near the aft of deck 11 on Allure of the Seas. The room was conveniently located just steps from the aft elevator lobby and stairwell.

Some passengers may be wary of cabins near the elevators, but I didn’t encounter any noise issues during my cruise. Plus, I loved the easy access from my stateroom to anywhere else onboard.

The tiny room felt surprisingly spacious

Interior cabins aren’t winning any awards for their size—most inside rooms on Allure of the Seas measure between 150 and 180 square feet.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with the size and layout of my interior cabin.

The bed was pushed against the back wall, so I never had to walk around it to reach other areas of the room.

There was a couch, too, which is always a nice perk. Many interior cabins on cruise ships have a small chair in lieu of a couch, so I appreciated the expanded seating area.

The couch’s upholstery was definitely showing its age, however, and I thought it was in need of a refresh.

A full-length mirror was next to the couch, which both reflected light in the cabin and made it appear more spacious.

My inside stateroom was packed with storage

Storage is an important feature in cruise ship cabins. Given their compact size, it’s helpful to have an abundance of storage throughout the room, whether closets, drawers, or shelves.

My Allure of the Seas cabin had a surprising amount of storage space.

First, there were three drawers next to the mini fridge. These drawers were easy to access, and they were convenient for storing smaller items like socks and shorts.

There were also two additional shelves under the desk as well as a narrow column of shelves above it.

Additionally, a closet provided extra shelving and hanging space.

Most older cruise ships lack significant storage, so I was nervous my room wouldn't have enough space to unpack my belongings. Luckily, this was not the case, and I was pleased with the number of closets, shelves, drawers.

The storage variety made it easy to unpack and stay organized for the duration of my cruise.

Storage was abundant, but outlets were not

One thing I wish I could have changed about my Allure of the Seas cabin were the number of electrical outlets.

Outlet availability was extremely limited, with just three outlets on the desk and one in the bathroom. I traveled with a laptop, wireless headphones, my phone, a Kindle, and camera, among other electronics. It was a hassle to charge everything with just three outlets.

I also missed having a USB charging port by the bedside.

The lack of outlets was another area where my cabin showed its age. I regretted not packing a USB hub, which would have increased the room's charging capacity.

Lastly, I was impressed with the cabin’s bathroom

Tiny cruise ship bathrooms aren’t glamorous by any means, but I thought my Allure of the Seas bathroom had nice features and a calming color scheme.

Everything in the bathroom seemed to be in great condition, from the vinyl floor to the backsplash and storage shelves. I loved the blue tile, which gave a clean aesthetic to the small space.

Next to the sink were shelves and a drawer. This was extremely useful for storing my toiletries, and a metal bar kept items from falling off the shelf due to ship movement.

Read more: 7 bathroom hacks to use in your cruise ship cabin

I also liked how the bathroom had a glass shower door.

This is far preferable to the cloth curtains used on older ships.

If I cruised on Allure of the Seas again, I’d pick one of the new cabins added during amplification

My short stay in cabin 11273 was comfortable, but I’d pick a different room next time.

During Allure of the Seas’ amplification, a number of new cabins were added to the ship. These include interior rooms on decks 6, 11, and 12 along with the Ultimate Panoramic Suites above the ship’s bridge.

Presumably, the new cabins feature more updated furnishing and decor. When Liberty of the Seas was refreshed in 2016, for instance, Royal Caribbean added 86 cabins to the ship. These rooms look more modern compared to other cabins on the vessel.

Read more: We tried 4 cabins on Liberty of the Seas: here's how they compared

The next time I cruise on Allure of the Seas, I would specifically book one of these new cabin locations. Although cruising in a cabin built in 2009 wasn’t a dealbreaker, I’d certainly prefer sailing in a 2025-style stateroom on the same ship.

Royal Caribbean just finished updating Allure of the Seas with so many new changes, and I wanted to be the first to see it all.

Following a $100M amplification, the vessel was modernized to include new activities, dining venues, and updated entertainment.

With all the enhancements, whether the tropical Pesky Parrot bar or Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, I couldn’t wait to get onboard and check out everything new on the amplified ship.

I paid $1,260 for an interior cabin

I booked my Allure of the Seas cruise nine months prior to departure. I was set to sail on the first cruise following her amplification, a 4-night Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona.

