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Video: Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas to get $165m makeover

In:
18 Jul 2019

Royal Caribbean recently announced big changes coming to Allure of the Seas in 2020, and we have a brand new video outlining exactly what the cruise line is adding, changing and enhancing.

Allure of the Seas is set to undergo a $165 million transformation, which will see the addition of new features, before setting sail in 2020. Wondering what exactly is getting changed? We have a full list of what Royal Caribbean has planned in this video.

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: Which change are you most excited about on Allure of the Seas?

Allure of the Seas docks in San Juan following two cancelled visits by other Royal Caribbean ships

In:
18 Jul 2019

After two consecutive Royal Caribbean ships cancelled scheduled stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Allure of the Seas was able to dock in San Juan earlier today.

MarineTraffic and El Nuevo Día indicate Allure of the Seas was able to dock in Old San Juan this morning on Pier 3.

Earlier this week, Empress of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas skipped stops in San Juan due to political demonstrations in the island's capital.Harmony of the Seas was rerouted on Wednesday to its next port of St. Maarten, while Empress of the Seas visited Tortola instead.

The demonstrations are part of a multi-day protest that are calling for the resignation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló after sexist private chat messages were leaked.

Royal Caribbean announces $165 million upgrades and enhancements to Allure of the Seas

In:
11 Jul 2019

Allure of the Seas will undergo a 58-day, $165 million transformation that will add new features, including the Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, completely redesigned Adventure Ocean kids and teens spaces, the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, and Quantum Class original Music Hall.

Beginning May 2020, Allure of the Seas’ 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises sailing roundtrip from Barcelona will visit must-see cities such as Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples/Capri, Italy. In November 2020, Allure will make its way coast to coast to Miami for the winter season.

Family

  • The 10-story Ultimate Abyss
  • The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides, Typhoon, Cyclone and Supercell
  • Splashaway Bay kids aquapark, featuring twin drench buckets, three waterslides, fountains, pools, water cannons and a Splash Pad for tots
  • Reimagined pool deck, complete with The Lime & Coconut signature bar across two locations, a wider variety of seating and shade with cabana-like “casitas,” daybeds, hammocks and swing seats; new whirlpools on the top deck, and a reinvigorated, adults-only Solarium.
  • All-new Adventure Ocean, where younger kids can choose their own immersive adventures across an entirely new layout.


    The major makeover will bring to life interactive, personalized and unexpected activities and features in areas redesigned from top to bottom, including whimsical rooms with climbable creations at Play Place, hands-on art, science and tech fun at Workshop;

    friendly competition in physical, interactive games at Arena; the Hangout, to chill and make new friends over gaming consoles or sit back for some quality “me” time, AO Babies for babies and tots, and experiential activities at the multipurpose AO Junior space specially designed for 3- to 5-year-olds
  • Maxed-out teen spaces, debuting a 360-degree transformation, with a secret speakeasy-like entrance leading into an exclusive lounge with gaming consoles, music, movies, places to hang out and a new outdoor deck

  • Glow-in-the-dark laser tag in Clash for the Crystal City and Royal Escape Room – Apollo 18: Lunar Landing, an out-of-this-world expedition that challenges guests to solve puzzle after puzzle before time runs out

Dining

  • Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, a new take on a guest-favorite, will offer the beloved family-style, rustic dining experience with an enhanced menu of Italian staples, complete with hand-tossed pizza from the new in-house pizza oven, an expansive charcuterie station and a wide selection of wines and limoncellos

  • Portside BBQ will serve up a menu inspired by popular barbecue styles across the United States, including brisket, pulled pork, chicken, burnt ends, mac and cheese, homestyle cornbread and more


  • Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade for gameday watch parties on big-screen TVs, tournaments, bar bites with a twist and ice-cold brews
  • El Loco Fresh, featuring casual Mexican “street fare”
  • Sugar Beach, the sweetest spot on board with more than 220 types of candy and ice cream
  • Bionic Bar by Makr Shakr, manned by two robot bartenders shaking up classic cocktails and custom orders

Nightlife

  • Music Hall, a Quantum Class favorite, will take live music to the next level with revolving setlists and cover bands, ample lounge seating on two levels and room to rock out on the dance floor

  • Spotlight Karaoke, the dedicated karaoke bar with both main stage and private room experiences will feature thousands of songs to choose from, music trivia and themed nights

Propulsion issue slows Allure of the Seas and changes some itineraries

In:
02 May 2019

Guests with sailings booked on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas are receiving emails from the cruise line that their itinerary has changed due to a speed restriction.

Emails similar to this one that Royal Caribbean Blog reader Nathan shared with us, were sent to guests informing them of the itinerary change.

Royal Caribbean has not indicated the nature of the issue exactly. Based on emails sent to guests, it appears the changes mostly affect Eastern Caribbean itineraries, with St. Thomas often being replaced with San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our readers have indicated that Western Caribbean itineraries have mostly seen some shifts in times, but no port swaps.

