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This giant Royal Caribbean ship is about to get a massive makeover

Aug. 06, 2024
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3 min read
2Photo Jul 23 2023, 12 19 27 PM
This giant Royal Caribbean ship is about to get a massive makeover
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One of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships at sea is about to get a major glow-up.

The Miami-based line on Tuesday announced that the massive 225,282-ton Allure of the Seas will head to a shipyard early next year for a $100 million overhaul.

The refurbishment will include the addition of new Ultimate Panoramic Suites above Allure’s bridge, which will offer 200-degree ocean views. Other changes will include a vamped-up Caribbean pool deck with upgraded loungers and cabanas, new top-deck attractions, an expansion of the adults-only Solarium area, upgraded kids and teens hangouts, and new dining and bar venues.

Allure's makeover has been a long time coming. Beginning in 2018, the line’s “Royal Amplified” program included significant refurbishments for Voyager Class, Freedom Class and Oasis Class ships. Allure was all set to get a big "amplification" in 2020.

However, the update was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It left Allure as the only Oasis Class ship without some of the major new features put on other ships, such as the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. Most notably, Allure is the only Oasis Class ship without waterslides. These missing elements will finally be added during the ship’s 2025 overhaul.

Related: The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

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During the update, Royal Caribbean plans to add its popular top-deck attractions to Allure of the Seas, including the waterslide trio The Perfect Storm, a Splashaway Bay watery zone for younger passengers and an expanded version of the poolside bar The Lime and Coconut.

New dining and drink options will include the Caribbean-themed tiki bar Pesky Parrot, which debuted on Utopia of the Seas (it replaces the line’s Bionic Bar and robot bartenders). Additionally, the ship will finally get The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant and Bar, which is currently only on Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade will also be added to Allure during the renovation.

Allure of the Seas, the second of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, was launched in 2010. The vessel will enter the shipyard for an overhaul in February 2025 and debut its new look in April 2025.

After that, Allure of the Seas will sail Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona during summer 2025 before heading to Fort Lauderdale in November 2025. The vessel will sail six- to eight-night Caribbean vacations to the Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas, with stops at Royal Caribbean’s private islands Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas (set to open in late 2025).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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