Expecting high airfare costs, I hoped to save money on the price of my cabin, opting for an interior guarantee room over a balcony or suite. The guarantee rate meant my small, windowless stateroom would not be assigned until closer to the sail date.

There’s some risk involved with guarantee cabins, such as being assigned a room in an unfavorable location, but still, it helped me save money.

In total, I paid $1,260 for my cruise fare. This included the price of the cabin for two adults along with taxes, fees, and prepaid gratuities.

My room wasn’t anything special, but choosing the cheapest cabin option allowed me to spend more money elsewhere.

At $1,360, my economy flight to Europe was more expensive than my cruise fare

Because Allure of the Seas’ first cruise following her amplification left from Spain, I knew my flight would be expensive. I paid $1,360 for a round trip flight to Barcelona. While somewhat expected, this was, admittedly, more than I hoped to pay.

I fly to Europe every summer for both cruises and land-based travel. Coming from the west coast of the US, I usually find savvy ways to save money on airfare.

Read more: 6 things to consider before booking a flight to your cruise

Sometimes I fly to the cheapest destination, such as London, and buy a budget hopper flight to my cruise embarkation city. I also typically search for deals in the months leading up to my cruise, keeping travel dates somewhat flexible in order to find the best option.

For this cruise, I didn’t have as much flexibility due to schedule constraints. As a result, I spent more for my flight than on previous trips to Europe.

A pre-cruise hotel in Barcelona was $252

It’s always recommended to arrive to your embarkation city the day before your cruise begins.

This is especially true in Europe. Arriving a day early not only gives you extra time to make it to the port in case of delays, but it also helps you recover from jet lag before your cruise begins.

Before embarking Allure of the Seas, I booked a one night stay at Hotel Rec, an adults-only hotel near Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf. At $252, I thought the price was fair for the city center, and I was impressed by the location and facilities.

A rooftop bar provided excellent views of the city. As another plus, I was just steps away from some of Barcelona's most iconic attractions.

It was the perfect place to catch up on rest before heading to the cruise port the following day.

My in-country transportation was only $30

Something I love about cruising in Europe are the well-connected ports and city centers. One way I saved money on my Allure of the Seas cruise was by utilizing public transportation to and from the airport, my hotel, and the cruise port.

Instead of taking a $40 taxi from the airport to my hotel, for example, I took the airport bus and subway, setting me back just $11. In total, I spent around $30 for all in-country transportation before and after my cruise.

Taking public transportation can be a great way to save money, but only under the right circumstances. I traveled with just a carry-on suitcase and backpack, so it was easy to navigate the transit systems.

If I were with a larger group or had heavy luggage, sharing a taxi might be more cost-effective and less stressful.

While onboard, I spent nothing extra aside from tips

It wasn’t necessarily intentional, but my bill at the end of my Allure of the Seas cruise was $0.

Royal Caribbean cruises include a lot in the cruise fare, but most passengers still spend extra onboard. Whether a spa treatment, specialty dining meal, or drink at a bar, it’s easy to find ways to spend money around the ship.

For my short 4-night cruise, I found enough variety in dining options and activities that I didn’t feel the need to spend anything extra. While I would have enjoyed a meal at Izumi Sushi or Giovanni’s Table, there were more than enough complimentary dining venues to keep me satisfied.

Likewise, my five daily drink vouchers through Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society meant I never needed to spend extra on drinks. I loved using these vouchers to try cocktails around the ship, including those from Allure’s new Lime and Coconut bar and the Trellis Bar in Central Park.

Aside from tipping a few crew members at the end of the cruise, I didn’t spend anything extra onboard.

I spent $53 on a shore excursion in France and $120 while exploring port

My 4-night Allure of the Seas cruise included two ports of call: Marseille, France and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

I rarely book organized shore excursions when I cruise, but I knew I wanted to plan a tour in Marseille. After visiting the port last year, I felt as if I had already seen most of Marseille’s highlights.

This time, I wanted to visit a small town near the city, but I was nervous to travel far distances on my own. With just eight hours in Marseille, I didn’t want to risk missing the ship.

Instead, I spent $53 on a tour to Aix-en-Provence. This small city is known for its charming architecture and lively markets, and it’s just a half hour drive from the cruise port. The tour, Aix On Your Own, included transport to the city, four hours of free time upon arrival, and transport back to the cruise port.