Allure of the Seas had an issue with her propulsion in 2017, that resulted in the ship going in for a dry dock to repair the problem. She also had a propulsion issue back in 2013.

Royal Caribbean adds chat feature to Allure of the Seas

In:
20 Sep 2018

Royal Caribbean has released version 1.10.2 of its new smart phone app, which prepares to add Brilliance of the Seas to the smartphone app as well as adding the much-anticipated chat feature to Allure of the Seas.

The chat feature allows guest-to-guest chat on Allure of the Seas.  Guests may link to other staterooms and chat with friends and family for free.

Allure of the Seas is the first Royal Caribbean ship to offer the chat feature and marks a major step forward in the app's development.

The app is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Royal Caribbean announces enhanced online check-in process

In:
07 Aug 2018

Royal Caribbean announced today an easier online check-in process that aims to cut down the check-in process by 25%.

Guests will be asked to enter fewer data fields and can apply information, like credit card data, to multiple parties on their reservation. These improvements help guests move through the check-in process faster and easier.

The new online check-in features:

  • Fewer steps needed for check-in completion
  • Option to check in one person or your entire party simultaneously
  • Ability to edit previously entered information without repeating any steps
  • Easy add-guest or remove-guest functionality from check-in process
  • The ability to stop and save at any point
  • Easily pick up where you left off on either the website or the Royal Caribbean mobile App check in
  • Convenient digital SetSail pass for mobile use at terminal

The new online check-in process is already available for sailings onboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas. Royal Caribbean plans to expand this functionality to other ships "in the near future".

Guests can check-in from 90 days to 72 hours prior to the sail date. If a guest misses the check-in window, the guest has the option to check-in at the Port.

Royal Caribbean testing expedited boarding

In:
11 Apr 2018

Royal Caribbean is inviting select guests to try out a new way to board the ship that aims to improve the embarkation process.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader, Steve, shared with us an email sent with the invitation to try the expedited check-in for an upcoming sailing on Allure of the Seas.

Guests simply need to download the new Royal Caribbean smart phone app and then check-in on the mobile app prior to the cruise.

Once the mobile check-in is complete, guests might see an Expedited Arrival choice on their mobile boarding pass, which means they have been selected to participate in our boarding trial.

Upon arrival at the cruise terminal, there will be an Expedited Arrival lane for these guests, who may present their mobile boarding pass. 

Since this is a test, the exact process may change.  This may be a precursor to the "frictionless" check-in Royal Caribbean announced late last year

Royal Caribbean updates new smartphone app and enables login & features for Allure and Symphony

In:
29 Mar 2018

Royal Caribbean has released version 1.6.2 of its new official Royal Caribbean International app, which locks down the app to select ships, introduces a login feature, and opens the app up a bit more to two ships.

With the 1.6.2 release, guests on Allure of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas have access to improved guest accounts, and can make reservations for specialty dining restaurants.

Guests on Symphony of the Seas may now take advantage of the app’s online check-in functionality.

The app is now available on Allure of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas. 

The app is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

Photos: Behind the scenes of Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas dry dock work

In:
23 Jan 2018

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas is undergoing repairs to its propulsion system, which was damaged last summer

Royal Caribbean Chief Meterologist James Van Fleet has been sharing photos from the dockyard in the Bahamas of the work being done to Allure.

Allure of the Seas is in dry dock this week to complete the repairs.

Royal Caribbean changes Allure of the Seas' itinerary due to Hurricane Irma

In:
01 Sep 2017

Royal Caribbean announced it has changed the scheduled itinerary for Allure of the Seas due to the recently developed Category 2 hurricane.

Hurricane Irma is expected to begin a northwest turn just before Saint Maarten on Wednesday, according to Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet.

Given the storm's location and for the comfort and safety of our guests and crew, Royal Caribbean felt it necessary to alter the currently scheduled Eastern Caribbean itinerary for Allure of the Seas September 3 to a Western Caribbean itinerary. The new itinerary is outlined below.

DATEDAYPORTARRIVALDEPARTURE
03-SepSundayFort Lauderdale, Florida 4:30PM
04-SepMondayAt Sea
05-SepTuesdayCozumel, Mexico8:00AM7:00PM
06-SepWednesdayAt Sea
07-SepThursdayFalmouth, Jamaica8:00AM3:00PM
08-SepFridayLabadee, Haiti10:30AM6:30PM
09-SepSaturdayAt Sea
10-SepSundayFort Lauderdale, Florida6:00AM 

Pre-booked shore excursions for our previous ports of call will be cancelled and refunded to the guest’s original form of payment while onboard. Guests will also have the ability to book shore excursions for our new ports of call at the Shore Excursions desk onboard Allure of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean noted they do not expect to make any further itinerary changes, but it may happen depending on the path of the storm.

James Van Fleet will continue to offer more frequent updates on his twitter account.

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