I originally booked the tour for $71, but later noticed a price drop. As a result, I canceled the tour and rebooked through Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site, saving me $18 in the process.

In addition to the excursion cost, I also encountered additional expenses exploring ports of call. From a $3 latte to $10 crêpe, I spent around $120 total in Spain and France.

Spending $3,075 was costly for a 4-night cruise. Next time, I’d book a longer itinerary.

After spending $3,075 for my short trip to Europe, I don’t think I would ever do it again. Flying to Europe takes significant money and effort. Booking a longer cruise would have made the expenses more justified.

Some travel purchases, like a pre-cruise hotel and airfare, are set in stone regardless of whether I book a 4-night or 12-night European cruise.

So although the cruise fare may be more expensive on a longer itinerary, the price per day (when taking into account airfare and hotels) is typically much lower.

Read more: Lessons learned after trying a Mediterranean cruise

At the end of the day, I’m glad I got to sail on the amplified Allure of the Seas. It was a beautiful ship and I love all the new features Royal Caribbean added to the vessel.

On future trips to Europe, though, I’ll definitely book a longer itinerary or even back-to-back cruises. There are so many unique itineraries on the continent and I wish I had more time to discover them all.

Royal Caribbean made a lot of changes to Allure of the Seas with her amplification, but I was surprised they didn't do more.

Allure of the Seas recently completed a major $100M amplification to modernize the 15-year-old vessel. The ship saw significant changes, but I was surprised to see the cruise line keep select features I thought would be updated.

While you can find new, exciting features like waterslides and The Mason Jar bar, the cruise line didn’t change everything on the vessel. Several old restaurants remain onboard, for example, and cabins are still lacking in power outlet availability.

From keeping the Italian restaurant to moving the smoothie bar, these are the 6 things I’m surprised Royal Caribbean didn’t change during Allure of the Seas’ amplification.

I’m surprised Royal Caribbean kept Boardwalk Donuts

Allure of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship with Boardwalk Donuts, a casual donut shop in the ship’s Boardwalk Neighborhood.

Each morning, passengers can indulge in all-you-can-eat donuts free of charge, whether a pink-frosted or classic glazed. Complimentary drinks, like coffee and orange juice, are available at the venue, too.

During Allure’s amplification, Royal Caribbean made significant changes to the Boardwalk Neighborhood. They added an Ultimate Abyss slide and removed Sabor Modern Mexican in favor of Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade.

I thought Boardwalk Donuts might be removed as part of the renovation. Donuts can be found elsewhere onboard, and the venue was never as busy as restaurants like Park Cafe or the Windjammer buffet.

I was surprised, therefore, to see Boardwalk Donuts still present on the Boardwalk. For those in search of a quick, sugary breakfast, it’s a great option.

I can’t believe they kept Samba Grill

Allure of the Seas is one of only two Royal Caribbean ships with Samba Grill, a Brazilian rodizio specialty restaurant. The venue serves all-you-can-eat meat and a selection of Brazilian side dishes and salads. It’s located in the Solarium Bistro in the evenings.

I never expected this restaurant to remain post-amplification; it’s far from the most popular specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean. Given that the line only added the venue to two ships, I thought they would use Allure's amplification as an opportunity to remove it.

Other Oasis Class ships also serve dinner in the Solarium Bistro, but it’s a complimentary, Mediterranean-inspired menu. I assumed this is what the venue would be used for on Allure of the Seas, too.

Yet I was bewildered to see Samba Grill remains post-amplification. For meat-loving passengers, it’s a unique dining opportunity to enjoy onboard.

I wish Royal Caribbean added destination elevators to the ship

Royal Caribbean has outfitted its newest vessels with destination elevators, so I was hopeful they would add these innovative elevators to Allure of the Seas. The cruise line had even been testing destination elevators on Allure last year, so I assumed they would add them to the ship.

Destination elevators differ from traditional elevators in that instead of selecting a deck once you step inside the elevator, you pick your deck number in the lobby via a touchpad. You’re then assigned an elevator number with other passengers heading to that same deck.

Destination elevators cut down on wait times on cruise ships with thousands of other guests. It also helps prevent elevators from stopping on every floor.

Unfortunately, Allure of the Seas still has traditional elevators, so passengers can expect lengthy waits at busy times of the day.

I’m surprised Vitality Café is now in the pizzeria

When I boarded Allure of the Seas, I headed to the spa to check out the facilities. To my surprise, Vitality Café was no longer there.

Vitality Café is a staple of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, and it’s a favorite amongst health-conscious cruisers. The café serves a selection of fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and protein shakes at an extra cost.

It appears Royal Caribbean is phasing out Vitality Café, as it was not added to Utopia of the Seas, the newest Oasis Class ship.

Nonetheless, I was still surprised to see the venue removed on Allure of the Seas… until I realized it was moved to the pizzeria.

While grabbing a quick slice from Sorrento’s, I noticed a sign for fresh juices and shakes at the pizzeria’s bar. During her amplification, Vitality Café was moved to this area, albeit with a more limited menu.

Sorrento’s seems like a weird spot for a health bar, but I’m glad I can still order my favorite juices and smoothies onboard. The venue is open between 6AM and 3PM each day. At 3PM, the bar in Sorrento's begins serving alcoholic beverages.

I thought my cabin would have more power outlets

Cabins on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are filled to the brim with power outlets, whether traditional plugs or USB hubs.

I knew Allure of the Seas had limited outlets prior to her amplification, but I thought the cabins would be modernized with additional charging sources.

To my disappointment, they were not, and outlets are still extremely limited in the cabin. There are no charging ports by the bed, and only three North-American style plugs are located on the desk.

Read more: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

I naively assumed there would be more charging options in my cabin, so I decided against packing power cubes for my USB cables. I immediately regretted that decision. With such limited outlet availability, charging my electronics has been a headache compared to on the fleet’s newer ships.

Lastly, I thought Giovanni’s Table would be upgraded

Like most Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Allure of the Seas has an Italian specialty restaurant. For a cover charge, guests can dine at Giovanni’s Table, which serves a variety of Italian specialties including pastas, steak, and seafood.

There are three Italian specialty restaurants in Royal Caribbean’s fleet: Giovanni’s Table, Jamie’s Italian, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

Giovanni’s Table is the oldest of the three restaurants. It was added to Allure of the Seas for her initial launch in 2009, and has remained a popular choice for those looking for a more elegant dinner onboard.

Yet I’m surprised they kept the venue during Allure’s amplification. Although there’s nothing wrong with the restaurant, it’s considered older in terms of restaurants on Royal Caribbean. The fleet’s latest ships feature Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. This is the line’s newest rendition of an Italian specialty restaurant, which serves both pizza and pasta.

I expected Giovanni's Table to become Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen during Allure's amplification.

At the end of the day, both restaurants serve a nice meal—I actually prefer Giovanni’s Table to the newer version—but keeping the old restaurant was still a surprise.

Allure of the Seas just completed her $100M+ amplification, and I’m onboard to check out all of the latest upgrades and enhancements.

Let’s take a look inside the ship to see what has changed!

After 2 months, Allure of the Seas has completed her long-awaited renovation

For years, Allure had been considered the most outdated of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships. Having launched in 2009, the ship had yet to receive any major upgrades to onboard venues and activities.

There were no waterslides, for instance, and several of the ship’s restaurants, like Sabor Modern Mexican, have largely been retired from Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Allure of the Seas was set to receive her amplification in 2020, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Five years later, however, she has finally received her much-anticipated amplification. Here’s everything that has changed on the vessel, both the minor upgrades and major renovations.

The pool deck has completely changed, both in decor and amenities

One of the most notable changes to Allure of the Seas is the Caribbean-style pool deck; it has been totally transformed.

The ship now has three waterslides: the Perfect Storm racing slides and the Supercell, a champagne bowl slide.

These waterslides are a welcome change to the ship, which was the only vessel in the Oasis Class without them.

In addition, Splashaway Bay has replaced the H2O Zone. This aqua park features splash areas, a water dump bucket, and a small slide designed for younger children.

There is no pool nor are there hot tubs in this area—these were removed during the switch to Splashaway Bay.

As a result, two hot tubs were added to the upper pool deck on deck 16, fitting the resort-style vibe.

All bars on Allure of the Seas’ pool deck have been remodeled to The Lime and Coconut. This Caribbean bar features vibrant decor and a selection of fruity, tropical drinks.

Aside from The Lime and Coconut, Caribbean-themed decor is found elsewhere on the pool deck. Colorful seating is placed around the deck, and there are also private cabanas available to rent.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade can be found in the Boardwalk Neighborhood

Royal Caribbean’s beloved sports bar has finally launched on Allure of the Seas.

Replacing Sabor Modern Mexican, Playmakers offers a variety of casual bar food with an extra cost, à la carte menu. Passengers can indulge in fan-favorites like the Pile On Nachos, Buffalo Chicken Crunch Roll, and Truffle Burger.

Read more: Guide to Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Of course, you can’t forget to order the Campfire Cookie, a skillet-baked chocolate chip cookie topped with toasted marshmallows and Nutella.

Royal Caribbean’s all-new tiki bar, Pesky Parrot, is now on the Royal Promenade

When Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, launched last summer, the cruise line premiered an all-new bar concept for the line: Pesky Parrot.

This bar is designed to transport guests straight to a Caribbean resort. Pesky Parrot combines beach-themed decor with tropical cocktails, whether the Peanut Butter Piña Colada or Tiki ‘Mosa.

Given the success on Utopia of the Seas, it’s no surprise to see Pesky Parrot added to Allure of the Seas on the Royal Promenade. This venue replaces the Champagne Bar, and it was jam-packed on embarkation day.

The Mason Jar offers southern-inspired cuisine, a live country trio, and inventive cocktails

Allure of the Seas is the third Royal Caribbean ship to feature The Mason Jar, and given the venue’s beloved reputation, it’s sure to be a busy spot onboard.

The Mason Jar is divided into two sections: a southern restaurant and a country bar with live music.

The restaurant serves southern favorites for brunch and dinner, whether the Stuffed French Toast or Lobster n’ Crawfish Gumbo, and comes with a cover charge.

The bar is open to all guests regardless of whether or not they dine in the restaurant.

While you can find a variety of drinks available, the menu shines in its bourbon cocktails, such as the Mint Julep and PB&J Old Fashioned.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's best bar scene is at The Mason Jar

On most evenings, a country trio performs in the bar, which absolutely can’t be missed.

Compared to the venue on Wonder and Utopia of the Seas, the bar space on Allure has more seating.

El Loco Fresh serves up Mexican favorites on the pool deck

Although Allure of the Seas removed Sabor Modern Mexican from the Boardwalk Neighborhood, passengers can still find Mexican favorites at El Loco Fresh, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary, grab-and-go Mexican restaurant.

Prior to her amplification, the ship was retrofitted with a temporary El Loco Fresh in the Wipe Out Café. Now, though, the venue has officially changed to El Loco Fresh and is complete with the restaurant’s branding and decor.

The AquaTheater show has been upgraded

With high divers, aerialists, and slackliners, production shows in the AquaTheater are a highlight of any Oasis Class cruise. Royal Caribbean has retired OceanAria, Allure’s old AquaTheater show, for a new one: Aqua80Too.

Also available on Utopia of the Seas, Aqua80Too is the sequel to Aqua80 found on Oasis of the Seas. The show features classic AquaTheater stunts set to the tune of the biggest hits of the 1980s.

Adventure Ocean has been revamped with upgraded kids and teens clubs

Families boarding the amplified Allure of the Seas can look forward to new and improved youth programming facilities in Adventure Ocean.

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean provides childcare for passengers aged 0 to 17, and offers specific venues for each age group. Allure’s existing Adventure Ocean has been retrofitted with the cruise line’s more modern take on the facilities.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Adventure Ocean

New additions include:

• Adventure Ocean Theater, offering movies and a small space for performances and shows
• The Workshop, offering craft and science experiments
• Play Place, an unsupervised play area for young cruisers (parents must be present)
• The Arena, designed for sports and physical activity

Teens have access to an enhanced hangout space, Social298, which offers activities like video games, movies, and music for guests aged 13-17.

The Crown Lounge is now on deck 15

Royal Caribbean’s exclusive lounge for Diamond members and above in the Crown & Anchor Society has been moved to a new location on Allure of the Seas.

Prior to her amplification, Allure’s Crown Lounge was located on decks 11 and 12, and it was one of the biggest locations in the fleet, offering views of the Boardwalk Neighborhood below.

Now, the Crown Lounge is located on deck 15 next to The Mason Jar. The lounge has ample natural light, differentiating itself from the interior, windowless Crown Lounge on most other Oasis Class ships.

Cabins were added to the ship, too

Over 100 new cabins have been added to Allure of the Seas during her amplification.

By moving the Crown Lounge, a large space became available for additional interior cabins on decks 11 and 12. Aside from these rooms, Royal Caribbean added Ultimate Panoramic Suites above the ship’s bridge. These cabins provide 200-degree ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows and come with exclusive Star Class perks.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Luxury Star Class Suite Review

As far as existing cabins go, no major renovations were made. In my interior cabin, furnishings like the couch did not get replaced or reupholstered, and no new outlets or USB ports were added to the room.

There are three new activities passengers can try

As if there wasn’t enough to do on Allure of the Seas before her amplification, now passengers can try even more activities.

First, the Ultimate Abyss has been added to the ship’s aft. Like with waterslides, Allure of the Seas was previously the only Oasis Class ship without The Ultimate Abyss, a dry slide taking guests from the Sports Deck to the Boardwalk.

This slide is complimentary for guests, and it’s undoubtedly the most thrilling way to get from one place to another onboard.

An escape room was added to the vessel, too. Passengers can test their wits at Mission Control: The Lunar Landing, where they’ll navigate a series of puzzles and clues to “escape” the room before time runs out.

This activity costs $44 per passenger for the 30-minute experience.

Finally, laser tag is now available, and it’s included in guests’ cruise fares.

Vitality Café has been removed from the spa

A change some cruisers may be surprised to see is the removal of Vitality Café.

Prior to amplification, Vitality Café served juices, smoothies, protein shakes, and snacks in the ship’s spa. Aside from a few food items, the venue came with an extra cost.

Now, the area is used for additional seating. Based on deck plans, it appears additional cabins were added behind this area.

The good news is the Vitality Café menu is still available!

You can find it at Sorrento's.

Photo area has been converted

The photo gallery is now fully digital.

Instead of printed photos to peruse, any photos that the ship's photographers take are now easily viewable from a kiosk.

Likewise, the Shore Excursion desk is now digital too and has a refreshed look.

Shaved Ice Bar added

Royal Caribbean added another feature from Utopia of the Seas, with the Shaved Ice Bar.

Located at Wipeout Cafe near the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss, you can purchase flavored shave ice here, including adult beverages that come with alcohol.

New location for Chef's Table

Chef's Table has been moved to deck 4.

It's located in the same area as Izumi, but on the other side.

After being delayed departing for a few days, Allure of the Seas is ready to welcome guests back onboard.

Before that happens, Royal Caribbean informed guests booked on the first sailing back that its first sailing will start a bit later than originally planned.

Passengers booked on the April 11th sailing received an update today that boarding would be delayed by 4 hours.

Allure of the Seas will be boarding in the Port of Barcelona a bit later than originally planned. Due to this delay, all arrival windows have been pushed back by four (4) hours. Please arrive according to your updated arrival time to ensure a smooth boarding process. We’ve sent you an email with further details. See you soon!

No reason was given for the delay, but it's possible because of a last-minute issue with the ship's propulsion that needed to be fixed.

The original plan was for Allure to depart the shipyard on Monday, April 7, but a technician discovered that several propellers had a problem.

It turned out the propellors were in poor condition, and additional work was needed beyond what was originally planned.

Royal Caribbean decided to take the extra time and replace them prior to the ship departing for her summer homeport of Barcelona, Spain.

According to local media, the cost is $2.2 - $3.3 million to make the fix.

The good news is there will not be any push back of Allure's return to service, minus a few hours.

Arrival times for check-in at the cruise terminal will consequently be pushed back 4 hours to adjust for the new time.

Big upgrades for the ship

Royal Caribbean has spent $100+ million on Allure's updates and changes, and it's the first ship to get major upgrades like this since 2020.

Over the past five weeks, Allure of the Seas has been getting a massive renovation to bring her up-to-date with amenities like Playmaker's, the Perfect Storm water slides, Ultimate Abyss, the Mason Jar specialty restaurant, resort-style pool deck, new Ultimate Panoramic Suites, and more. 

The updates were initially scheduled for 2020; however, her much-needed revitalization was indefinitely delayed because of the pandemic. Details regarding the dry dock were finally announced last August. 

Changes include the addition of water slides, the Pesky Parrot Bar, a revamped pool deck, new staterooms, an Ultimate Abyss slide, and many updates around the ship to make it look refreshed.

Key upgrades include:

• Installation of "The Perfect Storm" water slides and the transformation of the H2O Zone into Splashaway Bay for aquatic fun.
• A contemporary, resort-style pool deck featuring Caribbean-inspired décor, new seating, updated hot tubs, and the addition of The Lime & Coconut pool bar.
• A 10-story dry slide offering a thrilling descent to the Boardwalk neighborhood.
• Introduction of the Pesky Parrot tiki bar on the Royal Promenade, replacing the Champagne Bar, and The Mason Jar Southern American specialty restaurant on Deck 15.
• Addition of 30 new cabins, including the Ultimate Panoramic Suite near the ship's bridge, offering 914 square feet of space with 200-degree floor-to-ceiling views.
• Revamped Adventure Ocean kids' club with new spaces like Play Place, AO Theater, Workshop, Arena, and The Hangout, along with a relocated teen club, Social298.
• Laser tag sessions in Studio B, providing interactive gaming experiences for guests. 

Allure of the Seas will re-enter service in April, offering a summer cruise season in the Mediterranean with 7-night voyages.

Following Allure's season in Europe, she'll reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025. Allure will homeport in Port Everglades through October 2026, minus a short stint in Galveston, Texas, in March and April 2026. 

Royal Caribbean is almost ready to bring back into service one of its mega ships, but it needs a few more days to solve a propulsion problem.

Local media reports that Allure of the Seas' departure from Cádiz, Spain, has been delayed. To be clear, there's been no announced delay from the cruise line in the start of the first sailing back for Allure of the Seas.

The Oasis Class ship was scheduled to depart from Cádiz on Monday, April 7, before her post-revitalization debut on the 11th. 

However, during her time at Navantia's dry dock, a technician discovered that several propellers on the three azipods, the electronic propulsion systems attached to the ship's hull beneath the waterline, were in poor condition. 

They didn't need to be replaced; however, Royal Caribbean opted to add new propellers to Allure before sending her to Barcelona to start a busy seasonal stint in the Mediterranean — her first since 2015. 

Diario de Cádiz reported that the issues could keep Allure in Cádiz for three extra days. However, Navantia and the auxiliary companies reduced the estimated timeline to a day and a half if there aren't further complications. 

According to Bryan James, a musician onboard, Allure of the Seas just left the dryock this evening, "We are leaving the shipyard and heading to Barcelona! "

Replacing the propellers isn't cheap. While Navantia hasn't released the price, Diario de Cádiz revealed it could cost €2 or €3 million (approximately $2.2 - $3.3 million). This is on top of the $100+ million spent on the scheduled renovation. 

Passengers booked on Allure of the Seas' April 11 cruise to Marseille and Palma de Mallorca haven't been informed of any changes to their itinerary, though this could change depending on when Allure finally departs. 

Allure of the Seas has spent over five weeks in Spain undergoing a massive renovation to bring her up-to-date with amenities like Playmaker's, the Perfect Storm water slides, Ultimate Abyss, the Mason Jar specialty restaurant, resort-style pool deck, new Ultimate Panoramic Suites, and more. 

The updates were initially scheduled for 2020; however, her much-needed revitalization was indefinitely delayed because of the pandemic. Details regarding the dry dock were finally announced last August. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

Over 2,300 contractors — including electricians, carpenters, painters, and plasterers — have been working hard to ensure that every new feature is ready, as reported by The Independent. 

In addition to new amenities, the crew has spent time refreshing existing spaces. For example, over 28,000 bulbs have been replaced in cabins with more energy-efficient LED lighting. 

Moreover, thousands of cracked or worn tiles in the outdoor Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 have been replaced, as well as the mini-golf turf on Deck 15.

Following the scheduled 4-night cruise on Apr. 11 and 5-night cruise on Apr. 15, Allure of the Seas will offer weeklong Mediterranean voyages through October 2025. 

Guests can depart on round-trip itineraries from either Barcelona, Spain, or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; La Spezia, Italy; and Naples, Italy. 

Allure of the Seas will return to North America, offering winter cruises to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.